Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 68024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Suddenly, the lights all come back on, and my cousin smiles.
“Good thing I bought a generator.”
“Good idea,” I say with a nod. “I remember Aunt Astrid complaining about losing power here a lot.”
“It happens often with the high winds coming off the ocean,” Lorelei replies. “So, I thought it was a good idea to have this installed. It’s hooked up to the natural gas, so I don’t even have to worry about filling or replacing a gas tank.”
“Handy,” Breena says with an approving nod as the wind howls outside. “Maybe we should head back to my house in case I’ve lost power there, too?”
“We should check on it,” I agree. “But will you be okay here, Lorelei?”
“Of course. Storms are my jam, and I have a little magic to work tonight. But, yeah, get home before it gets too bad out there. Let me know that you got home safely.”
Moments later, Breena, Nera, and I are walking the short distance to Breena’s house. As soon as we cross the street from Lorelei’s cottage, the wind dies.
There is no storm.
It’s completely still.
“It’s so weird how the wind pattern is different on the shoreline,” Breena says, but we pick up our pace.
Nera won’t leave my side, and the fur on the back of his neck is up.
“I don’t like this,” I whisper. “From now on, we drive.”
“I’m with you on that,” Breena says, and we move even faster when her house comes into view. Once safely inside, Breena locks the door, and we turn to stare at each other. “I wasn’t the only one who got the creeps, right?”
“No, you weren’t. Nera and I felt it, too.”
Breena sinks onto a chair and drops her face into her hands. “I’m going to be honest with you here, Luce. I’m terrified. I’m not equipped to deal with stuff like this.”
“You’re a powerful woman,” I reply, shaking my head, but she stands and paces the room.
“I know that I’m a strong witch,” she says. “I know my Craft, and I’m learning more all the time. But, Lucy, this is so much more than that. I am not a strong enough woman to deal with this much fear and uncertainty. I hate it so much.”
“I’m sorry.” I pull her in for a hug and rock us both back and forth. “I know that your heart can’t take this kind of stuff, and I’m sorry. But we’ll have to agree to disagree, because I think you are strong enough to handle literally anything.”
She sighs and pulls back from me. “I want it all to be over.”
“Me, too.”
I call Lorelei to let her know we’re safe while Breena takes a hot shower. Then, with Nera always staying close, I take a nice, hot shower of my own and get ready for bed.
It’s a little early yet, but I’m exhausted from the past week of events, and we were all up late last night with the handfasting ceremony.
Did we really get married just last night?
I can almost see Jonas’s smile as he hears my thought.
How are you, sweetheart?
Just fine. Nera and I are with Breena, getting ready for bed. I’m tired. How are things there?
Nera jumps onto the bed with me, and we curl up together with my iPad. I like to watch videos on YouTube about gardening and herbalism before bed.
Beginning to calm down. I’ll stay through the night, just to make sure that everything is okay, and then I’ll head your way in the morning.
Good. I miss you. Get some rest, if you can.
You rest, my love. I’ll see you soon.
Love you.
I cozy down with Nera, and before I can even turn on the tablet, I drift off to sleep.
The bed is jostled, and I wake to find Breena slipping under the covers.
“I need you,” she says, her voice shaking.
“I’m here.” I open my arms, and she wraps herself around me, shivering as badly as her voice. “Hey, what’s going on? Talk to me, Breen.”
Nera lays his big head on her side and watches with worried brown eyes as Breena clings to me in the moonlight.
“Bad dream,” she whispers. “Really bad.”
“It’s okay,” I assure her, rubbing her back. I kiss her wet cheek. “It’s okay, honey.”
“Oh, goddess, Lucy.” Her voice catches.
“Do you want to tell me about it?”
“Absolutely not.”
I hold her close and pat Nera’s head, comforting them both until we all fall asleep.
“You spoil us,” I announce as I pop more pancake into my mouth. Lorelei came over first thing this morning by car, and Breena’s been stuffing us full of her special pancakes, bacon and homemade mochas.
It’s the best.
“I love that you’re so nurturing,” Lorelei adds. “You’re going to be an awesome mom someday.”
Breena snorts, but I see the small, satisfied smile on her lips as she turns back to the stove so she can flip the pancakes.