Heart of Stone (Rock Star Fairy Tales #1)

Chapter 34

C h apte r 34

Secrets , Powers, and Co nnections

“W hen I was Claimed,” Tobin began, “I already had mastered most of my abilities—inherent powers. I can fly, of course, and control the elements somewhat—though not so spectacularly as you, apparently. Like you, I can affect how people behave, but I can also sense their auras. I can change my appearance, I can sometimes move objects without touching them, and I can manifest objects or conjure them from other spaces. Those are my abilities. I also know an array of spells that allow me to travel and defend myself—and heal, as you know—those are my othe r powers.”

He settled back on the pillow, adjusting Margot across his chest, the two of them diagonal across the bed, her right knee over his leg and his bare foot splayed against the wall next to where her head normal ly rested.

“Spells?” she echoed. “Like a wizard? Are those different from a bilities?”

He nodded. “Anyone can learn magic, given enough practice. Abilities are unique to the in dividual.”

“They said my mom and aunt were middle-c lass fae—”

“That’s not a thing.”

“You know what I mean. But they had one ability: air or water. Why do you have so many?”

“Because I’m the son of a fae Lord,” Tobin explained. “Had I not been Claimed, I would be well on my way to being a Lord myself one day. Like Ash.”

“You think Ash will become a Lord? That no one can C laim him?”

“Ash is very powerful. If he stays in hiding, he can likely live his whole life without anyone Claiming him, not that it matters in the human world. But that would shame our father if he never came back. He has responsibilities, expectations. In our world, he has gifts ma ny covet.”

“So why did R ebillard—”

“Rebinus.”

“Yeah, him. Why did he Claim you and not Ash?”

Tobin considered. “Ash has power, but it’s unfocused strength, especially back then. I had more usefu l skills.”

“What did Relinus—”

“Rebinus.”

“Yeah. What did he want with you?”

“I can pull items from other places. That was his favorite.”

“Your backpack,” Margot mused, latching onto the first power she understood, and Tobi n nodded.

“If I just think about what I need, it’s usually in ther e for me.”

Margot considered how useful such an ability would be. “Except underwear, apparently,” she said, thinking of his conversation with Ash.

Tobin laughed. “Oh, I can conjure anything, Margot. I was just giving Ash a hard time.” He gave the top of her head a gentle kiss. “After what he did to you, he des erved it.”

“He didn’t do anything to me,” she insisted, adjusting her cheek on his chest. Tobin cocked his head to look down at her pointedly, and she sighed, very aware of Tobin’s bare skin beneath her face. “Fine,” she admitted. “He definitely did things to me. And I to him. Things were done,” she declared.

“Thank you for the clarity,” Tobin said formally. “But this isn’t about what you did or d idn’t do.”

“Sorry,” she said. “Go on. Your powers. A bilities.”

“My powers,” he repeated, then narrowed his eyes at her, “details about which I am currently confessing to you—a thing I have never done in all my life to another person—and yet I feel that you are barely listening to me, Margot.” He sighed, his chest rising and falling beneath her. “You still daydreaming a bout Ash?”

“No,” Margot insisted, moving her head so she could look at him. “I’m listening. And I’m grateful,” she added, her face appropriatel y serious.

“Why?” Tobin’s question was open, honest. “You shouldn’t be gratef ul to me.”

“Because I appreciate you sharing this with me. Because I understand that it can be hard to tell people things.” She reached out one hand, resting it flat on his chest, enjoying the feel of him beneath her. “You don’t have to tell me. I’m not making you tell me.”

“I know,” he told her. “That’s partly why I want you to know. When more fae come, you need to know what I can do, so we can fight better together.”

“Do you think we will have to fight?” she asked, voice small. “I mean, I can swing a bat, but I don’t know how useful my gifts are in a fight.”

“Oh, darling,” he whispered. “When you master all of your abilities, you will be a force formidable to behold. I cannot wait to see you.”

“Unless someone Claims me before then,” she said, the fear clear in her voice. “What happened to your powers when you were Claimed?”

“I kept them, if that’s what you’re asking, and I can still use them at will.”

“Even the darker stuff?” she prompted. “Can you … push people li ke I can?”

Tobin nodded. “I can. Mine isn’t with touch, not like yours, but yes, I know exactly how good it feels when someone falls to your will, when all their resistance fades away and they give in.”

