“Huh?”
“The last time I remember seeing Quip, he was just a little kid.”
“Great,” said Gabby, scowling at them both.
Her father didn’t miss the tension. “I’m going to start prepping food. Why don’t you two have a little chat?”
Gabby and Quip stood staring at each other, both with their arms crossed and hips cocked to the side.
“Don’t look at me like that,” said Quip with a sassy shake of his head.
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t deserve your petty anger.”
“Really?”
“Really. Look, Gabs, I’m not your enemy here. Understand? Whether you want to admit it or not, I’ve had your back this entire time. You can be all pissy and shit if you want, but you’re wasting your time.”
“Is that so?” said Gabby.
“Mmm-hmm.”
Gabby stared him down, but she couldn’t stay angry at him for long. She knew that she was being petty. “So what’s your story?” she asked. “If you hung out with my sister, you must belong to the Otherworld.”
“I’m a witch, babe. My family has known yours for decades.”
“Of course you are,” said Gabby with a surrendering sigh.
Quip opened his arms. “Friends?”
Gabby shook her head and laughed. “One condition.”
“What’s that?” Quip asked, arms still opened to her.
“Don’t ever fucking lie to me again.”
“Deal.”
They hugged it out and went inside, where a plethora of wonderful aromas waited.
***
Dinner was followed by a dessert of crème brûlée and coffee with Baileys and fresh whipped cream. Gabby learned about Quip’s coven, which consisted of the entire staff of the Inner Goddess, and his family’s relationship to Gabby’s family. As it turned out, Quip’s and Gabby’s mothers had started the coven in the eighties.
“So why didn’t the coven do anything when Maggy was killed?” Gabby asked, pushing aside her finished dessert.
“We did,” said Quip, sitting across the table from her. “But you up and got yourself kidnapped by Victor before we could intervene. I told you to stay put and not do anything stupid.”
Gabby conceded the point with a nod, not wanting to argue. “So what now?” she asked them both. “I’ve got this power. What do I do with it? There must be other . . . creatures like Victor.”
“More than you can imagine,” said her father with a look of concern. “The vampires will be after you now, Gabs. Not to mention a myriad of others.”
“Let them come. They have no power in my presence.”
“Gabs, this isn’t a game. You could get hurt . . . killed.”
“I’m well aware of the risks, Dad. But I was dead for years before I realized my gift. I think that it’s high time I carry on the family business. And I would like your help. Both of you.”
“You’re going to do this whether I agree or not, aren’t you?” her father asked.
Gabby nodded.
“Just as stubborn as your mother.”
She grinned mischievously.
A long sigh escaped him, and he looked to Quip.
“Don’t look at me, daddy-o. I’m with Gabby,” said Quip. “We could use someone like her on our side. You’ve been out of the game for a long time; you don’t know how bad it’s gotten out there.”
“Please,” said Gabby’s father. “I’ve seen shit that would make your painted nails curl.” He turned back to Gabby. “I just want you to know what you’re getting yourself into. Once you go down this path, there is no turning back.”
“I turned down that path when I killed Victor,” said Gabby. “And I don’t intend on turning back. I want to continue my mother’s work. And I would like your blessing, Dad. It would mean a lot to me.”
He pursed his lips and shook his head. “I’m so damned proud of you, Gabs. You know you’ve got my blessing, and that of your mother’s.”
Gabby teared up and rose from her chair to hug her father.
He embraced her like he thought she might blow away. “I love you, Gabs.”
“I love you too, Dad.”
“Damn it, you two,” said Quip, fanning himself with a napkin. “You is going to ruin my makeup.”
Gabby laughed and wiped at her eyes. She raised her glass in a toast, and the two men did the same.
“To new beginnings and happy endings!”
They clanged glasses and finished their wine.
Gabby couldn’t help a wide smile. She felt as though her life had just begun. And it was a life filled with possibility, magic, and wonder.
Gabby Gabby
Welcome to my blog. I doubt that any of you will believe what you’re about to hear, but I’ve just got to tell someone—the story deserves to be written.
I’ve debated publishing my collection of entries gathered over the last few months, but I’ve finally decided to do so. Those of us who walk in the light should do so with no shame. What I’m about to tell you will piss a lot of people (and creatures) off, but then again, that’s the point. You are hereby put on notice—there is a new guardian in Chicago. If you serve the light, know that you have an ally and a friend. If you serve darkness . . . may God have mercy on your soul because I will not.
Dear Reader,
Thank you for purchasing A Cross to Bear. I hope you enjoyed this book.
I would love to hear what you thought of the story, good or bad, so please feel free to leave a review. I also invite you to join my mailing list and Facebook page for updates on upcoming book releases, contests, giveaways, and much more.
I want to thank all the Kindle Scouts who helped get this book published by Kindle Press. You made all the difference.
To everyone who nominated A Cross to Bear, left a review, shared my books on Goodreads, posted on Twitter or Facebook, or simply just enjoyed the book and told their friends—thank you! I hope to have Book 2 out for you soon.
With humble appreciation,
M. J. Lovestone
A Cross to Bear Page 19