Destined (War of the Covens 2)

“You’re staring.”

“We’re waiting,” her brother snapped.

“Christian,” Julia said.

“Well—”

“Christian,” her dad warned, “give your sister time.”

Aw, jeez. They were waiting for the answers. Why had she run off? Why hadn’t she gotten in contact? Why had she broken coven law?

Craning her neck, she sought Reuben, sought his comfort and his go-ahead that she could explain. After all, he was an implicated villain in this story.

His dark eyes caught her blue ones, and for some reason, she felt … relaxed, filled with a sudden desire to tell them everything.

“Dad.” She turned back around with her shoulders braced.

Just say it. It’s no big deal. Ryder is right.

“Yes, sweetheart?”

The relaxation started to tighten back into anxiety until she felt Reuben’s comforting hand on her shoulder and looked back at him. Swimming in his gaze, the mellowness returned. The words tumbled from her mouth. She didn’t pause once to catch her breath. “I was tortured by Ethan. You know that, and I won’t go into the details because that’s not something you need to hear, but whatever happened to me, I think part of his powers transferred to my blood because when I got home, I was able to move things with my mind and I couldn’t control it and I was scared and I was ashamed, so I ran away. I met Reuben, a rogue vampyre hunter, and I joined his gang and helped him but it really helped me deal with a lot of anger and I’ve managed to bring my telekinesis under a kind of control and please don’t blame Reuben for any of this because he has been a very good friend to me.”

Silence.

“Jae! O-pen! O-pen!” Jaela slapped her ineffectual hands against her playpen walls.

Lucia blushed at her daughter’s bad timing and rushed over to her. “She wants you to open the pen. Sorry.”

“Well.” Christian looked back from his mate and child to his father and then to Jaeden. “Looks like you had a reason to run off, then. A crap reason, but one nonetheless.”

“It wasn’t a crap reason.” Jae bristled.

Her brother snarled and made a move toward her. “Do you know what this family has been through? Do you know what you did to us? Or are you really so selfish you can’t process what these last few months have been like for us, not knowing if you were alive or dead!”

A growl ripped through the room, and before she knew it, Ryder had her brother by the shirt front, his teeth bared. “Do you have any idea what she’s been through? No! So back off before I make you.” He pushed Christian away with a disgusted snort.

Jae watched in shock as it unfolded, waiting for her father’s reaction. Instead of getting angry, however, Dimitri merely placed a placating hand on Ryder’s shoulder. “Christian doesn’t mean any harm. He’s just been worried sick about his sister.”

“Jaeden’s been through hell. I won’t have her attacked.”

Her dad quirked an eyebrow. “Oh, you won’t, will you? And why is that?”

Julia sighed impatiently. “Boys. Arrggh.” She turned to her daughter, her eyes bright with love. “I think it’s best someone says the right thing.” Her mother strode toward her and gripped her by the arms. “I’m sorry you felt you had to go through this alone. But you’re not alone. You’re home now, and we are going to help you get through this. We love you. Nothing could ever stop us from loving you.”

Jaeden felt that ache in her chest implode, the remnants spreading out into a tidal wave of relief.

“Thank you,” she managed.

Julia nodded, tears glistening in her eyes, and then turned to gaze kindly at Reuben. “Thank you, Reuben, for being there for her when we couldn’t.”

“It was my pleasure. You have an extraordinary daughter.”

Jae blushed at the compliment before looking anxiously toward her father.

“You’re home now, sweetheart. That’s all that matters.”

“Thank you, Daddy.”

“Jae.” Christian brushed past Ryder, who still looked ready to pounce on anyone who caused her any harm. “I’m sorry,” he grumbled and then pulled her tight for another hug. “But I swear to Artemis, if you ever pull anything like that again, I will kick your ass.”

“Like you could.”

He laughed weakly and pushed her playfully.

“So”—her father’s voice brought all eyes back to him—“now that that’s settled, I want to know what on earth is going on between my daughter and you.” His eyes burned into Ryder, who blanched and threw Jae a helpless look.

“Dad …”

“Because if it’s what I’m thinking it is, I am not going to be happy.” He clamped a hard hand on Ryder’s shoulder and tugged him threateningly close. “Either you’ve done something that’s going to get you killed, or you’re about to do something that’s going to get you killed. I just got her back, Ryder. I’d hate to think you’re thinking what I think you’re thinking.”