The neighbors watched in silence as the caravan began rolling out of Blessed Crescent, the crowd of witches moving back to let them through.
Ruby Cove called out to everyone outside. “Go back to your homes. I’m sure we will hear more soon,” she directed. “Secrets never stay hidden in Celestial Haven.”
And despite the wisdom behind her words, she really had no idea how true they were.
Epilogue
OAKLEY
One week had passed since the Wellses had been arrested for Acacia’s murder. Ruby had temporarily taken in their two teens, along with stepping into the role of coveness. While the coven was in flux, the investigation still underway, there would be no blackout bashes or moonlucks until we knew more.
No one brought up the other disappearances.
No one seemed to think it strange that houses emptied on the row quickly.
For the time being, I focused on having Hazel back and getting designs drawn up before relaunching Full Moon Emporium.
The neighborhood was finally starting to calm down, people spending less of their days huddled in the cul-de-sac around Luna’s empty coffee truck. Lynx and Saros had been called to the Council of Magical Welfare’s headquarters to report to their superiors. I couldn’t wait for them to return, to have a better idea what was going to happen now. Whispers about the couple had filtered around the block, with the timing of their departure, which the couple claimed was a planned belated honeymoon abroad.
Finally venturing out of the house, I pushed the stroller down the drive and onto Starry Night Lane. I couldn’t help the twinge of disappointment I felt not seeing Luna’s window open, no twinkling lights strung under its awning or witches enjoying their morning brews and chatting.
Once the guys were back, would they even reopen it? I tried not to worry that this trip of theirs would signify their return to Oregon, especially when I’d finally decided to settle here to build a life for Aspen and I alongside my sister.
Bright-colored leaves flitted across the breeze, and I inhaled the rich fall air. Soon it would be bustling with our Hallowed celebrations, holidays the coven, along with the greater supernatural community, took very seriously.
Supernatural schools closed up for the week and the festivities would go on for days—some more family friendly than others. This would be my first year seeing how Celestial Haven celebrated, and my first year with Aspen in tow. Last year I’d only been able to manage about half the amount of appearances Atlas and I usually made, too tired and swollen to want to run around from one event to another.
I’m sure this year would prove to be a different kind of exhausting, but I couldn’t wait to take lots of pictures and see the look on Aspen’s face. All the more reason I was glad to have my magic back, to make the season completely enchanting for him, like my parents had done for me. I was already plotting some over-the-top decorations for the house.
A black SUV turned onto the street, and my heart leapt into my throat.Are they back already?I couldn’t wait to see them again in person, to enjoy whatever time we had together. To also just know what the hell was happening with their assignment.
That balloon of excitement quickly deflated, sinking to the ground as the SUV moved closer, sporting the Archon crest on the hood. This surprise was not the one I’d hoped for.
The window rolled down, and Atlas gave me a smile that sank straight in between my ribs.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, much too brusque, earning a swift pat on the back from Hazel.
It was hard enough to keep my guard up around him when I planned ahead, much less when he showed up unexpectedly.
“Had a few things to attend to in town and figured I’d stop by for a quick visit. Didn’t you get my texts?”
I went to pull out my phone, finding my back pocket empty. I dropped down to check the stroller basket to see if I’d accidentally thrown it in there. It was probably back at the house… Goddess only knew where. I gave him a shrug. “Forgot to have it on me, I guess.”
“No worries.” He pointed to the house. “If you want, I can go park and then join you all on your stroll?”
And have the whole neighborhood see me walking around with him and give them something else to talk about right now? I think not. After all the eventfulness taking place these past few weeks, the last thing I needed was being the topic of the nosey-neighbor rumor mill.
* * *
Ten minutesinto searching for my phone, I found it lying in Aspen’s crib. Tapping the screen, I retrieved my messages from Atlas. There were a few from Lynx and Saros, but I quickly swiped them away before reading, not wanting Atlas to somehow see something incriminating.
Aspen squealed as Atlas lifted him into the air, pretending to make him fly around the house. My chest ached at the sight. Hopefully this visit would be quick and painless, just a few hours with his son and then he’d walk out the door. I could wallow in my own guilt over pushing him away later.
I leaned back on the counter. “So your text said you had something important to talk to me about?”
“There’s been another disappearance,” Atlas said, looking at Hazel and I.
What? Was Hazel in danger? Were we?
