"Yes," I mutter slowly. "I even know it's going to be a boy."

Her hand freezes midway with the eyeliner she was about to use on my eyes. "Wow, I have no words."

"That's how I was yesterday. I was confused, speechless and if I'm being honest, a little scared..."

"And Nyx has never told you where she is from?"

I shake my head. "No. Why?"

Her eyes turn thoughtful, her expression softening as if she's following a trail of ideas only she can see. For a moment she seems lost, then her gaze sharpens

on me.

"Don't you think it's a little strange? These powers you possess... they feel like more than just magic. Almost as if they're out of this world."

I let out a nervous laugh, trying to brush off the heaviness settling in my chest. "What are you trying to say, Raven, that I'm an alien?"

She doesn't even smile. "No. But I am saying they're not ordinary. I've studied witches and warlocks-anyone with magic, really. I've seen the strongest among them. And still, none of them can do what you've already done, Sadie. What you can do? That's not just rare. It's unheard of."

Her words settle over me like lead, sinking into the pits of my stomach

I stare at her, the eyeliner wand she was using forgotten in her hand, and for a moment all I can hear is the pounding of my own heartbeat.

Unheard of. The word echoes like a curse in my chest.

I'd always thought of witches and warlocks as untouchable, the top of the food chain when it came to power. If even they couldn't do what I do, then what does that make me?

The thought coils in my stomach like a snake, hissing with unease. What if Raven's right? What if this isn't just magic but something else entirely?

I hug my arms around myself, suddenly cold. "So, you're saying I'm what? A freak?" My voice cracks on the word, betraying the fear I'm trying to smother with

sarcasm.

Raven's gaze softens immediately, her hand closing around mine. "No, Sadie. Not a freak..... Extraordinary. There's a difference. But I get why it scares you. It would scare anyone."

"Nyx told me Xena can sense death," I whisper, the words tasting strange on my tongue.

Raven's hand stills again. Her brows pull together, and for a long moment she just studies me. Then she exhales slowly, her voice low but steady.

"Another reason why I think it's important to find out where Nyx and Xena come from," she says, almost to herself. "Because the powers those twins have? They're not from this world. They seem almost godly." FindNovels

The word lingers between us, sharp and unsettling. My stomach tightens, and force a nervous laugh trying to shake it, gef. Gedy? That's a little dramatic, don't you think? 1 mean, I don't exactly feel divine. Half the time I don't even know what I'm doing." FindNovels

But Raven doesn't smile. She just tilts her head, her expression thoughtful and serious. "You don't have to feel it for it to be true, Sadie. Sometimes power shapes us before we even understand what it is."

Her words settle over me like a shadow, and suddenly the air in the room feels heavier.

Her words settle over me like a shadow, and suddenly the air in the room feels heavier. I'm still trying to swallow it down when Aspen's little voice cuts through, bright and curious.

"So..." she drawls from the bed, eyes still glued to her game but her ears wide open, “does that mean Mommy can give me a rainbow and lots of butterflies?"

Raven bursts out laughing, the tension cracking like glass. I cover my face with both hands, groaning. "Aspen!"

"What?" she says innocently, peeking up at me with a grin far too cheeky for a six-year-old. "If you're godly, then you

u can do anything.hem

butterflies in my room Lots of them

Purple ones. And, and a magic rainbow door." FindNovels

I peek at her between my fingers, shaking my head as Raven nearly doubles over, clutching her stomach.

"You are so lucky you're cute," I mutter, though my lips twitch against my will.

"I am! Now, can I get a magic room?" Aspen asks before going back to her game

as if she hasn't just shattered a heavy moment with a single line.

"You're impossible," I mutter with a smile.

Just like your father.