Broken Curse

12

Once he’d driven off, I blew out a breath. “This will be fun.”

“I guess we won’t be making it home tonight,” Samuel pouted.

“Actually, you three need to.” It wasn’t safe for them here, especially since the pack knew they were witches. “He wants to separate us.”

“You need both vehicles, though.” Amethyst sipped her water.

“That’s what rentals are for.” Beth pointed at me. “Am I right?”

Lord knew I needed that smile right now. “Yes, ma’am. You are.”

“That works,” Coral said. “I feel like we’re abandoning you, though. You could be walking into a trap.”

“Maybe … possibly … But you guys can come back tomorrow.” We didn’t have much of a choice. We needed to find that girl, and for all we knew, The Hallowed Guild pack had her. “I can give Jacob a call and get a feel for where Prescott is.”

“No, that would be too suspicious,” Aidan growled.

He was right. I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking about your feelings.

No, you’re mine. I need to calm down over it, but it really would be too suspicious.

“Maybe call your parents,” Beth suggested. “It’s been a few days anyway. They could know something. After all, Prescott jumped Jacob.”

I hadn’t even considered that avenue, and my parents would appreciate a call.

The outside porch door opened, and the server carried out the group’s food. Now we needed to eat and stop talking due to prying ears.

Our group got situated in a Holiday Inn Express, and we left the marked wolves and their friends behind as Aidan, Beth, and I drove the witches to a rental place nearby.

“Are you sure this is the best decision?” Amethyst shifted in her seat, clearly not happy with them splitting from our group.

“No, I’m not.” She already knew how I felt, which was why she was pushing the issue. “But if you stay, things could take a turn for the worse, and we have to find the girl. This is the best option, even if it isn’t ideal.”

“She’s right.” Aidan glanced in the rearview mirror. “But if you don’t want to go all the way back to Columbus, you can find a hotel and stay the night thirty minutes away from here. That way, you’ll be close, but if they track down our hotel, you won’t be there.”

“That I can work with.” Coral stared out her window as we pulled into a car rental place. “I was going to talk Amethyst into not going far anyway. You all may need us.”

“And that’s why we get along so well,” Beth snorted. “Because had I been in your shoes, I’d have done the same thing.”

“Yeah, we’ll be close by,” Samuel grumbled from the very backseat. “We’re in this together.”

For them to fight to stay by our side proved that even if we weren’t blood relatives, we were truly a family. “Okay, but you need to stay put and not venture out. A wolf from their pack could work nearby since it’s not far away. The last thing we need is for a wolf to see you and call Prescott or his father.”

“We can order pizza or something for dinner.” Amethyst grabbed her red purse from the footwell.

Aidan pulled into a parking spot. “Sounds like a plan. We’ll call you when we get back to our hotel for the night.”

“We need to get moving in case someone is following us.” I hated leaving them alone, but the sooner they put distance between us, the better.

“No, it’s fine.” Amethyst opened the door. “We’ll text you once we’re settled in.”

Within minutes, our vehicle was pulling out of the parking lot, and Aidan turned the Suburban back toward the hotel to meet with the others.

“I should probably call Mom.” I pulled my phone from my pocket and dialed her number. Like always, she answered by the second ring.

“Emma?” Her hopeful voice filled my ear.

“Hey, Mom.” It’d been a few days since I’d called her. “How are you?”

“Worried sick about you. It’s been weeks since you called.” She sounded hurt.

Oh, damn. I’d thought it had only been days. “I’m sorry. It’s been a little crazy. We’re doing okay.”

“Good. Do you think you can come home soon?”

“I’m not sure. I hope so.” This situation wasn’t ideal. “How’s Jacob doing?”

“Surprisingly well.” Her tone turned cold. “He forgave his roommate, which was asinine of him. I’d thought he was smart, but it doesn’t matter. He’s not my worry right now. Apparently, he has a game several hours away. I think in Kentucky this weekend.”

Okay, that was good news. They wouldn’t be near us. The last pack that attacked us was your father’s, right?

Yeah. Aidan sighed. It was my former pack, but either way, they couldn’t really see us since we were in the car when they came through. Most of them were in the woods, so this pack could’ve been involved too. As long as they don’t link me to Dad’s pack, we should be fine.

“You and Dad are staying close to the pack and not leaving, right?” I didn’t want the Murphy pack to get a hold of them and use them against me. They were my main weakness, outside of Aidan.

“Yes, we’ve been staying at home.” She chuckled. “I could get used to people getting my groceries for me.”

She’d always despised going to the grocery store, so she wasn’t kidding. “Well, I’m glad I could help you there.”

“No, I’d rather have you here with me.” A small sob escaped her.

And this was why I’d put off calling her. It made the whole situation worse, but I hated hearing her like this. “I miss you too.” I meant every single word. “I promise to call more often.”

“Please do.” She sniffed. “I love you, baby girl.”

“I love you too.” I pulled the phone away from my face. “Bye.” Then, I pressed END.

“At least we don’t have to worry about the dumbass being there tonight.” Beth sank into her seat and closed her eyes. “At some point, we’ll actually be able to rest again, right?”

“I’m sorry I dragged you into this.” Her being my roommate back at the university had become a major disadvantage for her.

“Girl, this is the most exciting thing that’s ever happened in my life.” Beth yawned and stretched her arms over her head.