Page 58

Stacy

He’s on his way. I know it. I feel it.

This is hours from being over. Grey will find me. He has magic. Even beyond that, I know how determined he’ll be. He won’t stop until I’m back in his arms.

It’s not that Wyatt’s days are numbered; his hours are numbered. I just have to stay strong. But also… maybe I don’t have to just sit back and wait for my mate to rescue me. Maybe I can help make it a little easier.

***

Sherry with swollen-from-crying red eyes is in the little kitchen area, frying some eggs. There’s no power in the Airstream, the battery that was powering some of the lights is now dead, but there is propane, so the fridge and stove are working and Wyatt raided Jared’s supplies and ordered Sherry to cook.

“Wyatt, can I please use the bathroom?” I ask for the third time, bouncing with my discomfort.

He rolls his eyes.

“Sweetness, untie her, will ya? Gotta make a call. Be good.” He points at her and then moves the finger to point at me and scowls. “Fuck around? You’ll find out.”

I say, “I just need the bathroom, Wyatt. I’ve been holding it for hours.”

“Use it and get your useless whore ass back on that couch.” He grabs his jacket and steps outside.

“Sherry?” I whisper with urgency.

She’s listlessly pushing the spatula around the frying pan.

“Sherry?” I repeat.

She turns to look at me and seeing her in daylight I see she has a harsh purple bruise on her cheekbone. Fucking Wyatt.

She comes over and loosens the rope around my neck and pulls it up over my head, then reaches for the one around my wrists.

“The special brew we talked about?” I whisper.

Her forehead wrinkles.

“Special brew…” I repeat and point my chin at my suitcase by the door. “Put some in his food.”

He wouldn’t try it when he ran those experiments with it on our people, so he’s got no idea what it tastes like.

It takes a beat before recognition hits her eyes, but because it does, I feel relief. She recalls our conversation in the bathroom the night of Erica’s birthday party when she asked about the special brew because she had some people she wanted to give it to. She leans in closer.

“You have some here?”

“Under the lining of my suitcase. Middle layer, mixed with catnip.”

She quickly darts and grabs my suitcase.

But loud and clear we hear, “See you soon,” and the door opens. Wyatt’s eyes pan over us and land on Sherry’s hand.

“Thanks,” I say, rising to take it from her to cover. “Just gonna change my clothes while I’m in there.”

“Food ready or what?” he demands.

His eyes are on her with suspicion instead of me, so I rush ahead into the small bathroom, doing my very best to keep my breathing steady, hoping he doesn’t clock how fast my heart is beating.

After I use the facilities and change my clothes, I leave my suitcase in the small, corner shower stall, knowing there’s a better chance of her accessing it in here than out there.

When I come out, they’re sitting at the dining booth and there’s a plate made up for me.

“You can eat that over there,” Wyatt says, gesturing to the small loveseat I slept on last night. “Watch out for eggshells,” he adds, pulling something out of his mouth and dropping it on the table beside the plate. “Good we’ll be livin’ large soon, mate. Then I won’t have to endure your cookin’.”

She says nothing in reply, just pushes the eggs around her plate. She looks dejected. It would’ve been ideal to get that herb into his breakfast. Somehow, some way, we have to get it into his system.

An idea hits me.

“Thanks,” I say and lift the third plate to take it with me, but Wyatt takes one of the two slices of nearly burnt bacon from my plate before I go. I make eye contact with her and then I look at the bottle of whisky on the counter. I look at her again and move my gaze to the bottle a second time, lifting my chin just a little. But it’s enough. She gets me. She understands what she needs to do. Now she just needs an opportunity.

Unless Grey gets here first and ends this nightmare for us, I’m almost certain Wyatt will turn to that bottle again before the end of this day.

***

“We’ll be there in half an hour,” he mutters.

“Please? I can’t wait,” she says, bouncing in the seat beside him.

He makes a sound of aggravation before he pulls over on the gravel road we’re on.

She leans over and drops a peck on his cheek which makes my brother react with a start before Sherry darts out of the truck and hurries back into the Airstream to use the bathroom.

I keep my eyes focused on my tied hands in my lap, relieved he didn’t tie her up and gag her again, leaving her unable to voice this request.

She played nice during breakfast, asking, “Tell me how we’ll be living large after this…” Holding out a piece of the bacon from her plate for him to eat from her fingers.

Wyatt took it and said, “You’ll see. Might have to take out a couple people you care about, Sweetness, but it’s all for the greater good. Can you deal?”

“What about my family?”

