Page 93 of Rise of the Melody
“And when Nora threw that branch down!” Shani added.
“Yeah, but it missed.” Nora sat back, crossing her arms with a frown.
Clare said, “It’s still badass.”
The mayor nodded. “You all got lucky.”
“I could have taken care of it,” Teague said, sitting taller. “Even without the bird. If I’d had another minute?—”
His uncle held up his hand to stop him. “Teague. I appreciate that you all chased it out of town and tried to save that woman. It was really brave of you, even though it’s going to cost a pretty penny to fix that road. But that won’t be happening again. Based on the direction it ran, we were able to do some tracking. We spent hours last night and finally have it pin-pointed. Tonight, we take care of it.”
My heart flew up into my throat and beat against my windpipe, making me bring up a hand to my neck, struggling to breathe.
Tonight.
He flicked a quick glance to me, and I swallowed.
“I’m coming with,” Teague began, but his uncle immediately shook his head.
“We’ve got it taken care of.”
“But—”
“I said no. You’ve done enough. Thank you.”
Teague’s jaw clenched and I saw frustration in his eyes.
“I’m issuing a lockdown tonight on the whole town. The non-mystics believe we’re shutting down for a massive manhunt. I want everyone safe in their homes while we deal with this, once and for all.”
My hand that was holding the teacup started shaking so badly the tea was sloshing and I had to grip it with both hands. I wanted my aunt at that moment. I wanted to confide in her, to hear her reassure me that I could do this. Fear was like a bitter concoction in my belly, curdling the milk from my tea.
Clare reached over and touched my arm, her head tilting. “You okay?”
My body’s stress reaction was so strong that I felt the strain on my face as I tried to smile. “Yeah. Yeah, just freaked out by it all.”
She nodded and rubbed up and down my arm a few times. “It will be okay. They’ll take care of it.”
Ha!I nodded through a few shallow breaths. And in that moment I felt so, so alone. My eyes stung. I abruptly set down my cup and looked at the mayor.
“Can we go now?” When everyone stared at me in surprise, I felt the need to add, “I didn’t sleep much last night.”
Bryant eyed me hard before answering. “Yes.” But that single word was dragged out as if to convey so much more…keep your phone on…be ready.The time was finally here. I needed to take the day to mentally prepare. To morph this fear into courage. It was up to me to rid the town of this killer. I could do it. I had to. And then I could focus on getting Aunt Lorna healed, whatever that may take, and saving my parents from H’trae.
When I got home, there was a bag on the doorstep with homemade vegetable soup, a rice and chicken dish, and a piece of chocolate cake. I opened the note.
I’ve been thinking about you. We have an extra room if you get tired of being alone. Let me know if you need ANYTHING, day or night.
Love Mo and Leon.
I almost cried at their kindness, a flicker of light in the otherwise darkness.
Chapter29
Savage Daughter
The text finally came that night. I’d been braced for it. I was so relieved at nine PM to see Ron pull up to get me in his cop car and not Mayor MacCray. I wore my usual black leggings and a black sweatshirt with boots. When I climbed in, Ron held out his open palm and I took it. I had to swallow down the burning emotion as his hand wrapped around mine and held it, and he gave me a look that saidI’m here with you.
I didn’t get to grow up with my dad. I’d never had a strong male backing me up, willing to protect me, so I never thought I needed that. But feeling Ron squeeze my hand right then, knowing he would go to bat for me, even without any magic, was so much more comforting than I could have imagined. I squeezed his hand back, afraid to speak.
