“I think it’s because I haven’t been around Jen for a couple weeks. Seems like the brain cells she kills areregenerating.”
Sally laughed. “I’m so going to tell her you saidthat.”
“Woman, why do you torture me so?” He groaned as he nuzzled herneck.
“Don’t blame that stuff on me. You’re the one who says being around Jen kills brain cells, not that Idisagree.”
They gathered their luggage and went downstairs. Sally could already feel the tears forming. She needed to go. It was part of life. Leaving your parents to go out on your own and leave your mark on the world. But that didn’t make iteasy.
Her mom was waiting by the front door, dabbing her eyes with a tissue. She smiled up at Sally and waved her off. “I know, I know. You haven’t even left yet, and I’m a blubberingmess.”
“I’m going to miss you too,” Sally said as she wrapped her arms around her mother. Sally pulled her tight and closed her eyes, breathing in her mom’s familiar smell and trying to commit it tomemory.
Her dad stepped up, and Sally pulled away from Cindy, only to be squeezed tightly to his chest. “I love you, Sally. And I’m proud of you. You hear me? I am so darn proud ofyou.”
“Thanks, Daddy. You guys raised me right,” she said as she stepped back and looked at her parents. “Got to give credit where credit isdue.”
“We simply gave you a foundation. The rest has been up to you,” her mom said. “I’m glad you came home. We would have probably come to you, had you not. But I think you coming here was better. And I want you to know that you can always come to us, foranything.”
“I know, and I will if I need to. Y’all need to come see us very soon so you can meet Titus. We can set up video chats until you cancome.”
Her mom nodded and clapped. “I can’t wait to meet my grandson. I love himalready.”
“Titus is going to love you as well,” Costin said as he hugged her mom and shook her dad’s hand. “Thank you foreverything.”
Out of nowhere, a woman appeared next tothem.
“I apologize if I frightened you,” the woman said, looking at Sally’s mom who had jumped alittle.
“No problem,” Cindyresponded.
“You must be the fae sent to pick us up?” Sallyasked.
She nodded. “I am Nissa, a member of the fae council. Alina contacted me and asked if I would bring you home. I understand that Peri is indisposed, and I am happy to be of service to those who are under her protection.” She held out her arm, and Costin and Sally placed a hand on it, both holding a suitcase with theirother.
“Oh, Sally?” Her dad spoke up. “I have a feeling you are going to see what that necklace can do very soon. Try not to take itoff.”
“Alright. I won’t. Love y’all,” she said, and then everything went black. When her feet were on solid ground again, she opened her eyes and found them back in the foyer of the Romanian packmansion.
Nissa bowed and then flashed without saying anythingelse.
“She was a talker,” Costin saiddryly.
Sally smacked his chest. “Benice.”
Before they could even take a step, Jacque and Jen were barreling toward them. They both reached Sally at the same time and nearly knocked herover.
“How areyou?”
“Are your parentsokay?”
“Was it good to seethem?”
“Do you still want todie?”
The questions fired out of their mouths so fast Sally felt breathless for them. The last question was from Jen, who was nearly dancing from foot tofoot.
“I don’t want to die,” Sally said, wanting to get that worry out of theirminds.