“We’ll see if they’re ready to step in line or not.”

“Jason?”

“Being on the council? He’s probably gonna hafta go.”

“No! Please… There’s got to be a way.”

“Unless he comes around to my way of thinkin’, then maybe I’ll make him one of my lieutenants. We’ll see how it all goes. Honestly, planned on taking that territory for as long as I can remember, but know those fuckers will put up a fight.”

“I’ll talk to him. I know he gets annoyed with those guys sometimes, thinks there’s too many sergeants and not enough soldiers. Please give him a chance.”

“We’ll see, Sweetness.” He caressed her face. “Thought of burnin’ it to the ground, but bein’ the way I’m made, I know I need to run a pack so maybe we’ll get it shipshape, make sure everyone is in line, and then do a little traveling. Come back and move into that big house that Savage fucker just moved into. Wanna see about digging behind that waterfall, too. Sell all the gemstones in the rocks. You see back there? Are there emeralds and rubies in the rock walls like I heard?”

“I… don’t know. Only council alphas go back there.”

“I’ll take you back there with me and we’ll look. All this sound good?”

“I love traveling. But I… I really wanna know you won’t hurt my family.”

“Tell ya what,” he said, “We’ll tell them how it’ll be, and it’ll be up to them. I’ll think on letting your brother wake up before I put a bullet in between his eyes. But he’ll have to earn my trust. And there are no second chances.”

She didn’t say much as a reply, looking thoughtful. He didn’t push for an answer.

Listening to that, I hoped she was just playing nice to butter him up. If so, she’s a pretty good actress. She wasn’t laying it on too thick, but maybe just enough so she could hedge her bets. I was guessing she was doing whatever she had to do to make sure he didn’t tie and gag her again.

My guess? She wants to get rid of him, but self-preservation is also a factor in case that doesn’t work.

I shove off the chill that climbs up my spine. No . Wyatt won’t win. That’s not how this will go.

She’s in the camper right now so she can get the powder into the whisky bottle. It dissolves in liquid, probably won’t affect the whisky taste as it apparently has just a touch of sweetness – and this is probably her best opportunity to do it.

A few minutes later, I can tell Wyatt is getting impatient and about to get out and go into the Airstream. My heart is pounding way too fast, way too hard in my chest. Just as he mutters, “the hell is she doin’ in there?” to himself and reaches for his door handle, here she is.

She rushes to the passenger door of the truck.

Phew.

***

We pull up to a warehouse behind some shoddy-looking fences in an area that looks mostly neglected and abandoned, perhaps, and more than a little sketchy. We’re in a city, I don’t know which one, but it’s not a nice part of town at all.

This building has spraypainted graffiti. There are two white vans outside as well as a couple cars and a newer pickup truck with a small camper on the bed of it.

After we pull up, my brother jumps out and gets on his phone. It’s windy out and he’s got his hand over the ear that the phone isn’t against as he speaks, obviously trying to hear the person on the other end of the line better. And he’s standing far enough away that I feel relatively confident he won’t hear us talking, so I softly ask, “The brew?”

“Brewing,” she says.

Relief sweeps through me.

“Good job,” I whisper.

“He won’t be able to shift?” she whispers back.

“I’m guessing not for at least a day or two. Maybe more if you put it all in and he drinks it all.”

“Good,” she says softly. “How fast will it work?”

“Probably depends on how much whisky he drinks. It took straight away when we ran trials in Silver Hills. But that was on betas. I don’t know how long it takes with an alpha. Is he your fated mate or did he make that up?” I ask.

She snickers, but doesn’t look back at me. We both stare ahead and my heartrate picks up speed as I watch a garage door in front of us opening slowly.

“Oh, he is fated to me all right. This is my karma, I suppose. But not to worry.”

“Not to worry?” I parrot.

“If this doesn’t go your way in there today,” she says, “if you don’t make it out of there, just know… I will shift to wolf form after he drinks that so I can shift and rip his goddamn throat out.”

The door is all the way open, and I see five women standing there, speaking to Wyatt. He turns around and heads our way.

As he roughly pulls me out of the back seat of the truck, one of the women is staring at me with a very big smile on her face. And my blood suddenly chills as I take in that smiling woman, especially her eyes.

She looks like she’s in her late forties or early fifties. She has long silver and black highlighted hair, wears a long, gauzy black tunic and leather tights with motorcycle boots. She’s wearing a lot of silver and gemstone jewelry. And with those gray eyes. She looks like a younger Mimi Young.

