Elaine POV
“What was she giving Leon?” I questioned myself.
I recalled a conversation I had with my mother about Janet and how I needed to be careful around her. Surely, Janet wouldn’t hurt her own grandchild.
After Janet took the boy out of the kitchen, I snuck inside and picked up the spoon she used to stir the milk bottle.
I sniffed it and recoiled. “That’s fowl.”
“What are you doing?” Janet snapped.
I jumped and dropped the spoon in the sink.
“Huh? Nothing.”
I stepped away from the sink and plastered on a fake smile.
“I saw you, Elaine,” she snapped.
I was tempted to tell her I saw her, too.
I cleared my throat. “Where’s Leon?”
“He’s none of your concern! His Mother left him in my care.”
“Uhh, Azaire wanted me to take him.”
“Liar.”
She caught me too quickly.
“I don’t know what your game is, girl, but I’m looking out for my son. If you love him, you’ll let him have his perfect family.”
I scowled. If she wasn’t Azaire’s mother, she would have been cussed out. Luckily for her, I didn’t do things that way.
“I smelt something awful. Was I wrong to investigate it? Your son is a grown man, Janet. You should trust him enough to make his own decisions.”
She frowned deeply. She reached for the tap and opened it. Water filled the sink, washing away the horrible scent. I bit my bottom lip. There goes my evidence. She knew what she was doing.
“What was in the sink, Janet? What did you put in the bottle?” I accused.
She scowled. “Mind your own business.”
“Black magic is deadly, Janet. You don’t want to mess with it,” I pleaded.
“Don’t tell me about what’s deadly. I’ve been on this planet longer than you. I know what the hell I’m doing. Now, stay away from Leon and me.”
Janet nearly collided with Rae as she exited the kitchen.
“Oh, Hi, Janet, I haven’t seen you in forever,” Rae said warmly.
“Being a grandmother is a full-time job, but I’m enjoying every moment.”
“And you’ll have another grandchild soon. You’re so lucky.”
Janet turned to me with suspicious eyes. “Yes, I am. I’ll do anything to protect my family.”
Janet wandered off, leaving Rae and me alone.
“Oh my gosh. She was so mad that her rage was rolling off her. What happened?”
I grabbed the spoon from the sink and sniffed it. Ugh, the scent was gone.
I handed her the spoon. Rae frowned. “It’s a regular spoon, though it hands hits of magic, but the water did the damage.”
“Opal and I saw her put something in Leon’s bottle. It smelt horrible! Opal’s freaking out and won’t leave Richie’s office.”
“Have you told Azaire?”
I shook my head. “I think Opal has. I can’t believe Janet would try to harm Leon, but she’s doing something.”
“I’m sorry. It could be protection magic, but Janet isn’t a witch; whatever she’s doing won’t be a hundred per cent effective.”
“What a mess,” I exhaled.
“I’m so glad you called when you did.”
“Why? Did you feel something?” I asked anxiously.
“Well, I’m freaking out now!” Rae threw her arms in the air.
“Let’s look for somewhere more private. Anyone could barge in.”
Rae nodded. I thought about the library and took Rae through the living room. However, Janet and Leon were gone. We didn’t have to lock ourselves in the library.
“Lynn’s missing,” Rae confessed.
“What? How?”
“I don’t know. Last week, she wouldn’t stop talking about how something was moving in the cosmos. I didn’t believe her because I didn’t feel anything. I thought she was stressed, but now she’s missing! Her coven won’t give me answers, either. They claim they haven’t heard from her in two days.”
“Whoa, Rae… this isn’t good. My Mom’s on the run because Isaura came down with a magical sickness.”
Rae clenched her jaw. “What are you saying?”
I exhaled. “Avena’s back, and she’s trying to fully regenerate.”
“Oh boy- that’s why I can feel your magic. We have to find Lynn and come up with a plan so that women cannot regain human form. The first thing she’ll do is kill you and your siblings.”
“I know-”
“Well, isn’t this sweet. My sister-in-law and the Luna that would have been.”
Rae frowned deeply at Lucas.
“What’s the matter with you?” Rae snapped.
Lucas held a glass of water as he strolled towards us. “I didn’t say anything wrong. If Elaine’s Dad hadn’t killed Aiden, you would have been the Pack’s Luna. Not Opal.”
“Opal will make a great Luna,” Rae slammed.
“How can you even be friends with this piece of shit or mate her brother. They killed Aiden!” Lucas yelled.
I stood slowly. “Your brothers have been looking for you. Maybe you should call them back-”
“Yes, they have. Anyway, I’ve changed. I didn’t come to fight. Clearly, I have wounds that need healing. I came here with a peace offering for my sister-in-law. Here.”
Lucas held out the glass of water.
“No,” Dove said.
I held my fingers back due to Dove’s warning.
“Danger,” Dove added.
“Well? Take it. I’m trying to be nice.” he shoved the glass at my chest, but I refused to touch it.
“What the hell, Lucas! Leave her alone.”
“What’s in that?” I asked.
“Drink it and find out,” Lucas challenged.
It was poisoned. Lucas was here to kill me.
“You’re acting like a real jerk. Are you drinking?” Rae placed a hand on her hip.
While they argued. I muttered a spell to make the drink vanish. Though, the liquid bubbled and fell flat. Has it been that long that I don’t remember how to teleport a liquid?
“You’re being disrespectful, Elaine. Drink. It’s water from our moon pool. It’s nothing but good,” he insisted.
“Then you drink it!” I cried out.
Lucas growled. He grabbed my arm and tried to force the liquid down my throat. Rae screamed and grabbed him.
“Get off her!”
“No, no, stop!” I cried.
I couldn’t mutter a spell as I struggled against Lucas. He was strong! I slapped the glass out of his hand, and the liquid spilled on the carpet.
“Fuck!” Lucas yelled. “This isn’t over.”
Lucas grabbed my arms and shoved me to the ground.
“Ouch,” I winced.
“Hey!” Rae gasped. “Lucas, this isn’t you!”
“Shut up,” Lucas growled.
He turned and darted out of the living room. I panted and tried to make sense of what had happened. I placed a hand on my chest. “What if he tries to do something to Opal now?”
“Check on her. I’ll go after him,” Rae said, pissed.
“Be careful. Lucas isn’t the same anymore.”
Rae’s gaze held determination. “I can see that. I’ll follow him and give Azaire my location. He needs to be stopped.”