Chapter Thirty-Four

Maureen

"Ithink I'm going to stop going to balls. They're bad luck." I dip a sweet potato fry into the massive bowl of ranch the server reluctantly brought over.

"Maybe it's just ball gowns. People always get stabbed when you're wearing one," Villette teases.

"Yeah, I'm like Buffy the Douchebag Slayer." We both erupt into giggles.

It's been a month since that fucking night at Graves Estate, but the nightmares still come every night. Especially for Villette. I moved her into Nocturnus House. It's easier for us to all be together. We take turns running into each other's rooms when one of us wakes up screaming.

"Any word from Libra?" Villette asks.

I nod. "Well, sort of. Her parents called Atlas. They said they got a text message from her saying she needed space and time off from school to figure out what she wants."

"It's weird that she hasn't responded to us, right? Like I know the winter solstice was crazy, but she seemed fine right before she left."

I've had an uneasy feeling about Libra's absence since the first week of this semester. But there's been no time to really deep dive into it. Now that all that shit with the elders is over with, and Nocturnus is ours, I need to try and track our bougie little friend down and make sure she's truly okay.

"Very weird. That's actually part of what I wanted to talk to you about. With the summer break coming up next week, I'm planning on going to Ever Graves. Figured I'd ask around about her there. Among other things." I smile and thank the server as she sets two more glasses of wine in front of us.

Villette takes a big sip. "All of you are going?"

I nod. "Yeah, they don't let me out of their sight… wanna come?"

Her eyes light up. "My parents are already expecting me to come home for summer. My papa is sending a car for me next Friday. So I'll meet you there."

We clink glasses and cheers.

Villette grins from ear to ear. "Ooh, I'm so excited to show you around. We'll have a great summer."

I believe that we will. It doesn't matter what my last name is anymore. I have my loves. Riot, Atlas, and Valentin. And then there's Felix… we're still learning about each other, but I'm in absolute awe whenever I spend time with him. He and the guys are getting closer too. I think he has a particular affinity for Riot. They've been inseparable lately.

"Same, girl. Thanks for spending my birthday with me, by the way. It's the first year without my bestie, Bailey."

Villette squeezes my hand. "I'm honored that you invited me. But we better get you back to Nocturnus. The guys have something special planned for you. I'll be in my room with headphones on, by the way."

We both burst out laughing. She knows us too well. The poor girl has heard me moan more times than I can count. No wonder she's having nightmares.

We finish our drinks and walk back to Nocturnus House just as the sun starts to set. Tenebrose is growing on me. It feels more like home than Wickford Hollow now. I've come to love the hallowed ground, the spooky Goddess of Death church and its beautiful stained glass windows, and even the ravens. They follow me everywhere I go, ready for my command at a moment's notice. They protect me just as much as the guys do.

I don't mind the graveyard anymore either. Ever since Riot and I made a new memory there to replace the one I had with Zeke. Villette and I take the path through it, walking through the headstones without fear or anxiety.

Tenebrose is our place now. We own it. And everyone knows it. No one dares to snicker or glare at me here anymore. Even in Felix's poetry class. The other girls keep their heads down and avoid making eye contact with me.

News spread rather fast about what I did at the Graves Estate. They're more afraid of me than ever. But it's better that way. I don't need their approval or validation.

When we enter Nocturnus House, my breath hitches. I can hear her laughter from the other room. I look at Villette, wide-eyed. "Is this real?"

She winks. "Go. Have fun. I'll be upstairs if you wanna chat later."

I don't waste another second. I sprint into the living room and nearly choke on my sobs. "Bales…."

She looks up from the circle of guys around her—mine and hers—and bolts over to me. We nearly knock each other over in our fierce embrace.

"Maur! I've missed you so much, bitch."

I can't stop hugging her. I can't stop the tears from falling. She is here. Bailey Bishop is in my arms. "Best fucking birthday ever. I love you so much, Bales. Fuck."

When the guys finally pry us apart, we just look at each other. It's been six months since we've seen each other. The longest we've ever been apart in our whole lives. She looks amazing. Her blonde hair is a little shorter but still hangs past her shoulders. She looks stunning in tight black pants, black boots, and a white fuzzy sweater.

"I couldn't miss your birthday, bitch. Oh! I brought you stuff." She hands me a Jell-O shot, and I almost cry again.

