Sophia's POV

"What do you mean? Knox what does he mean by not being able to read me?"

"Calm down baby, I am sure Vlad has an explanation as to why he cannot read you. And like I said earlier he can read not only thoughts but a person's soul, the essence of who they are. I am sure this has happened before, right Vlad?"

"Well brother, as a matter of fact, this has only happened once before to me...about 700 years ago, give or take a decade or so. I had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with a lovely young woman. Whom I could not read at all, much like your mate."

Not liking Vlad coming near me, Knox jumped in front of me and growled a warning. For some reason, Vlad did not make me nervous. I was completed comfortable and relaxed around him. My instincts were screaming to trust this man, that he would help us. Help us with what I am not sure?

"Relax brother, I would never harm your mate. You have my word. I just wanted to hold her hand, to see if her soul willingly speaks to me. I have a hunch that she will. Please Sophia, I am just going to hold your hand, I mean no harm."

As soon as Vlad's hands enclosed my mine, a blinding light filled the room. Energy flowed through my body expanding until it reached to the tips of my toes, head and fingers. Power surged through my veins, muscles and organs causing my body collapsed from the shear intensity it was experiencing.

Moments later, I came back to myself. I could feel Knox holding me, stroking my cheek.

Opening my eyes, Knox's face blurred for a few seconds, before clearing. I must have hit my head when I collapsed. My poor mate looked so concerned and worried.

"Baby, your eyes..."

"I am fine Knox, thank you for catching me. I was just dizzy for a few minutes, but I am fine. Now Vlad will you kindly explain what the hell just happened?"

Trying to get stand up, Knox had other ideas as he stood with me in his arms and walked us over to the couch. Sitting, he kept me in his lap and his hand ran soothingly up and down my back. Vlad took the chair across from us, as he stared at me.

"Well as I said earlier this has only happened once before. The young lady I met all those centuries ago was actually Nyx, the goddess of the night. She sought out my assistance for a small matter, in return granting me with the gift of shadow jumping. And because she was a goddess, I was unable to read her. See goddess's are more powerful than any vampire, shifter, fairy, etc.

Much like Nyx, your little mate here is completely blank to me. Nothing, nada. But when I touched her hand my powers called to hers, awakening them of sorts."

"What do you mean powers? Vlad you have to be mistaken, I have no powers. Until recently I was afraid of my own shadow. I am human for pete's sake, not some...goddess."

This vampire was insane. But again that little voice inside my body urged me to continue to listen and trust him. Seriously I think I was going crazy...

Frustrated I broke out of Knox's hold on me and began to pace. "Okay so you think I am some type of goddess? Well then wouldn't you think I would know by now? That all those years while...that she would have come out and helped me?"

They were wrong and I wasn't a goddess.

Yes you are. Listen...believe...

"SHUT UP! Stop trying to get me to believe this crock of shit. You are wrong. All of you are wrong."

I felt agitated. My body felt stronger than ever, but my own skin felt tighter.

"Sophia, I can feel your power coming to life. I am not sure why she has been dormant your whole life, but trust me she is there. Once you and Knox calm down I will try to read you again, see if I can find out more. When I touched your hand, who you truly are became crystal clear to me. She was locked away inside you since you were a baby, but with the touch of my magic...well somehow broke the lock and she is now making herself known. Have you been feeling different lately? Stronger or maybe more confident lately?"

My pacing halted with his words. Shaking my head yes, I turned my back to him as I couldn't face him or Knox. God this was all so confusing. I often questioned where I got the courage to do and say certain things recently.

"I asked because finding your mate would also awaken or unlock the power within you. If you two had completed the mating, I assume that would have done the trick as well. My power just gave you a little boost so to speak. A couple more things...do you feel like there is someone speaking to you inside your head? Giving you strength or courage?"

Dammit! "Yes okay. Yes to everything. At times I feel like I am going a bit crazy because I talk to this little voice inside of me. I feel bipolar sometimes, scared one minute and the next I can take on anything."

"Well Sophia that is just your inner goddess or power slowly coming out. Do not be afraid of it. Listen to it. I am sure it is going to start happening more since I tapped into your power. Again I assume the completing your mating to Knox with permanently unlock your true self. As I mentioned earlier, I would love to read you again. Just to see if I can find out anything more. Are you okay with that?"

Yes we are. Trust him...

Frankly the voice was starting to piss me off. How dare she wait until now to come out! Where the hell was she when I needed her?

"Apparently I am ready and am supposed to trust you."

Laughing Vlad motioned for me to sit next to Knox again. "Now, Knox please don't touch her as I don't want to pick up anything from you. Sophia, please just relax and let me do my thing. Close your eyes for me."

Taking a deep breath I did has he asked, relaxing against couch. Feeling his hand encircle mine, power surged through me again. Energy flowed throughout my body as I felt something beginning to take hold. What the hell was that?

It is just me Sophia. Vladimir is allowing me to slowly break free of the bind that was placed on us. Do not fear.

My eyes shot open. Vlad was kneeling in front of me with a smile on his face.

"Knox, I would like to introduce you to your true mate; Gaea, the great mother goddess of all, creator and giver of birth to the Earth and all of the Universe, gods, titans, giants, all creatures."

Looking over at Knox, my body tingled with awareness at the proximity of our mate. Before I knew he was close because I could smell his cologne, but now it seemed like my body sensed him. It was both strange and comforting at the same time.

"Baby, your eyes are now a bright purple. They are exquisite."

Turning, I glared back at Vlad, questioning him.

"Relax Sophia that is just Gaea, making herself known. Like when a shifter's eyes turn black when their wolf is in control, it is the same thing. She is your magical side of your soul. A part that was locked away by what appears to be a very strong spell. From what I can see, when you were a baby, your grandmother had to bind your powers. The why and how I am not sure yet, but once you are completely unlocked we should be able to discover the answers."

Looking back at Knox, I smiled at him. Would he still want me now? Did he still love me? I got my answer when he hoisted me up into his lap and slammed his lips to mine. Yeah okay, we were good. The clearing of a throat broke us apart. Guiltily we looked over at Vlad who began laughing.

"Well this has certainly been an exciting introduction, but it seems that I have been side tracked with discovering who you little mate is. Now I guess the rest kind of makes sense now."

"Shit, I completely forgot. Why are you here Vlad? You said it had to do with Sophia, and I am assuming that what we just discovered is not it."

"No, you are right brother, but it does shine a new light on the subject. See a few days ago, I was approached by one of your own, asking for assistance."

"Assistance in what Vlad, stop being so damn mysterious and tell me how this concerns my mate!"

"Fine...he asked for assistance in killing her and the girl..."