Page 107 of Seas the Reckoning

“You want to do that? More work?” Starla asks Shanell.

The witch nods.

“I’ve done my best to keep CB safe, and I want to do the same for the supernaturals around me. I think Harold would approve. He wanted a family, and he had one whether he knew it or not. I won’t take mine for granted.”

We make a toast in honor of the fallen centaur, then fall back into chatting about plans.

“I’ll be opening my own law office in town,” Ginny volunteers. “Brody’s pack is going to come help with construction.”

“They may specialize in cars, but they’re very handy, and they’re excited to meet my mate,” the red wolf says, dropping the massive piece of information casually into the conversation.

We’d all speculated, but the official announcement is met with cheers and whoops as Ginny blushes and Brody hugs her.

“I’ll be headed back to the vampire mansion, but don’t think you’re rid of me. When summer hits, I expect a private dive tour,” Ji-hwan says.

“Deal. You may not be alone. Thomas has already texted me to take me up on my offer of a swim partner.”

Not to mention Cannon and Malcolm, who have shared that they plan to host another event here this summer. When I return from England, it will be to a crowd of friends and family. My heart is full.

“Wait. Shanell, with you gone, there won’t be any supernaturals in the local police departments. Isn’t that dangerous? What if there’s supernatural crime? How will we intercept it?” I ask.

There’s a sound of a throat clearing, and I look to see Exos.

“It may have involved some forged papers, and the irony of that illegal activity is not lost on me, but I will be ‘transferring from another precinct’ as a detective. I’ve decided to stay in Carolina Beach permanently.”

“He can say it’s for the job, but I think it’s for a certain sexy, bar-owning witch.” Starla winks, placing a hand on the gargoyle’s arm.

The drinks are refilled, and a round of Dirty Santa begins. The evening is filled with laughter.

My thoughts are still there, insisting that everything good could crumble. But I know that with my loved ones by my side, I have the support to handle whatever comes my way.

EPILOGUE

GRAMMY KNOWS BEST

Ilift the watering can, sending a shower over one of my potted plants. It’s been a bit colder than normal for the end of December, but my plants are safe inside the greenhouse. And if they ever are in danger, I’m not above asking one of the coven members to help nudge a lagging plant along.

For a moment, a pain pierces my chest, and I reach up to clutch at my blouse.

Opal hops frantically around my feet, nose twitching furiously.

I wave the adorable rabbit off.

“Don’t worry. It’s emotional pain, really. Just facing the unpleasant truth that, even if it’s only in small ways, sometimes we do resemble our adversaries. Starla told me that her father utilized magic to keep his plants green year-round at his manor. But it’s fine. Our differences far outweigh any of our similarities.”

One key difference being that I am not in deep trouble with the Magikai. He’s spending his New Year’s Eve in a cell at some government compound, and I am spending mine at the coven house.

I can’t help feeling pity. Not for him, but for the daughter who deserved better. I only hope I’ve been enough to help bridge the gap.

With a sigh, I set the watering can on a side table, opting to sink into one of the plush chairs and finish the chore later. Opal hops up next to me, and I pet the rabbit’s silken fur.

“There are some problems that are unique to a seer but also some that exist as a grandmother. I wish I could have spared Starla any pain. And Leena. I’ll admit, I saw a lot, but I didn’t realize Starla would be the one who was needed to break Leena’s curse. Perhaps I’m losing my touch. Or, perhaps, the magic knew better than to give me every detail.”

Too many people take magic for granted. But it has intelligence, and a soul. And I think it’s protecting me. If I had known my granddaughter would not only have to face down her father but also learn that she’d inherited the same cursed legacy as Leena, would I have had the strength? Would I have been able to do it without intervening to the extent that it could have affected the outcome?

I’m still not sure how my granddaughter will handle her growing new abilities, but I do trust it will be for the good of those she loves.

I’m experienced enough at this point to know that I would have been in danger of trifling too much and risking their safety.