Louis met his gaze. "I magicked someone to look like President Caine, and now we have full control of America."
Jacob blinked a few times. "You spelled a Guild member?"
Louis shook his head. "No, a supe. Another magic user. It's old magic and it only works with the permission of the magic user, but it's possible to cloak someone in that way."
Jacob nodded. "Strong enough to fool a human, but most supes would see through it."
"Yes. Exactly."
Jacob finally cracked a smile. "I suppose it just has to hold out long enough for the rest of his term, and then next election someone else will step in."
Louis’s purple eyes were practically glowing. "We'll take no more chances. Guild members will be running for presidency, and we will ensure their success. No more spells, a legit candidate who is aware and works for us."
Looked like the humans were no longer going to find themselves separate from the supes. Control was slowly slipping through their fingers, and they could thank President Caine for that.
"How did you explain away the loss of soldiers and special forces?" I asked, my guilt trying to rear its head. Jacob was in my mind knocking it down though.
"We magicked bodies and evidence of a mass explosion during a special forces training exercise," Louis said lightly. "The world was devastated and will be mourning with America for months. All involved received the highest medal of honor."
My chest clenched. Those men and women would have families … children, and I'd just stolen them away.
"I wonder if I can reverse the spell?"
Louis slowed—we were near the Compass's house now, early morning light washing over the large wood cabin.
"They're not supernaturals,” he said, breaking it to me immediately. “They will have suffocated and died in the gems. We must let them go and lay the blame squarely where it deserves to exist. With a greedy, corrupt, power-hungry human. You did what you had to."
My eyes met Jacob's, and he shot me a lopsided smile. Yeah yeah. He'd been saying the same thing, but if I didn't feel guilty for what I'd done, I'd be a monster too. And I refused to ever walk that path.
"Jacob!"
The cry was wrenched from a throat hoarse from crying, lips parched from sadness, and a face blotchy with despair. Jessa flung herself down the stairs, tears streaming along her cheeks, and when I expected her to launch into Jacob's arms, she instead looked like she was going to punch him in the face.
He'd anticipated this, side-stepping her swinging fists as he wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry, Jessa babe," he said, holding her tightly. "I'm so sorry. We came back as soon as we could."
She was muttering something, but it was too garbled to make sense. I felt and understood her pain though. If I'd thought one of my family was dead for days … weeks, I'd be a hot mess too.
Maximus, Braxton, Tyson, Mischa and Grace followed behind Jessa. Three of them had toddlers in their arms, the little ones rubbing at their eyes like they'd been woken early.
"Uncwle Jakey!" a baby shouted, and Jessa finally released her hold, allowing the rest of their pack to surge forward and hug Jacob. It was nice to see so much love around my mate, because he deserved that and more.
"Justice," Grace choked out, holding me with a desperation that I'd never felt from her. "I thought we lost you."
I returned her hug, my heart swelling until my chest felt tight. "You almost did."
After that, it wasn’t just Jacob being loved … it was me as well. Hugs, and tears, and true happiness at our return. It was so much more than I’d expected that my cup runneth over.
"Come on, we should make some food," Jessa hollered. "We have a lot to celebrate."
Jacob and I were exhausted, but there was literally nothing else we'd want to do right now. This was the life I'd dreamed of … one filled with family, and friendships that stood the test of time.
And one day babies of our own.
I snorted, shaking my head at him, lips twitching.
Maybe. I could see some beautiful blond babies with your face and my attitude.
His let out a short bark of laughter.Yeah, on second thought, I don’t think my heart could handle the stress.
