Frost & Bothered (35 page)

S
olstice night was clear and cold. I had quite a lot to feel grateful for as I stood with Terra and Logan, between the crowd and the new, red stone arch set in the evergreens lining the front of my property. Everyone I cared about was safe. All the missing had been returned home.

And I hadn’t seen Ginger since she’d led us through the maze challenge.

We’d decided to put the arch at the opposite end from my driveway, to preserve a semblance of privacy. A broad, Kelly green ribbon stretched across the arch, which was tall and wide enough to drive a small moving van through.

Tonight was the first time I’d seen Logan in four days. He’d been busy with Thorandryll’s team of pocket realm experts, planning the clan’s new home.

Tigers weren’t the only ones present. The coven had been invited, and were attending with their familiars. Mr. Whitehaven and Tabitha had come, as had Kethyrdryll and Alleryn. Even my parents, Tonya, Betty, and my little brothers were there. And my three big dogs.

“I think Cordi should cut it.” Terra tried to hand me the over-sized scissors.

“Nope, Logan should.”

“It was your doing, and your idea,” he said.

“Don’t care. You did all the hard work to make it happen.” No way working with seven snooty elves hadn’t been hard.

“Good night, somebody cut the damn ribbon already,” Kate called out. “I’m freezing.”

“You’re the Queen,” Logan said.

“Both of you do it,” I suggested, and after a few seconds, they agreed that was a good idea. The two halves of the ribbon fluttered to the ground amid cheering.

The three of us led the way in, down a short, paved road ending in a covered parking lot. From there, a wide, cobblestone path wound around trees. The path widened into a street after we passed the trees. At the far end of the street stood a large, two-story building. Nice houses of varying architectural designs lined both sides. Each had a mailbox out front, with a wooden name plate mounted on top.

“You assigned housing?”

Logan shrugged. “Less of a headache. If we let them choose, it’ll be next year before we move in.”

“What’s the big building?”

“Meeting hall and offices. Behind it, there’s a playground and our outdoor gathering area.”

“This is awesome.” Beyond the town on every side were more trees. I glanced up and realized the sky was familiar. “It’s on Earth normal time?”

“Oh, yeah. That was far less complicated,” he said. “And it’s not as though we want to be separated. We just need a safe haven that’s all ours. But, if it’s ever necessary, we do have all we need to become completely self-sufficient here.”

“Nice.” I hoped it wasn’t ever necessary, but was glad he’d planned for the possibility.

A couple of hours passed before everyone finished exploring and found their way to the gathering area, where food and tables waited. So did the massive pile of wood for the bonfire. Seeing it, I checked my pocket for the folded piece of paper inscribed with my wishes for the coming year.

I wondered if any of them would come true.

We ate, drank, laughed, and generally made merry for a couple of hours. Dane had won the drawing to light the bonfire, which he did with a loud whoop of joy, echoed by several others.

Flames shot upward, sending sparks high into the night sky. I watched the smoke rise, and saw the luminous circle of tiger spirits materialize above us.

Slow and stately, they marched around in their customary circle. I felt the lump of tears in my throat when I spotted the empty space among them. It belonged to the white queen who’d helped me find Logan in my dream. She was either trapped inside me, or gone for good. I had no idea which, but her willingness to sacrifice herself felt both pure and painful.

People began lining up to select pine cones or twigs to tie their Solstice wishes to, from baskets waiting to be emptied.

“You thought of everything.”

Logan grinned. “Well, I tried to.”

I selected a pinecone. So did he, and we walked to the bonfire together. I wondered what his wishes were, and if any of them involved me. I kind of hoped at least one might.

The festive evening came to a screeching halt for me when I tossed my wish-laden cone into the flames and Merriven walked out of the fire. His thirsty red gaze hit me like a punch, and a mocking smile stretched his lips wide.

“Cordi?” Logan slid his arm around my waist. “What is it?”

“Nothing.”

He didn’t believe me. “You’re pale.”

I was shaking too. “Okay, I’m feeling a little sick. Maybe my lunch is to blame. We tried a new place.”

“Do you want...”

“I should go home,” I said at the same time. “Wouldn’t want to break up the party by tossing my cookies.”

Logan insisted on walking me home. I agreed, not ready to be alone with my new delusion. The vampire lord looked as solid as Ginger had become the last few times I’d seen her. Way too real for comfort and a walk in the dark.

I’d thought maybe Morpheus had a hand in my Ginger delusion. That he’d been able to send out nightmares, and chosen the nearest psychic to torture with them. But he was dead, and here was Merriven.

I glanced at Logan while we climbed my front porch steps. I didn’t want to end up hurting him, or anyone else. It wouldn’t be fair to drag him along as I sank into utter madness.

“No, it wouldn’t,” Merriven agreed.

Son of a...he could talk. Ginger hadn’t talked, except in dreams.

“I hate to leave you alone when you don’t feel well,” Logan said.

“I’m just going to take something and hit the hay. I’ll be fine.” Biggest lie of my life. “Besides, I actually don’t enjoy having an audience when I puke. Throwing up god gunk aside.”

He chuckled. “Okay. Do you want me to bring the dogs home?”

“Leglin will after they’re done conning people out of food.”

“All right.” Logan began to lean forward, intending to kiss my forehead. I lifted my hand to his chest to stop him.

“I, uh, need to take a rain check on us dating.”

“Oh.” His brows drew slightly together, and he backed a few inches away. “May I ask why?”

Because I’m on a southbound train to Nutsville, with no stops in sight. Nah, couldn’t tell him that. “I have some stuff I need to take care of. Personal stuff. I’m not sure it’s a good idea to,” my shoulders slumped, because I couldn’t think of a way to end that sentence.

Logan looked into my eyes for a moment. “One question: Did I do anything to make you uncomfortable?”

“No, nothing like that. It’s totally not anything to do with you. I just...” Gah, one of these days, I’d learn to say the right things. “Look, Merriven told me something when we were fighting, and it’s been bothering the hell out of me. I need to get a handle on it.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

I loved that he asked, but shook my head. “I don’t think so, at least not right now.”

Logan nodded. “But you’ll let me know, right?”

“You bet.” I didn’t know whether to apologize or ask if he’d wait until I had my head on straight, if that were possible.

“All right. You know how to get in touch if you need me.” Logan smiled. “I don’t plan to go anywhere.”

Relief put a smile on my face. “Great. Thank you.”

He moved and planted a kiss on the corner of my lips. “I guess I’ll talk to you later.”

“Definitely.” I stayed at the door to watch him leave, and waved when he did before he walked out of sight.

“This is the life you’ll have without me,” Merriven whispered in my ear. “Alone, forever.”

Shivering, I called the dogs and went inside, refusing to look at him.

It’s not like I knew where to begin getting a handle on this new development. Right now, all I could do was hope Merriven was wrong.

I didn’t want to be alone forever.