Peering at the others, she saw emotions ranging from wonderment to pride to awestruck. She decided to tune into their thoughts for a moment, since it seemed they were all frozen.
Damn she’s so fucking hot and a badass! I’m going to have a permanent boner now. She chuckled, blushing, at Jayden’s thought.
Holy fucking shitballs! I am never going to piss this woman off! Ariana took a drink of her coffee to hide her grin at Gray’s thought. She was pleasantly surprised to find Jayden had put Bailey’s in it for her.
“Now who’s the mind reader, Jay? I was just thinking I needed to have coffee with a kick. And here you deliver without me asking. You’re so sweet… even if you are a dirty boy,” she teased, smiling widely, when he coughed and shifted from one foot to the other. She did like to see a man squirm, if only a little. Ariana tuned into the other two.
She’s incredible. I was such an ass to her! Granted, it was for her own good to snap her out of her panic, but still Aiden, you are such a dumb shit. She smiled softly.
I think I’m in love. She blushed and ducked her head at Easton’s thought.
“Can you asshats stop staring already? What, a woman can’t fight?” She taunted them with a wicked smile to cover up the fact that she had just invaded their thoughts. She didn’t do it often as it always made her feel like some peeping tom.
“No, it’s not that sweetheart. We’re just astonished that you are so accomplished. It takes years to master them. You must have been studying them since you were at least ten,” Aiden said as he headed over to sit on the couch.
“Fifteen and a half actually,” she replied softly, then cleared her throat. She took a fortifying sip of coffee, and said louder, “I started with kickboxing and branched out from there. I took more than one type of class at a time.”
“Why?” Jayden asked as he sat, looking at her expectantly.
Ariana shrugged. She wasn’t about to go into that little tidbit just yet, so she changed the subject. “What do any of you know about the All-Seeing-Eye?”
Staring at the guys, she knew without even peeking into their minds again that they did not want to drop the subject. Ariana gave them her best mom look. It always got Avery to stop doing something she wasn’t supposed to.
Well, would you look at that? It worked on grown men too. She would have to keep that in mind.
East was the one to answer after glancing at Aiden. He had given a slight nod as if to say it’s okay to let it go, for now. “They used to be the balancers of the Light and Dark. That is why they are the only Mage in existence who can wield both Light and Dark magic.” Ariana didn’t know that she was the only one who could wield both forms of magic. She tuned back in when Easton continued. “Growing up, I heard tales of how the All-Seeing-Eye could level an entire army. She was both feared and revered. She was said to have immense and unlimited power, having the abilities of all magic based creatures.”
She nodded her head. “Okay, but why do you think the All-Seeing-Eye line died out?”
“Mateo would be the better one to ask this, as Fae he is more in tune with nature. My grandfather used to tell us a story about how one day, the whole Earth shuddered, and Dark clouds filled the sky without warning on a bright and clear day. The earth gave a silent scream that only the Fae could hear, and many dropped to their knees wailing. Since that time, our fight against Evil has gotten harder with each passing year. We are doing everything in our power to keep them from taking over.” Easton had the rapt attention of everyone in the room.
Something about the story resonated within her. Could that wail she had heard in her dream, yes, she was sticking with dream, be the cry of the earth? Frowning at her coffee cup, which was empty, she got up and went to make another. There was something they were all missing though. She felt it deep in her soul. If the curse was the reason for the what happened in the story Easton’s grandfather had told him, then why did the earth shudder at the moment the curse was enacted? Alaina had said that her protection spell and the curse warped each other but didn’t say how. So how was it that the curse that shouldn’t have gone into effect until Alaina died, started at the same time Rowena cast it? Unless… Alaina never did say when she died. Just that she had put on a protection spell as soon as she saw the vision. Could it have been months later that Rowena was able to cast her terrible curse?
