Spring Rain (The Witchling #4)(60)

She wasn’t certain if she should laugh or not at his amused tone.

“Really. Welcome to the family. It’s incredible to find a Light fire witchling and even more so that you’re going to protect Beck. He’s always been a little too trusting, wanting to see the good in everything and everyone. I think he’s wiser now, but just in case …”

“I’m here.”

“Yeah, though in my experience, fire element means you’re as likely to run as you are confront someone.”

Morgan flushed.

“It’s okay,” he laughed. “Rania ran from me when she learned I was her counterbalance. She was gone for a year. Came back, ran after we were married and she got pregnant. She’s run a few times, but she always returns. Decker wasn’t as bad, though he ran more often, just didn’t go as far.”

“How are you not angry?”

“Earth witchlings are patient. We often understand the meaning of something before the other elemental witchlings do,” he said with a shrug. “The combination of fire and earth always works. Every single time.” He was quiet for a long moment. “It’s none of my business, but Decker shared with me what you went through. I just want you to know Beck would never hurt you and you’re safe here. No matter what or who comes looking for you.”

“Dammit, Decker!”

“He means well.” Michael sounded amused. “You a runner, Morgan?”

“Yeah,” she murmured, calming as his earth magick swelled in intensity around her.

“As long as you come back.”

She considered. She didn’t know how she was still there let alone whether or not she was coming back once she left to protect Beck. Beck’s laid back nature came from the man beside her, and she met Michael’s gaze.

“I don’t want to run,” she admitted. “I don’t want him hurt, either.”

“You have a tough choice to make. Either way, whatever you decide, you will always be his, and he’ll always be yours. It’s the nature of the bond you share. Rania and I have pretty much seen it all at this point.” He paused at the edge of the driveway facing the forest. “Summer went through a lot to be with Decker. If you haven’t talked to her about it, you should before you run again. I think it’ll help you understand what’s happening between you and Beck. In the meantime,” he flashed a smile, “We’ll always be here for you.”

Her brow furrowed. She didn’t quiet understand why it sounded like they were accepting her – a stranger – as a permanent part of their family.

“Sam’s that way.” He pointed into the forest. “Come back to the house when you’re done so I can make any arrangements.”

She glanced up at him. “Arrangements?”

He chuckled. “It’s a lot to take in. Rania and I decided we don’t need a wedding ceremony to adopt the counterbalances of our sons. I’ll get you anything you need. A bank account, car, whatever.”

Her jaw dropped. It took her a moment to reply. “I don’t want your money, and I don’t need help from anyone!” she snapped.

“It’s Beck’s.” He winked. “Think of it as me providing you the means to protect him.”

“Absolutely not! I’m not a gold digger like Dawn, and I don’t need charity!” No part of her understood why Beck’s billionaire family was talking like they were either married or she was being adopted. She had her own family, however poor and dysfunctional they were, and she certainly did not need charity from his parents to make her way in life. Overwhelmed by the speed with which everything was happening, she purposely ignored the fact she’d been using Decker’s money for the past few months. She left Michael standing on the road while she strode into the woods, saying hurriedly, “I’m going to find Sam and get some air.”

Morgan calmed after walking in the quiet forest. The trees made a path for her, and she followed it, trusting them to take her to Sam. She glanced up periodically from her phone, where she’d sent Summer a text asking about the counterbalance thing and why Michael Turner seemed to think she was moving in.

Before Summer had a chance to respond, Sam appeared.

Morgan tucked the phone away and prepared herself for more bad news. “Sam, I need to talk to you about this.” She held out the stone.

I was expecting you. He eyed it without reaching for it. I had forgotten how dangerous it is.

She pulled her fire magick from the depths of her being to surround the stone, hoping to lessen its effects on the forest creature. “Beck said I might be able to bind it.”

Yes, it is possible.

“What exactly will that do?”

It will hide it from the senses of others.

“But it won’t necessarily stop it from hurting the Light.”

It will not.

Morgan bit her lip, throat tightening. “Then how can I be with Beck?” she whispered the question she feared voicing to anyone else. Her hand lowered, and she tucked the stone back into her pocket.

It cannot affect him, but it can still harm the Light.

“I know. I can’t help him purify Darkness, can I? If I can’t go near the Light?”

You changed a Dark witchling to Light. It is a method of purifying Dark by lessening its hold on someone.