“Thank you,” I murmur to her. She picks the pot back up and leaves without another word. I turn to Evo. “Well, it would appear we don’t need to have a conversation at all.”
He slaps my shoulder. “At least you’re good company. Are we still on for tonight? The party at Be Deviled?”
I nod. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
Jinx Whitethorn
Everyone who helped me on the Bane’s territory is at Be Deviled. Cinder had closed the bar for this gathering, a fact I’m thankful for. I don’t think I could deal with a hoard of strangers and loud thumping music today. Not with the headache throbbing in my temples.
Aaron and his wolves are here, and together, everyone mingles as a united species. The Lotus Coven jokes with the Riva Pack. The Demi Lune catches up with the Cloven Pack, and the pack run by alpha Ravyn and the skinwalkers floats about and builds new friendships.
The shaman who were hostages didn’t come, however. I don’t blame them. They’ve probably had enough of the supernatural for a lifetime.
Everyone eats from their paper plates and swigs from their preferred beverage. Laughter spreads across the room, a chorus of joy that seeps into my heart as Sarah and I watch on from a stool at the bar. Aaron’s human mate is here, too, and the love glittering in my new friend’s eyes is truly something to behold. It makes all of this worth it – a single hope-filled glance. It makes it all worth it.
With a contented sigh, I turn from the crowd and sip from a glass of ice water. “When are you going to tell him?” Sara asks.
“I don’t know.” I search the room and slump with relief that no one is listening to our continued private conversation.
“Jinx, you have to soon. He –”
“I don’t know, Sara,” I hiss between clenched teeth.
“Ya two causin’ more trouble?” Marian asks. Her cane thumps against the floor as she crosses the final distance to us.
Sara snorts. “We never cause trouble.”
“A lie if I eva’ heard one,” Marian grumbles. She eases herself onto a stool next to Sara and settles her wise eyes on us. “Ah ya sure about this? Ah ya sure about the life ya two have chosen?”
Sara grins, a sweet smile that matches the one Aaron reserves for his mate. “Yes.”
Marian nods, her lips turning down, reflecting a sadness she tries to hide. “Then so be it. Greta will take ya place.”
“Greta will be the next high priestess?” Sara barks.
“A fine choice,” Marian scolds, pointing a finger at her. “I respect ya decision to move on with ya life. Respect mine, Saralynn, or so help me.”
“Okay, okay.” Sara holds up her hand, and I fidget in my seat.
A warm smile spreads across Marian’s face. “Ma two fine young ladies. I am proud of ya. Proud of the life ya have chosen. Proud of the way ya hold ya-self.” She reaches across the bar and grasps both of our hands. “Ya future will hold great things.”
I look away as her eyes settle on mine, a deeper meaning – as if she’s privy to the conversation Sara and I just had. “Thank you,” I say and then stand from my chair. I gently slide my hand from Marian’s soft motherly grip and tug at the bottom of my shirt nervously. “I’m ah – It’s a bit crowded in here. I’m going to head upstairs and take a breather.”
“Well, all right,” Marian mutters, blinking her scowl.
Sara touches my arm. “Do you want company?”
I shake my head and turn toward the stairs. The spirits whisper to me, a calming and comforting sound, and I exhale loudly. I squeeze Kenna’s arm as I pass and tap the chin of her son, Coleman’s nose. When I reach the steps, I take them two at a time.
I open the door and shut it softly before leaning my back against the familiar old wood. I breathe. I breathe and breathe and breathe, and once I feel my anxiety settle, I glance about the small apartment.
Here, my path had begun. This was the start of my new life. And though I didn’t enjoy the beginning of it – though this place reminds me how lonely and troublesome I was – it now brings me comfort. This was the space that had built me.
I shuffle away from the door and run my fingers along the wall until I reach the window overlooking the city. I don’t think I ever looked out through this window when I lived here. Not really. Not in the way I do now. At the time, I had believed there was nothing out there for me. Now . . . Now I know different. I am loved. I am wanted. I belong.
The door opens and I jump. I quickly wipe away tears. They had been spilling like a leak in a dam. I turn to face Jacob, whose scent washes into the room. He, too, softly shuts the door behind him, and with a frown, he slides his hands into his pockets.
“I have a question,” he murmurs in the way that tells me he knows I’m worried and scared. “Two, actually.”
“Okay.” I cross my arms over my chest.
Each word he says next is in time with his footfalls. He leaves his expression blank, and it does nothing to soothe me. “Why are you different than the other skinwalkers?”
I scowl and tip my head to the side. “Why can I kill, you mean? Why can I command spirits or rip them to shreds?”
His blink is as good as a nod. “I’ve tried to command spirits myself, but that gift doesn’t seem to be shared with the mating bond. Why you? Why are you so different than the others?”
I turn and glance out the window, and his warm arms enfold me until my spine is nestled against his chest. His cheek rests against my ear as he waits for my answer. “Eliza Plaats told me she had blessed me.”
“I had a feeling,” he murmurs. “She’s a wise woman, a kind one, and an even better fee. She knew you could handle the burden. She knew your heart lies where it should, and knew that you’d save more people with the gift than without it.”
I grin without true humor. “If you knew, then why did you ask?”
A soft breathy chuckle vibrates against my ear. “To soften you up for my next question.”
“Oh?” Nervous butterflies flutter in my stomach.
“What are you keeping from me?”
My heart sinks to my toes, and I close my eyes. I turn in his arms, and when we lock gazes, another tear spills down my cheek. A tear of happiness. A tear of hope. A tear for new beginnings. He wipes it away, and I smile warily at him.
“Is it bad?” he asks.
I shake my head. “I think it might be a good thing. Scary, but good. It’s something I haven’t figured out how to tell you yet.”
He presses his lips to mine. “No time like the present. We’re free, Jinx. We’re safe.” Another soft kiss. “Please. Tell me, and we’ll face it together.”
Foreheads touching, we breathe each other in. I whisper, “I’m pregnant.”
Jacob stiffens in my arms, and then a grin brightens his beautiful features.