Page 40 of Dark Rebel's Fortune

"Dream on," she told them. "Not happening."

It was probably the fault of the sugary butterbeer. It had been sickeningly sweet, but she still couldn't stop drinking it, which was a metaphor for the entire experience. It had been over the top, fake and saccharine, but during the time she'd spent at the park, she'd actually managed to forget about the nightmares of the past few weeks. Or had it been months?

How long had she been in the clutches of that monster?

"Don't think about it," she commanded. "Time for some telly." She reached for the remote on the nightstand and flicked the television on.

"Ugh, news." She switched to another channel, but nothing caught her fancy.

She was just too tired. The sugar high was fading and exhaustion was creeping in, along with the nagging worry about Din's delayed arrival.

Fenella didn't believe in coincidences, and when the universe was shouting a warning, she listened.

A soft knock interrupted her brooding, and then the door opened a crack.

"Fenella? Are you awake?" Jasmine asked.

Fenella sighed, debating whether to pretend to be asleep, but there was nothing to watch, and she wasn't in the mood for a book, and chatting with Jasmine might help her relax. The woman had a positive, calming effect, maybe because she placed no demands on anyone and didn't argue about nonsense like so many people liked to do.

"Unfortunately, yes," she called back.

Jasmine poked her head in, her dark hair falling in waves around her face. "Would you like to join me and Ell-rom for some wine and snacks?"

That actually sounded lovely. Fenella could use something salty to wash down all the sugary sweetness.

"I'm coming." She rose to her feet but didn't bother with shoes.

She padded to the living room where Ell-rom sat on the couch with a tray of cheese, crackers, and fruit in front of him and a bottle of wine with three glasses.

It seemed like Jasmine hadn't expected her to refuse.

"Where are the girls?" Fenella asked as she sat on the floor next to the enormous coffee table so she could be close to the tray.

"They are all cuddled up in one room watching the first Harry Potter movie," Jasmine passed Fenellaa generously filled glass. "I think today was a big success, and it was exactly what they needed."

Fenella took a sip, appreciating the rich cabernet. "I have to admit that it was fun. Even Arezoo enjoyed herself."

"She reminds me of my mother," Jasmine said, a fond smile touching her lips. "A born leader who thinks she needs to take responsibility for everyone around her."

The exact opposite of Fenella. She was a one-woman show, and she neither followed nor led anyone. She was a wanderer, a nomad, and staying in one place was not her thing.

"The girls are resilient," Ell-rom observed, holding a wine glass with his princely grace. "And they have each other's backs."

Something about his statement touched a nerve. Fenella had never had anyone she could rely on. Even when she'd still been a human, her baby brother relied on her and not the other way around, and then she'd had to abandon him to protect him.

Jasmine's phone rang, and as she glanced at the screen, her eyes narrowed. "Unknown Scottish number again. It must be Din."

Instead of the flutter Fenella had experienced before when Din had called, this time her gut clenched with dread.

"Here you go." She handed Fenella the phone. "It's him."

"Hello, Din," she said, aiming for nonchalance and missing by a mile.

"Fenella." His voice sounded tired but warm, that familiar Scottish burr wrapping around her name like a cashmere blanket. "I hope I'm not calling too late."

"It's nine in the evening. Barely past teatime," she said. "What's wrong now? Train derailment? Alien invasion? Biblical plague?"

There was a pause, and she could just envision his grimace.

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