“That’s why it has to be you.”
“You give the word, and we’ll be back,” Brody said as he packed their sleeping bags into the back of the car. She never had any doubt that once he knew what Nan was doing, he’d go with and watch over her. That was why Mina needed to get Nan to agree before she told Brody.
“You have to go quickly.” Mina tried not to look at her watch in front of them.
They had spent hours packing and getting ready for this trip. She had only a few hours left. She wanted her friends far away. She didn’t want Teague to stop her—or to find them if he changed his mind.
Nan opened the car door, and Mina buckled Charlie into the backseat and ran her hand over his hair. He’d need a haircut soon, and his birthday was coming up. She hoped she’d be alive to celebrate with him. She had packed his suitcase with clothes, jackets, and his favorite toys—even his Star Wars light saber.
“I love you, Charlie,” Mina whispered as she gave him one last hug and kissed his forehead.
“Love you back,” he whispered with a bear hug.
She wouldn’t have let him go ever, except that he was the one who let go of her first. She wrapped the blanket from the sofa around him, and his head started to droop. Exhaustion was catching up with all of them.
“You’ll explain everything to him, right?” Tears fell down Mina’s cheeks as she softly closed the back door.
“I wouldn’t have to if you’d let us stay to help.” Nan’s blue eyes were glassy but on fire with determination.
Mina shook her head. “You know this is for the best.” Mina closed the passenger door, but Nan rolled the window down.
“I’ll take care of them,” Brody said across the roof of the car. “And I’ll find a way for you to get a hold of us if you need to.”
“Don’t tell me. It’s best if I don’t know.”
“Mina, it’s just…” Brody trailed off.
“It’s okay. I’ll always love you, just not the way you deserve. But Nan will.”
Those words seemed like the confirmation that Brody needed. He came around the car and pulled Mina into a hug. “Be safe.”
He was going to make her cry. Mina gently pulled away, “You need to go. Get them somewhere safe.”
He climbed into the driver’s seat and started up. Nan leaned forward and waved as he backed her car up and drove down the driveway. Mina watched the taillights until she could no longer see them in the darkness. She knew the car would turn left, away from town and onto the highway.
She stood frozen in the middle of her driveway. Tears poured freely down her face. Her knees buckled beneath her, and she collapsed onto the gravel. It was for the best, she kept trying to tell herself.
But if it was for the best, why did it feel like she’d just ripped out another part of her soul?
The screen door slammed, and Nix stepped outside. “Mina? What’s wrong?” He rushed to her side.
“He’s gone,” she whispered sadly.
“Who?”
“Charlie.” She sniffed, wiped at her eyes, and slowly stood up to face Nix.
“How’d this happen? I promise we’ll get him back.” His voice grew angry, but he gathered her into a hug.
Mina took comfort from his hug but gently pulled away. “No. We won’t.” She watched his eyes frown in confusion. “I sent him away.”
“What?”
“It’s better this way. I begged Nan to take him away, and Brody went with.”
“You can’t do that.”
“Wrong,” Ever’s voice cut in. “It’s exactly what she should have done. She was smart.” She had come out to stand on the porch and listen. “She’s cutting her losses, before Teague can use them against her. She’s thinking of what’s ahead. And this war is no place for a young Fae boy that just lost his mother.”
Nix scowled. “There could have been another way.” He reached for Mina’s arm, but she wrenched it free and took a step back.
“I just lost my mother,” Mina hissed between clenched teeth. “I almost lost all of you. I’m not about to lose my brother. He’s the only family I have left. Don’t judge me. You would have done the same thing, if you were in my position.”
Nix stared at her, his eyes filled with pity. “No, I wouldn’t have.”
“I guess that makes you better than me.” She didn’t really mean it, but it was easy to lash out when she was in so much pain. She stormed inside, away from Nix’s pity and Ever’s shock.
Mina stormed up the stairs to her room. Locking the door, she pressed her back to it and tried to hold in the sobs that threatened to tear her chest apart.