Page 34 of Guardian of Shadows
“What do you do when you get a cold?”
Elle wondered if Tony was messing with her. “Put on a sweater.”
“No, get a cold.”
“What’s a cold if not the lack of warmth?” Elle was so confused.
“You know, like when your nose gets stopped up or your throat gets sore or ticklish, making you cough. You might run a fever.” When Elle arched a brow, Anthony grinned but explained, “That’s when your body temperature is higher than normal. It was originally thought that the symptoms were the result of being out in cold temperatures, but scientists debunked the idea. A cold is a virus.”
“Oh, then yes, I’ve had a cold before, but we call it feeling unwell. We use teas infused with herbs instead of pills when that happens.”
“You’re gonna get along well with Luna and Solara. They make potions to deal with all sorts of aches and illnesses. They have their shop in Atlanta and another down in New Orleans. That’s in Louisiana.”
“And their mom, Lilly, is one of your parents’ sisters?”
“Well, no. Let’s see. Lilly’s father, the one I mentioned who created the prosthetics, is my mom’s great uncle. It’s complicated, so we just say she’s our aunt, and the twins are our cousins. Lilly is a half-blood, and her mate, Dominic, is full-blooded. Do you know what a pirate is?”
“No.”
“Hang on.” Anthony grabbed his phone and searched the internet for images. “I’m not sure how old Dom is, but he was a pirate a long time ago, and he still wears clothes similar to how they used to dress. Talks like one too. He’s a character, but he’s awesome.”
Tony passed Elle his phone before starting the car, and they headed toward Atlanta as he talked about this strange male. They had just made it to the freeway when his phone rang. The display read “crazy woman.” Tony pushed a button on the steering wheel and answered, grinning. “Hey, Mom.”
“Antonio Andrew Stone, you’re on my shit list, you heathen.”
“Let me guess; Tabby called you.”
“Of course she did. What I want to know is why you didn’t? You find your mate and don’t bother telling us? She’s in trouble and you don’t bother calling then either? What the fuck?”
“Mom, maybe don’t scare Elle before you actually meet her? We’re in the car on the road to Atlanta.”
“Oh. Hello, Elle. I’m so sorry for what you’re going through, honey,” Tessa said much softer.
“Hi, Mrs. Stone.”
“No, nope. None of that. It’s either Tessa or Mom. Now, Anthony, tell me what’s going on and start at the beginning.”
After he gave an abbreviated version of the situation, Tessa insisted she and Gregor come to Atlanta to meet Elle and help with Grevolus. Tony assured them there was nothing they could do and tried to convince them to stay in New York so that Andy didn’t miss school.
“Andy can stay with Rafe and Kaya. He loves spending time with them, and if he misses school, so what? It’s first grade. He’s so far ahead of the kids in his class anyway. Besides, now that Seven has moved to West Virginia, Rafael could use the distraction.”
“Andy can definitely do that with all his jabbering,” Tony joked.
“Just like his papa.”
Tony snorted, then cleared his throat to cover the sound. “You’re ridiculous.”
“I know you are, and that’s why you’re arguing.”
Elle giggled, then slapped a hand over her mouth. His parents laughed in the background.
“I’ve already scheduled our flight, Son, so we’ll meet you at your house,” Gregor said.
“We’re stopping by Solaralun first, so if you get there before we do, make yourselves at home. You might want to order groceries.”
“I’ll handle it. You drive safe, and Elle? We can’t wait to meet you,” Tessa added.
“Me too,” Elle said softly. She had answered Tessa’s questions with a death grip on Tony’s hand. When he disconnected the call, she blew out a breath. “Is she always that... intense?”
