Page 52 of Fated Moons
“Hey,” Decker said. “I know you’re a prince and all, but my brother is a good man and not a drunk.”
“I know that,” Albert said, drawing his index finger and thumb down the sides of his face, rubbing together at the tip of his square chin. “An unlucky spell would impact everyone who comes in contact with Jackson. If they feel animosity toward him, the chance of conflict is greater. For Jackson, it not only forces him to do things he wouldn’t normally do but also makes him combative. Now that the spell is gone, I suspect you’re feeling perhaps a little more confident and less defensive.”
Jackson opened his mouth but had no response. He had no idea. The only feelings that had changed or intensified were those he had for Amanda.
“I had a shot the morning after you banished the spells from my body,” Jackson said.
“I would too, under those circumstances.” Alfred waved his hand in the air as if to toss something away. “Also, you’ve been living with that spell for so long that it’s touched your core personality.”
Jackson glanced to the ceiling. Before the Oscar win, he’d been riding a high confidence wave. He had never been cocky since his mother taught him that humility would take him far, but he had to admit that after he’d been awarded the most significant achievement his industry could offer, his self-doubt intensified. He constantly felt like he waged a battle inside his head between who he knew he was and who he believed the world saw him as.
“Can someone cast this spell on me again?” Jackson asked.
“Up until a few hours ago, they could have,” Alfred said.
Amanda curled her fingers around his biceps, rubbing gently, before gliding down his arm and taking her hand in his.
He didn’t resist.
Having her next to him gave him strength, and he felt a calmness he hadn’t felt in a long time.
“Daddy, you didn’t.” Amanda stared at her father with wide eyes.
“Someone want to clue me in?” Jackson asked.
“My father made you an untouchable.” She folded her arms.
“What’s that?” Jackson asked, staring into a set of blue eyes that sucker punched his ability to see past her, not that he wanted to.
“Anyone who tries to use black magic, or any magic, on you will suffer a painful fate. It’s temporary but will last long enough for us to know who it was,” Alfred said softly, looking down at his mug, cupping it with both hands.
For the first time since Jackson had met the man, he showed a sense of vulnerability.
“Good way to catch the culprit,” Jackson said, fanning his thumb over Amanda’s soft skin on the inside of her wrist. “So, why the spell on my house?”
“To protect my daughter, your family, wolf friends, anyone who isn’t you.” Alfred waved his finger toward Amanda. “And especially my grandchild.”
“Daddy. That’s ridiculous. I don’t even want to talk about it,” she said, glaring.
“Maybe not. But it’s a fact. I’m sure Jackson and his brother can smell that child. I can feel the presence forming. I’m sure if you focused, you would too.” Alfred kept his gaze on the mug, twirling it between his fingers.
Jackson knew this was the last thing Amanda wanted to discuss. But he also knew Alfred wasn’t being honest about something. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Making you an untouchable poses two problems.” Amanda squeezed his hand. “The spell has an expiration date, which means our time is limited.”
“What’s the second issue?” Decker asked.
“Until then, my father’s powers are rendered useless.”
“What?” Jackson said, snapping his head in her direction. “The most powerful wizard known to your kind besides Trask has no powers? Because of me?”
“This is crazy,” Decker said, shaking his head. “I feel like you’re the only man who can save my brother from this crazy witch, and now you’re telling us you can’t.”
“My powers are needed to protect him. The witch or wizard who created the blocking spell is not only powerful, but they are a master of black magic. Outside of Toldar, I don’t know anyone possessing that ability and he wouldn’t because his child’s existence is rooted in this legacy,” Alfred said. “I know my daughter doesn’t want to deal with this yet, but the rise of the two moons could only mean one thing and it had nothing to do with Jackson claiming you as his mate and everything to do with the creating of wizard and witch fairies.”
Jackson coughed, pounding the center of his chest with his fist.
“We might as well address the elephant in the room.” Alfred took a long sip, draining the mug.
