“I know,” Etti whispered. “But at least she’ll grow up. I don’t think we have another choice.”
“We always have a choice,” Grey hissed. “We can still take our chances and run.”
“What kind of life would running give Izzi? At least with this we know she’ll be safe. Even if you or I have to leave for some reason, even if it’s against our will, Izzi will still be safe. Esme needs her to break the curse. She wouldn’t risk taking her life.”
“No, just yours and mine, leaving our daughter an orphan to be raised by witches. Is that what you want?” Grey hissed.
“No. I want her to be safe. I want a life with you and my daughter. And if that means it has to be confined to a few ancient blocks in New Orleans then so be it. I can live with that if it means we get to have a life.”
“Do we have a deal?” Esme interrupted.
Etti looked pleadingly at Grey. She could sense his unease, but he nodded. “If you think this is our best option, then I’m with you.”
Cali’s words came floating back to Etti. Before she and Wes let Etti march into the bayou, she’d warned Etti that magic had many loopholes and witches were cunning with their words. “Make Esme spell out the rules before you agree to anything,” Cali had cautioned.
When Etti turned to face Esme, she squared her shoulders, ready to sign her life away to save her daughter and mate. “I will agree to your terms only after you state them clearly, including any loopholes.”
Esme smiled. “Ama raised a wise child,” she said. “The terms are these. Return here on the full moon and I will cloak you, your child and your mate. Until then and there after, you are confined to the French Quarter, where my coven will watch over you, and teach your daughter to wield her powers. The only time you may ever leave the Quarter is to return here each full moon. This spell is binding until your daughter is of age and can break the curse that has confined our ancestors for centuries and take her rightful place as heir to the hunt, where she will dismantle it, freeing us all. Should you break the terms of this agreement in any way, I will take the lives of three you love in exchange for the lives I’ve protected for you.”
“And there’s nothing you’re leaving out?” Etti asked.
“I speak the truth. You will live a protected life here. No one will be able to find you so long as you obey the rules.”
Alarms went off in Etti’s mind. No one would find them? “What does this spell do exactly?” Etti asked.
“It erases you from the supernatural world.”
Grey’s face fell. “So our family, our friends . . . they won’t be able to contact us?”
“Don’t fret dear boy,” Esme crooned. “They won’t miss you. It will be as though you never existed.”
Etti paled, looking longing at Grey and then her daughter. How could she ask him to make this sacrifice?
He pulled her aside again. “Etti. We’ll lose everyone,” he pleaded.
“Not everyone,” she whispered, taking his face in her hands. “We’ll have each other.”
“What about Wes? Cali? My family?”
“This is our family now,” Etti said, stroking Izzi’s silken hair.
Tears crested his eyes, but he nodded.
Etti turned back to face Esme. “Swear it on your blood. Swear that you will protect the three of us and that we will remain together, our bond and love intact.”
Esme’s eyes twinkled but she pulled a slender knife from her pocket and slit her palm, dripping it into a wooden bowl. “I swear it on my blood,” Esme purred.
“Then we have a deal,” Etti replied.
Esme handed her the knife. “Swear it on your blood.”
Etti, Grey, and Izzi added their blood to the bowl until it bubbled to a hissing boil as Esme chanted words over it. When she was done, she dipped her finger in the bloody mixture and painted a tiny X on the wall.
Etti shivered as she suddenly noticed the strange pattern on the walls of the cottage was made up of thousands of the same bloody marks, making her wonder how many fates her ancestor controlled. And how many had not worked in the favor of those who were foolish enough to seek Esme’s help.
Once the bargain was sealed, Etti took Grey’s hand and marched from the cottage as quickly as her feet would carry her, not allowing herself to look back, or second-guess her choice. She’d done what she set out to do. Her family was safe and she would deal with the consequences.
Chapter 19
Wes
“I don’t care!” Wes yelled. “Tell that old hag that you change your mind.”
It didn’t matter how many times Etti and Grey explained their bargain with Esme Laveau, Wes couldn’t wrap his mind around the fact that they weren’t coming back to Blue Creek with him. And worse still, once they were cloaked, he would cease to know his best friend.
