Page 12 of The Bonds of Nyx

A grimace darkened the woman’s face. Before she could respond, the door to the adjacent bedroom opened.

“What do you mean,your own magic?”

Eloise stood in the doorway of the adjoiningbedroom, her hair pulled into a messy bun atop her head, blue eyes narrowed on me. I quickly scanned her to make sure she wasn’t injured in any way, but like Ginny, she seemed unharmed physically.

“I can explain,” I murmured, holding up a hand. “El—”

My sister shook her head and took a step back. “Are you—are you like the people who hurt Mom?”

“No!” My eyes widened, and I shook my head, sparing Ginny a look. Her eyes filled with tears again as she curled in on herself, getting further away from me. “No, Eloise, let me explain, okay?I’m not like the people who hurt Mom. Will you listen to what I have to say?”

Eloise pressed her lips into a thin line, reddened eyes raking over my body. She seemed ready to cuss me out—and I didn’t blame her. She was thirteen, hurt, and afraid.

“Please?”

Her gaze flickered from me to Kerry. I was prepared to leave and give her space, but she nodded. Instead of waiting for me, she re-entered the other bedroom.

I bowed my head at the healer before following. It was almost identical to Kerry’s room, the only difference being the window and its view. Between the trees, I spotted a shifter—a sleek, large black cat of some sort. Had Elias gone back out there after the nightmare crap? My heart tugged me towards the window.Please be safe, I thought, clutching my hands to my stomach.

Eloise grunted as she threw herself onto the unmade king-sized bed. “So? Are you a freak like them or not?”

I flinched and released a breath. “First of all, that’s not nice. Second of all, I am different. I’m not like any of them.”

She raised a brow and crossed her arms. “What are you then?”

How the hell did you explain any of this to a thirteen-year-old?I barely understood it, and I was nine years older than her. I was still questioning the possibility of it all, and I’d had more time to understand it.

“They—we—are part of the supernatural race,” I started, grimacing as she gave me a disbelieving look. “As in, vampires, shifters, witches, and demons are all real.”

“Sure,” she replied, drawing out the word. “And what are you?”

I bit my lip and perched on the edge of the bed beside her. “Crazy enough, I’m the next queen of the supernatural world.”

Eloise snorted. “Really?”

I nodded carefully. “I’m what’s called aDaughter of Nyx. It means I’m the Goddess’s representative, I think. I have her power, and therefore, I’m destined to rule. The current Queen is like me, and she’s getting ready to step down so I can take her place.”

“That’s crazy, you know that, right?” Her voice had taken on a shaky note, I noticed. Less disbelief and more uncertainty.

“I know,” I replied. “I’ve had a few weeks to sit on this, and I still can’t believe it.”

“Why didn’t you say anything before?” she asked. “Like, before this could happen?”

“I wasn’t really sure how to.” My heart hammered as I watched her take in this information, at the stress lining her tired eyes. “I wasn’t sure if it would be safer for you all to stay away, live your lives without me, or if I should bring you with me to their world.”

Beside me, Eloise stiffened. “So, you were going to leave us? Without saying anything?”

“El, I—” I stopped, releasing a harsh breath. “Honestly, I was trying to figure out what would be best for you guys. Turns out, they made the choice for me.”

“Who?” she whispered, finally looking me in the eye. Her mean-girl façade cracked, revealing the scared kid beneath.

“Someone bad,” I replied. “Someone determined to hurt not only me, but everyone I care about. I’m so sorry.”

Eloise sucked in a shaky breath and closed her eyes. “Is Mom going to make it? Can you help her?”

I couldn’t lie, but I wasn’t sure if I could tell her the truth. After a moment, Eloise whimpered. Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, I tugged her into my chest and held her there while she cried. She thumped her fists against my chest, but I didn’t move.

“I don’t know what to do,” I whispered into her hair, closing my eyes. “I wish I could. For you guys, I would do anything to save her. But I don’t think anyone can help Mom.”

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