Page 9 of Ember's Claim

No woman should ever feel weird about wanting control over her reproductive rights.

That still doesn’t stop me from fidgeting in the chair across from Nadia. She looks like she’s in her early twenties, but she’s old enough to have kids close to my age.

The supernatural world is so weird. Actually, I’m probably the one making this weird. It’s not like we haven’t done this every three or four months since I was a teenager.

“Did you want me to guess what you’re here for, or…” She laughs, shoving her dark brown hair behind her ear.

“I want a refresher on my contraceptive spell,” I blurt out. “Please.”

“Of course.” She nods, pushing herself out of her chair. “Hop up on the table.” I move to comply as she heads over to the sink on the far wall.

I sit on the edge of the exam table, and my legs dangle. “Do you think it’s possible my mom’s omega DNA could have passed to me? I mean, from what I’ve heard, it was activated after I was born, so…”

“I warned you before I ever did your first contraception spell.” She glances over her shoulder as the water runs. “My magic can activate dormant omega genes.”

“Yeah, but my wolf is an alpha. There’s no way I could be both.” Or that’s what I thought when I was a teenager. I convinced myself there wasnopossibility her magic could interfere with my genetics. Only, I’ve had a few symptoms recently, and they make me nervous that I could have been wrong about my assumptions.

Nadia shrugs, focusing back on scrubbing her arms. “It’s not something I’ve seen before. I honestly have no idea how that’ll change the outcome.”

Dammit.

That’s the problem. When the rules of nature change, no one knows what to expect.

Mixed species hybrids were unheard of for hundreds of years, but with omegas back in the mix, hybrids like my little brothers are everywhere nowadays.

Okay, maybe not everywhere, but they’re not unheard of anymore.

Omegas give birth to one of each of their mates’ species, as long as that partner contributes DNA at the time of conception. They also increase their mates’ natural gifts, which is why they were hunted out of existence in the first place. No one liked how powerful they made their bondmates, but now they’re back, and the monster world is adapting.

“Before I forget,” Nadia says, cutting off the water, “I want to mention something. My birth control spells only blockyourovulation. Dragons implant eggs and then fertilize them. The same for basilisk, kraken, and probably a few other species I’m forgetting.”

Holy shit.

I knew dragons lay eggs, but for some reason, it never clicked that it could override my birth control.

“That’s an important conversation you should have with any dragons you come across.” She turns around, ripping the pin from her bracelet. “At least ones you consider being intimate with. Lie back and pull up your shirt.” I comply as she slashes her skin, and the blood immediately turns to black smoke. “Also, this is a consensual spell. It’s effective for as long as you want it to be. Or until it needs to be refreshed, but if you and your partner actively wish for it to be dissolved, it could become ineffective.” Her finger glides across my middle, drawing the runes for the spell. “That only occurs with acknowledgment from everyone involved, but it is a possibility.”

My head tilts as I glare at her. “I feel like you failed me by not mentioning that sooner.”

“Are you kidding?” She snorts. “I have daughters barely younger than you. I’ve reinforced all of your spells for years. The last thing Haven needed was a rash of teenage pregnancies.”

I frown so hard, I can feel my own forehead wrinkle.

She laughs. “I remember what I was like. Teenagers shouldn’t be making choices about having children in the heat of the moment. You’re an adult now, so I’m giving you the standard spell I would give anyone else.”

“Thank you.” It’s nice to hear someone acknowledge me as an adult for a change. “Hey, I’ve got a kind of strange case. Do you think Wraith or Knight would mind if I asked them some questions about lesser-known species?” I ask, referencing two of her mates.

Wraith is a reaper, and Knight is a sin eater. They’re the ancient kind of old, and if anyone will know about what Lorcan could be, it would be them.

Nadia steps back, shaking out her hands, and her shadows disappear back into her skin. “I think they’re inside. Let me wash my hands, and we can head in.”

Wraith appears before we even make it to the back door of the house. “I’m afraid Knight is out with Hazel, but I’m happy to answer any questions you might have.”

“He reads my mind regularly.” Nadia tosses an arm around my shoulder, giving me a squeeze. “He wasn’t listening in on our appointment, I promise. I was wondering where I should start searching for him.”

Wraith bows his head. “I respect the privacy of all Nadia’s clients.”

I’m not sure if he can read her mind from their bond or what, but the man barely ever speaks. If I was going to be okay with anyone in Haven knowing my business, it would be him.

---