She Belongs To No One

Revelations

Seraphina's POV

I glance at him, in awe of his calm demeanor. And to think I ran for miles when I first found out who, what these two really were. Then again, Cole has never been prone to hysterics, and seeing is more shocking than just hearing.

"We are Primals," Damon explains, stepping forward. "As you guessed, I am from the Wolf race and Bjorn here is from the Bear race."

Now it is my turn to be confused. "Primals?"

"Animals evolved into humans, but are able to divert back into animal form," Bjorn says. "We have been around for millions of years, since the Cenozoic Era."

"Holy shit." The curse escapes from Cole's lips.

"We also have certain special abilities," Damon adds. "As you already know."

The mind reading. The immunity to the cold. The strength.

"Why did not you tell me?" I ask them.

"What? Do you think you would have believed us?" Damon asks. "Besides, it is a secret."

"And yet, you are telling me now," I say, crossing my arms, and daring them to dispute it.

"Wait." Cole stands in front of me. "You are not going to kill us, are you? I mean you were the ones who told us. We did not ask to know."

I roll my eyes. Cole watches too much TV. I hear a snort of laughter in my mind and pretend I did not.

"We are not going to kill you," Bjorn promises. "Or hurt you."

"Then why are you telling us?" I ask, royally peeved now because I suspect where this conversation is going. "Why now? Because I saw your true forms?"

Damon takes another step forward. "Because I believe you are one of us."

"What?" I stand up and pretend my knees are steady, that my legs are not shaking, and that I am not about to faint. It is exactly what I had been avoiding admitting to even myself, but it can no longer be denied. I close my eyes, not wanting to hear the list that I know is coming.

"You heal fast," Damon says. "You can read my mind and I yours, an ability exclusive to Wolves only. You are also strong, or you would not have been able to break out of that cabin."

Cole turns to me. "You did all that?"

I shrug. "I broke a window. It is not like it was a big deal." Only it was. The drawer did wind up an awful long way from where I threw it.

"And then when we were searching for you," Bjorn continues. "You camouflaged yourself, hiding not only from our sight, but from our sense of smell as well."

I blink. "I did?"

"You blocked me out, too," Damon adds. "From your mind."

That, I know I did.

"You know I did not give you any of these abilities. I could not have," Damon points out. "Despite what you think."

"Fine. So maybe you did not. Maybe I am special," I tell them.

"So that is what you meant," Cole says, and his voice seems almost sad. A little wistful, too, though I have no idea why.

I ignore him. "That does not mean I am one of you. I have never known these abilities until now and I definitely do not think I can change into anything. I have always been just me."

"I believe you," Damon says and exchanges glances with Bjorn. "Primals know what they are from birth, yet you do not. Besides, your smell is not that of a Primal. You are human. And yet, you share some of our abilities, which is unheard of until now. I am curious how, and you have to admit, so are you."

"No."

His coal black eyes narrow. "Liar."

I step forward. "Did not you say you would find answers? Was not that why you left me behind?"

"Unfortunately, the one I talked to could not give me answers, but there may still be someone else who can, one of the last remaining Primals in South Korea."

"South Korea?" Bjorn throws him a puzzled look.

"And what makes you so sure this Primal has answers?" I ask.

"I am not," Damon answers. "But I am willing to take a chance. This may be the only way to find out what is going on."

"Then I am coming with you," I tell him.

Damon sighs. "Seraphina?"

"What?" I cross my arms over my chest. "Are you going to lock me up somewhere again until you are done talking to him?"

"It is not safe, Seraphina." Damon holds my arm. "The more Primals who see you, the more in danger you will become."

"Danger?"

"There are bound to be some curious Primals who will want to study you."

"Study me?" The blood drains from my cheeks.

"Or worse, perceive you as a threat and kill you."

I swallow the lump in my throat. Great.

"I will not let anyone hurt you," Bjorn promises, hand on his chest, like he is taking some kind of solemn vow.

"Until we know more about you, we cannot have anyone else knowing about you," Damon says. "Or seeing you with me."

I wrench my arm out of his grip. "I am not going to be left behind again. Yes, I am scared, but not knowing who I am is just as terrifying. Whatever the truth is, I want to know and I want to hear it with my own ears."

Damon's eyes dart to the ceiling as he lets out a deep breath. "Who is being a pain in the ass now?"

"I will come with you," Cole offers.

I turn to Cole, jaw dropping. It is so out of the blue that I never saw it coming.

"I am your best friend, Seraphina. I am not going to let you go on this journey alone, and whatever we find out, I will still be here for you, I promise."

"She is not going alone," Damon states.

"Where she goes, I go," Cole states just as firmly, meeting Damon's gaze squarely.

"Are you sure?" I look at him, concerned.

He nods. "I told you I am here for you. Besides, I have told you how I have always wanted to go to South Korea."

I nod, holding his hand. "Cole is coming."

Damon's eyebrows furrow. "Which part of dangerous did not you understand?"

"And who is to say you are no danger to her?" Cole retorts. "In this room, I am the only one who she can trust."

Damon growls.

"I am coming, too." Bjorn says it like there is no question of him coming. Confident, but quiet.

I glance at him. He is?

"Like I said, I will protect you," he tells me before turning to Damon. "I do not trust you, either."

"Fine." Damon sighs. I swear he is pouting. "Lucky me. We are all going to South Korea."