Not Even Human

Chapter Eighteen

“This one has potential, I see.” A familiar voice spoke up. I turned, recognizing the woman from that one meeting with the wolf leaders and Gabe’s father. I stood along with Nico, tense from her intense gaze.

“Mom…” I heard Nico start, and I looked at him with shock this time.

“Mom?” I asked, and Nico shrugged with a sheepish smile. First, the wolves had a problem with me. Now Nico’s mom could have it in for me too? Godammit.

The woman looked up at the rain, “You did this?”

“Well, I mean… in a way-” I stammered, not really sure what to say. Was I in trouble? Was Nico in trouble?

“How extraordinary.” She smiled to herself, her gaze moving solely on me.

I furrowed my brows, “Wait. You and Mr. Romaro-”

“I’m his second wife.” She clarified, and I looked at Nico with wide eyes.

“What?!” Nico pursed his lips, and I looked back at the coven leader. “Then how come you didn’t know about the engagement? Or who I am? Or-”

“My husband and I tend to keep our lives to ourselves when we spend time together. That way, it won’t conflict with our roles.”

I raised a brow, “That way people won’t think you’re playing favorites.”

“Exactly. People think we just co-parent Nicholas but… well, you can assume what married women and men do.”

“Mom.” Nico groaned, and I chuckled in surprise. Go Nico’s mom, then.

“Anyhow…” Mrs. Romaro walked closer, holding her hand out. It was dainty and pale, her blonde hair in a braided crown while the rest fell on her shoulders. She seemed around thirty- “My name is Jewels.”

I shook her hand, a shaky laugh escaping my lips. The rain made me feel like this wasn’t exactly a good first impression but… “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Kim, but you already knew that-”

“Right.” Jewels laughed along. “Well, come along. I think we should get to know each other a little bit better now that I know you have a very good connection to magic.”

I looked at Nico with a worried look as his mother turned around, and he shook his head in defeat as he motioned for us to follow her.

Soon enough, we approached a small cottage. It was nicely decorated with floral vines on its stony walls- and when I entered behind Nico and his mom, I couldn’t help but gasp. The decor was lovely- very floral, very fairy-esque and, well, cottagecore. There were pots hanging from the ceiling, the vines strung out high up on the walls. There was even a bay window by the front door with a small pile of books and a blanket. God, I could live here forever if Jewels allowed me to…

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Jewels practically purred, and I couldn’t help the fact that Nico’s mom was so beautiful. I had bi-panic ensuing inside of me, but I shoved it down as I repeated the fact that she was married. “Us witches are very in tune with nature and it is really important that we stay close to it.”

“It is very beautiful.” I spoke softly, following her and Nico to their kitchen. It was flower themed of course- “And not to cut the small talk short, ma’am, but I do have a lot of questions.”

The powerful witch turned on the faucet, and grabbed a kettle. She poured water into it, turning on the stove, and placed it atop of the lit flame. She turned back to me and Nico, leaning against the countertop that separated the kitchen and the living area. I sat alongside Nico on the barstools, and I raised a brow at the coven leader. “Can you tell me why I have these abilities?”

“Ah. Well, it’s not easy to determine exactly why… but if you could give me your palm.” Jewels extended her hand out to me, and I hesitantly placed my palm in her hands- faced upwards- and she slowly ran her fingers down the skin on my palms. A deep cut formed, and I grunted with slight discomfort as the blood fell onto the countertop.

“Mom! What are you- isn’t blood magic usually restricted?-”

“This is important.” Jewels said with a grim expression, her tight hold on me making me grunt again while she motioned for Nico to hand her something. My eyes widened when I saw the salt shaker, and Nico sighed as he poured some into his mother’s hand. I tried to pull away, but then she literally rubbed salt into the wound.

I winced, hissing in pain and discomfort. “Ah! Nico, Jewels- stop.”

