Page 69 of Hers to Keep

Mari tilted a glance the harpy’s way while still hugging Willow.“That we all have a lot of mourning to catch up on, which I’m sure she’ll understand.”

It was Tilly’s turn to unnecessarily straighten the tablecloth.“Fine, point taken.When are they getting here, anyway?”

Willow stepped away, moving back to their seat.“Supposed to have been five minutes ago,” they said without checking the time anywhere.

“I’m sure there’s a good reason they’re late,” Mari said, hoping that it wasn’t that her mother had no desire to see her.She caught the whiff of brimstone just before the gout of blue flame announced Ashdei’s teleportation.

The wards flexed around Mari as they detected someone new, and she reached up to adjust them automatically before the klaxons started.She was busy with that task for a moment, so she didn’t notice them standing in front of her until her mother nearly lost her footing.

Ashdei grabbed Serena’s elbow to steady her.“Easy, it can be a little disorienting.”

Her mother looked very much the same as her memory—a beautiful woman with warm brown skin and dark hair drawn back into a bun behind her head.The only difference was that her hair was just starting to be touched with gray at the hairline.

Serena let out a cough but managed to hold on to the contents of her stomach.“That’s an understatement.I’m taking a plane home.”She caught sight of Mari as she scanned the room.“My God, you’re beautiful.”

Mari didn’t have any kind of response for that, so she just said, “Hi Mama.”

Serena took a few steps toward her and then stopped.“Your partner didn’t offer many details beyond that Las Vegas was now safe, and given that he helped me escape in the first place, I decided to trust him.How did all of this happen?”

Mari took a deep breath and gestured to the table.“It’s a really long story, so why don’t we sit down.”

“Of course,” Serena said, and moved to take the seat opposite Mari’s.

Ashdei moved in a flash to push in Mari’s seat for her.“Do you need me to stay?”

She smiled up at him.“I don’t think so.We’re just going to have some tea and talk.Nothing dangerous.”

He set a hand on the back of her neck and showed his fangs.“Everything about you is dangerous, beloved.”He leaned to kiss her.

Mari laughed as he straightened.“Really, we’ll be fine.Go ahead and tell the others that she’s here.”

I’m only a thought away if you need me, he said into her head.

I know.

He used the door as he exited for once, and when the room was eerily quiet around her, Mari thought that maybe she should have had him stay.

“Who killed Basilio?”her mother asked, getting right to the point.

Willow exhaled a breath and stood, reaching for the teapot.

Mari watched the sphinx pour the tea for a moment.“Cisco.I never asked for the details.”

“That makes sense.He was always the one Basilio trusted most.”She nodded her thanks to Willow, who was now serving sandwiches to all of them.

“The Old One is also dead.”

Serena looked at her.“I assumed as much when Ashdei said it was safe.”She lifted her cup to take a sip.“And how much do you remember?”

“The goddess and I are reconciled, if that’s what you’re asking.”

Her mother nodded slowly.“So, you remember everything she said to me?”

“She knew you were never coming back when she sent you away, though she never told me that.I had no idea what had happened to you until a few weeks ago.”

Serena frowned.“I’m sorry for the pain that must have caused you.I can’t imagine how difficult it was for you to deal with all of that.”

“I thought you had abandoned me when I needed you most.”Well, she’d managed to run headfirst right into the conversation she most didn’t want to have.She supposed there was nothing for it.“I get it now, but I lived with that truth for a long time.”

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