“Wes, it was the only way I could keep everyone safe,” Etti said for the hundredth time.
They were currently sitting on the balcony at the Dauphine Orleans Hotel, somberly recounting the heavy deal Etti made in the bayou. Wes was beyond pissed. He’d finally figured out his life. He loved being a shifter, he was engaged to his dream girl, he patched things up with his best friend and her mate and was now godfather to the cutest little girl he’d ever met. No way was he giving any of that up.
“Fine,” Wes said folding his arms. “Then we’ll just go kill every one of those hunt bastards ourselves so we can be done with this, right Cali?”
Before Cali could answer, Etti cut her off. “No. It’s too dangerous.”
“Screw that!” Wes exclaimed. “We’re both shifters, and adults, I might add. We can take care of ourselves and make our own decisions, Etti.”
Etti looked at Cali like she was conveying some sort of secret message. “Are you gonna tell him or do you want me to?” Etti said softly to Wes’s mate.
Wes looked back and forth between them, his impatience growing. “Somebody better tell me whatever the hell you two are scheming about.”
Cali finally sighed and took Wes’s hand. “Etti’s right. Getting in the middle of a war between shifters and witches probably isn’t the best idea for us right now.”
“And why’s that, Cali?” Wes asked his heart beginning to beat erratically as worry for his mate tightened his chest.
Cali bit her lip. “Well, it’s a bit early to get excited, but I’m pregnant.”
Wes felt like he’d been plunged into a pool of ice. His thoughts and actions were frozen. He just stared at Cali teetering between happiness, fear and disbelief. “Are you serious?” he finally whispered.
When Cali nodded Wes fell to his knees, crawling to Cali’s chair to kiss her belly and then her face. He was shaking with excitement and overwhelming emotions as he stood and picked her up, whooping like a lunatic while he crushed her against him. Then he suddenly feared his own strength and set her down just as quickly. “I’m sorry, was that too much. Are you okay? I didn’t hurt you, did I?” His hand was on her belly. “Was that bad for the baby?”
Cali grinned. “That was perfectly fine, Wes.”
Wes pulled her close again, burying his head in her soft blonde hair. “Oh my God, baby. I’m so happy.”
“You are?”
“Of course! This is the best news ever.”
“I know it’s a little sooner than we were planning. I mean we’re not even married yet, but—”
“Let’s get married right now, Cali,” Wes said interrupting her.
Cali’s blue eyes grew. “Wes!” But when he stared at her with such unrestrained love in his eyes she couldn’t fight her smile. “Are you serious?”
“I’m always serious when it comes to how much I love you. I want to marry you right now. Today.”
“Well, it would be nice to have Etti, Grey and Izzi at our wedding,” Cali said slowly.
“You’ll do it?” Wes asked. “You’ll marry me right now?”
“Yes,” she squealed letting Wes scoop her up and spin her around again. When Wes final
ly stopped kissing her and fussing over her non-existent baby bump, Cali gave him a coy grin. “There is still one thing we need to settle.”
“What that?” Wes asked.
Cali turned to Etti. “Etti, would you be my maid of honor?”
“Hey!” Wes yelled. “She’s my best friend.”
“I’d be happy to stand up for you, Wes,” Grey said, filling Wes with pride.
Wes grinned. “Thanks, man. That means a lot.”
“And do you think this sweet pea would be our flower girl?” Cali asked.
Wes watched Etti smile for the first time since she’d come back from the bayou. “I’d love that,” she said. “And I’d love to be your maid of honor.”
“Alright!” Wes boomed. “Let’s go have a wedding.”
“I’ve gotta go find a dress!” Cali yelped. She gave Wes a quick peck on the cheek. “I saw an adorable vintage shop down the street. Etti, will you come with me?”
“Sure,” Etti replied. “Give me a sec and I’ll meet you in the courtyard.”
Cali grinned and disappeared into her hotel room. Wes made to follow her, but Etti caught his arm. He looked into his best friend’s dark hair and for the first time in a while, there was happiness mixed among her sorrow.
