Page 2 of Omission

“Yes.”

“Good. Now I need you to listen—”

“Please, Dad. I’m begging you.” He shakes his head in response, and that’s when I finally let my tears fall, a sight that breaks him. His fall, too. They match mine, and I hate it. All of this. My father is powerful, more so than any other of our kind on these lands, but he refuses to stop this witch hunt. “Why? We need you.”

“And one day these lands will thrive with you as their king. My time as ruler ends here; they need you, Leonardo, not me.” He’s said this before. Many times, in fact, but right now I don’t want to hear it. Not when the scent of death surrounding his tall frame intensifies and clings, permeating every inch of this room. Just like it does to our mother. “And as my heir, you know this to be true. Our selfish desires can never rise above the needs of our people. We guide, nurture, and protect.”

“Will nothing change your mind?”

“No.”

A sharp breath chokes out of me, and it feels as though someone’s punched me in the gut, but I can’t move or respond. I’m left to stand still and hunch further into myself, a hand coming up to rub at the area where my heart bleeds inside my chest while those around me continue to talk. I can make out Isa trying one last time. I can sense our family moving in a little closer, but it isn’t until the thick wood of our home’s front door splinters that I react.

Everything slams into my processors faster than I can comprehend.

There’s the cracking of the entrance and how the remnants slam into the wall or floor.

The sound of shouting infiltrating every square inch of our home; the cries of victory from the very same men who’ve come to kill us. They curse our very existence while the blood that runs through their veins is Wiccan.

Instantly, I’m filled with anger. So much so, that my hands shake and then begin to disappear, something my father stops by placing his large one over mine. He shakes his head at me; in his eyes, there’s pride and love, but also worry. No one knows what my powers will be, but this is a sign he’d rather stay hidden.

Control it, my son. Not here. My response to his mental message is a minute nod of the head and he exhales roughly, swallowing hard. “I’m proud of you. Know that I will always be with you.”

My head’s shaking before he’s done speaking. My bottom lip trembling because, at thirteen summers, I’m seeing the world for what it is: cruel and fueled by greed. “I don’t want to say goodbye.”

“Then don’t. This is more of an I’ll see you later.”

“Okay.” A broken whisper.

“Good. Now, I need you to listen to me and don’t interrupt.” Those inside the home are tearing it apart, the shattering of glass and knocking over of furniture is closer now, but they can’t get through yet. The heavy and protected door to this room will keep them out for a little longer. Not much. Never enough. “Do you remember the book I gave you a few nights ago? The one with the thick binding on ancient translations?” My response is a nod; I remember it—hid it inside my room under a loose floorboard. I know it’s important. “Someday she’ll need that book to save Gabby. Remind her when it happens.”

“I will,” I say through the boulder-like lumps in my throat. “Promise.”

“Thank you, my King.” For a second he bows his head in my direction, a show of respect from one ruler to another, even if it shouldn’t be my time yet. “Keep it safe because you’ll need it more than once.”

“Dad, I—”

“And two, as you grow up, I want you to remember the lessons I’ve taught you. Never forget that volatile emotions are uncontrollable and will kill you from within. That you must always be fair and just, and lead our people without prejudice over what’s happened here today. Don’t dishonor my memory by placing the blame on an innocent’s head because of mere association. Not everything is as it seems.”

“What did you see? Who are you talking about?”

“Love is the most powerful thing in the world, Leo. No matter the species or your beliefs, we are all worthy of unconditional love, son. So when you find her, cherish your mate. Honor her and your bond, even if at times, this brings you pain.”

1

LEONARDO

I’m aware of her presence the very second she steps a single foot inside the room.

Each footfall is light; the soft clack of high-heeled shoes reverberates throughout the space even as chaos erupts all around me. There are shouts and threats. That decaying scent of flesh fills every square inch as death looms closer—it clings to those of fae blood—and I lick my lips as I get the first taste of revenge.

Promise made. Promise kept.

Emotions I share with my siblings. Our familial bonds vibrate; they’re vaxing between ecstasy and the pang of memories that will forever mark our lives, but then that too becomes a distant buzz as my attention shifts.

Everything stops because of this wonderous slip of a girl.

Because I know who this female is. What she represents as old and new wounds tear open and I’m slammed by the desires I’ve kept hidden for much longer than she’s been alive.

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