Demons of Bourbon Street

chapter 22

A few hours later, a dozen steel rods adorned with glass beads poked out of my kiln. I set the digital controller to run and sat back

down to pull a bunch of spaghetti-thin glass stringers. It was a ritual I’d gotten in the habit of doing over the years. I loved being ready

for my next torching session.


The simple act of preparing for a future settled me. Growing up, my mother always told me the best way to accomplish what you

wanted was to look in the direction you wanted to go.

Well, I wanted a future. One with my mother, Aunt Gwen, Kat, and the rest of my friends. And most especially, I wanted one in New

Orleans with Kane.

Kane. Tonight could be my last night with him. My heart squeezed. What was I doing? Abruptly, I put the glass rod down and turned

off my torch. I’d made a dozen beads. The act of crafting product for future sales was enough affirmation of a future. Now it was time

to do what Lailah said. Cherish my loved ones.

I stopped at the front desk to say goodnight to Dave, the shop manager, and squashed the unwelcome thoughts of possibly never

seeing him again. Instead, I waved and said, “See you in a few days.”

“Have a great night,” he called as I left the building.

I turned back to wave and forced a smile. One thing was for sure; I planned on making it a night to remember.

Ten minutes later, I let myself into Kane’s house. Despite the copious amounts of Junior Mints I’d downed during the short walk, my

mouth watered at the delicious scent of garlic and heady Cajun spices. I headed straight to the kitchen and paused in the open

doorway, admiring his profile while he stirred with one hand and sampled a sauce with another.

“Hey, pioneer man. Whatcha making?”

His lips turned up in a slow smile. “Something guaranteed to inspire you to thank me in a variety of inventive ways.”

“Really?” I sauntered over and peered into the pot, wrinkling my nose. “Spaghetti sauce?”

“Spaghetti sauce?” He turned, mock horror on his face. “Tell me you did not just say that.”

I wrapped my arms around him and gave him a half-shrug. “Oops, guess I was wrong.”

He narrowed his eyes. “If mamaw ever caught you disparaging her etouffee recipe in such a way…”

I grinned. “Etouffee, you say?”

“You know damn well it’s etouffee.” He closed the distance and pressed his lips to mine, cutting off my bubble of laughter.

All the playfulness faded away as he pulled me closer. A small shiver tingled down my spine. I pressed my body against his, wanting

to feel every part of him. He trailed kisses along my jawline until he reached the soft spot on my neck just below my ear.

I sighed and melted into him.

“Jade,” he whispered and tightened his grip as if he might never let go.

“I’m right here,” I whispered back.

“And that’s where you’ll stay. Here. With me. Always.” He buried his head in my neck, his big hands splayed across my back.

“Always,” I agreed, running my fingers through his short, dark hair.

We held each other for a long time until footsteps on the hardwood broke us apart. A few seconds later, Mom and Aunt Gwen

appeared. Gwen sent me an apologetic smile. “Sorry, but your mother is finally hungry.”

“No need to be sorry, Ms. Calhoun. Have a seat.” Kane gestured to the table. “I made plenty for everyone.”

“Call me Gwen. Family shouldn’t be so formal.”

Kane glanced at me, pleasure clear in his eyes. I moved to Gwen’s side, squeezed her hand, and mouthed ‘thank you.’

She shrugged, but a knowing smile tugged at her lips.

What exactly was she thinking about? I didn’t have time to ask before Kane set a large bowl of rice and the etouffee pot on the table.

He picked up a bottle of wine and announced, “Dinner’s ready.”

I took a seat and sat back, watching while Kane served everyone.

“This smells delicious, Kane,” Mom said.

“Yum,” Gwen murmured after her first bite.

“Thank you.” Kane poured the wine and settled next to me. He glanced over, worry clouding his eyes. He leaned in. “Everything all

right?”

With damp eyes, I nodded. In this moment, life was perfect.

He nodded in understanding and placed a soft kiss on my temple. “The first of many nights to come.”

Mom and Gwen raised their glasses and repeated his words in unison.

Love warmed my insides, and I joined them in the toast. Whatever tomorrow had in store for me, tonight I was surrounded by those I

loved best. Nothing could take that away from me.

For the next hour, Gwen and Kane monopolized most of the conversation. Gwen spoke of her farm, and Kane of his life in New

Orleans as a child. My mother interjected with a few nostalgic moments of my youth. I sat quietly and soaked all their words in.

Finally, after the plates were scraped clean, I rose and started clearing the dishes.

“Excuse me,” Kane said and joined me at the sink. “You’ve been quiet.”

I picked up a plate, smiling. “I was just enjoying the atmosphere.”

