Broken Heart 03 Because Your Vampire Said So by Michele Bardsley

God knew what else. Why did I let him go out? I should’ve duct taped him to his bed.
    “Things are getting too dangerous,” said Jessica. “We’re moving everyone into the compound. “
    “No.” I shook my head. “I’m not leaving my house. Wil might come back.”
    “It’s for the best.” Jessica reached over and grasped my shoulder. “We’ll station a guardian nearby and—”
    “No.”
    Patrick leaned forward and stared at me. “You will—”
    “Don’t you dare try to glamour me again!” Fury raced through me. I felt the heat of that anger pulse in my veins. I rose up on shaky legs and pointed a finger at Patrick. “The Consortium does not run my life!”
    Fire shot out of my fingertip. Patrick dodged and the flame hit the lamp shade on the end table. Before I could utter, “Oh, shit,” Patrick had gotten a glass of water from the kitchen. He dumped it on the burning shade.
    “How did you do that?” he asked, his eyes wide. “It’s not your Family power.”
    “I—I don’t know.” I examined my fingertip. It wasn’t singed or anything. Had touching Magnolia Blossom earlier temporarily transferred her power to me? Ack! I had touched Durga, too, and felt the same fiery power surge. “It’s a fluke, that’s all.”
    “Some fluke,” said Jessica. She stared at me, frowning. Then she shook her head. “Patsy,” she pleaded, “moving into the compound really is the safest option.”
    “We aren’t ever gonna be safe, for the love of God! All the Ancients are here, Jess. Of course, Koschei is gonna attack us now.” I stared at my friend. My anger gave way to shock. I pointed my finger at Jess and she ducked.
    “Don’t do that!” she said. “I don’t want to get fried.”
    I shook my finger, then flicked it. “See? It’s out. No more fire.” I turned my gaze to Patrick. “You brought the Ancients here on purpose, didn’t you?”
    “Stay here if you like,” said Patrick a little too quickly. “Drake is leading the team searching for Wilson.”
    That information made me feel better. At least someone at the Consortium gave a shit about us. I softened toward Patrick. However, Jessica had been chewing on my comment and she turned to her husband. “You’re setting a trap. And you didn’t fucking tell me.”
    “I tell you everything.”
    “The hell you do!”
    I backed away until I was safe in the kitchen. Jess in full rant was something to see, I’ll tell you.
    Patrick had been married to her long enough to know when to retreat. He gripped her by the arms, probably to prevent her from whipping out her swords. Gold sparkles showered my living room as they popped out of sight.
    I crossed my arms and thought about what to do next. Joining the search for Wilson seemed like the motherly thing to do, but damn it, I couldn’t find him any better than the wolfies. They had all the skills and talents I lacked. The best thing I could do was stick close to the house in case he came back.
    Oh, Wilson. Did he dump his stuff and take off? Had someone attacked him and dragged him away? I pressed a hand against my roiling stomach. Please, God, I begged, don’t let anything happen to him.
    I didn’t much expect God to be listening, but I wasn’t taking any chances. I just wanted Wilson to be all right.
    My mind wouldn’t let go of the last conversation I had with my son. We had that stupid fight and I didn’t tell him I loved him and oh, God, where is he?
    My son hated for me to go near his room. I felt like a sneak-thief as I opened the door and stepped inside. It smelled like pot and incense.
    I sat on his bed and stared at the posters on his walls. I didn’t recognize any of the bands. Of course, he liked heavy metal stuff, which just sounded like a bunch of yelling and clanging to me. I loved country music, which drove Wilson up the wall.
    “Hey, Mom, what do you get when you play country music backward?”
    “I don’t know,” I said, grinning.
    “You get your truck back, your dog