Warm, salty air rushed over my back — and then we were all standing inside the living room in Coven Headquarters in Eden, all crowded together with Katherine in the middle.
“Savannah WHAT?” Katherine shouted, her eyes widening. She spun and dove for Savannah, pressing both of her hands to the girl’s face. “Dear Goddess, I want you in bed downstairs right now—”
“I feel fine—”
“Kessler, get her in a bed. Now.” Katherine pointed to the stairs. “Go on, git. I’ll be right behind you. Mona? Help me out here?”
“Come on,” Mona said with a chuckle as she yanked the door open for downstairs.
Kessler chuckled. “Yes, ma’am.” Then he scooped Savannah up and carried her toward the stairs.
“But I’m hungry,” Savannah grumbled over his shoulder.
Gigi shook her head. “Savannah.”
“Behave and you can come up for dinner,” Katherine yelled back. As they disappeared down the steps, she spun back to the room. “What in the hell— KENNETH?!”
Even I was surprised by her speed as she lunged across the room to tackle Kenneth in a hug – which I was noticing was a common occurrence in this group. I kind of liked it, which was even more surprising.
“Hey, brat.” Kenneth sighed and patted her back. “Am I off to bed too?”
Katherine pulled away with tears in her eyes. “I can’t believe it. I tried everything to heal you…how’d they do it?”
“We stripped his Mark.” Tennessee shook his head, still half-holding Kenneth up. “We did not relish the move, but it saved his life. Saffie’s idea actually.”
Saraphina wrapped her arms around my waist, resting her head on my chest. “I’m just glad it worked.”
Katherine grabbed his arm and her face fell. “I’m sorry, Kenneth, but I’m glad to have you back.”
“And check this out.” Bettina reached down and yanked Timothy’s left arm up, revealing the black IX Mark over the faded gray XX. “It’s amazing.”
Katherine’s gaze dropped down and then her her jaw dropped. “Timothy…”
She squealed and grabbed his face, then dragged his mouth down to hers.
Lily covered Easton’s mouth.
The rest of the room grinned and cheered. Someone whistled. My bet was on Deacon.
Katherine pulled back and smiled so wide her cheeks dimpled. “I – I have no words.”
“Yeah, we saw.”
“What gave that away.”
“Tell him again,” Easton yelled but then Lily elbowed him in the ribs.
Timothy blushed bright red and rubbed the back of his neck. “Um…thank you.”
Katherine’s eyes watered as she stared up at him. “What does this mean now?”
“Tim’s initiation.” Kenneth grinned and clapped him on the shoulder. “Go get ‘em, big guy, but you can’t have my library apartment.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Bettina
Haven turned to me and nodded toward the house. “Hey, Hope, can you tell Saffie we’re ready?”
“On it.” I squeezed Uncle Tim’s hand. “Be right back.”
“Be right here,” he said with a wink.
I chuckled and spun for the back door. We’d only just gotten back from Crone Island a few minutes ago but since we’d all been in our ceremonial white still we decided there was no reason to wait. Uncle Tim needed to be initiated and we were ready. I’d been hanging back with him, waiting until the last moment before we started to join everyone in the circle on Holy Ground. My poor sweet uncle was a ball of emotions and I knew he wanted a moment to himself to feel those…so we needed to finish this.
But a certain red-haired fairy had not joined us.
I hurried through the door and into the living room…then slid to a stop. Saffie and Riah stood face-to-face in front of the fireplace, staring into each other’s eyes, Olli still in Riah’s arms. Gigi sat cross legged with flushed cheeks in the big chair behind them. Lennox and Warner were lounging on the sofa next to them with their heads leaned close as they whispered. I knew they were up to no good.
I cleared my throat. “Um, Saffie?”
She jumped and looked to me with wide lavender eyes. “Yes?”
I used my thumb to point behind me. “We’re ready to do Tim’s initiation now.”
“Okay.” She smiled and nodded — then her eyes widened. “OH, I’m in The Coven now! Oh, shoot. Dammit. I forgot!”
Riah chuckled. “I was wondering what you were doing still in here.”
“I’m sorry!” She grimaced and her face turned red. “I’m coming right now!”
She turned back to Riah, pushed up on her tip-toes, and pressed her lips to his. He sighed and leaned into her kiss. Olli was sound asleep upside down with his pink belly up and long brown and white ears flopped