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I find the door unlocked, and Red lying on the floor next to it. She’s wrapped in a towel and shivering. It’s cold in here, even with the steam from her shower lingering. Before I can even call to Luca or Orym along the bond, they’re crouched next to me.
“She doesn’t look hurt. I don’t know what happened. She took a shower, but the water’s been off for a while,” I say.
Luca looks between us. “Orym, help Ryland back to bed. I’ll get Red. I think I know what’s happened here. Hopefully she’ll wake up soon.” He scoops her up and carries her back to bed. I let Orym help me stand up and walk into the bedroom.
“Will you get her dressed so she stays warm?” I ask. Orym nods and starts gathering clothes for Red. Then I look at Luca. “What do you think happened?”
“I think she projected again. When Vincent was found, she did it accidentally, and took me with her. I suspect it’s happened again. I just hope she can figure out how to get back. Last time, Trevan had to push us.” Luca’s explanation does little to quell the nerves rising inside of me. I’m worried that this is one of Amber’s tricks.
“Should we call him to see if there’s anything he can do to help?” I don’t know what else to try, since I’m not familiar with this particular power of hers.
Orym carefully dresses Red in comfy clothes before tucking her into the bed. I need a shower too, but I won’t leave her like this, even if I know she won’t be alone. He pulls out his phone and types a message. A responding ding indicates that his text was answered quickly.
“Trevan says he’s on his way, and he’s bringing Grammy. Maybe they can figure out what’s happened to Garnet. Should I text James and let him know what’s going on?” Orym tucks the phone back into his pocket without waiting for my response.
I shake my head. “We should let him concentrate on whatever Dec has him doing right now. He needs to control his vamp urges so that he can live here with us. Otherwise, I’m not sure what we’ll have to do. We can’t have him racing back to see her and end up killing innocent wolves because he got hungry.”
I don’t like that thought, but it’s the truth. James is dangerous right now.
ORYM
I don’t feel good about leaving James out of the loop with what’s happening. I do understand Ryland’s opinion. James isn’t much good to us if he can’t learn to control his vamp urges. And we all know that sometimes that’s harder to get the hang of than people would like.
I’m still surprised that Dec thinks James will be okay to come back tonight. All we can do is wait and see. Trevan and Grammy don’t bother to knock when they arrive, and I wonder how they got here so quickly.
“I’m sorry, love, those portals are a bit tricky to get used to. But it really was the safest way to get here.” I overhear Trevan apologizing to Grammy, and their speed makes sense.
Luca opens the bedroom door and ushers them inside. “How long has she been like this?” Trevan asks.
Before we can answer, Garnet starts to stir. She groans and I worry that she hit her head when this episode started. When she opens her eyes, they’re completely white. She climbs from the bed and grabs a marker from the dresser.
“Not this shit again,” Ryland says with a sigh. “It took seven coats of paint to cover that the last time.”
We watch as she starts to draw symbols on the walls. Trevan steps up behind her and examines them. “You won’t want to paint over these. Are they the same thing she drew last time?” he asks.
“Yeah. They look the same. I’m guessing you know what they mean?” I can’t help questioning him. We need to know what we’re dealing with.
“You shouldn’t have covered them the last time. But you couldn’t have known what they meant. It’s okay.” He pauses, then continues. “They’re protection runes. These specific ones were created by our Fae elders. You said this has happened before? Tell me about it.”
“She appeared to be sleepwalking and started writing on the wall, just like this. But she didn’t remember doing it.” Luca paused and exchanged a look with Grammy. “She’s been doing it off and on for the better part of a year. We didn’t know they were for protection, so I covered them up every time. I’m sorry.”
“Apologies are useless here. We have to concentrate of keeping my daughter safe and making sure she can defeat Amber. Where is her other mate? She needs all of you,” Trevan says, looking around the room frantically.
“There was an incident. He’s with his brother, learning how to be a vampire,” I explain carefully.
I expect shock or confusion, but Trevan nods as if I’ve said James is at the market. “Perfect. Things are progressing exactly as they’re meant to, then. I’m sure she’ll be relieved when he gets back.”
“Why does it feel like you know things that you aren’t sharing?” Ryland glares at him.
“Probably because I know things that I’m unable to share with you. That would be my best guess.”
GARNET
I shake off the vision and open my eyes to find myself writing on the walls again. Fuck. Ry is gonna be pissed. I thought this stuff was behind us. I turn to see him staring at me. “I’m so sorry, Ry. I’ll take care of it, I promise.”
He reaches a hand out for me, and I go to him. “You won’t. We’re going to leave them, just like we should have the first time. I’m sorry that I didn’t understand you were trying to protect us.”
“Wait, those are protection symbols?” I’m so confused. I glance around the room and realize that my father and Grammy are here. “What’s happened? Is James okay?” My heart races and I feel my chest constricting.
