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Chapter
Sixteen
FROM A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO BERSERKER BLISS
Raising the Berserker Brood: Ace Parenting Even the Littlest Warriors
FromA Beginner’s Guide to Berserker Bliss
Author Unknown
Ispent the night tossing and turning with Thora curled close. Though I hated to admit it, I missed Callen. Eventually, I gave up and grabbed my cell. The berserker’s incredible scent enveloped me as I attempted to get answers out of Isobel via text.
Me: Forget our personal war. You want money? Fine. In return, you leave my mother alone and tell me what I want to know. What is a berserker’s mark?
To my surprise, she respondedright away.
The Worst: Send the money, then I’ll answer.
Yes, I’d titled her “the Worst” in the address book. It fit. And I would not be sending her the money. Instead, I would give her the card only after we traded places.
Me: You aren’t making the rules anymore. I have what you want. Tell me about the mark or go without. What will Callen do to me? And what are you doing about my classroom, or did you finally get me fired?
No response.
Me: TELL ME!
Nothing. I should stop. My desperation was showing, stoking her power rather than my own. But…
Me: I’m not gonna stop until things are set right, so you’re the one who’s gotta live with whatever I let him do to this body.
Zilch.
Me: Are you being nice to the greatest mother on the planet at least? Because she’sdone nothing to hurt you.
Nada.
Me: Why can’t you keep your misery to yourself?
Nil.
Wait! Text bubbles! I held my breath, my nerves fraying.
The Worst: The job is history, okay. If you want to know anything else, pay me double, delivered in three days. Otherwise your sweet mama will rue the day she was born. Tick tock.
Guilt and anger collided. I’d known Isobel planned to demand more. But my job. My shoulders rolled in. I would’ve had to quit to go into hiding, but still. Who had taken charge of my precious students?
Focus on what you can change. Right. I had to do something about Isobel’s threat. Today. Now. She’d finally delivered a timeline. Three days. Exactly what Callen had given me. Coincidence? Or was she in communication with someone here at the castle? The mole, perhaps?
It might be the middle of the night for me, but it wasn’t for my mother.
Finally I did it. I dialed her number, determined. I would tell her the truth. Rip off the bandage and let whatever happened happen. She might not believe me at first, but maybe, just maybe, she would start.
“Hello,” she said in greeting.
Her voice! Tears singed my eyes, blurring my vision. “Sorry, wrong number,” I mumbled and disconnected the call. I couldn’t upend her life with this mess.
Heart pounding against my ribs, I groaned, rolled to my side, and hugged a pillow. And yes, okay, I kind of wished Callen was here to hold me and make everything better.
