it. If at any time another derogatory thing comes out of your mouth, I’ll make sure to have Marvin put a spell on you to keep it shut. Are we understood?”
Syd lets out a breath that I’m pretty sure she didn’t know she was holding. “Sorry, Dad. Not another word.”
“Apologize.”
Heavens, Dad, seriously?
Slowly Syd turns to me and the line etched in her perfect face leads me to believe this is one of the hardest things she’s ever had to do. “Sorry,” she bites out through gritted teeth.
I nod and turn to the window, awaiting my fate.
AS WE WALK INTO Marvin’s home, I stay in the back, allowing all of my family to go ahead of me. I know I’m putting off the inevitable, but even a second is worth it. Right? Grow the hell up, Sabrea!
Marvin’s eyes meet mine and he tilts his head, his eyes alight. What?
“Please sit.” He sweeps his arm toward the empty chairs. “We will start with you.” He points to Savannah who lets out a giddy cry. I sit back and watch him at work. Ten minutes later, we learn nothing. Marvin can’t get a reading on either of them. He states, “Your outlook is fuzzy.” Sucks for them, but hope springs inside of me that maybe Marvin won’t be able to read me, either.
“Now, you,” he says, and I blow out a breath and move in front of him, gliding my chair close. Here it goes. I look at no one but the man in front of me. In all these years he hasn’t changed, the same mossy brown hair and mustache to match. “Give me your hands.” Shakily, I place them in his warm ones.
As he closes his eyes, the lights in the room begin to flicker. I look around in shock, seeing it register on my parents’ faces as well. I try to pull my hands out of his grasp, but it’s like they are fused with his. Which is strange because I know my strength outdoes his by a long shot.
A cool breeze surges through the room and papers fly in every direction, my hair whipping around. What is going on?
Marvin opens his eyes and everything stops, but I’m in too much shock to focus just on him as I scan the disaster of a room.
“You’ve met him,” he says, matter-of-factly, and my heart skips. Crap. My mother gasps behind me and as much as I want to hang my head, I don’t. Instead, I look directly at the man. “Or I should say smelled him. Correct?”
“Yes,” I say softly and my sisters scoff in the background.
“Why did you not meet him?” I don’t answer, just stare. He knows why so there is no reason to say the damn words. He couldn’t help me all those years ago. “Ah, the shifting issue,” he continues, talking to himself. “Dear one, you are the light that he needs.”
“What?” That one got me to talk. Light he needs?
“Only time will tell, but it is crucial for you to meet with your mate. He’s not far, but you already knew that.” He shakes his head, staring straight in my eyes. “You, my child, are destined for great things. Powerful things. Life-changing, life-altering things. And time is of the essence.”
I shake my head. “Of course it would be life-changing. I’d have to leave my family, but as far as powerful, how is that possible when I can’t shift?”
“Sabrea, in time you’ll quickly learn what your purpose in this life is. I was unable to see it before, but with the bright lights shining around you, I can see your importance…,” Marvin says, not finishing.
“Care to tell me more?” I mean, come on.
He sighs. “I cannot.”
What the hell. “Why not?” I prod.
“It is not written yet. Once you meet your mate, most things will fall into place quickly, but your journey will just be beginning. You will have much to learn and will have to do it quickly.”
Why do I feel like he’s running me around in circles? Oh wait, he is.
“So, you want me to believe that I have to get with my mate right away because I’m his light?” He’s got so many screws loose, he’s falling apart. “Have you been drinking too much of one of your