“Asher, what brings you here? Westley is working.”
“I know. I actually came to see if you guys wanted to join me for breakfast. Westley should be getting off in an hour or so, and we could meet him.”
“Oh, that sounds kind of nice. I need to change first.”
The alarms blared, and every hair on my body started to rise. Asher’s face fell, and Lucia quickly covered her ears. I felt panic starting to settle in, knowing that Westley was out there. I remembered how he had been injured just the other day. His wounds were healed, but he had a scar.
I pulled myself up. “Asher, we need to go help.”
“No,” he said, shaking his head. “The safest place for you is here. Westley wouldn’t want you out there if something is going on.”
“But what if he needs help? You saw what happened last time. They need all the help they can get.”
“Gabriella, trust me. He is going to be okay, and you need to stay here. It’s the safest place.”
I threw my hands up and ran them through my hair as I started to pace up and down the living room. Lucia moved closer, still holding her hands over her ears. “How long does that go off?”
“It should turn off soon,” Asher explained, giving her a sympathetic smile.
“What does it mean, though? Is this another false alarm?”
“That something bad is happening,” I said, turning back to Asher. Anger started to build. “You have to let me out. They might need our help. They might need your help.”
Asher frowned, crossing his arms. “Gabriella, you have to trust Westley. They will be able to handle it. And he would want me to watch you if something does get here.”
“And what about Hazel? She’s out there. Aren’t you worried about her?”
He snorted.
“She’s with the witches, I’m sure she’s fine,” Lucia said, offering a smile. “I’m sure she’s at the healing center, busy with work.”
I felt pure anger flare and turned toward Lucia. I narrowed my eyes at her. “You know what. I’m getting really tired of your fake care act!”
Lucia froze, looking at me like I’d just slapped her. “What? What are you talking about?”
“You are so fake! If you truly cared about my sister or me, you would want to get out there and make sure she’s safe! But you don’t because everything about you is fake! And I’m tired of it!”
Lucia just looked at me, stunned, with shock and confusion on her face. She opened her mouth but closed it quickly.
“Gabriella, that’s a little harsh,” Asher said, walking closer to me. “I understand you’re worried, but take a moment. I think you’re letting your anger get the better of you.”
“I’m done!” I snapped, pointing my finger at Lucia, ignoring Asher. “We have done nothing but open our home up to you! I know you took Hazel’s jewelry! I know you stole money from her and her credit card! I know you’ve been on my work computer! I know you took my library card! I know it’s been you! So stop acting like you are innocent because you’re not.”
Lucia stammered. “What are you talking about? What jewelry? And why would I be on your computer? What money?”
“Don’t try to bullshit me! I know because I saw the jewelry in your nightstand. I know it was you who’s been trying to get onto my computer! And when Westley gets back, you are out of this house!”
I watched tears grow in her eyes, and Asher walked closer. “Gabriella, now is not the time.” Asher’s voice rose. “You need to calm down. We can have a calm, collected discussion when Westley gets back.”
“Right.” I threw my hands up, taking a step away from them. I need space and distance between her. “I need aminute.” I turned, storming down the hallway and into Westley’s bedroom. I slammed the door shut and sighed. Anger was pumping through me, and I started to pace in the room.
I kept wondering if he was okay, if anything was going to happen to him. I pulled my phone out and called Hazel. But like always, it went to voicemail. A small voice told me she was likely working with the other witches. But another voice, a louder voice, told me I needed to see for myself.
Anything could happen, and I wasn’t going to sit here and wait for it. I needed to make sure they were both safe. I turned around and looked into the bathroom, noticing the window was still open from my shower earlier.
I hurried into the bathroom and shoved the window open further. The window blew, and I jumped back quickly, grabbing a thick sweater and pulling it on. I dug around for a hat and pulled on a thin knitted one. I grabbed my purse that I had thrown on the bed earlier. I headed back into the bathroom, and I hoisted myself up the window. I crawled out, moving as quickly as I could. I landed in the snow outside and screamed internally as the wind hit me.
I bit down on my cheek and hoisted myself up. I headed around the house and started heading toward my car. I started my car up and drove across town toward the healing center.
