so sorry, Carol,” Tara said as she hugged her foster mom. “I didn’t mean to worry you.”
Carol pulled back and kept her hands on Tara’s shoulders as she frantically ran her eyes over the girl. “You’re okay?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“You’re not hurt?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Do you need to go to the hospital?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Do I need to hire a hitman to kill someone?”
“No—" Tara started but then frowned. “Wait. What?”
“I'm sure we could find one on the Internet,” Carol said as she released Tara.
“A hitman?” Tara asked.
“I told you when I first met you that she didn’t take no shit,” Shelly said.
“Don’t think I didn’t see you, Shelly Smith,” Carol said as she turned her attention to Tara’s BFFF. “You’ve got some explaining to do, too, young lady. You’ve scared the pants off your parents.” She walked over to Shelly and pulled her into a hug. “I know they are relieved you are all right, as am I, sweet girl.”
“We were just about to get to that part, so excellent timing,” Shelly said as she hugged her back. “I love you, too, Mrs. Carol. And though my parents haven’t offered to hire a hitman, yet, they are happy to see me.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Now”—Carol turned to look at Elias, Ra, and Aviur—“someone needs to explain why my daughter and Shelly have been missing for over two weeks and why she has returned with three devils.”
Tara’s eyes widened. “Why would you call them devils?”
“Because no males that handsome could be anything but devils,” Carol said as she put her hands on her hips, glaring at the males in question.
“This is going to be good,” Shelly said as she took a seat on the couch. “If she gets out the paddle, I’m totally taking a video.”
“Paddle?” Aviur said as he glanced at Shelly and then back to Carol.
“Any time she puts her hands on her hips like that, it means she’s getting ready to get out the paddle,” Shelly explained. “Mrs. Carol is a firm believer in swatting a behind every now and again.”
Tara rolled her eyes. “You’re the only one who has ever seen her paddle, and she didn’t even use it on you.”
“Hey, chasing me with it down the front steps is totally considered using it,” Shelly said.
“Guess you shouldn’t have taken a slice of pie when she warned you not to,” Tara replied.
Her mom gasped. “Shelly, I taught you better than that.”
Shelly had to force herself not to roll her own eyes at her mom. Leave it to Regina Smith to chastise her over something as silly as pie when there were much bigger issues at hand. Then again, maybe it made her mom feel peace simply having Shelly back so she could chastise her.
“I’m not saying you’re wrong.” Shelly sniffed. “I’m simply pointing out that Mrs. Carol is not above chasing a person with a paddle.”
“She’s not wrong, either,” Carol said as she stared down Ra, Elias, and Aviur. “Who are you and what are your intentions with my girls?”
“Hold on to your granny panties, Mrs. Carol. And I’ll explain. First,” Shelly began, “I’ll introduce the three devils you don’t know.” Shelly motioned to the fire king behind her to the left. “This is Aviur. Behind him is Ra Nasir and the guy behind Tara is Elias Creed.”
“It is a pleasure to meet all of you. I am the king of the fire elementals of light. I rule with my mate,” Aviur said as he reached his hand across to Shelly’s parents.
Shelly’s dad reached out and slowly shook the fire king’s hand. His brow furrowed as he stared at the inhumanly handsome man. After Aviur had shaken Regina’s hand, he turned to Carol and took hers as well.
“Uh-huh,” Carol said slowly. “I see.”
Shelly’s eyes widened at the older woman’s declaration.
Tara frowned. “You do?”
Carol glanced at her and shrugged. “I’m not going to declare him crazy until I’m sure. Things are not always what they seem, not even supposed crazy people.” She turned to Elias. “And who are you? Your eyes haven’t left my girl. Either you’re a creeper or she means something to you, and you mean something to her.”
Elias stepped closer to Tara and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her tightly against him. “I am Elias Creed. I am an earth elementalist and Tara’s soul-bonded.”
“Soul-bonded,” Carol said slowly as if she was trying to figure out the words and what they meant. “Is that like a soul mate?”
Elias nodded. “It is. A part of my soul lives inside