re's

s appearance transformed b

o keep her safe

lipped into a private room, where I

waiting, pacing in the open spa

f the council," he said without

eased, I want

ing at the screen I imme

y commanded to ignor

ett

"Claire... I'm home.

've been drin

ffled sob. "Mhm... just

new she was

me. "This is bigger than per

my ear, "Don't wo

n, meeting his ga

r now, and I don't think I will

uncil, Betty was my problem now and I wasn'

y's

the cool night breeze brus

e railing on the way but my knees disappointed

quickly turned, and through my blurry

ll, wrapped her arm around me,

a muffled sob ", I

again," she

died me with her other hand at my waist. Gui

I lay my head on the arm

re's

called Grandma out to open the door while

on grandma's face, but I couldn

keeping her eyes open d

ispered, guiding her

ed and pulled the

d brushed her hair lig

or a moment, wa

have unfinished busin

randma's sharp gaze standing by the doorway of Bet

heart racing. "She's fine, Grandm

ilt almost o

ring my voice. "Please stay w

suspicious. I couldn't wait for

ng, I went to a da

tern in the air, filling every force around me u

ned, bustlin

Betty's innocent face befor

erged from the portal, and the

ready there waiting with a great expre

t," he said,

ied, trying to steady my

as on me f

he darkness ahead. "We

down my spine, but I

ickly". The high pri

scent, like it's vanis

e comes. You will know," sh