Ariana turned around when she heard gasps and shocked shouts. She peeked into the living room from the opening where the bar sat. What the hell? Did they all go crazy? The guys were all standing in varying states of defense, with weapons at the ready. All except for Jayden. If she weren’t so freaked out, she would have laughed at the faces they were making. Aiden was wearing his pissed off look. His sapphire blue eyes were hard as glass, and he was also pointing a gun. Easton’s eyes were wide in shock as those blue flames engulfed his hands again. Hmm... she was going to have to ask him about that. Gray had a wicked looking sword drawn, a look of disbelief on his handsome face. She kind of wanted to stroke his face and sword at the same time. Jay was different, as he was still lounging against the wall with a smirk on his face, seeming to be relaxed. She could see the calculating look in his eyes as he raked them up and down something against the far wall.
Ariana set her coffee down and reached to her hip where she had her knife that morning. She always had it on her, except when she was at the club. Walking around the corner, she instantly dropped her hand. Alaina stood in her living room looking at the guys with approval.
Turning to Ariana, Alaina gave her a wide smile, “Ariana my child, how lovely to see you again. And what a fine bunch of strapping young men you have here. They will be very good protectors for you. I approve of your mates. Though you seem to be missing two…”
Ariana waved her hand about, “Yeah well they are off doing whatever, and who says they’re my mates? What are you doing here anyway, Alaina? This is getting to be a bad habit you know. Just popping in whenever you feel like it,” Ariana snipped at her while going to stand in front of the guys.
“Down Bessy,” she said to Aiden as she gestured for him to lower his gun.
All the guys started talking at once. “Who is she?” Jay asked cautiously.
“What do you mean popping in here?” Gray questioned as he sheathed his sword, and she gazed at it lovingly. She really did want to stroke that sword. Ariana shook her head, her obsession with sharp pointy things was getting in the way.
“Bloody hell, it’s her! I’ve seen her likeness in the old texts my father keeps.” Easton gaped at Alaina in excitement, looking like a little boy on Christmas. Only thing missing from the picture was him jumping up and down and squealing in delight. Ariana chuckled at the image that produced in her head.
“Did you just call me Bessy?” Aiden looked at her incredulously.
Smirking, she answered in a sweet tone, “Why yes honey, I did. Have you never watched Mulan?”
Shaking his head at her, he frowned, but she could see the laughter in his eyes. She liked that about him. He kept his emotions close to the vest, like she did. As she stared into his eyes, her body heated up, her breasts ached, and her core clenched. Aiden took a deep breath and his eyes darkened further. He gave a soft growl and leaned toward her.
Alaina softly clearing her throat snapped Ariana out of it. She flushed as she spun around. What the hell am I doing? Gazing at him like some love-struck teenager. Something that she had never been in her life. The world had shown her its cruel streak early on in her life. Giving herself a mental head slap, Ariana told herself to get her head in the game. Then that damn song from High School Musical started playing in her head. It was Avery’s favorite movie at the moment. The damn thing was just so catchy. She just barely stopped herself from humming the tune.
Grayson
Gray tried to cover his laugh with a cough, but by the dark look Aiden threw his way, he didn’t quite succeed. Too bad Capt, that shit was funny. Being a Disney lover himself, he immediately got the reference when Ari had to
ld Aiden ‘down Bessy.’ Of course, he would never admit it to the guys. There was just something about those silly, heartwarming and sometimes heart-wrenching movies that got to him.
They could never know. They would never let me live it down.
“Guys, meet Alaina, the last Eye to walk the earth. Alaina, the guys.” Ariana so graciously introduced them. Alaina was a looker, that was for sure. He could see the resemblance to Ari. They both had the same enchanting grey-silver eyes that tilted up slightly at the corners, giving them an almost exotic look, As well as the same high cheekbones and full lips. But where Ariana had her wavy flame-colored hair stopping at her perky breasts, Alaina’s flowed down to her waist in a riot of curls. Alaina was also dressed from a different time period.
“Really, Ariana? Can you not address me as is befitting my station?”
“Yeah, that would be a hard no. Sorry Alaina, but I’m not a debutante anymore, and I refuse to speak that way. So, take it or leave it.”
