Page 87 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

“Like, take a bow?”

Natasha shrugged. “Does it mean anything else? Like deck meant two things?”

“Not that I know of. But it is one of those words that— well, I forget what it’s called. You can ask your Papa, but it’s a word that is spelled the same but you say it different sometimes. So bow like take a bow is spelled the same as a bow that you put in your hair.”

“Hair bow?”

“Yep.”

So they were supposed to punch the walls with hair bows that some girl named Holly wears in her hair? This clue wasn’t making any sense at all.

“Course, it’s also bow as in bow and arrow. Like I said, it’s one of those words that does a lot of things.”

Bow and arrow. Now that made sense.

“Aunt Calli, do you have a bow and arrow?”

“Sure. It’s not my weapon of choice, but I have one. It never hurts to be well versed in a lot of different weapons. You never know what you’ll have on hand to work with. Once you’re bigger, I’ll start expanding your arsenal too.”

“I think I need to practice with a bow, Aunt Calli. It’s important. And if you could let me borrow one—”

“Not gonna happen, kiddo. That’s a dangerous weapon. You can use it when I’m here to work with you.”

Natasha sighed. “I understand.”

“Don’t look so upset. In fact, I’ll see if I can find one that’s for kids so you can practice with it. Mine would be too tough for you to use anyway.”

“Thanks, Aunt Calli. I’m just— it’s a lot, you know?”

Calli patted her on the shoulder. “You worry too much, you know it? But I get it. I’m a worrier, too. We do our best to keep our packs safe, but at the end of the day, we have to depend on our pack to work together. That’s the important part, Tasha. Remember that, okay? It’s not all up to you. You have an entire pack to keep you safe, and an entire pack of hellhounds on top of that. And don’t get me started on Zaire and the magic stuff.”

“Thanks, Aunt Calli. And thanks for coming over today to help me. I just… needed it.”

“Understood. I have to get going, though. I’m working at the bar tonight.”

Natasha waited until Calli opened her portal and stepped through before running back upstairs. She ran to Ben and Ollie’s room and tugged the notebook out from beneath Ben’s mattress before writing down all the words to her clue.

Henry came in just as she was finishing up. “Another one?”

“Yeah. From Grandpa William. This one’s tough, but Calli helped me figure some of it out. I just don’t know who Holly is.”

Henry read the clue and made a puzzled frown. “Does it have to be a who?”

“Huh?”

“I mean, remember Zaire had me reading that special book of magical plants?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, there’s a plant called holly in it. Let me go get the book and we’ll see what it says. We might have to get someone to help, though. I don’t know a lot of the words.”

Natasha grinned. “That’s why Grandpa William told me to come see him. He knew we’d figure it out and would need some help.”

Henry grinned back and ran to get the book. They knocked on Grandpa William’s door and waited for him to ask them in.

He paused his show and called them in. Natasha was pleased to see that he had his feet up and a hot compress against his back. She patted his arm gently. “Good job, Grandpa.”

He huffed and grabbed her hand. “Don’t know what I’d do without all this fussin’. Might forget to eat if you didn’t remind me.”