Chapter 608: Never Over

Gram's arms squeezed me tight as I stepped through the veil and into the edge of the park. She must have felt me coming despite my attempts to keep her out.

"Girl," she whispered in my ear. "I worried."

"Me too," I whispered back. "Still am."

Gram leaned away, lower lip quivering a moment before she shook her head, frown pinching her brow. "She wouldn't let me near you," Gram said. We both knew who "she" was. And the way Gram said it sounded like Mom was in very hot water.

"There's more to it than we thought." I shared the understanding with her, the way Mom felt and Gram hissed, one hand covering her mouth.

"Miriam," she whispered. "Damn her. She could have told us."

Instead of trying to do it all herself? Not a Hayle trait or anything.

"Her hands are tied," I said as I crossed into the yard, the wards welcoming me home. Gram followed, one hand sliding into mine as the grass swished under her fuzzy socks. I looked up to find Charlotte standing in the middle of the green space,