Chapter 45

Remy stood at the sliding glass doors, staring out at his backyard. The lights were off, but he could see just fine. No sign of Lang and there had better not be. With Ephie gone, Remy no longer felt the same constraints on his civility.

Lang might be older and therefore stronger or more powerful in some ways, but had he trained in hand-to-hand? Did he know all the techniques Remy did for taking down a difficult suspect? More importantly, Lang knew nothing about the special security lights Remy had installed years ago when he'd first arrived in Nocturne Falls.

They were a precaution against other vampires, something he'd anticipated before he'd understood what life in Nocturne Falls was really like. Now, he knew better. The vampires here weren't out for themselves as they were in most cities. Here there was a sense of community, a willingness to help others unlike anything he'd known before.

The danger he'd expected just didn't exist here.

Despite that, Remy tested the lights often enough to know they were in perfect working condition. The remote that operated them was in his pocket now, next to the pouch of Ephie's ashes that had been delivered by messenger just a few hours ago. Both would remain there until Lang was a memory.

But if Lang showed up and things didn't go according to plan, if he struck out against Leonie or Darryl, or even at Remy himself, the lights would go on.

They would bathe the backyard in UV. And Lang, without the protection that Remy now had around his neck, would cease to be a problem.

"I figured you'd still be up."

He turned at the sound of Leonie's voice. She was sleeping in Ephie's room, Darryl in Remy's. He'd thought it better that they stay with him than return to their hotel where they were more vulnerable.

Surprisingly, Leonie hadn't argued. Darryl had gone back to the hotel to get their things, returning without incident, thankfully.

Remy nodded. "This is my daytime, you know."

"I know." She wrapped her robe a little tighter and came to stand by him. "You're looking for Lang, aren't you?"

"Just checking."

"Anything?"

"No."

"Thank God." Leonie sighed and stared out into the darkness.

"I'm very sorry for what he did to you. That he took advantage of you."

Leonie nodded. "I ended up with Ephie, though."

"You did an incredible job raising her. She's the most amazing woman I've ever met. You're pretty impressive, too."

Leonie snorted, looking at him sideways. "You're a terrible liar, but I appreciate the effort."

"I'm not lying. You raised her as a single mother, moving through the ranks of the judicial system, fighting for what's right and good, standing up to men like Turner, and now you're on the state supreme court. What's not impressive about that?"

Her expression grew more skeptical. "I know you don't like me."

"We've had our differences, but I respect you deeply."

She studied him like she was trying to find his tell. After a moment, she went back to looking out the window. "You're not as bad as I thought you were."

He smirked. "Thanks."

"You going to stand here all night?"

"If I'm not outside, taking a walk around the house, I'll be keeping watch from inside."

"Do you really think Lang is going to come back?"

"He might. And if he does, I want to be ready."

She eyed him curiously. "To do what?"

"To do whatever's necessary to keep us safe."

She reached out tentatively and laid her hand on his arm. "I approve of that plan. Thank you."

He couldn't recall her ever touching him before. Maybe she was softening toward him. "Get some sleep, Leonie."

She headed for the bedroom. "Bonne nuit, Lafitte."

"Bonne nuit." He went back to watching the backyard. The sun would be up in a few hours. For once in his life, he couldn't wait.

* * *

Ephie yawnedas it grew closer to the time when Lang was due to return. She hadn't slept much last night. She'd already napped once today, and she was still tired, but that no longer mattered. In a few minutes, Alice would cast the spell over Ephie that would make her disappear from the world.

She sat in Alice's practice, smiling down at Jean-Luc, who lounged half-asleep on the rug in front of the fire. Must be nice to sleep wherever and whenever you wanted. "At least I'll have you with me in the spell."

Jean-Luc, intoxicated by the warmth of the fire, rolled onto his back, stretched out his front and back legs, and continued to snooze.

With Alice's guidance, Ephie had worked on her magic today. Nothing big. It had been more about gaining control, and now that Ephie knew how to practice that, she'd promised Alice she'd continue. Just like she'd promised Alice to attend the next coven meeting. That hadn't been hard to do.

Ephie had really enjoyed the meeting. It was something she looked forward to doing more of as part of her life here in Nocturne Falls.

Provided that life went on.

Alice came in. She was dressed in a simple navy-blue caftan. "It's nearly time. Are you ready?"

"I am." Nervous, but ready. She'd never been the subject of a spell before. Unless she counted the one her grandmother claimed to have put on her right before her high school prom to keep boys away.

"Then let's begin. Help me roll this rug up."

Together they moved the furniture off the rug, which caused Jean-Luc to move, too, then they rolled the rug away from the fireplace, leaving a large open area of bare floor.

Alice cast a large circle of salt and wood ash, then selected a candle from the shelves. Pure beeswax, no color. She stepped over the circle line and walked to the center. "Join me. Bring the cat if you want him with you."

"I do." Ephie clicked her tongue to get his attention and called for him. "Come on, bebe. Come to mama."

He trotted over and leaped onto her shoulder. Ephie stepped over the salt line and joined Alice.

The elder witch sat, crossing her legs as nimbly as a teenager, then gestured to the place across from her. "Sit."

Ephie did.

Alice set the candle between them and nodded at it. "We need it lit."

With her newfound confidence, Ephie brought fire to the wick easily. The flame flickered, then steadied into an easy, wavering pulse, lengthening until the light it created was hard to look away from. The pleasing scent of honey drifted up.

"That's it," Alice said softly. "Watch the flame. Study it. Become the flame. Rest in its light as it warms you."

The undulating movement was mesmerizing. Ephie had no problem doing exactly as Alice asked.

Jean-Luc slipped from her shoulder onto her lap and wound himself into a little ball, his purrs vibrating through her.

Alice's voice grew softer still, her words no longer English, but Latin. The words blended into the flame, becoming part of the magic that Ephie could feel surrounding her. It was warm and bright, encompassing her entire being.

Around her, the air shimmered silver like glassy water. It ebbed and flowed, a seamless orb of perfect tranquility. Alice's voice was a whisper now, miles away.

The gentle thrum of Jean-Luc's purring felt like bubbles on Ephie's skin. His fur was silk under her fingertips. Peace filled her. On some plane, in the distant part of her that was disconnected, she knew Remy was about to face danger on her behalf.

But Ephie floated above that, her gaze suffused with light as her entire being rested in the nothingness that Alice had created.