To the Rossi Mansion
Heaven
So, he stood me up because of some stupid girl.
Right.
A girl he was getting it on with. That makes my stomach turn.
Well, his loss. Irritation flits through me, and something I clearly know is jealousy burns through me.
I scroll through my phone, purchasing what I need for the thank-you hampers I wanted to make for the quints, but I can’t stop thinking about that idiot.
I hate him.
Hates a strong word, Endora says in my mind.
Have you found the answer to my question? Because if you continue working so slowly, remember you aren’t the only one I can call on, I remind her icily.
It’s easiest to connect to the last dead witch in your line, but it’s not that hard to go further back, either. I just wasn’t sure how many I can open the link to while keeping myself protected. There’s a fine line between confidence and overconfidence, and I’m not stupid enough to try it blindly.
I make sure Endora doesn’t hear that thought… because as far as she should be concerned, I have no doubts. She’ll feed on any poison, any doubt I have if I let her.
I am trying. There is a spell, but it’s not one I ever… attempted. I had no need for it. She sounds irritated.
I scoff internally. Right. I’m sure of that. Or was it just something you weren’t able to do?
Don’t try that with me, wench! You’re strong, but unless you hunger for more, you will never improve, nor will you ever be stronger than me, she sneers.
I internally roll my eyes and shut her out entirely.
I feel Mama has performed a spell like it, or a similar one. A spell that can help you relive things that happened at a certain place. Or maybe not, I’m going to find out though.
Last night, after Theo didn’t show up, I went ahead and looked through the cameras. All of last night’s footage. I made a list of everyone who was wandering around the school.
However, there’s a high chance a witch could cast a spell to mask their presence.
There’s a limit to the security in the main areas of the Academy, unlike the off-limits areas where security is tighter with magical barriers in place.
With the main Academy being shielded by magic, the internal security isn’t as strong because, of course, there are people moving through the Academy at all times.
Staff, cleaners, late sessions, those studying and cramming.
Of course, most are meant to get passes, but yeah, it’s not the same.
It’s trouble if you’re caught by a teacher without a pass, but those watching the cameras won’t know who has a pass and who doesn’t.
And the Academy has facial recognition, so if there was someone who shouldn’t be there, it would pick it up.
I sit in the back of Tatum’s car, we’re currently on the way to the Black Storm Pack. I glance at his back, there it is again, a small smile on his lips. I’ve never seen him so… happy?
Frowning, I stare at him. “I can sense you staring,” he says, turning his head to look at me.
Hmm. You’re different somehow, I write, displaying the words in front of him so he can keep his eyes on the road.
He still turns and looks over his shoulder at me, his eyes widening with surprise.
“Do you think so?” He shrugs. “Having you all back is great and everything feels good.”
I don’t think it’s that, I write, narrowing my eyes, but don’t push it. It’s just me and Allie in this car, and Theo has Renji, Carter and Ares in his.
Jayce didn’t come, although I had asked him to…
Jayce, may I have a word? I write. He glances down the hall before nodding, and I cast a spell to keep our conversation private. Will you not come to the Rossi Mansion? I know what happened was wrong, and I-
“No. I won’t. Let’s not get into that again. What happened has happened. And although many things will go back to how they were, some things just won’t.”
You do know she had no other choice? I write, hoping that gets through to him.
He cocks a brow. “She didn’t, but some did. I have other plans; I don’t have time to waste by going there.” His words are harsh, but understandably so.
Not waiting for a response, he brushes past me and leaves. I sigh as I watch him go.
How do you fix something when someone has been disrespected and hurt so deeply?
Sienna… this one is yours to fix.
“He’s got that mushy look,” Allie says from the front.
Tatum frowns at her. “I do not have a mushy look. Have you seen my face?”
He does have a moody face.
I frown before my eyes widen. Wait… you didn’t meet your mate, did you? I ask.
He simply gives me a sceptical look and reaches for the collar of his jacket. “Do you see a mark?”
I shake my head. “Ok, not a mate, but are you in love then?” Allie asks disdainfully.
“Shall I ask you that?” Tatum asks her with a raised eyebrow.
“I don’t do love,” Allie reminds him.
“Well, you’re barely seventeen yet. About that, how do you feel about turning seventeen in two days? I mean, you missed the last two months of being sixteen?” he asks.
“Meh, I don’t care, it’s just a number. I won’t automatically change overnight,” Allie answers.
“And you, Heaven? You missed your birthday.”
I don’t know, it kind of feels like I was cheated out of time. It wasn’t ten weeks in the Gods’ Realm, but here it was, I write, noticing how he has smoothly changed the subject. Well, I’ll hound him regarding the matter later.