He took the dish from me then placed it in the dishwasher. His warm hand slipped into mine, tugging as he guided me back to the

table. “The evening isn’t quite finished.” He pulled my chair out. “Take a seat.”

I eyed him. “What are you up to?”

He raised one eyebrow and nodded toward the chair.

“Hmm.” I sat, turning my attention to Mom and Gwen. “Are you in on the secret?”

Mom smiled, and Gwen shook her head innocently.

“Yeah, you’re definitely up to something.” I accused Kane. “Well?”

“Give us just a minute.”

Each of them scattered into the kitchen, gathering various items. Mom returned with four pillar candles, Gwen with two wine glasses

and a bottle of Riesling. She placed one glass in front of me and one in Kane’s spot.

“Are you and Mom converting to teetotalers this evening?”

She laughed. “Hardly.”

“We’ve got plans to meet your friend Pyper for a night cap,” Mom said.

I raised an eyebrow. “Night cap?”

“Pyper and Ian are taking them to a jazz club,” Kane called from behind the refrigerator door.

“Tonight?” I stood up and wedged myself between Mom and Gwen, linking arms with both of them. “But we’re supposed to be

spending the evening together.”

“We did, shortcake.” Mom cupped my cheek. “We’ll be back soon. Right now, you and Kane need some privacy.”

I stiffened. Was my mother actually leaving so my boyfriend could seduce me?

“Relax, Jade. This is a good thing.” Gwen gently removed herself from my grip and gestured to Mom. “Ready?”

Mom gave me a small hug and instead of turning to leave, retreated back to the table and repositioned the candles to stand in the

middle of each place setting. “Jade, honey, would you light them please?”

“Sure.” I reached over and grabbed a box of matches from the counter.

“No.” Mom held up a hand. “I meant magically.”

“Oh. I’ll try.” With how weak I’d been the last few days, I hadn’t worked any spells. My magic was draining. I was conserving as much

as I could, but because Mom asked, I couldn’t say no. Especially since she seemed to be behaving so normally.

I turned my focus inward, searching for my spark. To my surprise, it instantly flared to life. A huge grin tugged at my lips as I

whispered, “Illuminate.”

Four blue-tinged yellow flames did exactly what I asked. Gwen reached over and dimmed the lighting. The white pillars glowed.

“What’s going on?” I asked again.

“That’s for you and Kane to discuss. Now stand behind your chair.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Gwen, Kane, you too.”

Everyone did as they were told, each of us staring at Mom expectantly. I got the distinct impression I was the only one in the dark

about what was to come next.

Mom stood across from me. Her gaze met mine as she held a hand out to both Kane and Gwen. They each clasped her hand, and I

reached out to each of them, forming a circle. A lump clogged in my throat as I recognized the blessing. It was the one to strengthen

family bonds.

Mom had recited the incantation at every solstice and every important event throughout my childhood. But no one other than Gwen

had ever been invited to participate. It had either been just Mom and me or the three of us.

I glanced at Kane. Did he have any idea how much meaning the ritual held? The pride and nervousness radiating from him

suggested he did. I squeezed his hand and stared at the candle dancing with life in front of me.

“Four souls, four flames. Tonight we cast a circle of strength. One bound by trust and love.”

One by one, each of the flames doubled in size and brightened, burning almost white.

“We stand together as one unit, one family.”

The flames turned electric blue, much brighter than the usual ice blue produced by Mom’s words. A surge of excitement ran through

me. Mom’s magic was powerful, but I’d never seen her perform this ritual with such strength. Maybe it was because I’d finally

embraced my own magic. I didn’t care about the cause. A strong family bond would only help me in my quest to save my soul.

“Goddess Hera, join us in our blessing. Honor us with your gifts. Two flames, two souls joined and supported by two flames, two

souls.”

I jerked my head up, my eyes boring into my mother’s.

She smiled and said, “Two flames, two souls.”

Kane and Gwen repeated her words in unison.

I stood still, my mouth open, unable to form words.

My mother’s smile widened. “Jade, you need to say the words to complete the blessing.”

I swallowed, not daring to look at Kane. If I wasn’t mistaken, Mom had just performed a very specialized blessing. One I’d read

about, but never witnessed.

“Jade?” Kane said softly.

I met his concerned gaze. His lips turned up in a small hopeful smile, love pouring out of him as if he held his heart in his hand.

My own heart swelled and my breath hitched. Everything stopped, and I whispered the words they were all waiting for. “Two flames,

two souls.”

A short blast of air came out of nowhere, extinguishing the candles. Then everything was still as Kane and I stared at each other.

Gwen dropped my hand, and I vaguely heard her say goodbye as she and my mother slipped out of the house.

When the door clicked closed, Kane grabbed my other hand, turned both over, and kissed each of my palms. “Don’t say anything

yet. I have something for you.”

