Chapter 469: Standing Ground

Margaret left us, presumably to talk with her Council, and even though she'd come around, I was still happy to have Mom alone for a little while.

She hugged me again, not letting go this time as she led me to a settee and drew me down beside her. The segment of her magic tied to vampire power, thanks to Batsheva herself no less, connected with mine and, in that moment, the world opened up again.

Beginning with a very angry tirade from Gram.

When I get my hands on that tart of a bitch with a capital 'B'-

She wasn't alone.

-can't say out of trouble for ten minutes. That was Sassafras, piggybacking into our conversation. I didn't mind. Not even a little.

Enough, you two. Mom stroked my hair while I leaned against her and just let her be my mother. Syd's been through a lot in the last few hours. And none of this is her fault.

Of course it isn't, Gram snapped.

What's the hold up? Sassafras's amber magic snaked inside me. The moment it did, I felt his panic. I thought you were jus