Page 99 of We Are All Sinners

Perhaps this is my penance for all the bad things I have ultimately done in the name of revenge. Am I really any better for taking their lives? Maybe not, but the world is a better place without all of them in it.

I reach up, grabbing the large pretty handle. I’m taken to the bayou. I see every witch who has yielded it, including me. I smile watching every life it has either taken, or at least harmed.

The light fades out, going almost black. I look around, realizing I’m standing in the middle of a marsh in the bayou. The thick bald cypress trees stand tall in the murky water of the swamp.

I panic when I try to move and can’t.

“Watch.” a voice hisses.

I swallow hard, trying to see through the darkness. I look up at the night sky, realizing the moon is barely a crescent, producing little light. I look back in front of me quickly, hearing movement in the water.

Focus Evie. I try to calm my rapid heart, feeling the anxiousness of what’s to come.

I’m ripped back to the now when the dagger is ripped out of my hands and strong arms wrap around me tightly.

“I’ve got you little witch. I’ve got you. What were you doing?” Brix asks, holding me tight against his chest.

“I’m fine. I was just feeling nostalgic. Wanted to finish up all the wedding stuff. I just finished loading everything up. When I came back in and saw the dagger and just wanted to touch it again.” I confess, kind of.

“I was worried when I woke up and you weren’t in bed with me. I told you we could pick all of this up today. You don’t need to be trying to do all the things by yourself. Mia has been taking care of everything. Today you are mine, remember? Your detail crew is a little pissed at you since they got yelled at so early this morning.”

“I know, I’m sorry. Insomnia set in and I figured it was better to be productive.” I give him as much honesty as I can.

“You, okay? Did you see anything new?” he asks as he gently rubs his hands up and down my back.

For a split second I almost tell him, but decide I really didn’t see anything, so it’s not lying when I say, “Nope, just saw the past. I need to drop the stuff off at the church and then I was planning on going to get us beignets for breakfast.”

“Perfect, I had Noah drop me off when we saw the SUV here. It’s still early, why don’t we go have breakfast, then we can drop theflowers at the church. It doesn’t open until nine a.m. Maybe we could go to the French Market.” Brix gives me a cheesy smile like he is up to something.

“I love the French Market, what’s with the face?”

“I still need to find gifts for the guys. I kind of forgot.” His face falls.

“I can make them something similar to what I did for the girls if you want, but you have to help, and I’ll need to go to The French Market to get some more essential oils from my guy.” I wink at him, making his smile widen.

“You are the best! First breakfast.” Brixon gives me another sweet kiss before we head out of the shop.

“Café Du Monde is peaceful this early in the morning.” Brix says, looking around the quarter like he is seeing it for the first time like this.

We sit at one of the outdoor tables and order two café au late and two orders of beignets. We sit and talk about what kinds of products he wants for the guys until we get our food and coffee.

I watch him take a bite of his fresh beignet, dusting powdered sugar all over his dark blue sweater. I take a long sip of my café au late, enjoying the brass band that has already started playing on the corner while laughing at my fiancé.

“Give it an hour, the tourists will come out of the woodwork. This is why I like to get an early start on Fridays, especially if I have to go to the market. The main reason is because I love watching the city come to life.” I confess.

“You always did. Why do you think some of our most precious moments have been during a sunrise. I know you are an early bird who always gets her worm. I just want to help you get the worms now.” Brix says sweetly, shoving the last bite of his pastry in his mouth.

I decide to indulge and enjoy one myself. I tear off a bite and shove it in my mouth, inhaling a little powdered sugar. I cough slightly and laugh as I chew. I finally swallow and take a drink of my coffee, trying to catch my breath.

“Did it have bones?” Brixon jokes as he wipes the side of my mouth with the pad of his thumb before offering it to me. I go to wrap my lips around it when he pulls it back quickly putting it in his mouth instead.

“Rude!” I quip, laughing as I try to swat his arm.

He dodges my swat, cupping my neck and pulling me in for kiss. We both can’t contain our laughter causing our teeth to clank, making us laugh harder.

His eyes sparkle looking at me like I’m the only thing in the world he is interested in. I love that he is the only man on earth who was ever able to, not only get my attention, but keep it.

“I love you Brixon.” I say as I smile wide, before shoving another smaller bite in my mouth this time.

---