The winds died down just as midnight approached, leaving us to the merciless howls of the grimwelts. Their pack draws closer, and we will have no choice but to confront them soon.
Kasandra admitted that she was not used to such bloodthirsty cries as she tried to sleep. I reminded her of my snoring.
I closed the journal. Reading of their courtship was more painful than I’d expected. The words didn’t sound like my father’s. He’d never had a sense of humor, had he? I’d always supposed my parents must have been under some sort of evil goblin’s enchantment to fall for each other. But it seemed I’d been wrong.
Under no circumstances could I let Mom see this. It seemed a heartless thing to do, but I tucked the book and the charm in my back pocket. Mom couldn’t afford to remember her past. From the living room, I heard Mom’s musical laughter, and I made my way back to the couches and sat down again by Brent.
“What did you think of my knickknacks?” Mom asked with a laugh.
“They’re nice, I guess. I’m just surprised at your sudden interest in collecting.”
Mom raised an eyebrow. “Well, it’s only a hobby. You know how lonely I get.”
“I know. But you’ve always gone to the gym or the mall or baked something. I’m not sure why you changed. And when you said you collected a few, I didn’t realize you meant close to a hundred.”
She stiffened. “I’m sure I’m not like one of your patients, if that’s what you’re implying.”
“No. Of course not.” I was lying. I prayed I was wrong. More than anything, I wanted to believe that Mom’s new obsession was only a hobby.
Please let it be a hobby.
Brent sat forward. “If it’s all right, I need to go soon. I’ve got classes tonight.”
“Sure,” I said a little too quickly and stood before anyone else.
We said our good-byes without any more mention of Mom’s collection, although that’s all I thought about. As I climbed into Brent’s car, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Mom’s new obsession must’ve been a result of the failing magic. That made me wonder other things. What else had the magic affected?
Brent started the car as afternoon sunlight cast shadows over the mountainous homes as we made our way out of Mom’s neighborhood.
I pulled out my phone and replayed the messages Doc Hill had sent me. If I didn’t find the magical bloom soon, my mom’s condition would worsen. My quest to find the Everblossom had taken on a whole new meaning.
“Mind dropping me off at St. Luke’s?” I asked Brent.
He raised an eyebrow. “The homeless shelter? This is about a client, I hope.”
“Of course not. I’ve got a new home. Didn’t you know?”
He cast me a sidelong glance. “Please tell me you’re joking.”
I sighed, thinking of my near-empty checking account. “It’s closer to the truth than you think,” I mumbled.
“Olive, do you need money? I can give you some if—”
“No, please don’t.” I hadn’t broken up with him yet. I’d fully intended to and hadn’t.
Mom’s new hobby had distracted me from asking for financial aid, and now Brent was offering me money. I needed it, too. Darn it all. But under no circumstances could I accept his help. I’d drawn our relationship out for long enough.
“If you need it, then let me help you. That’s what boyfriends are for, right?”
Boyfriend. He had to use that word. I decided I couldn’t let this last any longer. I’d given my heart to Kull, and no matter how uncomfortable it made me, I couldn’t let this go on any longer.
I worked up my courage as we merged onto I-45. “Brent, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“Okay.” He kept his eyes focused on the road.
“I can’t be your girlfriend anymore.” There. I said it.
“What?” He laughed. “You’re not serious.”
“Yeah. I am. I know this is horrible timing. I’m really sorry, but I just can’t—”
“Is this about my new career?”
“No, it has nothing to do with that.”
“Then what?”
“I—I just… I need some time alone.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Really?” he demanded. “After two years, you need some time alone?”
“Brent, you know we’re not right for each other. We act more like roommates than a couple. We aren’t that close. You’ve got your life, and I’ve got mine. I really don’t see our relationship going anywhere.” I couldn’t make my heart stop pounding. I should’ve waited until I was out of his car, but now he held me hostage, demanding an explanation.
“Yes, I agree,” he said. “That’s why I’m starting a new career. I didn’t mention it before, but I did it because I wanted to spend more time with you. I’m ready for us to take the next step and ready for a real life with a family. You can’t break it off. Not now. Just give me a chance.”
A family? Why did he have to sound so sincere? Why couldn’t he scream and yell and act like a huge jerk so I wouldn’t feel so guilty? “Brent,” I said softly. “I can’t.”
His knuckles turned white as he gripped the steering wheel. “That’s what you really want?”
I wanted to answer yes without hesitation, but my reasons for breaking it off seemed a thin excuse. I thought of Kull. Could he give me the life I wanted? Or would I be stuck in his huge castle as he went off to war or hunting or whatever it was that big, brutish men like him did in their spare time? Sure, he could provide for me. He was the Wult prince, and someday he would be king. But his title meant nothing if I would never see him. If I chose him, would I still be doomed to live a life of isolation? And I still
