Page 78 of Blood Match
“Sure. I’m fine, Gran,” I tell her.
She observes me for a moment. “You haven’t had any more problems with… you know who?”
“What?” I’m startled, though I should have expected this.
“You know what I’m talking about.”
I bite my lip, avoiding Gran’s perceptive gaze. “Well…there might have been some contact,” I admit reluctantly.
Gran’s eyes narrow. “Some contact? Rowan, I need you to be more specific.”
I fuss with the edge of my shirt, desperately wishing I could disappear into the forest floor. “It’s nothing, really. Just…a few more dreams. And maybe a conversation or two.”
“Rowan.” Gran’s voice is gentle but firm. “I can sense there’s more to this. You know you can trust me, don’t you?”
I nod, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. “I do, Gran. It’s just…I don’t know how to explain it.”
She takes my hand, her touch warm and comforting. “Try. Has this vampire done something to hurt you?”
“No!” I say quickly, then wince at how defensive it sounds. “I mean, no, he hasn’t hurt me. It’s just…we’ve been talking. And…” I trail off, unsure how to explain without revealing everything.
Gran’s expression softens with understanding. “Rowan, are you developing feelings for this vampire?”
I feel my cheeks flush hot with embarrassment. “What? Never! I mean… Maybe? But it’s not like that. There’s something…different about our connection. It’s like he’s boosting my magic somehow.”
Gran blinks in surprise. “Boosting your magic? That’s…unusual, to say the least. Rowan, I need you to tell me everything. No more holding back.”
So I tell her. At least I tell her as much as I can without touching on the alarming way my body reacts to him. But I tell her how my power surges after each interaction. I tell her I hit him with a sunflare…which makes her smile. I tell her about the bites…how he’s taken my blood.
And I tell her how I’m thinking of contacting him now to help build my power even further.
Right. That’s the only reason you want to contact him.
“Oh dear. Oh dear, oh dear.” Gran suddenly looks every one of her seventy-seven years.
“Do you think I’m making a mistake?”
I fidget nervously as Gran considers my confession. Her brow is furrowed, and I can practically see the gears turning in her mind.
Finally, she takes a deep breath and meets my eyes. “Rowan, sweetheart, you’re a grown woman capable of making your own decisions. I won’t tell you what to do.”
Relief washes over me, but it’s short-lived as Gran continues.
“However,” she says, her tone gentle but firm, “I’d like you to try something else first before you consider…furthering this connection with the vampire.”
I nod, eager to hear her suggestion. “Of course, Gran. What did you have in mind?”
Gran’s eyes light up with determination. “I’m going to call up some of the elders and arrange a gathering. We’ll perform a strengthening spell for you.”
“A strengthening spell?” I repeat, intrigued.
“Yes,” Gran nods. “It’s an ancient ritual that can help boost a witch’s innate magical abilities. It’s not something we do lightly, but given the circumstances, I think it’s worth trying.”
“If you can do that, why didn’t you use it on me before?” I frown.
“We did, dear. When you were a child.” Gran’s smile is gentle. “It just didn’t work as expected.”
Or even at all.