Totally speechless, I nodded and let him guide me back into the chair. It wasn’t until I picked up my water glass that I noticed the

shaking. Before I drenched the tablecloth, I set the drink down and clasped my hands together in my lap.

Kane returned bearing a small round cheesecake adorned with chocolate-covered strawberries and what appeared to be

homemade whipped cream. He’d combined all my favorite desserts into one mouth-watering piece of perfection. But that wasn’t

what caught my eye.

Right in the middle, surrounded by the chocolate-covered strawberries, sat a red embossed jewelry box.

This was it. I’d known it as soon as Mom had called upon the Goddess Hera—the goddess of marriage—in her blessing. Suddenly

my lungs didn’t want to inflate.

Kane placed the plate in front of me and pulled his chair over so we sat almost touching. I continued to stare at the cheesecake,

afraid to look at him.

“Jade?”

“Hmm?” Light from the chandelier bounced off the shiny red sections of the jewelry box.

He dipped the fork into the dessert and offered it to me. “Take a bite.”

I pressed my lips together, somehow convinced if I didn’t open my mouth, we’d stay frozen in this moment forever. I would never

hear what he said next, and I wouldn’t have to answer.

Tears burned my eyes. Despite my best efforts, I had no hope of blinking them back.

Slowly, Kane put the fork down and ever so gently wrapped his arms around me. “Shh, it’s okay, love.”

I snuggled into his shoulder, grateful he didn’t ask me what was wrong. He already knew. How could I let him ask me to marry him?

At any moment, my life could be stolen from me.

As he held me, my despair quickly turned to anger. This wasn’t fair. Life wasn’t fair. I’d been proposed to once before by a man I

loved deeply, but that time I had secrets to deal with. And when I’d come clean, Dan hadn’t been able to deal with them.

This time, Kane knew everything about me. I wanted this. I hadn’t realized it, but now that the moment was here, I wanted this more

than anything.

Damn Meri and her soul-sucking curse. She couldn’t have mine. It already belonged to someone else.

I pulled back and wiped the remaining tears out of my eyes. Then I leaned in. “I think you have something to ask me.”

His lips quirked up in a half-smile. “You sure you want to hear it?”

“More than anything.”

He reached over and grabbed the fork he’d discarded. “Take a bite first.”

Chuckling, I opened my mouth. The sweet, creamy goodness made me sigh in pleasure. “Oh my Goddess, that’s good,” I said after I

licked the fork clean.

“Better?”

I nodded, acutely aware of the sugar jolt reviving my energy.

“Good.” He plucked the tiny red box from the center of the gorgeous cheesecake. In one smooth movement he pushed his chair

back and dropped to one knee.

My heart picked up pace, and I couldn’t tear my eyes from his.

“Before I ask, I should tell you I purchased this ring not long after you woke up from your Roy-induced coma.”

“You’re kidding.” He had to be. We’d only been dating a few weeks when Roy, the previous owner of Wicked and all-around evil

ghost, had trapped me in an alternate reality. “We barely knew each other.”

He lifted a shoulder, indicating the fact wasn’t significant. “I knew then you were the one for me. And I know it now. I’ll be damned if I’

m going to let you go. No matter what happens, I’m ready to commit a lifetime to you. A long lifetime. I’m aware deep down you

doubt your strength, but I don’t. You can fight this. We can fight this together. As one.”

A swarm of butterflies took flight in my stomach.

He opened the tiny box. The most gorgeous round emerald, surrounded by a circle of diamonds, twinkled up at me. “Jade, my pretty

witch, I love you more than words can express. I’m on one knee, offering you all that I have. Body, soul, and spirit.” He freed the ring

from its velvet bed. “Will you marry me?”

All my reservations disappeared. Even if we were only happy for one day, it would be worth it. Besides, he knew the risks. He’d

been living this crazy life right along side of me the last few months. I didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

He slid the ring onto my left hand and studied it, as if admiring how it looked on my finger. His joy sent sparks through my arm, and

my heart fluttered as I felt him treasuring the moment.

Kane stood, wrapped me in his arms, and swung me around. I laughed, hugging him fiercely. He was right about one thing: I would

fight this. With everything I had, because I wasn’t letting him go, either.

He cradled me against his chest and headed toward the hall. “Come on, pretty witch. It’s time to show you just how much I need you.

”

“Wait,” I said.

He paused, but didn’t turn back.

“I want my cheesecake.”

“Of course you do.” He returned to the table, and I grabbed it and a fork. “Save at least a bite or two for me,” he said.

I sent him a wicked grin. “Don’t worry, pioneer man. By the time we’re finished with this, you won’t be unsatisfied.”