“I watched you.” His brow drew together with a baffled expression. “You were magnificent.”
Now, her expression grew tender. Reaching for J.T. as they hovered above the destruction below, she drew closer. “This is what I meant when I said I had so much to tell you.” Her hand brushed across his face in a gentle reaction to his confusion. “The two of us, you and I were the catalyst. Neither of us could have done this alone. We are one in battle, and one in mind and body.”
J.T. struggled to keep up. Her analogies racing over his head in rapid disorder. “I just held on for the ride, Jessie girl. You, you were truly magnificent.”
Her laugh floated in the oxygen-sparse atmosphere of space.
“We have to get back. Come on, you need air.”
Jessie tugged in resistance to his attempt to stir her back down to the earth below. “No, silly. I’m trying to explain.” When he turned back, Jessie lifted her hand, showing him her palm which held a heavy scar. The coiled snake imprint of the amulet puckered her skin. “This is what I mean, J.T. It took me a while to realize what had happened, but the amulet lives inside me now.” Her eyes sparkled with tears as she spoke. “Along with a little of you.” Seeking, her eyes held his. “Don’t you see? The power resides here now.” She took her scared hand, placing it over her heart.
“You’re kidding, right?” He hated the halting disbelief in his tone. “How is that possible? I mean, I want to believe you. You know I do, it’s just that I’m afraid to, to go there.”
She laughed again, this time the sound coming from deep inside. Jessie shook her head gently. My wickedly handsome vampire. You doubt my truth, yet you want it so badly.”
He huffed out a dead breath. “Yeah, you know I do. Are you telling me, the magic lives inside you? That you can cast spells and conjure stuff?”
“Yes.” She waited a beat. “It also means I’ve become supernatural.” She bit her lush bottom lip with the declaration.
“You’re what?” J.T., the vampire, finally got it. “Supernatural? Really? Come on now, don’t yank my chain like that. It isn’t funny. Not one little bit.” He studied her expression carefully. Overwhelmed, he reached for her. “By the gods! Let it be true.” His heart began to thud inside his chest. Excited to share his own truth, J.T. took her hand, gently guiding her fingers to rest over the spot on his chest. “Feel that?”
Jessie’s eyes widened as she let out a gasp. “How?”
“You did that. You, Jessie. The damn thing beats for you.”
Without another word, she wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in the leather collar of his coat. “By the gods!” she whispered.
Her warm breath on his neck felt good, felt right, and so precious. His Jessie, he had a future with the magical woman of his heart’s desire.
The End
Epilogue
Jessie listened to the women behind her. Each one was talking at the same time. Pilot stepped to the doorway. “Ladies, you look amazing.”
“Thank you, Pilot. Are you ready?” Katie’s question broke Jessie’s concentration.
“As ready as I’ll ever be, I suppose.” He glanced at each of them in turn. “I’m grateful to you, Jessie and to all of you for this opportunity.”
“It was my pleasure, Pilot. It’s an honor to have you here.” Jessie stepped to him, giving the shadow walker a hug.
Pilot’s color rose in his chalky face. Fussing with his lapels, he changed the subject. “The deck is full of people. It looks lovely as well. So nice of you to organize everything, Jessie.”
“I’m glad to have had the chance.” Switching gears, Jessie turned to Katie who looked lovely in a gilded gown of spun silk. As the wedding consultant, her idea for the attendants wasn’t accepted at first. But when she explained there was no cost involved, everyone had warmed to the idea. Being supernatural had its perks, Jessie decided. Gesturing to a nearby side table, Jessie grinned. “We’re all done here.” She wanted everything to be perfect. Jessie figured it was as close as she could conjure. “A little less than ten minutes and we’ll have a wedding.”
Katie beamed. “Yes, we will.” Stepping toward Meagan, who fidgeted in her seat as Aubrie applied the last of her blush, Katie stilled, looking at both of them in the mirror.
Pilot headed to the mirror standing in the middle of the room. Shifting, Jessie glanced at the shadow walker who would give the bride away. “Perhaps you’d permit me, Pilot?” The wicked grin held mischief and humor.
