I had no words, and I felt as though I was becoming numb to the tragedies around me. It was like a never-ending cycle of grief and pain, and the gravity of it was crushing me under its merciless grip. I had lost so many people in my life, and each time it happened, whether the person was close to me or someone on our team, a part of me died with them.
I was trying to hold back tears, afraid that if I cried I wouldn’t stop. But when Abbey wrapped her arms around my waist, I lost my composure.
I held her tightly as she sobbed. “It’s okay.” I suspected she was distraught over what happened to Jordyn.
“I’m sorry,” Abbey said. “I didn’t mean to hurt Jordyn.”
I squatted down and swiped gentle fingers over her rosy cheeks. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“My magic was too hard to control.” Abbey’s bottom lip wobbled.
My heart shattered in two at the overwhelming sadness in her tone, but more than that, it pained me to see that she blamed herself for Jordyn’s injuries. The black-haired, blue-eyed ten-year-old carried the weight of the world on her shoulders.
I fixed her striped shirt where it was curled at the hem. “You’re my hero. Never feel bad for protecting loved ones.”
Abbey flattened a small hand on my face and glued her gaze to mine before she pulled away, blinking rapidly.
“What is it?” I asked the young seer who saw the future of those she touched. “Did you see something bad?”
The first time Abbey had attempted to read my future, she’d seen nothing. However, Rianne had been a different story. When she touched my sister’s face, Abbey had seen Rianne killing me. That prediction hadn’t happened, although I’d come close to dying by Rianne’s hand.
She shook her head, her ponytail swinging side to side. “It’s nothing.”
Abbey didn’t like to share her visions, and I would prefer not to know. Yet given my recent dream of my dead body in a coffin, I was curious if she’d seen the same thing.
“You know, Abbey,” I said, “I just had a bad dream.” I didn’t want to describe the details and freak her out.
She stared at me in shock, her bright-blue eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Were you dead?”
My heart lurched as icy terror clutched my veins. I swallowed hard. “I was. Is that what you saw too?” I couldn’t bring myself to breathe.
She nodded, her neck muscles straining with fear and dread. “Yes.”
Sam inhaled sharply, standing motionless beside me. I couldn’t bear to see him freaking out. Unfortunately, looking away wasn’t an option.
He helped me to my feet. “I think we’ve had enough bad news for one day.”
“You mean a lifetime,” I teased, trying to infuse some light into the darkness hanging over us.
His narrowed gaze told me he wasn’t impressed with my comment. The imposing vampire was an ice sculpture and white as a fucking ghost.
I pushed down my fear, rolling back my shoulders. “Vampire, I’m not going anywhere.” I had to say something—more to convince myself than him.
Abbey feigned a smile at Sam. “On a brighter note, I’m going to Sacred Flame Academy.”
I had to applaud her for changing the subject.
Sam finally snapped out of his haze. “I think you’ll like the school.”
Jo strode over, her raven locks cascading over one shoulder. My beautiful sister-in-law had changed out of her scrubs and into tan capris, a black blouse, and black flats. “Not so fast, Abbey. Your dad and I haven’t decided yet. We need to talk more about it.”
Abbey’s face crumpled, desperation etching into her frown. “But, Mom… you heard Agnes. It would help me control my magic, and I can learn a lot.”
“You know she’s my grandmother, and you and I are related,” I said to Abbey as my mind shifted, and a cog on a wheel clicked into the place. I knew we shared the same maternal relatives, but I hadn’t had a chance to really grasp that knowledge.
“I know. We’re cousins,” Abbey said with a big smile. “I like Agnes a lot. She’s sweet.”
I nodded. My grandmother reminded me so much of my mom. Both had a tender and caring side to them.
