40. Chapter 40

Chapter 40

I texted Farrier. Two more Ds are dead. I have a pack for you when you're ready. In truth, I wasn't envisioning a whole pack, but a whole group of loners. I could make them into a new pack, a special one: second-chancers. Farrier would rock as the alpha; he already knew all about dealing with people with wounds.

Next I sent a text message to Grandy. Come to my rose gardens. We need to talk.

I got an instant response. Now?

Why not? I replied before pocketing my phone and strolling out to the shambolic remains. I wasn't sure how I'd feel if it was restored to its former glory, but it didn't seem right not to. David had loved it here.

I paced the charred ruins, blackened grass crunching under every impatient step. When Grandy finally phased out of the shadows, Esme and I half-shifted before we realised it was him. We sheepishly returned to fully human. ‘We need to get you a bell,' I muttered.

‘Like a cat?' he asked, outraged.

You and cats, Esme huffed at me.

I didn't say anything about cats this time! I protested. It was Grandy!

‘Or maybe like a cow in Switzerland,' I countered.

A small smile tugged at his lips. ‘I'm glad to see you looking well. You've been through a lot. What do you need?'

The way he said it melted me; there was no judgement, no condemnation, just an offer to give me whatever I needed. ‘I don't need anything, but you do. I think I can bring back your fire. Do you want me to try?'

He looked confused. ‘But the Other realm removed it from me.'

‘Yes, but I think that was pretty unfair, and I can put it back. Do you want me to?'

‘Does a flame burn?'

I smiled. ‘Okay. I have to pipe you. It'll be easier if I touch you.' He instantly offered me his hand. As I took it, I reached inside to pull up the well of magic within me and hummed a tune.

‘Is that the alphabet song?' Grandy asked incredulously .

I flashed him a grin. ‘It sure is. Now hush.' I hummed it again and closed my eyes. I searched within him with my piping magic for an ember, like the one I'd had. I searched and searched, and I was just about to give up when I felt the tiniest extra bit of warmth. I could feel it rather than see it, but it was there. I reached out to it. Grow, I ordered.

The small ember grew into a spark and then a small flickering flame. It wasn't quite enough. Grow, I ordered it again. Grandy needed more than a small flame, he needed an inferno.

I grew his magic until it roared within him and then I let his hand slide from mine. I opened my eyes to look at him; he was staring at me in wide-eyed shock. Some part of him hadn't expected me to be able to restore it. ‘Ye of little faith,' I murmured.

‘No longer!' He shot back. ‘I believe. Lucy – my God. My flames! You've given them back. You don't know what this means to me.' His voice was thick, choked.

‘Actually, I kind of do. I had my fire taken away, too.' This time, I managed to keep the accusatory note out of my voice.

‘Lucy,' he said slowly, ‘your piping powers are phenomenal. Is there any limit to what you can do as a piper?'

I shrugged. ‘If there is, I haven't found it yet. '

‘Be very careful who you show your skill to,' he instructed. ‘If the Connection knew what you can do…' He trailed off, looking worried.

‘I'm doing my best to keep my skills under lock and key,' I reassured him. ‘It's need to know only, and not many need to know.'

Grandy held out his hand in front of him and willed fire. As the flames appeared, he threw his head back and laughed for the sheer joy of it. I mirrored his actions just because I could. Grandy formed a tight ball that flew upwards and then back towards him. He caught it neatly and I copied him. Before long we were juggling three balls of flame, throwing them back and forth as if we were at a cricket match.

Eventually Grandy let his fireballs sizzle and I did the same with mine. He kissed my forehead. ‘You're my favourite great-great-great-etc-granddaughter werewolf.'

I snorted. ‘I'm your only werewolf granddaughter.'

‘You're still my favourite.' It was a joy to see his smile; often Grandy looked serious and sombre but now elation was roaring through him as hotly as his fire. I got it; I felt the same.

‘I'm glad I could help.'

‘Thank you.' He paused. ‘Do you need me for anything else? If not, I have some vampyrs I'd like to scare the shit out of.'

I laughed. ‘I'm fine. Off you go – but remember to play nicely.'

‘I will if they will,' he promised, his dark eyes glinting with mischief. They weren't going to play nicely, and neither was Grandy.