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When I walked into the living room, it was empty. Art would have carried Rose back to bed. I didn’t tell Mom about Mags, it would only worry her, and she needed sleep. She constantly looked exhausted lately, not surprising since she slept in a chair at Roe’s bedside most nights.

I paced around the house, the temptation to get in my car and go look for her was overwhelming, but I had no idea where to look. I’d been caught up in my own stuff for so long, I didn’t know where she hung out anymore or who her closest friends were. Bram would though. He had a better chance of finding her than anyone.

As hard as it was, I forced myself to stay put in case she came home or called Iris or mom instead of me.

My phone beeped and I snatched it up.

Mags: I’m with a friend, stop calling. I’ll be home soon.

I stared at her message with my heart in my throat. Thank the goddess. I typed back my reply, sharing how not happy I was with her lack of communication, and slumped on the couch. We would be having a serious talk when she got home, and I planned to be right here waiting when she walked in.

My mind spun with Warrick and Ren, with Mags and this mystery friend—with the Eldridges and what they’d tried to do.

Something didn’t feel right, like I was missing something, something vital. But Art was right, I was tired and worried, and yeah, heartbroken. My thinking capabilities were at an all-time low.

After texting Bram to let him know I’d heard from Magnolia, I grabbed the remote, and I flicked on the TV to wait for her.

* * *

I jolted awake at the sound of smashing glass.

Smoke.

The house was full of smoke.

I ran to the kitchen, still groggy, coughing. Flames engulfed the cabinets and the curtains above. I grabbed the fire extinguisher and attacked them. Yelling for everyone to wake up.

Another crash came, a low boom as more flames ignited in the living room. We were under attack. I banged on Else’s door and sprinted up the stairs. Smoke had traveled up here, too, and was already thick. I yelled, banging on doors. Mom and Art rushed from her room, both only half dressed. This would have made me immensely happy if someone wasn’t trying to burn down our house with us in it.

Bram ran out of Mag’s room.

“Is she in there?” I yelled.

He shook his head.

Fuck.

“Get Rose.”

He took off across the hall and I went to Iris’s room and threw the door open. Nia started barking. Iris was a heavy sleeper, but at the sound of her familiar’s distress, she woke coughing.

“Quick. We need to get out, the house is on fire.”

I helped her up, and we stumbled out into the hall. Art handed us wet towels, and we covered our faces and rushed down the stairs. Flames blocked our way, and I aimed the fire extinguisher at it and cleared a path. Art took off into Else’s room, and a moment later, he appeared with her tucked into his side. Bram strode forward, Rose wrapped in a blanket in his arms, and kicked the front door open.

We ran out.

“We’re sitting ducks out here. Someone’s gotten past our wards,” Mom said. “Everyone to the cemetery.”

Bram rushed ahead, and I moved to the back, my blade in hand, searching the shadows as we ran along the tree-lined path to our family cemetery. The wards were stronger here because no one else needed access but us. It was the safest place we could go.

Mom rushed to one of the benches, and Bram set Rose beside her. She was unconscious. “Roe,” Mom murmured. “Wake up, sweetheart.”

A fire siren wailed in the distance as Bram strode up beside me, Iris, and Art. Else, wrapped in one of her woolen shawls, rushed to help Mom with Rose.

“Can you see anything?” I asked Bram. It was dark and the fog was thick, but he had excellent vision in whatever form he chose.

“Nothing,” he said, scanning the perimeter, and quickly stripped off as he continued to search. Then he shifted and exploded into the sky to get a better look.