Genesis by Christie Rich Page A

quickly covered that thought with one about how
hot it was. Jett could use my mom against me. I let my
insignificant thoughts rush onward.
    Even though sweat already beaded on my
forehead, I lifted my face longingly toward the sun. Being under
water for nearly a month had gotten to me. The warmth cocooned me
in the familiar comfort of home. With my hand still in his, Jett
set off, pulling me up the hill again.
    Once over it, my jaw dropped. A
megalithic structure rose from the depths of the sand. Jagged and
terrifying, it towered over us like a mythical beast from the
darkest depths of hell. I wouldn’t have been surprised at all if it
grew arms and legs just to crush me sooner.
    Jett laughed. “You’re imagination kills
me.”
    I raised a brow. “You seem to be
breathing just fine to me.”
    He let out one last chuckle before a
solid mask settled on his face. “We had best get
started.”
    Gigantic metal slabs that some might
call doors swung inward at our approach, grating my eardrums in the
process. “Is this place alive?” I asked, quite serious.
    He led me through the passage and into
another doorway. Much smaller, thankfully. “My lady, I will explain
everything to you when the time comes, but first, I thought you
might want to see someone.”
    Was he actually saying what I thought
he was? I turned my head, following his gaze behind me. Grey eyes
identical to my own met mine from across the empty courtyard. My
feet moved before my brain processed what I was doing. She smiled,
hesitantly at first, then, it was her complete, glorious smile I
thought I would never see again just a short time ago.
    I choked back a sob. “Mom.” There could
never be a more beautiful word.
    I was there in her arms, taking in the
sound of her ragged breath against my ear within seconds. She
breathed my name so softly, I wasn’t sure I actually heard it. Not
saying a word as I cried into her hair, she held me forever. Her
silent tears trickled against my neck. No matter what else Jett
ever did, I would always remember this—him giving me back my
mom.
    When I finally pulled away from her, I
glanced around, trying to find him. He was gone.
    “ We don’t have much time,
baby.” She cupped my face. “There is so much I want to say to you.
I wish I could find the words.”
    “ Me too, Mom.” I circled
her, lifting a strand of her bright blonde hair. “You’re just how I
remember you.”
    She laughed. “I wish I could say the
same for you, honey. When I saw you in Lombarda, I could hardly
believe how much you had grown. You are so beautiful,
Rayla.”
    A blush heated my cheeks. I hesitated,
unsure how exactly to say what I needed to. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I
know I messed up everything you worked for. If only Aunt Grace had
told me.”
    Her lips turned in a thoughtful frown.
“It was too risky. We had no way of knowing initially if the
sanctuary could truly conceal you.”
    I nodded, but I still didn’t understand
why it was so important to keep me hidden. “Were you worried about
Jett finding me?”
    A strange look crossed her face before
she sobered and motioned for me to follow her over to a shaded
corner. I slid in beside her on a stone bench. Not the most
comfortable thing in the world.
    She folded her hands across her lap,
taking a sharp breath before she spoke. “Jafan is easy to
misunderstand. I’ve told him this countless times, but as far as I
know, it isn’t a priority for him.”
    I couldn’t believe she was defending
him. “I don’t want to marry him, Mom.”
    She gave me a sad smile. “Then
don’t.”
    Her reaction confused me. Time to get
to the point. “He said you and he had an agreement about your
firstborn.”
    She grimaced then chuckled, her gray
eyes twinkling. “He knew very well that I meant the children I will
have when I am released to the mortal realm. None of us could have
ever anticipated you.”
    I snapped my head around, staring at
her blatantly, feeling a rant coming on. “So you