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Chapter 14
“Oh, my dearest.” Mama Jo waddled inside, completely oblivious to the interaction she’d just interrupted. “Come to Mama Jo.” She flicked her fingers back and forth, indicating for me to come to her.
I tensed, bracing for her approach, and scooted away across the bed.
My reluctance didn’t deter her, and she climbed on my bed, stopping only for a moment to admire Phantom, whom she jostled out the way to cradle me against her bosom.
“Did those panthers hurt you?” she asked.
“Mama Jo,” I protested, unable to breathe, reaching for her arm to push her back.
“There, there,” she said, rocking me, cracking my neck in the process as I strained against her, my palms against her arms, pushing with all my might.
Sea God, she was mighty strong for a little woman…but then again I was weak and unfit after being confined to a cage for so long. But each day I got vigorous.
Mama Jo was always mothering me, even when she knew I didn’t like it—especially when she suffocated me. Strangely enough, her coddling reminded me of my father in a way. Both were fiercely protective…would murder anyone who harmed someone they loved. I guessed that, in and of itself, was strangely endearing.
“Who are you, handsome?” Mama Jo said, extending one hand in greeting, allowing me to half escape before her free hand clamped down on one of my arms. “We haven’t met. The name’s Mama Jo.”
“Hello,” Phantom said, and by the sound of his voice, I could tell he was torn between saving me and doing the polite thing.
“Sorry to intrude, Snow.” Grimm’s voice was muffled, as one of my ears was jammed against Mama’s ample breast.
“For the love of ale,” Teeny said. “Let Snow go, Mama Jo. You’re smothering her.”
“I’ll have your tongue,” Mama Jo shot back. “Look at her. She’s as white as a ghost. Poor thing is scared half to death.” She shook me as if I was a child.
No amount of resistance on my part got me free from her hold.
“That’s her normal skin tone,” Teeny said.
Teeny clamped down on one of her arms while Phantom wrapped his arms around her chest, pulling her backward. Mama’s grip on me loosened, and I wriggled free.
“Let me go, you fiend,” she cried, swatting at Teeny while winking at Phantom.
Had my wrists and neck not ached from her grasp, the situation might have been comical. Phantom’s eyes glittered with amusement as he heaved and dragged stout, little Mama backward. She grunted, her grip slipping, and once she lost the battle, she, Teeny, and the panther fell backward.
I rubbed my neck where she’d almost pulled off my skin. “I’m fine, Mama,” I said, trying to reassure her and prevent another succubus attack.
Reluctance crept into her eyes. I knew she wanted to grab me again. But she had to learn to investigate first, hug later.
“Oh, my,” she said, running her hand along Phantom’s arm. “What strong arms you have.”
Grimm stood at the foot of my bed, frowning.
“Almost as strong as you, my dear husband,” Mama Jo added, scurrying to stand beside him, giving him a pat on his forearm.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here to deal with the panthers,” Grimm said, keeping it professional as always. “But another matter required my attention. I came to let you know the panthers have been transferred to the cells. I’m about to go question them.”
My stomach twisted into knots at the idea of Shadow incarcerated. He didn’t deserve such a fate. “They can’t stay in the cells,” I said. “What about their wounds?”
“A healer will tend to them several times a day,” Grimm said. “They will be well cared for and the fae dust will heal their wounds. We cannot free them from the cells and risk them harming you.”
Storing them in a cold, dark cell was not humane, not when they had no say in being the witch’s captive slaves.
I got off my bed. “I’m going with you.”
“That’s not a good idea, Snow,” Grimm replied.
