She went to thank him and tell him her story, but he shook his head and kept talking. “Your mind was already open to mine, so I looked to make sure you were okay. I’m sorry I was in your mind without asking. It happened because I was worried. I promise it’s not something I’m in the habit of doing. We work really hard to stay out of each other’s mind, but I just had to know that you were all right.”
As he hurried on, she could see he had her best interests at heart. There was nothing malicious about his actions and the anger that had been building melted away as she continued to listen. The weirdest thing was that the longer he talked about them, the more her birthmark tingled.
“I saw that you’d had them since birth and all your visits to all the different doctors. I also saw how you came to live with your parents. They seem like really cool people. Can’t wait to meet them. Anyway, while I was in there making sure everything was okay, I stumbled across…well I found…oh hell, I’m just gonna say it. Charlie you have magic inside you… pure, white, very positive magic. It’s just a spark, but it’s there and it’s strong. I believe, and mind you this is not my area of expertise, but from what I’ve learned, I believe it’s still small because you haven’t used it. It’s simply living within you.”
He stopped speaking, watching her very closely. Charlie felt his hand holding hers while his other still rubbed her neck. All she could do was let everything he’d just told her sink in. It was as if she was standing outside herself watching it all take place. Her voice even sounded foreign when she spoke.
“So let me get this straight. Just a few hours ago, you told me that we were destined to spend our lives together. Then you spoke directly into my mind. You taught me how to look inside your mind and now you’re telling me that I have magic inside me? Oh! And my marks moved against your fingers while I was sleeping? Is that about right? Did I leave anything out?”
Unable to sit still any longer, Charlie jumped up and paced.
Hang out with this dude any longer and I’m gonna wear out my favorite Converse.
He hadn’t answered by her second pass and had a faraway look in his eye. Thinking she might’ve taken it too far, she plopped down in front of him, made eye contact, and waited. Aaron held up his index finger and mouthed, “One second.”
Nodding in agreement but still needing to move, Charlie headed to the kitchen. It wasn’t long before Aaron joined her.
“Sorry about that. Aidan was telling me that Rian has a lead on the little asshole.” He tapped his temple.
“Guess you gotta go?”
“In a bit, I told him we were in the middle of something and he said he’d let me know when they needed me. It’s more important that I stay with you right now, don’t ya think?”
Charlie shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant when she was anything but.
Aaron shook his head and snorted. “I wanna play poker with you. You can’t bluff to save your hide.”
Laughing because she knew it was true, Charlie swatted him on the arm. She’d tried to stay mad at him, tried to be upset that he’d invaded her privacy on an unbelievable level, but she just couldn’t. She knew in her heart of hearts that Aaron had only done what he thought was best…for her.
Waving the proverbial olive branch, she said, “Sorry I lost my cool. It’s just so much to take in. There’s a whole other world I knew nothing about, filled with all the things I read about as a kid, going on all around me. If that wasn’t enough, I’m connected to it through you and some magic inside me. Talk about crazy…if my name was Alice I would be looking for a white rabbit about now.”
Aaron chuckled, which for some reason made her feel better, and she laughed too.
If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.
“You want something to drink?” she asked, grabbing glasses out of the cabinet.
“Sure. Whatever you’re having is fine,” he answered, waiting until she returned with the iced tea to hold out her chair for her before taking a seat next to her.
“There’s something else I want to talk to you about. No more surprises, scout’s honor.” He held up the boy scouts’ hand signal and grinned.
“Hit me. Might as well get it all out of the way up front.”
“I want you to come to the lair with me. Siobhan and Kyra know much more than I do about magic. They’ll be able to tell you the origin of the magic inside you as well as the meaning of the symbol on your necklace and your birthmark. You’ve met them both, right? Siobhan is Devon’s mom and our Healer, and Kyra…well; I know you’ve met her. Who could miss her?”
He paused for a second and she braced herself for what was to come. Charlie was quickly learning nothing was out of bounds for her dragon man.
