Free A Stitch on Time 5 by Yolanda Sfetsos Page B

door.
    “Sierra?”
    I shook my head. “You know things aren’t all right, and I doubt they ever will be.”
    “Is this a general comment, or in relation to the phone call you just took?”
    I opened my mouth to tell him, but decided to leave it for another day. We had plenty to deal with already, and I had no idea how I was going to handle this. Maybe my best option was to call the police, and since an officer was currently in my house… I had to talk to Gareth about this, but doubted we’d get any alone time without upsetting Papan. Still, he was the only one who could go to the Tower and check things out.
    “Let’s get back to the kitchen.” I looped my arm around my grandfather’s and led him in the right direction. In spite of everything, I was glad to have him here. He wasn’t just valuable for his witchy support, Oren always made things better.
    As soon as we stepped inside, the aroma of coffee filled my nasal passage and I welcomed it. “I hope there’s a cup for me!”
    “Coming right up,” Lavie said, turning back to the coffee machine.
    I headed for Willow and when I reached her side, she leaped out of the chair and clung to me. I couldn’t help but feel like the worst kind of guardian. Sure, she’d come into my life after she ran away from home and was trying to understand what turned out to be her necromancy power. But Willow had been through a lot. She’d been used for a ritual, her father had died, she’d been bitten by a black dog, and forced to befriend people she now considered friends…only to lose them.
    I patted her hair. “Oh, Willow, I’m so sorry for dragging you into this.”
    She pressed her face into my shoulder. “I’m going to miss her so much.”
    “I know you are. I am too.” But before we could miss her, I needed to find Maya so I could finish her once and for all. She wasn’t keeping Ebony’s soul. “Why don’t you drink the rest of your coffee?”
    Willow shook her head as she untangled her arms from mine. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to go to my room. I need to call Michael.”
    I nodded. She squeezed my hand, waved at the others and disappeared down the stairs that led to the bottom level of the house.
    Oren was back in his spot by the cabinets, making a special blend of tea. Saul and Papan were chatting at the kitchen table, while Gareth sat on the other side. He seemed uncomfortable, out of place. So when he met my gaze I offered a small smile, which he returned. When I looked away, I found Papan glaring at Gareth before he directed his attention back to me. I guess he didn’t truly believe what I’d told him earlier.
    I sighed. It didn’t matter. I’d have to come clean soon enough. Not that I’d done anything wrong.
    I made my way towards Lavie and grabbed the mug of coffee she offered. I wrapped both of my hands around the ceramic, enjoying the heat flowing through me. I sniffed the brown liquid I loved so much and took a tentative sip. Bumping my hip against hers, I said, “You didn’t lace this with Saul’s blood, did you?”
    She flashed a toothy grin. “You’d never know if I did.”
    I took another, longer sip. The coffee slid down my throat and filled my empty stomach. I hadn’t eaten for hours, but didn’t feel hungry either. “Thanks Lav.” I headed back to the vacant chair on Papan’s other side. “Are you feeling any better?”
    Papan shrugged.
    I thought he might be angry with me, but when he took my hand and kissed my knuckles, I relaxed. Too many bad things were happening, and I kept expecting more.
    “Gareth,” I said. “Do you know when they’ll release Ebony’s body?”
    “They’re performing an autopsy on her first, so I’m not sure.” He averted his eyes. “Her parents have been notified.”
    I nodded. She hadn’t gotten along with them because they didn’t appreciate her lifestyle, but they still talked. I knew that much. “Will they be clearing out her apartment?”
    “Most of Ebony’s stuff is