“Nice to meet you, daughter-in-law. I’m Soleil.” She looks like she’s stifling a laugh. Her gray eyes are dancing with mirth. “Let’s go inside, shall we?”

What? What!?!

“Move it,” Wyatt grinds out to me, wrenching my arm painfully, then calls out to Sherry. “Sherry! Get your ass in here.”

She follows. My legs are shaking as I walk in, trying to fathom this development.

The other women who range in age from my age to around Soleil’s walk ahead, saying nothing. Two of them are dressed similarly to her. One is dressed in jeans and a western style shirt with a cowboy hat. The youngest woman has a high blonde ponytail and wears yoga clothes. All five smell human and most of them have that familiar witch scent about them that Erica and her sisters carry, but while the younger blonde one carries a strong scent of witch, it’s very faint on the others.

We’re escorted deeper into an open, empty warehouse area to a set of double doors, one of which is propped open with a small wedge of wood. On the other side are multiple doors and a large room that’s set up like a living room. Offices have been converted to living spaces. Cartoons are playing on a television, and I see the back of a curly little head of dark hair that I immediately recognize. She smells different, but it’s her!

“Halla!” I exclaim.

Her head turns and I see she’s got a bowl of popcorn on her lap. She sets it down and immediately runs to me, throwing her arms around my waist.

She smells like she’s shifter and human!

“Momma’s here, Stacy! She’s here!”

What?

“Oh wow, sweetie… she’s… here?”

“Yuh-huh. Yup! How come your hands are tied up?”

Aphra appears in the doorway of this space, coming from what looks like a kitchen. She rests her shoulder against the doorframe and crosses her arms while eyeing my brother with distaste. More than distaste. With hatred. I look at him and watch the color drain from his face as his eyes bug out.

“What the fuck is she doing here?” he demands.

Aphra’s lip curls with more disgust and her voice trembles with fury, “Do not speak to me, don’t even look at me, you motherfucking-”

“Momma! That’s a bad word!” Halla gasps.

Soliel quips, “Bigger fish to fry, Aphra darling. Yes?”

Nostrils flared, lips tight, Aphra tears her gaze away from my brother and glares at Soleil. What she doesn’t do is look at me.

I’m bewildered by this. All of this.

“I’ll take Halla and we’ll give you one of my special manicures and a pedicure, too, okay?” the youngest woman, in yoga clothes offers. “How about butterflies?”

“Butterflies! Yay! See you later, Stacy!” Halla waves and grabs the other girl’s hand and leaves with her, losing her smile as she passes Wyatt.

Wyatt’s loud, angry voice always frightened all the kids. He never deigned to speak to them or give them his time or attention. Halla lived in Wyatt’s house for those few months, in his village for those weeks afterwards and yet she says nothing to him.

My eyes pan to Aphra. She looks good. She looks fine. I want to ask what happened, what she’s doing here. I feel like we were friends and yet she’s not even looking at me. She’s got some sort of connection to Grey’s mother, and she looks livid right now as she glares at her. I really need someone to make all this make sense.

Though Aphra is glaring at Soleil, Soleil is looking at me. My eyes meet hers and it really throws me to meet my mate’s mother. Someone he’s got no memory of, just the same as me, she was out of his life when he was so young. And to look at her eyes and see Greyson’s beautiful eyes is crazy. Grey looks quite a lot like his father but absolutely has his mother’s eyes. And her mouth.

“I need the room,” she says. “Wyatt, will you give that to me please?”

“No,” Wyatt states inflexibly. “Before you lay a finger on my sister, I want assurances. I don’t know what the fuckin’ deal is with Aphra being here and sure won’t just let you all fuck me over. Are those bullets legit?”

“Of course they are. Aphra is here for her daughter,” Soleil says simply. “You brought Halla, and we notified Aphra of her presence. She’s staying here a while to regroup and figure out what’s next.”

Aphra leaves. Wyatt watches her go and turns to Soleil. “This isn’t what you said when we made our agreement. You had other plans for the kid.”

“Plans change,” Soleil shrugs. “Our arrangement has not. What happens with the child no longer concerns you.”

“Where… what…how –” I start, but Wyatt backhands me. He does it hard enough I find myself on my knees on the carpet. “Shut your mouth. You don’t get to ask questions, slut.”

He’s frustrated with Soleil’s response to him so of course he takes it out on me.

“Now, now, violence against your sister? Tsk, tsk. No, that’s not welcome here,” Soleil says, extending her hand.

I stare at it.

