Chapter Sixteen

"Genevieve Delany Humphries."

I look up to find one of my grandmothers standing in front of the house, broom in hand, a scowl on her lips.

"I think you have some explaining to do." She glances at Jonas and then back to me.

"I definitely do," I say. "Gran, this is my friend Jonas. Jonas, this is my Grandmother Collette."

"It's very nice to meet you, Jonas," she tips her head toward the front door. "The couch is already made up for you."

He looks at me and then back to her, "Th-thank you."

"There's a protection spell on the pillow case, so you shouldn't have nightmares." She says as he goes.

He gives me one last wide-eyed look before he disappears and my grandmother turns her attention fully to me. "Where is the book?"

She doesn't have to clarify which book.

"At the Whittaker house."

"Did you use it?"

"Yes."

She shakes her head at me, white curls bobbling. "How many people died?"

"Two, but only one is still dead."

Gran sighs and taps me on the nose with her broomstick. "Did you learn your lesson?"

"Yes."

"Good. Bring the book back to the house and I will give you the spell you should have performed tonight."

"What spell is that?"

She glares at me and I know she won't tell me until I've done what she asked.

I turn for Julia's house, while she turns for hers.

The lights burn low in the windows, and Julia hovers at the threshold, waiting for me.

The moment I make it through the door, she wraps me in her arms and kisses me… it feels like home.

I could almost forget…

Sighing against her lips I draw back.

"I have to take the book to my grandmother," I tell her. "She's… calm, but I know she's furious."

Julia scowls. Her face is almost back to normal, but she still looks a little… wrong. "How long will you be gone?"

"I'm not sure. But I will be back. And I will try to be faster than last time."

She releases me from her embrace, but she doesn't let go of my hand. "Would you stay here when you come back?"

"Of course."

She twines her fingers in mine and her brows pinch. "I mean, would you stay here… permanently?"

I bite my tongue because I want to laugh and I don't think it would sound like joy.

"You want me to move in?"

She nods, "After two hundred years thinking I loved solitude, I've found that I prefer your company."

"I will… if you are okay with the fact I will have to make changes." I look at broken stairs and the shattered lamps. "If you're okay with me adding electricity and updating the plumbing…"

"I am."

"You'll need someone to repair this place, too." I kiss her. "Let me put your house back together."

Julia kisses me once more and then releases me. "Hurry back."