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“I don’t want them looking at you.”

I frowned. “That’s being a bit. . .extra. Don’t you think?”

He headed off. “I’m working on this, little witch.”

“Work harder.”

“Give me a few decades. Maybe a century.”

“A century?” I called back. “I’ll be dead by then.”

He disappeared into a room that I assumed was a bathroom. The sound of water running came. He spoke over the noise. “No, little witch. Our powers have combined. You’ll live as long as I do. You too will damned near be a god.”

I widened my eyes. “What?”

“A kitsune is very close to being immortal. Its mate will be the same, regardless of the species.”

Stunned, I sat up.

Living damn near forever?

Now that was not on this year's bingo card.

I didn't even know how to feel about it. I didn't know whether to scream, laugh, or cry.

Okay. Let's think about this.

The good part hit me first. I would never have to be afraid of death again. I'd spent my whole life with my hands in loss.

Washing it.

Dressing it.

Singing to it.

Burying it under Louisiana moons.

Death had always been the one guest that showed up to every party in my family. And now it was supposed to just. . .skip my house?

No more wondering which year would be my last.

No more rushing.

All that time with him. That doesn’t sound too bad at all.

Then the bad part crept in right behind it. My relatives and friends would grow old. Their kids too. And what. . .I would just stand at their gravesides over and over, still looking young.

Did Aunt Delphine know too? Probably. She probably loves that fact more than anything since I’m to take her crown.

My heart ached as I thought about the day when I would have to bury the Bayou Banshee.

My eyes stung.

Forever was amazing, but it also meant watching everybody I loved leave, again and again.

Hmm. Well. . .at least I have lots of time to ponder this. . .new situation.

I looked down at my chest. The black heart continued to fade. More violet came at the edges. More of that stubborn pink also broke through.