Page 74 of Bewitching the Wolf

We’re sitting in the sheriff’s kitchen eating a slap-up breakfast Sally has prepared. This is on top of the delicious meals she provided all day yesterday, while we had meetings and planned the mission down to the last detail.

“Got to get your strength up for your big trip,” Sally says.

“Hopefully I’ll be back before nightfall.”

“Well, I’ve packed you sandwiches just in case.”

I glance at Otis quizzically, wondering if there’s a pocket inside the portal cape.

He shakes his head and puts a finger to his lips as his mom turns away to wash the plates.

“Humor her,” he mouths with a smirk.

“Thanks Sally,” I say loudly, “that’s very kind of you.”

I guess Otis doesn’t want to disappoint his mom. She’s only been back to her old self for a few weeks. After Otis’s dad disappeared, presumed dead, her grief had been unbearable until a miracle happened on her birthday recently. Neither Otis nor Clem have told me the details. They just said she had a very special visitation. And that the truth would be revealed soon.

Whatever it was, it’s been transformative. She is full of life and vitality. And a fucking awesome cook.

The white magic is quickening. Those were the words Traggar used.

With all the happenings of the last few weeks, I can sense that myself.

It sure made itself known to me and Tippy in our little den. And when Otis, on the drive back to level one, asked me if I was free of my addiction, I replied, “When something amazing happens, there’s no room for addiction.”

He nods. “I get it,” he growled softly. “I get it.”

There was no need to say anything more. Because I knew he was referring to him and Clem, and how their relationship turned him from a grumpy green sheriff to an orc of courage and decisive action.

I’m sure he knows how the change has come about in me.

Just as I’m thinking this, Clem walks into the kitchen, yawning and bleary-eyed.

Otis jumps to her side. “You okay babe?”

“Yes, just, um, the smell of bacon.” She wrinkles her nose. “Not great.”

“Sis! That’s not polite. I’ve just eaten the best bacon I’ve ever had.” I’m usually the rude one, and I’m looking with horror at Sally, who just smiles good-naturedly.

“You know I love your bacon normally, Sally,” Clem says. Otis puts a big arm around her shoulders. “You wanna tell your brother?”

She nods, her eyes bright, and takes a deep breath. “Otis and me are expecting a youngling.”

“Wow! That’s fucking awesome.” I’m at her side in seconds. “Heck! I’m going to be an uncle. Can I hug you? Like—gently?”

“Of course you can. I won’t break.”

“We didn’t know whether to tell you before the mission or after.” Otis’s voice is gruff to hide his emotions.

“I’m so glad you told me before I left.” I stand back and look at my sister’s still very flat tum. “So now with Blondie’s pregnancy, we’re going to have two hybrid younglings in the Labyrinth.”

“Yes, isn’t it amazing?”

I frown. “Should you move down to level three now? Those lowlife have abducted you once before, Clem, but now you’re even more valuable to them.”

“I’ve put a force field around the house,” Otis says. “If it detects any suspicious non-monster presence, it’ll zap the crap out of them. But yes, we’ll still consider Clem going down to Wolftown if need be. We’ll cross that bridge when we have a better picture of how dangerous life is going to get down here.”

“Just stay safe, okay?” I gaze into Clem’s eyes, vivid green, like my own. Like our mom’s. I bite back my sadness that Mom will never get to see her first grandchild.