Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 98961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
But the Greystones welcomed me without a second thought. I felt like a burden at first, and it took me a few years to get over the mentality that I was worthless, bad, and unwanted. Tabatha took me to therapy weekly for two years after she busted me out of the lab, and I continued meeting with the academy social worker until I graduated.
I had my own room in her house, and she let me decorate it how I wanted. Every Friday night in the summer, she would set up a “popcorn and movie night” for Evander and me, and we’d bicker like a real brother and sister over which movie to watch. She took us on vacations over spring break, and we visited different National Parks throughout our summers, both to relax and to appreciate the unique magic of each location.
And she did it all as a single, working mother.
She really set the bar high for my own expectations when it comes to my ability to take care of my daughter.
“Hey,” I say, stepping into her office. She’s sitting by a crackling fire, reading the original versions of fairytales to Juliet. “Is she asleep?”
“She’s resisting.” Tabatha looks down lovingly at Juliet. “I think she’s starting to get hungry.”
“She eats nonstop,” I say and Tabatha laughs.
“I remember those days all too well. You’ll miss it, I promise. It may not seem like you will now, but you will.”
“It’s crazy to think she’ll be a sassy, back-talking teen someday. You know…if the world doesn’t end first.”
“None of that talk.”
Going over to the couch, I take Juliet and snuggle her against me. “How did you do it?” I ask.
“Do what?”
“Be a mom to two kids while running the school and then the whole freaking coven?”
“I had help.” Tabatha’s lips curve into a small smile. “I would say the fact that you were already ten by the time you came to our family helped, but you do have that special knack for finding trouble.”
“Do you think she will?” Juliet moves her little arms around, not able to control them very well but is able to get a fistful of my hair.
“If you’re lucky, she’ll take after her more sensible father.” Tabatha blinks several times and slowly shakes her head. “I can’t believe out of the two of you, the vampire is the more sensible one.”
I laugh and blink back tears. “It’s not fair he’s not here.”
“I know.” Tabatha rests her hand on my knee. “It’s not. None of this is fair, my darling girl. But that is life.”
“I’m going to get him back,” I say and Tabatha just nods, not wanting to disagree and upset me…or tell me I will when she doesn’t believe I can. “And I want to go home. I have to eventually.”
“You do. Send your familiars first and allow Evander to accompany you through the woods.”
“I can do that.” I slowly inhale again and look into the fire. “Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me. You’re family. She’s family.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “So is Lucas.”
“He is, and he would want you to tread carefully,” she says gently and gives my knee a pat. “If there is anything I’m certain of, it’s that he loved you very, very much.”
“Loves,” I correct. “He’s not dead. He’s temporarily not here and I will get him back.”
Tabatha nods again and shifts her gaze to Juliet. “If anyone can, it’s you. But I beg you, don’t act on your own.”
“I won’t,” I say, though I’m not putting anyone else in danger. This isn’t witch business, but something more. There is one person who can actually help me, and he will, one way or another. I just need to find Lucifer first.
All I wanted was to go home, but now that I’m here, it feels wrong. Wanting to shower, I went up to my bedroom and put Juliet in her swing. Dread starts to bubble up inside of me, and Juliet starts to fuss. I should go get her, yet I’m rooted to the spot, looking at my bed.
I’m going to have to sleep in it alone.
I’m going to wake up alone.
What if I can’t save Lucas? What if I do and all traces of him are gone? Will he just be an empty shell after I pull him out of the saddle?
Juliet’s fussing turns into crying and yet my feet refuse to move. My vision blurs as tears fill my eyes. Binx shadows in, circling my feet, and I suck in air, not realizing that I had my jaw clenched and was holding my breath. Blinking the tears away, I rush forward, stopping the swing from swaying back and forth. I unclip Juliet and bring her against me, thinking she wants to nurse.
I sit on the chair Lucas wanted in our room so he could help with long nights and put Juliet to me. She latches on, nurses for a few seconds, and then starts crying again.