“I don’t know the address,” she admits. “But I can show you. It’s not far from the Quarter.”
“You need to rest,” I say.
“I can rest when those men are safe,” Dahlia insists. “Come on, I’ll show you.”
Cash takes her hand and leads her toward the house. “I’ll call you when we’re finished,” he calls out over his shoulder, already in cop mode, ready to go save Horace’s victims.
“We’re still going to cast the ritual circle for the All Hallows’ Eve ritual,” Miss Sophia insists. “It will strengthen us all. We can’t let him destroy what we came here to do.”
As we form the circle once more, Mama pulls me in for a strong hug.
“I’m so proud of you,” she says and frames my face in her hands. “Now, let’s enjoy our celebration, shall we?”
I nod and take Lucien’s hand.
We did it.
He brushes his thumb over my forehead.
Together.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Lucien
It’s been three days since the night in the field, and I’m not sure if my hands have stopped shaking.
I was terrified for days, knowing that the evil was about to culminate, I just didn’t know when or how.
And I certainly didn’t expect it to be Dahlia that he used as a host.
I glance over at Millie, who’s picking green beans in our garden.
“I just found something,” she says with a frown. She looks adorable in her oversized coveralls and wide-brimmed hat to keep the sun off her delicate skin. “Like, not a green bean.”
“What is it?” I lean over to have a look. “A coin?”
“It looks like a silver dollar,” she says with delight. “It’s from 1902.”
“Must be mine, then.”
She rolls her eyes and shakes her head. “Finder’s keepers and all that.”
She tucks the coin into her pocket and then returns to picking beans.
“Have you talked to Dahlia today?” she asks.
“No, but I spoke with her last night. Her blood matches, Millie.”
Her head whips around to look at me. “Matches what?”
“The blood on the bloodstones. He was cutting Dahlia and coating the stones with her blood.”
“Which is why I saw the cuts on her arm that day,” Millie says and props her hands on her hips. “You know, you mentioned that with all of the protection spells we cast, there was no way that Horace would be able to go into Witches Brew, even with a host.”
“You’re right.”
“And it occurred to me that Dahlia hasn’t set foot in the Brew since the day I found the blood on the mirror in the bathroom. She came to the door but never went inside. Even the night of the Halloween street party, she suggested I read her cards outside.”
“What did her cards say?”
Millie sighs. “Nothing. They were a mess. They didn’t make sense at all.”
“But knowing what we know now, that makes sense, after all.”
“Oh, Lucien, I feel so bad. I should have known. Dahlia was acting strangely, and I didn’t see it. She had good excuses for everything. Instead, I blamed my friend.”
“And you apologized.”
“I don’t deserve Esme. She accepted my apology so quickly and said that she would have suspected everyone around her, too. I’m going to give her a raise, and a week’s vacation.”
“You’re sweet,” I murmur and kiss the top of her head. “I know she’ll appreciate that. We’ll check in on Dahlia later today. Maybe tomorrow.”
“Why did he target her?” she asks. “I’ve been trying to figure that out.”
“Because of her history with the dark coven,” I reply. “He most likely knew her from that coven and remembered that she left. She would be vulnerable to possession.”
“That’s so messed up.”
I tug her to me and hold her tightly, unable to hold off any longer.
“You’ve been a little clingy lately,” she says. “Not that I’m complaining.”
“It’s relief,” I admit. “I was so scared that I’d have to watch you die again. I just couldn’t bear it, a stór mo chroí.”
“Did you think we’d lose?” she asks in surprise.
“I didn’t know, and that was the hardest part. I didn’t know if we’d defeat him, or when he’d strike. I certainly wasn’t expecting it to go down the way it did, but I’m grateful because we had an army of people on our side.”
“I suspected it would happen there,” she admits.
“Really?”
“Yeah, because I still suspected Esme. But also because he likes to show off, Lucien. He likes an audience. And what better audience than a circle of witches?”
“Very true. I’m sure he’s pissed that he failed.”
“He’ll try again.”
“Yes.” I sigh and bury my lips in her hair. “He will.”
“My baby sister needs to get her shit together, or we will lose again.”
“She will,” I reply with confidence. “I have faith in her. You need to, as well.”
“Yeah, well, I believe in her. I also believe in the power of Brielle’s nagging. She’ll badger the poor girl into being with Jackson if it’s the last thing she does.”
I laugh and drag my thumb over her forehead. No headache today.
“Unfortunately, that’s not how it works. She can’t be nagged into it. It has to happen of their own free will.”
“Then we might be doomed.” Millie grins. “Does this mean we get to grow old together, a mhuirnín?”
“It means we’re one step closer. I honestly don’t know what happens from here. We’ve never gotten this far before.”
“Wow,” she breathes. “No pressure or anything.”
I grin and tip up her chin so I can kiss her sweet lips. The love I have for this woman brings me to my knees. My chest aches with it. And I’ll do everything in my power to keep her and those we love safe.
“No pressure at all.”
Epilogue
Daphne
Six Months Later…
* * *
The wedding was absolutely stunning. Millie was radiant in her long, flowy white dress. We talked her out of wearing the one she wore a hundred years ago. I still can’t believe she found it in a trunk in one of the empty bedrooms.
The whole something old is fine, but sometimes you need something new, for a fresh start. And this dress with its little forget-me-nots embroidered in the veil was just the right thing. And when Lucien saw her for the first time, well, let’s just say there wasn’t a dry eye in the field.
We’re back in the same place we held the Halloween ritual, but I was relieved to see that all remnants of that scary night were swept away with cleansing spells and magic.
Thank the goddess for magic.
I’ve always left that sort of thing up to Millie. It’s not that I don’t believe. It’s the exact opposite, actually.
