“Then I think we have our answer.” I looked up at the duo in the doorway. “How do you both feel?”
They looked at each other, then Rick stepped into the room. “Amy, I don’t know how I am ever going to thank you. You saved my family.” He grabbed my hand. “You saved my pup, and that would have been enough for me. But then you saved Shelly, I knew Abby was going to be safe, but I never expected you to save me. Not after everything I did to you.”
“Rick.” Shelly grabbed his other hand, but Rick shook his hand.
“You saved me even when I didn’t deserve it.” He dropped to his knees. “Wraith told me what you did.” He dropped his head. “I hadn’t heard from my wolf in almost two years, and I didn’t know why.” He looked up with tears. “He was busy saving me, and I was too stupid to realize it. But now, he has been catching me up on everything. Starting with what you did.”
“Rick.” I pulled him up to his feet, and Shelly wrapped her arms around his back. “You don’t have to thank me.” I nudged him and he finally met my eyes. “You might think you are not worthy of being saved. But I don’t agree with you. And…” I paused as he shook his head. “Neither does the Goddess.” I patted his shoulder. “Can you get the others? We need to talk, and the girls have agreed to play upstairs while we do it.”
I looked back at the two girls who met my eyes and started to shovel the food into their mouths. “Be done in a minute.” Abby talked around her full mouth, making me laugh.
“It’s okay, sweet girl. I’m going to have a quick shower, and then we can reconvene here.” I patted both of the girls as I headed up the stairs. I met Lynn on the upstairs landing. She looked a little antsy. “How are you doing?”
She took a breath and straightened her shoulders. “Honest answer?” She asked, and I nodded. “I still hear his breathing when I’m in the dark, but I’m better than I was.” I nodded and raised a hand to touch her on the shoulder. I waited until she nodded before I pushed that last inch to rub her arm.
“Bright side?” She looked at me. “We’re leaving today.” I watched her tense. “He will be dead within the week.” She shuddered. “I don’t know if I’m that ready.” Her voice was a whisper.
“You are.” My mother’s voice rang out behind us. We both turned to see her coming up the rest of the stairs. “And if you aren’t, then Amy can help you take out the threat. But,” she cameover and grabbed Lynn’s hand. “You are stronger than you think you are, and you can do this.”
Lynn took a deep breath and then nodded. “I can do this.”
My mom nodded. “You hold the power to your own destiny, you can take back your life.”
Lynn nodded, then turned to me. “I’ll be ready.”
“Good.” Then I left them to shower.
“Okay.” I slid into a chair and looked at everyone there. “Lynn, Toya, and I will leave today to head back to my father’s pack. You guys will be here with my mom and Wendy, to keep you guys safe. I’ll come back with food if you need anything, but don’t plan on being here long.”
There were a few looks. “Why can’t we just come with you?” Shelly looked at my mom. “I hope you aren’t offended. I just want to stay with Amy.” She smiled, but it was a grimace.
My mom laughed. “Not at all. I understand why you want to stick with her.”
I leaned in. “Honestly, if I had the choice, everyone would come with me today. But Vince has someone with magic. They can’t trace you here, because of the shield I erected.” I held up a hand. “And before you ask, I have no ability to erect another one strong enough to hide everyone in the pack.”
Alannah tilted her head. “How did you make this one?”
I looked down at my hands. “Carly’s father.” I looked up and met her eyes. “He was the last Shaman and knew what was going to happen. He made sure that his death wouldn’t be wasted.” I looked away. “His death, blood, and sacrifice are fueling theshield. It isn’t something I could recreate, even if I wanted to. His love is keeping this place safe.”
Everyone nodded, but Rick looked disappointed. “So we won’t be able to fight with you?”
I shook my head. “But there is something else you can do.”
Rick perked up. “What? I’ll do anything?”
I held up a finger and ran upstairs. I came down with my computer and slid it to him. “Vince’s mainframe is on here. We need names, connections, bank trails. Everything.”
Rick nodded. “I can have the information in a day.” I just looked at him but he smiled. “Believe me. I know where he hides his files, and I helped create the security. The hardest part will be tracking everything down.”
“Good.” Then I turned. “Alannah and Ternen, if you could just help where you can.” Alannah and Ternen brightened. “You guys are probably more inclined with half the stuff around here and I know Wendy and my mom would love the help.”
“Yes.” Ternen smiled. “If you don’t mind, I love to cook. I could take over meals.”
Wendy bounced. “Oh my Goddess, yes. I suck at it.”
Two giggles were heard from upstairs. “She does.” Carly’s voice floated from upstairs.
Wendy laughed. “See.”
