Page 88 of A Bolt of Magic

“I will make it known that you are a guest of this coven,” Lilith says. “I will make it abundantly clear that if anything should happen to you while in my care, there will be dire consequences. You can, therefore, rest assured, Kian, that you’ll be perfectly safe with us. I’ll call a meeting with The Circle first thing in the morning and grant you the opportunity to plead your case to our governing body within the next day or two. I’m quite confident they’ll agree that allying with the kings againstSnow is the best course of action for our coven. What say you, daughter? Is that acceptable?”

McColl has been unusually quiet throughout this entire exchange, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.

At her mother’s question, she perks up and smiles. “That sounds wonderful. Thank you, Mother.”

“Is that acceptable, Kian?” she asks me, taking a sip of her water.

“Of course, we accept your generous offer,” I begin, settling into diplomatic mode. “Your home is truly magnificent; it looks big enough to—”

“We’ll take a house in the village,” McColl interrupts, her voice cutting through my polite speech.

Lilith raises an eyebrow but doesn’t seem offended. “Of course, dear. Whatever you prefer. I’ll arrange everything immediately. Are you sure you wouldn’t be more comfortable in your old room? It is as you left it.”

“It would be rude of me to leave my guest. I’m sure the accommodations you arrange will have more than one bedroom?” McColl lifts her brows.

“Why, of course it will. I said the finest in the village, and I mean it. Food will be delivered, too. And I think, perhaps, we should host a celebration tonight. It is not every day that we have royalty in our midst. We need to welcome you properly and mark this historic alliance. Not only that, but my long-lost daughter is finally home. It is a joyous occasion indeed. One worthy of a celebration.”

Before I can respond, McColl speaks up again, her voice carefully neutral. “Mother, before we discuss celebrations…how is Grandmother?” She leans forward, her eyes wide, if not a touch fearful.

The effect of her words is immediate and dramatic. Lilith’s face, which had been animated with plans and possibilities, goescompletely grave. Her glass stills halfway to her lips, and for the first time since we arrived, she looks genuinely shaken.

“McColl…” she begins, then stops, setting down her glass with hands that aren’t quite steady. “I'm afraid the news isn’t good, dear. I know the two of you were very close.”

My heart sinks for McColl, and the silence that follows is heavy with dread. McColl’s face drains of color as she waits for whatever blow is about to fall.

Lilith closes her eyes briefly, and when she opens them again, there’s something that might be genuine sorrow written there. “Your grandmother is still with us, my dear, but she isn’t doing well at all. You might have made it here just in the nick of time.”

27

McColl

I jump to my feet. I’m breathing so hard all of a sudden, but I can’t help it. “What’s wrong with her?” The words explode from me before I can stop them, my voice cracking with fear and desperation. “Tell me what’s wrong with my grandmother. Tell me now!” I demand. Why is she taking her time? Why can’t she just tell me already? She always loved toying with my emotions, and it would seem that nothing has changed.

My mother’s eyebrows shoot up at my tone, her lips pressing into a thin line of disapproval.

“I will forgive your bad manners just this once, McColl, given the circumstances.” Her voice is ice-cold, each word carefully enunciated. “But you will watch your tone when speaking to me, young lady. I am more than just your mother. I am High Mystic of this coven.”

Something she always loved to shove in my face. It is clear that many things have not changed. I need to take a step back for the sake of the fae next to me. For Kian.

I force myself to take a shaking breath. “Please,” I whisper. “Please just tell me what’s happened to her, Mother. I need to know.”

My mother's expression softens slightly, though whether it’s genuine concern or a performance, I can’t tell.

“Your grandmother has a sickness of the mind. Most days, she doesn’t know where she is or even who she is.” She stands and walks to the window, gazing out at the valley below. “I’ve had to hire round-the-clock care for her. She’s in bad shape, both physically and mentally.”

No!

No! No! No!

My vibrant, sharp-witted grandmother, reduced to a shell of herself. The woman who taught me right from wrong, who believed in me when no one else did, who always had time for my questions and fears.

“I need to see her.” My voice is a whisper, but the determination in it surprises me. “I’m not leaving until I do.” It wouldn’t be unlike my mother to keep me from her. To play cruel tricks. I know her well. “Please, I beg of you.” If I don’t play the game, there will be no reward, and I meant what I said: I have to see my grandmother.

My mother studies me for a long moment, then nods slowly. “Very well. But let me check on her first, just to be sure she’s able to accept visitors. She’s more than likely sleeping, and if that’s the case, it’s best not to disturb her.” She pulls in a deep breath. “Like I said, your grandmother has changed. She isn’t the kind lady you remember. Not always, at any rate. If she’s having one of her spells…or if we wake her, she’s liable to fly into a rage. It has started to happen more and more of late.” Her expression grows grave. “You need to prepare yourself, McColl. She more than likely won’t even recognize you. She’s just a shadow of the woman you once knew.”

For the first time since we arrived, my mother looks genuinely shaken, upset, even. Like she actually cares. I’m skeptical. I can’t help it. This is the same woman who showed me no warmth growing up. I’ve never known her to be shaken about anything and yet, the emotion in her voice seems real.

“Understood.” My voice hitches. “We’ll wait to find out,” I agree, though every fiber of my being wants to rush to my grandmother’s side immediately.

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