Page 13 of The Blood Widow

I wiped away my tears and called on my portal magic. It was on my side today. The yellow swirl appeared under me, so I could slip away outside. Cole’s hand followed, but I pushed it back in before closing the door.

My broken phone mocked me as I pressed call. I was too raw to stay here. There was only so much I could take before I let my selfish side win.

The phone rang once. “Novem, I’m so glad you’re okay. I swear, it isn’t over. I’m already?—”

“Please stop.” My cracking voice was met with silence. “I believe you, but I can’t stay here. You know why.”

I could almost feel her pitying gaze through the phone. “I’m sorry I had to involve him. I was scared. You weren’t responding.”

I licked my lips and nodded even though she couldn’t see me. “You did the right thing. I wouldn’t have made it out of that panic attack on my own.” Running my hand over my face, I continued. “I’m taking the kids to you. I need this to be over.”

“Alright. I’m at the haven where you sent all the people yesterday. It’s perfect timing, anyway. Their parents were just asking about them.” My head dropped in relief. At least all this shit mattered. Those kids would get to have their family and happiness. Just because I couldn’t have mine didn’t mean others shouldn’t.

“I’m just going to send them over. I can’t talk right now, okay. I need a tub of blood ice cream and Netflix.” I stood and stretched. My portal magic had charged while I was on the phone. I could pull off two, but I’d have to wait a few minutes for my third.

“I get it. You do that, and I’ll have the ice cream waiting for you when you get home. I truly am sorry, Novem.” She hung up.

This wasn’t her fault. I made the mistake of using so much magic. If I was smart, I would have gotten them all out of the cages first and made only the necessary number of portals to begin with.

Putting my phone back in my pocket, I made a portal to the kid’s room. I didn’t want to wake Cole up by going through the house. They didn’t startle awake, so that meant they felt safe enough to be in a deep sleep. Instead of getting closer or using my voice, I sent light taps of my telekinesis magic to wake them.

As expected, they jerked awake. It would take a while to get rid of that reaction. When Ben saw me, he scrambled to a sitting position. I already had my hands out to hopefully calm him.

“It’s okay. I’m here to take you to your parents. I didn’t want to just drop you into a portal like last time.” My tone was soft and, I hoped, comforting.

Pen sat up at my words. “Mommy and Daddy are waiting?”

I nodded. “Yep. Are you ready?”

They glanced at each other before giving me a wide grin and nod. The magic was ready and eager to help. The swirling circle appeared in front of them.

They gasped and jerked away, probably not expecting the magic to come so quickly. I gave them a reassuring smile.

“All you have to do is go through it. My friend Bell is on the other side. She’ll be there to catch you.” I could sense her touching my portal to let me know she was ready for them, so I knew she was there.

“Do we just jump in like in a pool?” Ben asked as he stood, helping his sister stand on the bed as well.

“Yep.”

“Thank you,” Ben said, and they both jumped through, disappearing from my sight.

I liked to go with the kids in situations like this, but I didn’t have it in me to see anybody today. So, I stayed behind. I took off the dirty bedding and grabbed a clean pair from under the bed to let my magic charge back up.

I was almost finished when a knock on the door startled me. Whoever it was couldn’t get in here, but my heart still hammered against my chest.

“Novem, are you in there?” There was a sniffing noise. “I can smell you. Why are you hiding? I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

I knew not moving or breathing wouldn’t work to make him go away, but my body did it on instinct.

“Please.” His desperate tone tore at my soul.

My forehead landed on the bed. I couldn’t see him. I needed time to build my walls back up.

With a sigh, I called on my portal magic again. The power wasn’t happy with me, but it obeyed, and, to my surprise, the circle landed in front of me. Dang, even my magic pitied me. I’d take the good luck where I could though.

“I’m fine, Cole,” was all I said before jumping.

I instantly relaxed when I landed back in my room at home. Until I saw the note on my bed next to a tub of blood ice cream.

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