Tasting The Enemy

Elaine POV

He was worse than I thought. After my episode, they ripped me away from my Mother again. I was unconscious though. It was as if my powers were awakening but I felt my Mother’s power. It was like I was connecting with her magic but it hurt. I couldn’t control it.

I came to the Black Claw when I was six where was I before that? Gail lost me when I was a baby what did Laiken do with me? I had a tone of questions some he wouldn’t bother to answer but I’d still ask.

Blazer poked his head into my room. It was sometime close to midnight I thought everyone was asleep.

“Dad wants to speak to you,” Blazer said.

“Good. I need to speak to him too.”

“How’d it go?” Blazer shoved his hands into his sweatpants pockets.

“Worse than I expected. She thought I was dead.”

He sucked in a breath. “Sucks, Kid.”

“It’s worse than that. It hurts. He robbed me.”

His hand landed on my shoulder and squeezed. He had something to say but he kept his mouth shut. I wondered when Blazer was going to get fed up with all the shit that goes on around here.

“What are you going to do about Azaire?” Blazer asked.

I fiddled with my fingers. “What if he’s pissed?”

“He’s not pissed. The guy loves you.”

“Dad won’t let me go back to him.”

He winked. “That didn’t stop you from running away all those other times.”

I chuckled and sniffled. “Yeah, I guess so.”

I draped his arm around my shoulder and led me out of my room. I gathered courage with every step to ask the right questions. Blazer nodded at the door.

“You got this, Kid,” he said.

“Thanks,” I mumbled and walked into Dad’s study.

I sighed heavily. Of course, Avena was here. Dad stood by the window with a glass of liquor in his hand.

“Why did you do it?” I blurted out.

“I’ll be the one asking the questions, Elaine,” Dad said, his tone cool and deadly.

I shook off the intimidation. “How could you be so cruel to rip a baby away from her Mother?”

“I did what I had to!” he barked.

In what situation is kidnapping a baby doing what you have to do?

“Where did you keep before I came here? We didn’t live together until I was six.”

“You don’t need to know that,” Avena answered quickly.

My heart slammed forward. What?

“This is my life! Why don’t I remember? What did you do to me?” I marched forward and came face to face with Avena. She didn’t flinch.

I felt my magic awaken and blend into my blood. I had to calm myself before I ordered a bee swarm to carry Avena away.

“If you don’t remember then there’s nothing to talk about. Everything is part of my plan and it’s none of your business,” Dad said.

“Ungrateful brat,’ Avena spat.

I narrowed my eyes and snapped my fingers. A flame jumped at her feet. She gasped and shuffled away. She stared at me with wide eyes.

Dad smirked. “Your powers are growing. Good.”

“Did you know I was a hybrid all this time? Didn’t you think I deserved to know that?”

He shrugged and took a sip of his drink. “Avena told me your powers would never manifest.”

Dad glared at his right-hand woman.

“They weren’t supposed to manifest but she went and found a fated mate.”

“That’s why we’re here you want to be with your mate. Fine.”

Avena and I stared at him in disbelief.

“Did you say fine?” I asked sceptically.

He nodded. “Go. I won’t stop you.”

“What’s the catch? I refuse to believe you’ve had a change of heart and now you want to be a supportive Father.”

“A time will come when I will need you but when that time comes I need you to do as I say.”

“What will that be?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“You can’t believe I’ll agree to that.”

“You will if you want to be with the Blood Moon boy.”

I bit my bottom lip. I would have to hatch another escape plan. He was letting me walk free but at what cost?

“You won’t come after me?”

He nodded.

“Are you going to take care of Neel?”

“Don’t worry about him. Do you promise to do as I say when the time comes?”

“Yes, sure I promise.”

Dad walked to his table. He set his liquor down and pulled a drawer open.

“Your word isn’t good enough. I need a blood promise.”

My eyes widened as he held up a knife with jagged edges.

“Is that necessary?” I said through clenched teeth.

Dad bobbed his head. “A blood promise will ensure you have no choice but to uphold your end of the deal. Give me your hand.”Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.

I handed a shaky right palm over to him. The pain is a small price to pay to be with Azaire.

The blade touched my skin and I shut my eyes.

***

“So this makes you part of the Blood Moon Pack, huh?” Blazer put the car in park.

He drove me to Azaire’s apartment.

“Yeah, are not going to turn on me right?”

He chuckled. “Of course not. I’ll probably see you often.”

“When you’re visiting Francine,” I said raising a brow.

Blazer smirked mischievously. “Get out of here Elaine.”

“Take care of yourself, Blazer. I mean it.”

I took the elevator up to his apartment floor. It was nearly two o’clock in the morning he must fast asleep. I hammered on the door while my heart thundered. He wasn’t expecting me. We haven’t even spoken since I left him. I pounded on the door.

“I’m coming damn it.” His voice was thick with sleep.

I smiled. Out of excitement, I hammered on the door again. There was no hiding our relationship anymore. I wasn’t leaving him again. The door swung open and I thrust my arms around his neck.

“Elaine? How did you get here?”

He wrapped his meaty arms around me and squeezed.

“I’m here Azaire. I’m not leaving again.”

“Laiken let you leave?”

“Yes. I’m yours if you’ll have me.”

He pulled back and held my shoulders. He might have been disoriented and didn’t believe I was actually standing in front of him. It took him a second to drink me in.

“There’s no question, Elaine, you’re all I want.”