“Well, how do you think you’ll bring me back, then?”
“I don’t know, Dominic. But I’m pretty sure we can make it work.”
“Hell, no. I thought you’d need the resurrection room’s energy. And maybe even Abigail to make this work. It’s not like you’re super adept at the whole resurrection thing yet. I’d feel a lot better if you had some damn backup. I don’t wanna die and stay dead, for crying out loud,” he says, raising his voice.
“Fuck,” I curse. My eyes slam shut, and I run my hand over my forehead. “Fine. Fine. I’m on my way. Meet me at the manor in two hours.”
“No—no. You need to meet me at my house first,” he says, sighing. There’s something strange hidden in his tone, but before I can tell him where to shove it, he mutters, “I don’t have a car right now.”
My face pinches tight and I fight the urge to say that’s karma for carving up my bumper before we ever met. Instead, I say through gritted teeth, “And why is that?”
Silence meets me for a moment. Just when I think I’m going to tell him where to shove it, he says, “It got repossessed, if you must know. Not everyone is as well-off as the mighty Blackwoods.”
My mouth pops open and a pang of guilt stabs me in the side. As much as he can rub me the wrong way, Dominic has clearly been going through his own shit—and I had no idea. I’m such a shit friend.
“Sorry, Dom. I didn’t know,” I say.
“Whatever. We got our own lives. Can you come get me or not?”
“All right, your place it is. Be ready.”
“I was born ready,” he retorts.
“Yeah, and on that note…” I hang up the phone, rolling my eyes.
Inhaling slowly through my nose, I take a beat to consider my options one last time. Because, let’s face it, is this really the best use of my time? What if shit goes sideways and I can’t bring Dominic back? What if he comes back…wrong? It’s not like things were super-stellar with Cat when I brought her back. Part of her soul split off and became a Fetch, for godsake.
But on the other side, I don’t know how I’ll find the information I need to help Wade if I don’t. This is clearly magical or supernatural in nature. And if Diana can’t help me, Dominic really is my next-best option.
Plus, if I leave now, there’s a chance I can get all the information I need in just a few hours. It’s likely Wade will be in there for a while anyway and time is of the essence. I can’t just sit here in this hospital waiting for someone to help him or…
Shuddering away the thought, I rush over to my mom.
The place between her eyebrows scrunches as I approach. “Where are you going?”
“The manor. I have someone who can help me. Well, help Wade… But I need to be there in person,” I say, trying to keep my tone light.
“Now’s not a good time, Autumn. You really shouldn’t drive when you’re so upset. It’s not safe,” she says, her tone as cold as ice.
At least she hasn’t used her “mom voice” yet.
“I know. It’s not ideal. Trust me, if there was any other way, I’d be doing it,” I say.
She stands up, shaking her head. “No, I should drive. You really shouldn’t be alone right now.”
My eyes widen at the prospect and I shake my head. “No, Mom. It’s fine—I’m fine. I need to take care of this on my own.”
“What about the Moirai? If they come for you while you’re separated—”
“Mom, this is Wade. It’s a risk I have to take.”
Her eyes narrow. “You’re pregnant, Autumn. It’s not just your life you’re putting in jeopardy.”
Again, I flinch at her words. She’s totally right, but I’m backed into a damn corner and I have to take control of something.
“I won’t be alone for long. When I get to Windhaven, I’m picking up Dominic. He’s going to help me figure out what’s happening to Wade,” I say, trying to sound reasonable.
“Dominic Crane?” she says, surprise flashing through her features.
I nod.
“He never could stay away from you,” she mutters, shaking her head. She watches me closely, but surprisingly, tips her head. “Go. I’ll stay and keep you posted if anything new happens.”
“Are you sure you want to stay? It might be a while and you don’t have a car here,” I say.
“I know just about every person in this town. If I need to, I can hitch a ride home. Now, go. But please, for the love of all that’s holy—be careful.” She reaches into her pocket, relinquishing the keys to Blue.
“Thanks, Mom,” I whisper, bending forward and kissing her on the cheek, taking the keys from her.
She wraps her arms around me, clutching me tightly for a long moment. When she lets go, I inhale deeply, stealing some courage in the air between us. Then, I straighten my shoulders and head for the door. I don’t even look back at the unhelpful woman behind the counter or the place where the ambulance vanished into the building.
Instead, I go straight for Blue and get inside. The hysteria that consumed me before has faded into a determination like I’ve never felt before.
I will find a way to save Wade. If it means going to Windhaven and helping Dominic, so be it.
The only saving grace in all of this is that I haven’t seen any red threads surrounding Wade or these events. Maybe it means this has nothing to do with the Moirai. Maybe it’s something else entirely—something that can be fixed, if we just know where to look.
I hold onto that thought as I pull out of the parking lot and put my foot to the gas. It should take me two hours to get to Windhaven from here, but
