Page 48 of Surrendering Hope (The Hope Legacy)

“Zee trained me to fight, I can train him to use his power.”

“You are linked to all four elements and have already learned how to intertwine them. Zee has fire. He needs to learn to use fire.”

It’s my turn to fold my arms and glare at Duncan. “Who then? Because yours comes from magic and spells, my power is rooted from within me.”

“Zac,” Jed says.

“Zac?” Zee and I say, our mouths falling open. Call us the twins of disbelief.

“Zac is the father of fire. It’s his element.”

“What do you mean it’s his element?”

Jed tilts his head. “The powers that witches and warlocks have, originate from the gods. Zac is the father of fire. If it’s an element you have, then somewhere in your bloodline is Zac.”

I glance at Zee. “Zac’s like your great, great, great, greatest granddaddy.”

“But Natia gave me my power?” Zee says.

Jed nods. “Yeah, that’s still not clear. Anyway, Zac is the best person to help you get a handle of fire. He can teach you in days what it might take someone else years.”

I clap my hands. “Yeah, lesson time with Zacy… I bet he’s more of a stick than carrot teacher.”

Zee pales as Jed laughs and pats him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, he won’t hurt you.” He turns away, a flash of concern blazing through his eyes. “Too much,” he mumbles.

Chapter Fifteen

Natia

Taurus believe no matter how many times they fail, they will get back stronger than before. You can’t break this sign.

Moving the bread to one side, I slide the Edam cheese into my mouth and groan. Jed’s sandwiches are epic. Can you live off them?

Zee slaps two mugs of coffee on the dining table and slides one towards me as he plonks on the sofa next to me. “Why bother having the sandwich made if you are going to dissect it?”

“It’s edible art. It’s like saying if I threw all the paintings in the National Gallery in a room they would be pretty, they wouldn’t, they need to be displayed to be attractive.”

He shakes his head as Duncan appears with Emi in tow. A low ringing echoes in the cave. Our heads swivel to the TV and Uncle Charlie’s face appears with Gramps next to him, both sporting dark rings under their eyes.

Aaden grabs Emi’s hand and tugs her to sit next to him across from me at the dining table. Duncan sits at the head, jaw clenched, arms crossed. Jed’s lounging on the sofa, a paperback book in hand. Huh, didn’t peg him for a horror fan.

Uncle Charlie’s eyebrows hit his hairline as he takes in Emi and Aaden’s proximity. Duncan clears his throat to bring us back to the present whilst Gramps has a familiar expression he gets whenever he sees a couple. Happiness tinged with a hint of sadness which comes from experiencing genuine love and having lost it. I’ve never known a more in love couple than my grandparents.

“You’re together?” Uncle Charlie stutters, locking eyes with Aaden. I glance around at the gang. Oh lord, please tell me someone has updated our temperamental leader on the latest romance. Duncan blanks his features, Zee follows, whilst Aaden toys with Emi’s hair, oblivious to the silent bombshell. Jed glances over his shoulder at us and rolls his eyes. He gestures at Emi with his book.

“Gramps, meet Emi AKA Themis, the goddess of justice and Aaden’s new girlfriend.”

Gramps’ eyes widen like he’s had a hit of heroin whilst Uncle Charlie’s face does a fine beetroot impression.

Emi winks at the screen. Gramps flushes. Um yeah, guess being winked at by a goddess will make even the strongest man a little star struck. “She’s been helping us,” I add. I slow clap myself in my mind. That should diffuse the situation. Natia Waterford, master smooth talker, Uncle Whisperer extraordinaire.

“And when were one you of you going to inform me?” Uncle Charlie grinds out, glaring at me. I’ll stick with my day job.

“My romantic life has zero to do with anybody else but myself and Emi,” Aaden says, grabbing Emi’s hand and clutching it to his chest.

Silence descends on the group.

Uncle Charlie blinks. “Is there anything else you need to tell me?”

---