Page 102 of Waltzing With Witches

The following morning, Abe surprises me with breakfast at the Galloping Green Bean. Downtown is bustling, although every conversation I overhear is about what happened last night. Somehow, word of it has spread. But, if anything, the town feels peaceful to me, almost relieved.

Abe grins at me as he swallows a bite of blueberry pancake. Sliding his hand across the table, he jerks his head at his watch. “Press that for me, would you?”

I narrow my eyes, giving him a look. “You look guilty, Keeper.”

His eyes roll briefly back as he lets out a pleased hum. “Mmm, I love it when you call me by my title. Press it, mate.”

I scoff but press against the leather band. A tiny chime sounds, and moments later, the town meeting bells begin to chime.

“Well, Town Hall will be extremely pleased about this,” I joke as I lose myself in my mate’s scarlet gaze.

He rubs his knuckles across my cheeks. “I let her know that streamers would be very appropriate. She was thrilled.”

I swear to God, I tear up. “You did? She will fucking love that!”

“She was very grateful,” he says. “And I only know she cares about that because of you. I understand, now, why most Keepers are mated. You make me better, Morgan. In every possible way.”

Smiling, I grab my hair and flip it over my shoulder as I steal one of his fries. “Oh yeah, I do. You’d have been lost without the Hector triplets in town.”

“One triplet in particular,” he says with a wink. “Let’s go. I don’t want to be late.”

I think I like this version of Abe who jokes and winks and praises me.

We walk hand in hand up Main. By the time we arrive at Town Hall, the building is packed full of Evertons. I manage to find Lou and my sisters in the crowd. This morning Lou’s face is drawn and pale.

I pull her in for a hug as Abe goes to the front of the room with Arkan, Hana, and Richard. Hana shoots me a quick wink.

I rub Lou’s back as she turns tear-filled eyes to me.

“How are you today?” I keep my tone gentle. When I press my palm to her back, Lou feels fragile to me, like she could disintegrate at any moment. My magic sparks and sputters, emanating through my palm into Lou’s skin. I note that the scent of burnt marshmallows is gone. She’s all Lou once again.

She closes her eyes when the magic warms her, her throat working as she swallows. “A man is dead because of me,” she whispers.

“Correction,” Thea barks. “A man is dead because Wesley figured out some fucking age-old dark magic spell, attacked you, stole your body, and used you to carry out his nefarious plans. What part of that is your fault?”

Lou glances around at us. “I know that, logically. Even though I couldn’t control my body when Wesley took over, it was my voice that called Leighton into the alley behind Higher Grounds. My hands that stabbed him with a knife. I buried him when the magic didn’t work fast enough. And I couldn’t tell any of you or even talk about it, he kept me from being able to warn anyone. I just…I don’t know how to ever recover from that.”

“You will,” I assure her. “And we are here every step of the way, okay? You’ve been there for us, Lou. And we’re not alone in our support of you.” I cut her a soft smile. “Sounds like you’ve got support from other areas too.”

That, at least, brings a smile to her face. The hair on my neck lifts, and when I turn, Dirk sits across the aisle, glacial eyes focused on Lou. She gives him a soft smile before wrapping her sweater around her torso. I make a mental note to talk to my sisters and figure out the best way to support Lou as she deals with what happened. Leighton’s death wasn’t her fault, but if I were her, I’d probably feel the same way.

I wonder what the magical monster version of therapy is?

Abe’s deep voice brings me back to the present. “Evertons, let’s get started.”

When I glance up at him, there’s an honest-to-God smile on his face—something I’ve never seen him do at a town hall meeting.

He slips both hands into his front pockets and looks around the room fondly.

“I’m sure you all expected to come here and learn about what happened last night. I know theories are flying around already. But I’ve got an announcement to make before that.”

Crimson eyes move to mine, and his smile broadening. “I’m stepping down as Keeper, effective immediately.”

I shoot up out of my chair as the room erupts into mayhem. Everyone is shouting questions at him. But he lifts his hand to me, gesturing for me to join him.

Heart pounding, I take his fingers and let him pull me to the front of the room.

“What are you doing?” I hiss. “We have not talked about this.”

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