A Werewolf, A Vampire, and A Fae Walk Into A Bar (Book 1 of The Last Witch Series) novel Chapter 18

“Is that why she’s been kidnapped? Because of this stupid prophecy?” I ask, my hand clutching the tumbler so hard it might crack as my anger returns more powerful than before.

Once again, the bar shakes, like a mini-earthquake, though we don’t get earthquakes here. My baby is out in a storm so powerful it’s shaking buildings. I’m beyond angry. I’m ready to tear into whoever did this the same way Darius and Zev tore into John.

“We are not the only ones who seek her,” Rune says.

“Fantastic,” I say, downing the last of my whiskey. “As if having three supernatural alphas showing up demanding my child wasn’t bad enough.”

Rune frowns. “I’m truly sorry our presence has been so disruptive to you. I will admit, I never quite thought about your role in the prophecy. For thousands of years, this edict has been passed down in my family, that we would be ready to retrieve the one who could save us. It has made us all a bit...myopic in our approach.”

Ugh. I can’t be like, sure it’s totally fine you want to steal my kid, but also, I don’t know what I would have done if they hadn’t been around to help deliver so, shit. “Right now I just want her back in my arms. The rest can wait. But know this, none of you are taking her away from me. She’s mine.” I pause, fighting a sudden urge to overshare, then give in when I realize it would be nice to have someone to talk to about the things weighing on my heart. I hold up my glass, and Rune reaches for the whiskey, pouring me another and sprinkling in his magic glitter once again.

“I didn’t want her at first,” I confess finally, after taking another drink. “She wasn’t planned… obviously. And I gave serious consideration to…” I pause, drinking again. It’s so hard to think about. To talk about. To have her or not have her was the most difficult choice I’ve ever made. “I was in a master’s program at Julliard--”

When Rune looks at me confused, I explain. “It’s a music school in New York. Very prestigious, hard to get into it.”

His eyes soften. “I’m not surprised you attained that level of acclaim. Your music is truly magical.”

His words send a thrill through me, which I attempt to ignore. “I had opportunities coming out my ass,” I say. “But I guess the prospect of success made me stupid. I had an affair with one of my teachers… and ended up pregnant. He wanted me to have an abortion, and I was ready to. Having a baby would derail my career, my life. Everything I’d worked so hard for. But on the day of the appointment, I couldn’t go through with it. I stayed at school as long as I could while pregnant, but then my grandfather died and I knew it was all coming to an end. My life, my dreams. Everything.”

I swallow my tears along with more whiskey. “And then she was born and I looked into her perfect elfin face and I knew I’d made the right choice. I would give up everything for her. Everything.”

I glare at Rune fiercely. “She is mine to protect. She is mine to raise. And that is non-negotiable. But I don’t expect you to understand.”

I turn away, overcome by my own emotions, hating myself for talking tough about my parenting moments after my baby was stolen from her room.

Rune reaches for my hand. “Bernie, I would like to show you something, with your permission.”

“Show me what?” I ask, returning my gaze to his.

“Close your eyes,” he says, as he places his hands on both sides of my face and leans in until our foreheads are touching. The gesture feels deeply intimate, and I inhale his scent of wildflowers and cinnamon. “I understand more than you know.”

His fingers heat up against my skin and my inner mind glows silver, then everything changes.

I am standing in a forest at night, a gentle breeze tickling the hair on my neck and swaying the branches around me. Dozens of small glowing bugs buzz in the air, casting silver light against the iridescent flowers spread over a vast valley that starts at the edge of the trees.

The sound of insect life scurrying under layers of leaves and mulch fills my ears, and when I inhale, I smell a faint sweetness from the flowers and the musky scent of the rich green foliage surrounding me.

Everything feels so damn real, it’s like being in the most advanced, futuristic virtual reality game.

“Come this way,” Rune says, startling me with his presence. He reaches for my hand and a spark of energy dances on my skin when our palms touch.

He looks down at me, a look of surprise and something else… on his face before he schools his expression to neutral.