Page 52 of Shadows of the Soul

“An hour, maybe less,” Hudson answered. “Nobody likes her vulnerable.”

“I’m far from vulnerable,” I muttered around bites of bread.

Maggie’s sandals slapped on the floor toward us. “Um, Cora?”

I groaned. There’s one person in the world who would make her hesitate after answering a call. I held my hand out, the cool phone slid into my palm.

“Grandmother, twice in one week. To what do I owe the pleasure? I’m currently entertaining the Principal, the Vampire Prince of North America, the Vampire Princess of the United Kingdom, Aunt Dayna, and the pack’s chief medical officer.”

“Quite the party you’re having while you’re blind.”

Hudson stiffened next to me, because of course he could hear her. The bread and honey curdled in my stomach. How the hell had she found out? “I’m handling it.”

“Clearly,” she said as I pressed my lips together. “Your Aunt Anita is due to arrive with you shortly. I’ve sent my best medic with her. We need you fighting fit for the ball. Can’t have my granddaughter attending blind and showing me up.”

“Heaven forbid,” I muttered as I pinched the bridge of my nose with my free hand.

“Explain to me how you became blind.”

“I–” Had no answer that didn’t involve wildies and throwing Hudson’s secrets out in the air for my grandmother to make them into political capital. “It’s complicated,” I decided on. She’d hopefully read the undertone and mistake it for me being cagey in front of my current audience, not for me keeping secrets from her.

“I see,” she said. “We can catch up once you are better. Where is your Aunt Liz?”

“I can’t see her right now, so I don’t know.”

“Funny,” my grandmother snapped. “When you locate my daughter, tell her to call me or I’ll be paying a house visit.”

The line clicked off. Great, more bonding time with granny.

Hudson shifted next to me. “Is your grandmother always so–”

I grimaced. “Caustic?”

Rebecca chuckled. “That’s putting it lightly.”

“Where is Aunt Liz?” I wondered.

“She’s with Dave,” Hudson answered.

“Oh.” Dave wanted to murder me. I could smell it in the air, like a coiled heavy presence.

“He’ll be okay. Give him time.”

The wards clanged. Right on cue. “Here comes the cavalry,” I breathed.

“Maggie?” an unfamiliar male voice shouted. I jumped.

“It’s a guest,” Rebecca said as Hudson massaged my shoulder.

“That’s all well and good, but when you can’t see a damn thing, intruders feel threatening.”

“That’s it,” Hudson declared before lifting me into his arms. I gripped my plate of bread like it was giving me life.

“What are you doing?” I gritted out.

“Moving you somewhere more private.”

“Not my rooms,” I whispered.

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