She wiggles her fingers, just the way Grey does when he wants my hand and I find myself accepting it, letting her help me to my feet.

She doesn’t let go of it. She smiles wide at me and then turns to him. “Go wait in your car. Take your mate with you. I’ll let you know when we’re done.”

“You better not fuck me over, Soleil,” Wyatt warns. “You promised that special potion if I brought her.”

Soleil moistens her lips. “You delivered. Why would you hurl accusations at me when I’ve given you no reason to?”

He looks her over with suspicion. “You changed the terms already on me.”

“I sweetened the pot,” she corrects. “Would you prefer nothing? Would you prefer I let Aphra have her magical way with you? By all means, let us renegotiate our terms then.”

Wyatt pales. “Threw me seeing Aphra is all. Want to make sure our deal still stands. I brought the kid.”

“You did and you got the utility potions and those bullets you wanted for that exchange. Now that you’ve delivered on the sweetened pot, the new deal continues to stand. Once I can, I’ll make that new potion for you and you can access any other potions you want for one year afterwards.”

“How long you need?” he asks, looking frustrated but trying to play along.

“A few hours, I suspect. At most, until the morning,” she says casually.

Wyatt’s eyebrows fly up. “The morning? You never said I’d have to wait!”

“I don’t know what the timing will be. My magic could take time to fully manifest. It’s been a while since I practiced my craft. Once your sister helps me, I’ll get to work immediately. You can sleep tonight in that trailer, can’t you? I’ll look after your sister tonight.” She flashes me a smile.

A couple of hours? A lot can change in a couple of hours. I hope hard that Grey will be here within that couple hours. And that whatever Soleil wants from me… that I make it through it.

Wyatt looks hassled, thrusting his hand through his hair but mutters, “All right… but I need to plug in somewhere. And I need some water to get us through until tomorrow. Fresh water tank on the camper is empty, and the generator is out of juice.”

“I’ll send someone out to assist you momentarily.”

“All right,” Wyatt grumbles, grabbing Sherry’s hand and turning to walk out the way we came. Wyatt doesn’t look back.

Sherry does. And she looks concerned for me. But I know there’s not much she can do. Though she has done something major, something that will mess Wyatt up, at least temporarily, maybe worse than that. But I don’t know how much of the herbal mixture went into the soup to make our people ill and eventually kill some of them.

I’m going to walk away from this, though, right? That must be the expectation because Wyatt talked about snapping my neck in front of Grey so that must mean Soleil doesn’t plan to harm me, right? Who knows with Wyatt, though?

I hope he digs into the whisky immediately. While I don’t know how long those effects lasted on the men in Arcana Falls, and I don’t know how much Sherry put in the bottle, I’m sure Grey is fighting to get to me so maybe the herb will at least slow Wyatt’s hideous plans down.

“So,” Soleil claps her hands. “How about if we have a seat, I untie your wrists, and then you do something for me?”

I have no idea what she wants from me, so I don’t answer.

She gestures to where Halla had been sitting and lifts the remote control from the arm of the couch, turning the television off and moving the popcorn bowl to a side table. The other witches stand back, leaning against the wall, but seem to be keeping a watch on us. Seem to be very alert. There’s a weird energy in this room, like something big is about to happen. I just can’t imagine what that might be and what I’ve got to do with it.

I feel like a sacrificial lamb brought to the altar for slaughter.

Aphra steps back into the room. “Soleil? A word?”

Soleil huffs out impatience, but then paints on a smile and says, “One moment, daughter-in-law.”

I look around the space. I look to the women leaning against the wall and try to think of something to say that might help my cause here. But I don’t know what she has planned. I don’t know how I could talk her out of anything. She’s in cahoots with Wyatt, for fuck’s sake.

They’re already back, Soleil moving to me and Aphra leaning against the wall inside the door.

I look at Aphra for cues but she doesn’t make eye contact. And she looks angry.

Soleil reaches over and works the knot loose around my wrists. There’s rugburn as the rope falls away and she hisses with what seems like sympathy as she inspects my wrists, holding my hands.

“Stacy, I need you to do something for me.”

“What would that be?” I ask, wanting her to let go of my hands, but making no moves.

“No need to be afraid. This won’t be difficult, and you won’t be harmed by helping me. Do you see this necklace I’m wearing?”

I look at the wide, flat silver choker around her throat.

She finally lets go of my hands and turns it so the chain’s barrel clasp is now in the hollow of her throat.

“I need you to remove it,” she states.

I look at her questioningly.

