Page 58 of Curses & Cold Brew
Jordyn dusted herself off before turning toward her girlfriend with a smug smile. Witchly pride bloomed in my chest.
Naphula collapsed to the ground, holding her head in her hands and I instinctively dove to her side, hands hovering over her to search for injury. Her body was whole, but her mind fractured. Naphula sat up with a groan, dropping her head in her hands like she was nursing the worst hangover of her life.
“Is she okay?” Ramona asked, breathlessly reaching my side and pulling me into a tight hug. There was such desperation in her hold, as if her very arms needed proof that I was alright.
I pulled her closer and buried my face in the crook of her neck, murmuring, “Nothing an apothecary witch can’t mend.”
“Impressive,” Ramona said, brushing a kiss to my temple.
“I told you. Don’t mess with witches.”
“I’m sorry I ever doubted you.” She pulled back to search my eyes. Her brows were pinched together, and there was something in her stormy expression that I couldn’t name . . . or maybe I was too afraid that I knew exactly what it was and that I felt it just as fiercely in return. “I . . .” Her eyes fell to my lips, like she was warring with herself. “. . . need to go thank everyone.”
I cleared my throat, stepping out of her embrace. “Yeah, good idea.”
Sadness and relief mixed on her face as she turned and walked toward the group of celebrating townsfolk. Their cheers and excitement filled the graveyard.
Jordyn appeared by my side. “You’re looking none the worse for wear. Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
I gave her a weak smile. “A few scrapes but nothing serious.” I didn’t bother trying to hide the cauldron of mixed feelings bubbling inside of me.
She wrapped an arm around my shoulder and brought me in for a squeeze. “Nothing a hot cup of tea and a good sleep can’t fix, huh?”
I was exhausted, but I didn’t want to sleep. My eyes drifted to Ramona, who was still milling through the crowd. The sun started to peek through the dark clouds, and the sound of awkward clapping at the cemetery gate caught our attention. A family of tourists stood there gawking, their cameras aloft. They had no idea that they’d just witnessed an actual vampire staking by townies.
“We’re just rehearsing for the Halloween Festival,” Billy Bacchus called to them with a wave. “It’s going to be a real show. Make sure to get your tickets!”
A few of them waved back and began to move along.
“I’ll make sure Harlow slips them some forgetting potion in their morning coffees,” Jordyn whispered to me.
“Good plan,” I murmured back.
29
RAMONA
Iris sat on the low wall that ran along the perimeter of the cemetery as everyone started to amble back into town. Willow had promised everyone a celebratory coffee and pastry at Witch’s Brew. Nothing like slaying your enemies to bring a town together . . . and work up a wicked appetite.
The last of the townspeople soon filtered away, leaving just Iris and me. She had sticks and leaves nesting in her tousled hair and dirt on her clothes, but otherwise, she was unharmed. The shame that I had put her in danger hadn’t left me just yet, but knowing that everyone had made it out alive—aside from Esme—was helping lift the weight on my chest. And judging by the expression on the witch’s face, I had a feeling she’d thoroughly enjoyed being bait.
Still, no matter how much she deserved it, I couldn’t believe Esme was really gone. I suspected it was loneliness that had driven her to such madness and for that, I couldn’t entirely hate her, no matter how much she deserved her end. Death was no stranger to me, but even so, there were memories Esme and I shared that would be hard to let go of. There was one thing thatwas for certain though: her return made me even more grateful for the people in my life.
With that thought, I perched on the cool stone next to Iris and took her hand in mine as if I did it all the time. Iris smiled before looking in the direction where Esme turned to dust.
“Well,” I said wistfully, “I didn’t have Randy using his own head as a weapon on this year’s bingo card, but here we are.” I brought the back of her hand to my lips and laid a quick kiss on her dirt-stained skin.
She chuckled. “I feel like he had been waiting a long time to do that. And staking a vampire with a broom is definitely a new one for the coven. That’ll teach Agnes not to tease us at the next town meeting.”
It had been quite the sight. Not that I thought the vampires would ever truly stop antagonizing the witch coven. Town traditions were important, after all.
“I’m sorry I brought all of this on you,” I managed to say.
“Don’t be.” Iris squeezed my hand. “It was fun to have a little excitement.”
I let out a contemplative hum. There was so much more I needed to say, but vulnerability was still an entirely new concept for me, and something inside of me—the cowardly part—screamed at me to give her a way out. I’d declared my affection for her to the entire town, and now, in the quiet aftermath, I was beginning to wonder if I’d taken everything too far. After all, the time Iris and I had spent together had been forced upon us. Maybe without the rush of adrenaline, things would seem different in the light of day. And while I didn’t think I could survive without Iris in my arms every night, I wanted her to make the choice for herself—no strings, curses, or rogue vampires attached.
“Things can go back to the way they were now,” I murmured. “You’re free. No more Sherlock and Watson needed.” I felt Iris’seyes on me even though I didn’t look up from where our hands joined.
