Cut to the Crone (A Spell's Angels Cozy Mystery Book 4)
Page 30
She snorted. “You’re strong. You don’t need me. We did what we set out to do and eradicated the vampires. They’re no longer a threat to us.”
“She still is.” I gestured toward Emma. “She could escape and go after you.”
“Then you’re going to have to make sure that doesn’t happen.” Zoe licked her lips and glanced at Sami before focusing on me. “Under normal circumstances, I would kill her myself. We have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to attacking our kid.” She shot Emma a pointed glare. “This situation is different. This is your family. These people have the answers you need. Something tells me, even if she does escape, she’s going to be more interested in you than us.”
“Especially since Sami told her the book was destroyed,” said Rafael.
Zoe extended a finger in her daughter’s direction. “You have a such a big mouth.”
Sami made an exaggerated face. “Look who’s talking.” The girl snuggled closer to her father. “I don’t think you should punish me, Daddy. This is really your fault for treating me like a little girl.”
Aric lightly tugged on her hair and shook his head, pressing a finger to his lips. “You’re in enough trouble. It’s time to be quiet.”
“Mom doesn’t have to be quiet.”
“You’re not your mother.”
Resigned, I snagged gazes with Zoe again. “I was kind of hoping you would hang around and help me figure this out.”
“Have you needed help figuring things out before? You don’t strike me as the sort of person who needs someone else to hold her hand in tough times.”
“Not hold my hand. It’s just ... you didn’t know what you were either. Others had to help you until it became clear. I thought maybe you could help me figure out what I am.”
Zoe drew closer, holding my gaze. “If you need help, or someone to talk to, you have my number. We’re expected in Detroit in a week and a half. We have to return home, reunite Sami with her dog, torture her with bad reruns and ground her until the end of time. This here isn’t our battle. It’s your battle.”
The truth was hard to swallow, and yet necessary all the same. The only reason I wanted to use her as a crutch was because of the bubbling fear that was threatening to overwhelm me. I’d never felt anything like it before.
“You have Gunner,” she reminded me on a whisper. “You have Rooster, and Raisin ... and a Peeping Tim ghost. You have a cat, and Bonnie, and that Whistler guy, who I really like.” Briefly, her eyes flicked to Ezekiel. “You also have a grandfather, and you’re the one who needs to decide if you can trust him. I can’t do that for you.”
“I’m afraid.” I blurted it out, internally cringing when I felt multiple sets of eyes on me. I was now the center of attention.
“You’re a badass,” she replied simply. “You’ll figure it out. If you need help, I’ll come roaring in with magic blazing. I might even bring the mouthy little one for good measure, that is if she’s ever done being grounded.”
“Oh, man,” Sami whined. “Why am I being punished for saving the day?”
I laughed. I couldn’t help myself. I knew what I needed to do. “Thanks for the offer. Something tells me I’ll figure it out.”
“Something tells me you’re right.” Zoe leaned in and gave me a surprise hug. “We’re friends now. Heck, we’re sort of like family. If you ever need to drop my name, don’t hesitate. There’s nothing I like more than striking fear in the hearts of an unsuspecting populace.”
That earned a full laugh from me. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
She pulled back and saluted. “Follow your instincts, Scout. They’ll never lead you astray.”
And that right there was the best thing she ever could have said.
For the first time, the road in front of me had a clear destination. I didn’t know what would happen, but the answers I was looking for were within my grasp. That was what I always wanted, and now I was finally going to get it.
Hopefully.
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About the Author
I want to thank everyone who takes the time to read my novels. I have a particular brand of humor that isn’t for everyone – and I know that.
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