“Only someone with the blood of a Young witch can remove this magic-suppressing necklace,” she explains. “I had assistance setting things in motion that would enable me to coerce this to happen.”

She gestures to Aphra and continues to explain. “I’m fairly confident it’ll work. We are a branch of a covenless collective here. Some witches without their coven, some without their magic, but with the knowledge to assist younger witches.” She touches her necklace. “It was fortuitous when Aphra came to us in rather rough condition after enduring your brother’s attention. Once she was well enough, we discussed some things and this led to me bargaining with your brother to acquire what Aphra would bargain for.”

“Her daughter,” I whisper.

I look at Aphra and frown when I see apology in her eyes as she looks at me, but just briefly before her eyes move to the space beyond me. She chews her lip and pain infuses her expression for a brief moment before she wipes it clean.

Of course she’d bargain however she could to get her daughter back, although I have no idea why she didn’t just use her magic against my brother herself. But what did Aphra do?

“Aphra was very weak and broken by what he did to her. Such attention can do immeasurable damage to a witch’s energy. But she’s building it again, building her confidence. You did well facing him today, Aphra. I’m very proud of you.”

Aphra doesn’t react to Soleil’s compliment, but Soleil seems unbothered and continues. “She helped by doing something that would incite my son to remove the necklace. He wasn’t very receptive when I tried to initiate contact, so caught up with the drama with you and your brother. Tired of waiting and having some bargaining chips working in my favor, I decided to nudge things along. To incite him to help because I’d share the anecdote to help that woman who’s in my place, sleeping with my soulmate.” Her pretty face goes ugly with jealousy for a beat before she, too, clears her expression.

She hurt Carrie? She’s the reason Grey had to rush to the hospital last night because Carrie collapsed and wouldn’t wake up!

She continues, “But our resident seer advised that my son easily undid the magic. Sheena, who left with Halla a few moments ago, she is a covenless witch who is still learning the craft, but sees happenings. We wondered if he might be able to undo what Aphra did. Or if my niece Erica might be called in to undo that magic. I heard she’s the most powerful witch seen in generations. But Greyson easily eliminated it, so that’s an interesting and exciting development. Anyway, I had a secondary plan. So now this bargaining chip comes into play. It was fortuitous that Wyatt was able to get to you. He was asked to bring me Greyson or you, because our seer could see it could be either of you that’s able to help me.”

“I don’t understand. You’re going to hold me hostage so Grey will remove your necklace?” I ask.

“That could have worked. But I suspect my son would’ve balked. That moral compass he inherited from Graydon. This works better.”

“I don’t under-”

She leans in and places her palm against my belly, looks into my eyes and softly says, “There’s Young witch blood in you.”

Young witch blood? Young witch blood .

I startle as it sinks in.

She lets go of my belly and I immediately put my hand to it.

“There’s Young witch blood in your bloodstream now, and I already know it’s hearty from the things Sheena saw. Therefore, this should work. Part witch, part shifter. More shifter than witch in this case, but the witch blood is strong. It’s fortuitous my son was recently named coven leader for the Youngs and I suspect that’s a big part of why this will work. Such a formidable combination as it is with my son. As it is with Aphra’s daughter. I would so love to see what sort of power he has. I hear it’s impressive. Though, some of it belongs to me and I intend to claim it back. And if this doesn’t work… well… he’ll come for you and he’ll have to help. Now… undo the necklace and set it on the table.”

“And then?” I ask.

“And then, should it work, I should be able to send you back to your mate.” She smiles again. And her eyes sparkle with something that’s quite blood-chilling.

“Why was your magic suppressed?” I ask.

Her mouth twitches with irritation. And I’m not sure if it’s irritation with me or with the situation itself.

But she says, “The magic in a part-shifter, part-witch is beyond enchanting. The temptation is so, so strong.” She wiggles her fingers and then shakes off some sort of daze before she straightens up. “Remove it and I’ll send you back to your mate. Refuse me and perhaps one of Aphra’s vials will cause you to miscarry.”

Aphra makes a sound of fury. Her face is red.

And I’m absorbing what was said. Like Aphra’s daughter? Halla smelled different today. And now I know it’s because Halla is part witch, part shifter. I never caught the wolf shifter scent on her before. Either Aphra was masking it or maybe it’s maturing in her. Child shifters don’t typically shift until they’re in adolescence. Halla is only four. Grey told me some alpha shifters do shift early, said he shifted the first time when he was a toddler.

