Half-Blooded | The Dark Child Prophecy Series [✔️]

Chapter Nine: Under Control [Part 2]

Twenty minutes later, I was still standing in the foyer with my family. Not a word had been said. Thomas had brought a chair over for Jenny to sit, Luce behind her. My whole body hurt and I could feel the hybrid itching to be set free, to work out any despair and aggression that was clinging to my thoughts.

Finally, the doors opened and Grandfather and Vraal emerged, Jason at his father's shoulder. I watched as the two men shook hands and then Logan turned back to us.

"Well?" Marcus asked.

Grandfather sighed, looking at me. "We came to an agreement. Serenity is to stay here until after the next full moon to learn and benefit from their knowledge, and to help her control the hybrid gene. As soon as the full moon is over, she will be allowed to come home to the coven house."

"But?" Luce goaded. I felt Mother's grip around my shoulders become snug.

"But," Logan continued, "she will have one wolf of the Hellmuth staff to accompany her for the two weeks following to make sure she stays in control of her changes. I contacted Eris and she has agreed to take a meeting with the alphas for peace between Shadow Stalkers and the Pack."

"That's unacceptable. She doesn't need to be here," Luce snapped.

"I'll be fine," I answered, my voice quiet. "I'll be home in a few weeks."

"Liz, I'm sorry, but we need to get going. The sun is going to be rising in a few hours and it's a long drive," Marcus murmured.

Mother nodded and turned back to me to hug me again. I could only stand there, numb, as I hugged her back. I felt like I was going to be sick again. I didn't know if I could say goodbye after what I had said. And in the twenty minutes it had taken my grandfather to come to an arrangement, I hadn't worked up the courage to apologize for my words.

"I brought this for you. Keep it with you," she murmured in my ear, pushing something cold into my hand. I looked down to find my father's Egyptian rune pendant on its chain in my fingers. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Mum," I whispered, my hand closing tightly around the necklace.

When she backed away, Marcus took his turn. "Be safe. If anything goes wrong, you run. You run and you find your way home. Promise?"

"Promise." I turned to give my brother a hug. But Luce was glaring over my shoulder and I noticed he was still watching Jason like a hawk. When he realized I was waiting for him to quit, he sighed and engulfed me in another embrace.

"I swear, Seren, if something happens to you..." He trailed off and shook his head, focusing in on Jason again. I turned my head to see Jason visibly stiffen, his jaw clenching. But he didn't say anything.

Jenny gave me a quick hug. "We love you."

I turned lastly to Grandfather Logan. He smiled faintly, looking sad. "I'm sorry, Munchkin. I thought I was going to be able to bring you home tonight. I promise to make sure Eris and I do everything we can to get you home safe. And if any of these boys get out of line, use my good ol' one-two on them, okay? I love you."

"Love you, too, Granddad. Thank you."

My mother gave me a quick squeeze one last time before they turned away and the front doors were opened for them. I watched my relatives go and I wanted to run after them. I wanted to go home and take back what I had said. But I had to stay at Meadowlark, for their protection. I didn't trust myself to handle my next shift yet. I didn't want to murder someone I loved like my father nearly had. I had heard the story, of how my mother's council had seen her mauled and bloody body, on the verge of dying forever.