Wow, Gray hadn’t known her long, okay he didn’t know her at all. Except he knew that she was a badass spitfire who had a traumatic past. One does not simply wake up one morning and decide they don’t like to be touched. Unless they had some bad shit go down. His fox was extremely pissed at that thought. He wanted to hunt down the fucker who had hurt her and tear him limb from limb. Whoa, down boy. Gray had never had any trouble controlling his fox before he met Ariana.
Mate! His fox screamed at him. He got it already. His damn fox had been crying mate ever since she left. When she had opened the door, looking sexy in a girl next door way with a smidge of flour on her face, his fox had surged forward again. He really needed to get him under control, even if he had to slap the fucker to do it.
“Fine then, my dear. I’m here because you called, again.” Holy shit! Ari had called to Alaina from the future? She really was the All-Seeing-Eye! How the fuck had the council missed this? Not that he would be the one to tell them about it now.
“I did not call you. I was thinking about the curse though. Easton told a pretty good story about the earth shuddering as the Eye died. But you had made it seem like you were still alive. So, which is it Alaina?”
“I am alive in a sense my dear. I come from my time. Remember, we can travel anywhere?”
Ariana huffed and put her hands on her luscious hips. She was sexy as hell when she stood in the typical lecture giving stance. Gray chuckled softly. He really wanted to grab her hips and pull her ass into his dick, as he fucked her from behind. Now he was getting hard. Shit. He tried to discreetly adjust himself, but Alaina glanced at him with a knowing look in her eyes. Damn. He just couldn’t catch a break, could he?
“But the curse wouldn’t have gone into effect until you died, right? When did you die Alaina?” Ariana pushed. She seemed to know something and wanted clarification.
“Yes, that’s right. Why do you ask when I died, my child?”
“When I had that dream last night…”
“You mean when you travelled to the past?”
“No! When I had the dream. I refuse to accept that I actually traveled to the past when I fell asleep,” Ariana snapped as she started to pace. It was kind of like watching a tennis match. They spoke so rapidly it was almost as if they knew what the other one was thinking. It was creepy as hell to him. He shivered. He didn’t want anyone to know what he thought about.
Alaina sighed. “Very well continue.”
“Thank you. So, when I had the dream, as soon as Rowena cast the curse, I felt the earth tremble and heard it cry out! So, I’m going to ask you again. When the fuck did you die Alaina? How did you die? What age were you?” Ariana tossed questions at Alaina so fast, she didn’t give her time to answer.
“You know how I feel about the cursing dear. Besides, the when and how are of little consequence,” Alaina admonished her, and Ari was pissed. Gray winced. If looks could kill, Alaina would be nothing but a pile of smoldering ash right now. He never wanted to see Ari look at him that way. If he did, he was royally screwed.
“Stop ducking the fucking question!” Ariana hissed as she got in Alaina’s face. Gray blinked. Wait, what just happened? He looked at his brothers to see they all had their jaws unhinged. She had just teleported! Fuck. One second she was pacing on the opposite side of the room, the next she was practically on top of Alaina. He had seen her do this trick last night and it still astonished him. Not only did she possess shifter abilities, but now Fae as well? Reading minds, teleporting… those where Mateo’s wheelhouse. What the fuck else could she do? He didn’t know, but he was looking forward to finding out. Oh, this was going to be fun as hell.
Nine
Ariana
Ariana was livid! This chick had better give her the answers she needed and fast, or she would kick her medieval ass back to the stone age. She knew this was important somehow! She had to know how and when Alaina had died.
“Well, fine. No need to shout. I died March third in the year of our lord 1518. I was twenty-two springs old. I died a little over a month after our daughters were born. I was attacked by highwaymen after my carriage had slid off the road when I got caught in a snowstorm. Why does this matter Ariana?”
“Daughters? Plural? But you said you were pregnant with your first child.”
“We never knew how many we had until the birthing. I told you we can’t see the present or future of ourselves, or our blood. We can only visit them.”
