Page 91 of Witchy Woman

“I’d agree with that, but it would be dismissive of Hazel and Grandma.”

She tucks a lock of hair behind her ear. “That’s also fair. I owe you all a lifetime of apologies, and it’s only thanks to you that I have that opportunity.”

Anger rises again. That opportunity almost came at the cost of my life, and at the cost of Ash.

“Listen to me. Ash could have died because of you. And I did almost die because of you. Whatever amends you have to make burned up in the flames I pulled you from. You may have given me life twenty-one years ago, but I saved yours. I don’t owe you anything—including forgiveness.”

I expect pain in her eyes, or some cutting remark, but the woman in front of me just takes it.

“I’ll be here if you ever want to try,” she replies. “Regardless, though, we do need to plan for Draven. Freeing me—and your father—is going to set him off.”

I roll my eyes. “Obviously.”

“We’re going to need your sister.”

“Hazel just went outside to cool off for a second. Not that I blame her.”

Mom blows out a frustrated breath and shakes her head. “I didn’t mean her, Laura. I meant youreldestsister.”

Chapter 41

Burn-Induced Hearing Loss

“My eldestwhatnow?” I better be mishearing things, because there can’t be another explanation.

Situational trauma.

Hallucinations.

Burn-induced hearing loss.

“We should get your grandmother and Hazel back inside.” With that, she stands up and walks from the room, leaving me with a bombshell the size of a human.

A sister-human.

“Did I hear that right?” Ash asks as he comes in.

I groan. “You’re such an eavesdropper.”

“You weren’t exactly being quiet.” Hepssts to Belle as he sits down, and she hops up on the bed and snuggles into my other side. “Who do you think the surprise sister’s baby daddy is?”

I groan again, closing my eyes. “While I’m normally a slut for some good tea, I am not emotionally equipped for this right now.”

He chuckles, the sound drawing my gaze to his clean-shaven face. That’s going to take some getting used to.

I have no idea how to process this—if I’m even understanding it correctly. I’ve been through too much and I can practically hear my brain screaming for a break.

Even after the few days of unconsciousness.

The door bursts open in a torrent of wind with Hazel close behind. “Laura!”

Her relief—her genuine happiness—slices through me like a knife. I never want to make her worry like this again. I never want to makeanyof them worry like this again.

Ash’s hand squeezes mine, compounding the guilt tenfold. I will be better for him.

Noah offers his own concerned grin, but it’s Grandma who captures my attention. She drags her feet in a way that would’ve earned me a cutting remark like ‘Ladies don’t shuffle’ only days before.

She never wore a lot of makeup, but her skin is bare now. Fatigue imbedded in every wrinkle. She hasn’t slept since the ritual to save Mom, that much is certain.