“I can’t get this thing right.” He pointed to the tie and shrugged. “Jessie, for what it’s worth, I want you to know what this moment means to me.” His filmy eyes filled with tears. “I said I wasn’t going to do this.” Shoving at the moisture, he shook his head. “It’s just the fact I decided the intel getting back trumped me returning. That’s all. It’s wonderful that J.T. and Luke or Thomas, I guess, found the zip drives I had left in the hideout behind the waterfall.”
“Your significance being less important than intel is nonsense and you know it, Pilot. Stop that blubbering and take this handkerchief. I guess you’re going to need a little help. Am I right?”
Pilot straightened. His tuxedo fit expertly as if he’d been giving brides away all his walker life. “I won’t dignify your question with an answer, my dear.” With his nose centered right above level, he peered into middle-distance. “All the same, I’m glad to be rid of the Sultan.”
She grinned and nodded. A perfect memory, Jessie mused. Quick as a wink, she lifted her phone, capturing the image for the wedding album she had planned. It was her little secret. “Better get a move on if we want to be on time. How do things look out there?”
“Couldn’t be better. Except the groom looks a bit nervous.” Katie winked at Jessie, before smiling when Aubrie straightened to glare at her. “No, everything is beautiful. I’m so glad you decided to have the wedding here on the back deck. The view is spectacular. It’s like having a wedding in the clouds.” The giggle held pure happiness. “This is how I want our wedding to be.”
Aubrie cocked her head. “Have you set a date yet?”
Katie pursed her lips. “No, I was waiting until we got this one completed.” Tapping her temple, she smiled. “You know me, can’t have two projects bouncing around up here at the same time.” Her focus shifted to Jessie. “Of course, I want you to help me plan the shindig when it’s time.”
Startled, Jessie’s hand fluttered over her heart. “What? You want my help?” Immediately feeling like she teetered on shaky ground, she glanced at Aubrie. “What about your best friend?
Shrugging, Aubrie added, “You’re the best. Besides, you come with such a treasure trove of stuff. Who can compete?” She grinned. “I’ll be happy to help, with your direction of course.”
Katie reached for them both. “We make a fine bunch of warriors, don’t we?”
Meagan slid her arm around Jessie’s waist. “Yeah, I want to be just like you three. You’re my heroes.”
“Oh, I almost forgot.” Jessie slipped away and went over to a small table, where a tray filled with champagne flutes rested. “Here we go.” When the last glass was passed out, she raised hers. “A toast.” Everyone lifted a flute. “Here’s to no more Sultan and a happy life ever after.”
“I’ll drink to that.” Katie grinned as they all clinked glasses in unison. “Here’s to the bride and groom too.”
“Can’t forget them,” Aubrie chided at little breathless.
“Thank the gods the mission is over, and everyone’s safe.” Jessie sipped her champagne. “Your family and mine are safe and sound at last.” Giving Meagan a comforting hug, she glanced at her watch. “Uh oh. Time to go. I think I hear the music.”
“Come on, ladies and gent. Let’s do this,” Aubrie called. “Line up.”
***
Jessie took her place in line as the music began. The time had come. She smiled at the sight before her. Satisfied she had done everything possible to make the special day perfect, she wipe
d at the stray tear that got away.
The simple arrangement of white chairs anchored either side of Aubrie’s deck creating a path to the metal archway at the end overlooking the tree tops.
Simple greenery flanked the chairs and draped the alter. A vision of pristine perfection spread before them. In the center stood Logan’s brother Gus, who would marry the couple. One brother a warlock and the other a local justice of the peace – who knew? The weather had managed to warm to the point the wedding could be held outside. Jessie would not think about the magic necessary for that to happen. Thank goodness, she knew a couple of warlocks.
On either side of the aisle, friends along with a spattering of family awaited their first view of the bride.
As the procession stepped onto the deck, Jessie spotted him immediately. J.T. stood stoic and formal in his simple black suit and silver tie. He’d combed his hair back, choosing to tie up the dark mane with a black leather band. That chiseled jaw, square and confident, belonged to her man. His face held happiness when their eyes locked. Her breath caught at the sight of him. Jessie could honestly say she’d never been happier. Gone were the days of suffering and pain. Gone were the lonely nights of fear and sacrifice. Ahead of her lay her future. In that future the most wonderful vampire she could ever imagine loved her. Thank the gods for magic’s power, she mused, for because of magic, theirs was a future for eternity.
