Page 97 of The Magic of Betrayal
I love you, sweetheart, I love you.
The three of us crashed into my kitchen like bats out of hell, and I guess we kind of were in a sense.
"Will they follow?" I panted, my hands flat on the floor before I was hoisted up by Bram and righted on my feet. We all tucked our wings, horns, and tails away.The last thing I need to do is give Gran a heart attack.
"They would've had to have been touching us to follow," Khol explained, looking around my kitchen.
"Wait. How are you here? In Emerald Lakes?" I asked, remembering that he'd been unable to pass the town lines before.
"Maybe the ward ended on your birthday?" Bram guessed.
As my eyes took in the kitchen, I noticed there were a few empty beer bottles on the table and a nearly empty bag of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Kai must be here somewhere. My heart raced at the thought.
"Hello?" I called out, smoothing down my dress and kicking my heels off.Sweet mercy.
Barking from the little bathroom started and my brow furrowed.Why the hell is Maven in the bathroom?His tiny paws were scratching violently against the door as I darted down the hallway and pushed open the door. He was a blaze of white as he flew out of the room, running straight to the back door and staring at me.
"Maven, what's wrong? Where is everyone?"
He began whining, spinning in circles, scratching at the door. Khol and Bram exchanged a look and when I tried to pass them in the kitchen, Bram stuck his arm out to stop me.
"Animals sometimes know more than we do, Goldie girl. Let us check it out first, yeah?"
Unease settled in my stomach as I watched Khol and Bram move to the back door, pulling it open so Maven could dart out into the night. I trailed behind them, stepping onto the patio, the smell of smoke hitting me, making my nose wrinkle.
"Something's burning," Khol murmured, mostly to himself as we all glanced around the property. A light was on in Gran's cottage. Gran. A smile spread over my face as Maven ran full out to her cottage.
"That's weird. He usually can't stand Gran..." I told them and I led the way through the yard to her little home. Bram stepped in front of me before I could reach for the door and he pushed it open slightly, enough for Mave to slip through before opening it wider.
"Gran?" I shouted, "Gran, I'm back."
I stepped through the door after Bram and when Gran didn't answer, my heart picked up its pace.Where is she?Pushing past Bram, I came to an abrupt halt when I saw Gran lying on the floor of her kitchen, a large bruise forming on her head and a small puddle of blood beneath her.
"Gran!" I screamed, running to her and slipping on some of the blood that was on the linoleum as I threw myself on her. She was so still. Khol and Bram were on their knees beside me, and I watched as Khol felt for a pulse.
"She's breathing, wild one."
Relief flooded my body and tears sprang to my eyes. If I lost Gran, I don't know what I'd do. Growing up without many people loving you, the loss of that... I couldn't imagine. She was okay. She was alive.
"Who would do such a thing?" Bram questioned.
I brushed her hair gently out of her face, her curls wild, just like she was. Her eyes fluttered and opened a tiny sliver, before she startled and tried to sit up, batting her hands at us, like she was scared.
"Gran, Gran, calm down, it's us. It's me, Saige. You're okay," I soothed, and her wild eyes landed on my face.
"My sweet girl," she breathed, almost like she couldn't believe what she was seeing.
"Bette, who did this to you? Who hurt you?" Bram asked gently and Gran tried to scoot backwards to put space between them.
“Gran, it’s okay. They’re safe. Tell us,” I encouraged.
"Laurie," she bit out.
"Laurie is here?" Khol growled, eyes flashing.
"Why the hell would she do this, Gran?" I asked, horrified.
"They were going to do a spell," she explained, shaking her head and wincing when the motion likely caused pain.
