shelves and sat where Brown had left.
"I thought we weren't supposed to see each other?" I frowned when my voice came out raspy, but I couldn't help it. There was something about Brown that made me sad. I didn't think it came from her anymore because I still felt it and then Roane showed up.
It was me. I was sad.
'Were you in my office before? I felt you, but I couldn't place you.'
'I know about the Roane Elders, about the other vampires.'
'What do you know?'
'They want to take away your h untership and they want to kill me.'
'What else?'
'That they can't. You're too powerful because your blood is in me.'
He looked away and swallowed. Roane kept his emotions in check, but I felt his fear for a second before it was taken away the next moment. He didn't want me to feel what he felt. I chose not to comment how that hurt, but was it my place to know those things? He loved her, not me.
He thought, 'The Elders sent a sorcerer. He felt your presence, but he can't narrow it down to where you are in town. I shouldn't be here. They might be tracking me—'
'They're not. You know they aren't. You're better than them.'
Roane frowned for a moment. "I wanted to ask if I had been imaging things or not. I know I hadn't so I should be going."
I wasn't going to say good-bye. I didn't want to do that anymore, but I watched him. He didn't move. Then he looked around, and still didn't move. "Was that a witch you were talking to?"
I nodded. "She's powerful, but something's blocking her. She has a weird family thing. She was telling me about it."
"She's a Bright. I've heard of their line, but I've never met one before."
"You know of them?"
He nodded. "Lucan was lovers with one of them, when we first became vampires. She stirred a lot of his thirst for the unknown. The Bright women are powerful witches, but most of them don't use their power. No one knows why."
"It only goes to the eldest daughter."
He shrugged. "Regardless, they all have the ability, but they don't want their power or they don't use it. The Vampire nation would be more curious about them if they did. I'm glad they don't. We have enough problems with witches and sorcerers. Your friend doesn't have power? I thought I felt some from her."
"She has power, but it's blocked to her. She can't access it. A curse was put on their bloodline. I could remove what's blocking her, but I don't know if I should. I'm afraid what might happen."
"Don't. It'll draw more attention to you. You need to stay hidden. Do normal things." Roane stood up again and looked around. A flash of emotions crossed his face. "Are you doing okay? It's been a few days. How's Emily?"
"She's normal again. Bennett's lovespell was nasty. I went in her a few times and removed some of that madness. Horrible. I hate vampires." I cringed and then realized I had said. "I'm sorry! That's not what I meant."
Roane smiled gently. "It's fine. I'm not too fond of my race right now either."
Oh right. "Is it bad for you? What are they going to do to you?"
"They tried to kill me. It didn't work. They left and they'll send hunters this time."
"You'll be going against what you are?" But he was better. He was more powerful because of me. He'd be fine. Right?
His eyes sought mine and held them. "I'll be fine. Gregory, Wren, and others are loyal to me. They'll help me, but yes, I am more powerful than them."
I was relieved to hear that. I knew it, but it seemed more real when he said it.
"Davy, why didn't you let me see you today? I felt you. I wanted to see you," Roane spoke in a soft voice.
"It wasn't really me. It was what I am. It didn't want you to know I was there. I was confused too." That was when I realized that I'd never told him about Saren. Then I realized that I didn't have any intention of telling him. I trusted Roane, but something held me back from telling him. I wasn't sure why and that bothered me. I didn't want to always feel alone.
"You're transitioning into your powers. You don't know them,
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