A week later, Erik and Gwen sat in a bar in New York, drinking to their first closed case. They were both hurting, though she was angry at all men in general after Coltrain ripped her heart out.
Erik was crushed. He hadn’t heard from Monique, and he was starting to think he never would. Maybe his mother was right. Maybe Vivian had influenced her opinion.
He avoided talking to his parents and Armand. Every time anyone brought up Monique he shut them down.
As much as it hurt, he didn’t want to focus on the pain. Either she’d come back, or she wouldn’t. Right now, he was too busy with the Silver Council and the case that was finally over.
Except for Monique, everything else in Erik’s life was moving in the right direction. He completed his first official case. He had his choice of where he wanted to relocate.
He considered Europe. He’d have an easier time finding Monique. Maybe in time he could convince her to give him a chance.
Gwen slid into the seat beside him and ordered a Manhattan. He lifted his glass and clanked it against hers. “To a bright future as enforcers.”
“And to a brighter future full of love.” She smiled and tossed back her drink.
He joined her.
Her favorite song came on, so Gwen grabbed Erik’s arm and pulled him to the dance floor.
“I don’t know about dancing, Gwen,” he muttered. “You’re like a sister.”
“And you’re like a brother, but we can still celebrate a job well done.”
He nodded, and she smiled, pulling him closer. “I would never try to replace Monique. Sooner or later, she’s going to come to her senses. Right now, she’s grieving.”
“We aren’t talking about her. Let’s talk about how good it feels to have taken Coltrain in. Now we need to find Josephine.”
“That’s our next task. I can hardly wait to silence her magic.”
* * * *
She couldn’t take it anymore.
Monique flew from London to New York. She went straight to their apartment. He wasn’t there.
She took the mirror her father enchanted for her and found Erik in a bar down the road. He was alone.
She ran the whole way and froze at the window. Erik and Gwen were dancing and laughing. Her heart sank to the pit of her stomach as he smiled down at Gwen.
She was already too late. Closing her eyes, she turned and walked away.
* * * *
Two days later…
Robert pulled Erik into his office. “Need you to sit down,” he said gruffly.
Erik’s stomach bottomed out as he sank onto a chair. “Tell me this isn’t about Monique.”
Robert shook his head. “I respect your wishes on that account. This is something else entirely.”
“What?” Erik asked.
He took a slow breath. “Draecyn’s project is being shut down. With Coltrain’s escape, thanks to Josephine’s interference, we have no choice at this time. I promise you the project will come back and you will be the first person I call.”
Erik slumped back in the seat. “Should have known this was going to happen.”
Robert nodded. “Unfortunately, too many mages aren’t ready to let go of their misconceptions.”
“It’s okay.”
“Someone else would like you to do what you do here for them.”
“Who?” Erik asked quietly.
“Hayden Hunter, in Edenton. Not as much travel, your hometown. He says the job is yours if you want it.”
“As a cop?”
Robert nodded. “If it were up to me, you’d stay here. I don’t make that call. Draecyn is livid. I wish there were something I could do.”
“Hey, don’t worry about it.” Erik pulled in a breath.
“I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news. We argued to keep you at the very least. You showed the most promise and are certainly worthy of the enforcer title. But what Coltrain did made everyone above Draecyn question where your loyalties lie.”
He nodded. There was no point arguing. It was out of anyone’s hands who cared. “Termination effective immediately?”
Robert nodded gravely. “You will be an enforcer again. I don’t know when, don’t know how, but you will be, Erik.”
“Thank you, for everything.” He dipped his head, stood, and walked out the door.
He didn’t have a clue where to start his life now.