Page 5 of Jabba's Journey

I erupt in full blown laughter at his spunky words while shaking my head. “I think starting with the broth, which smells delicious by the way, is the way to go.”

Picking up the spoon, I carefully ladle some into my mouth then moan when the distinct flavors burst across my tastebuds. None of the herbs and spices used are overwhelming, but I canfeelthe power behind them and recognize that Harmony, whoever she is, has powers like I do. I don’t think she’s a water witch, but I sense no malice in anything I touch, so she must have either earth or air abilities. Guess I’ll find out at some point. Right now, I welcome the fact that a sister of sorts is using her skills to help me heal.

I’ll thank her for her kindness as soon as I meet her,I think to myself. Although from the sounds of it, she’s already been caring for me. Still, that was while I was unconscious. Instinctively, I know my mom would’ve liked these people.

While I continue to eat, Jabba clears his throat. “How did you manage to find yourself a guest of the Red Caps?” he asks.

Sputtering, I put down the spoon and grab the glass of water then take a deep sip. Once I’m sure I won’t choke any longer, I look at him and reply, “Trust me, it wasn’t in my plans at all. I was out gathering some items I needed and completely missed detecting them.”

I’m trying not to tell him I’m a witch because there are those who fear us, regardless of our lineage. If I was a blood witch, I could see it because they’re evil, malevolent bitches who practice in bloodletting magic. But still, I should’ve sensed that there were Red Caps in the area, and I didn’t, which is definitely not normal.

“They likely disguised themselves, Harmony says they can do that,” he says. “She’s an earth witch and says you’re one as well. Not an earth one, of course,” he stammers out, his cheeks going slightly ruddy.

“I’m a water witch,” I manage to reply, shocked to the core that I’m having this kind of conversation with a man who looks like he does. “I had forgotten they can conjure up exterior shells to disguise their natural appearance and mask their scent. Normally, I’m more cautious than that, but a customer needed a healing potion, so I wasn’t thinking clearly. She’s been sick for so long and I wanted to help. It was a stupid mistake, that’s for sure.”

He reaches over and gently touches my forearm, causing another zing of awareness to course through me and replies, “Don’t go beating yourself up over something you weren’t aware of, Sprite. Those bastards, they are wily and conniving, and for whatever reason, they had their sights set on you.”

“Electra,” I murmur. “My name’s Electra,” I clarify, wanting to hear my name on his lips.

“Well, you’re tiny like a sprite to me, so that’s what I’m calling you,” he casually says, smirking at me.

Shrugging, since I kinda like that nickname, I go back to eating. It’s not like I can help being petite in stature. Most of my familywas, including my mother and father. I’m kind of surprised they found anything small enough for me to wear, to be honest, since I can shop in the junior section of most stores. Meanwhile, he’s big enough that I bet he has to shop at the big and tall stores, he can honestly do whatever he wants, plus there’s a slight thrill at the fact he gave me a nickname that’s somewhat sweet. Because I don’t think he does ‘sweet’ per se means I’m somewhat special. Once I’ve finished the broth, slurping the last little bit into my mouth without any shame, I grab the second spoon off the tray and start in on my jello.

There’s a knock on the door then it quickly opens, and Jazzy comes in along with another little girl about the same age. I’m guessing, of course, since they’re roughly the same size, but one could easily be older than the other for all I know. If I’ve learned anything through life, it’s that you can’t judge a book by its cover.

“Hey, pretty lady! This is my cousin, Sage, and our mommas,” Jazzy exclaims, rushing to the side of my bed with a giddy grin on her face, Sage now in tow.

I gaze into two little faces, seeing the beauty that resides deep within both of them. Not only that, but they have an essence, one I can’t quite put my fingers on, that causes the very air surrounding them to thrum with an electric current.

“Hi again, Jazzy. It’s nice to meet you, Sage,” I reply.

They’re both so close I can see the light smattering of freckles across Jazzy’s nose and upper cheeks, and the tiny scar on the outside of Sage’s eyebrow. Somehow, I just know these two keep their mothers on their toes and I experience a sense of longing so deep from my uterus it nearly has me gasping.

I don’t often regret my life of solitude, but right now, I am, because I can tell there’s a closeness with these people that’s lacking in me. With my mother now gone and no other living relatives, it’s only me and my faithful cat, Sprinkles.

“Sprinkles,” I whisper, forgetting for a few seconds that I’m not alone. “I… I have to go, she’s been alone all this time.”

“Who’s Sprinkles?” Jazzy asks. “And why did you name her that?”

“My cat. I named her that because her fur is solid gray with a sprinkling of white on her tail. I mean, she has a gravity feeder and a water fountain, but I’ve never been gone this long,” I reply as I try to get out of bed, only to feel a masculine hand gently push me back.

“I’ll go get her,” Jabba gruffly states. His offer has me slouching back into the bed. It’s a relief he’s willing to grab her for me since I’m not as steady on my feet as I’d like to be. My strength is returning, but exhaustion has set in. Recovering takes a lot out of me apparently. “Give me your address, I’ll take the girls and a truck and pick her up. Anything else you want?”

“Why don’t you give her a few minutes to make a list, Jabba?” one of the women asks. Turning to me, she says, “I’m Harmony, Cyrus’s mate, and this is Karsyn, my sister-in-law and Corbin’s mate.”

Mate? Wait, does that mean they’re mated toshifters?I didn’t know that was possible, but now I’m intrigued and would love to pick her brain about it. I don’t want to outright ask because that would be considered rude, so I just nod and reply, “I’m Electra. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. How are the other women I was found with doing?”

My thoughts are all over the place right now. Part of it is likely due to the fact I was so dehydrated from lack of water and being able to replenish myself, the other is because I’m worried about my baby. While there are some people who look down their noses at animals being thought of like that, she came into my life as a kitten right after my mom died. I was able to pour all my sorrow into her and she follows me around as though she’s a small child. She was my saving grace during a depressive time in my life. She saved me and gave me joy where I thought doom would reside for the rest of my living years.

“I’ll go get some paper,” Jazzy proposes. She proceeds to fly out of the room like she sprouted wings out of her back, Sage on her heels as the two women look on fondly.

“They’re very exuberant, aren't they?” I ask, searching for something to say. I don’t mind silence as long as it’s not the awkward type.

“You have no idea,” Harmony replies, snickering. “They keep all of us on our toes, that’s for sure.”

Both women start laughing and I presume it’s over memories of things the girls have gotten into. But when Jabba adds his deep, rumbly chuckle to the mix, I find my stomach clenching with need, something I don’t know how to handle at all.

What is it about him that has me longing for things I’d tucked into the back of my mind a long time ago?

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