SCOWLING, ZANDER SLOWLY PULLED onto the road. He wasn't the only one as tense as a wind-up toy. I looked over my shoulder at my friend in the back seat.
"Are you all right?" I asked. Her face was still a little pale, but otherwise, she seemed unhurt.
"When I get my mojo back, I'm going to drop-kick Isaac in the nards," she vowed.
I darted a glance at Zander to see the corner of his mouth inch up. "Just make sure I'm there to see it," he said, some of his stiffness melting away.
I smiled at Ruthie. That had been unpleasant, but the biggest hurdle was still to come. I hoped that the Efotis would see the Zander that I knew and loved.
A few minutes later, we pulled into their gravel driveway and parked next to the Range Rover again. The familiar wood house stood before us, framed by towering trees and a darkening sky. It looked the same as before, but this time I knew exactly what I was walking into.