Page 40 of Wicked Love
“What proof do you have?” Delphine asked.
“The woman who found her memory,” Jasper spoke up.
“She is willing to speak?” Delphine asked.
“She is waiting outside,” Jasper said.
“This is madness,” Talia shouted.
Delphine waved a hand. Talia went completely still. “Remove her,” Delphine said. “Make sure she is well bound, so that there is no chance of escape. She has much to answer for.”
The witch who’d reached for Zelda and another woman walked to Talia, and took her arms. Using magic, they lifted her from the ground and towed her away.
As she left, I turned from her. I’d never think about that bitch again. Ever. I hugged my mother. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“Neither can I, Mellie-bean.”
“Melasina and Sariah Cormier,” Delphine said. We both looked at her. “You may both go home, to Melasina’s home. You will not leave New Orleans. There is more to be said, much more more. We will need to speak again. But for now, you may leave. Is that acceptable to you?”
I nodded, tears forming in my eyes. I didn’t see this happening, ever. It seemed like a dream. I didn’t want to wake up.
My mom was here. Alive. Jasper had found her.
After he helped to send her away.
“We will also be speaking with you about your sleep walking, Melasina. Although I venture to say that Talia may be able to offer some insight into that matter, after a time,” Delphine continued. “If all that has been said is accurate.”
“And Zelda?” I asked. My bony friend had been very quiet, and I could tell that she was worried she wouldn’t be allowed to do what she wanted. So I had to speak for her. As she’d spoken for me.
Delphine sighed, leaning back in her chair. “I will allow Zelda Dupuis to reside with you. The elders of this coven are to have access to her as needed, as long as we are considerate of the fact that she is in your home.”
“We won’t see much of them,” I heard Zelda mutter. I nudged the reliquary with my toe. She needed to shut the hell up right now.
“I can agree to that,” I said, smiling.
“Then you may leave,” Delphine said.
I put Zelda back in the bag, and carefully hitched it over my shoulder. Holding hands with my mother, I turned.
“Mel,” Jasper spoke behind me. I turned slowly. I didn’t want to jostle Zelda, and honestly, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to say to him, if I wanted to say anything at all.
“Delphine, I want to be clear that if this coven decides, in the end, to ask the Cormiers to leave, that I be allowed to leave with them.” Jasper’s voice rang out through the room.
“Why?” Delphine asked.
“Because I’m supposed to be with Melasina. And I am facing my fear of not doing the right thing, of doing the wrong thing, and being honest with myself rather than what I think I’m supposed to do. Had I spoke up earlier, some of this current suffering might have been avoided. Maybe not, but I didn’t speak up.” He took a step toward me and lowered his voice. “I’m doing what I want to do, the right thing, without any other concern.” He held out his hand.
“You helped send her away,” I whispered. I looked away from him.
“Jasper?” Delphine asked.
“My wishes still stand. Regardless of what happens between Melasina and I, if you exile them again, I will be exiled as well.”
“Why?” Delphine asked again.
“Because standing with them is the right thing to do, regardless of the outcome,” Jasper looked at me, his eyes pleading.
“Your request has been noted,” Delphine said. “We thank you for your honesty. But I must ask that you allow the Cormiers to leave, as we have much more to discuss.”
