Page 53 of Fated Moons
“I think that’s my cue to leave,” Decker said, standing. “Call me if you need me.”
A long silence filled the room. Jackson continued to hold Amanda’s hand, which trembled slightly.
Or maybe that was him.
“Dad, I really don’t want to talk about this.” Amanda’s voice dripped with a confidence he wished he could muster, though he didn’t feel as intimidated as when he’d first met her father. “We need to focus on catching whoever did this.”
“Whoever did this either knew he’d already imprinted on you or knew he would. They also knew about the Legend of the Fated Moons, which isn’t something we teach. Not because we didn’t believe in it, but because of those who would do exactly this to prevent it.” Alfred lowered his chin, his dark gaze leering out from under his eyelids. “Of the twenty-nine potential suspects, I’ve narrowed it down to three.”
“How on earth have you done that?” Jackson asked, thrilled they’d moved from the mating topic.
“Before I made you an untouchable, I used black magic to check for black magic.”
“Daddy, you can’t do that without the council’s blessing. I’m shocked they agreed.”
“They didn’t,” her father said.
“Oh no,” Amanda said softly, tugging her fingers from Jackson. She made her way across the kitchen, taking her father’s hand. “When they find out, they could permanently strip you of your powers and title.”
Jackson’s heart tightened, constricting his breath. “I can’t let you do this. You have to find a way to reverse it.”
“It’s too late for that, son. And I’m not doing it just for you.” Alfred patted Amanda’s hand. “I have my daughter and a grandchild to think about, which is all part of a bigger picture. Something Trask reminded me of when he and I discussed me doing this very thing.” He let out a long breath. “Trask is one of a kind. His child is the only witch wolfairy we know of. The universe went to great lengths to make this union possible. To make sure we would have more. Who am I to try to stop it?” He waggled his finger. “And the new history books have confirmed it will be wizard or witch wolfairies.”
“I’m begging you to find a way to pull your powers back. I can’t be responsible for anything happening to you, sir.” Panic gripped his insides. The crushing pain in his chest made it impossible to take a deep breath.
“You’re not responsible for any of this, and I would gladly give up my powers to protect any one of my girls and the men they are destined to be with. I know this isn’t easy. But we need to accept this. Embrace it. And catch the witch or wizard who tried to prevent it.” His voice vibrated against the walls.
Amanda hugged her father, kissing his cheek. “You should have discussed this with us first.”
“There was no time. Jackson here is a good man. Deserving of your love. You two are destined to be together, and I will do whatever it takes to make sure that happens.”
Jackson swallowed. There was no point in arguing. He sucked in a deep breath and moved across the room. “I’ll do everything I can to always keep Amanda safe.”
“I know you will,” Alfred said, stretching out his hand.
Jackson shook it. A warm calm settled in his belly. Amanda rested her head on her father’s shoulder. Her eyes danced when she smiled at him.
“Who are the three witches and wizards you narrowed it down to?” Jackson asked.
Alfred took out a small notebook from his back pocket. “My third cousin, Benny, but honestly, I think he’s too stupid to carry out magic of that magnitude. As kids, he could barely turn a toad into a rabbit.”
“Isn’t that against the rules?” Jackson asked. The vision of the wolves he’d met in the woods turning into sparrows came into his mind.
“Yeah, Dad. You would have crucified me and my sisters if we ever tried a spell like that.”
Alfred let out a small laugh. “Times were different when I was a child. The line between magic and black magic was a little blurrier.” He lowered his chin. “And all of us had to use a little black magic to hone our skills.”
“How is that possible if it’s outlawed?”
“What’s illegal is to use it outside of a controlled environment.” Alfred waved his hand. “But while in school, it’s a necessary evil in developing our craft. It’s why a Book of Shadows exists in every coven. Non-harming black magic spells are used as teaching tools. Stepping stones. The only way I can describe it is to compare it to vampires and how they learn to control their need and thirst for human blood. They have to feed. It’s their only way to survive. It’s in their nature to drain a human, which turns them. But the laws between the paranormal and humans prevent that without consent. Vampires must learn what the tipping point is between feeding and when it would cause a human to either go mad or become a vampire themselves. As witches and wizards, it’s our nature to use magic. Just like it’s your nature to shift to a wolf and hunt, something you have to control as well.”
“As pups, we must learn to control the desire to kill our food. Sounds barbaric, but it’s part of being a werewolf.” Jackson scratched the back of his head. “But Benny could havebeen honing his craft all these years, practicing black magic in private.”
“True, but he’s still kind of dumb,” Amanda said. “He’s fumbled even the simplest of spells.”
“Then there is my father’s brother, George.” Alfred flipped the page. “But I suspect he’s using black magic to keep his sex life going.”
Jackson choked on his own laugh. “They make a pill for that.”
