“I do believe it.” She let out a sigh. “And now, we know, each of us, who we are, and what we have. The real unity will come from that. I believe that, too.”
“Can we take a minute?” Sawyer asked. “To just lay this out. We’ve got a witch, a seer, a werewolf—I like the word, okay?” he said with a laugh before Riley could growl at him. “A mermaid, an immortal, and a time and space traveler. Think about it. We’re like the freaking Avengers. That bitch-goddess is going to lose, big-time.”
“On that really excellent note—” Riley handed him a piece of paper. “The coordinates for our digs in Capri. Why don’t we do what we have to do—get that boat out of here, get the jeep back, clean up our mess—and head out for round two?”
“All about it, and you know what? It’s damn well going to work. We’ve got it going,” Sawyer decided. “We’ll close up shop. Next stop, Capri.”
They saw to the practicalities, the duties.
In the deep night with its swimming moon, Sasha looked out one last time, over the sea. Bran took her hand, lifted it to his lips in a way she knew would always make her smile.
“We’ll come back one day, as you said.”
“I’d like that. I’d like to stand on the promontory with you again, under the stars, on a warm summer night when everything’s quiet, and as far as we can see, there’s peace.”
“You’re my light, Sasha. My star and my peace.” He touched his lips to hers. “Are you ready?”
“I am. For everything.”
Together they went down to the terrace to join the others.
“Apollo’s snoring inside. The neighbor’s coming to take care of him first thing in the morning, feed the cluckers.” Riley glanced at her watch. “Just a couple hours now. I’m going to miss that dog.”
“Dawn’s close. If we’re going to do this,” Doyle said, “we should do it now.”
“Bring it in, everybody.” Sawyer gestured for them to move closer. “Grab hands and hold on to your hats. This is going to be a hell of a ride.”
Sasha looked up into Bran’s face, laughed.
And it was a hell of a ride.
* * *
In her cave, Nerezza seethed. She’d eased her pain, but no matter how much blood, how much potion, how much will, the streak of gray remained snaking through her dark hair. Lines fanned out from her eyes and mouth.
She broke another mirror, and cursed. And her tears ran like blood down her face.
They would pay for marring her beauty. They would pay for defying her. No matter what world they ran to, no matter what magicks they devised, she would follow, she would destroy.
She would not rest until the stars shone for only her.
Picking up her globe, she ran a hand over it. There were ways, many ways. She had only to choose another.
As she looked, as she watched, she smiled. And began to see, began to plot. Began to laugh.
Keep reading for an excerpt from
The Obsession
by Nora Roberts
Available April 2016 from Berkley Books
Having a houseful of men had some advantages. Xander and Kevin carted out Naomi’s shipping boxes and the smaller box of prints she’d framed for potential sale locally.
It left her free to carry her camera bag.
“Thanks. I’ll get these shipped off this morning.”