* * *
On their way back to Sam’s, Leo lost consciousness in the backseat of the car from the energy constraint of his bindings. His weakness boded well for keeping him from shifting anytime soon.
As soon as they reached the house, the men hustled Leo in the back way and up the stairs. The women circulated through the rooms, greeting neighbors while seeking out the Others in attendance and informing them that there would be an emergency council meeting as soon as the party wrapped up.
Katie Sue finally escaped to the kitchen to gather her thoughts. Now that he had his coat back, Jett would leave her again, and she had to make a crucial decision for her personal well-being. If she let Jett go, the void in her heart would remain forever. Could she live with that decision? Earlier, it had seemed cut and dried. She’d been convinced she had no choice, but now that Jett had his coat and Miranda’s pelt was free for her to use, her choices no longer seemed as clear. How could she keep her lover and remain as Keeper of the Selkies?
Sam entered a few moments later, her concern clear on her face. “Everyone knows we’ll be meeting to decide Leo’s fate after the guests leave. I’m so glad Jett’s pelt was recovered in time.”
Katie Sue took a drink of water to buy herself time, but she could barely swallow it. She pushed the glass—and her painful thoughts—away, drawing on the strength she possessed as Keeper of the Selkies. Besides, this was Christmas, the season of giving. Jett’s well-being was paramount, more important than her own desires. She loved him so much. Only his happiness mattered. The smile she offered her mentor was straight from her heart. “Recovering his skin was truly a gift. We’re so lucky that we all have each other to rely on.” She met Sam’s eyes, her own serious. “But we have to question Leo. I’m sure he knows who’s behind the curse.”
“Let’s save that concern for the meeting.” She reached for Katie’s hand. “Come on. It’s Christmas Eve. We’re exchanging gifts. Let’s enjoy the moment.”
* * *
The house finally grew quiet close to midnight. Katie Sue glanced at the shoulder bag holding Miranda’s coat. As she’d watched the others exchange gifts, she’d decided to present Jett with his mother’s fur in private. His emotions might be too raw for him to receive the long-lost gift in front of others. The Salem council members convened around the fireplace while Jett recounted what happened when they recovered his skin. As always, Katie Sue marveled at the way these unassuming and familiar residents of Salem balanced their normal lives as shopkeepers, medical and financial professionals, parents and caregivers with their existence as members of the Otherworld.
One of the shifters said, “If you had to breach a blocking shield, that means someone was hiding Leo’s abilities from detection.”
“Which makes Leo someone’s minion,” Jett said. “Most likely we’re talking witch or warlock here.”
June took a deep breath, as if to steel herself against what was coming next. “Then as Keeper of the Witches, the burden falls on me to find the conjurer of this evil.” She sighed and met the gazes of the group. “If one of my charges is behind this, I will deliver him or her. I promise.”
Kenny put an arm around her. “We’re all here to help, June. You’re not alone. We’ll get through this together.”
As if on cue, Bridgette entered carrying a tray holding Christmas cookies, coffee and eggnog into the room. “Let’s bring Christmas morn in with a final blessing and a toast to us all,” she said.
Jett stood. “Before this Christmas Eve ends, I’d like to give one more gift.”
He walked over to the tree and retrieved his selkie skin from where he’d tucked it so it was hidden from view. Katie Sue watched, eyes wide, as he returned to her, smiling that heart-stopping smile she cherished. Her pulse pounded as he knelt before her, and she could feel the attention of everyone in the room focused on them.
Jett placed the skin in her lap with the nobility of the royal line from which he came. She couldn’t help but rest her palm on the soft silk of his gray coat, fully aware it could only be filled by the one man she would love forever.
Jett’s eyes were filled with a passion she felt right down to her soul as he said, “Katie Sue, as my Keeper and my lover, you unselfishly set aside your own dreams tonight to help me recover my heritage—no, my life. In return, I offer you my heart. Forever. My selkie skin is yours. Marry me. I am prepared to remain human and give us the life we both seek until death do us part.”
