Witches Get Stitches by Juliette Cross
Chapter 33
~VIOLET~
“You’ve gotus all here. Now tell us what this is about.”
Jules was on edge, and I didn’t blame her. When she asked why I wanted all of these people assembled together, she demanded to know why. I’d told her I wasn’t going to tell her until we all met and she just needed to do this for me.
There were a few reasons I wanted to handle things this way.
One, Jules might’ve used the time leading up to this meeting to contemplate and create a counter-argument without the presence of all those here. Particularly Ruben. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, the thing between these two a decade ago had caused a rift that made her want to avoid him at all costs. But for this to work, we needed Ruben.
Ruben had offered the use of his bookshop lounge for the meeting. It was an elegant blend of art deco design and luxurious comfort with velvet seating and Tiffany lamps on side tables. Devraj sat next to Isadora with their hands entwined and on his thigh. Clara and Livvy were curled on a blue velvet chaise, delicate coffee cups and saucers in their laps. Jules was in a chair next to them. Mateo was in another plush chair to Jules’s right, Evie sitting on his lap, his hand wrapped around her abdomen.
“Wait,” I told her. “We’re waiting on one more.”
The outer door opened and closed, then in stepped Henry. As usual, he was decked in all black. Scanning the room, his gaze lingered on my twin. That familiar ping of magic buzzed along my skin, then he wound through the seating to lean against the wall next to Ruben who had remained standing, hands in his pants pockets. I could see Jules wanted to ask why a grim was here, but thankfully she held her tongue.
To be honest, I wasn’t sure of Henry’s role within his community of grim reapers, but I did know that he had influence and held some power. The display at my so-called rescue, along with what Nico had told me about their abilities, meant that grims weren’t just Gothic decoration in the supernatural world. And apparently, the Blackwaters were not only powerful grims, but they had access to invaluable data as well as the ability to pass information through the Supernatural Net. And whatever other secretive paths they held in their hands. They’d also proven themselves to be allies with my family. That family now included Nico and his friends and brothers in the Blood Moon pack.
Nico stood next to me at the front of the assembly, arms crossed as he leaned back against a bookshelf.
“Right. As you are aware, I was recently kidnapped. The recent incident with the Blood Moon pack has taught me something that I was too stubborn to realize before.” Honestly, I was expecting some sarcastic remarks at this point, but no one said a word. All were intently listening. “Shane and his pack did what they did out of desperation. Not desperation to hurt or harm me, but to receive the magic they needed the only way they knew how. This magic, my spells, has the ability to calm their volatile impulses. Nico can attest that my most recent charmed tattoo has had the positive effect on them that we’d hoped.” I glanced at Nico by my side. He nodded to show agreement and gave me a small smile of encouragement. “I’ll be giving the entire pack the spelled ink that they need over the next week or so, but that isn’t enough.”
“That isn’t the full pack?” asked Devraj, one arm on the sofa back, his fingers casually playing with Isadora’s hair.
“That’s not what I mean. The problem is that all werewolves need this kind of charm. It’s more than a spell to keep their beast in check. Am I right?” I turned to Nico again.
Holding my gaze, he addressed everyone loud so they could hear, “It’s a healing charm. For in here.” He tapped his chest.
“Then that’s great,” said Livvy. “You can help all the werewolves in our region then.”
Shaking my head, I added, “I don’t want to help just the werewolves here where we live. I want to help all of them.”
“All?” Jules understood the enormity of what I was saying.
“All.”
Mateo held Evie close, tucked tenderly against him. In turn, she had her hand resting on his stomach beneath his shirt. Skin to skin contact was a comfort to werewolves. I smiled at the two of them, understanding now the zinging through my bones.
“You know, there aren’t many mixed couples with werewolves. And we all know why. It’s not just the fact that the werewolf race has had a history of violent behavior. It’s the prejudice that was created against them a long time ago because of this. I’m sure that the first werewolf, Diego Ortega, created by the witch Ethelinda”—yes, I did my research before coming today—“deserved his punishment. But do every descendant beyond him, innocent men only guilty by birth alone, do they deserve the intolerance of the entire supernatural world against them?”
Jules’s usual stoic veneer faltered. Her brow furrowed to one of concern. She’d been taught by our mother what every witch and Enforcer before her had been taught. Beware of werewolves. Keep them away for your own safety. But then, she also made an exception when she saw Mateo in trouble, when he needed the help of a good witch to break the hex put on him.
“What I want,” I declared with emphasis, “is a revolution against the too-long discrimination of an entire race of supernaturals.” I reached beside me without looking at Nico. He took my hand immediately and squeezed with reassurance. “It may have taken me to fall in love with a werewolf to see this, but the problem isn’t just to help them with a spell. We need to help our world to see that they’re one of us. The fact that they’ve been suffering for centuries when one witch could’ve created a spell to help them all along honestly makes me sick.”
“But Violet…” Clara straightened, looking off to the side, a frown marring her usually tranquil face. I felt the tug of magic as it flowed through the room from her and hummed along my skin with familiarity. She was tapping into her psychic eye. “You were the only witch who would’ve thought to use the permanent charm for werewolves. And you were the only witch powerful enough to cast it.”
