“It’s never too late. Go to her and find a way to make things work. If you don’t, you’ll regret it for the rest of your days. Tell her how you feel and show her that you’ll be there. Maybe make a grand gesture to show her you care.”
“A grand gesture?” he repeated and hope blossomed in his chest. Annette’s words rang in his ears with the force of a drum.A little bit of wonderful is better than a lifetime of ordinary. God, he’d been such an idiot. He needed to go to her and tell her he couldn’t live without her for another minute, let alone another day. He’d do anything in this world to get her back.
“I’m sure something will come to mind.” She handed him back the keys with a knowing smile. “You might want to clean up the mess first.”
Garrett bent to kiss her on the cheek. “Thank you, neighbor.”
He’d wasted enough time; he refused to waste anymore.
Chapter 30
Garrett walked to the back of the manor and into the greenhouse. He found Saje, Delilah, Brooke, and Ellen, the high priestess of the coven, toiling away at a butcher block table. Herbs and candles, along with mortars and pestles, covered almost every available surface.
Saje looked up when she saw him, and he was shocked when she gave him a friendly wave, especially after her warning about hurting Gillian in the shop. It all seemed like a lifetime ago.
“I’m sorry for just dropping in like this, but I’ve been trying to reach Gillian, and she’s not taking my calls. I know I don’t have a right to ask, but please, tell me she’s okay.”
She must’ve picked up on the desperation in his voice because she took pity on him with a reassuring smile. “She’s fine. Let’s talk.” After she wiped her hands on her jeans, she led him to the corner of the greenhouse, away from prying eyes, which were currently shooting daggers at him. He couldn’t blame them. Not after the way he’d behaved.
“I’m sorry about the other girls. They’re just being protective of Gillian. She’s been through so much,” Saje whispered, shooting a glance at the other women, who got back to work cutting herbs and stirring cauldrons.
He huffed out a breath. “I know. And I never meant to cause her more pain. I’m grateful she has people in her life who care about her. I’ve driven by the shop but she’s not there, nor here. I’m going out of my mind. Where is she?”
“She went out of town on a job interview.”
I’ve lost her for good. His whole body tensed. “Do you know when she’ll be back? I need to talk to her.”
“Look, Garrett, I’m trying not to get in the way and respect your wishes. Gillian told me you’re not too hopeful about a cure for vampirism, but you should know that we’ve completed the final elements of the potion with the help of Brook’s magick, and the remaining water from Sybil’s Cave. I have every reason to believe it will work.”
“We’re back to that, are we?” Getting his hopes up only to have them crushed would lead to more anguish.
“You have every reason to be skeptical. This potion is untested and comes with serious risks, but it’s real, Garrett.”
He rubbed his chin, contemplating the possibilities. “What sort of risks?” If he didn’t at least consider it, he’d never know for sure if he could be human and have a life, a future with Gillian. Annette was right. He’d live to regret it for the rest of his days.
Saje exhaled, refusing to look him in the eye. “There’s a good chance you could age back to when you were turned.”
“In other words, turn into a pile of ash?”
She nodded. “I’m afraid so, but we’d know right away. If you do decide to give it a go you should understand one thing, it won’t happen overnight, but eventually, you will turn human again.”
Garrett couldn’t go on without Gillian, living day and night wondering, ‘what if.’ He refused to live a half-life. He needed to take a chance, no matter what. “Tell me what I need to do.”
* * *
By the time Gillian walked through the doors of the coven, it was noon on Sunday morning. She wheeled her suitcase into the hall and glanced around. The place appeared to be empty.
“Anybody home?” she called.
When no one responded, she took off her leather jacket and hung it on a hook by the door. Bright morning sunlight poured in from the bay window, bathing the hall in a soft, warm glow. She lifted her arms in the air and stretched her muscles, still tight from sitting on a plane for all those hours. She couldn’t wait to get outside in the fresh air and go for a run.
She walked down the hall, past the kitchen. When she got to the ritual room, she found Brooke, Saje, and Ellen practicing spells and drinking coffee. A Grimoire sat open on a book stand. Magick pure and bright sizzled in the air, along with sparks of fire that shot from Ellen’s fingertips, which she used to light the candles on the fireplace mantle.
Not used to seeing all the women practicing magick together, a flutter of excitement sparked in Gillian’s belly. “What going on?”
Ellen turned to her and waved her hand around the room. “Have a look for yourself.”
The wall of unfinished sheetrock had been primed and painted a soft taupe to match the rest of the room. All of the moldings and baseboards had been replaced and also painted.
