Chapter 573

I hit the landing, and Rowan walked over to me. “Everything okay?”

I shook my head. “No…but it will have to be. We have to go.” I looked around the room and frowned. “Toya?”

He pointed behind me. “Wendy ran down here asking about a tripod for something. Toya ran upstairs to help her find it.”

Toya ran down the stairs. “Sorry. I’m ready.” She had a bag with her that she tossed at me. “This is for you.” She held up a hand as my mouth opened. “I don’t know what for, but Carl told me you would need it today.”

Carl… “He never quits, does he?”

Toya laughed. “This was my last note, but I think Wendy has one more, and I know for a fact you have a full stack.” I watched her smile dim. “He spent the last year of our lives preparing us for the years without him.” She took in a deep breath. “I can only hope I have as much courage as he did near the end.”

I puffed out my cheeks. “Me too.” I turned back toward the soft giggles from the dining room. I headed back there to kiss my pup goodbye for hopefully the last time. “Hey baby girl.” I leaned against the door frame as Abby and Carly turned to me. “I have to go.”

Carly’s smile faltered for a second. “I know.” She hopped up and ran to me. She wrapped her little arms around my middle. “Please be safe.”

Her words broke my heart. We had forced this little girl to grow up far too fast. “Of course.” I dropped to my knees to pull her into a proper hug. “I need you to be strong for Grandma Ainsley, okay? Promise me.” I could hear her pull in a deep breath, scenting me, like she was trying to remember my smell. It hurt me a little that she felt like she had to.

She rubbed her cheek against my shoulder before her soft answer came. “I promise.” She pulled back and kissed my cheek.

My stomach flipped, and I furrowed my brow. “And what should you do if someone gets in here?” She pulled back fully to stare at me. I shook off the weird feeling and focused on my pup.

She smiled up at me. “Run to the closet door and make sure it closes behind us.”

I poked her nose. “Exactly.” I looked over at Abby, who was still at the table eating a snack. “Where is your dad, sweetheart?”

Abby’s eyes widened for a second, as her cheeks were stuffed with food. She mumbled something, and Carly giggled. She poked me, grabbing my attention back before she answered. “Abby’s mommy and daddy are in the kitchen. They wanted to talk about adult stuff, so they gave us a snack.”

I rubbed her back and stood. “Okay.” I turned away and headed for the kitchen, but Abby’s muffled yell had me spinning around to see Carly’s eyes clouding over, and her tiny frame swaying. “Another one?” I dropped down as her knees buckled.

“A vision doesn’t come when it’s expected, Three-spirit, only when it is needed.” Carly’s voice dropped several octaves. Her voice aged a hundred years as her tiny body fought to channel the vision she was seeing.

“She’s already weak,” I tossed back as I stood with my pup in my arms.

“Well then, this just proves she needs to get stronger.” Her white eyes danced for a second before her lips opened. “The crack is open, but the path is still sealed. When the path is fully opened, then you will know the Shaman’s time has come.” She took a breath. “But her time won’t come if you do not fight this coming battle. Your time here is now done. Run for the bridge to the pack. Your time is running out.”

“What do you mean my time is running out?” My stomach flipped again, and I felt a new feeling unfurl in my belly. A deep pool of dread opened up inside of me. The panic that was eating away at the edges of my sanity started to take bigger bites. And my mind spiraled as sweat broke out on the back of my neck, and I felt my fangs pushing at my gums.

My fear must have filled the room, causing Rick and Shelly to come out of the kitchen in a rush. They looked around the room, looking for the danger, but I watched confusion replace the alertness when they saw nothing. Rick took a step into the dining room. “What’s going on?”

Rowan stepped against my back, steadying me. “We have to go.”

Carly grabbed my face. “Don’t trust anyone.” She looked over my shoulder at Rowan, and I saw something like almost pity hit her face. “And trust in the Goddess’s path.” Her eyes closed, and her body bowed back.

Abby screamed. “Is she okay?”

I just nodded as I stood and hurried into the living room. “She just passed out from the vision.” I placed her on the couch and draped a blanket over her. “She just needs a nap.” I stepped back as Abby climbed onto the couch and checked on her friend. “Watch her for me?” She nodded.

“Amy?” I heard a voice call out, but I was already running out the front door.