Page 48 of Cocktails & Cauldrons

“I did. A memorable woman, your gran.”

His smile suggested a familiarity that went beyond friendship, but Brenna didn’t pursue it. She’d already guessed he was way older than anyone she currently knew, though he looked no more than thirty-five or forty, max.

“Why didn’t she tell me what we were?” she wondered aloud. “I could’ve been prepared for all of this.”

“Perhaps she hoped you’d inherit more of your father’s DNA than that of your mother’s side,” Aurora suggested kindly. “Maybe her wish was that you wouldn’t have to face the struggles you’re now presented with.”

“You did say she told you not to let anyone hear you sing, love. Sure, and it seems that was her way of preparing you, don’t ya think?”

Again, she longed for a hug from someone familiar. Preferably Eoin. But that wasn’t happening anytime soon. It made it all the more obvious that she was attention starved. At that moment, her loneliness was at its greatest—and she was surrounded by people.

As Damian watched Brenna,hoping to get a better read on her intentions when it came to those he cared about, he felt a sort of kinship he hadn’t truly experienced with anyone else before. No one had ever lived as long as he, and the isolation associated with the job of Aether was great. The young woman in front of him understood that isolation. Whether it had been forced on her or whether it was something she’d subconsciously embraced due to long-forgotten warnings from Doreen, he couldn’t say.

For a great many years, Doreen had others to share her secret. Her sisters. Him for a short period of time. And eventually, the love of her life, though that relationship had been short lived. Lasting only long enough to produce twin daughters. One had run away from home at an early age, and a part ofDoreen’s soul was fatally wounded the day Narissa disappeared. The girl had covered her tracks so well they all believed she’d died. The other, Clarissa, had followed in her aunt’s footsteps, and after the death of Brenna’s father, she’d given over to the darkness and the life of a Succubus. Damian was there when Clarissa had to be relieved of her powers.

She didn’t survive the process.

That day had been the last time Doreen spoke to him. She absolved him of his guilt, knowing it had to be done, but she’d ordered him to stay away from her remaining family. To see her walk away, regal head held high with a toddler in tow, hurt his heart. He’d loved her. Not as he now loved Vivian and Sabrina, but Doreen had offered true understanding with her gifts. Had helped him feel a deeper connection and fed his humanity, keeping it alive.

“If you’ll come with me, I’d like to show you something, Brenna,” he found himself saying, willing to share a side of himself he’d locked away ages ago.

Her wide sea-bright eyes were full of uncertainty and loneliness, and a huge part of him wanted to do this for Doreen. To provide her granddaughter whatever comfort and support she needed as a way of making up for failing Clarissa.

Brenna glanced around, her gaze seeking Eoin’s like a homing pigeon looking for its roost. He nodded his encouragement and gave her a warm smile, mentally relaying that she could trust Damian. The two of them were as sweet as honey straight from a hive. Each consumed with easing the other’s mind as unexpected challenges arose.

Doreen would’ve approved of Eoin O’Malley as a match for her granddaughter, and Damian was determined to make it happen—as long as he could assure the young man would survive the relationship and go on to live a long and happy life. That meant keeping Brenna’s Siren from turning to the darknessas every member of her family had before her, with the exception of Doreen and Narissa.

“Come, Brenna. You’ve nothing to fear from me. I promise.” Damian held out his hand, and she tentatively took it. He chuckled when she released a small meep as their fingers connected. “Still getting used to the sensation associated with touching another witch?”

“I didn’t know I was a witch like all of you until recently,” she said ruefully. “I was under the impression Gran and Aunt Odessa were Wiccans who practiced under the secrecy of night.”

He laughed at the idea two such powerful women practiced their craft like mortals. “It must be strange to find out differently.”

“Extremely.”

At the entrance to Damian’s ceremony room, Brenna stopped and exclaimed her delight. Concern quickly replaced her excitement. “The power here, it may be too much for me. Forher.”

“If you resist it, she has no choice, Brenna. You control her, not the other way around. Try to remember that, won’t you?”

She turned frightened eyes up at him. “I don’t know that I can… resist, that is. She grows stronger with every passing minute.”

He took his time answering, striving to find the proper words needed to calm her and offer the assurances she needed. “Doreen was as strong as any person, male or female, I’ve ever met. I see that same strength of will inside you.”

“Gran was stronger and wiser than I’ll ever be. Braver, too.”

“You won’t know what you’re made of until you’re tested, my dear. And I’m testing you now. I need to discover if you’re worthy of Eoin O’Malley’s affections.” He met her fearful stare and relayed confidence in return. “Choose. You either want afuture with him, or you want to remain locked in your old life. You won’t be able to have both.”

Grim determination tightened her mouth, and she lost her wariness. “I choose Eoin, if he’ll have me.”

He was able to detect her fear in the background of her churning emotions, but Damian wasn’t worried about her losing control… yet. “Believe me, he will.”

“But will it be for the me that was or for what I’ve become?” she asked in a voice a little less confident than it had been seconds before.

“It’s for you, Brenna. As I’ve told you, the Siren and the woman are one and the same. You can control your own desires if you wish.” He purposely hardened his voice for his next warning. “But if you let her have freedom, she will do what feels good, regardless of consequence. If you don’t keep her contained, she’ll choose the darkness every time. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”

“I do.”

“You can seek your pleasure in any form you so desire. But don’t give in to the temptation of stealing another’s magic.Ever. Or you’ll have me to deal with.”

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