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“You can’t talk to her like that,” Travis says, and I narrow my eyes.

“He can do whatever he wants.” Savy leans against my side. “Why are you here? How did you find me?”

Betty points her finger at Savy. “You—” She exhales slowly, lowers her hand to her lap, and clenches her fingers. Her expression clears, and she rolls her shoulders. “Daughter, we missed you.” Her smile appears, but it looks brittle.

“Bullshit,” Savy snaps.

Betty presses her hand to her chest. ”Savy, you’ve been ignoring my calls. I know you're busy.” Her head lowers. “I just wish you had a little time for your parents.” She looks up, gazing around the store. “I guess I understand. This place looks so nice. I didn’t know you had such a cushy job. I’ll ignore the welcome we received from your friends. They were shocked and didn’t know what we meant to you.” Her smile grows, and she blinks slowly.

I’ve never heard someone compliment someone in an insulting way and then cover it with sugar.

“Seriously,” Savy laughs.

“Please be polite,” Travis says, crossing his legs. “We came to spend time with you. Your grandmother has been keeping you to herself for years. It’s our turn.”

“Your turn,” Savy repeats slowly.

“What’s so bad about that?” Betty asks.

“Do you have time for all the reasons?” Savy drawls.

“Attitude—” Travis stops as Betty grabs his arm.

“Granny wouldn't have told you where I am.”

“She didn’t have to.” Betty releases her husband and tangles her hands together. “Our friend helped us. He’s great with location spells.”

“What friend?” Mateo asks, stepping forward.

“You wouldn't know him.” She narrows her eyes. “Nice to see you, Mateo.”

“Yeah, right,” he snorts.

“We wouldn’t have come if we knew this was the welcome we'd receive,” Travis says.

“Why would you think it would be any different?” Savy tilts her head and moves around the table.

“What are you doing?” Betty asks, leaning back.

“Something is different,” she mumbles, staring at her mom. She bends down, pressing her hand to the arm of the couch, and watches her intently. “What have you been up to?”

“Nothing.” Fear moves over her features.

I can’t tell if she's afraid of Savy or of her finding out what they've done.

“Your magic is covered in someone else's.”

Sensing something similar, I move behind Savy, needing to be close.

“You’re right,” Rome says, walking to the other side of Travis. “It’s nothing good.”

“Who are these people?” Travis motions toward Rome.

“My family.” Savy straightens, and her mom’s lip curls.

“They are not,” she grits out, her sweet disposition disappearing. “You have neglected your real family.”

“Granny is my parent. Neither of you have been anything to me for a long time,” Savy says softly.