As she reached the alter, the music shifted to the bridal march. A quick glance at Logan awaiting his bride spoke of love and devotion. Flanking him stood Luke, the reliable best man followed by Duke and J.T. Brothers in arms, friends in life and death.
Every eye turned as Aubrie Sinclair began her trip down the aisle. Aubrie, the beauty, in a simple sheath dress of ivory silk, supported by her good friend and shadow walker extraordinaire, Pilot. He wore a black tuxedo and Converse tennis shoes. Only Pilot, Jessie mused. Thank the gods he had made his way back to them, arriving in the nick of time for the wedding. A little magic and he was ready to give away the bride. No harm in a little white magic. The scene took on a surreal quality.
Jessie’s thoughts took a deep breath with the next image that popped up unbidden. The Sultan’s evil features stood out in sinister contrast to the pristine vision of a wedding in progress. Blinking the image away, she reminded her faulty brain they’d defeated the Sultan. He now sat in an impenetrable prison cell awaiting his fate at the hands of the Council. The Netherworld enjoyed a renewed hope for the future. Grateful she and J.T. had managed the eruption which annihilated the Sultan’s guards, she marveled inwardly at their strength. Glancing at his steadfast gaze once more, her heart swelled in her chest at the thought that someday, soon, she would be the one walking down the aisle to meet J.T.
###
Excerpt
Enjoy this Excerpt
Keep reading for an excerpt from another of Catherine Wolffe’s books, The Lady in the Mist, The Western Werewolf Legend series, Book 1.
Chapter 1
He appeared in the shadows, preventing Sonja from viewing nothing more than his dark outline. Since she had lived alone after her husband, Robert’s death, she carried a small Derringer in her skirt pocket at all times. With a hand on the gun, she hailed the person.
No reply.
How rude, she had mused. Perhaps he didn’t hear her. “Hello, stranger. May I help you?”
Still no reply.
“You’re trespassing on private land. State your business.” Glancing behind her, she started to speak again and lost her voice when suddenly, a hand gripped her. Her snap peas had spilled to the ground before the basket followed. Sonja screamed as the stranger grabbed her arms pinning them to her sides. The small gun clattered to the ground. The vermin laughed coarsely in her ear. His breath smelled hideous. His ragged nails tore at her flesh. Frantically, she struggled to get away.
“Be still, girly. Nobody’s going to hear you," he hissed.
She didn’t intend to obey the stranger. Darkness had fallen suddenly. His eyes glowed red from behind his mask. Sonja fought to see more but to no avail. “Show yourself, you bastard.” She spit at him.
He laughed again, this time the sound was vulgar and callous. “Don’t fret, girly. I’ll make it quick.”
Pain seared her senses as he slapped her across the cheek. Sonja’s breath came in pants. He laid his grimy fingers over her mouth. She gulped down the bile that threatened to spill at his decaying carcass body odor. Swearing she would never forget the scent, she struggled with more force, but the man’s grip held like iron. His breath tickled her skin. The pain that came next had the world going black.
When she woke, she lay in a pool of blood. The trees above her swayed as if they’d come alive. She raised a hand to shield her eyes from the sunlight before crying out with the pain shooting through her shoulder. Gingerly testing the area, the flesh didn’t hold over her collarbone. The hard marrow didn’t appear damaged through the raw flesh exposed to the air. She whimpered, though, when her fingers came back with her skin mingled with dark, crimson blood clots. Panicked, Sonja jumped up, running blindly.
***
She woke with a jerk. A sharp pain shot through her whole body, making her cry out. An old woman sat beside her on a cot. With a gnarled but gentle hand, the woman brushed the damp hair from Sonja’s face. Flinching despite herself, Sonja yanked away. The pain sang through her neck and shoulder again.
“There, there, my child. Lie still. The healing will be accomplished if you remain quiet,” the old woman soothed. “My name is Hortence. I’m a witch.” Simply stated, the woman’s words were without inflection.
Sonja’s mouth had gapped before she clamped her lips shut. “You admit to being a witch?”