She said it not as a compliment or as a means of support for her twin sister, but as a fact. She’d read the otherworld for knowledge and had been told by the Spirit. The effervescent glow of her skin proved it.
“It won’t be easy,” said Jules, concern still etched in her brow.
“I know,” I agreed softly. “Which is why we’ll need help.” I looked at Ruben and Henry. “It isn’t just a witch problem anyway.”
Ruben’s mouth tipped up with his devilish, crooked smile. “I’ll do whatever you ask in the vampire community.”
Henry didn’t say anything, but he nodded alongside Ruben. I suppose that’s all I’d get from a grim as far as compliance.
“I think it needs to be a group effort,” I told him. “Actually, it’s the witches and vampires who are most outspoken in their discrimination against the werewolves so I was hoping to work with you and Jules to figure out how we can take this all the way to the top.” Jules glanced nervously at Ruben, but I went on. “Clara may be right, and it may be only my spell that can help them, but I’m in no way capable of tattooing every werewolf in the world. But I can spell enough ink and train other willing witches, other powerful Seers, to cast the spell.”
“That would require a lot of organization,” agreed Devraj.
“And open-minded Enforcers to allow the practice in their covens,” Jules added.
“Not to mention the regions run by vampire overlords who would need to agree to the same.” Ruben’s voice was gruff, but I think it was at the thought of dealing with arrogant vampire overlords in other territories who wouldn’t take it kindly to be told to play nice with werewolves.
“So you see,” I said, “I need your help.” Then I stepped closer to Nico’s side. He wrapped an arm around me and tucked me close, pressing a kiss to my temple. “We need your help.”
Without a second thought, Ruben dipped his chin. “Given.”
Jules actually smiled at him, and I thought the earth might open up with the onslaught of the apocalypse. Then she turned her smile to me, pride in her eyes. “You have my full support. And I know you’ll have our parents as well.”
“And Maybelle’s,” added Livvy with a chuckle. Maybelle was our wild grandmother who had been spending her time traveling the world and trying out foreign lovers in every port. “If I recall, she’s had more than one love affair with a werewolf and would certainly support this venture.”
Isadora piped up then. “I’m not sure what I can do, but if you need me for anything, I’m at your disposal, Vi.”
“Thanks, Iz. So I guess everyone is with me on this?”
“I’m always up for a revolution.” Livvy winked.
Clara glanced around before settling back on me. “We’re all with you. Nico and Mateo are our family now. It’s our responsibility to show the world that we can’t shun a race simply because our ancestors did. What’s wrong is wrong.”
“Agreed,” said Jules, standing. “Ruben, I’ll email you with some meeting times on this. We’ll need a detailed plan moving forward.”
“As you wish,” he said with a bow of his head.
For some reason, that had her frowning harder than normal before she headed for the door. Everyone else started to stand and make their way toward the exit. Clara stopped Henry as he passed to tell him something. They walked, and he listened as they left the lounge. Evie and Mateo headed straight for us instead.
Evie grinned so hard I thought her face might break, then I saw the glassy look in her eyes. She blinked back the tears and swept me into a tight hug. “Fuck, Evie, I can’t breathe.”
She laughed, and I could hear her fighting the tears. “You’re the bestest, Vi. Such a softie.”
“Shut up. Don’t tell anyone.”
“It’s our secret.” Then she smacked a kiss on my cheek, took Mateo’s hand, and tugged him toward the door.
But not before Mateo chucked me on the chin. “Thank you.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat, unable to respond so just gave a little wave. I wasn’t the mushy kind of girl, but all this teary-eyed gratitude had my emotions running amuck.
Big, strong arms wrapped around me from behind, then Nico dipped his mouth close to my ear. “She’s right. You’re the bestest.”
“You’re not biased at all.”
“Not at all.”
I turned in his arms. “Let’s go home. I have something I want to add to the list.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Let’s just say Isadora sent me a list of her favorite toys.”
“Isadora?”
I laughed at his shocked expression. Isadora didn’t appear to be the adventurous type to the outside world, but that girl knew her sex toys better than anyone. I’d seen the packages she’d ordered when she lived with us in the house. So I knew she’d be the one to give me some tips.
“And I had a notification that my package was delivered while we’ve been out.”
He grabbed my hand and led me toward the exit, pressing a kiss to my inner wrist. “Let’s go home.”
Home. A stirring of warmth filled my chest because I knew now that my home was with him. Clara was right. Nico was family. He was my better half, and I had no problem admitting that. I might be slow on the uptake, as I was when I left him high and dry in Austin two years ago and when I pretended we were just friends after he moved here to New Orleans to pursue me, but I can tell you something about myself that’s always been true. I learn from my mistakes, and I don’t waste time.
So I skipped ahead of him and dragged my fine-ass werewolf toward our home so I could have my wicked way with him. Another thing I was one hundred percent positive about. I was going to do my damnedest to never let that list end. Thankfully, Nico seemed to have the same idea. I knew I was right when we walked past an alley.
“Alley sex,” he whispered.
“Really? That could be gross.”
“Not if I hold you up.” He glanced my way, a flash of wolf-green taking my breath away. “It could be hot.”
Nodding, I said, “It’s going on the list.”
Then we sauntered home, happy in our little bubble of love and prospects of pleasure, even if we had a long road ahead with my revolution. With him by my side, nothing was impossible.