I heard the hiss of her breath as Pagan inhaled. “I knew it was something like that,” she muttered angrily. There was my girl and her spunk. The voodoo prince had pissed her off. If I wasn’t so upset about those dang roses I’d laugh.
“Where did the roses come from?”
“Leif, why? Are they full of evil crap too?”
So Leif had brought her the roses. Wait. There was something I was supposed to remember about today. The heart shaped boxes of chocolate I’d seen everywhere today as I’d retrieved souls.
It was Valentine’s Day.
And I’d forgotten.
Well, hell.
“No, they’re just roses,” I replied. I didn’t point out that they were beautiful roses. The kind only magic can produce. They’d probably never die. They’d be eternally beautiful if she placed them in a vase in her room. And then I could remember what an incredibly lousy boyfriend I was every time I saw them. Why is it that a voodoo spirit is better at this than I am?
“I still don’t want them. Can I burn them?”
My heart didn’t feel as heavy at hearing her distaste. I snapped my fingers and the roses caught on fire.
“Dank! What are you doing? You’ll burn down the house or at least the table,” Pagan ran over to the sink and I glanced back to see her filling up a pitcher of water. Crazy girl didn’t think I’d protect the table. I snapped my fingers for effect and the fire went out leaving nothing behind. Not even a small pile of ash.
The water turned off behind me and I heard Pagan let out a small laugh. “Guess I saw fire and didn’t think things through.”
“It was cute,” I replied and she blushed adorably.
“What about the necklace?” she asked her gaze flickering to the evil stone on the table.
“I can get rid of it just as easily if you promise not to run to the faucet for a pitcher of water this time,” I teased.
Pagan giggled and nodded, “I think I can refrain.”
I didn’t even bother snapping this time. Instead I stared at it while the flames erupted and within seconds nothing remained.
Once there was nothing left behind by Leif, I turned my complete attention to Pagan.
“I’m sorry I missed Valentine’s Day.”
She smiled up at me, “It’s okay. I spent most of the day with Miranda. We ate cookies and watched Vampire Diaries.”
Tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear I remembered I did have something for her. I’d been waiting for the perfect time to show her and I couldn’t think of a better time than now. “Come outside with me, I have something for you,” I whispered before bending down and pressing a chaste kiss to her lips.
“Okay,” her voice was soft and wispy. I liked knowing I still affected her even after everything I’d put her through.
Holding her hand I led her outside and down the stairs of the back porch until we were in the flower garden located in the far corner of Miranda’s yard. I nodded my head to one of the ornate stone benches that lined the garden and then reached behind my back grinning. The crisp smooth texture of the wrapping paper I’d selected filled my hands and I pulled it around watching as her eyes lit up at the sight of the iridescent pale blue package.
“Nice trick,” she teased grinning up at me.
I knelt down in front of her and placed the box in her hands. “Yeah well, I’m good for a few entertaining side shows now and then.”
Biting her bottom lip anxiously she reached for it. “I almost hate to hurt the paper. It’s beautiful.”
“I’ll buy you a whole roll, Pagan. Just open it.”
Nodding, she ripped open the side and the paper was forgotten as it fluttered to the ground. The white satin box sat in her lap as she slowly opened the lid. I wasn’t sure if she’d remember exactly what it was but I thought I’d wait and see if she worked this out on her own.
Pagan lifted the small gold brooch from the box. The flicker of emotion across her face told me she was working through the memories attached to the brooch in her hand. I’d been holding onto it for over fifteen years. Reverently she touched the pink glass stones that decorated the heart shaped filigree.
“Grandma gave this to me. I was sick and in the hospital and she’d come to stay with Mom at the hotel nearby. They took turns staying with me. Then Grandma had to go home because her heart was bothering her and her doctor wanted her home under observation. The day she left she brought me this brooch. She’d cried so hard as she’d told me to hold it close to my heart always. So I’d always know she loved me.