Total pages in book: 203
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
Process this news?
“Again, in the vast majority of cases, we believe that a fated mate pairing happens as it should. Sometimes what we think we want and what we really need are very different things, Bailey,” she adds. “But in this day and age, every being should be allowed at minimum, to be heard when it comes to something as everlasting as a lifelong fated mate bond.”
I stare, unseeing, processing, I suppose. Everything around me becomes white noise.
Suddenly, Erica is squatting in front of me.
“Bailey,” she says gently. “Can Ronnie touch you? Read you?”
I look around. I don’t know how long it’s been since I dissociated, but Lucinda is no longer on the phone. The sunroom has emptied, other than Erica, Vivi, Ronnie, me, and Jase. I don’t look at him, but he’s still in the chair beside me.
I nod.
Erica moves and Ronnie takes her place, holding my hands for a minute while staring into my eyes.
My chin is trembling. I’m shaking.
She closes her eyes, then opens them and looks up at her sisters, nodding and letting go of me.
She and Erica switch places yet again and Erica says, “We can’t know everything that’s to come and we have to be careful about how deep of a look we take because of my being part of the pack, but we did a limited magic circle just before we started and pulled some magic that showed us at least one reason why you two are fated to be together.”
I nod, woodenly.
She goes on, “Vivi saw that one of your future children…” Erica’s eyes bounce to Jase who is silent beside me “will be fated mate to someone very important. That child must be born. That child and their offspring will have a big part to play in significant future events. We do believe that elements from your future are communicating to you through the sounds you’ve been hearing. Ronnie sees threads between what Vivi saw and your aura right now. It’s likely that your efforts to circumvent Fate is why you’re hearing what you’re hearing. Neither of you are allowed to tell your children about this. Or anyone else. This is important. Do not tell your children or anyone else that one of your offspring will mate with someone important from another realm. Do you understand? This is vital.”
I stare at her. I’m nodding now, I think.
Erica moves closer. “Are you with us here or are you just nodding?”
Okay, so I am nodding.
She snaps her fingers two inches from my nose.
“I’m with you,” I assure. “I can’t say anything about… any of that. What realm?”
“Fae. Not ever. Not to anyone. There would be consequences.”
Vivi winces and shoots Erica a dirty look.
“Then why the fuck did you just tell me?” I exclaim, voice really high.
Fae?
I hear Jase cuss under his breath.
“You need to understand how important this is,” Erica presses. “You need to understand why. And this isn’t the only reason you two are fated. But it’s a very compelling reason to the SCC.”
I thrust my hands into my hair.
“Fae,” I mutter.
“Shh,” Vivi pleads. “We’re heavily involved with a couple where there was a rule about a secret that should never have been shared and when it got shared, there was hell to pay. It’s still being unraveled, so please, please don’t say anything.” She shoots Erica a dirty look.
Erica gives her a shrug. “They’re supernatural, Vivi. They understand things a human new to these worlds wouldn’t understand.”
“Strong ones,” Ronnie says.
“Sorry, what?” I ask.
“The universe is sending you strong messages that would only get stronger if you were able to continue to evade mating, if not for you getting it all from Lucinda and from us in plain words today. Erica telling you that just now spares you from having to receive those messages in ways that might be distressing to you. Though, whether you get any more messages will depend on how long it takes until… you know.”
“So… the spell is over. It won’t be stopping him,” I say.
“Correct,” Erica confirms.
“Can I have one more day?” I ask. “Please? I’m kind of… having trouble.”
I look at Dani. She looks upset, I think. Angry? Concerned? I guess her hands are tied.
“Sorry,” Dani says. “It’s over.”
“You’ve done a great thing for shifters, Bailey,” Vivi states. “For other beings as well. Shifters aren’t the only ones who have fated mates. We already know that what you’ve done is going to make a difference. We don’t know how or when, but we know it will make a difference that we’ll all get to witness. And soon. I hope it helps, despite this not being the answer you wanted. Lucinda understands you were distressed. She’ll reach out about the task force.”
Now there’s awkward silence.
And Erica and Ronnie both speak the same words at the same time, Ronnie jerking her thumb toward the door.