The Curse Keepers Collection (100 page)

I looked up into his loving face and smiled. “I’m pretty sure you’re the only one who thinks that.”

He pursed his mouth into a mischievous grin. “Nope. That bloke over at two o’clock hasn’t stopped watching you since you walked down the aisle.”

“That’s Claire’s cousin and he’s had a crush on me for years. He doesn’t count.”

After all the recent craziness, I couldn’t believe we were doing something normal. It felt good.

For the last week I’d replayed the events in my mind, and I couldn’t see how we could have done things differently. Especially when I took into account that Daddy had told me to do it. But was Collin right? Had Ahone tricked me by using Daddy? Did Ahone have his own secret agenda? Whatever the original agenda, the new one was clear. There was a good chance that Collin and I had giant bull’s-eyes on our backs. Everyone in our lives was fair game too.

Claire and Drew’s dance ended, and they invited the rest of the wedding party onto the dance floor.

David hobbled out with me. “Your dress is too beautiful to waste, Ellie.” He’d needed to get multiple stitches for his leg wound, and he had trouble getting around, but he still insisted on dancing with me. Tom had questioned him endlessly, but ultimately he let it rest after the attacks stopped.

I had to admit, Claire was right. The emerald-green gown clung to my curves and the color perfectly complemented my auburn hair and hazel eyes. I really did feel beautiful, even if just for a night.

David wrapped me in his arms, and I looked up into his face, feeling both blessed and guilty. When the song ended, I helped him back to our seats.

My mouth dropped open when I saw Collin standing in the back of the room, dressed in a suit. He walked toward me, then looked down at David. “Would you mind if I steal a dance with Ellie?”

David stiffened slightly, then covered my hand with his own. “It’s not my decision. It’s Ellie’s.”

I nodded, my breath catching. I hadn’t seen him since we’d earned our new titles.

Collin took my hand and pulled me to the center of the crowd, placing his hand on my hip and keeping a respectable distance between us. “I’ve never seen you look more beautiful, Ellie.”

I flushed. “Thank you, but then again, I never really dressed up or wore much makeup when we were together.”

“You don’t need those things to be beautiful.” His voice was husky.

I flushed.

“Are you happy with him?”

“David?” I glanced up at him through my eyelashes, hesitant to answer. He watched me with an expression I’d never seen him wear before. I nodded.

“When you came to me and asked me to take you out onto the ocean, I told you that I knew from our connection that you had slept with him.”

I looked away, pain shooting through my chest. “Collin, don’t.”

“But I felt something else. I felt the contentment and peace he gives you. I never felt that from you when you were with me. And I was jealous.”

I closed my eyes.

“I told you that I love you, Ellie, and I do. But I want you to be as happy as you can possibly be given our circumstances.” He lifted my chin and forced me to look into his face. “He makes you happier than I ever could. He can give you what I can’t. You deserve someone who’s good to you. You should be with David.”

Tears stung my eyes. “But what about our souls being connected?”

“There’s no changing that, and I confess, it will kill me to see you with him, but he’s what you need. Not me. Perhaps you and I aren’t meant to be together in this lifetime. Maybe we’re supposed to wait for eternity.”

“Do you really believe that?”

He stopped dancing and his eyes clouded. “I have to, Ellie. It’s the only way I can bear to live without you.”

“Collin.” My voice broke as my heart shattered.

“I want you to know that I’ll always be here when you need me. I told you that you became my responsibility when I broke the curse, and I stand by that. You may be with David now, but you and I are far from done. We’ll be seeing a lot of each other once the rest of the demons gain their strength.” He leaned down and kissed my cheek. “I hope you find happiness while you can, Ellie.”

“I need you to tell me about the Ricardo deal.”

He stopped dancing, his shoulders tensing as his gaze landed on the ring, which I now wore on the middle finger of my right hand. “Ellie, let it go. You may have gotten lucky that Marino’s guys got picked up on a routine traffic stop, but they are only a couple of many. Marino is far from done with you. The less you know the better.”

“I don’t care about Marino. I want to know the connection to my mother’s death.”

His eyes widened. “Why do you think there’s a connection?”

“I just do. Will you help me?”

“You have to let this go, Ellie.” He dropped his hold and turned to leave.

Maybe he wouldn’t tell me now, but I’d wear him down. “Collin.”

He stopped and looked over his shoulder.

“How did you know I’d be there last Sunday night?”

