Page 112 of His Retribution

"He made a comment about me having vampire genetics."

All five men take on a look of shock and despite how fucked up this is, I laugh.

"And you're thinking..." Havok says slowly.

"I'm thinking, what if I'm fae but Tolan and Ellida used their gifts to somehow incorporate vampire blood into my genetics in order to mask my scent? Is that possible? Is that something they could do?"

"It is!" Henrich shoots up from the table and begins to pace. "Our father said that the king and queen had unlimited power; Ellida specifically carried the power of creation. It is entirely possible that she could have used the blood of a vampire to alter your genes just enough to mask your scent to them."

I smile, proud as shit at my awesome conclusion but then I frown. "Except you all can scent me."

"Yes, but we scent you as fae," he says. "Years ago we only smelled your human family, and even when you returned we could pick up on it, but if you've been absorbing even the smallest amount of human essence over the years through your gift, that would be why."

Havok nods. "And since you've come back to me the sweet undertones have been stronger."

"So it could still mean Nero can't scent me, can't find me the same way he could other fae, may not actually know I am fae." Then how could he find me at all?

"Your blood," Havok says on a sigh. "My bastard grandfather has been able to track you all these years through your blood."

"But wouldn't you have been able to do the same then?"

My love scowls. "He was the last to taste your blood before… when he licked it from the sword he canceled my ability to track you through your blood, and since we had not mated there was no other way."

"Both things that have been happily rectified." I cup his cheek and press a kiss to his lips. "Both things that will never change."

Havok smiles against my lips. "Damn straight."

"Which brings me to something else I must share," Henrich says as he continues to pace. "We've established with certainty that the little one is fae, as well as the possible ways you've been protected this entire time. In light of your very brilliant observation, I don't believe Nero originally knew you were fae, but I believe he may now. I actually believe that he has for some time and that is why he's continued to hunt you down in each life."

"You believe the bastard has been hunting my light because she is fae and not because the myth around a vampire’s mate being reincarnated until reunited is true?" my love asks.

"I believe it's a combination of the two. I believe the myth to be true solely based on Cora's experiences, but I also believe it to be because of her genetics and what that means for the two of you."

I frown. "The two of us?"

Henrich nods. "While reviewing every scrap of paper in my possession, I came across the prophecy Nero is convinced Havok will fulfill."

"The Prophecy of the Dark One," Havok grunts. "I could recite it to you without any passage."

"Yes, but did you know it also speaks of balance? Of a light equal to the dark, a light that will overcome the darkness without extinguishing it, simply setting the scales even in order to prevent them from tipping into total destruction?"

Havok blinks.

The others blink.

They share a look.

I roll my eyes.

Now is not the time for this silent communication bullshit.

But then my love, my heart, sits us up a little straighter. "Cora is supposed to be that light?"

Henrich nods. "After reading it in its entirety, I have come to the conclusion that Nero is trying to eliminate the little one in order to prevent balance. If he is so convinced that you are the Dark One, then it only makes sense that he thinks Cora is your light. Your mate would have to be the other piece to this puzzle; therefore, the key to stopping the prophecy from turning out as he hopes. If he knows she is fae, then Nero also knows that she is a seer of light, but I have a feeling it goes deeper."

No shit.

I was glowing like a goddamn hundred watt lightbulb every time Havok and I had sex today.

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