Chapter 164: Whole Again
I loved being whole. It was like everything I'd ever wanted to know and couldn't figure out was right there at the tip of my fingers waiting for me. Mind you, the incredible power I'd known the night the Wild showed up wasn't with me anymore. Mom figured it had to do with their power feeding mine. Personally I was just as happy to let that amount of magic go. My luck I'd stumble around the rest of my life doing horrible things every time I sneezed or lost my temper.
Still, Mom and I were both thrilled with the full integration of my other two sides. I knew I'd be a while getting used to it, but the idea that I'd never be alone was pretty appealing.
Surprise, surprise, Brad was suddenly interested in me again, now more than ever, but I was so done with his crap. It took me a few tries when I ran into him at Johnny's to figure out how to shut off his magic once and for all, but as soon as I did he left me alone.
Perfect. That was all I wanted from him.
I wished things could go so smoothly with Alison. She wasn't returning my calls and when I finally tracked her down to talk to her in person, she just walked away.
I had a meeting with Sunny a few nights later, asking about the Chosen. But according to her, the house was abandoned and the membership scattered. All she could figure was when they turned on Demetrius they must have lost their motivation and abandoned their cause.
I didn't really believe that a bunch of fanatics would just give up, but at least they weren't my problem anymore.
I noticed she and Uncle Frank weren't together much anymore. When I tried to ask her about it, she refused to discuss it. And he was worse. It broke my heart to think my desperate need for power had wrecked their relationship and resolved to do something about it.
Galleytrot was settling in to our family pretty well, though he and Sassy had a cat/dog thing going on that was getting old really fast. As much as Mom and I tried to make him human again, we were both at a loss.
The best and weirdest part was the return of Gram. It was like Mom had no idea how to treat her anymore. I caught her following my grandmother around as if she expected a relapse or something and even had to tap her on the shoulder one night when she stood outside Gram's door setting her wards.
Not that Gram was all the way back, mind you. I think no matter whether I returned her magic to her or not, she would always be a little odd.
Pain kept apologizing to me for having me killed to the point where I told her if she didn't stop I'd return the favor. When we sat her down that morning and told her everything, she hugged me so many times with such pure relief on her face I knew I didn't have to worry about her anymore. Mom managed to smooth the whole hospital break over with Pain's mom with some constructive memory alterations, so she was free to study magic and not have to worry about locked rooms and sedatives three times a day.
I know she loved her new life and was thrilled she was a witch. As much as I resisted my magic my whole life, she had tried desperately to uncover hers.
To my surprise, Gram took her under her wing and was working with her on her training while Mom made some inquiries around to try to find out who Pain really was. Meanwhile, she didn't say it, but I know she was planning some kind of confrontation with the High Council. I hardly blamed her.
As for Quaid... I still hadn't heard from him, though he swore he would let me know when he learned anything. I felt his absence much like the loss of my demon, only this time I had support and love and that made it easier.
The more time passed without word, the more I missed him. And wondered. But I never, ever doubted.
The only person I was really worried about was Dad. He was acting really moody since everything happened, spending a lot of time in the basement alone. I knew he mourned his demon life and wondered if we'd ever figure out how to get him back to the seventh plane.
Celeste went missing for a few days and I was sure she left us for good, but unfortunately she came back. Even apologized to Mom and gritted her teeth when she did the same to me.
Hmm. I couldn't help but think she was up to something.
End of Book Four
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Dedication
To my creative partner and dear friend, Renee Laprise,
who always says yes and makes sure I do too.
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