Scarred (the Spellbound Series Book 3) Read Online Free

the past few days flicker to life in the back of my mind. “I grieved for you… I cried, which I try not to do. For a while, I wasn’t even sure if I could carry on without you. But suddenly you’re back, and after everything I’ve seen and done, you expect me to just accept that there are no strings attached?”
                  Nick watches me with his wounded puppy eyes, and says, “There are no strings. I’m here. And I’m never leaving again.”
                  “You can’t promise that. And apparently, I can’t promise I’ll be able to save you…”
                  “Don’t get the wrong idea about me. I’m no damsel in distress.”
    I allow myself a tiny grin; if this Nick remembers our first conversations, then maybe, just maybe, he’s the real deal.
                  I’m considering warming up to Nick, but a knock at the door draws our attention. Nick and I are both immediately on alert; he follows closely as I approach the door, neither of us daring to even breathe. I reach to uncover the peephole and see who’s out there, when an unfamiliar voice inquires, “Heather Santos?,”
    “Who’s asking?,” I demand of the man in the hallway.
    The door unlocks with a sharp click , and I’m so surprised that I step back as it swings open. Our visitor appears to be just an average man in a crisp black suit who looks vaguely familiar. I’d assume he was just another mourner preparing for the service, if it weren’t for the sunglasses and the wire protruding from his ear. If he’s trying to look like something that doesn’t scream secret agent , this man is failing miserably.
                  “Agent Rivera,” the man replies as he crosses the threshold into my room and closes the door. “You and I have a few things to discuss, Ms. Santos.”
                  “Yeah? Well, unless you’re here to talk to me about the Avengers initiative, I’m not interested.”
                  “I’m afraid not. This pertains to Ms. Andrea Collado’s affairs.”
                  Agent Rivera now has my attention. Given the small group of living people who know Krystal’s original name, he must have something important to share.
                  “Ms. Collado did some incredible work during her years working with the supernatural weapons development team,” he continues. “We kept an eye on her before and after she severed ties with them, and when she became the leader of the Caelestia clan a year ago, she and I worked together from a distance to ensure the safety of her clan, her jurisdiction, and all of the paperwork required to change the name and some of the regulations, among other things.”
                  I can’t believe what I’m hearing. To clarify, I ask, “Are you telling me that spellcasters work with the government?”
                  “To a certain extent. We know of your existence, but only assist in your proceedings when needed.”
                  “I thought the VSA were the only ones you chose to work with.”
                  “Vampires have their own division, and handle their own affairs, for the most part. Spellcasters are still human, and under our care.”
                  “Alright… what do you want from me?”
                  Agent Rivera hands me a file, and tells me, “Before she died, Krystal named you as her successor. There may not be much of your clan left, but those who remain now answer to you.”
                  “What?” I rip open the file in my hands, and find, in much more technical terms, that what Agent Rivera told me was true. Krystal officially named me as the next leader of the Caelestia clan, roughly a month ago. “But… why?”
                  “Evidently, she believed in your leadership skills.” I continue to scan the file, while Agent Rivera says,