Free Shadow Rising by Cassi Carver

safe under her cheek, she didn’t let go. Being with friends was exactly what she needed to get her through this night. She glanced over at Abbey from her spot on Jaxon’s chest, feeling the swell of pride in her heart. She was looking at the future high priestess. It didn’t seem fair that Kara couldn’t smack her for keeping such a huge secret, then bust out the margaritas for a celebration.
    When the humming ended, Abbey’s red-rimmed eyes popped open. “There you are!” She sprang to her feet and rushed over, throwing her arms around Kara and Jaxon. “I was so worried! Why didn’t you take your damn cell phone?”
    “Sorry,” Kara mumbled, untwining herself from Jaxon so she didn’t look so helpless. She didn’t feel it was the right time to remind Abbey that cell phones didn’t work on Mercury Island.
    Abbey stepped back to look at her. “Tell me what happened.”
    “I will, but—” She was about to say she would when their guest left, but when the woman stood to her feet and turned, Kara’s stomach dropped. Just flippin’ great. “Sage. Wow. What brings you here?”
    The black-haired beauty had changed quite a bit in the past few years. She now had vibrant tats of everything from dragons to flowers covering her arms and neck and piercings in her lip and brow. Last time Kara had seen her, the only piercings she’d had were the dangly earrings Kara had almost ripped from her ears for flirting with Kara’s high school crush. Her smirk was still the same, though.
    “You should know,” Sage retorted. “I heard you were in some kind of trouble, and it was putting Abbey at risk.”
    “No, no, no.” Abbey waved her hands, stepping into the breach separating Kara and Sage. “I’m fine. We’re just doing this to be safe.”
    “Grammy D wasn’t available or one of her friends?” Kara’s tone suggested anyone would have been preferable to the creature in front of her.
    “No,” Abbey replied. “It was the strangest thing. You know she usually comes running in an emergency, but she said she couldn’t make it tonight—she had bunko . She’s insisting I stay at the cabin for the week, but I told her this is my home for now, and I am not leaving you. Honestly, I don’t know what’s wrong with her.”
    Sage barely hid her smile. “Yeah, that is weird, huh, Kara? Why would Dora do that to her own grandchild?”
    Shit. Sage knew about Kara’s trouble with the witches and the order for Dora to stay away. “I wouldn’t let it hurt your feelings, Abbs. You know how old people get. And anyway, it’ll all be resolved soon.”
    Kara walked back to the door and opened it wide. “Thank you so much, Sage. I really appreciate it.” Don’t let the door hit ya where the Lord split ya.
    Abbey gave Sage a hug. “Thank you, sweetie. Do you mind if we take a rain check on those drinks? Kara’s had a rough night.”
    “Sure.” Sage squeezed her back, then made her way to the door. “Stay safe.”
    Kara could swear the edge in those words was meant for her. It took all her strength not to slam the door behind her childhood nemesis and shout something rude while she was still in earshot. She counted to ten, then blurted, “Oh my God, Abbey! She probably cursed me with the pox. What were you thinking?”
    Abbey’s sweet expression turned sour. “Hey, if your swishy little Fallen ass calls down the scourge of heaven, what am I supposed to do, hope he likes witches for playthings and makes Jaxon’s death quick?”
    Kara frowned to hide her hurt. Abbey had never called her Fallen before. Witches liked to use the term just to make sure everyone knew who were the salt of the earth and who were the screw-ups.
    “Abbey,” Jaxon said. “That was unkind. You know Kara had nothing to do with attracting the Aniliáre’s attention.”
    Abbey’s olive green eyes welled. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. I just don’t understand how we could live our whole lives like two normal—well, fairly