Predestined (Existence Trilogy #2)(42)

Leif nodded and a small frown puckered his forehead. I wondered if he felt sorry for her loss or if he even missed Wyatt at all.

“I can understand that,” he replied.

Miranda scooted closer to me and patted the spot beside her. “Come sit,” she ordered Leif.

I wanted to tell her he was the most dangerous thing out here but I kept my mouth shut. At least on the other side of Miranda I didn’t have to see his face.

“Here, it’s good,” Miranda replied shoving the bottle toward Leif clumsily. Okay, so maybe she’d had enough to drink.

“Don’t mind if I do,” he replied and I could see him tilt the bottle up from the corner of my eye.

“Sorry I ran off today and we juslefyouthere.” Miranda was starting to slur. Yep she’d had enough. I reached across her and took the bottle from Leif.

“You’ve reached your limit Miranda. Any more and you’ll hate me tomorrow,” I explained pulling the cork out of my pocket and stopping it up before setting it down by my feet.

“I was worried about you but I saw Pagan caught up with you,” Leif replied patting her knee.

“Yesss. Don know whatid do withouther,” Miranda slurred.

Leif leaned forward and I could feel his eyes on me. “She’s pretty special,” he agreed.

Miranda nodded then started to lay her head on my shoulder but missed and fell forward. Both Leif and I grabbed her before she could topple face first into the fresh dirt and flowers.

Giggling, Miranda swayed back and forth as we sat her back up. She’d had way more than enough. I doubted she’d remember much in the morning. Hopefully, she wouldn’t wake up hugging the toilet.

“Okay, I believe it’s time for us to go home,” I said reaching down to grab the bottle of wine and then stand up. “Come on, you. Let’s get you to bed.”

“I’ll help you get her to the car,” Leif offered and I started to tell him no when Miranda fell forward on her knees and cackled with laughter.

“Yeah, okay thanks,” I muttered. It would be really helpful if Gee hadn’t disappeared completely on me today. But I was on my own and Leif was the only ‘being’ stalking me at the moment. Leif looked entirely too pleased with this turn of events and I had to squelch the urge to tell him I could do this on my own. Because I was more than positive we’d end up sleeping in the graveyard if it was up to me to get her to the car.

Leif reached down and picked her up under her arms. She swayed on her feet and Leif wrapped his arm around her waist. “Easy girl,” he coached.

“Easygirl,” Miranda mimicked laughing like he’d said the funniest thing she’d ever heard. Note to self, Miranda was a lightweight. In the future one glass of wine was her limit.

“Bye Wyatt loveyousomuch,” Miranda called out as Leif led her down the pathway we’d followed from the parking lot to get here. Like me Leif could see the souls and he dodged them and let them drift past so I didn’t have to walk through any on the way out of here.

“Loveyousomuch,” Miranda began to chant forlornly. The sad drunk was starting to emerge. I hadn’t thought about that possibility.

Leif opened the passenger side door and eased Miranda into the seat instead of letting her fall inside. Which I had to admit was very thoughtful. Especially for a voodoo spirit.

I walked around to the driver’s side when I heard the passenger side door close and the rear door open. Snapping my head around I watched as Leif got into the backseat. No way was that happening.

I stopped and opened the rear door on my side and stuck my head in. “What do you think you’re doing?” I hissed.

“I’m making sure you two get home safely,” he replied with a polite smile on his face.

“Oh no, you’re not. Get out!”

“Donbesomean Pagan,” Miranda chimed in from the front.

Rolling my eyes I let out an exasperated sigh. Fine, if he wanted to be prince charming he could. I wasn’t dealing with him right now. I needed to get Miranda home before she passed out, or worse, threw up in the car.

“Whatever,” I grumbled and slammed the door for extra effect.

I managed to crank the car and pull out onto the road without once glancing back or acknowledging Leif’s presence. I intended to ignore him the entire way home. Maybe he’d get miffed and disappear. God knows Miranda wouldn’t realize it. I shifted my eyes over to her and saw her eyelids getting heavy.

“Stay awake. I won’t be able to get you inside if you’re passed out. We don’t want your Daddy coming out and finding you like this.”

That perked her up. If her Dad found her drunk he’d be furious. Well, maybe. Her parents had been so worried about her he might understand. Or they might admit her to a mental house. She really didn’t want to go to one of those.

“That’s better, keep those eyes open,” I rolled down her window. “The cold air should help and if you start to feel sick please lean out that window and puke.”

Miranda giggled and laid her head back against the headrest letting the cold breeze blow her hair across her face.

“Whose idea was it to get her wasted?” Leif asked from the backseat.

I was going to stick with my plan to ignore him so I reached for the volume to turn up when Miranda drawled, “Paaagaaans, shesosmart.”