Page 136 of Samhain Savior
“All that trouble over one shiny bauble,” Mex observed, her tone contemplative.
“And we still need the third piece,” Corson grumbled, his own mug nearly all whiskey.
“We have no leads on its location,” Archer added from beside me, sounding more than a little annoyed. “I am hoping that Asmodeus can—”
“Modi!” shouted Vine from across the room. He sat slouched on a low sofa against one wall, shirtless and more than a little drunk. On his chest, Pandora snuggled, her tiny body cradled in his palm as she slept, clearly exhausted. Mal sat with them, though as far away as he could while still being on the same sofa. “He goes by Modi now.”
“Modi,” Archer growled, and I hid a smile in my mug. “I am hoping thatModiwill have more information on the third piece when we meet him in Fallow Hill.”
“What’s Fallow Hill?” I asked, draining my coffee, enjoying the gentle burn of the whiskey as I leaned into Archer.
He had also changed, both his form and his clothes. Gone was the winged demon, my dark avenger who rode into battle for me. In its place was the handsome, brooding man I had come to know. The man whose soul sang with mine, who protected me and stood by me as I learned who I was meant to be.
The man who I had grown to love.
As soon as I thought it, Archer responded, his arm coming around me, drawing me out of my own chair and over on to his lap with a satisfied rumble. The bond thrummed between us, steadier now, no longer all fire and fury but a deep, abiding hum. After blood and shadow, after fire and fear—I knew this was home.
Hewas home.
“Fallow Hill is a unique place,” Archer began, only to be interrupted by Vine once again.
“He means it’s boring as fuck.”
“It’s quiet,” Corson offered.
“It’s home,” Mal said, his tone almost reverent.
“Will you join us?” Archer asked Mex, ignoring the muttered bickering from the guys. “You know you’re welcome.”
“And leave the bayou?” She laughed, her smile wide but her eyes sad. “Nah, baby. The Quarter is where I belong. Besides, I have a nest of Vampires that apparently need constant supervision.” Standing, Mex looked around the club, eyes narrowed on every little detail before turning to me. “But you know you always have a place here,cher. Remember,” she added, offering a saucy wink. “Us girls have to stick together.”
Chapter sixty-three
Delilah
The setting sun cast a hazy, golden glow over the village of Fallow Hill, illuminating the low fog that crowded the narrow street. Like something out of a movie, Fallow Hill appeared trapped in time, with dirt roads and whitewashed homes, I could feel the history the second we stepped out of the shadow gate.
It was immediately apparent that we had ventured far to the north, not just from the sudden drop in temperature, but from the dense pine forest that surrounded the village. Cottages were tucked between the trees, their windows glowing and doorways draped with garlands of rowan berries, Samhain decorations historically used to keep away evil spirits.
As we moved farther into the village, we entered the main square, which was bustling with activity as the villagers got ready for the evening’s Samhain festival. The men were laying out wood for the bonfire, the women were filling tables with dishes for the feast. My stomach growled as the savory smells reached us.
“It’s been so long since I’ve participated in a bonfire for Samhain,” I whispered, clinging to Archer’s hand as he led us through the town square at a brisk pace. He didn’t slow, but he did acknowledge the few folks who called out to him, greeting him like an old friend.
“Fallow Hill still holds to most of the old traditions,” he replied. “This place is a safe-haven for our kind. A place where those who wish to can exist peacefully as their true selves.”
Looking closer, I could see what he meant. Everywhere I looked, people were being open about who and what they were. Two witches were standing with a female shifter, working together to hang hawthorn wreaths, while the group of men laying the fire contained several demons, working along side the witches and shifters with no animosity. There were furies and other lesser demons, as well as some creatures that I had no name for, all working together to prepare for the season’s celebration.
And all around, children of all different factions frolicked and played, laughing together with no sign of prejudice.
I’d heard that places like this existed, places where the supernatural community lived in harmony, but I’d never, in all my travels, been to one.
It was the kind of place I’d always hoped to find. As a witch with no access to my magic, I’d longed for a community where I could be welcomed despite my differences.
Fallow Hill seemed like it could be that place.
Continuing through the square, we carried on down the lane, passing several shops selling things like charms, hex bags, and smudge bundles, and a pub Vine informed me was owned by a vampire.
As we left the hustle of the village proper, Archer led me toward a beautiful house perched on a low hill. Looking at it, I could tell it was old, and had seen more than one addition over the years. It was two stories, with dark shutters and a wrap-around porch, topped off with a row of dormer windows that glowed in the dark of early evening. Surrounded by a picket fence and a walk lined with lanterns, the home looked cozy and inviting, with a beautiful garden full of herbs and what I knew would be beautiful flowers when spring came around again.
