Page 52 of Of Flame and Fate

“My parents were powerful witches. Did you know that?” he asks. “The way I hear it, among the most badass witches who ever were. They knew what I was when I was born. And because they knew, they ran.” He paces in place. “I was raised in Canada, among humans.”

“In hiding,” I assume.

“No, out in the open,” he replies, frowning. “They didn’t know what I was, and they didn’t care either.”

“What happened to your parents?” Gemini asks, his tone even. He isn’t as sympathetic to Johnny’s situation, but he’s always had a pack that’s welcomed him.

Johnny rights himself, anger marching like an army of resentful soldiers across his features. “They left me to help fight your supernatural war,” he says. “In case you’re wondering, they didn’t make it back.”

Gemini inhales deep, taking a breath. Johnny is telling the truth, if he wasn’t Gemini would call him out.

“How old were you?” I ask. “When you lost them?”

“Sixteen,” he says.

I almost tell him I was half his age when I lost mine. But I don’t know Johnny, and whether or not I can sympathize with him, my guard remains up.

“Sorry to hear that,” Gemini tells him. “This way.”

He secures Johnny’s arm again, this time, using more care. I didn’t have to mention my past, he knows it well, just as he knows that’s where my thoughts are now. “Taran, we need to return,” he says. “The others are waiting and the covens need to be informed of the Fate’s presence.”

His pace quickens when he senses me follow. I walk behind him with my arms crossed, lost in my memories and how close they mimic Johnny’s past.

Johnny glances behind me. “I take it you two are a thing?”

Gemini scowls at him, his grip tightening. “I’m just asking, man,” Johnny tells him. “I don’t mean nothing by it.”

“He’s my mate,” I say. I hurry to clasp Gemini’s hand, affirming our relationship and slightly soothing my wolf’s temper.

“But you’re not human?” Johnny asks, his voice lowering at the sight of Gemini’s nasty glare.

“Not exactly,” I reply. “I’m different. Like you.” I think about all the tats he brought to life. “Okay, maybe not like you.”

The corner of his mouth lifts into a smile. That smile quickly fades away when Gemini snarls. “He’s not doing anything,” I say to Gemini.

“No, but he’s thinking it,” he replies. “I can scent his attraction to you.”

I edge around him to speak to Johnny. “You never want to give awerethe impression you’re challenging him or threatening his relationship.”

This time, Johnny makes quite the effort to keep his eyes off me. “Good to know,” he mumbles. “Anything else I might need to know about them?”

“You really don’t know anything?” I question.

“I know they don’t like my music,” he says, his grin returning.

“Which is how you’ve kept us from finding you,” Gemini reasons. “Hire bands that make more noise than music so those like us with sensitive hearing move away from you rather than closer.”

He adjusts his hold on my hand, steadying me as I ease through a stretch of harsh terrain. “Makes sense,” I concur. “The opening bands were too much for me.” I think about it. “Wait, I get how all that loud metal music would keepweresand anything with preternatural hearing away, but loud sounds don’t affect witches the same way. If anything, they should have been attracted to and sensed your magic. Why not?”

Gemini grinds to a halt and whips Johnny in front of him when he tightens up. “My mate just asked you a question,” he says. “I expect you to answer.”

I don’t like how aggressive Gemini is being with Johnny, and almost intervene. Except I don’t want to challenge his beast’s authority with prey in his hands, which is how my wolf sees Johnny. I also want to know what we’re up against, and as much as I pity him, I can’t be certain Johnny is on our side.

Not after the affect he had on Destiny.

“My crowd doesn’t do organic,” Johnny explains quickly when Gemini gives him a shake. “They’re not into nature and they’re not what you call granola.”

Unlike the witches.

---