Chapter : 836
“You have answers and we have questions,” I blurted, stepping towards her.
Gavin, once again, tightened his hold on me, keeping me from moving any closer. Coraline’s frown deepened even more as she looked between the two of us, her eyes narrowed and disdain written all over her face.
Her eyes finally rested on me, and for a moment, I saw her expression softening. She let out a breath and stepped aside.
“Come inside,” she said, stepping away from the doorframe and allowing us entry.
Gavin put his hand on the small of my back, and I hesitantly stepped into her home, Gavin right behind me. She stared at Gavin as if she was giving him a silent threat. “Take anything… and I’ll end you without hesitation,” she said through her teeth.
Though she was a small woman and Gavin was a powerful Lycan, I had no doubt in my mind that she could probably do just that. Gavin looked like he believed her as well and put both his hands up.
“I’m not my father,” he told her.
She stared at him for a moment longer and then nodded slowly. She turned and started to walk further into her home, giving me a chance to take in my surroundings. I wasn’t sure what I wasn’t entirely sure what I was expecting, maybe more dust and clutter… maybe a jar of weird herbs hanging from the ceiling like something out of a horror movie.
Perhaps I thought I would find something that showcases her witchy heritage.
But I didn’t see any of that stuff; her home was surprisingly clean, organized… and simple.
The living room opened into one big space. Wooden floors, scuffed but cared for. A woven rug in muted colors. A small couch with a knitted blanket draped over the back. Shelves line the far wall, filled with old books and glass containers, some empty, some holding dried leaves, stones, or things I didn’t want to examine too closely out of fear of what they could be and the powers that are inside.
A faint herbal smell hung in the air. It wasn’t unpleasant… it was earthy and almost made me feel grounded.
My gaze drifted to the fireplace. A kettle sat on the metal stand above the flames, and steam drifted out of the spout. It made the whole room feel warmer, even cozy, which didn’t match the tension hanging between us.
It was strange, because I know I’ve never been here before, but it felt almost familiar. Like the overall aura, scent, and feeling of Coraline’s home felt comforting
to me… like I belonged in this very place. Like I was coming home. I dismissed the thought almost immediately because this wasn’t my home… this wasn’t supposed to feel familiar and comforting.
I wasn’t supposed to feel safe.
Coraline led us to a small wooden table set up in front of the shelves, then turned to face me her eyes scanned me again, slow, assessing almost dissecting, and I wiggled uncomfortably in place.
“Take a seat,” she motioned for a couple of chairs that sat along the table.
Gavin and I looked at one another.
He pulled out a chair for me, and I sat down. He sat down beside me taking my hand into his and protectively holding onto me afraid to let me go. This didn’t go O unnoticed by Coraline, and her eyes narrowed at our joined hands.
“True mates…..” she murmured. “Who would have thought?”
“I’m sorry?” I asked, raising my brows.
She glanced up, her eyes narrowed.
“It’s nothing,” she said dismissively. “How about you just tell me why you are here?”
I swallowed the lump in my throat; Gavin gave me a reassuring hand squeeze, and I felt my heart swell knowing I had his support.
“Ms. Blackwell…” I started, unsure of what to say or how to ask the questions, prodding at my brain.
“Cora,” she interrupted. “There’s no need to be formal with me.”
My cheeks flushed, and I nodded slowly.
“Cora,” I repeated, starting again. “I was born 23 years ago in a hospital in neutral territory, and I know you
Qu
were there that night. You took powers out of Lila Blackwell and put them in a Moon Gem. Lila has the gem back in her possession, but it’s clear that it’s not responding to her positively. We were hoping you could shed some light on us and tell us why it’s not responding to her.”
“The answer is simple,” she said, folding her arms across her chest, her lips pressing in a thin line. “It’s not responding to her because it doesn’t belong to her.”
My heart stopped in my chest, and my eyes widened.
“What?” I nearly gasped. “I don’t understand…”
I already suspected as much, but hearing her confirm it made my head spin.
“You were right when you said that I was there that night… but you were wrong by saying that I took the powers out of Lila and placed them in the Moon Gem. It wasn’t Lila… it was you.”