Page 83 of Their World

“What if it makes me even less adoptable?” she whispered.

The older you were, the harder it was to get adopted and once you became a teenager, it was very unlikely to get adopted instead of aging out.

I set my hand on her shoulder and said, “Having premonitions is a very unique power and one that is highly sought after. I think you should tell her, so that she can notify the dragons.” I could see Grandpa Rhys wanting to have someone with her powers on their payroll for sure.

“What if I’m a hybrid?” she asked.

“Then my parents will be excited to know we have another powerful hybrid to join our clan. We can have you tested, if you want? I know there are a few hybrid families looking to adopt, and I know what a good student you are and can vouch for you.”

The kids didn’t know it, but I often reached out to families to try to find them homes and recommended specific children I knew would fit their dynamic. I also had extensive backgrounds run on families trying to adopt to ensure they didn’t go to bad homes. One incident was enough to make sure I never made that mistake again. Luckily, the child had called me and with Dad at my side, we’d rescued her and the adoptive parents had been dealt with.

“What does the test involve?” she asked, her hands fisting in her lap.

“Oh, it doesn’t hurt at all, Nessa. My dad is away … on business right now, but when he comes back, I can ask him to come test you. It only involves him smelling you.”

Her eyes widened. “King Caleb can smell if you’re a hybrid?”

I nodded. “And he can tell you what mixture you are.”

“Whoa, he’s even more incredible than I realized,” she breathed.

He was, and right now, he was in danger.

What was going to happen if the Grand Advisor realized I didn’t remove both curses?

“What was your vision of?” I asked.

“You were in a strange castle with a hellhound and a man with horns.” She paused before adding, “You hugged the horned man.”

“Ah, that would be King Jolmach, King of the Demons. He and I became friends while I was there,” I explained.

She tensed. “Friends? With a demon?”

“They aren’t the bad guys we thought they were,” I explained. “I’m not really supposed to say more, but I trust you’ll keep my secret.”

She mimed zipping her lips. “Always for you, Princess.”

I one-arm hugged her. “Thanks, Nessa.”

“Princess! I have a gift for you, too!” Molly shouted and waved me after her as she ran out of the hall.

“She’s been drawing almost non-stop the past few weeks,” Nessa said. “You’re probably going to be stuck looking at a thousand drawings.”

I stood and smoothed down my dress. “That’s okay. If I came more frequently, she wouldn’t have to go through so many, so I can only blame myself.”

Nessa laughed and headed over to finish eating her lunch.

After waving to Mason so he knew I was leaving the room, I motioned for Piper to follow me.

“Where are we headed?” Piper asked, practically skipping at my side. It was clear she enjoyed being around children and was great with them, a side effect of being a werewolf who was part of a big pack.

“Molly wants to show me some of her drawings,” I explained. “Her room is in an adjoining building, so I figured I should bring you with me.”

“Look at you being smart,” she teased.

We exited the building the hall was in and I had to shield my eyes against the bright sun for a moment. “Too bright,” I whined.

Piper pushed me forward. “She’s vibrating inside the doorway of the next building. I think she might explode if you keep her waiting any longer.”

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