Aphra’s not looking at me. I think she’s pissed on my behalf, or maybe she’s upset with Soleil if certain facts about this bargain weren’t disclosed.

Maybe she can help. I have to at least try.

“Grey and his cousin Danica did a locator spell to try to find Halla,” I call out. “You’re my friend, Aphra. I care about you both. I’ve been worried about you, and we’ve been worried sick for Halla when Wyatt disappeared with her. We were looking after her for you.”

Aphra’s eyes hit mine and I see remorse.

I continue, “But you told me I’m the key to things changing for my pack and you were right. So much has happened. I know you’re doing what you feel you have to do, I guess. But –”

Soleil raps her knuckles on the table to bring my attention back to her.

“Now, girl. Save the chitchat for later. I’ve waited over three decades for this. To have my magic back. You’re the key to me getting myself back. Take. It. Off.” She points to her throat.

“You’re gonna give Wyatt poison to help him hurt your son and people he cares about,” I accuse.

She studies me.

I keep going, “You think I’m going to help you get your power back so you can make more potions to help him destroy the Arcana Falls pack?”

“Your brother is a stupid, selfish fuck,” she says softly. “Brawn of an alpha but certainly none of the brains. He’ll probably cock it up. Or someone will intervene.” She gives Aphra a wide smile.

“You gave him bullets that can destroy every one of them in that pack.”

My eyes bounce between them during the pregnant pause. Finally, I break the silence. “I can’t take that chance!”

Soleil huffs. “Yes, you can. Sheena saw it’d work out for you. You’ll give birth and Greyson Blackwood will be by your side. Sheena can’t see how it’ll work out for me but saw that this will work out for you and my son. You’ll have five children according to Sheena’s visions. Now, take the necklace off.”

“How do I know you’re telling the truth?”

“Take the fucking necklace off!” she hisses, grabbing my wrist and digs her nails into my skin. “Take it off or I’ll ram a batch of one of Aphra’s potions down your throat that’ll make your little seed shrivel up ten seconds after you swallow it. Don’t fuck with me, girl, or maybe I’ll use a coat hanger instead, making sure you can’t give him children before I have spells cast on Greyson’s half-sibling as well as hold you hostage until Greyson removes this cursed chain holding me back. It’ll happen some way, I won’t give up. So, save your child. Save your mate’s half-sibling. Now! I’m done waiting!”

I look at Aphra again.

“Will it be okay?” I shakily ask her.

She shrugs. But she looks upset.

“You don’t know, or you won’t tell me?”

“I don’t know, Stacy,” she croaks. “I don’t have control over what I see and what I don’t see. I didn’t know the nail polish potion would hurt your mate’s stepmother and I didn’t know why I had to make the potion she dipped those bullets into or that she’s threatening you with. All I knew was I had to make a bunch of recipes and cast a few spells over them to get my little girl back. And I had to get her back, Stacy.”

I swallow down a lump of fear.

Aphra did what she had to do for her child. And I have to think the same way, don’t I? I already do think the same way. I poisoned Arcana Falls pack members and shot Tyson to save my pack. Aphra and me aren’t very different.

And suddenly, I have the most important job I have ever had in my life. I need to protect my and Grey’s baby. This baby trumps everything else.

I don’t know why Soleil’s magic was suppressed, but I do remember that Grey put a necklace on Aviva Starling to suppress her magic because of what she’d done. Soleil obviously did something awful, too.

“What’s it gonna be?” The woman who gave birth to, gave magic to, and is also responsible for the gorgeous eyes on the man I love demands.

I reach for her necklace with both hands. She leans in closer, madness in her eyes dancing close to the surface.

My fingers shake as I take it between my index fingers and thumbs and begin to roll the barrel. I roll it and roll it, feeling it turn but it still seems fully attached.

Soleil is trembling. Her eyes fill with tears as she anticipates this.

“Maybe it won’t work,” I whisper.

“Keep working at it,” she says gently.

I watch the clasp as I continue. After another moment, a thread in the screw reveals itself.

And she jolts. She must feel something.

Excitement lights up her expression. And yes, madness.

Yes, it’s my job to protect this baby. Our baby. This little individual that’s part me and part Grey. I haven’t even met this little bean yet, but already I would give my life to save him or her.

I have no choice; I have to do this. I continue to spin the barrel with one hand, holding the other side steady as I watch more of the threading reveal itself until it lets go, detaching from the other side, leaving the necklace open.

Soleil pulls in breath after breath, and now her eyes are dancing with joy.

“Remove it,” Soleil breathlessly urges. “Set it on that table.”