Page 87 of Bewitching the Wolf

Then the phone rings. Otis grabs it. “Silas. I was just going to call you. My computer has just lit up like a fucking pageant. What’s happening with the books?” He puts the phone on speaker so we can all hear.

“Same. They are literally going wild. There are sparks arcing out of them in all directions. I don’t dare touch them, in case it disrupts what’s going on.”

As he speaks, the computer lets out a strange, high-pitched squeal and goes dead once more.

“Fuck! Whatever is happening has just blown up my computer. I’m going to try and get it working, but I have no idea where to start. Keep me posted on the books,” Otis says, and slams down the receiver.

He’s gone deathly pale beneath his green skin, his brows knitted tight as he rubs the back of his neck and stares at the computer like it’s an alien.

I watch, digging my claws into my thighs, my thoughts on overdrive.

What if something has happened to Jax? What if the books are trying to rescue him and can’t? The fact that the computer has blown up… surely that’s a bad omen?

I start to tremble.

My aunt places a hand on my arm. It’s warm, steady, reassuring. I look at her pleadingly, as if she might have some magical solution, then up at Traggar, who places his hand on my aunt’s shoulder, so the three of us are sharing some communal energy.

It calms my racing heart a fraction… until there’s a sudden, humongous bang. Not from the computer this time, but from the kitchen. Even Traggar and Felicia jump. It sounds like a massive object has just landed, accompanied by the sound of breaking crockery.

Then there’s a piercing scream.

Otis’s eyes widen. “That was Mom,” he growls, and then he’s out the door quicker than I’ve ever seen that big orc move.

And the three of us are right behind him.

Complete mayhem greets us.

There are sparks and flashing lights, and smoke, through which I can detect broken dishes scattered on the floor and overturned chairs on the flagstones.

As the dust settles, I can just make out Sally, wringing her hands, her broad green face full of confusion and her red eyes startling out of her head. My gaze follows hers as the smoke and sparks dissipate. I can make out two figures splayed out on the floor, tangled in the red velvet folds of the portal cape.

A moment later, the cape rises up, hovers above one of the figures and literally scoops them up—and, to my utter surprise, places them down on one of the chairs that’s still upright.

It’s a slightly built woman wearing a simple white hospital gown.

My eyes shift to the other figure, still sprawled on the floor and now groaning loudly.

“Jax!” I cry, and run to him.

At the same time, Clem, who must have heard the commotion and has also come running, screams “MOM!!!!” and dashes over to the figure on the chair. She throws herself at the woman’s feet and starts to sob.

Suddenly everything falls into place.

Jax found his mom up in Sparkle. And he’s brought her back to the Labyrinth.

I kneel down and wrap my arms around him. “Jax,” I say gently, “it’s me, Tippy.”

He looks up at me, the haze of disorientation clearing from his eyes.

His face breaks into a radiant smile. He puts a hand to my cheek and I cradle it with mine.

“You found your mom,” I whisper.

He nods.

“Oh Jax, I was so, so worried. Everything here just went wild, the computer, the runes. I thought—I thought you were never coming back.” Tears fill my eyes, then spill down my cheeks.

“As if…” he scoffs weakly.