Chapter 99

*The scene blurred before snapping back into focus. Slonsky was following Odanya and their father again. She was laughing at his jokes and hanging off of his arm. She stopped to kneel in front of a little girl to talk to her. Sasha turned to look at the younger Slonsky who was very obviously enthralled with the woman. When she stood up, her nose went into the air and she sniffed it. Their father eyed her. *
*“Is it him again?”*
*She nodded. Their father slowly turned in a circle eyeing everyone in the area. His eyes landed on Slonsky who made himself appear busy by stopping to ask someone for directions. Their father ran his hand agitatedly through his hair. *
*“Onya, are you sure you don’t want to meet this person?”*
*She moved closer to him and touched his cheek. “I’m sure.”*
*“It’s just he very obviously wants to meet you. He’s been everywhere we have been for the last 6 months.”*
*She hugged him. “I only want you, Sterling. Come on. We have to pick up clothes for the ball tonight.”*
*She took his hand and they continued on their way. He followed them into a boutique where the staff immediately focused on them. Odanya smiled at them and chatted easily with them while her mate moved around the store. The bell sounded, signaling the door opening and their father stiffened. His eyes closed and his body trembled when he inhaled. Slonsky turned to look at the door where their mother was walking in with her chosen mate and baby Tiffany. Their father went back over to Odanya and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her neck softly.*
*“Are we almost done here?”*
*She smiled up at him. “Yes. I’m just arranging a drop off time.”*
*He held her tight as she finished up, before leading her out in a hurry. She eyed him.*
*“Are you okay?”*
*“Yeah. I just thought I recognized someone that I don’t want to be around.”*
*“Who?,” she asked curiously, eyeing the people in the store.*
*He raised her hand to his mouth and sucked on her knuckles. “My fated mate.”*
*“Oh.” She slowly scanned the store again, her eyes lingering on every person for a moment. “Do you want to-”*
*He twirled her around. “Absolutely not. I know who I want and it will always be you.”*
*The scene changed again to a small cottage where a group of men were gathered around Slonsky, listening as he spoke. He was telling them about his mate and how he wanted to be with her. They suggested that he spell her chosen mate to leave her for another woman and then swoop in to comfort her. To them it was a win win. Sasha walked around the younger Slonsky.*
*“You loved her so much, but this wasn’t the way to show her,” she told him.*
*She knew he couldn’t hear her, but their guide Slonsky could and he nodded his head sadly.*
*“I know. I will always live to regret the decision I made that night.”*
*The scene changed again to outside the castle. Slonsky was trailing behind their father and Odanya. Sasha leaned close to Slonsky. He smelled different this time.*
*“I masked my scent. I wanted to get close to her to manipulate him without her knowing it was me. So much thought went into doing this. I only wished that I would have stopped to think about how this would affect her. If I had, we wouldn’t be in this mess.”*
*Sasha turned her attention back to the scene where her father had now stopped and was sniffing the air. Odanya waited patiently beside him. Slonsky mumbled under his breath while staring at him. His eyes glazed over a little, before he took a step off the path. Why hadn’t she noticed that before? Slonsky stayed where he was, still mumbling as he watched Odanya rush after their father. He smirked, before continuing on his way into the castle. He got a drink and positioned himself in front of the doors, so that he could watch the door. When Odanya walked in, held by their father, he growled. The scene changed again and Sasha glared at Slonsky who held up his hands.*
*“That’s not me,” he told her.*
*“Sorry, Aja. That’s me. We already know what happened at the ball. I want to see what else happened,” Kalani apologized.*
*The scene stopped again. Slonsky was running towards a building, uttering a prayer to the Goddess that he got there in time. The scene fluttered and froze. The guide Slonsky got in front of them.*
*“Not this one. Everything else, you can see, but not this one.”*
*Kalani bared her teeth at him. “Move.”*
*“Please, not this one.”*
*Lukas grabbed his arm and shook him. “She said move. Do it or else your daughter will die alongside you.”*
*He hesitated and let the scene play again. They followed the younger Slonsky into a hallway where a woman could be heard screaming. He ran down the hall to a room. He hurried inside and Sasha’s eyes widened when she saw her mother laying on the bed with her legs apart. She shot Slonsky an angry look.*
*“I don’t know why you wouldn’t let me abort this little bitch. I didn’t want any more of the little shits.”*
*He took her hand and squeezed it. “I promise you, you will not be responsible for her. I will take her and she will never know you’re her mother.”*
*She clenched her jaw and pushed again.*
*“She’s crowning,” the nurse said.*
*They all watched in awe as she gave birth to a beautiful little girl. The nurse went to put the baby on her chest and she folded her arms across her chest to prevent the nurse from laying the little girl on her.*
*“Come near me with that thing and I will snap its neck.”*
*The nurse immediately drew back and Slonsky reached for her. “She’s my daughter. I’ll take her.”*
*“Ma’am?”*
*Their mother waved her hand. “Get it out of my sight. If he wants it, he can have it.”*
*The scene faded to black with the only lighting being from a single lightbulb hanging from a ceiling. Slonsky sighed as the trio turned angrily towards him. They all surrounded him.*
*“I knew she wasn’t a dragon,” Lukas spat. “She didn’t smell like one, but I trusted you at your word. I thought her dragon just hadn’t awakened.”*
*Slonsky’s shoulders drooped. “I thought that if you thought she was a dragon, you would be more likely to offer her a chance at life and protection.”*
*Sasha glared at him. “Being our sister was enough to do that. You knew that.”*
*He sighed again. “I’m sorry.”*
*Sasha rolled her eyes. “I’ve seen enough for right now. Take us home, Lani.”*
Her body got heavy and when she opened her eyes Aiden was staring down at her. She looked around at the other couples who were just coming to, before glaring at Slonsky. Kalani neared her cautiously.
“Aja, tell me what you're thinking?”
Sasha turned to look at Lukas who was eyeing her nervously while trying to tuck Lily’s face into his neck. Sasha stood up in one fluid movement and Kalani stepped in her way.
“Aja, come on. Talk to me.”
Irina surged forward and bared her teeth at their little sister. Galina answered with a warning growl. Aiden stepped in front of her and cupped her cheek.
“Ash, baby, what’s going on?”
“Javier, can you find out if there is a familiar connection between two people?”
“Yes. It is a simple potion.”
“How long to brew it?”
“About a day.”
“Good. Do it. What do you need from me?”
“I will just need a small sample from the people being tested.”
She turned to let her eyes run over Slonsky’s face. “If you are lying, I will kill the girl. So, you better be sure what you showed us is true. This is your only chance to change what we saw.”
“I know better than to lie to you.”
She turned her attention back to Aiden. “Is the girl still in the living room?”
He nodded. She marched past him as they all hurried behind her. She got to the living room, faltering when sadness filled her at the sight of the girl huddled in a corner with her arms around her legs.
“Drop it.”
She waited for about 15 seconds, before entering the room to kneel beside the girl.
“So, Casey, what do you know about your family?”
“I only have my dad. Is he okay?”
“For now. Are you hungry or sleepy? How are you doing?”
Casey eyed her. “I’m scared.”
Sasha’s heart constricted. She took the girl’s hand and pulled her into a hug.
“My name is Sasha. This is Kalani and that is Lukas.” She paused. “And we think we might be your older siblings.”