Page 149 of Demise

I can’t believe she’s alive. My mom. She’s been alive all this time. There are a million things running through my head, thousands of questions. Yet, one stands out above the rest. Why did she fake her death? Or I guess, more importantly, why did she leave me behind?

Wesley is driving with Ronan in the front seat, Vincent and I in the back, and Liam and Asher in the center row. We passed the road that takes us to the cabin we stayed at for Christmas about an hour ago. I can’t help but smile as I think about the memories we made over that weekend. I’d do anything to go back and relive it all over again. Maybe someday.

We can only stay one night before Liam has to have dinner with Maryia’s parents, something he is most definitely not looking forward to. Ronan looked up some hotels near the address we were given and chose a suite so we could all be in the same room together.

I’m not sure what will await us when we get to my mom’s house. Will my real dad be there? Are they still together? Where does Henry fit into this puzzle? I’m honestly a little irritated that she dropped several bombshells on me and then vanished. I’m trying not to jump to conclusions, to allow her the chance to explain herself, but being anxious is putting it lightly for how I’m feeling.

The GPS announces that we’ve arrived at our destination, but we all frown when we see that it’s just a long dirt road off the highway.

“You sure you punched it in right?” Ronan asks Wesley.

Wes rolls his eyes and nods as he slowly turns down the road.

“What if this is a trap?” Asher asks.

The vehicle is silent as Wesley creeps down the heavily wooded driveway.

“I’m just saying.” Asher continues. “She has ties with witches, clearly. Who’s to say she isn’t trying to hurt Skyla? Or one of us? Hell, all of us.”

“She’s my mother,” I defend.

Asher turns to look at me with a shake of his head. “And if there is anything all of us can agree on, it’s that parents suck, princess.”

I frown at that, doing my best not to let Asher’s negativity seep in. After a quarter mile or so, the trees break free and my jaw unhinges when I look out at the land before us. There are at least fifteen little cottages sprawling across acres and acres of cleared land. It’s like a fairytale meadow or something. There are several large gardens with plants, fruits and vegetables growing. There are also several outdoor seating areas, like a large community center.

“What the fuck? Did we just walk into a commune?” Liam asks.

“Commune of witches,” Asher adds.

“A Coven, morons,” Ronan corrects.

“I don’t like this,” Vincent murmurs.

I turn to him and frown. “Why?”

“No good escape routes. The car could be easily sabotaged, then we are out in the open with no cover until the tree line.”

I snort and shake my head because they are all being ridiculous…aren’t they? Unease settles inside me as we pull up to the main parking area. We put the car in park as several people begin walking towards us. Oh god.

Wesley is the first to get out of the car, followed by Ronan and Asher. Liam lags behind a bit, and when I try to get out, Vincent forces me back into my seat. I glare at him, but he only shakes his head as he watches the guys intently.

“Who are you?” a man with a long brown beard asks.

“Just take a look at them, Anthony. You know who they are,” a red-headed woman hisses.

“You are not welcome here!” another woman shouts.

All the guys stand tall, unmoving, when my mother walks through the crowd. More like she walks, and the crowd practically separates for her.

“I invited them,” she says as her eyes scan the guys before she frowns.

“G,” the redhead whispers so loud that even I can hear her. “You may have doomed us all.”

She gives her a tight smile and holds her hand.

“Trust me?”

The woman sighs before nodding, and Vincent climbs forward to get out of the car, grabbing my hand so I follow behind. When my feet land, I hear a soft gasp escape, several people before my mother smiles, opening her arms for me. I run to her immediately, reveling in the feel of her arms around me. We stay that way for an awkward amount of time for everyone else, but I don’t think it’ll ever be enough for me.

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