“I know this is hard for you. I remember what it was like for Sam. You ladies come from a world of science and logic. Everything has cause and effect. Things are rational, problems to be solved. I have to say you are simply amazing! No matter what I’ve thrown at you today, you’ve dealt with it and not looked at me like I was a total loon.”
He leaned over and gave her quick kiss before continuing. “But here’s the part that might make you throw me out on my ass. I believe your magic and that symbol,” he pointed to her necklace, “are part of your birthright. I just know they will tell us who the woman that gave birth to you is and if she was magical.”
I’ll be damned! Of all the things I thought he was gonna say, that never entered my mind.
CHAPTER NINE
Charlie hadn’t thrown him out on his ass, she hadn’t even raised her voice or had to pace. As a matter of fact, she was on the back of his Harley, comfortably wrapped around him, riding towards the lair to see Siobhan and Kyra.
Aaron had called the healer to make sure she had time to see them. As soon as he explained, she’d told him to come on over and said she would call Kyra. He’d then spoken to Aidan through their unique link to let him know what was going on. His twin told him he and Grace would meet them there and that he would call Sam and Lance.
“I’m sure your mate will feel more comfortable with her best friend there and I know that Sydney is dying to see her Aunt Charlie.”
“Yeah, that’ll be good. She’s handling everything really well; I just don’t want her to get overwhelmed.”
“So you told her everything?” Aidan asked and Aaron could hear his skepticism.
“Yes. I told her everything.” He tried to keep the exasperation out of his voice, but knew he’d failed when his brother snickered.
“Good. Dude, I know it sucks, but it’s for the best in the long run, especially since she tends to run off to think.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah…the wise, old, married man. I get it, but I’m the older twin.”
“Older doesn’t make you wiser.”
“No shit.” They both busted out laughing.
“See ya when you get here.”
“Yep.”
Charlie put her lips next this ear and whispered, “Where you just talking to your brother in your head?”
He sent his answer directly into her mind, “Yes, why?”
Picking up his hint, she answered in kind. “I kinda heard you guys. It sounded like a radio station that wasn’t quite tuned in, all fuzzy, lots of static. I only picked up a word here or there, but recognized it was Aidan.”
“That’s weird. I was talking to him on our private connection, the one we’ve had since birth, kind of a twin thing. No one, not even our parents or brother, has ever been able to hear us.”
“Is that a bad thing? Promise I wasn’t eavesdropping. ”
Patting her clasped hands that were resting at his waist, he snickered, “I know you weren’t. I don’t care if you do. It’s definitely not a bad thing. It means our bond is already really strong. We’re sharing everything and in my book, that’s very cool.”
Her conflicted feelings flowed through their mating bond. He really couldn’t blame her and meant what he said to Aidan; Charlie was handling all of their craziness way better than he could’ve ever hoped.
“If you say so. By the way, I’ve been looking at that little glowing ball of magic on and off since you showed me, and I think you were right. The more I poke at it, for lack of a better word; it seems to be getting bigger. I really wish I had an x-ray machine or ultrasound so I could study it.”
He laughed aloud, “You’re one of a kind, mo chroi. I knew your physician’s instincts would kick in soon. I’m not sure that any of those devices will show your magic, but I’m sure Siobhan and Kyra will be able to see it.”
“I’ve heard Sam talk about them. If both of you believe in them, then I’m on board.”
Both man and dragon filled with pride. She trusted their opinion, more proof that she was meant to be theirs; that their bond was growing. Grinning to himself, he added, “I’ll be with you every step of the way.”
“That’s what I’m counting on.” She snuggled closer and held on tight.
Something deep inside Aaron’s soul snapped into place. A little piece of happiness he hadn’t known was missing, but once there, made him feel happier, more alive…more everything. It was the weirdest and best sensation he’d ever felt. Her complete belief that he would keep her safe, the undeniable trust she’d laid at his feet, was fantastic. His dragon chuffed and rolled with contentment. Yep, the stories were all true.