Instincts and Impostors

I'd led a deadly squad of genetically enhanced, uber-powerful magic wielders through life-threatening missions multiple times in the first twenty-one years of my life.

When marked for death, I'd led the escape from those who'd bred us, controlled us. Utterly annihilating the Collective's compound, and destroying everything that had gone into creating us the Five.

I found Christopher and Paisley a home, a safe haven. Then, despite being bred and raised to be a sociopath, I learned to love. And even some of the nuances of the act of loving.

To protect the life I'd built, I'd faced off against black witches. Survived demons. Held powerful dark sorcerers at bay. I had thwarted an immortal entity.

And despite all that, I was nervous.

About attending a coven retreat. About revealing any part of myself to witches of the light.

Witches who could hurt me without a lick of magic or a single sharp blade. Just by denying Opal the future she...