Chapter 158
Heather
"Peru?" I asked.
"The Incas were supposedly deep into both the dark and the light. Some say their white witches fought the lords of the underworld, but there’s no way to know whether that’s true," Claudia said.
"It’s true," Muraco said. "But finding mages who know the old ways and getting them to show you their magic—that will be no easy task."
I chewed on my lip. Going to South America sounded like a terrible idea. I’d been through an ordeal, and I needed to rest before Luciana came back with reinforcements. I wanted that time with Brent. And when the full moon came, we needed to be here to finish our bonding ceremony.
Plus, I couldn’t leave with Luciana gathering more support. The vampires would be back. And who knew what was going on with the wolves who’d taken off.
There was no way I could go. "I can’t. It’s impossible—"
"Who says it has to be you?" Muraco pulled out an empty chair. His knees creaked as he settled down.
I opened and closed my mouth a few times. I’d been the one on the spot so many times these past few weeks, I’d just assumed it would be me. Which was totally egotistical. "No one." I tilted my head. "Who then?"
"Claudia De Santos. You were born of magic. I think the mages will like you."
She scooted away from the table, her chair screeching against the floor. "Me? No. I’m nothing special. I help others with their magic. That’s what I do. I enhance others."
That was true. Back when I first met her, my bond with Brent hadn’t been that strong. She’d helped me strengthen my own abilities so I could find him when he was in the vampires’ den. Plus she’d seriously come through for me with the jars. If I hadn’t gotten my powers back when I did, I might not be sitting here.
Yvonne laughed. "And you think that means you don’t have power?"
"I...I...yes?" Claudia said. Her face was pale as she looked from Muraco to Yvonne to me and back again. "But saving us is Heather’s path."
"No. Heather’s path is to serve as the leader of all. An ambassador that each community can look to for guidance," Muraco said. "But she can’t guide the packs and covens at the same time."
I clapped my hands. "Thank you. Thank you. Finally someone with some sanity."
"That’s not getting you out of your position," Muraco said.
I stopped clapping. Now that was a major downer. "Right."
"I will take you back with me to Peru, and then we will go our separate ways. You will find the answers in the mountains."
"I’ll go with her," Raphael said.
"The mages in my country appreciate spiritual quests, but those are solitary things," Muraco said. "This is something Claudia must do on her own."
Raphael narrowed his gaze at Muraco, but Claudia placed her hand on his arm, stopping the argument before it started.
"Yes. She’s been hiding her light," Yvonne said to Raphael, patting his hand. "It’s time for her to find it. And in doing so, she’ll find the answers to save us."
Claudia looked at me with wide eyes, slowly shaking her head. "I feel for you," I said. "I really do. But I have to say, I’m glad it’s you instead of me this time.
"This is going to be a disaster," Claudia said, rubbing her forehead.
Two arms wrapped around my neck, nearly pulling me out of my chair. "You took too long," Serena said.
I laughed, and slapped at her arms. "You’re choking me."
"Serves you right. Ignoring me."
The rest of the gang pulled chairs up to the table as I made introductions. Brent disappeared for a second, but came back with a plate of food.
"I’ve been watching how much the Weres are eating," Claudia said. "You really weren’t getting enough food."
"Heather," Brent growled.
"Tattletale," I said to Claudia. "I was doing fine."
"Maybe that’s why you were feeling so dizzy," Claudia said.
"Maybe. Or it could’ve been because of the gris-gris Luciana planted in my bed. Or the whole stripping my powers thing. Or the stress. I mean I’ve been told stress is hell on the body."
Brent pushed back from the table. "I’m getting you some more food."
I rolled my eyes. "See what you’ve done. He’s going to be a pain in my ass." I leaned back in my chair and watched as the two groups mingled.
They’d fought together, but when I got to the cafeteria, the witches had been sitting isolated. Now, I was back and everyone was hanging out like old friends.
Maybe Muraco was right. Maybe I did have a bigger role to play. Bringing people together didn’t sound bad at all.
Brent came back with two trays. "Eat." He was still growling.
"I’m already full. We ate before we got here aaaaand I already ate another tray full of food."
He stared at me, eyes glowing yellow.
I’m okay. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.
He pulled me out of my chair and placed me on his lap. I don’t think you get it. I can’t do this without you. I tried, but I was a mess. I don’t know when my world started to revolve around you—around us—so much, but it does. And you almost died. So you’ll have to excuse me if I try to feed you a little more because I heard that while you were away, you’d been starving yourself.
That’s not true, I said through the bond. I wasn’t starving myself.
Well, you weren’t eating enough.
I sighed. His panic and distress beat against me, and I pressed my forehead to his. All right. I’ll eat.
He brushed his lips against mine. "Thank you."
I tried to move back into my own chair, but he held me tight. "Okay. Guess I’m eating from here then." I went to grab the fork, but he did it for me, making a huge bite of roast beef and some mashed potatoes. "Okay, mister. This is where I draw the line. You’re being ridiculous. Give me the fork."
His chest rumbled with laughter, but he didn’t hand it over.
"Seriously. You’re not feeding me in front of everyone. It’s embarrassing. Give me the fork." I tried to reach for it and he moved his hand.
His chuckled, and I dug my fingers into his sides.
"Give me the damned fork." He dropped it as I hit his ticklish spot. His chuckles turned into full-on belly laughs.
I snatched up the fork, and took a bite. Everyone at the table was watching us.
"You’ve made us a spectacle. I hope you’re happy."
He nuzzled my neck. "Very happy."
Claudia quickly looked away, but I caught the hint of sadness in her gaze. I couldn’t help remembering her douchebag fiancé. She obviously wanted what I had. Honestly, I wanted everyone to have what I had.
Okay, so maybe not the whole insane, dark witch after me or the vampire attacks or the werewolves on a power trip, but the mate thing...that was the best.
And the friends weren’t so bad.
All in all, I was lucky. Lucky to be alive. To have the family and friends that I did.
To have Brent.
War was coming, and until it was here, I planned to enjoy every minute I had with the people I loved the most.