erased all traces of the children's chaotic entrance. Once the livi

suite at the end of the hall. He was comforting them, settling them in. The sound, o

uickly stepped inside, turning the lock with a decisive

awns and pulled out her phone. Her thumb hovered ove

ac

o call you. How did it go? Did the she-devil land?" Grace's voice was a wh

d of her friend's voice. The tight knot of te

d, her voice low and urgent. "A

ernoon-the airport, the car, the scene in t

ive, blistering curses aimed at Bentley and Cassie filled the p

t help, Grace. I need a plan. I'm completely alone in th

s friend to sharp, focused journalist. "Ok

the living room, the hallways. Places she thinks

an't buy them. Bentley has access to all y

t's why I'm

payment. They'll look like everyday objects-air purifiers, phone chargers, you name it.

genuine warmth spreading through her f

are for," Grace said. "Just be caref

a sliver of strength retur

nto the hallway, heading for the water cooler tucked int

body hurtled around the corner and slammed into

ck, dropping the

at her. His eyes, so much like his mother's, w

witch," he whispered, his voice laced w

ie carried had already infected her children. This wasn't just

w him the monster he'd invited in. But she knew how that woul

id somet

shot out and gripped his small arm. Her hold was firm but didn

he just looked into his eyes, her own gaze so cold

r voice a soft, icy whisper, "th

widened with genuine fear. He had expected te

out another word, turned and fled back dow

go, the resolve inside her hardening into something shar