Page 246 of Midnights
I nod slowly, trying to keep up, but my thoughts spiral faster, the more he says, the more outrageous it all gets. None of it feels real, but there’s a part of me that can’t dismiss it outright.
He takes another step closer. “Raven.”
The way he says my name makes my heart stutter.
“I’m telling you everything I know,” he continues, his voice is calm, but he's not telling me something. “I don’t want to overwhelm you, so if you need a minute, tell me. I just can’t have you freaking out.”
I raise an eyebrow, feeling defensive. “You’re not exactly filling me with confidence here.”
His jaw ticks, but his expression softens. “If something happens, I'll have to put a stop to it. And that’s not because I don’t trust you. It’s because it’s the safest option for everyone.” His voice drops lower, carrying a weight that sends a chill through me. “I need you to trust me on that.”
I freeze, and his words settle over me like a heavy fog.Stop what?
Cam watches me carefully, his eyes searching mine. “I mean… if your magic starts reacting to you, it could be dangerous. For both of us.”
My stomach tightens and I think I’m going to be sick.
“I need you to stay calm,” he continues, his tone careful. “To stay in control. Can you do that?”
I swallow hard, nodding slowly. Breathe in. And out. “I’ll try.” I whisper. Ignoring the fact that he's treating me like I'm going to blow at any second.
I watch the relief flash across his face. “I know this is a lot, and I know it sounds insane, but I'm here to help.”
The sincerity in his voice throws me. For the first time since this bizarre conversation began, I feel something other than fear.Trust? Or maybe I’m just desperate for some kind of anchor in all this madness, but right now, I don’t have any other choice. Especially if I want answers.
I take a slow, deliberate breath, forcing my heartbeat to steady. “I’m fine, just keep talking.”
He nods once, then turns on his heel, walking down the path. I follow him, still trying to untangle the questions and fears that refuse to settle. This might just be the dumbest thing I've ever done.
“Fae, witches, and other creatures with magic, live here. We have for a very long time. But that’s a story for another day.” He looks over at me, probably making sure I'm still with him. “Right now, what matters is figuring out how you got here.”
“So…” I hesitate. “HowdidI get here?”
His expression remains unreadable, which is annoying. “The short answer? You have magic. And somehow, you used it to cross the veil, the boundary between realms. There aren't very many ways to do that, so if you don’t have the magic to get here, youcan’t. Humans can’t cross over unless they’re escorted by someone who can.”
My steps slow as his words sink in.Magic. Veil.Other realms.It sounds like something straight out of the bedtime stories my grandmother used to tell me. But the way Cam says it… it doesn’t feel like a story.
He hesitates, like he’s trying to decide how much to say. “I’ve had my suspicions about who you are, but…” He rolls his eyes, laughing as he continues. “That’s more of a show-and-tell conversation, and honestly? I’m still trying to wrap my head around all this. Even for me, it’s a bit much.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Oh,is that all?” I scoff, trying not to be annoyed at his non answers. “Everything that comes out of your mouth so far iscrazy. I’m probably dreaming right now, and none of this is real. I don’t think it could get any weirder.”
Cam smiles like he knows something I don’t. “You’d think so, wouldn't you?” The humor fades enough to put me on edge and his expression darkens. “The names on your birth certificate are fakes, which you figured out. Your birthday, though, I believe is real. Minus the day, of course. That part, I’m still working on. But here’s where it gets even crazier…”
Every word pulls me deeper into this impossible reality. My breath catches, but the skepticism is still at war with the gnawing curiosity. “Crazier than all this?”
His eyes search mine, and for the first time, I see something new there.
“We have an old…saying… over here,” he pauses. “One that I think might pertain to you.”
My grip tightens on the dagger like it’s the only thing keeping me sane. “What’s the saying?”
He doesn’t hesitate. The words slip from his lips like a prayer.
When the twins rise high in the heavens,
Leaving her wild, untamed and free,
On a night when summer greets the moon,
