Page 114 of Sight of Fate

He goes on to explain everything they’ve discovered on the HRC and the number missing from the Vales, but he doesn’t mention the possibility of an insider helping the HRC or his suspicions about Clarissa.

Her lips twist. “They might have started out with the noble intention of preserving the human race, but their experiments are geared toward figuring out how to extract our powers for themselves, not destroy us. At least, not yet.”

“Are they succeeding?” Macklin asks, his brow furrowed with concern.

“Not as far as I know, but I only saw bits and pieces when I was there,” she replies, rubbing her head.

“Is there anything we can do for you?” I ask, remembering her hooked up to a machine in my vision.

Her lips twist in a wry smile. “Not today, but you never know when that will change.”

Macklin strides over to her. “If you need anything, call us.” He takes my hand in his. “And Raine, thank you.”

She yawns and wrinkles her nose. “Sorry, I get tired pretty easily. Do you mind if I cut today’s visit short?”

“You’re the only other person I’ve met who has visions like mine,” I tell her. “Once you feel better, I’d love to get together again.”

Her brow wrinkles. “Sounds great, but you should also check the coven’s historical records. There’s a lot of information on seers in there. I can’t believe Clarissa didn’t tell you.”

Macklin stiffens, and I lift a shoulder. “I only met her the one time. Maybe she forgot.”

“Did you not join the coven?” she asks, a troubled expression in her eyes.

“It’s not for me,” I state firmly.

She looks at me, then Macklin, likely sensing something’s going on but doesn’t pursue it. “Okay. I’ll be happy to help. And I’ll see if Mom can pull some info. It will give her something to do besides hovering over me.”

Maureen comes into the room. “You need to rest, Raine.” Her eyes flick from her daughter to me. “Thank you for helping to find my daughter. I know I gave you a hard time, but I hope you understand why.”

Conscious of Raine and Tala sitting there, I give Maureen a bland smile. “Thanks to your daughter, I’ve found my mates and the person I thought I lost a long time ago…myself. I hope you realize how lucky you are to have Raine as a daughter.”

She blanches. “Mates?”

“Macklin, Teague, and Andros,” I tell her, my smile solidifying when I see her consternation. “Nice meeting you, Raine and Tala. Give me a call when you feel up to visiting some more.”

Chapter Forty-Five

CHARLI

Teague calls as we’re leaving Raine’s house. “Hi. I’ll put you on speaker. Macklin and I are on our way to dinner.”

“Hi, sweetheart,” he says, his voice sounding tired. “We’re traveling across Texas, following Kian’s trail. We’re hoping to catch up with him tomorrow or the following day. I don’t have much time to talk but couldn’t wait another day to hear your voice.”

“Macklin says Kian’s a close friend. I hope you find him,” I tell him. “Everything is good here. Getting the new security system ready for launch next week.”

There’s a brief moment of silence, then he chuckles. “You’re incredible. Pretty soon, you’ll be CEO, and I’ll be working for you.” He pauses. “Andros called me. He’s worried you’re going to join the weekly happy hour… If you want to go, I’d feel better if you waited for me or took Macklin.”

I shake my head. He totally snitched on me. Not that I care; I already planned to talk to Teague, but he must really be worried if he thought he needed reinforcements.

“I’m happy to wait for you,” I promise him. “But don’t tell Andros. Let him stew for a bit, hmm?”

“Whatever you need, sweetheart.” He groans. “Man, I miss you, and I can’t wait to sleep with you in my arms. We’re heading out now. I’ll call you tomorrow.” He hangs up.

Five minutes later, Macklin pulls into a driveway and smiles. “You’ll love this place. The food is incredible. But Nonna is the real star.”

I study the large white Victorian house in front of us with its wraparound porch and a simple sign out front: Nonna’s Italian. I would never have guessed it was a restaurant. He helps me out of his truck and laces his fingers with mine.

When we enter, a tiny woman with grey hair and obsidian eyes walks over and motions for Macklin to bend down, then she pats both his cheeks. “Why did I have to hear about your mate from one of those damn wolves? I treat you like my son. Mi familia. And you don’t call me?”