Chapter 477

Rick and Shelly froze. I slid into a chair, knowing the night was far from over, but needing a minute. My throat burned from Rick's touch, but I couldn't spare any magic to heal myself; everything I had was needed.

Shelly and Rick lunged at Abby, tears streaming down their faces. "Baby?" Shelly's hands trembled as she touched Abby's face. "Is this real?" She leaned in, pressing her lips to Abby's forehead. "Are you real?"

Abby giggled. "Yes, Momma. I'm real." She looked at me. "Thank you for saving me."

I smiled. "Of course," I winked. "I told you I would."

Shelly and Rick looked at each other, then at me. I watched a whirlwind of emotions cross their faces, finally settling on embarrassment. Rick pushed back from the table, turning to face me fully. "Amy…" He dropped to his knees beside me, his body crumpling. "I don't think 'I'm sorry' even begins to cover what I did to you."

I watched him for a second before reaching out and touching his shoulder. "It's okay."

He shook his head, and Shelly dropped to her knees beside him. "No," her voice choked with tears. "No, it's not. We attacked you. We screamed at you. We did everything but trust you." She looked up, meeting my gaze, tears streaming down her face. "We should have trusted you."

I nodded. "You should have," I grabbed both their hands. "But I understood why you didn't. I couldn't tell you because your tears are the catalyst for the spell. I would have suffered far worse consequences because of my pup. I am suffering far worse consequences. I don't hold it against you."

Shelly broke down sobbing. "Why not? We deserve it and worse."

Rick nodded. "This is all my fault. The curse, the kids, your friend… oh Goddess, your friend."

I shifted to Megan. "She's completely fine."

He reeled back. "She was you…"

I shifted back and sighed. "Yeah. It was me." I waved him off. "But I gained more information than I could have in months at the office." I smirked, turning to Abby. "Down you come." She held up her arms, and I grabbed her. "You did so good, sweetheart."

"Am I really healed?" Her voice was full of hope.

I smiled. "How do you feel?"

"Tired, but…" She scrunched her face.

I smiled. "That's expected." I spun her around and examined the brand; it was gone. "Your curse mark is gone, and I don't feel anything around you anymore." I spun her back to face me. "You are officially healed."

Shelly stood and held out her arms, but I shook my head. "What's wrong?" Shelly's hands dropped. I turned and handed Abby to Wendy.

"Can you take the girls to bed?" Wendy nodded.

"Of course I can." She settled Abby on her hip before turning to a slightly pale Carly. "Ready for bed, girls?"

Carly bounced on her toes, then yawned. "Yeah, Aunty Wendy, I am." She took Wendy's hand, and they walked upstairs. Shelly and Rick started to follow, but I called them back.

"Don't leave." They turned, and I raised my hands. "Tomorrow you'll have all day to spend with your daughter, your first healthy day together since all this began. But sadly, we aren't done tonight."

Rick looked down and sighed. He looked at Shelly. "I haven't been entirely honest…" He turned to me. "How much longer do I have?"

I opened my mouth, but Shelly smacked his shoulder. "What are you talking about?" She looked at me. "What is he talking about?"

I had to stifle a laugh. "Rick, you aren't the only one hiding something…" I looked at everyone present. "Are you?" I looked at Alannah, Ternen, and then settled on Shelly.

All three looked away. Alannah and Ternen exchanged a glance, but it was Alannah who slapped a hand over her mouth and sank to the ground. "No."

I turned to Rick. "Show them." He stared at me for a moment before turning and lifting the hair he'd grown over the infected rune carved there.

Shelly broke down. Her sobs were soft, but everyone felt the pain. "That's why you stopped letting me cut your hair?"

Shelly wiped her eyes before lifting her arm. A brand was tucked under her armpit. "What the fuck is that?" Rick rushed to her side, staring at the brand. "It doesn't look like mine… or Abby's."