“Yes!!!”, she yells excitedly.
“Don’t get too cocky, Winnie.”, he tells her. “You still have to beat me.”
“What’s the bet?”, she asks.
“Bet?”, he asks her confused.
“Yeah, what are we betting. I already owe you a lap dance.”
“You do?”, he breathes.
“Um, yeah I mean we bet a few weeks ago and you won. Don’t you remember?”
He just shakes his head. Of course, he would forget the bet. Calista’s magic was removed from him but the effects must still be wearing off. Reegan frowns but doesn't say anything. She hands me the controller as she gets up and leaves the room.
I find her in the kitchen. She’s sitting on the floor with her head down and a bottle of water sitting next to her. I sit down beside her and wrap my arm around her shoulders. It’s then I realize she’s shaking. When I look closer, I can see the tears streaming down her face. I pull her into me and hold her while she lets it all out.
“What all did she take from him?”, she whispers through her tears. “How many of the memories that he and I shared are gone now because of her magic?”
“I don’t know sweetheart. I don’t know. But she’ll never take anything else from him or you. I won’t let her.”, I promise.
She nods her head and leans it on my shoulder. We sit in silence for a long time before the guys come looking for us. When they see us sitting on the floor, they know something is going on but they’re smart enough not to ask any questions.
Maddie comes in shortly after and announces, “Calista is on her way. Apparently, Senior demanded to come as well but Marcus denied him so Ash, your mom is coming instead”
“Fine. But my mom is not to be in the room when we talk to her.”, Ash responds. “I don’t trust her either even if she’s only been complicit in all this. Senior is sending her as a spy.”
“How did Senior even know Calista was coming?”, Reegan muses.
No one has an answer to that so no one speaks. Within twenty minutes Calista and Mrs. Hayworth are led into the great room. The latter rushes over to Asher while the former stands in the doorway like she isn’t sure she should enter.
Thank the creator you’re ok!”, Mrs. Hayworth says as she hugs Asher. “Marcus refused to let us see you. I was so worried.”, she continues.
“I’m fine mom. Marcus wouldn’t let anyone in until he knew we were all safe.”, he tells her.
“But we’re your parents.”, she fumes.
“That may be, but your husband is protecting the man that attempted to murder Asher. Your husband hasn’t even called to check on Asher at all.”, Reegan replies.
“That’s not true. Miles was under the influence of magic. Senior said,”, she tries.
“I don’t believe a word that man says and if you do, you are more naive than even I am.”, Reegan states. “Now, we need to speak to Calista, alone, so if you don’t mind Trent will escort you to Marcus’ office for a drink.”
“Sure Beauty. I’ll be back in a minute.”, Trent says as he comes over and takes Mrs. Hayworth by the arm.
Once they leave the room I look to Calista, “Hey. Come and have a seat. There’s no reason to be afraid.”, I tell her.
She walks over and takes a seat in the chair facing us. We make an intimidating group and I can tell Calista is afraid. Trent returns a minute later with Marcus and Rebecca.
“Who’s keeping an eye on my mom?”, Asher asks.
“Alita and Maddie are with her. She’s fine.”, Marcus answers.
Marcus had several chairs moved into the room for this occasion. It seems a little formal. I go over and make myself and Reegan a drink, returning it to her as soon as it’s made. I stand behind her with my hand on her shoulder. Asher sits in a chair beside her and the other guys form a semi-circle around us. Marcus sits in a chair off to the side with Rebecca beside him. I’m not sure why she’s here but I don’t have the time or the energy to ask.
Marcus begins, “Calista. Thank you for coming today. I’m going to let you speak and then we all have some questions for you.”
She nods before looking up at Reegan, then to Asher. I can see the shame in her eyes. “Look, I’m truly sorry for everything. Reegan, I felt threatened by you and I honestly believed you were here to take everything away from me. I see now that I was wrong and it was just the magic that was influencing me.
Asher, I owe you the biggest apology. I never meant for things to go this far. I liked you so much. When I told my dad about you, your dad was there. I didn’t know what they wanted but they were both adamant that I work on getting into a relationship with you. At first, it was good and then I noticed that you were growing distant. When I mentioned that to your dad, he had some woman come to see me.
She was adamant that I use blood magic to hold on to you. She said if I didn’t I would lose you and everything I’ve worked so hard for, including my council seat. She did something to me. When we were done talking, the only thing I could think of was keeping you and doing whatever it took so I spelled you. I really am sorry, Asher. I never wanted this, I swear. All I wanted was to protect what was mine. Now I see that never included you.”
“Can you tell us more about the woman?”, Asher asks.
“I never learned her name. She was powerful though and beautiful. She had long blonde hair and bright green eyes. That’s all I know.”, she answers.
“And where does your dad come into all this?”
“He was promised a promotion within the council. If their plan worked, dad would have taken Senior’s position when he ascended the main seat.”
“And do you know Senior’s plan to do this?”
“No. At first he was adamant about proving that Marcus didn’t have an heir but when he saw her at Thanksgiving something changed. He started talking of mate bonds and how he could see that Reegan was Asher’s. Then he said he knew what she was, what she was capable of. He never said anything else in front of me, I swear it.”
Everything grows quiet then. Reegan has grown stiff beneath my hand so I squeeze her shoulder and she reaches her hand up to grasp mine. She grips it hard trying to gain her bearings. There’s an energy around her and as she looks up to me I see that her eyes have changed from their normal sapphire color to an amethyst. She’s having difficulty gaining control of her powers. Bentley notices the change and rushes around her. He kneels to the floor and takes her face in his hands.
“Princesses look at me. You need to calm down ok?’, he says. When she doesn’t answer he grips her chin, “Princess, what did I say about when I ask you a question? You need to calm down now, ok?”
“Ok.”, she responds.
“Good girl. Now close your eyes.”, he instructs and she listens. He places her hand over his heart. “Concentrate on the beat of my heart and take deep breaths.” She follows his instructions and soon she’s back to normal. “There’s my princess. Welcome back. You ok now?” She nods. “Use your words, love.” he tells her and she does.
Once he is certain she’s ok, he rises back to his feet but he doesn’t go far. I notice that Trent and Kalan have moved closer as well. Calista is looking at us with confusion. Then it’s like a light goes off in her head.