Page 54 of Frayed Owner

I blinked at her a moment and so did everyone else before people had amused reactions. Some of Taylor’s people full laughing, but I let out a few chuckles.

Tracey simply shrugged.

“I love you,” I told her.

“Love you too. Now fill in the blanks so I can go ream that asshole and get ahead of this.”

I nodded. “Alex hurt a familiar of someone who worked for us. One of the guards who wasn’t a complete asshole. It was the first time I felt attached to familiars.” Tears burned in my eyes, but I blinked them back. “It hurt so bad. I remember thinking I was hurt. All over I hurt, and I was so angry. He was a monster and they wanted me to die for him.

“Luckily, Grandfather came over right after and found me about to explode. He brought me to the lake and told me to let it out. It wasn’t like this time. It was probably a blip, but I yelled and pushed magic into where we were. He said the ground shook a bit and he felt magic. I don’t know what book he found it in. He said he hid it.”

“I know where he hid a lot. I keep meaning to start getting things out of storage for you to go through but…” She held her hands out to her sides as if to say we were already busy.

Yeah, fair.

“How do you feel?” Mrs. Reid asked as she gracefully squatted down in front of me. I felt her magic on me. “You’re a bit run-down and overexerted.”

I nodded. “Kinda like an overstretched hair tie. Yeah, that’s a good way to put it. Or balloon that let out the water?” I covered my face and scrubbed it before letting out a watery laugh.

“Let’s get you home to rest, poppet,” Councilman Oliveria offered as he helped me up.

I turned to him, knowing he would understand. “I’m soangrywith him. All the time now and it’s ruined all my memories of him.”

Tears filled his eyes. “I know. Henry will apologize to you one day. He really did the best he could.”

“Did he even love me? Or was it just because he knew what I am? Because I had to be protected? I always thought it was because it was me, but what I told Clare was right and it’s just because I had to be saved.” I gripped onto his arms for strength. “Do you know what it’s like to realize the only person who ever loved you didn’t really and it was all a lie? That you’re that unloved?”

He pulled me into a hug. “He loved you, Bevin. As much as I love my children. I saw it again and again. He saved you because he should, but he loved you because you are special and healed him. Please don’t doubt that. We saw it.”

I let him comfort me and then let out a long breath before turning to Tracey. “Sorry.”

She hugged me next. “It’s fine. I just didn’t understand.”

I snorted. “I don’t normally either. I just get these pieces and flashes, and—I’m so tired Tracey.”

“I know. I know you are.” She rubbed my back and kissed my hair. “You’re doing great. I’m going to go handle this and be your dragon. Stay at the house for my own sanity, okay?”

“Yeah, I’ll get back on schedule.” I winced when I looked at Emma. “Reset the timer. My bad.”

She chuckled and hugged me too. “Girl, you’re the strongest one here. If I felt the pain of neglected familiars, I’d be in the corner blubbering every second of every day. You tried. That’s what’s important. You did something other than break down. You’re doing great. Seriously. I’m proud of you.”

I thanked her and was glad when we went home.

But I blanked on everything and like what was going on.

Right, I had sessions to do. I asked Mrs. Reid if we could hold off a bit until I recharged and got something to drink.

Mrs. Oliveria and Link showed up and she fussed all over me when she heard what happened. Link asked how I was too, but I was still a bit salty with him.

He sighed and scrubbed his hand over his neck. “You’re right, and I—I wasn’t being dismissive. I had another fire I was already putting out, but I should have figured a way to pass that off or manage both. You—go ahead and spank me. I deserve it.”

“What is with this group and spanking?” Mrs. Reid asked. “Or is this like a generational thing I don’t understand?”

Several of us snickered, and Link’s confusion was just the icing on the cake for sure.

I studied him and felt the exhaustion and… Defeat. Something was going on that just left him feeling defeated. I walked over to him and gave him a hug, surprising most there.

“Thanks,” he mumbled, accepting it and hugging me tightly.

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