I return to my phone, tilting my head. What to get the idiot? Maybe something to castrate him with. Irritation seeps through me at the thought that he stood me up over sex.
Men are such animals.
I shake my head, putting my phone away. Uncle Leo will be there, I will have a word with him about my outfit, and I still haven’t managed to talk to him about my contract.
I smile slightly; things are indeed returning to normal.
We reach Black Storm territory soon after, and there are a lot more pack members waiting to see us as we enter. Tatum slides the windows down, allowing everyone to see us, and I smile and wave.
They must be happy that Sienna’s back, too. When Uncle returned, so many were happy, but we couldn’t really celebrate it, knowing the cost was Sienna.
Once we are finally at the gates to the Rossi Mansion, and we drive through, the staff is waiting at the entrance, as is Ahren, Mama, Uncle, Aunty Delsanra, and Sienna.
Grandpa Alejandro, Aunty Kiara, Dante, Kataleya, Enrique, Skyla, Royce, Uncle Leo, Azura, Grandpa Marcel, Winona and all the kiddies!
As well as the Westwoods, including the four quints.
I bet Theo sped all the way here. I wrinkle my nose disdainfully.
But, oh my Goddess, I never realised everyone would be here!
Only Jaddati isn’t here, and I wish she were.
We get out, and Sienna smiles at us. Mama is the first down the steps as she pulls me into her arms and gives me a tight squeeze.
Then it’s a flurry of everyone meeting us.
“I heard the visit to the Gods’ Realm was fucking epic, and all thanks to you,” Skyla says as she gives me a crushing hug, a smirk on her face. Her cat eyes glint with a spark she has always had.
“Oh, Allie, I’m so proud of you. I missed you all,” Kataleya is saying currently, as she cups Allie’s face before hugging her.
“I’m alive. You don’t see me that often anyway,” Allie reminds her flatly.
“Still, knowing you’re safe at home and you being somewhere else is entirely different,” Kataleya answers.
“Congratulations on one epic mission,” Royce says as he gives me a one-armed hug.
I observe him, Helios’ favoured…
Thank you. Your god is a little trouble, I answer.
“Sorry,” he says with an apologetic smile.
“Yeah, fuckers,” Grandpa Alejandro growls. I feel bad for Royce.
He is handsome. I realise now I’ve always leaned towards preferring men with lighter hair. Interesting. Stupid, dumb Westwood.
I swear I’m going to curse him. I should hex him.
“Aldona. I’d say you have truly stepped into that name,” Dante says as he looks down at me. I resist the urge to tiptoe to gain some height on him and instead toss my hair over my shoulder.
Of course, however, it’s been a while since I have, try to keep up, I reply haughtily, the words dancing before him. He grins before he leans down and lifts me off the ground as he gives me a tight, crushing hug.
His biceps are bloody bigger than my waist.
“Damn proud of you.” He chuckles before he turns to Allie and reaches out to her. She crosses her arms instead and cocks a brow.
“We need to talk,” she says quietly.
“Sure thing – tonight, deal?”
“You better not disappear,” she warns, her eyes hard.
Dante nods. “I won’t. I plan to stay the night. I heard it’s going to be a long one. By the way, did no one manage to get Jayce to come?”
I think you already know the answer to that. He isn’t here, is he? I write. Dante nods.
“Yeah, I guess not.” He’s wearing his glasses, so his expression is hard to read, but there’s a slight frown on his face.
“So, this is Katriona, and this is Elena,” Azura says, holding up the twins, who are a couple of weeks old. They both have warm brown hair and hazel eyes; they are almost identical but not quite. “My cute, little baby girls.”
They are so cute! Welcome to the family, little ones, I write, although the girls don’t even look at me. I guess since I’m not speaking… I twiddle my fingers, creating a sprinkle of glitter, and that makes them both look at me. I smile as they stare, entranced.
Azura laughs. “I remember Raihana doing something similar. She would keep the kids occupied for ages.”
“I still can,” Mama says as she flicks her finger and whispers a spell, creating bubbles. Jackie and Leona both get super excited.
“And this is Nash,” Corrado says, holding the hands of a boy who might be around one. “He’s my baby brother.”
I look at the boy who has dark curls and large, chocolate brown eyes.
I smile at him, and he hides his face. Corrado grins, clearly a proud older brother.
Aww, he’s so adorable, too, I write.
“Why aren’t you talking?” Corrado asks.
The chatter quietens from around me before Grandma Red speaks.