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Two weeks at best, I thought to myself, but didn’t bother correcting her. “I saw Strickland in the woods,” I said instead. “Funny thing, he was not alone.”
Gran’s eyes widened the tiniest bit and something in my chest squeezed tight.
She’d known.
Strickland’s meeting with the hunters – it wasn’t at his behest but Gran’s. She’d invited hunters onto our land. The only question that remained was why and I knew I would never get a straight answer from her.
Her eyes narrowed to slits and a cold sensation slithered down my spine. “Were you snooping?” She kept her voice low, but it did nothing to disguise the dangerous undercurrent. “Did you follow him, perhaps?” I shook my head slowly, barely breathing as she stepped closer. “Then how did you see Strickland in the woods? Did he sneak up on you?” I couldn’t answer as power filled the room, sealing out the oxygen with a pop. “Ungrateful child casting accusations, but can’t answer a simple question.” I struggled to breathe, but it was impossible as she stalked closer. “You’ve become defiant with the arrival of that wolf. Perhaps it’s time you were reminded of your place. A place you have only because of my generosity.”
I couldn’t move as her power arced along my skin, a waterfall compared to the trickle I possessed, and my wolf cowered, unable to defy her command. I wanted to scream in protest, defend myself, but I couldn’t get off the ground, my knees glued to the hard floor as she closed in.
Gran, Paige’s cheerful voice cut through the ringing in my ears and gave Gran pause. Where are you? I made your favorite….eggs and oatmeal. We heard her moving closer and Gran released her power with a snap, causing me to sprawl on the floor in a heap. Paige appeared in the doorway, acting as if she didn’t see me on the ground, my forehead touching the cold stone as I sucked in a lungful of air. I was worried you would be hungry. You missed dinner last night and when I checked on you, you were deep asleep.
Gran turned, her sour expression lightening as she gazed at Paige. So thoughtful of you, my dear. She touched the back of her head, momentary confusion marring her face. I had quite the headache, but food sounds wonderful. Paige’s gaze strayed to me and Gran moved to block her view. Unfortunately, Drusilla is on her way out and won’t be able to join us…isn’t that right?
Yes, I murmured, keeping my head down as I clenched my fists. I need to patrol.
Well, okay. I can save you some if you like?
I forced a smile, glancing up at my sister’s sweet face, but I could see the cold rage banked behind her eyes. I would be afraid to eat anything my sister had cooked if I was Gran, but she never seemed to notice. Not necessary, I answered, both of us knowing good and well that Gran would throw any leftovers in the trash before she would see me eat them in her current mood. I’ll find something to eat.
Okay, I promised Sister Margaret I’d visit her today and help with poor Toby.
Gran patted Paige’s hand, turning her back to me. Such a generous and thoughtful child, she murmured. Let us go and eat. Paige shot me a glance, looking deliberately at the wooden dresser before following Gran. I climbed to my feet once they were gone and opened the bottom left drawer. Two hardboiled eggs and another can of Vienna sausage met my eyes and I grinned. I would almost swear Paige could conjure food out of thin air.
I dressed quickly as I shoved the food in my mouth and slipped out the window, not willing to go through the cabin and chance meeting Gran again. She was suspicious, which meant she was twice as dangerous.
Chapter Twelve
Caleb
I’d pocketed the key Dru gave me and the longer I paced, the heavier it felt. Part of me wondered why I just hadn’t told her the truth of what I’d done, while another larger part was afraid my actions had achieved nothing, leaving me sitting here defenseless against her Gran. There was no way I’d survive another round with Gran, not without the bond to Dru, and that was a risk I wasn’t willing to take until I knew if my blood exchange with her Gran had any effect.
Remembering Gran lying on the floor, defenseless and at my mercy, her words about origins and creation ringing in my ears, I didn’t have a single regret about taking her blood. I would have killed her out right if I’d known for sure how it would effect Dru and Paige, and I wasn’t talking about their emotional reaction, but what exactly would happen to all that power their Gran was packing. Technically, I still didn’t even know what they were, much less how their abilities transferred.