“How many?” Ariana asked quickly.
“Ariana, we have different…”
“Answer the question right this instant Alaina. How. Many. Daughters. Did. You. Have?” She had dropped her voice lower and spoke slower in her best mom tone again. It always got results; she held her breath.
Alaina sighed deeply. “Three Ariana. I had three daughters.”
Her breath left her in a rush of expelled air. Her pulse thundered in her ears. Her palms grew sweaty. Oh, sweet baby Jesus… it clicked. This was why everything was the way it was. From her shitty childhood to getting singled out by the monster to even now in her adulthood, she had been stalked by the curse. No matter where she went or how far she ran, it would always find her. Ariana felt faint as she went over the timeline in her head. She was born on March 3, 1994, on the side of the highway when her parents got caught during a freak blizzard. Her mother died giving birth to Ariana. Her mom was twenty-two. Alaina was twenty-two when she died. She had until she was twenty-two to break the curse, or she died.
Tragedy binds you to your Fate! Rowena’s words spun through her head like a hamster on a wheel. Around and around. It was no coincidence Alaina had died the same night the curse was cast, setting everything else in motion. The curse wasn’t activated until tragedy struck. There were three tests that had to be completed; Alaina had three daughters. Alaina had died on Ariana’s birthday five hundred years ago. Her mind raced with all the information. She had to know if anyone else had the curse activated. There had to be. No way was she the only one in all that time.
“Was… Was there ever anyone else who had to fight the curse?”
Appearing deep in thought, Alaina tilted her head to the side. “Only one other, I believe. But she did not make it past the second test.”
“Do you know what happened? Why she didn’t complete it?”
“Yes, I visited her as well. She died in a carriage accident when someone smashed into the side of hers.”
“What that her second test? How could that be her second test?”
“It takes on many forms Ariana, you know this. Yes, it was the second test meant to break the body. In fact, she broke many bones. Her children were with her, and she could not reach her oldest to try and help her--not that it would have done her much good if she had been able to. Her spirit cried out in despair when her oldest passed from this world, and she simply gave up. You see, she had already lost her youngest to disease the previous year. She could not handle losing two of her children. Even though she had a daughter left, she still could not make herse
lf want to live. The curse answered her swiftly.”
“What did you mean by it wouldn’t have helped if she could have gotten to her child?” East asked, looking perplexed, “I thought All-Seeing-Eyes had Light magic and can heal.”
“When going through a test, dear, one does not have any access to their magic. They have to complete it without help from abilities. It is all part of the curse.”
Ariana was going to hurl. She needed everyone out of here, like yesterday. She couldn’t handle anymore today. She was so done adulting and dealing with this curse, Alaina, and the guys.
“Everyone out, now.” She was proud of herself that she had been able to say that in a calm and cool voice. Her emotions where nowhere to be heard. But they were certainly dancing a jig inside of her.
“Ariana honey, we already had this…” Aiden started, but she whirled on him and jabbed a finger in his chest. Her control slipped just a smidge.
“Do. Not. Honey me! I don’t give a shit what we discussed! This is my house, dammit, and I said EVERYONE OUT!” She roared the last part, cringing when she heard Zoey cry out. Ugh, she shouldn’t have let her fear get the better of her.
“Everyone had better be gone before I get back.” Holding up her hand, she pointed to the door. “I’m serious Aiden. Out. we can talk more later. Just not… not right now. I can’t do this now.” She was very close to breaking down. It was as if her entire world was being pulled out from under her feet. Her entire life had been nothing but fate’s cruel joke. She pushed past him and ran for Zoey. Everything in her world was always better when she had Zoey and Avery in her arms.
Easton
Easton’s heart trembled as he watched Ariana run away from them. She was down the hall and in Zoey’s room in a flash. He hated the fear that had flashed in her eyes, followed closely by anger. Looking at Alaina he asked, “What test is she going to be on? When will it start? Can we help her?”
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