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“How do I break your curse on him?”
My mother gives me a patient smile. “You don’t, sweet girl. Sebastian will reap what he has sown. Everything works out as it is meant.”
She looks so peaceful standing next to my father and grandmother. How can they be so at peace with torturing Sebastian?
“What about the tenet that we shall do no harm? We fight in defense of our lives and our sisters, but twenty-five years of torture is wrong. I’ve seen his suffering and can’t imagine the strength it’s taken for him to fight it this long.”
“Sebastian Fontenot is not your concern, cher,” Grand-Mère says. “Your heart is too pure for a man like him. Become the high priestess, lead the Sun Witches, and heal the Moon Witches. That is your destiny.”
Movement in the corner brings my attention to Fintan tapping the face of his watch.
Right.
I meet the serene gazes of my family. “Thank you for your wisdom. Be at peace. I love you.”
When I release my call on them, their presence recedes like the tide pulling away from the shore. I blow out the candles one by one, sealing the ritual and their visitation with respect.
Sadly, I don’t feel much better.
RUNE
“I’m sorry things didn’t go as well as you hoped for, babe.” I give Josie a kiss on the cheek and open the car door for her. When she slides into the front seat, I hand her the seatbelt and then close her door and climb into the back.
Finn slides into the driver’s seat beside her. He sticks the keys into the ignition and the engine rumbles to life. “Are ye all right, lass?”
Josie draws a deep breath and exhales. “It’s becoming clear that mentors and family are great, but when it comes down to it—it’s my life and my choices. I’m not them.”
“No. Yer not. Yer a force all yer own.”
She absolutely is.
I grab the headrest and lean forward, focusing on the part that might cheer her up. “It wasn’t all bad. You found out why your family grimoire has been underwhelming.”
She turns back to grant me a warm smile. “Yeah. That’s good. And despite my mom’s comment about not helping Sebastian, I won’t stop trying to break the curse. Sebastian can be a bastard, no one’s arguing that point, but he doesn’t deserve lifelong torture.”
“He’s a fucking bastard, all right. I still can’t believe he wiped my memory.” It pisses me off, but it also cuts deep. It crossed a line the three of us swore we’d never cross.
“It has to be the curse,” Finn says. “The Sebastian we knew and swore our fealty to would never have stabbed you in the back like that.”
And what’s your excuse?
Fintan might put on a smile when we’re in front of Josie, but I see the daggers in his eyes. There’s something seriously not right with him and I’m getting sick of it.
He threw me under the fucking bus with Sebastian. If the wolves are attacking tourists along the river, he should’ve brought it to me.
Has my focus slipped so much that I’m fucking up? Sure, I’m a bit obsessed with my unity bond, but I haven’t been shirking my duties—have I?
I pull out my phone and call up Aiden’s contact.
As the captain of my street rat team, he has been my eyes and ears during daylight hours for the past six years. He’s a good kid and I’ve trusted him to keep tabs on the French Quarter while we were forced indoors during the day.
Now, because of our bond with Josie and feeding on her, Finn and I are daywalkers. It’s a game changer, but I still value Aiden and want him to continue in his current position.
Aiden doesn’t answer, but he sends me a quick text. Sorry. Can’t talk. Too many ears.
Everything OK?
Wolves on the river. Up 2 something.
