Page 36 of Christmas Embrace

A great wind swept across Kade’s face, white handkerchiefs spun in the air as if caught up in a dust devil. He caught sight of Sydney’s expression through the French doors, her fear washing over him. With deliberate intention, he sent his power flooding through her, reminding her of his strength and protection.

Samantha’s voice grew louder and louder dominating the creature’s deafening screams. “Tester numine divae. Evocant et elementa. Voco super caelum. Sume ignem uidet inferos. Producat in candorem nivis, et gratia Dei dea. Cum potestas dea mitto vos ad infernum!!!”

As the high priestess repeated the words, ice crystals formed on the protective dome, spreading to the demon until it began to freeze, shrinking into the night. Kade wiped a fleck of frozen water off his face as he kept focused on the night sky. Within seconds the demon disappeared into a swirling grey cloud. Silence descended into the courtyard as snow begun to fall from above, coating the ground.

“Samantha. Just…wow.” Kade’s eyes widened, stunned at her power. He held out his hand, astonished as a cold snowflake brushed his palm.

“I always wanted a white wedding,” Samantha declared, smiling proudly.

“Jesus. Samantha.” Luca embraced her. “Are you okay?"

“I’m fine,” she told him. “I’m better than fine. I’m fantastic.”

“Never a dull day.”

“Jesus Christ.” Kade shook his head, wondering if leaving New Orleans might be a good thing. “This is the second time in just over two months.”

“I’m sorry, Kade,” Samantha apologized. Her excitement faded, her expression turning serious. She glanced to Luca, who nodded. “It’s just…well…ever since that demon first showed up here with Léopold. It’s like I said. I suspected there was some kind of a hole. Almost like there’s a crack in our realm and it’s leaking into the underworld. Without engaging with it, I can’t be sure what it is or what it wants. My magick is holding it back. I was prepared. But I think it could be more than that. Like this demon activity is being driven with a purpose. It’s possible someone is summoning it. I can’t tell yet. It might be hard to stop long term.”

“And…you’re telling me now? At your wedding?” Kade’s eyes locked with Luca’s. “Seriously?”

“It’s something we’ve discussed since the breach at our home.” Luca reached for Samantha’s hand. “We can keep up the wards but it’s like she said…we don’t know what’s causing it.”

“The good news is everyone’s okay.” Samantha placed her hand onto Kade’s arm. “No one was really in danger tonight. I know it looked bad, but they’re gone. If there’s something here in New Orleans summoning demonic energy…”

“Someone…” Luca added.

“It could be an object too but I’m leaning toward a person. Maybe a remnant energy or new. I don’t know yet. I can barely detect it but it’s there. It feels like something is slowly and deliberately testing the waters. It’s just an ember. But if we don’t douse it, we could have a fire on our hands.” Samantha gave a tight smile and shrugged. “Sorry I didn’t tell you before this. I didn’t want to worry anyone.”

“We’ll deal with it,” Kade told her, knowing he might well be gone. No matter what happened in New Orleans, he’d support them.

“Together.” Luca hugged Samantha, while keeping his eyes on his friend. “Now can we get on with the celebration?”

“You know it.” Kade waved a hand toward the guests huddled inside the mansion. The doors flung open and Sydney stepped outside, her jaw dropping open at the sight of all the snow. “What the…”

“I always knew she was cold as ice. A savage ice queen,” Dominique commented with a side smile. She set Kate on the ground, who then ran to her mom. “Luca doesn’t know who he’s dealing with.”

Kade turned to Sydney and wrapped his arms around her, gently placing a kiss to the top of Zachery’s forehead. They swayed to the music. Lost in the moment with his family, they slow danced in the snow.

“Merry Christmas, baby,” he whispered.

“Merry Christmas, Daddy.”

Kade waved goodbye to Léopold and Laryssa and closed the door. Dominique had retired to the guest house earlier in the evening and Zachery slept soundly upstairs in his crib. Caterers and housekeepers milled about the kitchen and living areas, tidying up and readying to leave.

As he glanced to Sydney, still saying her goodbyes, his thoughts drifted to the future. Ever since the wedding ceremony, Kade had been anxious to give Sydney her gift. From the moment he’d met the detective, he’d known they were meant to be together. Although darkness often overshadowed their relationship, Zachery brought light into their home, to their family. Within a day, life had changed. Their son returned home. A wedding. Snow. Christmas magick. Miracles.

Kade heard Luca call his name, breaking his contemplation.

“Hey, there you are.” His friend approached.

“Congratulations again. Look at you. A married man.” Kade smiled as Sydney came up behind him, molding her body to his and wrapping her arms around his waist.

“I just want to thank you again so much for everything. Letting us celebrate here at your home,” Luca said.

“Sorry for the little snafu,” Samantha apologized.

“No worries. The snow was beautiful and so were you,” Sydney replied. “Excited for your honeymoon?”