34. Chapter 32
Chapter 32
Brixon
I take a sip of my bourbon, listening to Charlie explain to us mere mortals how the bonfire tonight should help pull the ancestors together.
Now that everyone is aware of mine and Evie’s situation, they are adding a few things to the circle to help draw protection, and to bless the grounds for the carriage house to be built for victims of sexual assault and trafficking.
We are all having fun calling it a two-fer. The girls didn’t think it was funny so now we have to be quiet when we say it.
Savvy and the girls put together a foundation and decided to use the home she was held captive in for the bonfire before they break ground. It could have been torn down, but, according to Sin, Savvy needs this.
She wants to bless the land before they break ground, building a magnificent facility where that house stands. They have decided to name it Lottie’s Haven, after Savvy’s late sister. Apparently, that house was her prison for a time as well.
“I have to admit, I expected a little more push back on all of the witchy shit.” I say, shaking my head at how normal this is for everyone.
“We have had our share of shitstorms. I personally don’t necessarily believe in all the witchy stuff, but it makes my wife happy, and it’s part of Cami and my sister’s heritage. Who am I to tell them they are wrong? I think there is a little truth to every type of religion.” Sin replies, and I notice the rest of his men nodding their heads in agreement.
“So, Liam, Emily is related to the Delamere’s in Georgia, correct?” Sin asks.
“Ya, I believe on her mother’s side. The brothers from Savannah are her cousins. We had a nice night with them last month in Panama City. They are very fond of my princess.” Liam gushes over Emily, gauging their reactions.
“I thought so. My Uncle Salvatore Devereaux will be hosting the Saints conference this year, he continues to run a tight ship in Atlanta. My Aunts, on mine and Evie’s mother’s side, husband is Kane Delamere. His boys control Savannah. What I’m trying to say is that if we all looked hard enough, we will see that our families have all been connected for years.” Sin explains his lineage, relating him and Evie to the Delamere’s as well.
“Do you know why Emily was sent to New Orleans in the first place? I know I sent the information to Alec, but I want to make sure that you received it fully.” Sin asks, looking hard pressed whether he should have asked.
“We know everything. I have decided that there is no reason to make Emily live through her torment again. I have seen everything there is on her and I know her. She is Evie’s best friend. Let it be Devereaux.” Liam speaks up before I can.
“Look, I’m not trying to ruffle anyone’s feathers here. I just want to make sure the next King knows everything about the woman he is in love with. I’ve seen someone turn that I never would have imagined actually would the way she did. It’s more of a warning brother to brother. Just be careful.” Sin puts his hands up, letting Liam know he means no harm.
“Little miss sunshine loves Evie more than anyone, except me. I’m still debating. Emily would take a bullet for anyone she loves, just like Evie would. You are wrong about her. Like the soon to be King said, let it be.” I reiterate Liam’s wishes, keeping my eyes on Sin.
“You guys ready to go? We have been waiting on y’all downstairs for twenty minutes.” Mia stands at the entrance to the library slash bar with her hands on her hips looking annoyed.
“Calm down, precious, we aren’t on a schedule today.” Nick stands up moving towards his wife.
She visibly takes a breath and lets it out before she puts her hand on her bump, trying to smile, “Sorry everyone, hormones. Can we go? We have things that we need to do when we get there. Savvy is gonna need some time.” She keeps her voice low but makes sure we all hear her.
“We are ready whenever you all are. Don’t hold things up on our account.” Liam replies, standing, giving her his best smile.
“Good, let’s go.” Mia turns on her heel leading us all out of the cozy library.
Evie
Savvy comes out of the large home with a gas can still trailing a line of foul liquid out to where she now stands in front of the beautiful white pristine estate that was once her prison.
She drops the gas can laughing, “Hey Charlie, you got me again?”
I watch my brother shake his head, chuckling as he pats Charlies back.
Charlie walks towards Savvy, holding out a box of matches, “Figured I didn’t have to lose a lighter this time.” He says as he hands her the box.
I go by the guys to grab water before it all starts, listening to their points of view, making me chuckle.
“So, your wife is a bit of a pyro. Nice. I’ve already heard the stories of Savage Savvy and her girl gang who mutilates assholes and rapists alike. PSA don’t ever fuck with that woman.” Noah chuckles raising his hands up high and lowering them, up and down a couple times towards Savvy, calling her a queen.
“Yeah, don’t piss off that queen, ya got everything set up?” I ask as I hurry back over with the girls, laughing at the men in my life.
I look back at Brix, winking at him.
He chuckles, saying something to Liam, and winks back.
“Did y’all get everything set up, before I light this bitch?” Savvy calls out to everyone, looking back and forth.
“Let her rip Sav! I’ve got the camera rolling for M.J.” Cami shouts, then lets out a whistle, holding up her phone to capture the big moment, “Sucks you’re getting your cherry popped instead of getting to see this in person bitch!” She chuckles, behind the phone.
