“SURPRISE!”
I jolt backward, colliding with Asher’s chest as what feels like half of Emberwood explodes out from behind tables and booths. Balloons bob against the ceiling. A hand-painted banner stretches across the back wall:
WELCOME HOME, POPPY!
My hands fly to my mouth.
Tanner emerges from behind the counter, grinning ear to ear. “Technically, you’ve been back a few weeks, but we heard from a little birdie that you’ve got your memories back and are ready for a proper welcome.”
I rush forward and hug him. “After all the family meals we had here, and all the times I sat in a back booth eating pie doing my homework in high school, I can’t believe I didn’t remember you.”
He gives me a tight squeeze. “It’s so good to have you whole and home, sweetie.”
When I ease back, Mayor Declan is next in line. “It’s good to have you back, Firefly.”
I cling to him, the soft warmth of his flannel shirt a constant comfort as a kid. “It’s incredible to be back.”
Eliza stands beside him, smirking. “We missed you, trouble. Welcome home.”
The kickass alpha of the New England shifters. How could I have forgotten how much I looked up to her as a kid? “Thank you.”
Asher hands me a napkin, and I wipe my tears. When I take in all the familiar faces in the crowd, something inside me shifts and finally locks into place.
I am Poppy Hallowind-Forrester and, like all the Hallowinds before me, I’m an Emberwood witch.
This is my place, and these are my people.
The outpouring of love and support is overwhelming, but in the best possible way. I glance over my shoulder to find Asher standing behind me. “You did this.”
He winks, looking ridiculously pleased with himself. “You’re a rock star, Pops. You needed to be reminded of who you are and deserved a pick-me-up. After all you’ve been put through, it’s past time this town celebrated you.”
“I love you, Asher Hendrix.”
He leans forward and kisses my forehead. “Right back at you, girlfriend.”
I take a deep breath, and though I’m not totally comfortable being the center of all this positive attention, I accept itwith gratitude and move through the diner to acknowledge everyone’s support.
Pete salutes me with his coffee mug. “Damn good to have you back, kid. Really, truly back.”
“Thank you, Mr. Dalton.”
He chuckles. “Pete is just fine, honey. You’re all grown up now.”
I am. It’s crazy to me that all these people are etched in my past and mean so much to me. I’m still that sixteen-year-old girl who belonged to a secret society within a magical world, but I’m also more than that.
I survived five years digging down deep with nothing going for me but determination, the grit to take everything the world threw at me, and the love of a best friend.
Asher was right. I needed to be reminded of who I am.
Orion is smiling at me, a Cheshire grin on his beautiful face. He’s leaning against the jukebox, the honed muscles of his crossed arms bulging, his silver-blue cat eyes glinting out from behind black eyeliner. “Welcome home, Popstar.”
I hug him, beyond relieved to have him back. If life has a balance, the Goddess Mother gave me the two best besties ever, to compensate for what I needed to endure.
Mom always taught us that things happen for a reason and that the Goddess Mother will balance the scales. I understand that more than ever before. It may suck, but I am where I am, standing as who I am, because this needed to happen for the balance of things moving forward.
And that means that somehow, my demon-marked bloodline and blood-bound contract will balance out in the end. To have faith in the Goddess Mother means I have faithShehas a plan.
I step back from hugging Orion and arch a brow. “I can see you and Asher are already conspiring against me. This has got your sticky fingerprints all over it.”