I drink it down, and it tastes like home. Like late nights and tequila, and horror movies and sweet potato fries at Ruby's. Like Halloween and abandoned houses and haunted mortuaries. It tastes like us. "You have no idea how much I missed this."

She smiles and hugs me again. "I know. Me too, Maur. Um, your guys are hot as fuck, by the way. Nice work."

I give her a little curtsy. "Your girl hasn't lost her touch." I look past her and wave to Poe, Grim, Saint, and Raine. "I see yours are still devoted and fine as ever. Things good back at Wickford Mansion?"

She locks her arm through mine. "Yeah, we are in our nesting phase. Saint has been gardening like crazy thanks to Poe's demanding list of rare ingredients that he refuses to cook without. Grim and Raine are still at each other's throats, but it's entertaining to watch." She leans in and whispers, "Really fucking good foreplay."

I burst out laughing. My heart is so full. I can't remember ever being this happy. "So… tell me what you think of the devils of Raven's Gate." I can't even begin to wrap my head or heart around how much it means to me that she's here.

Bailey's violet eyes sparkle with excitement as she guides me toward the terrace, away from earshot. "I like them for you. Raine was a little annoyed to meet Atlas at first, you know, being a Thorn and all, but I reminded him that sweet Atlas wasn't even alive when Daisy Thorn poisoned them to death."

"Oh, fuck. I totally forgot that Raine's ex was a Thorn. Yikes." I down another Jell-O shot.

Bailey laughs and tucks me in closer as we exit onto the terrace. "Yeah. Small fucking world. Anyway, I love them all. Valentin is funny as hell. Riot is so elegant and polite. Like he stepped out of one of those old black and white movies. And Felix is hot, girl. Oh my god. He was also really fascinated with Poe being named after his favorite poet."

I roll my eyes and snort. "He's obsessed with Edgar Alan Poe."

She clasps my hands in hers. "They fucking worship you. Obsessed. You did good, Maur."

I hug her again. Everything is perfect. "I'm so glad you're here. How long can you stay?"

We sit down on the porch swing as she lights up a joint. "Just tonight. Work is killing me."

I snort laugh. Her mortuary humor never gets old. "Fuck, I missed you."

She passes the joint to me. "Are you okay? Your mom's been saying some crazy shit."

I roll my eyes and take a long drag. "Yeah, better now that you're here. It's been a wild year."

I spend the next two hours telling her everything. We laugh and cry and drink an entire tray of Jell-O shots. And when the clock strikes midnight, like Cinderella, she has to go.

I hug her so hard it hurts. "I'll come to visit you soon. Maybe even stay a while if that's okay with everyone."

Saint is the first to respond. "Maur, you and your guys are always welcome at Wickford Mansion. Stay as long as you want."

I hold her hands while the guys say their goodbyes and promise to keep in touch. We stare at each other for an eternity, our entire lives flashing in our eyes. "I love you, bitch. Thank you for coming."

She gives me one last hug. "I love you too, Maur. But you have Villette to thank. She helped make this happen. Such a sweetheart. Keep that one close. She adores you."

I wave to Bailey as they drive away; my heart is the fullest it's ever been.

When I walk back inside, Val is playing violin by the fire. Riot and Felix are discussing Poe—both the poet and the man who just left our house, and Atlas is playing with his poisons. I love them so much it hurts. I want to suffocate myself in their scent, drown in their hands and limbs and essences.

I've been let down a lot in my life. But never by them. These heathens are my ruin and my salvation. My beautiful devils.

As I stand there beaming, they turn their attention to me. It's unnerving in the best fucking way. Spasms tingle in my core.

Riot crosses the room to kiss me. "Happy birthday, Firecracker."

Felix grabs my hand and pulls me onto his lap. "I think we should unwrap her, what do you think, hmm?"

Atlas downs a vial of poison before stalking over. He gazes down at me with those electric blue-green eyes. "She's ours to mangle, ours to fuck… ours to worship."

My cheeks flush as my body heat rises.

Val runs his thumb across my lips. "Yeah, I think she's going to let us play."

I open my mouth and let him push his thumb all the way in. I let them strip me naked and play with my body all night. We kiss and fuck and carve new sigils, healing and saving each other with every touch.

Our ruin really is our salvation. We might never be fully okay but it doesn't matter because we're together.

Sometimes there's just not enough light to chase away the darkness. Not enough holy water to cleanse your sins…

But who needs light and holy water, anyway?

Not this bitch.

Did I do the right thing?

Fuck it.

I'd do it again.