"Okay, that's not piss-your-pants-creepy at all," Asher mutters.
I laugh, and my breath mists in a white cloud.
The pups bolt forward, and Asher lets off a panicked whine. I don't think anything other than his love for the pups would've gotten him into that room.
Nobuddy barks once, sharp and frantic, and the four of us race inside.
Every window in the bedroom slams open simultaneously. Then, just as aggressively, they slam shut.
Glass explodes into the room, and Orion and Rowan throw up their hands and shield us from getting shredded. Jagged shards spray inward, glittering and vicious as they hit the barrier of the shields.
By the time the glass has finished raining to the hardwood, Rowan's shadows coil around her fists and Orion's canines are lengthening.
A door down the hall slams. Then another. Then a dozen more, rapid-fire percussion shaking the walls.
The chandelier above sways violently, its crystals chiming in discordant chaos.
"Lizzy?" My voice is steady despite the adrenaline surging through my veins. "Lizzy McAllison? It's Poppy Hallowind, Zoe's daughter."
A shape forms across the room. Translucent at first, then sharpening—an elderly woman in a cardigan and slippers, her wiry gray hair wild, her eyes wide and searching.
She's not monstrous… she's terrified.
"Where are they?" Her voice cracks. "Where are my babies?"
Somebuddy whines.
Nobuddy strains at the leash.
Lizzy's gaze snaps downward, and her expression crumbles. Her form flickers as if her body's experiencing bad reception. "You came back. My little ones came back."
"They missed you," I say softly.
Asher stiffens beside me, following my gaze. Rowan and Orion are looking too, but I can tell they don't see her.
Lizzy reaches toward the pups, and my heart shutters. I want to pull them back, but this is why we brought them. I suspectedthey would draw Lizzy out. Whatever my concerns, they are immediately dismissed as Lizzy's fingers pass through the pups without touching them.
Panic floods her expression. "Why can't I touch them?"
My chest tightens. "Because you're not here anymore, Lizzy. You passed."
She stares, confusion bleeding into her features. "No… I was feeding them, and then… where are the rest? Where's Biscuit? And Mumford? And?—"
"They're safe." I step closer, keeping my voice gentle. "Thaddeus Vale handled your estate. Every single dog you loved has a new home—a forever home. Your fortune is set up to cover their care for life. Your babies are safe and loved."
Her form flickers again before it seems to stabilize. "All of them?"
"Yes, every one of them."
Tears sparkle silver as they tumble down her translucent cheeks. "I was so scared for them. I didn't know what happened. I couldn't find them."
"They're okay. I promise." I crouch beside the chihuahuas. "These two wanted to come and say goodbye. They live with me at Hallowind House now."
Lizzy's expression softens, grief and relief tangling together. She kneels—or tries to—her form hovering inches above the floor. "Good babies. Such good babies."
"You can go now." I meet her gaze and let her see the truth of my words. "I promise all your pups are being taken care of."
She looks at me, really looks, and something like recognition sparks. "You swear it?"
