"She told me I should have shown Kane my mark. Other than me, three people know that it's deadly to a human. You, my father, and my mother. This imposter didn't know that or she wouldn't have said it."
This time I've got his attention.
"Alright, but that's obviously not something you can take to the council."
"I know it's flimsy at best, but I swear something's wrong. My mother would never say that. She was there when I killed that guy."
I shiver as the memories flood back to me, and then I banish them with the small chant Mom taught me long ago.
He tightens his lips, seeming uncertain about whether or not he should say anything else.
"Okay, so you think a changer is there in her place?"
"No, she vaporized, so it has to be a witch or warlock."
He starts to shake his head, and I realize he doesn’t believe me at all.
"Alyssa, I've seen guys forget their children's names after an ordeal like your mother just faced. It's her, babe. She's just a little lost right now. It's impossible for a witch or warlock to change their identity for more than a few hours at a time. Not to mention, after they've done it once, the spell essentially has to reboot for at least a couple of weeks after they use it.
"The symbols and spells protecting that place could hold out anyone. It'd be impossible for an imposter to make it through there. I know this is tough, but it's her. She's just not herself yet. Maybe that's why she was waiting to speak to you. Physically, her body is healed. Mentally... that could take a while."
I lean back, soaking in his words. Maybe he's right. I don't know what she went through, but there's no magical way that's not her. I can't believe I acted so crazy.
"Do you want to stay here for a couple of days?" he asks as he reclines back on the sofa.
I'm still in his lap, and now I realize that's probably inappropriate.
"Yeah. I'm going to see my Aunt Hilly while I'm here. Since the whole incident with my mother, she's been regarding the light council as assholes. She's still staying close by for the sake of my mother, but she's not doing their bidding any longer. She was their number one undercover... and I shouldn't be sharing that information with a dark user."
Big mouth girl.
He laughs a little, and I head over to his bed, unsure of whether or not he got one room or two.
"You're never going to view me as anything more than a dark user, are you?"
I view you as someone I'd desperately like to see naked. I blame this stupid aura problem.
"It's hard to do since I'm supposed to be wary of you. Besides, it's not like you've shared any deep secrets with me."
"Haven't I? I clued you in on the existence of the Somage. It's definitely a big secret amongst my people."
True. He has me there. Though I was apparently one of the few people who believed the Somage to be a mere rumor. Most everyone else knew they were real. That's just how frigging naive I am. And that's not the same as sharing Intel on who's who in the undercover departments.
"What about your mom?" I ask, turning this more personal and pushing away the attention. "You've never divulged anything about her. Not to mention, you've never told me how you knew I was Drackus's daughter."
He stands up and comes to lie down beside me while flipping on the television. His long-sleeved, ribbed, red shirt looks so good against his golden skin and dark hair. I try not to acknowledge my carnal craziness as he finally answers.
"My mother is a sore subject. She's psycho. I mean that very literally. Drackus... well, he's got a worse rep than he deserves. However, he'd probably kick my ass if he knew I was here with you. I know him well enough to know he wouldn't kill me, but he'd sure as hell-"
"You work for him? I thought you said you didn't."
I suddenly feel hurt. I knew Thad only stuck around because of his devout loyalty to my father, but I thought Gage was here for me.
Why do I keep giving the bad boys a benefit of the doubt?
"Hey, I don't work for him. Never have, never will. Like I just said, he'd kick my ass if he knew I was here. I'm here because I want to be. And let's face it; you don't exactly have anyone else sticking up for you right now. What happened to your light warlock friend?"
I let a small huff of a laugh free. "Frankie? He's not my friend; he's my mother's friend. He's going to be up her ass for a while. This whole disappearance scared the hell out of him."