“Did he make yo u use it?”

Tobin stiffened, looking away. “Occasionally. Not very often. And only in extremity.” He looked back at her. “And he’s not the tyrant Ash believes him to be. He does have a plan, and it’s not to make everyone miserable as some would think. When I have to use my ability, it isn’t for sport or twisted joy. It’s n ecessary.”

“So says every tyrant justifying their behavior,” Margot commented. “I kinda wanna check your teeth right now , Tobin.”

He flashed her another brilliant smile without a fang in sight. “Feel free to check closer, if you like,” he offered.

Margot held herself steady, wanting to lean over and kiss him, knowing what he could do to her body, the memory of that night in the bar flooding over her. Her toes curled as heat pooled in her belly, and she pushed her face into his chest, forcing herself to stay put. “I want to,” she admitted, eyes closed as she breathed in his scent. “You know I want to, but I can’t. Not now.”

“Okay,” Tobin said, and something in his casual tone allowed Margot to relax, tension evaporating. They were just companions talking. “Where were we?”

“You were Claimed,” she reminded him, “but you could still use your powers. Is it just that you use them for him now—Lord Reminald?”

“Rebinus. Yes, something like that. But my Lord also allows me other gifts—like my strength.” He leaned down to whisper in her ear. “I know you saw me, Margot, and I know it scared you. Yes, I am very strong, even stronger than Ash.” He paused. “Are you fr ightened?”

Margot paused, considering the question. Was she afraid of him? No. Not at all. Part of her insisted that she should be; he was still a virtual stranger, no matter how many secrets he shared, and he was clearly a scoundrel of some kind, not to be trusted. Another part of her insisted everything was fine; Tobin was there for her, and he could be relied on for anything sh e needed.

I guess I’m just really into bad guys.

“No, I’m not frightened of you,” she said finally. “Though I think I should be. Something tells me that you will never hurt me.” She paused, recalling Nik and Ash’s talk about her connection with Tobin. “I feel so close to you. Must be the co nnection.”

“What about it?” he asked. “You want me to lend you some strength th rough it?”

Margot leaned up, eyes wide as she looked at him. Tobin wasn’t kidding. “What? You talk about it like it’s a re al thing.”

“Of course it’s a real thing,” he told her. “Why wouldn’t it be? You think fae just Manifest without any magic at all?” He tightened his arm around her. “We’re Connected now, you and I. How did you think I could always find you? Or read you so well?”

“I thought those were just your powers!” she e xclaimed.

“Did I list that among my abilities?” he asked. “I can’t find just anyone, Margot, and I don’t immediately understand everyone’s aura. Ju st yours.”

“But—” she sputtered. “But what the hell does a connection even mean in f ae terms?”

“Just what it sounds like,” Tobin said, looking at her as if she were a bit dense. “Didn’t Niklaus explain thi s to you?”

“He just kept saying we had a connection, like when two people have a lot in common or get along really well. Like when you meet someone and just know you’re going to be friends. You’re saying it like it has a capita l letter!”

“Connections are basic spells,” Tobin explained. “When two fae forge a Connection, whether physical, mental, or emotional, the magic builds a bridge between them, making it easier for them to grow closer.” He looked at her, face sympathetic. “You can share my powers, Margot, and in time, when you master them and allow me, I can share yours. You can find me, and you should be able to read me once you learn how.” He wrapped his arm tighter around her back. “Like I said, you’re stuck with me.”

“And how long do these … Connectio ns last?”

“That depends. Some fae are Connected for a lifetime. Some fade away after the moment of need ha s passed.”

“How long do you think ours will last?” she asked meekly, not sure she wanted to hear the answer. A magic spell certainly explained why she felt so close to Tobin, why he felt so right in her arms, in her bed, no matter what she felt for Ash.

“How long will you need me, Margot?” he asked, and for the first time, there was a vulnerabili ty there.

“I need you now,” she told him. “But do you need me?”

He paused, considering, those bright eyes taking in her face, calculating. “I think you already know the answer to that.”

She nodded, knowing she did. Tobin needed her, or he wouldn’t be here. She may be a cog in his machinations, a stepping stone in his master’s plot—she was still sure he was plotting—but for now, he needed her as much as she ne eded him.

She opened her mouth to ask the one question she still needed to know, but then closed it, knowing that Tobin wasn’t the one she neede d to ask.