Devotion (Mystic #7) by B.C. Burgess

Devotion (Mystic #7) by B.C. Burgess

Author:B.C. Burgess [Burgess, B.C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Goodreads: 25957030
Publisher: Bandit Publishing
Published: 2015-09-27T23:00:00+00:00


TWENTY-NINE

While Quin escorted Alec off the property, Layla comforted Aradia, supplying her with tissues and a shoulder to cry on. They’d watched from the window until Alec left the lawn, and as Layla closed the curtain, she noticed Banning staring at the house.

She led Aradia to the bed, brainstorming ways to tell the expurgator her secret was out. “I’m sorry you’re so sad,” she offered, wrapping an arm around her shaking shoulders.

“You have nothing to be sorry for, Layla. You’ve done so much. And I can’t believe you guys invited Alec back for Thanksgiving. I’m blown away and beyond grateful.”

“I hope it goes as well as you want it to.”

Aradia’s blubbering halted as she met Layla’s stare. “Are you worried?”

“I am. I can’t help it. He scares me. What he’s done scares me.”

More tears welled up in Aradia’s eyes. “I don’t blame you. What he’s done scares me, and I’m his sister.”

“It seems like he really wants to do better, though.”

“I think so, too. But I don’t want you to be scared on Thanksgiving.”

“Don’t worry about that. Quin keeps me safe. He wouldn’t have invited Alec if he didn’t think we could handle it.”

“Your family is wonderful, Layla. You’re like a whole coven of angels.”

“I’m glad you think so, because I need to tell you something.”

Aradia’s tears ceased as she looked over. “What?”

“Well, when you were hurt... when you told Alec what Vortigern did, you said it loud enough for everyone to hear.”

Aradia dropped her gaze, her cheeks pale as she swallowed. “I kind of figured. How did they react?”

“They killed the piece of shit, but they don’t think any less of you. This won’t change how they treat you.”

“Is that true for all of them?”

“You mean Banning.”

“Yeah. He’s probably freaking out.”

“No. I mean... I don’t know. Maybe, but probably not in the way you’re thinking.”

“What’s the way I’m thinking?”

“How about you tell me before I shove my foot in my mouth?”

Aradia smirked and looked at the ceiling. “I’m thinking Bann’s probably wondering how to get out of this mess without hurting my feelings.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Well, for one thing, I’m an old man’s sloppy seconds.”

“Aradia!”

“It’s true, Layla.”

“No. Regardless of your past, you’re no one’s sloppy seconds. Even if you’d willingly slept with every wizard in the institute, I’d tell you the same. As for Vortigern’s age, it’s irrelevant. He forced himself on you, Aradia. You hold no fault in that and did your best to wash away every trace of him. Nobody in this family will hold you accountable for what happened. The shame is his, not yours. You’re as beautiful and valuable today as you were before he touched you, and I’ll break the shins of anyone who says otherwise.”

A smile tugged on Aradia’s lips. “That was vehement.”

“Because I speak the truth, but you don’t have to believe me. This family will show you how much they value you.”

“So Banning’s not disgusted?”

“Not with you. Not even a little bit.”

“Thank Ava for small blessings, but now he knows exactly how messed up I am.



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