“The box it is!” I heard her chuff as the magic drew her into safety. “That’s everyone.”
The spell held spirits in stasis, so the three of them would simply rest in their own little bubbles, separate from each other, until I opened the lid to release them.
“I’ll put them under the front seat.” Matty handled the container like it was a bomb one good shake away from blowing, but I doubted the Suarezes minded the extra caution after the week they’d had. “Josie?”
Arms loaded with snacks and bottles of soda, Josie slid into the front passenger seat and strapped in.
Matty had absconded with my keys earlier, and he flashed them on his palm. “Climb on in, Mary.”
Had I done the math, that once the back bench was folded down to make a bed it only left the two front seats up for grabs, I would have grasped the fact I had to ride next to Kierce.
Normally, I would have been jumping for joy, but this time…
“Don’t overthink it.” Matty slung his arm around my shoulders. “He won’t mind sharing with you.”
“Yeah.” I got over myself. “You’re right.” I tipped my chin up while I was at it. “He needs to be monitored anyway. Just in case.” I poked a finger into his chest. “Donothurt my baby.”
“I would never.” He slapped a hand over his heart. “I’m a responsible driver.”
“Mmm-hmm.” I glared a threat at him. “For the next nine hours and change, you better be.”
“Don’t worry.” Josie winked at me. “I’ll pinch him if he starts falling asleep.”
As soon as he slid behind the wheel, I drew up my courage and rounded the back of the wagon.
The truth swirled through me, making it hard to convince myself I had a right to lie beside Kierce.
His past and my truth had collided, and I was still nursing wounds from the blast.
Had he not opened his eyes and extended his arm toward me, leaving me no choice but to take his hand or confuse him further, I might have stood there debating with myself for hours.
“Come on,” he rasped, tugging gently until I placed a knee on the pallet beside him.
There was no point asking when he wouldn’t remember what had left me skittish, but I couldn’t stop the words tumbling free. “Are you sure…?”
I caved under the slight pressure of his hand and pulled the rear door shut as I lay down beside him.
The engine roared to life, and Matty guided us out of the garage and onto the street.
Kierce studied me, his face a collage of bruises, and his swollen lips twitched the faintest bit.
“You think I’ve already forgotten.”
Halfway to upright, I gasped when he slid his arm around my waist and pulled me down to him. “I…”
The commotion agitated Badb enough that she leapt onto the front seat and settled in her cat bed.
“I won’t have them for long. They don’t linger.”
Josie, bless her, cranked up the radio to drown out our conversation, but that made it harder to hear Kierce, whose voice was a raspy ruin from screaming.
With a quick prick of my finger, I enclosed Kierce and me within a circle to give us privacy.
“Dis Pater told me he sealed your memories.” I gripped his wrist. “Are you in any pain?”
“We don’t have much time.” He rested his head against my hip as if it were too heavy to hold upright any longer. “I might only get to say this once, and I won’t lose the opportunity.”
A knot formed in my throat, and I couldn’t swallow past it. A nod was the best I could offer him.
