Page 95 of Unmarked Magic

No one in the room could answer my question, but if this mystery woman had a key to the shop, it wouldn’t be long before we had an answer.

The group returned to their normal banter, and I approached Scar, resting my hand in the small of her back. She straightened at the contact, and her eyes met mine with a knowing look. I rubbed my thumb over the fabric of her top, just enough to let her know I felt the bond, too.

She turned her attention to the group. “Guys, listen up!” she said, raising her voice over the continuous banter filling the garage. “We have an announcement to make.”

The room stilled. All eyes focused on us.

“Obviously, a few of you know that Reid and I have become closer than friends,” she said, steering me a quick glance.

I tickled the small of her back, and she laughed.

“Finally!” cried out Skye, as if she’d been waiting for the announcement for years. She probably had.

I let out a quiet chuckle.

“But what you guys don’t know” — Ty slapped his hands on the pool table like a drumroll. — “is that we are fated mates.”

The room erupted in whoops of excitement.

Morgan ran around the pool table to hug Scar, and her eyes met mine. “Honestly, she’s been ogling you for years from what I could tell,” she whispered with a grin.

I laughed out loud. I had been doing the same.

Wes approached, giving me a slap on the back. “Congratulations, you deserve it.”

I shook his hand. “Thanks man, it’s been one hell of ride.” I steered my gaze back to the group, dropping my tone to a more serious one. “There’s something else, too.”

I took a deep breath, steeling my chest for whiplash. I hoped they would understand my predicament. It was a big ask.

“Firstly, none of you are in any danger.” I didn’t miss the look of curiosity Wes threw my way. “There’s no easy way to say this, but, as of recently, I’m a blood mage. And apparently I come with a side of bloodlust where my fated mate is concerned.”

Silence.

No one spoke. No one moved.

My stomach sank.

“I don’t get it,” blurted out Morgan.

I filled them in on everything. The bite. The tonic. The last few days. The look on their faces turned from horror to, more surprisingly, curiosity.

“I want to assure you I have no urges to bite or feed off any of you. This has somehow become a connection between myself and Scar only.” Our fingers found each other and her reassuring squeeze gave me the confidence to keep speaking. “This wasn’t something we chose, and it will take some adjusting to. I’m fortunate that my magic has somehow protected us both from a full transition. I guess what I’m asking from you all is your understanding of the situation.”

The room’s silence stole the air from my lungs.

Then, unbelievably, movement.

Wes didn’t hesitate. Stepping closer, he slung an arm around my shoulders and squeezed. “I’ve got your back. Always.”

I could only stare at him, speechless.

Morgan came next, followed by Skye.

I didn’t expect this. Their support.

“Hey,” came Scar’s voice from beside me. “Are you okay?” Her worried glance made me snap out of my temporary disbelief.

“Ah, yeah.” I leaned into her as the group eventually returned to their arguments over who was on whose team playing pool. “That seemed too easy,” I said, murmuring into her hair.