my veins, I poured out my magic. I forced out every drop of power within my body, my head growing hazy. It mingled with the black blood, forming something new. Something different.
My stomach turned. Heaviness settled over me.
Then the magic changed. It glittered all around me, crackling with life and ferocity, then flowed back into my body. Strength surged through me, replacing the weakness.
My mind cleared, my breathing eased. My veins filled with blood and my body with magic.
New magic.
Permanent magic.
And my aunt laughed.
When a banging sounded at the front door, I jerked awake. Heart thundering, I gasped, then tried to drive away the memory of the dream.
It was the worst of my past. I’d worked to forget—and I’d never told Aeri the truth about my lineage.
I’d meant to. Once I’d gotten out from Aunt’s thumb and breathed the fresh air of the real world, I’d realized she wouldn’t forsake me. I didn’t doubt that now. Not as an adult. But I’d had fifteen years of brainwashing, and once we’d escaped, I hadn’t wanted to think about it. Not talking about it meant not thinking about it.
Because I didn’t want it to be true, even if I knew it was. Even if my midnight blood proved it was. Ignoring it meant I didn’t have to face it. I didn’t know who my real mother was anyway, and I controlled any genetic darkness inside me.
Blood didn’t matter after all. Actions mattered.
And I was Aeri’s true sister. We shared a father, and that was enough.
If the truth sometimes bothered me in the dark, I couldn’t worry about it. If deep down I wanted to know the truth, I ignored it.
The pounding on the door continued. I groaned and turned to look at the clock. It was only ten a.m. “Who the hell visits Darklane at ten a.m.?”
No local ever would. Even those who lived in the rest of Magic’s Bend and kept normal hours wouldn’t dream of coming to a shop on this side of town at this ungodly time of day.
I covered my ears.
The banging continued.
Shit.
I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to ignore it, but whoever was out there really wanted to get in.
“Fine.” I smacked my pillow and climbed to my feet, then pulled on my robe and stomped out of my apartment and into the main house. When I reached the front door, I peered through the peephole.
My eyes widened. “Holy fates.”
2
The guy outside was probably the most beautiful person I’d ever seen. And to be frank, I was blessed with a plethora of hot people in my life.
But this dude?
Otherworldly.
He had jet black hair like mine—only shinier, somehow, which was a real feat—and longish. It terminated around his shoulders in an artful disarray that was sexy as hell. Brilliant green eyes sparked with intelligence and coldness. His skin was pale and perfect, his granite jaw cut like a blade. The suit that he wore was nearly black, but when the sunlight hit it just right on the shoulder, I could tell it was the darkest green I’d ever seen. I knew good clothes, and damn if that thing hadn’t cost more than most people’s monthly mortgage. It fit him perfectly, tailored to fit his broad shoulders and spectacular height.
“I can hear you on the other side of the door.” His voice was like smooth honey, and I shivered.
Then I scowled.
He had excellent hearing, that was for sure. What kind of supernatural was he?
I stepped back from the peephole and debated.
“I won’t leave until you open up.” The slightest hint of irritation sounded in his voice.
Jerk.
I turned toward the mirror that hung on the side wall of the foyer, inspecting my fresh-faced image and loose hair. The black silk robe that draped my form was fine for guests—but it was the lack of makeup that was so not okay.
I looked like myself.
No one except Aeri—and my old asshole family—had ever seen my real self.
I waved a hand over my face and called upon my magic, implementing a glamour that matched my usual look. Often I did it with makeup since the glamour could be a bit annoying to maintain, but in a pinch, this kind of magic helped me keep up my disguise.
Instantly, my reflection changed. The black mask of eye makeup concealed a third of my face, and my lips turned a brilliant scarlet. My hair rose up into a high bouffant that was almost comical but was definitely sexy.
As they said in Texas, ‘the higher the