I really wanted him to understand. Kyle seemed to get it.
Xander nodded. “That’s fair.”
My relief was almost palpable, and I wanted to flop back into a chair. Instead, I lifted my chin and walked to my bedroom, forcing a smile at the door to say goodnight, then hurrying to shut the door behind me.
I shivered as I pressed both hands against the door, then closed my eyes and dropped my forehead against the wood. I could feel Xander and Kyle on the other side of the door, allowing me the space I’d requested, but at the same time, I knew they were feeling angry, hurt, and confused.
Why could I feel their emotions so intensely? Was that part of the fated mates’ thing?
I shut down every sense I had as best as I could, and took a hot shower. Naked and alone beneath the spray made me feel vulnerable. Would they come in?
I kept my eyes trained on the closed bathroom door, but there was no movement or sound. They were keeping their word. I wasn’t sure whether I was more upset because theyhadrespected my need for space, or because they hadn’t come in. Of course, I was grateful they’d given me what I asked for, but deep down I felt lonely without my two shifters within reach. After my shower, I donned a set of lavender-colored pajamas. But I was wired and unable to sleep. It was far too early to go to bed anyway. The sun hadn’t even fully gone down.
I went to my bookshelf and pulled down a spell book. Something was calling to me and my magic, though I wasn’t sure exactly what it was. I chose an older, leather-bound book and set it on the bed.
The book had an intricate carving on the front of some sort of flower. Maybe a rose.
My hands moved as though independent of my body and mind, flipping over pages and feeling for the heat, the tingle of magic, that I was looking for.
I flicked page after page, with nothing taking my interest. It was especially hard when I didn’t know what I was looking for. Then, something prompted me. I slapped my hand down to stop the scroll and spread my fingers wide on the page open in front of me.
I narrowed my eyes and read the words that lay above my fingertips. This was a spell to provide a glimpse into the future. I’d never tried that before. The practice wasn’t banned, but it wasn’t recommended, either.
But it was exactly what I needed. Were these two wolf shifters part of my future? Should I follow them down this rabbit hole of unknowns and give in to the urge, listen to where my heart was daring me to go?
I sat on the bed, crossed my legs, and moved the book onto my lap.
The spell itself was simple but required a lot of focus. I read over the words twice, then closed my eyes and forced myself to calm the clamoring inside my mind. The heavy thump of my heart slowed.
I said the spell with my eyes closed, then opened my eyes to read over the spell out loud. Then once more.
I stared straight ahead, into the space directly above the book. A slow swirl of white mist had risen and begun to create a mirror.
I recited the words a final time, and the mist darkened, until a picture began to form. There was sound, too, almost like a movie playing in front of my eyes.
I could hear voices, cries, and then a laugh. I kept my hands resting peacefully on my knees, and as the mist solidified even more, the picture became even clearer.
There I was, in a house with white walls seated on a blue couch, a child in my arms.
My breath hitched in my chest. Was that my baby, with those beautiful blond curls?
I was smiling, obviously happy. Then there was a raucous noise, and vision-me twisted to greet whoever walked in the door.
It was Michael, the high warlock’s son.
Holy shit.