Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 171: Grace: Not Paranoia

The phone in my back pocket chimes with a notification. I wipe peanut butter off my fingers, and Jer snatches the PB&J with a quick, "Thanks!" tossed over his shoulder.

For whatever reason, he and Sara are in some sort of competition, where they’re counting white cars (Sara) and red cars (Jer). They also yell out when they see tow trucks pass—as if rubbing salt into the wound of our long wait.

Caine and Andrew are outside with the dog, probably still staring at the tire they can’t fix.

Whatever keeps them happy, I guess.

Since Bun’s napping on Ron’s lap and my hands are once again free, I check the phone, expecting to see another Divinity Connect message.

Instead, I see Lyre’s name.

[LYRE: Owen’s place was burned down. Good thing you got out.]

I gasp. Burned down?!

Ron glances up from where he’s been playing with Bun’s feet as she sleeps. "Everything okay?"

"Hm? Oh. Yeah. Everything’s fine." I’m already lying to children. I’m a terrible mother. "I’ll be right back. I need to call Lyre."

"Okay," Jer and Sara chorus.

My hands shake as I duck into Lyre’s bedroom and shut the door. This isn’t a conversation to have over texts.

The phone rings over and over, until finally it clicks.

Before she can even say hello, I demand, "What do you mean, burned down?"

end, chaos reigns. Something crashes. There’s shouting, then a sound

ash." Her voice is as dry as

groan. Now is not the time for humor. "You

car, too. The rest

the

"And the cave?"

"It’s... fine."

sound like she’s telling the truth, though, and my suspicion only grows when she quickly

now? Where did you

reflection in the mirror. Blonde hair I’m finally used to. Dark circles under my eyes. A weird stain on my shirt; no idea where

Not

look as frazzled as I

the

far... hah. So, funny

our current predicament, occasionally distracted by random spurts of noise on her end of the line. It

dwindling into silence after telling her about the flat tire, she

you everywhere, doesn’t it?" she drawls. "Try to stay safe, at least. Let me know if you

what (if you’re generous) might be considered pride bristle. It’s good to

what little pride I’ve managed to accrue shrivels. I’m still too dependent, but it isn’t like life’s slowed down since escaping Blue

a note of dismissal in her voice, suggesting this topic is

with this strange lifestyle I’ve somehow acquired.

line, followed immediately by a high-pitched scream. It makes my

that?" I pull the phone away from my ear, checking the screen as if it might show me what’s happening. "Lyre, what are

Her tone remains casual, as if she’s swatting flies. And yet it

all kinds of

a