Page 95 of His True Beloved

“That’s enough.” The warlock threw a dramatic hand across the room, causing the lights to flicker.

How damn dramatic.

“I’m here to get Vanessa and my daughter back. We are going home, now,” he demanded. “I’ve got an incubus on my tail trying to find his payment, and I’m getting damn tired of his damn calling.” Sperm donor’s fingers danced with dark electricity of black and purples, and the room went dark. “I suggest you bring them to me before I set fire to the whole coven. I’ll remove Vanessa and Christine’s marks, and you can go on your way,” he said calmly.

“Not happening,” Justin and Sebastian said together. Both growling, they stepped forward with the assassin, who had yet to make a move. The smooth walk of Rowan gliding his feet through the carpet didn’t go unnoticed when he pulled a vile from his pocket.

“Stand down, final warning,” Rowan grumbled. “You are taking on more than you can handle. You may have power, but we have the experience.”

The warlock smirked, crossing one of his arms over his chest. His fingers danced with electricity until they rose into a ball. “Oh, you seem to think so?” He chuckled darkly. “I’m not the only one fighting for this. Ladies?”

Two women wearing nothing but average human clothing walked down the stairs. They had gentle movements, hair placed perfectly around their faces, and their dark dresses swayed as they walked next to him.

“Never thought it would be that easy to find them.” The one of the left giggled. “Right?” The other winked at Sebastian. I hissed, stepping forward to claw her damn eyes out until I was pulled back by Sebastian’s hand.

“I will pluck her eyes out with my claws,” I hissed.

“That’s pretty hot.” Sebastian snaked his arm around my waist. “Just so you know, my eyes are only for you.” He kissed my ear.

“Rowan? A pleasure,” one witch cooed at him.

“Faye? Leona?” Rowan hissed. “What is the meaning of this?” Rowan stepped in front of the assassin, who remained impassive about the entire meeting.

Like really impassive. Like he is bored.

“We had to choose sides. Sorry for that,” Leona replied. “We have to keep the dark magic holders happy. Otherwise, we won’t be able to grow our powers as Broderick has. He can be quite persuasive on how the dark magic works, especially in Bergarian.” Leona rubbed a finger up and down his arm. “Once the portal reopens, we hope to join the rebuilding of Earth that we will soon come to know with Lord Virion’s power.”

Suron walked back into the room, now standing beside Faye. He held a large bag of popcorn, eating it with a grin. “Oh, didn’t know you ladies arrived. Ready to kick this guy’s ass?” Suron hitched his thumb toward Broderick, who scowled.

“They are on his side.” Rowan gripped his fingers tightly. Suron frowned, pulling the popcorn away. “Well then, you don’t get any popcorn.” Suron pranced over behind the assassin, who kept a steady gaze on the magical trio.

“Oh, and what was your name? Trying to get caught up?” Suron popped another handful of popcorn in his mouth.

“I didn’t give a name.” The dark warrior stared down at him. Suron huffed, putting his fist on his hip.

“Can I have it then?” The assassin raised a brow and kept his lips tight.

“Touchy.” Suron walked passed and offered Mom and me some popcorn. Mom’s eyes were trained on her ex still, but her hand moved, grabbing a few pieces.

“I eat when I’m stressed,” she said shyly to Justin. As much as Justin was trying to keep his cool, keeping my mom happy, the twitch in his eye said something different. I think he was about to pop with anger too.

It’s like a bunch of pimples ready to explode.

“Listen, I’ll make it even easier!” The sperm donor smiled wickedly. “I’ll throw this memory dust out, and everyone will forget any of this ever happened, and we can go on our way.” Faye reached into her pocket, pulling out a bag with a white dust residue. “Just like when Vanessa gave birth to the other children that didn’t harbor any magical powers. Just poof, gone, didn’t have to hear her whine about it.”

Mom dropped her popcorn, and her mouth hung open.

“W-what?” Her hand went to her mouth to cover the disbelief. Justin leaped forward and faster than we could comprehend, grabbing the warlock by the throat. He fell backward, and the witches screamed in surprise as Rowan, Sebastian, and the assassin dogpiled the trio.

The warlock struggled, but the breath that left his body wasn’t replaced, and soon his body was limp.

I grabbed Mom and wrapped her in a warm embrace as they subdued the three supernaturals. She began sobbing, her hands shaking around my body as she clung to me. “You don’t think… you don’t think I was pregnant, and he made me forget?” I sucked in my bottom lip, my fang accidentally scraping my lip.

When I was young, I wanted a sibling so much that I prayed to any higher power that would listen. Being too young to understand my sperm donor didn’t have a normal relationship with Mom, I had hoped it would happen. Multiple times I would dream about my mom being pregnant. It felt so real, and I would be utterly disappointed when I woke up the next day to find her stomach flat.

“I don’t know,” I lied. My heart knew. She had to be pregnant at least twice. I remember those dreams of seeing a little baby in a cradle, one dream with a boy and another with a girl.

I’m going to kill him.