I watch Savvy as I get more excited for the show with everyone cheering her on. She looks fierce as she smiles wide, lighting a match. She watches it burn for only a second before she drops it at her feet.
Flames ignite instantly creeping up the line of fuel, flashing bright when the flames finally lick the steps to the front porch.
Orange, red, and yellow consume the once beautiful home, putting off a beautiful glow as its heat caresses my cool skin.
I watch black smoke fill the night sky, making it seem like the souls once captured here, are finally being set free.
Savvy stands in place for a few minutes just watching. No one bothers her as we all start to move around the fire, while the boys go back to tailgating and watching us.
The crackle and roar of the fire mixed with the sounds of the house creaking, while its bones burn to ash, sound even more beautiful with the voice of Mackenzie Johnson singing, “The Sisterhood.”
I can feel the presence of magic in the open space surrounding us. The ancestors are here with us, giving us their blessings.
I smile, feeling the warmth of the fire mixed with the power of the moon as it rises. My body starts to sway with the melody, while my mind clears as the smell of sage, chamomile, and lavender fills the air.
I recognize the scent as one of Cami’s favorite concoctions. She used to always burn it when we were younger.
Savvy joins us, throwing her hands up in the air, twirling in circles. She gets to bear witness to her demons burning as the flames dance brightly in the night sky.
The guys set up the sound system, ice chests, and snacks on a table for the evening. The girls and I set our circle several yards out around the entire house using salt, crystals, candles, all the pieces to the trinity, as well as other objects we all brought as an offering.
Cami agrees that if it truly has that much power that we can somehow get the ancestors to hear us, maybe get them to let us live our lives and break the curse.
Doubtful, but worth a try.
Charlie knows his crystals and gemstones. He explained that what we thought was a ruby in the necklace worth millions, is actually called a Spinel stone. It’s one of the rarest gems in the world and can also be found in blue. The stones are basically doppelgangers to rubies and sapphires. He said it’s very difficult to decipher between the two, so he could see why we thought it was a ruby.
Spinel is said to channel the healing powers of nature and earth to regenerate your life force energy to help keep you going. It’s the most important piece of the trinity. The crystals and Boudreaux’s grimoire complete the trinity, when set together, and is considered one of the most powerful relics known to witches.
We have decided that we will add it to my mask for our reception. Mia and Abby are all over it already, knowing that we will all have to be on our toes that night. They are going to create a mask that will ward off any negative energies and help bring me peace.
We all dance around the fire, releasing all the negativity surrounding us, asking the ancestors for answers, and ultimately for help, to save us.
Cami twirls in front of me, then takes my hands, spinning us both. I close my eyes as I’m taken to a bright room with glass walls. The images flip through my mind quickly, but I see what they all did.
Brixon and me, growing up through her eyes. She was there watching it all unfold. Him, giving me flowers, our first kiss, that night with us together for our first time. The car wrapped around a tree, covered in red butterflies. Our lifeless bodies inside, including hers.
I see our wedding, Brixon kissing me. Our parade, making love in the back room before our entrance into the ball, the bayou.
I come back, realizing that the vision I was just given wasn’t from Cami, but from the ancestors. It stops at the bayou, with me.
I stop dancing and hit my knees, letting the tears fall, knowing that nothing I do will change anything. It’s me or him. They won’t let us both live. This is their answer.
I hear the voices again, clear as day, “You will break us free sister. The last Lablanc witch. You will be the last to suffer at our covens’ hands. You will free us all.”
If not me, then one of my descendants, giving them entire generations to once again torture.
The curse has to end with me. I am meant to break it, just not in the way that I thought.
I realize in this moment that the ancestors that have had me do their bidding all of these years are not the witches of New Orleans covens who have been consecrated to the earth in the cemetery, sharing their magic with generations to come. The witches in my head are my ancestors. I have been exacting their revenge, including my grans and mamas.
They have been leading me this entire time.
The girls all surround me, dancing around me as I let the tears fall.
Emily extends her hand. I take it, knowing she now knows all too well just by being near me. I hug her, and continue to dance, letting it all out. I let out hate, love, regret, and loss as I dance.
Ultimately, I find my way to acceptance.
In this life you are only given so much time. It’s not guaranteed that we all get to live out our lives, growing old with the one we love. We don’t all get a happy ending.
I can at least say that I know what it is to be loved. I have had the privilege to love someone with my whole heart and soul. Till we are ghosts.
I get to live out my love story knowing that I loved him with everything I had.
The ride home is long and torturous, not being able to tell Brixon that marrying him will have to be enough. I’m not going to hurt him anymore. Everything will happen exactly as it should. I will keep this to myself and allow him and our family this last bit of peace.
“Home sweet home.” He says sweetly, as Noah takes the last turn onto our street.
I sit up smiling as Jinx pops his head out from under the seat. He moves to Brixon’s legs, rubbing on them back and forth until Brix gives in and picks him up, setting him in his lap.