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Then, with a gigantic whoomp, the soucouyant exploded. Fire and heat briefly boiled over me, forcing a gasp from my throat as fingers of flames speared through the disintegrating barrier of my magic and eagerly caressed my skin.
Then they died, the energy died, the heat began to dissipate, and there was nothing but silence around me.
Belle? I said, then more urgently, Belle!
Here. The explosion sent me tumbling.
I blew out a relieved breath, then thanked and released Katie and the wild magic. And instantly felt a whole lot weaker. I took a deep, shuddering breath, and then carefully unrolled and pushed up onto my knees. Saw Belle behind me, climbing to hers. Saw the three men in various stages of doing the same.
Aiden twisted around, spotted me, and then scrambled up and ran at me. He dropped to the ground, his knees inches from mine, and reached out for—but didn’t quite touch—me.
“Are you okay?”
“I’ve a mother of a headache and am a little singed around the edges, but yeah, I’m okay.”
“Thank God.” And with that, he gently wrapped his arms around me and hugged me like he never intended to let go.
I closed my eyes and just enjoyed the sensation.
Against all the odds, the soucouyant was dead and we were all alive.
Life didn’t get much better than that.
Epilogue
Belle glanced up from the newspaper she was reading as I stepped through the café’s front door. “How’s Monty?”
“Extremely pissed off.”
“Well, that’s to be expected. He’s got two shattered legs, after all, which means he’s uncomfortable, in pain, and has a fair chunk of rehabilitation ahead of him.”
“None of which is what he’s grumpy about.
” I walked around the counter and flicked on the kettle. “You want a coffee?”
“Thanks. So what is he grumpy about if not for the long road that lies ahead?”
“The fact that the long road will be happening in Melbourne rather than here.”
Belle grunted and got back to her reading. “That makes sense. They probably haven’t got the full range of rehabilitation facilities here.”
“That’s exactly what he was told. He doesn’t care.”
Belle snorted. “I’m betting it has something to do with that car of his.”
“Yes—apparently it can’t survive a week without being polished. I got the impression he thinks she’ll fall apart if he’s not there to cosset her for months.”
“I’m sure the owner of the facility would be all too happy to polish and cosset her. For a fee, of course.”
I grinned and carried two instant coffees over. “Apparently he doesn’t trust her in anyone else’s hands.”
“And yet he let you drive her.” Belle raised her eyebrows. “If that isn’t cousinly love, I’m not sure what is.”
“That was nothing more than the simple fact he couldn’t spell and drive at the same time. It won’t happen again, I’m sure of that.” I glanced around as the door chime sounded. Aiden stepped through and a delighted grin split my lips. He was wearing black jeans and a deep blue shirt that enhanced the color of his eyes while emphasizing the lean strength of his arms.
“Hey, Ranger, isn’t it a little early for you to be arriving?” I said. “I thought you were working until seven?”
“I was, but the council called me to a meeting, so I gave myself the rest of the afternoon off.” He bent to kiss me and then pulled out the chair and sat down.