A hush fell over the room. Katie knew that Jett’s willingness to forfeit the sea and become human was monumental, and that everyone else recognized that, as well. The fire burning in his eyes proved how serious he was about claiming her for his own. Only the ticking grandfather clock marked the passing moments as she soaked in the enormity of his words.
Tears fell shamelessly down her cheeks. Unable to resist this man she’d loved for what was essentially her entire life, she caressed his face with her hands and drew his mouth to hers for a kiss that sent a thrill through her. “Jett, I’ve dreamed of hearing you say those words. Thank you. Nothing would make me happier than to be your wife, but before I accept, there’s something I have to tell you.”
Jett sat back on his heels, confusion clouding his eyes. “Is something wrong?”
A bubble of laughter escaped her as she pushed that errant lock of black hair from Jett’s forehead. “Not exactly, my love.”
She glanced at her mother and smiled, then retrieved the shoulder bag from beneath the Christmas tree and knelt in front of Jett. “Here. This is for you.”
Jett’s hand stopped in midair when he opened the bag and saw the contents. Awe filled his face as he removed the skin for all to see. “My mother’s pelt? Where did you find it?”
Katie Sue’s pulse quickened. Telling Jett of her discovery would change the field of possibilities between them. Did she have the courage to become a selkie wife instead of a human one? She had wanted Jett to forfeit his heritage for her and he had done exactly that. Could she return the offer? The gesture would mean relinquishing her role as Keeper, her family and her life on land. Unless...
She rested her hands on Miranda’s pelt, where it lay on Jett’s knees. “I found it hidden in the hearth. And a little while later I felt this...this inexplicable urge to put it on, and something amazing happened.”
Understanding filled Jett’s eyes. His voice dropped to a whisper. “Tell me you transformed, Katie.”
Her heart in her throat, she nodded. “Yes. I became a selkie.”
Jett pulled her to her feet, wrapping her in his arms. “Oh, by the goddess! So the legend is true?”
She nodded, tears brimming in her eyes. “Yes. I have the gene.”
He spun her around, laughing. “My Katie Sue is part selkie!”
The joy in his face was infectious. Katie Sue laughed with him. She could feel the energy flow through her body and into his as he held her close. They were one. The way he was looking at her proved there was no denying that simple, beautiful fact.
When he held her at arm’s length, her smile grew serious. “I can choose now, Jett. I can leave with you, if you would prefer the life of a selkie to a life on land. I’m prepared to become a selkie wife. All I want is to be with you for the rest of my life.”
Sam stood. “Okay, you two lovebirds, while this is truly a Christmas blessing, Katie Sue has raised a serious issue that affects us all. While Jett’s choice to become human is a personal one, Katie’s decision will affect not only her future but the entire Keeper and selkie communities.”
Knowing how this discussion would go, Katie decided to make the process easier by speaking her mind first. She held up a hand. “In the hours since I discovered Miranda’s coat, I’ve had the chance to consider the options.”
Samantha nodded. “Go on.”
Katie reached for Jett’s hand. “I cannot live without Jett in my life. I also cannot ask him to remain human forever. That was a choice he was willing to make for my happiness, not his own.”
Jett interrupted. “I did it for us, Katie.”
She gave him a brief but heartfelt kiss. “I believe you, Jett. However, I have a proposal for the council.” Squeezing Jett’s hand for support, she addressed the others. “During the short time I was a selkie, something shifted inside me. I felt a freedom I’ve never known before. An organic joy seemed to flow from Miranda’s skin into my body—and I want to experience that feeling again. I will always be human, but now I truly understand what it means, how amazing it is, to be a selkie. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to be both, and I want to take advantage of that chance.”
Sam said, “So what do you propose, Katie?”
“What better way to remain a Keeper of the Selkies than to live among them? Our purpose is to protect the Others in our care. As a selkie, I can better understand and help, and as a human, I can better represent them in our world. And the really wonderful thing is that since I’m only part selkie, I’m pretty sure I won’t be bound to spend seven years away at sea. If I’m needed at home, I can return and transform as needed.”
“I think that’s a brilliant idea,” June said. “And I intend to make sure our world survives. I will find and defeat the source of the darkness that threatens us.” The light in her eyes reflected her commitment to achieving her goal.
