Page 54 of A Cursed Noel

We wave, watching themdisappear down the block. I thought I would have to carry Ana Lisa tothe car. But with the nullits gone, she’s regained enough strengthto independently leave her bed. It’s a huge step. I pray hertenacity will give her more time with those she loves.

Celia shuts the doorand locks it tight. “Are you sure you don’t want to go withthem?” I’m asking out of courtesy, and not because I haven’tlooked forward to being alone with her.

Celia turns to face me,brushing a strand of her wavy hair away from her face. “Amalay, herother foster daughter, has a cat.” She smiles, her bright eyeslighting up as she takes me in. “Let’s just say I’m allergic toit.”

I don’t think shemeans it the way that it sounds. I don’t argue. What I do is turnaway.

There are things inlife that are almost too beautiful to look at. Celia is one of them.

I step into the familyroom, taking in the stockings at the hearth, fuzzy and beaten downwith time, and the small plastic tree we lugged down from the attic,whose lights add color and brightness to the small space.

The mess we made lastnight is gone. Mostly due to Taran’s obsession with perfection andEmme’s mad telekinetic skills.

Don’t get me wrong,the house isn’t perfect. Not by a long shot. The aroma of AnaLisa’s medication still drifts from her room and the air is heavyknowing her time is limited. Yet somehow, it’s perfect enough, andready for tomorrow.

When I’m gone,everything will return to the way it was. I accomplished my mission.The nullits are gone, the curse is broken, and Griselda is dead.

Good. I only wish itwas enough.

I won’t be here forthe next big bad when it comes. Celia and her family will be on theirown. Will she survive without me? I bow my head. I guess she’llhave to.

I just don’t know howI’ll survive without her.

My legs ease me into acrouch. I lift the ornament Shayna made me from the floor. She usedher power to manipulate a few quarters into a wolf, insisting Ineeded my very own ornament. More teddy bear thanwere,andtoo heavy for the wobbly branches, I pass my thumb over its facebefore placing it beside one of Celia’s.

Shayna was kind toinclude me.

Emme cried upon ourreturn.

Taran almost fried mewhen I carried Celia in naked.

She got over it,mostly. “If you knock up my sister, I’ll burn your man parts tocinders.”

I’m pretty sure shemeant it. Given she also slapped a strip of condoms in my hand beforestomping out the door.

Celia wraps her armsaround my waist and presses a kiss between my shoulder blades.

“Not everyone gets ahappy ending, do they?” she asks quietly.

“No,” I agreealmost silently. My parents are living proof.

“But we’redifferent,” I add. “We’re going to make it.”

“Promise?” sheasks.

I squeeze my eyes shut,trying not to think about all the things that can go wrong and howevil itself seems to want these girls dead. “My love,” I say. “Wehave to.”

In the quiet thatfollows, I fixate on the television. Shayna found a channel thatplays holiday music with a crackling fireplace for a background.

“You need ambiance,”she insisted. “You know, in case you deflower my sister.”

Emme ran away. Ana Lisapretended not to hear; I think. She’s a realist, and for what it’sworth, I think she likes me.

Stevie Nick’s versionofSilent Nightbegins to play. The ache building in my throatmakes it hard to swallow. Maybe it’s Celia’s warm presenceagainst me, but I can’t remember the song affecting me this much.

Celia skims her fingersback and forth, loosening the fabric of my T-shirt from the waistbandof my jeans. “What am I supposed to do without you, wolf?” sheasks.

I turn around and gripher hips. She’s already crying. I’m not far behind.