Karma is a Witch (Deadlights Cove, #5)

by B. Perkins

I refused to abandon this house the way I’d been left behind. Difficult. Unlovable. Not worth the time.

“Murder and marsala, always an excellent pairing for a summer evening,” Blaze said

“If I could wish for something, I’d wish for the Nile.”

“Ever since the Genie mentioned it in Aladdin, I haven’t stopped thinking about it.

Heaven’s Reject I am on my way, since you asked so sweetly, Devanna. - Orion, Mayor

If at first you don’t succeed…” Maisie sighed, her eyes rolling as she finished, “Try —” But I cut her off. “Destroy any evidence you ever tried until you’re positive you can kick some ass.”

noted a subtle sandalwood scent coming off him, and fought not to take a deeper inhale.

And the way he’d been rolling up his sleeves lately was obscene. That was what should be getting a damn write-up around here.

“Begrudgingly befriending you has been the best decision I’ve ever made. No matter how this ends, it has been an honor being your friend and roommate. Thank you for everything. For making me feel alive.”

“He went to Headquarters in shorts. I need to find a way to be arrested too so I can witness him over there in that t-shirt.”

I crossed my arms over my chest, trying to cover the scrolling Karma is a Witch logo, but it was no use. So I did the only thing I could — I walked in, chin held high.

“Welcome to Mini-Wags, Devvie

“I’ll tell you what I want. I want Pascar gone. I want you unleashed, Sabazios. This is your time to shine.”

Literal fire danced in his eyes, at his fingertips, as he cackled with glee. “Oh, Devanna Rainbow Bailey —” “I told you that in confidence —” “— I thought you’d never ask.”

Beanie Babies stacked tightly, one on top of the other, was right on-brand. Hundreds, if not thousands, of the little stuffed animals covered the structure.

Blaze sighed contentedly, resting his elbow on the bar top, chin cradled in his hand. “This might be my proudest moment to date. The only thing I can do is top myself tomorrow.”

Times like these were when I loved Deadlights Cove the most. Fireflies drifted in the cool breeze blowing through the surrounding trees while stars twinkled into view overhead. The scenery couldn’t be beat, but the people around me… this was my family.

Take me there!!!!!

“Spill what?” Nimue grabbed the pillow I’d hit her with and slapped me in the face with it. “Don’t pull that crap with me. I want to know why Orion was arrested wearing one of your shirts. As your best friend, I have every right to this insider knowledge.”

“Divide and conquer,” I said with a nod. “You work on Demon Daddy Defenses and I’ll get the prickly sonofabitch back for us.” “I’m a little surprised you’re willing to help him,” Ryker said, a smirk playing on his lips.

“Wait. What’s Orion’s last name? Do you all sound like you’re part of the Italian mafia?”

“Are you saying you’re the fun brother?”

“Bossy,” he muttered, but gave in, allowing me to steer us across the street and down my front path. “Men always pronounce assertive wrong when they’re talking about women.”

Holy shit. Orion was kissing me.

But, more than any of those things, I was terrified of the way my heart clenched as I looked down at this male who deserved so much better than what he’d had.

I was too tired to process an entirely new supernatural species right now.

Next thing I knew, I was being gently escorted, and sometimes held up on either side, by two flying vampires back towards the Cottage. What in the actual fuck was my life.

“What’s it going to take for you to realize he loves you? That this whole town does, for that matter.”

“That bad, huh?” He nudged my foot with his. I couldn’t even answer, but the hand that reached out, squeezing mine, told me he understood all the same. “Thanks for saving him.”

Blaze leaned over, hooking his arm behind my neck as he pulled my head towards him and kissed my forehead. Before I could pull away, he ran his knuckles across the top of my head. “Love you, Devvie,” he said, then flickered out before I could respond.

🥰

You are exactly where you were meant to be, in this life, in this town, in this church. This is only the beginning for you, and I am so happy I get to be here to see your story unfold.”

But to do what Ryker suggested… I desperately wanted it. Fuck. Hopefully she wouldn’t kill me for this later.

“Well if you don’t think I’m weak, why would you be worried about me?” “Because you already haunt all my dreams, all my nightmares, and I shudder to think how your ghost would haunt my waking hours too.”

“Don’t break me,” I whispered, hating how fragile I sounded. He kissed me softly, once, then again. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

“Wait.” There was a clatter as Blaze set his mug down. “Are you two being… bashful? What is this?”

This whole scene!!! Hahaha

“Orion and I —” Devanna started, but then stalled out, too. “Orion and I?” Blaze practically screeched, his eyebrows reaching his hairline.

“If I’d known you could cook like this, I might have given in a hell of a lot sooner.”

“So, your whole life, you’ve known your own father wanted to murder you?” Petra spoke for all of us, her words stilted and low. “Yeah,” Blaze chuckled. Chuckled. “And he’s failed for a hundred and forty-eight years. Isn’t that hilarious? He thinks I’m the fuck-up?”

Blaze’s glass is always half full!!

“But Dev, I wish you could see yourself through the eyes of those who love you. You are one hell of a force to be reckoned with, exactly as you are. Allowing people to love you doesn’t make you less.

You don’t need any of us, which makes the fact that you want us that much bigger, more important.”

Orion frowned at me from the front door he’d opened, a board game in his hand.

He set the board game on the mini bar and shrugged. “I guess I expected a sex dungeon.”

“Did you just crack a joke? Should we record the date, celebrate this first milestone?”

Do I have to be nice to you now? Because I don’t know if I can do that.” “Nice?” Orion chuckled. “After all these years? Why start now?”

This was going to be a bloodbath, and it was all my fault. This whole town, all these people — I’d failed them.

“You need to get it together. This is not the time for you to fall apart.”

“This town is counting on you to protect them, to lead them.”

“Excuse me, sir. Don’t forget who’s in charge here.”

🥵

I pressed my own to the edge of his jaw. “Good boy.”

🥵🥵

slid my phone back into my pocket, then moved around the desk towards the door, loosening my tie and rolling up my sleeves as I walked past Blaze and out into the hallway.

A high-pitched giggle emitted from my best friend moments before he leaned over and grabbed my face, pulling me towards him as he laid a wet kiss on my cheek. “Sorry. Blame the horde — I couldn’t help myself. Petty Orion is my favorite Orion.”