BriChristmas time was my father's favorite, he used to tell me about the fires the men and boys now erected near the water before we went on our evening fishing excursion. Boo was in charge, as my eyes and ears to protect our home. Her headspace was free to me and my decision had already been made to leave her behind when I left. she knew my heart better than I knew it myself, and would be the only way I could let a part of me remain here while the rest of me was forced to be elsewhere. The only way everything I cherished would be safe from the perils of witches' politics, was if they were together under her care. I could never let those witches know what these men and boys were to me and I was not putting another familiar at risk again. That loss along with my fathers had broken me and left me vulnerable to them. At least this way I would know they were OK, they were all that mattered, the only things that would keep my soul tethered to this world when I unleashed myself upon my opp
BeauIt was obvious Bri didn’t want to talk about whatever the things were that she couldn’t or didn’t want to remember but we all had to know what weapons in this battle could be used against her, we already knew she had been assaulted, that her memory couldn’t pinpoint for sure who had been the assailant. Yet, we all expected the man who forced his touch on her over and over again. She swore it couldn’t be Andy and that Silas or Beckham never crossed certain lines, that Beckham barely existed among them and Andy wanted nothing to do with her but she couldn’t be completely sure and when it came down to it, that would be Wyatt’s job to sort out. He would guide her hand with his ability to detect an individual's literal intent, but in my opinion, they should all be at the bottom of the swamp.It was when I asked her about the snake that's when she and Wyatt both swallowed hard and looked at each other before she began explaining all the ways she had tried to get away, affording her the
Beau,Two strange vehicles approached within 30 minutes of each other. The passenger stepped out of one and spoke to his driver before he drove off. The second car that pulled up was a nondescript saden cavalier with a shimmering green color. A lean woman with midnight umber skin stepped out, wearing a band tee and ripped black skinny jeans. She hefted a teal backpack over her shoulder as she looked around. The lush coils of her afro were a stunning contrast to her frame as she leaned against the hood of her car and began typing on her phone. Watching as I posted casually from the mess hall I wondered who she was. The man from before came out in his tailored suit and she frowned looking down the road expectantly before she reluctantly followed him back into the office. I grit my teeth, I didn’t like this, bringing Bri out in the open after what had happened, it made me uneasy and I'm sure my Alpha felt the same. I had just had to look at The Bastard Alpha and he turned in the other d
ZoeyThere she was, Bri. That beautiful and alluring spirit shone brighter than I’d ever seen anyone else before. The good spirits led me to her that day as I watched the gaunt, dead-eyed girl walking. I knew who she was, all New Orleans witches did. The spirits spoke, insisted, and I intervened. She stood too far away, a wall of sexy feral male brutes between us and she just turned him to melted butter with her touch and the depth of what I knew was underneath the surface of the scarred person I had come to know. Now she beamed like a beacon of the echoes of who I knew her to be. She shined, no longer the dull empty shell I was familiar with. I was glad for it, relieved. She had found the thing in the deepest part of her that had been hidden by her armored cage of darkness and now had cut through all the bullshit she had been through. It didn’t matter to me what B.S. that was, she never said, but I knew it had to do with the woman who claimed to be in charge of the New Orleans witche
BriWhen the plotting was done and I had asked after Maggie, she pulled a bag out of her backpack and inside were several pieces of hemp clothing and a few wrapped packages. “My cousin just opened her boutique. She begged me to give you these if I so happened to bump into you. She hopes you'll frequent her store if you like them.” Zoey’s family was relatively human by witch standards but possessed something a little extra yet to be revealed to me. I honored that fact by not asking, as I had my own secrets. I wasn't concerned they suspected Zoey had helped me. They would simply expect it not to mention my link to Zoey was unknown by anyone outside of a specific circle. I smiled, “I’m sure I’ll love it all,” I said feeling a bit stunned and awkward. I didn’t dig through the bag, Zoey just smiled and nodded, not expecting me to go through it. Most things that passed between us were instantly destroyed. Outside of the items in the bag she had given me and the phone. Gifts usually left a
Beau, I was surprised at Wyatt’s suggestion. Letting Bri meet the old Bruja that manned the taco truck with her family alongside her friend Zoey was a big chance. Maria was different. When I pulled in behind them the food truck had a small line and the closer picnic tables were filled. I gestured to Zoey to head to the farthest one and followed Wyatt and Bri to the table with the men I had snatched as Maria’s niece eyed me. This was trouble. Or maybe Wyatt had a point. The old woman was one of the few people around who didn’t treat us as outcasts. I had spent half of my life using that to my advantage with women though. They wanted the thrill of a random romp with someone who wasn’t accepted, and Maria, that bear of a matriarch knew that. Bri knew too, I should accept it and own it regardless of how worthless it made me feel, pathetic. I got Wyatt and Zoey’s orders as I smirked at Bri.“What is it gonna be Sug?”“A girl only lives once,” she looked back at me, and the air became char
WyattHalfway home I pulled off to the side of the road and backed in next to a dilapidated dock facing the setting sun. Bri, who was curled into my side, looked up at me.“What's wrong?”“Nothing moonbeam, just wanted a quiet moment with you to myself before we go back.” I got out and jogged around to let her out. She allowed it. An action I wanted her to become accustomed to. As I helped her slide out of the truck I took her hand and led her to the back dropping the tailgate. I patted it as I eased onto it myself and she snuggled into my side once more.Our gazes trailed out over the water which mirrored the burnt oranges, deep pinks, and vivid purples of the setting sun.“It is beautiful,” She said, her voice thick with emotion, barely a whisper on the drifting breeze.“It’s pretty,” I agreed. Her fingers interlaced with mine as my other arm came around her and we took in the peace of nature, I could feel the tension as she suppressed the moon from materializing but the strain ease
“Shit,” he swore, scrubbing his face with his hand before he could rally a reply. Bri shifted out from behind me and sat next to me. I tugged her into my side and she leaned into me but there was a rigidness to her. Her gaze honed on Sean. When his eyes locked on hers as he looked back at us he paled.“What the fuck have you gotten into Wyatt?” I could sense his fear as his words blurted out. Bri’s legs swung leisurely back and forth as they hung over the tailgate. I looked up from her legs to her face. A cold smirk had twitched up at the corner of her mouth and when her gaze left Sean to look at me the wraith was full force in her eyes.“What? I thought I should show him what they made me, before he decided to talk,” she looked back at Sean who gaped.“See, I was supposed to be a creature of the light,” she said, letting the moon materialize behind her, “But they forced me to be what you see, so if I were you, I’d keep my mouth shut before I add you to the list of people I need to de