“What? Totally weird, I’m engaged to a vampire right? I know. I—"
“No actually, I was just thinking how glad Sterling would be to know you’d moved on and found love and happiness,” he said.
Emotion clogged my throat and I nodded, tears welling in my eyes. “Did you guys know I don’t pee or poop anymore?” I said.
“TMI!” Liv plugged her ears, but Vasquez just grinned.
I stayed a few more minutes, talking to some of the others. Jason was Ruby’s second-in-command, and I reassured him I was going to do everything possible to bring Ruby back. I sensed by the worried glances of the people that my presence was making them uncomfortable, so I headed over to my little cottage where my mother and Maple were waiting.
This wasn’t going to be awkward at all…
* * *
“Oh heavens.”My mom’s hand went to her mouth when she saw me.
Maple’s jaw unhinged. “You looksototally hot!” my half-sister said. “And you’re going to be queen! Does that make me a princess? Because I’mtotesdown for that.”
My eyebrows drew together at her tween terminology. My mother shook her head. “She’s been watching too muchGossip Girl.”
Ahhh.
“That’s dangerous,” I told them both with a grin.
Maple smirked and stepped forward, reaching out to touch my hair. “Whoa, it’s so soft. Can you hear my heartbeat?”
I focused on the sounds around me, and sure enough, there were two steady thumps in the room. “Yep.”
“Does it hurt? Are you scared?” my mom asked, frowning.
I shook my head, stepping forward. “I’m fine. A little emotional, but totally fine.”
My mom’s gaze flicked to Maple. “Go play outside, honey.”
She scowled. “But—”
“Go outside please.” My mom’s tone was in don’t-mess-with-me territory.
Maple stomped off and slammed the door and my mom stepped right up into my space.
“How are you really? I heard you got shot and nearly died. Luka said to prepare for you not to make it.” Her lip quivered. “I only just got you back. I wasn’t ready to lose you again.”
All of the memories of that night came rushing back. Morgana, the bullets tearing through my body, the bright light and weightless feeling of death.
My mom and I both broke down into tears as she reached out and pulled me into a hug. I’d never had this before, a mom, a person who loved me no matter what and would always worry about me. I should have come here first thing, I just hadn’t been thinking. She must have been so concerned. “I’m okay now. I promise.” I sniffled as she rubbed my back and pulled away to wipe her eyes.
“Well, you’re a lot harder to kill now. At least that’s something.”
We both burst into laughter at that.
I looked at my mom and felt so much pride and respect for what she’d been through. “Mom, I have to tell you something.”
She stiffened. “Okay.”
I didn’t want to, but she could be a valuable asset in our plan to save the women from these encampments.
“We found out some intel that there are more breeder camps in other magical enclave cities like New York, Chicago…” I tapered off and waited for the reaction.
She frowned. “Wait, what?” Confusion crossed her face. I hated to be the one to bring trauma back into her life.
