Chapter 20
DANIELLE
The exhaustion that followed our wrestling match with the Collector was unlike anything I'd ever experienced after pulling a twenty-four-hour shift in the NICU.
Even when we lost several babies in one night, I'd never felt this bone-deep weariness that made my soul feel like it needed a vacation and a therapy session. Setting up for Cyran’s party helped with that some.
"I still can't believe we're magical and attending a reunion for Guardian families." Sarah bounced and clapped her hands.
A smile tugged the corner of my mouth, and joy replaced more of the fatigue.
Her joy was why I wanted the venue for events.
We were on the portico at Willowberry watching Cyran coordinate the arrival of Guardian families from across the South.
The Light Fae leader was in his element, which was both impressive and slightly terrifying.
The festive atmosphere was infectious. People were actually celebrating.
It was still astonishing for me to go from facing apocalypses mere hours before setting up for parties.
"The binding at Congo Square really did something special," Dea said as she joined me. Her empathic abilities must be picking up on the general mood of the group. "I can feel the protective energy radiating from the city. It almost feels like New Orleans itself is throwing a party."
The buzz in the air was downright intoxicating.
Ever since we'd finished the binding ritual, the entire city hummed with this wild, celebratory energy that made my magical senses practically purr with satisfaction.
We'd done it. Actually, freaking done it.
The Collector was locked up tighter than my grandmother's cookie jar.
Somehow, we'd managed not to get anyone killed in the process.
Hell, we'd even looked like we knew what we were doing while we saved the day.
Maybe we were finally getting the hang of this whole ‘preventing magical apocalypses’ thing.
"Everything looks fantastic," Kota said as her gaze swept over the garden where we'd somehow managed to wrangle chairs for what had ballooned into over a hundred expected guests. The coven and Kaveh had been included after they’d helped us at Congo Square.
"Though I still think we should've opened the pool. These people deserve to unwind."
"Absolutely not." Dre's voice carried that particular note of finality that meant the discussion was over. "Fighting ancient evils is one thing. Playing lifeguard for a bunch of tipsy supernaturals is where I draw the line."
I bit back a grin. Dre might act all gruff about it, but she couldn't relax when people were splashing around in our pool, even with one of the shifters on duty.
She was the oldest of us, and her protective streak ran bone-deep.
It was one of the million reasons we adored her, even when she was being a mother hen.
The guests started trickling in, and damn if it didn't look like Comic-Con had collided with a supernatural convention.
My eyes went wide as I took in the parade of magical beings flowing through our garden.
"This is absolutely incredible," Cami breathed, appearing at my elbow with a sparkle in her eyes.
"I love seeing so many different types of magic gathered in one place like this. "
"It never gets old," I agreed, watching Kaveh coordinate security with Lucas and Noah while Kaitlyn held court with members of the coven. "It's hard to remember how before Phoebe unlocked our magic, the factions barely acknowledged each other existed, let alone actually mingled."
That had been one of our missions from day one after joining this world.
We wanted to bring the supernatural community together instead of letting them remain separate.
We wanted them supporting one another to regain equal footing in the city.
Making sure Marie Leveau couldn't keep playing puppet master with everyone's lives was the ultimate goal in doing that. I hadn’t believed it at the time, but some battles were worth fighting, even if they made you a target.
Cyran held up his hands as a huge smile spread across his face. "Friends, family, allies—we gather today to celebrate something unprecedented in our region's supernatural history."
The crowd quieted with the kind of respectful attention that came from shared victory and mutual survival. Plus, free food and booze. Never underestimate the power of good catering.
"Originally, this event was meant to be a gathering of my family. It grew during the fight against the Collector and I am glad for it. My family isn’t restricted to blood anymore and I had forgotten that.
The binding ritual at Congo Square was a triumph," he continued, his voice carrying clearly across the assembled gathering.
"The Six Twisted Sisters created something entirely new. Guardians for a modern age."
"It didn’t almost kill us or anything," Kota muttered under her breath, making me snort with laughter despite trying to look dignified in front of the supernatural community.
"Their successes here have attracted attention from supernatural communities across the South," Cyran continued. "Charleston wants consultation on their binding sites. Savannah needs help with their growing supernatural population. So many cities are asking for guidance."
That was news to me. Judging by my sisters' surprised expressions, it was news to them too. We'd been so focused on not dying and planning this celebration that we hadn't had time to find what our success had done.
"Which brings us to the formal establishment of the Gulf Coast Supernatural Council," Cyran announced. "We will be establishing a cooperative body that extends beyond our fair city. It will be designed to coordinate magical defense and provide mutual aid when ancient threats emerge."
"Ancient threats?" I asked, my attention immediately zeroing in on potential problems. "As in, there are more things like the Collector out there?"
"More than we'd like to admit," replied a woman who looked like she'd stepped out of a business magazine.
"I'm Councillor Brightwing from the Atlanta Supernatural Compact.
We've been tracking several entities that were bound during the same historical period as your Collector.
Things across the southern seaboard have been erratic since Samedi's storm. "
"Of course, there are more," Lia said with that familiar mix of resignation and determination that had become our trademark response to escalating supernatural weirdness. "How many more are we talking about?"
