Exaltation (Insight #11)(18)
The last time was barely a year ago. The battles were unpredictable at this point. He knew inside each of them was a natural defense, one that would be more effective if they were aware.
Emery’s body tensed. She clearly remembered the fear the girls endured. She had no idea how they would handle the revelation this time. At that moment she was grieving for the death of their childhood.
Jamison eased his hands up her sides then down again. “Not all of it, not at once. Baby steps. They’re not even clearly aware we’re witches, immortal.”
Emery moved her head side to side. “You can’t honestly believe that.”
Jamison glanced away then back to her eyes. “We haven’t outright told them, not that they remember. We need to tell them and let their memories awaken slowly. They know how to protect themselves.”
“They’re children,” Emery shot back.
“They’re young women, and Soren is a young man. We need to awaken them.”
“How’s that going to stop this warrior from your past?”
“I don’t know that it will, but if he’s this close then he’s preparing for another attack. We have spells in line to protect them. They’re going to be fine…but their awareness will only protect them further.”
“How can you promise that?”
Jamison let out a short breath as he remembered his beginning with the Dominarum coven. Reveca as a girl and all she went through. He loved her like a sister and he knew his sister deserved to be reunited with the man who shared her soul, not destroyed by his death.
The idea of his daughter delivering said death was cruel, something Jamison could not allow. Not unless he had no choice or unless it meant saving her life. More than one war was at risk of erupting if Jamison didn’t find a solution. Reveca Beauregard would unleash hell upon earth if she ever discovered her Kenson—Rydell King—was laid down…no matter the reason.
“Like you said, the Creator cannot be that cruel.”
Emery nodded slightly.
“You’re okay with this?” Jamison asked.
She let her hands run up his chest once more. “I trust you.”
“You mean that?” he whispered as his gaze trickled over her.
“I do,” she said, with a trembling voice.
Jamison reached for her face, cradled it as his thumb grazed her cheekbone. “Maybe it’s time for all of our secrets to come out.” He wanted nothing more than the world itself to know who his woman was, who his girls were.
“Baby steps,” Emery whispered.
Jamison melded his lips to Emery’s, stealing her breath. When he pulled away he looked deep in her eyes. “You’re mine. We’re one soul, Emery, and one day you will find the will to believe that without fear.”
Chapter Six
The girls didn’t say a word until they reached the two lockers they shared between the three of them.
“No mystery boy for you this afternoon?” Ash teased Raven.
The school was under construction. In order for Raven to get to second and sixth period, she had to pass through the old gym under the bleachers, then downstairs and through a hallway under the school.
It was literally a rat maze—so many students rushing to get to the other side of the school. Every day for weeks Raven managed to closely pass this senior. She didn’t know his name yet, or what he was even into, she just knew he was the definition of hot, in a dangerous way—because he knew he was hot.
How did Raven know when she had only seen him in a dark hallway and never heard him say a word? It was his eyes. The way he looked at her. And of course how closely they passed each other—they literally slid their bodies against one another.
The last few weeks he found amusement in their daily meetings. Every day it was something different. He either let his hand rest on Raven’s waist, or stopped so she was against him longer, let his hand cross hers. He even smelled her hair one time—yep, smelled her hair. Which…oddly, delighted Raven.
River was furious Raven was giving him control and her grand plan was for Raven to kiss him and show him who was boss. Show him she was not scared of him, that he was food to girls like Raven. Which was not true. But Raven liked the idea of playing the role. She never saw him when the girls were around so she’d never been able to point him out—without the girls ‘vibe’ she was a little hesitant to engage this boy.
They called boys like him regrettables, meaning that you knew you were going to regret it before it even happened. River was the one who coined the catchword. She was the first to handle one. Needless to say the girls never said the “M” word around her because she was still broken after what her regrettable boy did to her. Good thing he was living up north somewhere. Good riddance, Mason Wade.
The first boy who earned the title for Raven was Benjamin. He was the boy who gave her a ride home when she was sixteen—the one she almost died with. The twins never liked him. Raven knew she should have seen that as a sign. But good lawd, he was hot, too…I’m sucker for sexy eyes.
In most cases Raven didn’t have time for boys, not with her class load. All she wanted was a dance partner and at work Soren dominated that role. In front of the audience they played a role that made them look like the perfect couple, which was a joke. He’d been in love with Ash since they were toddlers.