Page 48 of Elemental Healer

Jeff, Carmon, and Drew stiffened.

“What is it?”

My Consort stared at his brother, who was in charge. Carmon answered the question for him. “You are not just Jefferson’s—"

Jeff growled. The menacing sound had the hairs raising on the back of my neck.

“O-kay,” Carmon held the word out. “Apparently Tessa is the only one allowed to call him that. Anyway, you are not just Jeff’s Consort. You are also his mate, or you will be. The only problem is, and it’s not really a problem except for the Mindolin, the Elemental bond won’t stick until you’re seventeen. I’m not sure if the bond will count your age as thirty-three or sixteen.”

I looked to Jefferson. The man’s eyes held a sadness to them that broke my heart. His smile was forced when he noticed me looking. I glared at him. “Do not lie to me in your looks, Jefferson.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry.”

“You’re forgiven. Now, talk to me.”

He nodded. “I’m not sure what all a Witch Consort bond entails, but when an Elemental bond is completed, we will be able to speak mind to mind over our own private link. We’ll also feel each other’s emotions, just like we talked about earlier.”

Those were some cool benefits of a bond. “The Consort bond doesn’t do that. It just leads you to your perfect match.”

“I’m glad it did.” He smiled, and I warmed at the happiness he emitted.

“When you are ready,” Nathaniel spoke up, “just have Tessa push her magic into you again, Jeff. Your element will know what to do to tie her to you. I am very happy for you both. You have my blessing on your bond.”

“Thank you, Nathaniel.” I stood, and he joined me so we could hug.

“I am so happy for you, Tessa,” Nathaniel whispered in my ear. “Your mom would be so proud, just as I am.”

Tears wet my cheeks as I sat, Jeff’s arm moving around my shoulders, and faced Carmon, who took over once more.

“Now, about your accident…”

“Ican’t say for sure it was Vampires,” I answered Carmon, “but our tire was hit by a pike. No one came to attack us, though.”

“Do you think they were trying to follow you once you got picked up?” Drew asked.

“Maybe, but why not just follow us? Why shoot the tire out?”

“Unless,” Tessa turned pale as she looked at me. “Unless they were attempting to do what I was planning to do.”

“Which was?” Cal asked.

Tessa shrugged and looked at my brother. “Take out the healer first. With him gone, everyone will follow.”

“But why not attack?” Victor looked as baffled as the rest of us felt.

“Easy.” Tessa had everyone’s attention.

“Easy?” Drew sounded astonished she’d think such a thing.

“Yeah, easy. You can’t just go in blind. They’ll be doing their recon to see how we react to different situations. It was what I was doing when I poisoned Jeff. Honestly, they probably already know where we are. That’s the first thing they’d do.”

“You were afraid of that, weren’t you, Cal?” Nate looked to my brother.

He nodded. “I had a feeling that’s what was happening, but I wanted another opinion. We’re running short on guards. I’d double up, but I don’t know how the Council will feel about having two races sharing a house together.”

“I’ll guard Lord Love.” A female voice I hadn’t heard in ages said from the direction of the kitchen.

I stood before the others. “Aunt Lilith.”

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