43. Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Greg's excitement was palpable when he returned to my parents' home. I choked down the horse-sized vitamins and ate a ginger biscuit, which made my stomach roil even more.

He's such a good mate, Esme said happily.

He really is, I agreed. We chose well.

Mum and Dad bustled round the kitchen making us a roast dinner while the rest of us loafed around and talked.

I heard the sound of post being shoved through the letterbox and Mum gave an excited squeal. ‘It's here!' She discarded most of the mail and held up a publication printed on thick cream paper. ‘I subscribed to a new newspaper,' she explained. ‘I found out about it from a dryad I bumped into at Rosie's.'

I blinked. ‘You don't need to go to Rosie's.'

‘I don't need to,' Mum agreed.

‘She likes it,' Dad interrupted. ‘Being in the Other has catapulted her people-watching to whole new levels. She loves it.'

‘And I get to chat to your cousin too,' she beamed. ‘I even saw your Nonna in there the other day.'

I smiled. ‘That's lovely. I'm glad you're enjoying it.'

‘I was getting there before the clearing,' Dad rumbled quietly. He met my eyes. ‘Honestly, Lucy, I was getting my head around it.'

‘And now we've un-cleared you, how do you feel?' Greg asked softly.

‘I'm excited,' Dad admitted. ‘Having it taken away was just what I needed to give me clarity. I don't want to be ignorant of what my children's lives are truly like. I'm all in, now and always.'

‘Oh, Dad!' My eyes welled up again.

‘Goodness me!' Mum interrupted as she read the article. ‘Did you know about these Black Tourneys, Lucy? Absolutely horrifying!'

Damn right, Esme growled.

I nodded grimly. ‘We've been trying to put a stop to them since I became alpha and I think we're getting there. We've … eliminated quite a few of the key players so I hope that will be the end of it, but if it isn't it'll go back on my to-do list.'

‘I'm so proud of you – you're doing such good work, life-changing work.'

‘Thank you. I'm trying.' I paused. ‘Can I see the article?'

‘Of course!' Mum passed it over. Elena had been busy: The Mystic Informer ran to more than five pages.

I read the article and felt a glow of pride at the integrity and power of the piece. Elena had identified her sources when it was appropriate and shone a spotlight on the dark practise of the illegal tourneys, citing not just their existence but the lack of Connection arrests and prosecutions despite people being identified during raids. She didn't say that the Connection was inept or corrupt, but the inference was strong.

‘Pass it to your dad when you're done,' Mum said. ‘It's certainly food for thought.'

Greg gave me a secret smile, just for me. Mum was right. We were doing life-changing things – and I had barely begun.

Under my breath, I hummed the alphabet song.

Lucy's got the Domini in her sights! I truly hope you've enjoyed Lucy's story. If you want a sneak peek into Lucy and Greg's Happy Ever After, you can get a free bonus scene here!https://BookHip.com/RFRKLDH