“Thank you,” Etti whispered.
Wes frowned. “For what?”
“For getting married here, now, while you still remember me.” She smiled sadly. “I couldn’t stand it if I missed this.”
Wes pulled Etti into a tight hug. Grey gave him a nod and took Izzi inside to give Etti and Wes some space.
“Listen,” Wes whispered. “We’re gonna find a way around this. You’re my family and some stupid spell isn’t going to change that.”
“It won’t change for me,” Etti whispered as she clung to Wes. “I’ll never forget you. But you won’t remember me. You won’t even know I existed. And I’m glad because it means you’ll be safe. But I’ll still remember you. And I’ll miss you everyday. I won’t get to see your baby grow up and . . .” a tiny sob choked Etti. “I’m just gonna miss you.”
“Hey,” Wes pulled her face to his. “You can’t miss someone who isn’t gone, Etti. I’m always gonna be right here,” he said poking her hard in the chest. “And this is only temporary. We’re not gonna give up because of a spell.”
“But—”
“No buts. Friends don’t give up on each other. You taught me that.” Wes grinned at his best friend, wiping away her tears. “This may not be the life we thought we’d have, but we both have so much to be grateful for.”
“I know.”
Wes snorted. “If you would’ve told me we’d both be married and having kids this time last year I would’ve said you were crazy.”
“And don’t forget that we’re both shifters now,” Etti added with a weak laugh.
“Well you were always a shifter.”
“And apparently a witch too.”
“Damn, good thing I never pissed you off,” Wes teased.
It was Etti’s turn to snort. “You just wait until I figure out how to cast spells.”
Wes grinned. “Maybe this whole friendship pause has its perks.”
Etti punched his shoulder lovingly. “I’m gonna miss your dumb jokes.”
“I’m gonna miss your cranky sarcasm.”
“Well, it’s settled,” Wes said. “We’ll have to annoy each other’s mates with our charming personalities for a while until you figure out a way to make me remember how much I love annoying you.”
“Deal,” Etti said a little less teary-eyed.
“Speaking of mates. You better go help my bride find a wedding dress,” Wes said. “See you at the church?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Etti said, hugging Wes again.
He squeezed her tight one more time, soaking up as much of his best friend as he could. Wes knew it wouldn’t be enough to last, but he tried anyway. “I love you, Etti.”
“I love you too, Wes.”
Etti
Etti danced down the streets of New Orleans with Grey while bouncing a smiling Izzi in her arms. They followed Wes and Cali and the jazz band they hired for their wedding march. If Etti had known weddings warranted parades, she might have opted to get married in New Orleans herself. Maybe making a home in the resilient city wouldn’t be so bad after all.
When she looked at the smiles of her mate and her daughter, she found it hard to feel like she’d ever miss anything outside the walls of the French Quarter. After all home is where you heart is—and Grey and Izzi were certainly Etti’s heart.
She looked to where Cali and Wes were dancing and singing, their fingers linked, adorned with shiny new wedding rings. She’d never seen either of them look happier and it filled Etti with hope for a future where her family and their’s would finally be free to be together again.
Etti smiled down at her cooing daughter and her heart swelled with pride, knowing one day, Izzi would bring about that future.
The past few months had been the craziest of Etti’s life, but she knew she wouldn’t change them for the world, because they gave her a true family and the unconditional love that came with it.
As Grey brushed a light kiss on her cheek and made faces for his little girl, Etti smiled, knowing that she’d made the right choice. To follow her heart, stand by the man she loved, and together they would achieve what they set out to do—protect their daughter, and those they loved no matter the sacrifice.
Chapter 20
Etti
Wes and Cali’s last day in New Orleans was bittersweet for Etti. On one hand she was happy that her friends were going to return to Blue Creek where they’d be safe, surrounded by family and friends. It also would ease her mind to know Marc would have Wes and Cali to protect him.
