Page 21 of Mirror of Vanity

“Look, I know what’s going through your head,” he insisted. “But you’ve got this. You’re a Grant, more prepared than you think. You’ve trained for this, you’ve planned for this, and you’ve got Justice and the rest backing you up.”

His face softened as he tried to instill confidence, his gaze intense yet supportive. “Don’t let the unknown psych you out. The Unseelie Realm is tough, sure, but so are you. Stick to the plan, watch each other’s backs, and remember, you’re not alone.”

I nodded, swallowing past the lump in my throat. “I know,” I whispered.

He paused, his gaze holding mine with all the gravity of the moment between us. “You come back to me.” A rare crack showed in his usual tough exterior, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

I flashed him a teasing smile, trying to lighten the mood for both our sakes. I leaned my head on his broad shoulder, feeling the steadiness of his presence. “I always do,” I reassured him. “I’m like a bad penny that keeps showing up.”

“That’s a penny I’ll take any day of the week.” He drew me in his arms and held me tight.

We clung to each other desperately, as if our embrace could somehow shield us from the dangers that lay ahead. Time seemed to stand still, and I tried to memorize every detail of this moment. The warmth of his body, the steady beat of his heart against my chest, the faint scent of his cologne mingling with the tang of fear and uncertainty.

The sound of someone clearing their throat broke the spell, the noise jarringly loud in the quiet room. Reluctantly, I pulled back, searching Damon’s face. His jaw clenched tight, and I watched as he blinked rapidly, trying to hold back the tears.

I opened my mouth to reassure him, to promise I would come back unscathed, but the words stuck in my throat. The truth was, I couldn’t make that promise. If the Grimoire took my memories, I would be irrevocably changed. The person standing before him now—the sister he knew, the trained warrior, the essence of who I was—could be erased in an instant.

The thought chilled my heart, and a wave of dread washed over me. To lose my memories would be to lose myself, to become a stranger in my own skin. The training that was drilled into me, the bonds of family that held me together, the experiences that shaped me. All of it could be ripped away, leaving me hollow and lost.

I swallowed hard, fighting back the panic that clawed my chest. I couldn’t afford to fall apart now. I had to be strong, to focus on the mission at hand. Yet, as I looked into Damon’s eyes, I saw my fears reflected back at me, and I knew he understood the gravity of what I was about to face.

I squeezed his hand, trying to convey all the love and support I felt in that simple gesture. “You be careful too, brother.”

He winked, his trademark grin flashing across his face. “Always am. I’m the energizer bunny that just keeps going.”

I forced a smile in return, but inside, I felt a pang of sadness. Lately, it seemed our missions took us in opposite directions, and I missed the comfort and familiarity of being together. As I glanced around the room, my eyes met Justice’s intense gaze, and a cold finger of unease traced my spine. At that moment, I knew with startling clarity I was going down a different path, one set in motion by a vampire’s influence.

The realization was both thrilling and terrifying, and I wondered where this new path would lead me and what it would mean for my relationship with my brother and the rest of my family.

CHAPTER TWELVE

The halls of McDuff Manor were eerily silent as we made our way outside, our footsteps echoing off the polished floor. The weight of the moment pressed down on me, and I couldn’t shake the feeling this was some sort of final march. Part of me wanted to turn back, to run and hide beneath the safety of my bed like a frightened child. But I was a Grant, and Grants didn’t turn tail and run, no matter how much our instincts screamed at us.

I squared my shoulders and drew a deep breath, the crisp air filling my lungs and clearing my head. I focused on the task at hand, pushing aside my fears and doubts. There was no room for hesitation with so much at stake.

Justice followed my gaze that lingered on the manor. “We’ll see this place soon enough.”

I gave him a tight smile, hoping it was true.

“We have a lead,” Damon announced as he and Lisa approached us. “Lisa’s got a hunch about some local witches who might know a thing or two about her phoenix. Guess it’s as good a place to start as any.”

A premonition that I wouldn’t see him for a long time came over me, and I gave him another fierce hug. “Be careful.”

“You too, sis,” he whispered in my ear, his voice cracking like my heart.

Brody looked at us. “Grady and I planned on renting a car to go to the Highlands. We will check in with everyone in twenty-four hours,” he stated with a reassuring nod.

Seeing my hesitation, he softened his tone, his brow furrowing. “I know this might feel like a leap into the unknown, but we need to cover all our bases. Stay sharp, and remember, we’re all in this together.”

I glanced up at Justice, my stomach twisting with uncertainty, but he wasn’t looking at me. His gaze locked on Brody, then flicked to my brother with an unreadable expression.

After a moment, Justice looked down at me. “Don’t worry. We’ll be in contact.”

Damon scoffed, his arms crossed as he eyed Justice skeptically. “How you going to do that, vampire? Your cell phone works in other dimensions?”

A slow, enigmatic smile spread across Justice’s lips. “Something like that,” he replied, his tone almost teasing.

Damon shook his head and clasped Lisa’s arm. “Come on, let’s go.”

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