Total pages in book: 218
Estimated words: 209489 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1047(@200wpm)___ 838(@250wpm)___ 698(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 209489 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1047(@200wpm)___ 838(@250wpm)___ 698(@300wpm)
Scooting my chair closer to the table, I cleared my throat and met Alex’s grandma’s eyes for a split second before refocusing on Asami. I wasn’t ready for that shit—for her. If I could make it through sitting here with her during a game of Candy Land, I would be proud of myself. Most of my instincts told me to run. My body probably remembered how she’d made me feel after that game of Trouble.
“You’re doing much better than you were the last time we met,” Grandmother said the second after I’d looked away.
Asami gave me a little smile from across the table that I couldn’t help but return.
“Yes, ma’am, I am,” I answered, quickly peeking at her again.
She was watching me closely, her back ramrod straight, the cane leaning against the wall behind her. “I’m pleased to see that Alexander has been helping you. Soon enough, you’ll be healthier than ever.”
It was the subtle amusement in her voice that put me on edge.
Was she smirking?
And why was she implying I’d be healthy? Because he’d been giving me his healing vibes every night sleeping so close? Not that she knew that. Or did she?
“If he would have met you when I told him to seek you out, all of this could have been avoided.” Her gaze went glassy and flat for a second before a single blink brought her back. “It will all work out now.”
Why did that feel so premonition-like?
I focused on the elegant stud in her ear, curiosity running right through me at her words, at her tone, at everything. “My grandpa used to tell me that everything eventually works out the way it’s supposed to.” I wasn’t sure I believed it but he had.
“Eventually, yes, but there are easier ways for things to come to pass.”
If that wasn’t cryptic as shit, I didn’t know what was.
“Though knowing the future doesn’t make decisions easier, does it?” she asked.
In front of me, Asami’s eyes bounced back and forth between us, and I knew that despite being so young, she was eating up every word of this conversation. I was relatively certain Alex didn’t have any kind of premonition, but why? And did anyone else in his family have it?
I cleared my throat. “I don’t have that ability like I think you do.”
“It only runs in two lines of our people, and it’s the strongest in your family. Some abilities work that way. I inherited it through my great-grandmother on my father’s side, but my daughter took after her father,” she clarified. “With the right mix, I think it would continue. I would like to see that happen.” There went another sneaky little, loaded word.
I eyed the board hard though I wanted to focus on her instead. “Mine is mostly just a stomachache when something bad is going to happen, or when something monumental is, but usually only right before it does. Maybe a few hours depending.” It felt unreal to be having this conversation with her. To actually admit that maybe there was something in me that might actually be Atraxian.
Asami’s bright blue eyes glowed suddenly for a moment, like she didn’t control it, reminding me of just what was possible and what wasn’t.
“That talent is too diluted in you. It’s a testament to the strength of your line that you still retain some of it,” Grandmother said.
That had me meeting her incredible purple gaze. “Really?”
A small smile tweaked her mouth. “Oh, yes. My mother admired your family greatly. She wanted her brother to marry your great-grandmother, but she wouldn’t have him.”
My great-grandmother had to be the baddest bitch there was, because I had a really hard time picturing anyone telling this woman or anyone like her no.
“She knew our lines weren’t meant to cross then. It wasn’t until decades later that I understood why it wasn’t supposed to happen with them.” Grandmother’s attention moved to her great-granddaughter and lingered there, contemplative. “Your ancestors were the ones who led us here, who promised us that this was where we were meant to go when they left Atraxia. It may have cost them in the end, but I don’t think they regretted their choices. Not many can say that about their decisions.”
“What decisions? Letting their… strengths die off? By marrying humans? Having children with them?”
“Yes. They were the first to distance themselves when we arrived here. They insisted on integrating. So the story goes,” she said.
“Grandma said you and Uncle Lexi are gonna get married,” Asami whispered with a gleeful look in her eye. “Can I be the flower girl?”
I almost fainted, and I know I wasn’t imagining the dry chuckle that rose from Grandmother’s throat.
“I think you’re going to have”—she held up two tiny fingers—“two boys.”
I swear I swooned, and I might have fallen out of the chair if her hand hadn’t shot out and grabbed me by the side of the shirt to keep me in place.