Hallowed Holiday

Not upsetting the masses is one thing, but the exile—forced upon us when Kelsie and I chose to be together, against Council’s rules—is affecting Kelsie’s health, and I don’t like it. It’s time to fix the problem Luc allowed to happen.

Honestly, the punishment hasn’t affected me. I’ve always been the outsider looking through a telescope on the living. But it’s different for Kelsie. She’s accustomed to seeing her family whenever she wants. Her mother, unfortunately, is too busy to come by while her brother got himself banished from town. If Cash had reported what he knew about the human murders to Council, he and the djinniyah wouldn’t have had to leave. They’re now married and living in New Orleans. Kelsie’s been depressed ever since we returned from the wedding.

“Did you call your mother?” I reach for the goblet on the side table and take a healthy sip.

“She’s in New York again. Her latest suitor flew her there for the weekend. We’ll talk when she returns.” Kelsie tosses the book to the floor and places her head on my shoulder. “You know what I really miss with Mom?”

“No. What?”

“This time of year we’d put up decorations and wrap gifts. It feels strange not doing those things.”

I could just kick myself. Just because I stopped recognizing the holiday doesn’t mean Kelsie should. “We’ll fix this, love.”

Kelsie gives me a thin smile and says, “Don’t worry about it. As long as I have you, I’ll be fine.”

Not good enough. Kelsie needs her family.