Page 26

POE

B eau took a few days off work at my request. I didn’t want him out of my sight until I calmed down. We swept the entirety of Hex and rid ourselves of the lingering shadow users. They’re scarier than necromancers if you ask me because they can use shadows to infiltrate anywhere. They’re like an octopus, they can enter a place much smaller than their bodies are. Luckily, the covens got the new wards in place without incident. Hex voted to have registration be voluntary, which is just fine with me. As long as everyone gets the resources they need, I’m happy. We set up a hotline and a text line for people to request supplies.

Beau sits in my lap as we watch a tv show I’ve already forgotten the name of, but it makes him laugh and that’s all that matters to me. I kiss his nape and he melts.

My phone buzzes. I want to ignore it, and the outside world a little longer, but I still hold out hope the colony calls me back.

“One minute.” I kiss Beau again and answer the phone.

“Is this Poe, king of the crossroads demons?” they have an accent that makes my heart flutter.

“I am.”

“I’m Madeline with the West Virginia Bat Colony and we think you have one of our bats.”

Immediately, Beau turns to face me. He must have heard her.

“I have a bat. I know he’s from West Virginia and?—”

“Is… Is his name Baby? Baby Beau?”

“Yes.”

There’s a sob on the other end. “He’s alive?”

“He is. He’s right here if you want to talk. Or give me the coordinates and we can be there in two seconds.”

She rattles off her location.

“Wanna go meet some more bats?” I ask. I should have asked before offering, but he’s nodding so I don’t feel so bad.

“Yes, please.”

“Hold on.”

We appear right outside of a forest. Beau tenses, but takes a few breaths to relax.

“Sorry,” Madeline says as she comes from the tree line. “We couldn’t let you inside the colony. We’re strict about outsiders. It’s for our safety. I’m sure you understand.”

“All too well,” I say.

Beau drops to his feet and takes a few steps. “You look familiar.” He squints. Three more people come from the tree line. All have features that Beau shares and I have to wonder.

“Hi, Baby,” Madeline says. “I’m your maternal grandma.”

“Grammy?” he whispers.

“Yes, Baby.” She nods to the guy next to her. “And gramps.”

Another woman gazes on. “And we’re your dad’s parents.”

“Pop Pop? Mimi?”

“Yes,” Mimi wipes her eyes.

The four descend on him and he cries in their arms. I don’t want to break up the reunion and keep my distance. My eyes well with tears of my own. He has a family still.

“We thought—” Madeline says.

Beau shakes his head. “I know. I should have stayed in the woods, but I was so scared. When Edward came, I went with him. I’m sorry. I’m?—”

“No, Baby. No.” Mimi runs her fingers through his hair. “You did what you had to survive. You’re alive.” She blinks. “You’re here with us again.”

Beau steps back. “I—I don’t want to stay,” he whispers, and all four grandparents give him a knowing smile and a pat on the shoulder.

“The demon?” Madeline stage whispers.

Beau nods. “I love him. He helped me and I want to be with him.”

I stroll over to the group. “I’m Poe and I’m happy to bring Beau over at any time, but he’s mine . I’ve claimed him and will fight even you if you try to keep him from me.”

Beau giggles when I nuzzle his neck. I’m still disappointed we haven’t broken the curse, but it doesn’t keep either of us down. I’ll be a crossroads demon forever as long as I get to keep my little shifter.

“We don’t plan on stealing him from you,” Pop Pop says. He pats me on the shoulder. “We’ll get you both on the list of approved people. Maybe we can have a monthly dinner?” He looks so hopeful and so does Beau. There’s no way I’m denying them.

“Of course. You know my number.”

Beau pulls his phone out and they all exchange numbers. “Call or text me anytime.”

“I have one question,” I ask of the group. “Why did it take so long to call me?”

Madeline’s face goes red. “I forget to check the email. We rarely get any inquiries. I dropped the ball. Never again, though. I’m checking it daily from now on.”

“So you run the colony?” I ask.

“Oh, no, none of us run it. I’m in charge of the colony email address because I was the one that wanted to usher in new technology. See what that gets me?” She laughs nervously. “But I’m never neglecting my duties again.”

“I understand.” I kiss the top of Beau’s head. “More than you’ll ever know.”

“I’ll send you a text with the colony rules,” Madeline says. “They’re important for everyone’s safety, and we expect you both to follow them.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Beau says as he pulls her in for another hug.

One by one, they all hug my Beau, then they send us off with a promise of monthly dinners and meeting cousins, aunts, and uncles he doesn’t remember.

By the time we get back to my place, Beau is exhausted. Happy, but exhausted.

“Thank you,” he says, kissing down my jaw. “I don’t know how to repay you for finding my family.”

“You don’t need to repay me. I’m just glad you chose to stay with me.”

“I love you, Poe. I want to be with you forever. You’re my safe space. My warm blanket. My heart.” He presses his hand to my chest. “You showed me I’m not the coward I thought I was.”

This little shifter knows all the words to make my heart sing. “You’re everything I never thought I deserved. I love you more than I have words in all the languages I know.”