Sharon’s Wolves(86)
“What? Where is she? What happened?”
“No idea. A chill went up my spine, and she isn’t responding to either of us.”
Trace pulled his keys out of his pocket and nodded toward a row of squad cars. “Let’s go.” He grabbed his cell from his pocket and hit a few buttons. As he rounded the hood of the car, Jackson heard him tell the sheriff he was leaving.
Jackson yanked the passenger door open and slid inside at the same time Trace did. He spoke to Cooper again. “I’m with Trace. Heading down the highway toward Sojourn now.”
“I’m getting in my car. Fuck. Shit.”
“Cooper. Be careful. It won’t help if you get in an accident.”
Cooper didn’t respond. The request was ludicrous anyway. Jackson would drive over a hundred miles an hour if he were in Cooper’s shoes. Who was he to talk?
“Where was she last?” Trace asked.
“Leaving Mimi’s. That was about twenty minutes ago. She should have been halfway here.”
“The roadblock,” Trace muttered. He slammed his hand on the steering wheel and drove faster.
“The roadblock? What does that have to do with anything?”
“That’s where she would have been, at the edge of the reservation.” Trace handed Jackson his cell. “Call Melinda.”
»»•««
Melinda had helped Mimi back to her bedroom, but the woman was restless. She’d been pacing for several minutes.
“Mimi, you were supposed to rest. You’re acting like a caged animal.”
Her mother and Laurie had both gone home shortly after Sharon left. They would come back later. Joyce needed to let her dog out. Laurie needed to check on her sweet baby. Her mate Corbin was a deputy from Sojourn helping out in Cambridge. Her other mate Zachary had been alone with little Miriam for almost two days. Zachary was a fantastic father, but it was time for Mommy to get her butt back home.
Besides, Melinda was the closest to Mimi. No way would she leave her. Especially since the woman had been acting oddly since the moment she shifted back into human form. She was shockingly improved considering she’d been in a near coma just hours ago.
Melinda had a bad feeling she’d been ignoring since Mimi woke up. Ominous. She wrung her hands in front of her. She was too agitated to sit, even though that was precisely what she needed Mimi to do.
Mimi stopped pacing, turned to face Melinda, and took a deep breath. “Child…” Her voice was eerily calm.
“Grandma, what is it?” The woman had Melinda’s heart beating too rapidly.
Mimi padded closer and took Melinda’s hands in hers. The two of them were almost the same height—short. They met nearly eye to eye. “My sweet girl.”
“You’re scaring me, Mimi.”
She shook her head. “Do not be afraid. The spirits will always be with you. Things are about to change, but you must remain strong. Do you understand?”
Melinda licked her lips but didn’t move.
“You’re prepared for anything. You’re such an amazing woman. You don’t realize the extent of your gifts, but you will in time.”
“Mimi, stop. You’re rambling. You need to lie down.” Melinda’s ears were ringing. She turned her face toward the bed for a second, meaning to physically drag her grandmother toward it. “You talk as though you’re dying. You’re not dying. Look at you.” She threw out a hand to indicate the woman standing upright next to her, fully alert.
The older woman had a burst of incredible strength. She didn’t budge. “Look at me, child.”
Melinda did as Mimi said, swallowing and fighting tears, though she had no idea why. “Is it the volcano?”
Mimi smiled. “In part. Though the volcano will prove to bring the divided folks of this area together. They will work to fight for the land and for the lives of everyone. It will be.”
“Are you having another stroke?” She glanced up and down Mimi’s body, looking for signs of distress. Her heart raced with fear.
“I’m not afraid of dying, child. I’ve lived a very full life. When I pass to the other side, I’ll be reunited with my mate. I look forward to the reunion . It has been so many years since we’ve been together.”
“What else, Mimi. What are you concerned about if not the volcano or a stroke?”
“My sweet, sweet girl, I have raised you since you were a mere toddler, and even before that, before your mother was forced to leave our tribal land and her pack. You’re like my own daughter in many ways. And you have been gifted with my abilities.”
Melinda couldn’t breathe.
“You’ll face many challenges. And you’ll bear a beautiful daughter who looks just like yourself.” She glanced at Melinda’s belly.