Page 115
And after tonight, I realized I needed it too.
CHAPTER 33
Rose
When all my family got together, things got loud. So when I walked into the house and heard all the voices and laughter, I knew we had a full house.
My heart filled with trepidation as I walked into the kitchen, Ronan right behind me. Mom and Art, Else and Connor, my sisters and Bram, while Nia danced around excitedly as everyone loved on her.
Warrick and Draven stood to the side talking, and Zinnia and Jasmine were at the center of it all.
Ronan gave my hand a squeeze and went to join my sisters’ mates as Zinny and Jaz jumped up and ran to me, engulfing me in a huge hug. I held them both tight, and when we pulled back, Zinnia held my eyes, giving me a subtle nod.
She was here for me.
To help me.
I had no idea what that would entail, but whatever it was, I’d do it. To protect my family, to delay Death and get more time with Ronan, I’d do absolutely anything. And that subtle nod gave me more hope than I’d had since Death started visiting me in my dreams.
Hemlock, my cousin’s elusive familiar, a sweet black rat, poked her head out of the hood of Zinnia’s sweatshirt and greeted me as well. Jazzy’s familiar situation was a little more complicated and something we were all still trying to get our heads around.
“Hey, Hemy,” I said. She let me give her head a little scratch, then went back to her hiding place.
“Too many people,” Zinnia said and pulled something from her pocket, a treat, and held it over her shoulder. Hemlock grabbed it and vanished again.
Wills joined us and put her arm around my shoulders. “How you holding up?”
“I’m good. I think we’re close.” I hoped so, anyway. I was sure Kelley held the answers. We just needed to get him alone. “Any trouble from Trotman?”
“Nope, and you don’t need to worry about him,” she said. “Just focus on your task, and make sure you stay connected to your magic and your instincts, and you’ll stay on the right path.”
Iris had joined us. “Even if that means standing up to an overprotective male.” She grinned.
“What about a mate? Any tips there?” I said and laughed at my sisters’ reactions.
“You’ve mated already?” Willow said, grabbing my hand.
I nodded, and my sister pulled me in for a hug before Iris had her turn. I felt her tremble against me. “Iris? What’s going on?”
She lifted her head and shook it. “We’ll tell you later, but it’s a good thing, I promise. This is the best news.”
“Maybe don’t tell Aunt Daisy you’re mated until your task is over,” Zinny said. “Unless you have time for a mating ceremony?”
Willow snorted. “Yeah, after Warrick and I didn’t have one, and all the drama around Iris’s, she won’t let you get away with it.”
“Good point.” I definitely didn’t have time for that, not now. Not until we’d dealt with Death and I was sure my coven was safe.
Ronan joined us a while later, pulling me aside. “Hey.” His gaze locked on mine, and my heart did a little flip. I was so gone for this male, it was ridiculous.
“I’m going to leave for a while…to hunt for Kelley.” I opened my mouth to argue, but he kept on talking. “When I find him, I’ll call you.”
“Ronan—”
“There’s no point in us both going when it’ll be more sitting and waiting around.” The look in his eyes was almost pleading.
He was trying to protect me again. It was a need in him that he was struggling to rein in. I was about to protest when Zinnia, who stood behind Ronan, gave me a look that was not difficult to interpret.
Whatever we needed to do, Ronan wouldn’t like it. “I’m not so sure,” I said, because if I gave in too easily, he’d get suspicious. I hated manipulating him, but if he thought I was about to do something dangerous, he wouldn’t leave my side.
