At least it was just Karyn and Laurel, the looming form of the Enforcer leader hovering next to the kind witch I'd always liked. Karyn beckoned for me to enter, Mom at my side, GreatGram standing from where she'd been obviously conversing with the Council leader about my fate. A moment of worry crossed my mind. What if GreatGram saw this as a chance to get rid of me?
But no, that wasn't her, nothing she'd ever considered as far as I knew. If anything, the opposite. Chances were my teen brain was just making crap up.
I wanted to believe it, despite the sadness on her face.
She motioned for me to join her and I did, standing next to her, startled when she took my hand in hers and held it tight. But there wasn't a hint of anything but powerful control on her face now as she nodded to Karyn, Mom closing ranks and protecting me with her magic and her physical form as the leader spoke.