Page 29

Nia want to play with little wolf.

Ebony. “Maybe another time,” I said, not wanting to make her sad by telling her that would never happen again.

“Now you look as badass as Selene,” Else said. “The markings on her face were different, but yours are just as cool.”

“It’s definitely an improvement,” I said and sat, not meeting my aunt’s eyes. I’d talk to her about what I found out later and not in front of the whole family. And especially not in front of Warrick. I wouldn’t throw Draven under the bus like that, and Else was good at keeping secrets.

Mom took the seat between Art and me. There was a big botanical book on the table in front of her.

“You looking to plant something new?”

I wanted to talk about anything besides me and the task ahead, whatever it would be, and my family would understand that. Going through this with Willow, at least they knew talking about it constantly before I worked out what it was would only cause all of us more stress and worry.

“There’s a dead patch of grass in the cemetery,” Mom said, going with the change of subject straightaway. “I don’t know what’s caused it. I’ve taken a sample of dirt and Art’s doing some tests.” She frowned. “I think for now, I’ll dig out the diseased section, reseed it, and see if it germinates.”

“Sounds like a plan.” I stood. “I’m going to head upstairs.” I seriously needed to lie down.

Else threatened to wake me in a couple of hours for more of her elixir as I walked out the door. I checked in on Rose, gave her a quick rundown of what happened, then finally headed to my room and collapsed on my bed with Nia.

I blinked up at the ceiling.

What was Draven doing now?

My belly fluttered just thinking about the male. God, I hated knowing that he thought the worst of me. I wanted the chance to prove to him that I wasn’t the bad person he believed I was.

He didn’t want that, though; he didn’t want to know me.

And I didn’t blame him.

“I’ll need some help harvesting,” Mom said to me from the bedroom door. Her eyes softened when they moved to Roe. “Do you need anything before I head out, sweetheart?”

“No, I’m fine, Mom,” Rose said.

I was sitting on the side of my sister’s bed, brushing her hair. It had thinned out, lost its shine and the wave that she’d always had. I kissed the top of her head. “Mags is making Roe’s breakfast now, so I’ll be right down.”

“Excellent!” Mom said and rushed off.

“Mom looks tired,” Rose said, burying her fingers in Nia’s fur. “She sleeps in here, in that chair every night. I can’t get her to go to her room. She’s exhausting herself. Art has to carry her out most mornings after Else comes to take over.”

We didn’t like to leave Rose alone for long periods of time, especially during the night and early morning. That’s when she seemed to have most of her “turns,” where she’d lose consciousness or sometimes stop breathing altogether. She didn’t seem to be fully aware of it happening. To her, it was like she’d drifted off to sleep, and we let her believe that’s all it was, for her sake.

The growl of bikes reached us from outside. “Warrick and Willow must be here.” I put down the hairbrush and moved to the window. There were a couple of bikes and Willow’s truck. “She must be here to pick up supplies.” Mags and Else had been working on restocking the shop the last few days. They had their regulars—witches, some shifters, and a few demons as well, who used my aunt’s elixirs and potions.

Yes, there were demons who weren’t completely terrible, though they preferred to keep to themselves. The rest were easily identifiable as creeps because they tended to run at you with their teeth bared.

My phone chimed, telling me I had a Nightscape notification. I scanned the screen and a cold shiver slid down my spine. It was about the missing witches, how there was still no sign of either of them.

“What is it?” Rose asked.

I glanced up, a weird feeling in my belly. “Nothing yet on Amy or Imogen. It’s like they’ve vanished into thin air.”

The sound of someone coming up the stairs had us turning to the door.

Ronan walked in, expression stoic as always and dressed in his usual trousers and button-down shirt. The dhampir—half human, half vampire—spent his time between the hellhound clubhouse, and well, no one knew where he went the rest of the time. He just seemed to vanish for a while, and then he’d show up again. And for some unknown reason, the emotionless male had taken an interest in Rose. The guy may not have emotions, but he seemed to understand loyalty and had a strong sense of it when it came to his sister, Luna, and those she associated with, which included us.

Rose blushed when he moved closer, a tray of food in his hands.

“Hey, Ronan,” I said and shoved my phone back into my pocket.