Page 72 of Sequel to the Easter Bunny

When she tries to step forward, one of the others holds her hand out to stop her. “It’s alright, she’s not lying. And even if she was…. She has the Power, can’t you see it?”

It’s clear from the way they look at me, they can’t. She waves away the robe one of them offers, they let her pass, watching me like they expect me to lunge for her at any moment.

If Ari was even a little afraid of me, I imagine she wouldn’t be naked.

I have to remind myself, this is the past… she doesn’t know me.

Which is why she asks, “What is your name?”

“Lily.”

“Hello Lily. And who’s babe are you carrying?”

“Jack,” I say, and then realise she might not know his name yet. “The Eebie.”

Brows high, she glances at my stomach with a strange smirk. “That is interesting. You must be from far in my future if Klaus’ family no longer has control of the Valley.”

“I was dating his great great great grandson before I made my deal.”

Ari’s smile is incandescent. “A woman after the Power will always have a place in my heart.”

“How are you still alive in my time if you’re like this now?”

“I haven’t told you…” Her suspicion flares and then fades and she waves it away. “My mother was like you. My older sister got the Power when it was her turn, but my younger sister and I got some gifts of our own. Some curses too.”

She laughs as if there’s a joke I don’t understand.

“Well, why are you here, Lily?” She says my name as if she doesn’t quite believe it’s real.

“I need to see Cupid, and I know that maze isn’t the way to get to them.”

“No, it is not.” She laughs and then, she turns and jumps into the lake.

I blink at her as she splashes around and then dives under, disappearing.

Glancing at the others, I catch them rolling their eyes.

“She’s looking for something she claims she lost.” One says with a heavy sigh.

Another nods, but doesn’t look any more pleased, “I think she drops them in on purpose so we have to come back every day.”

When Ari breaks the surface, she has a silver cord in hand and she slings it around over her head. “I told you.”

Laughing as she swims back to shore, she tosses it to one of the women and pulls herself out on a rock that juts out into the water.

The memory of a different, cold body of water flows through my mind.

“You lied to me.”

She looks at me with brows high as she accepts the robe from the nun. “I did?”

“You told me—you’ll tell me that you don’t know how to swim.”

“Strange.” She shakes out her robe and slips it over her shoulders, belting it at the waist. “I’m sure I had, or will have, my reasons.”

“Well, Lily, enjoy your Eebie in good health and fun. Cupid isn’t receiving visitors.”

She turns from me and I know I can’t let her leave.

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