Chapter Eleven
BIRDIE
Holding my head up a little too high, I slowly make my way into the dining room for breakfast. I can smell the fresh biscuits and my mouth waters just from the scent alone. I know without a doubt they are going to taste amazing. They’re going to melt on my tongue and I can’t wait.
Then I remember that I’m wearing this stupid corset and I’ll probably only be able to stomach half of one, maybe, if I eat it really slow.
Damn.
Clearing my throat, I shake my head a couple of times as I make my way toward an empty chair, the one far away from the douchebag at the head of the table. The men stand, but I ignore them. I decide that all men are jackasses and I just want to be left alone.
Pulling out my own chair, I actually smile as I watch Colt swiftly walk in my direction. I continue to smile as I sink down in my seat and plant my ass down, pulling it in myself, I take my napkin with a flourish and place it on my lap.
Colt growls, his eyes focused on my profile, but I refuse to look over to him. I hear Logan chuckle in the background and Florence clears her throat.
He mutters something about stubborn, foolish women before he turns and makes his way back to his seat. I resist the urge to flip him off, I resist it with everything that I am.
Turning to Florence, I smile and greet her, then I do the same to Logan. I watch as his eyes widen, but his smile is soft and knowing. I hate that. Because he’s not showing it, but there is pity behind his eyes.
I can feel it.
“You wanted to meet with me?” I ask, turning back to Florence. Ignoring the look of pity from one man and the look of smug annoyance from the other.
Florence grins, shaking her head, and I hear her say something about playing with sparks, but she doesn’t say it loud enough for me to hear all of it.
“I did. I’m unsure of what will happen, but we need to work on harnessing your magic while we attempt to figure out what is to come from all of this,” she suggests.
“Until yesterday, I didn’t even know that I had magic, how am I supposed to control it?” I ask.
Her lips twitch into a small smile. “I will work with you. It is not unusual for people who know not of their magic to have it come out through emotions. We must work on control in all aspects of your life,” she offers.
Her gaze is knowing as she watches me, and I can’t help but clear my throat and shift uncomfortably in my seat. Of course, she knows we had sex last night, she’s a witch. Squaring my shoulders, I attempt to put on a brave face.
Arching a brow, I watch her. “Control,” I repeat.
She nods her head once, then shifts her attention back to her food. “There is more of this prophecy that we do not know. Perhaps we can find out more from your sisters. You think they could be here?”
Nodding, I clear my throat. “I do,” I agree. “It would make sense. They’ve disappeared from our world without a trace. They have to be somewhere.”
“They aren’t just out of reach?” Colt asks, probably attempting to still stay part of this conversation.
Men like him usually don’t like to feel as though they’re being left out. He’s important in the community, in his life, so he thinks he’s the most important man in my world too. Unfortunately, it would be a lie if I said that he wasn’t.
“I’m sorry, but that’s just not possible,” I state.
He narrows his gaze on me, sitting back in his chair, his eyes focused on mine and never leaving. He’s watching and waiting to see what I’m going to say, and he thinks that he is going to school me in some way, judging by his smart-ass smirk.
Trying not to let out a growl. I inhale a calming breath, letting it out on a sigh, before I speak. “In my world, you can connect with anyone, anytime, anywhere. There is also a digital footprint,” I attempt to explain.
Colt stares at me, expressionless, and I want to laugh, but I don’t because it’s not really funny. He has no fucking clue what I’m even saying. Closing my eyes, I inhale a deep breath again, letting it out before I continue and attempt to explain it.
“Most of our money is held on these cards. It’s not all in paper and coin like it is here. So, when you need money, you use the card and it sends an invisible signal. Meaning, no matter where you are in the world, it happens instantly and I would know if they’ve spent any money and where. My sisters haven’t spent a dime, and they would need to spend money to go anywhere. There is simply no hiding.”
Sucking in a deep breath, I also attempt to explain security cameras to them. Thankfully, they know what a photography camera is, so the concept isn’t as lost on them as a credit card is. I try not to break down crying as I think about my sisters, about where they could be.
“Can you find out if they’re here, magically?” I ask, turning to Florence.
She shakes her head once. “I can’t. I’m not a telepath.”
Leaning forward, my eyes widen. “Are there telepaths here?” I breathe.
She chuckles. “Yes, very strong and powerful men can telepathically speak to their animal and sometimes to larger animal kings.”
Licking my lips, I can’t help but turn to Colt. “You’re telepathic, aren’t you?” I ask.
His lips twitch. “With my horse.”
“And?”
He chuckles. “The alpha lions.”
“Lions?”
He smirks at me. “Yes, darlin’, lions.”
“Wow.”
I forget to be mad at him for the moment, only because I’m so freaking in awe of the fact that he can telepathically talk to fucking lions. Li-ons! King
