Page 65 of Handcuffs and Hexes

“That was nice of you to teach him, but don’t you think a kid playing with fire is going to be dangerous?” Hazel asked. “He’s going to burn down the house.”

“Boy, do I have a story about Seth for you about that!” Elena exclaimed. “Remind me next time you come over.”

“Fire’s not the problem,” Seth said. “The real problem is that that wasn’t wizardry he just used. It was witchcraft.”

Elena burst out laughing. “Samuel is going to be livid!”

“Oh, I almost forgot!” Hazel said as we parted ways in the parking lot. “Liam and I have a present for you, Elena.” She dug into her bag and brought out the photo album. We’d gone through and removed any photos of Samuel, keeping only photos of Seth and Elena. “This is for you.”

Elena’s hands were shaking as she took the album.

“Liam and I added notes,” Hazel said. She opened the album to one of the pages we’d marked. “This one’s my favorite.”

The photo was of baby Seth in the bathtub, his hair spiked up with shampoo, very much like the style he wore often now. Even as a baby, he had a look to him that screamed he was the big boss and not to cross him.

“Where the hell did you get that?” Seth tried to grab the album, but Hazel moved it out of his reach and into Elena’s hands.

“Thank you. Thank you. I thought these photos were lost forever,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion.

“Liam and I think the photos are better off in your hands. We’re hoping a little piece of the past can help you move forward.”

Elena held the old book to her chest. “Thank you.” She dashed the tears from her face.

“And whenever you’re ready,” I said. “You should consider dating again.”

“Liam!” Seth did not like the idea of his mom dating at all. If he could, he would hide her on Desmon’s estate forever.

“It might help you regain your powers faster,” I finished.

“And I know a certain police chief who’d love to take you out,” Hazel finished.

“Absolutely not!” Seth cried.

“We’re not talking about relationships or anything like that. We’re talking about fun dates,” Hazel clarified.

“You know,” Eamon said, “that’s probably a good idea. Watch out world, Elena is back on the market.”

We took pity on Seth and split up, leaving Elena to head back to Desmon’s estate with Tansy and Eamon.

“My mom does not need to date.” Seth reiterated on our drive to the marina.

“She doesn’t, but she should,” Hazel said. “Do you really think the woman who birthed you is happy just running Desmon’s home? You’re an ambitious person. I bet she is too. She just never had the chance to follow her dreams. Here’s her opportunity.” Hazel frowned. “Where’s theRevenge?”

Because we were at the place where theRevengewas usually docked, but another boat sat in its spot. It was dark and sleek and much nicer than theRevenge. The wordCovenantwas written in silver across its black hull.

Seth was practically beaming. “Surprise! I traded up.”

I gawked at the fancy yacht in front of me. This wasn’t part of the plan today. We were supposed to... wait... did that mean... “This one has a hot tub!”

“It sure does.” Seth draped his arms around me. “Months ago, you asked me for three things. You wanted Hazel. We got her. You wanted a hot tub on the yacht. The old one wouldn’t fit a hot tub, so here we are.”

“I don’t remember the third thing,” I admitted.

“You wanted a bigger home.”

“Oh, I remember now.”

Hazel had moved in with us shortly after that day. It was easier for everyone, especially since it was so much closer to the precinct. She didn’t take up much space, and my worries that we’d need a bigger place were unfounded. But we’d been talking about building something on her piece of land that would be more to Seth’s liking. Hazel and I were both basic and fancy, but Seth was an ultra-fancy bitch all the way.

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