Chapter 50

“Fine.” I snap, more angrily than I intended. I just reach the door when a thought hits me. “Why don’t we have powers of a witch then? Why don’t the spells work for me?”
She looks away then back at me. “Hope and I bound your powers at the same time. She couldn’t risk Kayla’s powers showing unexpectedly, and I couldn’t risk anyone finding out about me. You see Misty, it won’t just be me in trouble but you and your brothers too. Even your father. One day Kayla will face the wrath of the Council of the Elders. It is only a matter of time.” Her words torment my mind. No half-breed should ever be allowed to live.
***
After a lovely meal with Daisy and the rounded man I now know is called Hawthorn, we retire to our room. I sit on the sofa and examine the musical box more closely. It looks and feels familiar. But I have no memory of it.
With a sigh, I place the box on the coffee table. Every time I come close to answers, more questions are created. Why would an old jewelry box with my name on be in the Fae Realm? Nothing makes sense in this strange world. I’m starting to think I will never know the answers to my burning questions.
“What’s wrong?” Chris asks as he moves my legs to make room for himself. I lay my head on his shoulder and close my eyes as he runs his fingertips down my face, leaving light surges of electricity that creates a soft buzz as if my skin has come alive. He stops at my chin and lifts my head up. I peek up at him through half-closed eyes.
“Kayla, what is wrong?” He has that concerned look in his eyes again.
“Every time I seem to have an answer in my grasp, it brings up new questions.” I turn my body to look more clearly into his face. “For example, why’s this box got my name on it? Why does the King of Darkness think I’ve already been bonded to someone else? Why can I talk to you and Cole in my mind? Who’s my father? Why does the king still want me?” I look away and settle myself back down. Certain that I won’t get the answers I’m searching for tonight.
Chris strokes my hair tenderly. “That is a lot of questions.”
“You still haven’t explained about the bonded thing.”
His hand stops abruptly, and he lets out a long sigh. “Kayla, I will tell you in time, I just do not think right now is a good idea.”
A surge of anger sparks inside me. Pulling away from him with force, I stomp to the bathroom door. “You know what, Chris, I thought we were getting somewhere. Finally, you were explaining things to me. Granted, you could be more specific. What a fool I was to think that because we’re back to the start now.” I enter the bathroom and slam the door behind me like a bratty teenager. Which, as I am a teenager, my eighteenth birthday is just a week away, is about right. My grandmother’s words roll around in my mind “Eighteen is when witches come of age, and when you will receive your full powers.” I dread to think how much more power I’ll receive. I can’t control what I have now.
I turn on the shower and watch the water hit the base. When steam begins to rise, I undress and let the hot water wash over me.
Once, my life was simple. Go to school, get good grades. Hang out with Misty and watch crazy reruns with Clara and David. Now it’s out of control. As I rub a large amount of strawberry smelling shampoo into my hair, I wonder what Clara and David are doing right now. Do they miss me? Are they cuddled up, watching whatever show Clara has decided is the new favorite? Tears form and I am overwhelmed with sorrow. Shaking my head, I climb out of the steamy water, dry myself off and put on pajamas.
Stepping back into the room, I see Chris in bed, examining the jewelry box. I approach slowly, a bit embarrassed by my earlier outburst, but still angry, nevertheless.
“This was made in New York by J. Leo. He is famous for his hand-crafted gifts.”
I slide under the covers, pulling them to my chin, then turn to face him. He’s acting as if nothing has happened. Okay, if that’s how he wants to play it. I can play that game too.
“What does that mean?” I ask, not really grasping what he’s trying to say. My eyelids feel heavy, and my brain is fighting to shut down. Chris pulls me closer until my head rests on his chest. Too tired to fight, I snuggle in and close my eyes.
“After we take one last look around the market we will go to New York. There is a black market there, and that is where we will find the man who made this box.” With that, he kisses the top of my head and lays back.
It doesn’t take long for sleep to take me.