She ignored me, closing her eyes and chanting low. “Radix omnium magica, ostende te. Radix omnium magica, ostende te. Radix omnium magica, ostende te.”

I could feel something bubble up inside me as she continued to chant, and I tried to pull away and stand up, without being harsh or possibly hurting her, but her grip on me was too tight. The barstool fell to the floor. I grunted as I shut my eyes in pain, and a searing pain inflamed in my chest. “Nico! Make her stop- Ugh!”

My eyes flashed open, and I still grunted as I stared straight ahead- yet I didn’t pay attention in front of me.

Jewels yelled, her voice loud, “Radix omnium magica, ostende te!”

I screamed, tears running down from my eyes, the pain becoming like a flame and spreading all across my body. I could hear Nico yelling something, but I couldn’t tell what- Until her hand left me.

I stumbled backwards, the pain dying down as she had finally let go. I grabbed my wrist, panting and giving both Jewels and Nico confused glares. “What the f**k is wrong with you?”

Jewels panted as well, looking at me with a very cautious stare. Nico’s expression looked remorseful as he spoke, “I’m sorry. I swear, I didn’t know she would-”

“You can’t teach her magic, Nico.” Jewels stated, “She’s not meant to have it.”

“What?” Nico looked at his mother with furrowed brows.

“Excuse me?” I scoffed, “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Your royal vampiric ability- it’s magic.” Jewels softly spoke, making me eyes widen. “But that is against the laws of nature. A vampire with magical abilities… you’re not meant to have it.”

“Then why was I born with it?” I sarcastically quipped back.

“You shouldn’t have.” Jewels snapped, “You are too powerful and too dangerous! No vampire is meant for that much power-”

“Well I clearly was!”

“You’re clearly an abomination of nature!”

I flinched, and looked at Nico. Nico hung his head, avoiding my eye contact. I scoffed, walking past the both of them and out of the cottage.

-

I stormed into Gabriel’s apartment as soon as the elevator doors opened. “Do you know what your brother and your stepmother did to me?”

Gabriel, looked at me with wide eyes, stunned as I turned to him while standing in the middle of his living room. “What do you-”

“They did some stupid spell- it burned me. She called me an abomination and she-”

“Woah. Hey.” Gabriel came to me, grasping my shoulders gently to calm me down. I sighed, trying to clear my head as I lightly shook my head. “Now tell me everything.”

I looked up at him, biting my lower lip with unease. “My gift- it’s magic.”

“What?” Gabriel raised a brow, “That’s impossible, you’re a vampyr-.”

“Nico’s mother- He took me to his place and we were practicing some spells-“

“He was teaching you magic? Why would he do that if it wouldn’t work-“

“Gabriel, listen.” I urged, and he stayed quiet as I continued, “The spell I did- it was intense. I made it rain.” I gestured out his window, and he raised a brow as he saw the intense rain coming down from the sky.

“His mother did some spell on me. It hurt- it was like an intense fire spreading all around my body… and Nico didn’t even say anything. It was like… it was like he didn’t even care.” I let out a breath of disbelief, and Gabriel’s hands went to grasp my cheeks, forcing me to look up at him.

“Nico is a good kid.” Gabe sighed, “I'm sure he didn’t mean it.”

“Well it happened… What did she do to me? What if she tries to take my magic away from me?”

Gabriel shook his head, “I won’t let them.”

I held his hand as it gently held my cheek. I glared up at him, “I’m still mad at you, you know.”

“I know.” Gabe spoke gently, his thumb rubbing against my cheek.

I bit my lip as Gabe leaned in, and I huffed as I placed a finger on his lips. “You really think I’d let you kiss me?”

Gabe shrugged, a smirk coming into his face as he pulled away. “Had to try it.”

I rolled my eyes, but our eyes moved to the attention of the elevator. Benjamin walked in, glaring at the both of us, “My office. Now.”

I glanced at Gabe, and he raised a brow as we both turned to follow Benjamin into the elevator.