Page 158 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

Sawyer

The grass was cold and damp against Sawyer’s bare feet. He huffed and tried to tuck his toes back beneath the blanket, but… grass. With a sleepy grumble, he opened his eyes and found himself standing in the front yard with Pearl by his side.

“Did I sleep walk you again?” Sawyer asked with a sleepy yawn.

She looked at him like he was an idiot. She’d been looking at him like that a lot lately.

Sawyer reached down and gave her head a fond scratch before noticing that her attention had become focused somewhere else. He looked, expecting to see a rabbit or something, but instead saw an old woman walking slowly up the driveway.

“What the hell?” Sawyer darted forward, but froze just inside the first ward line. If Andvari’s sermons since his injury had taught him anything, it was to never, ever leave the ward lines without one of the guardians. He’d promised, and even though it went against everything his foster mother had ever taught him to let an old woman struggle alone, he waited inside the wards and watched her make her way up the hill.

“Ma’am? Do you need help?”

She looked up at him and smiled. Her teeth were slightly crooked and she had deep groove lines in her face. The cane she used was old and crooked, too, like she’d just picked up a rickety old branch from the ground in the woods to support her while she walked.

“Well, now, that depends.”

Even her voice was old. Sawyer had always found grandma voices comforting and he had no idea why. Hers was the epitome of that, a bit croaky but smoky sweet. He couldn’t stop smiling at her.

“Depends on what?”

“On whether or not you’re gonna be upset with me when I cross this first ward line.”

Sawyer paled and took a step back. Pearl leaned against his side. He opened his mouth to scream for the guys and she chuckled. It wasn’t a scary chuckle. No evil laugh here. More like he amused her to no end.

“Well, I’m not going to lie. I’m kinda upset,” Sawyer said.

“As you should be. These wards are impressive,” she said. “Excellent work. They’ll only get stronger you know. Once more of the guardians arrive, your seer will need to add more layers. There can be more than two ward lines. Should be more than two, spread further out from the house. It’ll take a good bit of energy, but he can do it.”

Sawyer found himself nodding his agreement, even as she passed through the first ward without any trouble. He should probably be scared, terrified even. He really should yell for help. Definitely should. He was going to be in so much trouble.

The old woman grinned again. “You’ll be denied sex for sure, young Sawyer. And you’ve become quite addicted to your men, haven’t you?”

“Okay now, that’s just creepy. Who are you?”

She grinned and stopped just inside the second ward line. “I’ve been called a lot of things. But you can call me Mother.”

Sawyer scowled at her. “I don’t call anyone that.”

“Yes, dear. I know. Now come help an old woman.” She moved the final steps and crossed the inner ward.

Sawyer hesitated, but Pearl ran forward and sat quickly by the woman’s feet. She received a nice pat on the head and ear scratch for her trouble.

“Your baby girl is delightful. Such a wonderful friend, Sawyer.”

“She is.” Anyone who thought Pearl was great couldn’t be all bad. Could she?

“Come along, Sawyer. You’re dawdling. I can’t abide dawdling.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Sawyer walked slowly forward until he reached her side. His heart was pounding in his chest and his palms were a bit sweaty. Was this it? Had he just walked to his doom?

“So dramatic,” she huffed before reaching out to hook her hand into the crook of his elbow. “Walk with me.”

They walked along the inner ward with Pearl racing ahead, sniffing the ground for any possible problems in their path. Of course, there weren’t any but she made an excellent scout.

“I’m pleased you figured out your truth so quickly, young Sawyer. I’d expected it to take longer. Then again, I hadn’t expected the dark ones to make a move on you directly, either. I don’t like it when the way is blurred.”

Sawyer nearly stumbled, but was able to retain his footing without tripping them both up. “So… it really is me.”