Katie Sue smiled at June. “In the meantime, I propose that Jett and I marry before his time on land ends.”
An elder vampire held up a finger. “Let’s slow down for a moment. Would she remain eligible to be a Keeper? A Keeper must be human.”
Katie Sue opened her arms. “But I am human.”
In the ensuing silence, Sam spoke up. “Shall we vote?” When everyone nodded their assent, she continued. “All opposed to Katie Sue remaining as Keeper, say nay.”
Jett pulled Katie Sue close while they waited for a verdict, his heart hammering beneath her hand resting on his chest. She held her breath in anticipation. Her future as Keeper was at stake, and heaven bless Jett for being as worried as she was over the outcome.
When no one spoke in dissent, Samantha grinned.
“All in favor?”
Every voice in the room responded “Aye!”
A thrill ran through Katie Sue. Jett hugged her hard before draping his mother’s fur over her shoulders. She immediately felt the warmth of Miranda’s essence soothe her. Though she had never known Jett’s mother, the woman’s love continued to linger. And Katie intended to build on that shared love to make the world in which she lived a better place for everyone, human and Other alike. It was all she could do as Keeper of the Selkies. It was all she could do for Jett.
The others crowded around them, laughing, hugging them, toasting them.
When Katie Sue finally found her way back to Jett’s side, she smiled into his laughing dark eyes. “Are you prepared for a whirlwind wedding, my love?”
He searched her face as he asked, “Are you prepared for a life spent almost entirely beneath the sea? Away from your loved ones?”
Katie Sue inhaled a fortifying breath. She’d already spent most of her existence without the love of her life. Spending time—years, even—away from the only home she’d ever known would be a walk in the park, especially now that they would be exploring his world together. Besides, she was free to return whenever her Keeper duties required it. Their future looked brighter than ever. She and Jett were going home.
She met his gaze, hoping every ounce of love she felt for him was reflected in her eyes. “For the first time in my life, my destiny makes sense. Yes, I am prepared to leave with you. Miranda’s legacy is the most precious of Christmas gifts. I have not only discovered new possibilities for myself, but I get to keep you in the bargain.”
Kenny lifted his glass. “I propose the final toast of this blessed Christmas Eve. To Jett and Katie Sue. May Christmas tidings be with them always!”
Jett pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly while everyone around them cheered them on. Katie Sue couldn’t help but imagine that the love generated in this house tonight could light the entire world. She had never felt happier. Hugging Jett close, she inhaled his familiar scent, knowing this was the best Christmas ever. She murmured, “Merry Christmas, my love.” With Jett’s arm around her shoulder, she lifted her glass and met the eyes of their family and friends to acknowledge their love. “A very merry Christmas to us, one and all.”
* * * * *
STALKING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND
Beth Ciotta
Dear Reader,
Greetings, and thank you for joining us on this dark ride through the brightest of seasons. For me, there’s nothing more rewarding than sharing the gifts of joy, love and adventure. I feel especially blessed to be included in this intriguing anthology alongside some of the nicest people I know: Heather Graham, Deborah LeBlanc and Kathleen Pickering. Joining together, we’ve created four tales celebrating the many wonders of the paranormal realm and the power of hope, faith and love. My contribution, Stalking in a Winter Wonderland, comes from my heart and explores the magic of the season, the importance of family and the blessing of true love. I wish for you everything I write about—not just during the holidays but the whole year through. Peace and joy, my friends…always!
Cheers,
Beth Ciotta
To my fellow authors, Heather Graham,
Deborah LeBlanc and Kathleen Pickering,
and to our editor, Leslie Wainger. Thank you for the inspiration, collaboration and the joy of creating something magical!
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Epilogue
Chapter 1
2:00 a.m.
Typically Juniper Twist would be sound asleep.
Typically most everyone in Salem would be asleep. Except for the parents who were wrapping last-minute presents. Or the children peeking out of their windows in hopes of spying Santa and his reindeer.
