His Miracle Mate: Rise of the Moon Children

Chapter 27

Surprise was written all over Emma's face when she looked up. She gave one nod, and we found our way back to the classroom where we spent the rest of the morning. When lunch time rolled around, Emma was less skittish, but still withdrawn. We made our way together to the cafeteria.

Haley and Ashley were already halfway through their meals. Seeing Haley's hopeful face eased the knot of dread that lingered in my guts for the past couple of days. The prospect of seeing her mate brought the glimmer of joy back into her eyes.

She grinned and waved us over, and we joined her. Jason sat down the long table from us without a tray. I wanted to tell him that he could take it easy and have lunch with us.

Ashley saw me looking at Jason and chuckled, linking me, "That's just the way he is. He takes his duty seriously. Too seriously sometimes."

She and Haley looked at Emma, who sat beside me with her head down.

"This is Emma," I said. "Emma, this is Haley and Ashley."

Emma nodded, glancing briefly at the two girls across from us. "I know."

Haley and Ashley smiled.

"How do you know Emma?" Haley asked through mind-link, taking a sip of her sparkling water.

"Do you know her?"

"No, I know of her. She's kind of infamous. Well, more precisely, her mother is."

"Why's that?"

"I'll tell you later."

I remembered the vampire calling her a freak. It had something to do with this, I guess.

Blake, Ashley, Haley and I kept the conversation light. I tried my best to involve Emma, but I didn't want to make her uncomfortable, so I didn't push.

At one point, I caught her looking at Haley. More precisely, at Haley's neck. She saw me looking and averted her eyes.

Blake and I delivered Emma to her cabin. The way some students looked at her didn't escape my notice. As if she was a monster. A freak. It brought back unpleasant memories and made me feel all the more protective of her.

Blake and I waited as she turned and walked up the path leading to her front door. Halfway there, she stopped and turned, looking at me head on for the first time. If you looked past the flicker of insecurity, her gaze was surprisingly sharp.

"I- thank you for standing up for me," she said, tucking her short hair behind her ear. "I appreciate it."

"You're welcome," I told her. "Let's meet up tomorrow as well?"

She blinked, then slowly nodded, a small "okay" spilling past her lips.

Blake and I found Haley and Ashley in my cabin, lounging on the couch with a bag of chips between them. As soon as we got in, I asked Haley, "so why is her mother infamous?"

Ashley chuckled, patting the seat next to her. "Curious much?"

"Her mother was famous for dabbling in blood magic," Haley explained, scooting over for Blake to sit next to her. "She fell pregnant with Emma while doing so. It must have affected Emma's magic in some way, because the girl can't access it."

My eyes widened. "But... she's a witch."

"She is. But she can't work the magic. I heard her family tried everything when she was little." Haley pinched her lips to the side. "I don't know if there's any truth to the rumors, but they say her mother tortured her in her attempts to force Emma's ability to work magic."