Chapter Twenty-Six
Anabelle stood just outside the wide front doors of the estate, the morning air cool against her skin, dread curling tight in her chest. The sky was bright...
too bright for how heavy everything felt inside her.
This was it. The moment she’d been trying not to think about since Kat had explained the Program.
Since reality had finally stopped feeling like a dream and started feeling permanent.
Kat lingered just inside the doorway with Celie perched on her hip, the little girl’s wings tucked neatly away as she watched with wide, curious eyes.
Emmett, on the other hand, refused to let go of Anabelle at all: his arms wrapped tight around her middle like if he held on hard enough, she wouldn’t leave.
“Okay,” Anabelle said softly, forcing steadiness into her voice as she crouched to his level and brushed his hair back from his forehead.
“Emmett, baby, I have to go now. You’ll be fine here for a few weeks, okay?
I’ll see if I can come visit. You’re going to have so much fun with your new friends, and I promise... time is going to fly.”
His bottom lip trembled. “But sissy…” he said, clinging tighter. “I’m going to miss you soooo much. Can you call me? Or come over on the weekend?”
Her chest ached. Anabelle winced, her mouth opening and closing again because she didn’t know how to explain this without breaking both of them.
She was spared when Kat smoothly crouched beside them.
“Emmett, sweetie,” Kat said gently, her voice warm and calm.
“The school your sissy is going to doesn’t allow phone calls.
I know that’s really hard. But she’ll be back before you know it, okay?
” She tilted her head conspiratorially. “And while she’s gone…
how would you feel about having Celie’s daddies teach you how to build a treehouse? ”
Emmett froze. “…What! Really?” he gaped.
Kat laughed softly. “Yes, sweetheart. Really. We were planning to build a much bigger one when Celie was older but now that you’re here, how about you help her design it?”
His eyes went impossibly wide. “Oh wow. Please!”
Then he spun back toward Anabelle so fast it nearly knocked her over. “Did you hear that, sissy?! I’m going to be building a house!”
Tears burned behind her eyes, but she smiled through them. “I heard, baby,” she said thickly. “I’m so glad you’re going to have so much fun.”
She pulled him in close again. “Come here. One last hug, and then I really have to go, okay?”
He hugged her with everything he had, small arms fierce and unyielding. She leaned down, pressing her lips to his hair, whispering so only he could hear. “I love you so much, baby brother. Don’t ever forget that.”
“I love you toooo, sissy,” he whispered back. “Don’t you ever forget that.”
She laughed softly, breaking just a little. “I won’t. I promise.”
When she finally stood, wiping at her cheeks, she turned to Kat. Her voice was quiet but steady.
“Thank you. For everything,” Anabelle said. “I think I’ve only kept my sanity because of you.”
Kat’s expression softened instantly, something protective and knowing settling into her gaze as she stepped closer. She laughed softly and stepped forward, wrapping Anabelle in a warm, grounding hug. There was nothing formal about it, just solid, human reassurance.
“You’ll be fine, Ani,” Kat said quietly against her hair. “I don’t have a single doubt that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.” She pulled back just enough to look her in the eyes, lips curving. “Just… take it easy on them, okay?”
Anabelle blinked. “On them?” she echoed. “What do you mean—”
Something in her peripheral vision tugged at her attention. She turned her head.
Dominik and Rian were hauling an absurd number of bags toward two waiting cars, arms stacked high like they were moving an entire household.
Joshua was already at one of the vehicles, opening doors and rearranging things with sharp efficiency, while Cameron stood nearby, talking fast, too fast for her to catch a single word.
Anabelle slowly turned back to Kat. “Did you give them another one of those Agency tasks?” she asked suspiciously.
Kat winced then laughed. “Ah. I kind of forgot to tell you.” She held up a hand. “Please don’t freak out.”
Anabelle’s stomach dropped. “What?” she asked flatly.
“I’ve assigned them as a protection detail for you,” Kat said brightly. “They’ll be going to the Program with you.”
“What?!” Anabelle’s shout rang across the drive.
All four men snapped to attention instantly: bodies going rigid, heads whipping toward her like she’d just screamed incoming threat.
She ignored them completely.
“Katarina...no. Absolutely not,” Anabelle said, striding back toward Kat. “What makes you think...you can’t just...why the fuck would you do that?”
Kat didn’t flinch. She just smiled, understanding, patient and pulled Anabelle into another hug. This time, Anabelle sagged into her despite herself, frustration and nerves tangling together.
“Believe it or not,” Kat murmured, “this term you’re going to be the only caster who didn’t know she was a caster. We get a few every term, but this one?” She pulled back, expression turning more serious. “It’s filled with casters who grew up in this world. I didn’t want you at a disadvantage.”
Then, mischievously, “Plus… they’re excellent arm candy. You could literally ask them to do anything, and they’d do it. No questions asked.”
Anabelle snorted, and then laughed, shaking her head. “Gods, you’re insane. They may be dramatic and insanely hot, but no way is that happening. No fucking way.”
Kat wiggled her eyebrows. “Because you don’t want to or...?”
“Jesus, Kat,” Anabelle groaned. “You’re almost as bad as me with the no-filter thing. Because no. Just no.”
“Mmm,” Kat hummed knowingly. “You keep telling yourself that, Ani.” She stepped back. “Okay...I’ll see you soon. Call me if you need anything, yeah? They’ll all have my details.”
“Bye,” Anabelle said softly. “And… I really am grateful. For everything. I hope you know that.”
Kat smiled, full and warm.
Anabelle turned and walked toward the nearest car, only to stop short when she saw just how full it already was.
She raised an eyebrow. “Why are you all taking so many things?”
Rian scratched the back of his neck, suddenly sheepish. “Uh. Most of it’s for you.”
“…What?” She peered around him. “Why? What is it?”
“Clothes,” he said. “And things to make you comfortable. We didn’t want you lacking anything. You didn’t exactly have time to pack properly before you, um… left.”
She gaped.
Wow, she thought. That’s… incredibly thoughtful.
Fuck. She had promised herself she’d be nicer.
Here goes nothing.
“Oh,” she said, softer now. “Thank you. I really appreciate that.”
All four of them beamed. She almost took a step back. Jesus. They looked like Cheshire cats. What the hell has gotten into them?
She cleared her throat. “So…” she said, glancing between the cars and the men. “How are we doing this?”