His eyebrows lifted in surprise. “You really don’t know?” A soft smile lifted the corners of his mouth but pain filled his eyes. “David called me earlier that evening and asked me to come help you.” He took a couple of steps and then stopped again. “There’s a surprise for you in your apartment. Something you’ve been wanting.”

“The map?”

He grinned.

I watched the man who had changed my destiny walk out the door, then turned to face the man who would shape my future.

However short that would be.

A
CKNOWLEDGMENTS

They say writing is a lonely profession, but somehow I always seem to be surrounded by people. Perhaps it’s all the kids running around with all my dogs. But I’m blessed with friends and associates that not only make my job much easier but also more fun.

This book wouldn’t be what it is today without the invaluable assistance of my editor Angela Polidoro. Her patience has been put to the test since she became my editor with this book. I love that she gets what I’m trying to say even when it’s not quite there yet, and her suggestions are always spot on. Her email inbox had to have been on fire with the final edits of this book. I’m sure I owe her a bottle of wine. Or maybe a case.

I’d like to thank my copy editor, Jon Ford, who added his own very valuable insight to both
The Curse Breakers
and
The Curse Keepers
. I’d also like to thank the 47North team—especially my editor, David Pomerico, who was crazy enough to take a chance on an urban fantasy based on the Lost Colony of Roanoke after what had to be the worst pitch of all time in the history of pitches.

My beta readers not only give me valuable feedback in the revision process, but keep me sane pre-release when I begin to doubt myself and my books. I can count on Rhonda Cowsert, Stormy Udell, Christie Timpson, Emily Pearson, and Anne Childon to tell me the truth. Rule number one of beta reading: friends don’t let friends look stupid in print.

I wouldn’t be able to spend as much time writing as I do if it weren’t for the patience of my children. We’re striving to find a “normal” that works for all of us. I think we’re almost there. Well as normal as the Grover Swank household will ever be . . .

And finally, I’d like to thank you—my dear reader. You take a chance on me and read my books, then recommend them to your friends. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be doing what I love: living the life of a full-time writer. I’ve never worked so hard in my life, and I’ve never been so happy. Thank you.

C
ONTENTS

C
HAPTER
O
NE

C
HAPTER
T
WO

C
HAPTER
T
HREE

C
HAPTER
F
OUR

C
HAPTER
O
NE

“Higher, Claire! Higher!” Ellie squealed, her long auburn hair flying behind her. She’d had a bad day at school, and swinging always made her feel better. Daddy told her that her troubles in third grade were nothing compared to the real world, but that was easy for him to say. He wasn’t in Mrs. Hinkler’s class.

The swing arced, then swung down. Claire had to jump to push the swing again, her small fingers digging into Ellie’s back. “It’s my turn, Ellie!”

“Not yet. I want to reach the stars!” She stretched her feet so the tips of her loafers pointed higher. Obviously she’d never reach them, but when she was little she used to believe she really could. At eight, she was smart enough to know it wasn’t true, but it didn’t stop her from
wishing
it were. “If you keep pushing, I’ll tell you a secret.”

“You’re going too high and you’re gonna fall out. And I still haven’t had a turn.” Claire stepped back as the swing lowered. “Besides, you never tell me your
big
secret.”

Ellie twisted her face around the rope to look down at Claire. “This is a good one.”

Claire crossed her arms, her brow lowering into a glare. “What? That Drew ate dried glue before recess?” She shrugged with a scowl, flipping her pigtail over her shoulder. “Who cares? He’s gross.”

Ellie let the swing slow, sucking her top lip between her teeth. When had Claire heard about that? “Fine, you can have a turn.” She jumped out of the swing, landing on her feet and falling to her knees. The compacted patch of earth scraped her bare knee, but she turned her attention to her best friend.

“I don’t want to swing anymore.” Instead, Claire sat on the ground, her back to the giant oak tree, tilting her head to look up into the brown leaves.

Claire had been acting weird all day. Confused, Ellie sat in front of her, crossing her legs and tugging down her skirt hem so her underwear didn’t show. “Do you want to go inside and eat some chocolate chip cookies? Momma and I made some last night.”

Her friend shook her head, tears filling her eyes.

Claire never cried, so Ellie must have really hurt her feelings. Ellie twisted her hands in her lap. “I’m sorry I didn’t let you have a turn.”

Claire shot her an angry glare. “I don’t care about the stupid swing.”

“Then why are you mad at me?”

She released a loud sigh. “I’m not mad at
you
.”