Page 68 of Unhinged Magic
My grip on my mug tightened. “Yes. Ifeltit.Everything.”
She stared at me for a long moment, trying to read me, I guessed. She frowned. “How?” She chewed the inside of her cheek in thought. “You need to convincemebefore anyone else.”
I let out a sharp breath, pressing my hand to my eyes until silver flecked the darkness behind my lids. “It’s hard to explain… his gift did this thing where it must have relayed what he was feeling to me. I felt it all, and even though it was only for a few moments, it was like nothing I could have ever imagined. He’s my fated mate Scar, I know he is.”
She nodded slowly, pressing her lips together, processing the information. “I think we need to go to Tyler.”
I recoiled, almost spilling my hot chocolate. “What? No!”
She bristled at my outburst, her hands pushing into the air between us. “Just hear me out for a second. What if this is the reason he did what he did? What if we can help and fix whateverthisis?”
I stilled, her words prickling my skin. “I don't like this,” I murmured, adjusting the grip on my mug. “What if he doesn’t believe me?”
Scar leaned against the armrest, shooting me a skeptical look. “Has Ty ever not believed you before? I can’t imagine him dismissing something like this. He’s a levelheaded guy.”
I mulled over her words. She had a valid point. I veered my gaze away from her, willing nature for answers, or a 'sign' to steer me in the right direction, but got no answer. Maybe she was right. Maybe it was time to tell them all.
I straightened, looking at her again. I was lucky to have a friend like Scar, so understanding and patient. For months, I had offered nothing more than a huff or a forced smile, preferring to lock myself away in my bedroom, pretending the outside world was nonexistent. Never once had she questioned the way I was dealing with this.
But I wasn’t sure I could keep this secret any longer.
“If we’re going to do this, I need to tell the entire group at once. I need the guys there.”
Scar moved closer, brushing a hand over my shoulder, the makings of a smile creasing her cheeks. “I really think it’s the right thing to do.”
I didn’t mirror her optimism but nodded anyway.
She rose to her feet. “Leave it to me. I’ll gather the group tomorrow.”
I forced another smile as she left, closing the door behind her.
I placed my empty mug on the balcony floorboards, pulling my legs to my chest. Scar was right. I needed to tell Tyler everything. I didn’t know how he would take it, but there was only one way to find out. Nerves bundled tightly in the pit of my stomach, churning with every crash of the waves below me. I sat quietly, mulling over the scenarios that could play out tomorrow, in the presence of the only two things that were guaranteed in life. The cover of darkness, and the steady rhythm of the ocean.
It was time the world knew Wesley was my mate, and that thought scared the shit out of me.
***
The next morning, Scar led me inside the entrance to what she referred to as Colton’splace. I understood her word of choice, as the term house didn’t do the property justice.
My mouth fell agape as I stepped inside, noting the greenery climbing every inch of what I could only describe as an oversized greenhouse. I knew Colton was an earth mage, but I’d never been to his house before, and this? Mind-blowing.
Scar insisted on holding the discussion I needed to have here, on neutral ground as she called it. Now I understood why. The place had a strange presence about it, like nature could soak up every freaking emotion wracking my body and reset it.
If only it were true.
“What is this place?” I whispered, trailing the vines that climbed high above me to the seemingly open rooftop.
“Colt grows botanicals I need for my tonics in the apothecary, especially ones I find hard to access.” She shrugged. “It works.”
I nodded, impressed with the scenario. Scar tipped her head toward another door, motioning for me to follow.
Caution slowed my steps as I took in my new surroundings, a bare room save for some gym equipment and a circle of seats inthe middle where our friends sat. Each one looked as confused as the next.
Reid’s arm rested on a raised knee, his fists opening then closing again as he watched us enter the room. Colton leaned his elbows on his thighs, his gaze drifting to mine quickly before swerving across the room to where Morgan sat next to Tyler, who I couldn’t bring myself to look at. Morgan numbly ran her hand over the plain chain she constantly wore; over the last few weeks, I had noticed she did this when nervous or unsure. Jade adjusted the pencil in her hair. Or was that a chopstick today? I couldn’t tell.
I locked eyes with Tyler, his steel gray irises moving over me quizzically as I followed Scar, taking a seat. Nerves thrashed my stomach, the prickle of the groups attention raising the hairs on my arms. Could this be any more uncomfortable?
Colt cleared his throat.
