Page 112 of Witch Queen

Mae stared. “Samantha?”

The woman startled. Recognition flared on her face. “Mae?!”

Mae smiled. Samantha Bale used to be Steve Hodge’s assistant. They’d been friends when they’d worked together in the autopsy labs.

“I haven’t seen you since you went on maternity leave.”

Samantha slowly relaxed. A weak smile stretched her lips. “I got pregnant again straight after, so there wasn’t much point coming back.” Her eyes twinkled as she glanced at the surgical scrubs under Mae’s coat. “I’m glad to see you’re back where you belong.”

Mae returned her smile. She became aware of an inquisitive stare. She looked down at Samantha’s daughter. Her breath caught when she registered the little girl’s features for the first time.

Gray eyes the color of a summer storm sparkled brightly as they studied her from under a pink, fluffy hood that framed a pretty, chubby face.

Mae’s chest tightened. “Rose?!”

Samantha’s expression turned sad. “Sorry. I ended up naming her Rose after all.”

Mae blinked and looked at Samantha jerkily, conscious she’d misunderstood her. “Oh. Yes, of course.”

Samantha stood the little girl on the sidewalk. “Say hello to my friend, Rose. Her name is Mae.”

Mae squatted, her pulse racing as her gaze roamed Rose’s face.

The little girl beamed. “Mae!”

Emotion clogged Mae’s throat. She blinked.

It’s Rose!

Yes, my witch, Brimstone said softly.And that is not just a puppy.

Mae startled, her gaze finding the dog in Rose’s arms.

The creature panting and beaming at them wore the eyes of a familiar they had last seen on Brooklyn Bridge, four years ago.

“Balkin,” Mae breathed.

Rose grinned toothily. “Baki!”

She presented the puppy to Mae proudly.

Balkin’s small, pink tongue darted out to lick Mae’s nose, his kiss full of the gratitude of the noble wolf reincarnated inside him.

Mae laughed. Her breath hitched. Tears blurred her vision.

Thank you! Thank you for bringing them back to me so soon!

“Mae?” Samantha said worriedly. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” Mae smiled and wiped the tears from her eyes. “I’m more than okay.”

She unclasped the pink sapphire bracelet on her left arm and tied it around Rose’s wrist.

Samantha blinked. “Isn’t that?—?!”

“It’s alright. I want her to have it.” Mae took the little girl’s hands. “This used to belong to a friend of mine. Her name was Rose. Will you accept it?”

Little Rose watched her solemnly for a moment. Something flared in her pupils.

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