by Meg Bonney
I chewed my lip for a moment.
“And Lacy?” Jason gestured to the house.
“She deserves a happy life. A normal life. Aunt Ruth wanted to keep it from her, and I am going to honor that. It’s better this way. It is.” I met his stare. “It is what Ruth wanted. If I say goodbye, she’ll ask me to stay.”
“She was proud of you, Maddy.” Jason tilted his head. “You made Ruth proud. You don’t have anything left to prove.”
“How long have you known me?” I asked.
“Forever,” Jason answered with a sigh. His dark hair fell around his face.
“Then you know that I have to do this.”
Jason bit his bottom lip and nodded. “I know you do, I just―I can’t lose you again. I can’t.”
“And you won’t,” I affirmed.
I looked back at the house and thought of Ruth and Lacy.
“Are you okay, Mads?” Jason stepped closer. The tension fell from his face, and he looked like my old Jason as he put his hand under my chin.
I was unable to speak for a moment as my tears welled in my eyes. I inhaled and exhaled slowly. The leaves rustled, and the sun warmed my face.
I kept my eyes on the house and nodded.
Jason rested a hand on my shoulder. “You know, we don’t have to go back, Maddy. This is still your home. That hasn’t changed.”
“No, but I have.” I smiled, thinking back to what Ara had said. “I can’t stay here. I never belonged here.”
“So, Aruba, then?” Jason squeezed my shoulder.
“Everly.” I forced a smile. “Aunt Ruth spent my whole life getting me ready for Everly, and I never knew it. All the training and the workouts—all of it. She was getting me ready…and I couldn’t save her.”
I paused as Ruth’s terror-filled eyes flashed in my mind.
“Jay, I couldn’t save her,” I managed to mutter through my choked sob as I pictured Aunt Ruth in the courtyard. “They all meant something to someone. They were all Aunt Ruth to someone. I have to help them—the Magics,” I said, and took a deep breath.
“You aren’t doing this alone. Ever.” Jason held out his hand. “So whether you’re telling me to stay or asking me to go, it doesn’t matter.”
I smiled gratefully at him and sighed. “Thank you, Jason. But what about the Cloaked?”
“I’ll just aim for their eyes. I’m pretty good at that, apparently. Now, let’s go kick some ass, doll face.” He started toward the back of the yard.
“Doll face?” I scrunched my nose.
“Love muffin?”
I shook my head. “Eww.”
“How about Madison Rosewood, Scion of Everly?” Jason laughed and bowed his head. I slapped my hand in his.
“Strongblood and Witch,” I said with a snicker.
“Always such a rebel.”
“Yeah, that’s what they tell me.”
“Good-bye, Greenrock,” Jason said, looking back over his shoulder.
“And good-bye, Mad Dash,” I whispered as we turned. We kept walking away from the house.
“I couldn’t save her, but I will save them,” I said under my breath. “I will save them.”
We walked through Aunt Ruth’s backyard, and there in the clearing was the tree that changed my life. Standing beside it was Ren.
A smile spread on my face as our eyes met. I quickened my pace and stopped just short of him.
“You―you have no idea…” Ren sputtered before throwing his arms around me and pulling me close to him. I took a breath and let my eyes close for a moment. I would forget my anger at everything for just this instant, and I would let this boy hug me. This boy who led me into the fire and carried me back out.
He squeezed a little tighter, and I felt a strange tug inside of me, like a feeling of relief to be near him. I was happy to let him hold me, but I still didn’t hug him back.
“Thanks,” I replied.
I pulled back, Jason stepped to my side, and I clasped my hand in his.
“So, what now?” Ren cocked his head to the side, looking inquisitively from me to Jason.
“It’s time to focus. I need to protect the Magics from the king. Save the Magics. Time to find my mother before Sinder does,” I replied. “And I think I know where to start.”
I handed the piece of paper to Ren and watched as his thoughtful green eyes flitted over the words. He looked up at me, and I knew he knew exactly what I was thinking.
“This will be a hell of a lot harder than last time,” I added.
“Well, we survived it before… Only this time, we have no idea where to look other than a guess, and I’m being hunted by crazy bounty hunters,” Jason added.
I reached my hand out to Ren.
“Ready for this?” Ren asked, although I was certain he already knew the answer.
I looked at the portal tree that stood motionless in the breeze.
“I’m ready,” I replied without a shred of doubt. “I’m ready.”
To Be Continued…
Acknowledgments
Thank you to my husband for always keeping my spirits high and my coffee cup full. I couldn’t have done this without you.
I’d like to thank my Mom. When I was a kid, even if money was tight, she never, ever said no when I asked for a new book.
And to all of my family, my friends, my step-dad, my mother and father-in-law, your support means the world to me.
Last, but not least, I want to thank all of the hardworking Pandas that have spent so much time working on the edits, the cover, and the marketing for EVERLY. I was blown away by your talent! And a very special thank you to my editor, Rachel. Working with you has been one of the high points in my life. I'd also like to thank my publisher for everything she has taught me and for having faith in my storytelling. Molad an Banron Zara!
About the Author
Author Meg Bonney is a paralegal by day, a TV reviewer by night, and a writer every moment in between. Meg enjoys stories with strong emotional relationships but that aren’t necessarily romantic. Her TV watching and writing has always been more focused in the sci-fi/fantasy genre where the stakes are high and the consequences are dire and because fairies, mermaids, monsters, and witches make her happy. Meg lives in Wisconsin with her husband, her two young daughters, two cats, three hermit crabs, and one very spoiled fish. Meg enjoys impromptu dance parties with her daughters, strong coffee, baking, and getting way too emotionally invested in fictional characters.
Thank you for purchasing this copy of Everly by Meg Bonney. If you enjoyed this book, please let Meg know by posting a review.
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Visit www.pandamoonpublishing.com to learn more about other works by our talented authors and use the author links to their sales page.
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