CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT-IS THAT FAMILIAR

While the autumn leaves fell around them, the torches lit up the dining hall where the Hexom's sat as a family for dinner. Gretchen curled her lips under as she lifted her chin and scanned the room for Damien. Not seeing him, she sighed then went back to her food. Her stomach danced inside her as she nervously picked at the chicken on her plate. Teddy bumped his shoulder against hers to get her attention. "Not eating isn't going to get him here any faster. You got someone depending on you now, Gretch."

She smiled as the reality of his words reached her heart. "You're right."

As she was finishing the last of her meal, she smelled Damien's scent coming closer and her heart began to thump against her chest. She blew out through her mouth and shook out her fingers as the coldness of fear took her hands over. When he rounded the corner of the stone wall, Gretchen held her breath as his eyes met hers. He licked his lips then slowly headed towards