Chapter 67

Grace

I had been in classes for almost a week now, and while I was burning the candle at both ends and all of the midnight oil, I didn't feel as run down as I thought I should. I was almost driven not to go home, knowing that I would just be sleeping in Charles' empty bed, and every day I did, his scent faded a little more. I scoffed at myself and drank some more coffee.

Get a grip, Grace.

I was not that needy. I couldn't be. The sterile hum of fluorescent lights greeted me as I entered Wolfe Medical, fresh from a day of lectures and ready to burn some more midnight oil on research. I had gotten ahead with my homework a little, so I was hoping to be a little more helpful.

What awaited me, however, wasn't what I expected.

Margaret was waiting in the lobby with a woman with dark hair and skin and a truly other-worldly glow about her. There was a tattoo that gleamed like gold on her hands. My receptionist seemed spooked, but Margaret was sitting with her, chatting.

She looked up, and her eyes sparkled with a mixture of excitement and anticipation, a clear contrast to her usually stoic demeanor.

"Grace! I'd like you to meet someone." Margaret stood as the woman did. "When I ask for backup, it seems I get a full army."

The woman laughed, a soft, sultry, beguiling thing. As I turned my attention to the woman standing beside Margaret, I was struck by her aura of confidence and a certain air of mystique that surrounded her. Her eyes were a deep swirling green like Charles', but not. She carried a briefcase and smiled at me.

"This is the very talented, very hard to get a hold of Seraphina Ravenwood," Margaret continued. "She specializes in magical formulations. We knew each other from our time at school."

My jaw dropped. "The Seraphina Ravenwood?"

Seraphina extended a hand toward me. "I'm at least one of them. It's a pleasure to meet you, Grace."

I took her hand and shook it warmly, struck by the strength in her grip. "You wrote that paper, Etheric Distillations, right?"

"I'm flattered you know my work."

I couldn't believe it. Her paper had been part of how I'd started my work on the drug. Most of it, actually. I couldn't get access to any of her other work in the States, but that one just so happened to be in the university's catalog.

"A mutual friend suggested I come apply." She opened her briefcase and offered me paperwork. "I managed to get a copy filled out thanks to your receptionist."

I didn't even look at it. I couldn't help myself as I wrapped my arms around her and squeezed. Margaret burst into laughter. Seraphina went still before relaxing in my arms.

"Thank you," I said softly. I pulled back. "And welcome to the team."

She blinked. "Just like that?"

I chuckled, sensing her skepticism. "There are very few people I trust the way I trust Margaret. If I didn't know a thing about your work, I'd still welcome you. If you came just on her recommendation, you're perfect." I glanced at Margaret. "We need allies."

A mixture of emotions flickered across Seraphina's face—surprise, relief, and perhaps even a hint of gratitude. It was clear that she hadn't expected such a warm welcome.

"Well," she said, her voice tinged with newfound determination, "if you're willing to place your trust in me, then I look forward to working with you."

I badged us down to the lab and headed to the lab we used as a research room. I gave her a brief overview of everything and gave her copies of the research to get her up to speed on where we are. She smiled as she found a copy of her paper Etheric Distillations, and passed over it.

She sorted the research in some way that made sense to her before settling into her seat.

"Give me an hour, and I'll be ready."

I blinked and looked at Margaret, who scooted down and got back to reading what she was working on.

I settled in my seat and blinked as the stack of research started to glow. She pulled out a glowing sheet of parchment and a fountain pen. Her eyes glowed, and the lights swirled.

I had no idea what she was doing, but I was tempted to ask. Exactly an hour later, Margaret looked up from her research as the light show ended. Seraphina blinked as the glowing parchment turned into a plain-looking leather-bound journal.

She smiled and set it in the middle of the table.

"Research repository," she said. "Keyed to you, even if someone walked out of here with it no one would be able to steal it. Security."

I blinked. "Oh..."

She smiled. "It can be linked to a folder on your computer as well."

She winked. "We witches know a thing or two about security. Now, as far as I can tell you're not running into any issues of essentially developing a lower-tier witch's longevity potion. And I'm not talking about the proposed delivery method. Though, I think you could..."

I blinked, listening to her rattle off information that felt not quite foreign but new to me. To be fair, she knew more about magical drug development than anyone I could think of.

"Since you're making it for werewolves..." She hummed. "You won't need the same quality of ingredient. Lesser botanicals could be used and distilled differently for the solution--or you could do compound distillation."

"What... does that even mean?"

She smiled. "Think of an infused water. If you want strawberry kiwi water, would you make the two separately and then mix, or make it together?"

"Together."

"That's compound distillation." She made a vague gesture. "There are some things that can't be distilled together, but there are some that if distilled together, properly anyway, the effectiveness of it will increase."

"I think I'm following," I said, taking a note. "What did you have in mind?"

My head was pounding by the end of the evening as we started to pack up for the night.

"Your badge and things should be ready," I said, getting up. "Oh, and of course, you're welcome to stay at the Mooncrest Pack House."

Seraphina shook her head. "Thank you for the offer, but I think not. Little C' has already set me up. Too much werewolf energy would make me antsy, and that house is soaked in it I here." She paused. "And it's old, and me in an old house isn't a good thing."

"Little C'?"

She beamed. " I think you know him as Charles Blackwoods."

My heart leaped, and she wiggled her eyebrows. We headed up the elevator. I gave her the badges. Margaret headed off with her to wherever she was staying in a different chauffered car before I got in mind. The evening air was thick with exhaustion as the car pulled into the driveway of the pack house. A long day at the lab had left me yearning for the comfort of home, the embrace of my children, and the warmth of Charles' voice.

I was so ready to sink into my couch, but as the car stopped, the door flung open.

Cecil streaked out the door, eyes bright as she shrieked, "Leave me alone, Jackson!"

I darted out of the car to catch her before she ended up in the street, but a man wearing a Lycan Enforcer uniform appeared and scooped her up.

Jackson was in the doorway as I reached the Lycan Enforcer.

He handed her to me and Cecil clung to me. "Mommy!"

Richard let out a vicious little roar that should have been more cute than menacing, but I could tell he was upset. Jackson went pale and held Richard away from him as Richard's cherubic face scrunched up in distress.

I went to Jackson and took Richard out of his arms. He wiggled and turned his nose into my shoulder, rumbling unhappily.

"What happened?" I asked Jackson, my voice a mixture of frustration and concern.

He looked flustered, clearly caught off guard by the whirlwind that had greeted him. "I... I was just playing with them, trying to keep them occupied."

Cecil shook her head. "I don't want to play with him. Richard doesn't like him."

Jackson looked affronted, and Richard growled against my chest. I hushed him and let out a sigh.

"Where is Eason?"

Jackson lifted a shoulder. "He said he was leaving. Then, that Kelly girl was here, and it didn't make any sense for a babysitter to be here when I was here..."

I sighed and walked into the house. "Everyone, just calm down. It's alright."

It was a while later before Cecil was calm enough to eat. I had fed Richard, but I didn't want to set him down just yet as Jackson's scent was still around. The kitchen was a mess. The living room was a mess. It was like a small bomb had gone off in my house.

Then, a handset a glass in front of me and poured. I looked up at Margaret with a smile.

"You need it," she said and corked the bottle. She took the bottle away just as my phone rang. It was Charles.

"Hi," I sighed, letting my relief fill me.

"You sound terrible. What's happening?"

I took a sip. "Jackson... tried to babysit. Cecil ran out the front door, and Richard roared. It was more menacing than cute."

He chuckled. "Tell him to stop terrorizing the children, or we'll put Cecil in charge."

I burst into laughter. "I'd love to see that!"