Page 19 of Jabba's Journey

For the first time in a very long time, I feel as though I belong. I’m part of a family again. Granted, it’s unlike anything I ever thought about growing up, but that’s the joy of having one. They’re all different and they blend according to the individuals involved.

“That’s good. Now, how do we best protect everyone?” I ask. “Especially the girls.”

Because there’s no way I’ll let anyone harm a hair on either Jazzy or Sage’s head. From the looks that Harmony and Karsyn give me, I realize I’m in the right company. As witches of the light, we are born to protect and educate those who aren’t as strong as we are. And in my opinion, those two precious girlsfall underneath that umbrella of protection. I’ve sensed there’s something extraordinary about them, but it hasn’t been revealed to me yet, so I’ll keep my thoughts and observations to myself for the time being.

“I think we need to let the guys know what we’ve found,” Harmony says. I watch her zone out and realize she’s speaking telepathically with Cyrus. When she nods, I grin, because she stands, grabs her grimoire and motions for Karsyn and me to follow her.

When we breach the doorway of their meeting room, Jabba motions for me to come to him, while the other two mated men do the same. As I settle on his lap, I put my grimoire in front of me and see Harmony and Karsyn do the same. Since this is Cyrus’s clubhouse, Harmony takes the lead as she looks around at all the brothers from both clubs who are present.

“Okay, so while you guys were in here slamming down beers, my sister witches and I were pouring over our grimoires,” she says, looking pointedly at the empty beer bottles lined up on the table while the guys all laugh.

“What did you find?” Cyrus asks, his arms casually draped around her waist, cupping her stomach. I find myself platonically drawn to the love and devotion that radiates from the couple whenever they touch. It’s magnetic, nearly electrical. I also wonder if Jabba and I will eventually reflect that as our mate bond grows stronger. It’s something to think about and it makes me smile inside.

I hide my smile because I suspect they have news they’re not ready to share. Still, I’ll patiently wait. Goddess knows I’ve had to learn how to do that in my long life.

“This is the interesting part. I’ve read through this grimoire so many times I feel like I could quote it, but today, this particular notation stood out,” she says.

A memory teases at me and I look at her and ask, “Can I say something before you continue?”

“Absolutely. As my mama has said, knowledge is power.”

“I remember my great-grandmother telling my grandmother that the grimoire doesn’t always reveal everything all at once. There may be spells, familial history, and even lore that will show up and it’s always when it’s needed, never before. You saying what you just did makes me wonder if this is the time for what you found to be revealed.”

Her eyes widen just as Karsyn says, “I’ve heard that as well. It was so long ago, I buried it deep in my subconscious, obviously, but it definitely makes sense now that you’ve said it out loud.”

“So, what did it say?” Cyrus asks, his impatience showing. Harmony pats his hand and I watch as he calms down. Slightly. There’s still a frisson of power that electrifies the room, and I don’t know if it’s because there are in essence three alphas as well as three witches, or it’s something more.Otherworldly.

Harmony recites:

“Within the line of three, comes a power mating with shifters.

Together, the three reigning couples will free our kind from the bindings of bloodletting alchemy.

Protection of the humans must remain high, as Death walks among them.

Enslavement cannot happen, the golden six will prevail.”

“Fuck,” Big Daddy growls out. “Fucking riddles, all the fucking time.” He pulls at his beard while I hide my grin, because the frustration emanating from him is almost palpable.

Deciding to jump in as Harmony and Cyrus appear to be having a conversation between themselves, I say, “We think that the three of us, me, Karsyn, and Harmony, are the three witches mentioned in the script, while Cyrus, Corbin, and Jabba are the shifters.”

“Me? I’m not an alpha or anything like that,” Jabba states, confusion marring his brow.

“Brother, while we don’t do what a lot of packs do because of our makeup, you’d be what they call an Omega,” Cyrus advises.

“What the fuck is that?” Jabba asks.

“Someone who is sensitive to the emotions and feelings of their pack, or in this case, our brotherhood,” Cyrus says.

What they have yet to understand is that it’s so much more than that. An Omega doesn’t only feel a sensitivity to those around them, they are also able to sooth the emotions through their bonds. They can anticipate what someone within their pack needs before the person themselves knows they need it. They are also some of the biggest badasses within the ranks outside of the Alpha himself. That’s why nine-tenths of them end up soldiers or SAA and in Jabba’s case, the enforcer.

“Sensitive? Jabba sensitive?” Bandit manages to ask while snickering.

“Hey now, he makes a helluva hairdresser, aren’t they supposed to be in touch with their feelings?” Prowler asks, smirking at my mate.

I can feel his confusion and hurt through our bond and want nothing more than to douse all of these assholes in a roaring flood of rock-filled water.

“You can’t do that,”Jabba says inside my head.

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