Page 106 of Magic and Muffins

Grandpa nodded. “The flowers close after a while, and people lose their way and start wandering aimlessly. If you come upon anyone now, they’re harmless, but they weren’t when they first arrived.”

“Do you understand?” Grandma asked, locking our gazes. “The portal can’t be opened, and this cannot be allowed to leave, or humanity will become vampire slaves forever.”

My stomach sank with the realization that I’d be stuck in the weird limbo between worlds forever. But the alternative was too horrible to contemplate.

So I nodded and stood, needing a moment to contain the overwhelming feelings of loss and fear that currently made my legs wobbly. Everything I had hoped and dreamed about was out of my reach. Forever.

“I better go back and watch for them.”

“We’ll guide you there,” Grandma said, standing so Grandpa could pack our chairs and put away the relic.

When he finished, Grandma started off in a direction that didn’t have the yellow flower path.

“How do you know where to go?” I asked.

“Look up.”

Tilting my head back, I saw what looked like really faint stars among the grey mist. They flickered occasionally but were so small and faint I almost didn’t notice. As I stared, I noticed the stars we headed toward were ever so slightly blue, and the ones behind us were ever so slightly pink.

“Do you see it?” Grandpa asked from behind me.

“Blue for the human realm and pink for the fae realm?”

“Precisely right. You were always as clever as our Vena and Miles. That’s why we liked you so much.”

“I thought it was because I kept Vena out of trouble. Sometimes.”

“That too,” Grandma said.

“There’s no keeping a free spirit out of trouble all the time,” Grandpa said. “We’ve missed them dearly.”

My heart ached thinking of Vena and my family, who I would never get to see again.

But if staying in the portal with Grandma and Grandpa Hunter kept the rest of the world safe, I could do that.

I thought of Cross and Shepard. I didn’t think either would leave once they found me. The idea of watching Shepard grow old and die while I was stuck in here and ageless almost broke me. In that moment, I truly understood Cross’ burden.

He would be the only one to never leave me.

CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO

On the wayto the portal, Grandma and Grandpa explained that the one to the human world acted more like a mirror, making it hard for people standing outside of it to see in, while the one to the fae world seemed to be completely clear.

“That means no one can see you unless you’re standing right in front of the portal,” Grandpa said.

“We’ll stay back and let you deal with whoever arrives,” Grandma said. “It’s safer if no one knows we’ve survived.”

I agreed. When we reached the portal, they stayed back as I stepped close.

Vivian smiled wickedly on the phone screen when I appeared. I ignored him and watched for Shepard and Cross, fighting to keep my tears contained as I thought of what I needed to tell them.

How long had it been since Vivian sent the video? Long enough for Shepard and Cross to get here? Were they fighting with each other because they were worried or working together? Was Shepard blaming himself because he’d lost his ring?

A tinny sound coming from outside the glade caught my attention. Voices. They were too far away for me to hear, though, so I waited, watching the path as the voices grew louder.

Cross and Shepard came into view. Just seeing them made tears spring to my eyes, and I pressed my hands against the portal as I shook my head.

Their gazes met mine, and I saw the same fear and anger reflected in me. Outweighing both of those emotions was their determination.

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