Page 76 of Psycho

“About six weeks ago,” Ma answered.

That was when I when I was still at the bastards’ house in Biloxi.

“I called in your aunt Melinda, she said there was a block of some kind. Or at least she suspected, and that’s why we couldn’t locate you with your hair from the brush or with using our own DNA as a familial spell.”

Shep looked at me. “I bet they spelled the house and when they moved the girls to the warehouse, they hadn’t gotten around to it.”

“Which means they have a witch working for them,” Alec said.

“Not good,” I said. “It’ll make them harder to find.”

“We’ll help in any way we can,” my mom said. “I’m working from home now so I can come out there. I want to see you.”

“I’ll call you later, okay?” I said, already feeling emotionally drained but relieved. “I love you both.”

“Love you, sis,” Alec said.

“Love you, baby,” said my mom.

I ended the call and looked at Shep. “I think that went well.”

“How do you feel?” he asked, holding my hand.

“Relieved,” I answered honestly. “We can go into town tomorrow and get a bank card and a driver’s license?” I asked.

“If that’s what you want, sure. I’ll take you myself. But I was thinking… I don’t think you can get a Louisiana driver’s license without surrendering your Florida one. Where exactly do you think it is?”

“Well, I left it on a chair in Shark Bait while I was dancing with dickhead Deon.”

“Wouldn’t Amanda know where it is then?” he asked.

I nodded. “Huh. I would think so, but when I called her, she didn’t say she had it.”

“Probably not a priority, but call her, maybe we can go to Biloxi and go get it.”

I smiled at him. “Thank you. Why are you so good to me?”

He leaned forward and pressed a chaste kiss to my lips. “Because you’re my queen and my mate. I’ll do anything for you.”

My heart melted.

“Oh hey, I applied for three jobs. I had to use Duality, Inc.’s address for my résumé. I didn’t know what else to use. I didn’t want them to think I lived in Tampa.”

“Well, you’re gonna need an ID before you get a job, so you better call her.” He tapped the phone.

I found her contact and sent her a text. I didn’t want to get her in trouble with her job again by calling.

Me: Hi Amanda. Question – what happened to my purse from that night?

Amanda: I mailed it to your mom’s house. I wasn’t sure what to do with it.

Me: Ok, thank you. We need to catch up when you’re not so busy.

Amanda: I always have time for you. I can’t stop thinking about you and what you’ve been through. Let’s meet soon. I have some leave coming up. I can come to the Big Easy and see you.

That made me smile.

Me: I’d really like that, my friend.

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