Page 38 of Midnight Rules
“That’s right.” Marric tilted Regan’s chin up, so their eyes met. “Who let you out of the room, sweetie?”
“Miss Esmelyn, Miss Marie, and some mean man who hit me.” The last statement explained the blood and bruises on Regan when they had found him.
“Esmelyn Blackroot.” His dad seemed a little less pissed, even though his power still gripped everyone in the room. He spoke to Iven more than everyone else. “She’s the right hand to the coven leader. Marie is our healer. Former, soon to be dead, healer.”
Iven nodded, but didn’t speak.
“Do you know the mean man’s name? Or even what they looked like?”
Regan shook his head. “He smelled like grandpa, but he was really mean. He hit me.”
Iven glanced at Riley. “You got control. Don’t let anyone but me inside this room.”
Riley nodded.
The dome came down.
Iven closed the distance between them. He held Marric by his nape. “I’ll have the wolf’s name by the end of the day.”
“What are you going to do?”
“We can’t trust the Timeston’s sheriff. He’s a coven member. But I know someone in the district. I can trust him. I’ll have a warrant for the property by the end of the day.” Iven left the room.
Marric met his father’s gaze. “Marie must be checking up on Regan. She’s been making sure he follows through with the upkeep of the curse.”
Dad nodded. “Not anymore.”
“Our wards won’t let her inside the house,” Griffin said. He nodded to Regan. “The wards will only keep out those who mean you harm in their heart.”
That was why Regan could be around them. Regan’s heart was pure, which meant someone really forced him. Not that Marric doubted Regan. But it was good to have confirmation.
Marric met his dad’s gaze. “We can’t trust anyone, except for the people in this room.”
“I know.” The illness had already isolated them. The more they stayed to themselves, the more the person or persons who created the curse could use others against them. They could get into the heart of Timeston’s pack and create even more of a rift, but maybe it was too late for that.
Dad turned to Riley. “You’re mated to a Fortune Falls pack member, right? Their scent is all over you.”
Riley nodded. “Cassius Huber is my mate.”
“Will you do us another favor and set up a meeting?” Kinnison softened his voice with Riley, sensing fear and not wanting to make it worse.
“Sure.” Riley pulled out his phone and typed furiously into it.
Dad met Regan’s gaze next. “I’m sorry I scared you, Regan.”
Regan waited until then to cry. It was as if his biggest fear wasn’t that his grandpa would hurt him. It was that he would stop loving him.
Marric lifted Regan into his arms and closed the distance. Sitting beside Kinnison and Emery.
Regan leaned against his grandpa.
Emery was the one who comforted him. Grandpa might have a deep growl and bitey teeth, but he’s a big softy in the middle. Like a marshmallow.”
Dad proved her point by growling and grinning wide enough to show his teeth.
“Do you want me to hurt the bad lady, Grandpa?”
“I don’t want you to hurt anyone ever again, not even the bad lady.” Kinnison lifted Regan’s chin, so their gazes met. “You’re only job around here is to be a little boy and to go to school after the summer is over.”
