Page 78 of Nocturnal Desires

“But what is it Gaia wants?”

“We really don’t know. But Artie seems to think that the humans destroying the earth is her main issue.”

“But most supernaturals respect nature.”

“We do, you’re right. But we’re also not doing anything to stop them. In her mind, we’re just as bad and deserve to be punished.”

He opens his mouth to respond as a naked, giggling little girl runs up to us, making him release my hand in time to catch her.

“We’re almost there, Daddy,” she exclaims, and he spins her around like he did with me earlier.

“That’s fantastic, Pumpkin,” he says, and I pull out her clothes as he sets her down, sliding the dress over her head and running my fingers through her now tangled hair.

“Wait until you see it, Dad. It’s humongous,” Zach says, landing softly in front of us.

“It looks like a castle,” Amelia says giddily.

“Then it’s the perfect place for you, princess,” Loukas says, lifting her up and peppering her with kisses.

“Pearl?” Zach’s little voice says, looking up at me.

“Yes?”

“Will there be other kids my age? Witches like me?”

I mentally go over the people that I know. “I’m sure there will be. I know my niece Makayla is your age, but she’s a vampire.”

“Your niece is a vampire?” he asks, looking at me in confusion.

“Her mom is my best friend, we’re as close as sisters so her kids call me ‘Aunty Pearl.’ But I’m sure that there are lots of kids your age.”

“What if they don’t like me? All the kids in my mom’s coven hated me.”

“Zach…” Loukas says, placing Amelia on the ground. I crouch down in front of Zach, nodding for Loukas and Amelia to keep going.

I reach out my hands, holding them palm up, letting him decide whether he wants to take them or not.

“First of all, they were probably just jealous of you. Even then, it’s their loss. I happen to think you’re pretty amazing, and anyone would be lucky to be your friend. I hope one day you’ll consider me your friend.”

He searches my eyes for what feels like forever before he places his hands in mine.

“I’d like that.”

“Come on, let’s catch up to your dad and sister,” I tell him, not wanting to say what I’m thinking. That if some little kid wants to be mean to him, I’ll deal with it. I can’t imagine after his mother, that he would be receptive to that. Still, though, it doesn’t change the fact that if one of the kids tries to be mean to him, then they’ll have to deal with me, and they won’t like the outcome. If I know Makayla, which I’d like to believe I do pretty well by now, she’s going to be the same.

Surprisingly, Zach doesn’t release my hand as we walk. I look down at him as we break through the trees. I wonder what he might be thinking, but I relish in the fact that he never wavers from my gentle grip, as if in this moment we're forming our own little bond. As we catch the first glimpse of the towering academy, I watch as his mouth drops open in awe.

“Hey guys,” Phoebe says, walking up to us. Aurora quickly rushes toward Amelia, the two of them squealing. Kayne watches Loukas, a scowl on his face and his arms crossed, clearly in protective mode.

“Kayne, I’d like you to meet Zach.” Skarlyt’s son is a few years younger than Zach, but he is a good stepping stone.

Zach looks at Kayne warily, trying to interpret the look the younger boy is giving Loukas.

“Kayne is Skarlyt’s son.” At the mention of his mother, Kayne finally tears his eyes away from Loukas and takes in Zach.

“Hi, I’m Kayne,” he says, stepping up and taking charge, just like an alpha would. It’s not surprising considering who his parents are.

“Zach,” he responds, removing his hand from mine and clasping Kayne’s little one.

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