Instead, in these moonlit hours before the dawn—at least, as measured by the clock—of Christmas Day, the citizens of Salem, human and Other, were restless. Sleep patterns had been disrupted. A sinister darkness had crept into their lives, and over the past few weeks, as the daylight hours had shrunk to mere minutes, an anxious desperation had seeped into their spirits. Would there even be a dawn? Ever?
June pushed aside the magical tome she’d been studying for the past hour and stood to stretch her tense muscles. Snatching her fourth can of Red Bull, she breezed by shelves crammed with sacred texts and literature to get to the frosty pane of the Twists & Tales, the bookshop she’d recently inherited from her poor deceased uncle. Sipping the energy-charged drink, she peered into the black night. It had been just as black at two o’clock in the afternoon on Christmas Eve. On what had been a festive, sunny day everywhere else in the country, Salem hadn’t gotten even a half hour of blessed light.
Scientists and meteorologists had pondered the phenomenon. The media had speculated like crazy. But none of them had suspected the truth, because, due to the code of silence, very few human beings knew of the existence of the plethora of supernatural beings occupying this planet. Vampires, selkies, shapeshifters, werewolves and fae, to name only a few. The Others had been living among humans for centuries, overseen by the Keepers, who helped them to peacefully exist in a world that had no clue as to their existence.
June was a newly appointed Keeper. The Keeper of the Witches. Witches with supernatural zing.
“Whoop-de-twinkly-do.”
Once upon a time, her father had been Keeper of the Witches, but then he’d died and his younger brother, her uncle, had taken up the post. She had been marked for the future and had spent most of her young life looking forward to holding this distinguished position. Then she’d fallen pre
y to a spell. A love spell. Learning she’d been duped by those she’d respected and admired had altered her perception of witches. Oh, she still admired their magical powers and their affinity with the earth, but she didn’t trust them. She’d spent the past few years overseas, studying vigorously and learning as much as she could about witches—the magical kind, not the religious kind—although she’d boned up on Wiccans, too. She’d planned on being fully prepared, knowing all their tricks and how to better detect deception, by the time she became a Keeper. She would become impervious to bewitchment. Yes, she had centuries’ worth of knowledge to absorb, but she honestly hadn’t expected to fill a Keeper’s shoes for another twenty years. At forty-one her uncle Artemis had been in his prime—as a man and as a Keeper. She still couldn’t believe he’d died of a heart attack. A heart attack! Considering the potentially dangerous and powerful individuals he dealt with on a daily basis, it seemed such a mundane way to go.
Hence, June had been contacted by her family as well as the council. She’d abandoned her ancient studies near Stonehenge and flown across the Atlantic to take up her inherited duty. There’d been little time to mourn Artemis’s death because she’d landed smack-dab in the middle of this blackout crisis. It had been coming on ever since before the Winter Solstice and had gotten worse by the day. According to pagan beliefs, Yule was when the darker half of the year relinquished precedence to the lighter half. The days should have been getting longer, not shorter. It was as if their midwinter celebration had backfired. She’d even heard rumors that practicing witches and Wiccans were having a hard time keeping their Yule logs lit.
At first she prayed heart and soul that this pall was a freak glitch in nature.
And then she’d hoped some terrifying government experiment had gone awry.
When it became apparent the darkness was Otherworldly, she’d willed it to be the mischievous doing of an elf or a sick prank by a rabid vampire. She wanted it to be any other Keeper’s problem but hers. Several of her cousins were Keepers. Katie Sue was Keeper of the Selkies. Roe was Keeper of the Five Elementals. Samantha was Keeper of the Vampires. Any one of them had more practical experience in these matters than June. All had keener leadership skills. All held more sway with their charges. Especially Sam. Heck, Samantha Mycroft was not only respected by the vampire community, she was beloved by the entire town, not to mention she was the de facto leader of all the local Keepers. June herself... Well, she was an outsider. Or at least that was how she felt. She’d been away for so long that she felt dismally out of touch. With her family, yes, but especially with the witch community.
The Keepers: Christmas in Salem: Do You Fear What I Fear?The Fright Before ChristmasUnholy NightStalking in a Winter Wonderland (Harlequin Nocturne) Page 17