Elaine POV
“Mom?” I pounded on the door. “I’ve been out here for twenty minutes. What are you doing?”
I stepped back and dialled her phone number again. It went to voice mail again. It was nearly lunchtime. I thought I’d smell freshly baked meat pies or chicken stew for lunch.
I went around the house. I found Isaura’s doll abandoned in the grass.
She loved this thing. She wouldn’t leave it lying around. I grabbed the doll and walked to the sliding glass door. I peered inside. The pillows were on the floor, coffee cups on the table, and fleece was left spread apart as if someone got up in a hurry.
“It’s not breaking and entering if it’s your Mother’s house, is it?”
I prepared to break the glass door off its frame, but it slid open without a fight.
“This is weird.”
I walked inside. Mom and Isaura’s scent was strong in the living room. They probably left recently.
I wandered into the kitchen and touched the kettle. It was still warm. I found it hard to believe they would leave without locking up and Isaura would leave her doll outside. That was when I discovered the note on the kitchen table.
I picked it up. It was addressed to me.
“Dear Elaine,” I read. “I should have called, and I’m sorry. I had to act quickly. I hope you remember the conversation we had about something shifting in the cosmos. Whatever it is has manifested now. Isaura got sick again from a magical illness. I had to take her and run because I believe it’s Avena’s dark magic. Don’t be scared, sweetheart, because things like this can happen. Witches can gain enough power to manipulate our world, and if we’re not careful, Avena will fully regenerate.”
I cupped my mouth. I knew I wasn’t crazy. She appeared in my mirror. She’s stronger than I thought.
I continued reading the letter. “I know you have strong people around you. I hope you forgive me for leaving you again. I did the only thing I could think of to save your sister. I hope you’ll forgive me for what I’ve done as well. You should have noticed your powers settling into your body again. I can’t keep your magic, not when you need it the most. You’re strong, Elaine and I know you’re going to defeat Avena. Don’t bother looking for us because you won’t find us. To protect Isaura, I’ve put her magic to sleep until the sickness goes away. I love you Elaine, never doubt it. Love Mom.”
The letter slipped from my fingertips.
“She’s gone.”
I shouldn’t have come here alone. I dropped to the kitchen floor and brought my knees to my chest. I allowed myself to break down and cry. I felt the familiar surge of magic in my fingertips, and Dove’s dominant presence took a backseat.
“No, I can’t go through this again.”
I winced as pain shot through my right wrist and my left ankle. Tears burned my eyes as blood out of my open flesh wounds.
“This is insane.”
“Azaire,” I called through our mind-link.
It was like static on the other side. I was cursed again. I had to go back to Shaw Mansion before Azaire realized he couldn’t feel our mate bond anymore.
***
When I arrived home, my eyes were puffy, and I was tired. I wanted to curl into my mate’s arms and cry. His car wasn’t parked out front; neither were Richie’s or Ross’s cars. They must be hot on Lucas’s trail. That little brat showed up after midnight while everyone was sleeping and Azaire and I were doing… other things. Only someone guilty does that.
I spoke to my brother before I went to Mom’s house, and he told me Fran was doing better. However, he was reluctant to let her return to the Pack House.
“Elle, it’s you. Are you coming from school?” Opal asked with a big smile on her face.
“No,” I bit my bottom lip.
I’d taken a break from school… much to Azaire’s dismay.
“I went to see Mom…” I didn’t want to worry Opal by telling her Avena was back and out to get us. She was ready to pop, and any stress was prohibited. I was sure Richie hadn’t told Opal about Lucas beating up Fran.
“Oh, that’s great! I heard Uncle Damien took a real liking to her.”
“What? Oh gosh. That’s weird.”
Opal laughed. “I think it’s cute. He speaks so poetically, and I think Fran would like to have a stepmother who isn’t her age mate.”
The statement only made my heart hurt more. I knew why she left however, it still hurt.
“What are you doing down here? I thought you’d be sleeping,” I said, trying to change the subject.
“Oh, I’m tired of sleeping. I was with Leon in the living room until Janet reclaimed him.”
I swear Janet is obsessed with her grandson. I better make myself scarce then.”
“No, you don’t. Let’s go in the kitchen. They’re in the living room.”
“Alright, fine.”
I accepted but I needed a first aid box to stick up my fresh cuts. I couldn’t heal myself anymore. I hated having to explain this to Azaire.
Opal and I ventured towards the kitchen, but I paused when I saw Janet standing by the counter overlooking the window showcasing the backyard.
She dumped two large scoops of something clear into a baby bottle. I held Opal’s hand and pushed her backwards so we wouldn’t get caught. My fingertips tingled. It was my magic alerting me of more magic in the atmosphere. I watched Janet stir the milk bottle and dump the spoon in the sink. She picked up the jar with the unnamed substance.
“What was that?” Opal hissed.
I squeezed her hand to keep her quiet. Janet tucked the jar in her waistband and moved around as if she had forgotten where she was. I dragged Opal forward and ushered her out the front door. We didn’t need to get caught.
“What did she put in the baby’s bottle? Elaine, she wouldn’t hurt him, would she?” Opal panicked.
“Of course not. Please relax, Opal. We don’t know what that was.”
“Couldn’t you smell it? It was vile!”
I couldn’t smell it, but I could feel it. It wasn’t natural.
“I-I thought she loved him. We have to call Azaire. Call him.”
“And tell him what? I don’t know what that was.”
Opal fanned herself with her fingers. “I’ll call him then. Go find out what that was. I’m not going back into that house until we figure things out.”
“Opal, please-”
“No, Elaine. I’m going to Richie’s office to call Azaire. Hell, I’ll even call Holly. Janet will never give us the boy.”
“Fine, wait in Richie’s office. I’ll handle this.”
Opal nodded. Her face was red from worry and anxiety. This was what we didn’t want her to go through. While Opal marched to Richie’s office. I pulled out my phone and called for backup.
I needed Rae.