Spring Rain (The Witchling #4)(78)

Morgan gave him a questioning look. “I’ll explain later.”

“Could we talk, Beck?”

Beck tried not to tense. He already knew what Decker was going to ask. He squeezed Morgan then shifted away to talk to his brother.

“Dawn’s in a coma, and you need to make a decision,” Decker said.

Beck’s gaze went from his twin towards his daughter. Noah and Biji had joined Summer and Morgan. The three girls were talking while Noah was at the glass, gazing at his niece. As angry as he was about Dawn risking their child and trying to kill Morgan, there was a part of Beck that still didn’t like the idea of killing – or asking Decker to kill – the mother of his child. He was the Protector of Light and all that was good.

“I can’t,” he said quietly.

Decker didn’t appear surprised. “She’s broken every Law there is.”

“I know and you have every right to ignore me and do what you do.”

“You’re my brother, Beck. I’m not going to do this if you don’t want me to.”

Beck met Decker’s gaze. “I don’t want you to.”

“I respect that.”

The two stood in comfortable silence. Decker cocked his head to the side suddenly.

“I think you won’t have to worry about it anyway,” he said.

Beck’s eyes went in the direction of Dawn’s room. Several nurses were hurrying towards it. She’d been in bad shape when he brought her there, barely clinging to life. He had done what he could in the short time he was in contact with her.

A short time later, a doctor approached the four gathered at the window of the nursery.

“Noah?” he asked, approaching the bald witchling. “Could we talk in private?”

Beck and Decker watched. The two spoke briefly. Noah blanched, his mouth hanging open in shock as he received the news.

Beck sneaked a glance at his brother. There had been several times when he thought he was going to lose Decker, and it tore him up. He didn’t want to know what Noah was going through at the moment, but he pitied the water witchling.

Noah regained his composure and nodded at something the doctor said. The physician retreated down the hallway, and Noah caught himself against the wall. Biji hugged him tight.

Morgan caught Beck’s gaze. He crossed to her, uncertain what exactly he was feeling, but aware that none of his emotions were rejoicing at the idea of losing Dawn. Tears were in Morgan’s eyes, along with pain as she gazed at Noah. Beck touched her to keep her fire from agitating him.

Noah went back to the window to gaze at his niece. Summer took Beck’s other hand, and he glanced down at her with a tight smile.

“She was helping me fight Bartholomew in the end,” Morgan whispered. “She wanted to save Nora.”

“Good,” Noah managed. “I know this is for … the best. Nora’s safe now. From Dawn, from Bartholomew.”

“She has all of us to protect her,” Beck added.

“And the soul stone can’t hurt anyone else,” Morgan said firmly. She slid her free hand into Noah’s. “She has a good family, Noah.”

He forced a smile. “I know.” He met Beck’s gaze.

“That includes you,” Beck said. “We want you in her life, Noah.”

“Thanks. I plan to be there.”

The six of them gazed at baby Nora in silence. With mixed feelings, Beck released Summer’s hand and wrapped his arms around Morgan, grateful for those he cared about to have survived his transition to the Master of Light.

“Hey,” Decker said.

Beck twisted his head and rested his cheek on Morgan’s head.

“We did it.”

Beck held his gaze, understanding the depth of his brother’s emotions without them being spoken. A nightmare had started on their eighteenth birthday and ended with the defeat of Bartholomew. Beck looked back at all that had happened with both regret and appreciation for what they’d gone through. He had never thought to ask his mother if a Master or Mistress of Light or Dark had to go through a separate trial, but the past few months sure felt like they had.

There had been moments when he thought Decker would kill him and others when he expected his inability to be a Master to condemn them all. Summer’s appearance and incredible magick was followed by Morgan’s …

“Yeah, we did,” he murmured.





Chapter Twenty Seven





Morgan watched the emotional exchange between the brothers, touched by it. Summer smiled at her, and she smiled back. There was a lot to catch up on, a lot to tell her mother and Connor, a lot left to learn about being a Light witchling and helping Beck.

And there was her new family, to include Nora. Warmth bloomed within her, and she rested her head against Beck’s shoulder. She had arrived at the witchling boarding school with no hope of fitting in and every intention of running away. She never dreamt her life would take this turn, but she was grateful for it.

“Mom’s gonna shit when we tell her she’s officially old now and a grandma,” Decker said, amused.

“We’ll have to warn Nora never to piss off that grandparent,” Beck added.

Morgan smiled. “Hey, can we talk for a minute?” she asked, peering up at him.

“Sure. You okay?” Beck met her gaze. While exhausted, he remained the most handsome person she’d ever seen.