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"I know you're close with my sons," she said.

I swallowed, bracing for thestay away from my kidstalk. I was from the wrong side of the tracks, for sure. They were practically royalty and I was like the hired help.

"I want you to know that you have my full support with whichever son you choose to be with. In fact, I'd be happy to see you with both, if that's your preference."

"I'm sorry, what?" My words weren't polite, but I was honestly lost.

"As you know, finding pure blood mages is rare, especially in this day and age. Your parents were both mages. That makes you quite the find."

My lips parted but I couldn't think of what to say to her.

"You're still new to this world, but you'll soon learn, this is how we keep magic alive. If my sons were to join our house with a human family or with another supernatural, our magic would fade. Mages are dying," she said.

"Is that why you're paying my tuition? So I'd marry one of your sons?" I couldn't believe that was what the reason was. It seemed insane.

"Among other things," she said. "Your mother and I were close when we attended the academy in our youth. When Dr. Green passed along that you'd been found alive, well, I wanted to pay tribute to her in the only way I could."

Her and my mom as friends was all I could think of now. "Can you tell me more about her?"

She smiled, her face softening for the first time. I could actually see some resemblance to her sons now.

"I'd be happy to tell you anything you want to know. I even have photos of us together. Don't you see? Her death is part of why it's so important for us to keep the mage bloodline alive. She was hunted for her magic, killed in cold blood as was your father."

My gut twisted at her words. She was so much more candid than anyone I'd met so far.

"I thought it was for the time magic," I said.

She frowned. "I suppose so. But your parents weren't the first to be taken down by a magic thief and they won't be the last."

"Well shouldn't we be focusing on that then instead of making more mages as the solution?" I asked.

"Of course, and we are. But there's no reason not to consider the future of our family. A future I'd very much like you to be a part of."

Her words struck a chord with me.Family.Wasn't that what I wanted? A place to belong? People to love me and support me?

Her sons and I did share a bond. I probably could be happy with them. Then my thoughts traveled to Ben and Luka. I wasn't about to walk away from either of them.

Besides, her obsession with a pure blood line was gross. Even her own sons didn't seem to support it. And there was the whole thing about having fae blood.

"Thank you for your kind offer, but I have to be honest with you," I said.

"Please don't tell me you're pregnant from one of the other boys you've been seeing," she said.

My eyes widened. "How did you know I was seeing anyone? Never mind, don't answer that. I don't want to know. And no, I'm not pregnant."

"What is it, then?" She leaned closer to me. "Did one of my sons do something? I swear, I will set them straight. They can be cocky little assholes."

"Well, that's true, but also not what I was getting at," I said.

She leaned back, her lips pursed.

"I'm not full mage, at least, I don't think I am," I said. "Professor Halifax says I have fae blood."

Her eyes widened. "Are you sure?"

I nodded. "I mean, that's what she said."

"Welcome to the family," she said, leaning in and wrapping her arms around me. "You have a place with us anytime."


Tags: Alexis Calder Academy of the Elites Fantasy