They’d called to tell him the good news about Cali and Wes, and that Etti had decided to give Wes the Painted Wolf as a wedding gift, as long as he promised to make Marc a partner. The only thing she left out was that by the next full moon, Marc wouldn’t remember Etti at all. It seemed less cruel to upset him when in a few days his memories would simply fade away—leaving the pain with Etti, where it belonged.
Marc was ecstatic about Wes and Cali’s news. But Etti noticed he clammed up when she asked how everything was going at home as far as keeping the rouges at bay. She sensed there was more he wasn’t telling her. But at least the threat would be over with the next full moon.
After Wes and Cali finished checking out of the hotel, Cali suggested they all go out for one last meal in town before she and Wes headed home. Etti agreed, knowing the longer they lingered the harder the goodbye would be.
The four of them and Izzi enjoyed a meal at Muriel’s on a balcony overlooking the square as the lively sounds of the Quarter wafted up to them.
“Well,” Wes said slinging an arm around Cali’s shoulders. “At least you picked a great place to disappear.”
Grey nodded. “It’s a little hot, but you can’t beat the vibe.”
“And if we could find a place to live and then a way to afford it, we’d be set,” Etti added, trying to keep the stress from her voice. She didn’t want to worry Wes and Cali on their last day.
“Too bad you didn’t have your voodoo auntie weave a sweet ancestral mansion into her spell,” Wes replied.
Etti fought the smart remark she wanted to throw back at Wes. Instead she smiled and said, “We’ll figure it out. Besides, I was thinking this would be a pretty great spot to open up a new tattoo parlor.”
“Really?” Wes looked surprised and mildly jealous.
Etti shrugged. “It’s just an idea. There’s a lot of supernaturals in this town that I could cater to. And since they won’t be able to sense what I am, I’ll be safe.”
“It’s a great idea, babe. I could help you run it.”
“Would you call it the Painted Wolf Too?” Wes asked.
“No. I think that might be a little too tempting for the hunt.”
“Right,” he agre
ed. “But what would you call it?”
Etti winked. “I’ve got a few ideas rolling around.”
“Aw, come on!” Wes whined. “I can tell you’ve already picked a name. Just tell me.”
“It’s just an idea. You know it’s bad luck to say it out loud before it’s a reality.”
“No, that’s just your crazy superstition. Come on Etti,” Wes begged. “You know I’m no good at waiting. Besides, it’s not like I’ll remember it anyway?”
“No one likes waiting, Wes,” Cali said patting her belly. “But some things are worth it.”
Epilogue
Etti looked up from her desk when the bell chimed at the door of her tattoo parlor. A giggling whirlwind of black ringlets came rushing into the Howling Wolf Tattoo.
“Mommy! Mommy! We got mail from Uncle Wes!”
Grey breezed through the door a moment after with another raven-haired little girl on his shoulders. “Izzi, what did I tell you about running ahead of me.”
“Sorry, Daddy! But I’m just so excited to see if my new cousin is here!” Izzi replied waving the card in the air.
Grey deposited his other daughter on the floor of the shop and smiled at Etti. It cracked her up that her big bad shifter was such a push over with his girls.
“Izzi, take your sister Marci to play, okay?” Grey said. “I need to talk to Mommy for a minute.”
“Is everything okay?” Etti asked once the girls were playing in the tiny courtyard behind the tattoo shop.
“Yeah. It’s more good news,” Grey said handing Etti the envelope he’d snatched from Izzi.
It was a baby announcement for Cali and Wes’s third child. They had twin boys and now a little girl. Etti grinned at the blue-eyed little girl with dark eyes just like Wes’s. “She’s beautiful,” Etti murmured, running her fingers across the photograph, wishing she could be there to celebrate with her friends.
A year after Etti and Grey had been living in New Orleans threat-free from the hunt, Etti took a chance to contact Wes. Etti asked one of her employees to write an anonymous letter to Wes with instructions to dig up a time capsule they had buried when they were eighteen. Three days after she sent the letter, Wes showed up at Etti’s doorstep, tears in his eyes, holding the dirty canister that contained their lives. When he saw Etti, he scooped her up and whispered, “I remember everything.”
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