“Yes, I was born a witch, or rather, born with the gift. As I grew, I learned and developed my skills.” She waved her arms upward, and fire leaped from her fingertips. “My craft is real.”
Sonja inched backward. A fleeting glance around and she realized she didn’t recognize her surroundings. “Where am I?” Her voice sounded strange, almost garbled. Sonja searched the old woman’s face. Watching the old hag as she crooned, Sonja tried her best to understand where she was. Small snatches of horrible pain jabbed at her conscious mind. Sonja shut her eyes, wincing as the pain reminded her how badly she was injured.
“Lie still now,” the old woman said.
Sonja opened her eyes cautiously.
Hortence crooked her head to the side, before peering at Sonja out of one eye. Sonja couldn’t tell if the other eye had been sewn shut, or the old woman had a permanent squint.
“Shush, my child. Lie still. Your wounds are many.”
Sonja stared. Who was this old hag with the straggly, gray hair? “Where am I?” she asked again.
“You’re safe, my child. Now, you need to rest.” Gently laying a hand over Sonja’s eyes, the old woman murmured soft, soothing words. “Rest, my child, rest.”
Despite her better intentions, Sonja couldn’t hold her eyes open any longer before falling back into sleep with the woman’s simple urging.
When she awoke, the room held darkness. A dreary cold gripped her. Sonja reached up rubbing at her arms. She had already moved before she remembered her neck. No pain — how amazing, she mused. Perhaps the pain had been only a dream.
Roughly cut, the rafters above her head hung heavy with cobwebs. Rolling her head to the side, she spied the old woman bent over a pot at the fireplace stirring something that smelled like a stew. Sonya’s hunger was acute. She silently hoped the old woman would share. Bending her arms, she took solace in the fact the earlier pain had disappeared. “How did I get here?”
The old woman turned with the question, giving Sonja a broken toothed smile. “I brought you here, my child.” At Sonja’s blank stare, the old woman continued, “Don’t worry, you’re safe. There’s a protection spell around the cabin.” Fisting her hands on her hips, the old woman glared at Sonja. “Do you remember anything?”
Sonja rubb
ed at her temple. “Some,” she mumbled. Everything blurred when she tried to recall the attack. “I wasn’t dreaming? I was attacked?” She wished for some of the soup in the pot over the fire.
“Oh, to be sure. You are very fortunate that I happened along.” The old woman bent again over the pot to stir. Glancing back, she gave Sonja her broken-toothed grin once more. “Don’t fret. I’ll get you something to eat. First, I wanted to hear about the scoundrels who attacked you.” She peered quizzically at Sonja with pursed lips. “Tell me everything you remember.”
Frowning, Sonja tried to sit up. The room spun. She caught her head in her hand before scanning the small space.
The room afforded all the comforts of a modest home. A small kitchen area nestled near the fire while the other side boasted a small seating area. On the opposite wall, the bed anchored the chilly stone expanse. A bench provided enough room for one person. Glancing up, Sonja noted the small window that allowed a sliver of light into the room.
She managed to right herself enough to sit in the middle of the cot and cross her legs. “There’s not much to tell. Everything’s blurry.”
The old woman sat across the room at the small table. The old woman ate as she listened. “Go on.”
“Uh, I remember seeing someone in front of me on the path. I’d been down by the creek gathering peas from my garden.”
Eyeing the bowl contemplatively, Sonja pursed her lips. Her stomach growled. Insulted by the old woman’s rude behavior, Sonja shifted on the cot. Her unease heightened when flashbacks of the stranger appeared in her mind’s eye. She reached up to touch the wound at her throat.
“Stop that.” The old woman wagged her spoon at Sonja. “I’ve already told you to leave the healing alone. The process will go faster if you don’t pick at the wound. Now, continue.” She scooped up another spoon full of stew.
Sonja couldn’t help but glower at the old hag. Irritated at the woman’s behavior, but desiring to remember more about the attack, Sonja pushed on. “Let’s see. I remember seeing this man standing in the path, but the shadows prevented me from telling anything about his identity. Darkness fell almost immediately.” Sonja paused. “That seems peculiar because enough light remained for me to get back to the cottage before he appeared. Strange…” Her forehead wrinkled in bemusement as she considered why the light had left so quickly.
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