37: Another truth revealed

"Something troubles you."

Salem's voice broke into Jade's erratic thoughts. He looked up sharply, only to notice that the witch had been staring at him for a while.

He sucked in a breath and ran a hand through his hair.

"I'm fine," he said, but Salem chuckled and shook her head.

"You are not fine, Jade," she said. "I asked what you wanted to talk to me about. Twice. It is pretty obvious you have a lot on your mind"

Unable to hide it again, Jade let out a deep sigh.

"A lot has happened since I left here, Salem," he began. "Too much has occurred"

"Come, sit with me," Salem took his hand and led him to a smooth rock where they could sit. "Now, tell me everything"

And Jade did. He narrated everything that he had experienced, from arriving at Northville to finding his mate, and discovering she wasn't a human, but a halfblood.

Salem listened without interrupting him, and her expression only changed from calmness to shock and horror when Jade told her that both his parents were now dead and