"At least seven that we're aware of," Brightwing replied, consulting her tablet like she was reading a grocery list instead of discussing evil beings.
"Most are still securely bound, but your successful binding modification could be applied to strengthening other prison sites before problems occur. "
"You want us to become traveling supernatural exterminators," Dre summarized with her usual talent for cutting through diplomatic bullshit. "You expect us to fix ancient bindings across the South like some kind of magical Ghostbusters."
"That would be preferable. We know you are capable. And the compensation would be substantial," Brightwing said with a smile that suggested she'd dealt with reluctant magical practitioners before. "Our council would provide resources, security, and research support."
Lia exchanged glances with the rest of us before responding. "We appreciate the offer, and we're definitely willing to consult on these situations. Share our research, to help you develop strategies, maybe even provide remote assistance with binding modifications."
"But," Dea added, picking up the thread, "New Orleans has enough supernatural problems to keep us busy full-time.
We've got ongoing issues with rogue practitioners, territorial disputes between factions, and let's not forget we're still dealing with the aftermath of having cosmic horror in our backyard. "
"We'd be happy to help when we can," Kota chimed in, "but we're not looking to become the supernatural cleanup crew for the entire Gulf Coast. Occasional consultation and emergency response? Sure. Regular road trips to fix everyone else's ancient binding problems? That's going to be a no from us."
Before anyone could respond to our diplomatic but firm boundaries, Lucas appeared at Lia's elbow with the expression of someone delivering unwelcome news. "We've got a situation developing at the cemetery district," he said quietly. "Something's stirring in Lafayette No. 2."
"What kind of something?" Lia asked with a frown as her gaze traveled over the group waiting to hear what he had to say.
"The kind that's making every nearby pack member anxious as hell," Noah replied, joining our impromptu crisis consultation. "Whatever it is, it's big, old, and recently awakened."
"It's probably responding to the magical discharge from your binding ritual," Brightwing observed with academic interest. "Large-scale supernatural workings often have unexpected side effects."
"Don't we know it?" Dre noted in the tone of someone whose patience was wearing thin.
Brightwing smiled indulgently at Dre and said, "This is exactly why we need experienced practitioners willing to—"
"This," I interrupted, gesturing toward Lucas and Noah, "is exactly why we need to focus on our own backyard first. New Orleans keeps us plenty busy without taking on regional responsibilities."
Brightwing's smile faltered slightly. "Perhaps you could reconsider after—"
"The answer's still going to be no," Dea said firmly. "Thanks for understanding."
With Brightwing looking decidedly less enthusiastic about our cooperation, we started moving toward our vehicles. The conversation was over as far as I was concerned. We had an actual crisis to handle.
As we loaded into our vehicles for yet another emergency response, I made a decision that had been brewing in the back of my mind for years.
"Wait," I announced, causing everyone to pause with their hands on car doors.
"Before we go rushing off to deal with whatever fresh hell is waiting for us in the cemetery district, I have something to say. "
My sisters turned to look at me with expressions ranging from curiosity to concern. "After we handle this crisis—and I mean immediately after—we're taking a vacation," I declared. "A real vacation with no supernatural emergencies."
"Dani," Dre started, but I held up a hand.
"I'm serious. We've been running from one crisis to another for over a year, and now everyone wants us to take on more responsibilities? We need to decompress, process what we've been through, and figure out who the hell we are now that we're supernatural."
"Where exactly did you have in mind?" Kota asked as interest flickered in her eyes.
"I want to go to Spain," I said, pulling out my phone to show them the research I'd been doing during my few moments of downtime.
"I want to do the Camino de Santiago. It’s eight hundred kilometers of walking pilgrimage across northern Spain.
It's been a spiritual journey for over a thousand years.
And right now, I think we could all use some old-fashioned soul-searching that doesn't involve binding evil entities. "
"A walking pilgrimage," Phi repeated thoughtfully. "Actually, that sounds perfect. Physical challenge, spiritual reflection, and no supernatural responsibilities for weeks."
"We can consult for the regional council remotely," I continued, warming to my theme.
"Share our research, help them develop strategies.
But New Orleans is our priority, and frankly, we need time to figure out what our new role should be without everyone else telling us what they think we should do. "
Lia was quiet for a moment, then smiled. "You know what? You're absolutely right. We've earned a break, and if we don't take it, we will never get it."
"Plus," Dea added with growing enthusiasm, "a pilgrimage route that old probably has incredible spiritual energy. It might actually help us recharge our magical batteries."
"So, we handle this cemetery situation," I said, looking around at each of my sisters, "then we book flights to Spain and walk the Camino de Santiago. All of us, together, with nothing more dangerous than blisters and bad weather to worry about."
"I love it," Kota declared. "When's the last time we did something that was actually good for us instead of just necessary for saving the world?"
"Exactly my point," I replied, feeling lighter than I had in months. "The Six Twisted Sisters are taking a vacation. The regional council can have our consultation and our research, but they can damn well wait for anything else until we're ready."