It’s that I’ve seen what magic can do, how it can destroy, and I avoid it like the plague.
Just like I avoid Jackson Pruitt.
Who, by the way, is here. And that’s why I’m in the damn bathroom. I was so mad when Millie told me she invited him.
But he’s her friend, and she’s stubborn.
And I can handle it. I’m an adult. And I know that sooner or later—okay, sooner—we’ll have to work together. I feel it.
I know he’s part of my destiny.
But damn it, I’m just not ready. Not yet.
So, today, I’m going to pull up my big-girl panties and enjoy my sister’s special day. I’ll deal with Jack some other time.
I nod, happy with this decision and feeling bolstered from my little pep talk, and walk out of the bathroom.
It’s suddenly grown quiet outside, which is odd for a wedding reception of at least a hundred guests.
I frown as I walk around the side of the house. The air is still. There’s no music. No laughter or
talking.
Just…silence.
“Hey, guys?” I call out. “What’s going on?”
Everyone is standing, facing away from me. Not moving. Just standing as if they’re in a trance.
“Guys?”
Collectively, they all turn to stare right at me.
And every single one of them is missing their eyes.
About Serendipity
Coming October 2021!
* * *
From New York Times Bestselling Author, Kristen Proby, comes Serendipity, the final installment in her gripping Bayou Magic series…
* * *
I’m not a practicing witch, but there’s never been any denying my oddities. At least I can put my psychometry to good use at my antique store—I mean, who wouldn’t want to buy from someone who can see the history of every piece?
* * *
My gift, however, is also a curse. It cost me the love of my life. Sure, we were young, but some things you can’t get over. Like being the cause of the biggest tragedy of your boyfriend’s life. It’s something I’ll never forget, and a reflection of who I am.
* * *
But now that Jackson’s back in town, medal of honor on his lapel, and scars aplenty. It’s time for me to be brave, too. A malevolent evil hell-bent on making my sisters and me pay for rebuffing him is still stalking my family, and some ancient writings portended that the six were the only ones who could defeat him.
* * *
Apparently, Jackson Pruitt and I round out that magical number, which means I have to face him and the things he makes me feel, to save my family and my city.
* * *
I never sought to reconnect with Jack. His heart may be the most valuable thing I’ve ever touched or held. Working with him now means opening myself up to my feelings for him.
* * *
Refusing means destruction for us all.
* * *
For more information, visit: www.kristenprobyauthor.com/serendipity
About the Author
Kristen Proby has published close to fifty titles, many of which have hit the USA Today, New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists. She continues to self publish, best known for her With Me In Seattle and Boudreaux series, and is also proud to work with William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins, with the Fusion and Romancing Manhattan Series.
* * *
Kristen and her husband, John, make their home in her hometown of Whitefish, Montana with their two cats and dog.
Newsletter Sign Up
I hope you enjoyed reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it! For upcoming book news, be sure to join my newsletter! I promise I will only send you news-filled mail, and none of the spam. You can sign up here:
https://mailchi.mp/kristenproby.com/newsletter-sign-up
Also by Kristen Proby:
Other Books by Kristen Proby
* * *
The With Me In Seattle Series
* * *
Come Away With Me
Under The Mistletoe With Me
Fight With Me
Play With Me
Rock With Me
Safe With Me
Tied With Me
Breathe With Me
Forever With Me
Stay With Me
Indulge With Me
Love With Me
Dance With Me
Dream With Me
You Belong With Me
Imagine With Me
Shine With Me
* * *
Check out the full series here: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/with-me-in-seattle
* * *
The Big Sky Universe
* * *
Love Under the Big Sky
Loving Cara
Seducing Lauren
Falling for Jillian
Saving Grace
* * *
The Big Sky
Charming Hannah
Kissing Jenna
Waiting for Willa
Soaring With Fallon
* * *
Big Sky Royal
Enchanting Sebastian
Enticing Liam
Taunting Callum
* * *
Check out the full Big Sky universe here: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/under-the-big-sky
* * *
Bayou Magic
* * *
Shadows
Spells
* * *
Check out the full series here: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/bayou-magic
* * *
The Romancing Manhattan Series
* * *
All the Way
All it Takes
After All
* * *
Check out the full series here: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/romancing-manhattan
* * *
The Boudreaux Series
* * *
Easy Love
Easy Charm
Easy Melody
Easy Kisses
Easy Magic
Easy Fortune
Easy Nights
* * *
Check out the full series here: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/boudreaux
* * *
The Fusion Series
* * *
Listen to Me
Close to You
Blush for Me
The Beauty of Us
Savor You
* * *
Check out the full series here: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/fusion
* * *
From 1001 Dark Nights
* * *
Easy With You
Easy For Keeps
No Reservations
Tempting Brooke
Wonder With Me
* * *
Coming in 2020:
Shine With Me
* * *
Kristen Proby’s Crossover Collection
* * *
Soaring with Fallon, A Big Sky Novel
* * *
Wicked Force: A Wicked Horse Vegas/Big Sky Novella
By Sawyer Bennett
* * *
All Stars Fall: A Seaside Pictures/Big Sky Novella
By Rachel Van Dyken
* * *
Hold On: A Play On/Big Sky Novella
By Samantha Young
* * *
Worth Fighting For: A Warrior Fight Club/Big Sky Novella
By Laura Kaye
* * *
Crazy Imperfect Love: A Dirty Dicks/Big Sky Novella
By K.L. Grayson
* * *
Nothing Without You: A Forever Yours/Big Sky Novella
By Monica Murphy
* * *
Check out the entire Crossover Collection here: https://www.kristenprobyauthor.com/kristen-proby-crossover-collection
Spells Page 20