The Raven and the Witch Hunter Omnibus

THE WEDDING CHAPTER 1-2

"IT'S PERFECT! I’LL see if Mai, Jake and the kids can come, and Zahara and... what did you say his name was?"

"Omar," Cat had answered helpfully.

Vanessa nodded. "Omar. Evelyn? Do you think Robin would come if you asked? He’s been super important to me over the years, well, to all of us of course."

Evelyn shrugged noncommittally.

"I can ask him. But I know that I wouldn't miss it for the world. Something tells me it's going to be one hell of a reception."

Vanessa nodded eagerly. "Absolutely! Just think how cozy the ceremony will be if we move all the tables out of the way in the main room and put an aisle in the middle. We can have red and white poinsettias for flowers at the entrance and the front. It will be gorgeous!"

Evelyn had smiled mysteriously, but at the time, Emma Jane hadn’t thought anything about it. But now, as Emma Jane watched Vanessa panic about the service that was only hours away, Emma Jane wondered if Evelyn's innocent smile had, in fact, been more cryptic than she’d appreciated. After all, Evelyn was known for having prophetic dreams which always came true. The only problem was that she didn't always share all the details with her friends, citing concern that she didn’t want to compromise the end outcome of events.

Emma Jane glanced over to where Cat and Evelyn were standing with Mr. and Mrs. McLean. She narrowed her eyes as she considered her new friend, and sometime goddess, Evelyn. Due to Emma Jane's unique way of seeing the world, she was normally met with lights and darks, blacks and grays around normal people. Their energy was often a pale and unremarkable glow, hardly distinguishable from the plants and animals she viewed with her spirit vision. Since she’d met her new friends though, the world had exploded in colors and beauty. She still couldn't understand how she'd spent so long hunting by herself and then somehow ended up being so fortunate. To have fallen into such a warm and welcoming group would have been one thing, but to be surrounded by other women who also had serious power of their own and understood how hard life could be, had been a blessing from the Great Spirit himself.

The most important person of all, of course, being the enchanting woman who was standing right beside her, holding onto her waist as she bit her lip absently and regarded the decorations with a look of skepticism.

"I don't know, Emma Jane. It still doesn't look right to me."

Emma Jane gave her another squeeze, but was unable to help.

"Vanessa, I'm sure whatever you've done will be absolutely perfect. I wish I could help more, but you know, eyes." Emma Jane gestured at her cloudy, white eyes and Vanessa slumped against her.

"I'm sorry, Emma Jane. I don't know why I’m getting so unhinged about tomorrow. I guess I just want everything to be perfect. I want everyone in the whole world to know how much I love you."

Emma Jane gazed into Vanessa's deep blue eyes, then shook her head as she calmly reassured her.

"If this day is important to you, it's important to me. But Vanessa, I know how much you love me. I don't care what other people think. We’re already married. This is just a big celebration so your friends and family can be a part of everything. We don't even have to do it. We could cancel everything and walk away."

Vanessa's head snapped back. Without warning, her eyes became dark and a little wild. "What do you mean? Are you crazy? Of course we have to do it! Everything's already paid for and half of the people I've invited have already arrived in the city. We can't turn back now!"

Emma Jane burst into laughter, shaking her head at Vanessa's surprised look.

"I'm sorry, but you make it sound like a life or death mission. It's hardly that, Vanessa. Think about how much we’ve already been through. Tomorrow will be a breeze."

Vanessa sighed, laying her head on Emma Jane’s shoulder. "I know, you're right. It's not even like there's going to be that many people. I think only about," Vanessa paused, "two hundred or so? That isn't even everybody I work with."

She gave Emma Jane a brighter smile, not noticing the paleness of her face at the mention of how many people were expected. "Thanks for talking me down, Emma Jane. You're right. Everything will be absolutely fine. Once tomorrow's out of the way, we can finally relax.”

Emma Jane smiled weakly, feeling as if she’d just started the fear-sweat she sometimes had before meeting a large opponent. "Exactly. Now, I think we should probably go home and try to get some sleep before our big day."

Vanessa nodded, dropping a light kiss on Emma Jane's forehead and pulling away from her arm link. "Sure, just let me speak with the head chef one more time, then we can leave. Why don't you go talk with my mom and dad for a few minutes? I'll be right back."

Emma Jane nodded, smiling as Vanessa headed back to the kitchen, then looked back toward where Peter and Mindy McLean were standing. Yesterday had been the first time she'd met them in person. They'd arrived the night before, and to Emma Jane's great relief, they'd rented the same apartment they’d stayed at the last time they’d visited Vanessa. It wasn't that Emma Jane didn't like them; they seemed like nice people, and she knew that because they were Vanessa and Cat’s parents, they’d understand about the more special qualities Emma Jane possessed. But at the same time, she felt awkward and uncomfortable around them, mostly because she wasn't sure how they would react to the fact Vanessa and Emma Jane had eloped without speaking to anyone. When she'd actually met them, she’d felt even worse about eloping. While they’d been completely gracious and welcoming, Emma Jane knew Mindy in particular had been disappointed. She could tell Vanessa's mom had been hoping for a big wedding where she could pull out all the stops and Vanessa had been the daughter most likely to provide it for her. That is, until she’d chosen to elope with someone they’d never met.

Emma Jane took a deep breath for courage as she reluctantly sauntered over to the group. Peter was the first to notice her, greeting her with a warm smile.

"Hey, Emma Jane. How are you doing? Holding up okay?"

Emma Jane attempted to match his cherry greeting and wondered if it was entirely possible, as Peter was clearly happy about tomorrow. He had a light that shone brighter than most of the people she'd met, although not nearly as bright as those of her friends. It allowed her to see his blue eyes and features well enough to see where Vanessa got her striking good looks from.

"Yes, so far. Vanessa’s anxious about tomorrow, but I'm sure that everything will be fine. I'm not much for socializing, so it's a little out of my wheelhouse."

Peter chuckled. "Oh, I know exactly how you feel.” He gestured at his wife and then at Vanessa, giving Emma Jane a commiserating look. "I've been surrounded by women who enjoy a good party for quite a number of years now. Luckily, I have Cat.” Peter winked at his more introverted child who smiled, but didn’t interrupt. “Between the two of us, we've managed to find places to hide at nearly every party we’ve ever been subjected to."

Emma Jane laughed, suddenly picturing Cat and her father hiding at one of Mindy’s art shows in a storage room.

"That sounds about right. Come to think of it, the first time I went to the bar with Cat she was quick to inform me where the best place to hide was."

Cat looked sheepish, but Peter threw back his head and laughed along with Emma Jane.

"It's a wonder we ever survived with our two happy extroverts to keep up with. Mindy and Vanessa are a lot alike that way." He shrugged. "But isn't that what they say? Opposites attract?"

Emma Jane nodded, feeling a comfortable sense of rapport developing with Peter just as Mindy protested.

"Hey! It hasn't been that bad. I mean, it's not like we’re total party animals."

Peter grimaced at his wife's frown, hastening to add the qualifiers she obviously needed to smooth her ruffled feathers.

"Of course not, honey. But you know, both Cat and I would be happier locked in a room with a good book than to ever go to another party."

Mindy rolled her eyes as she turned to Emma Jane but grudgingly agreed.

"He's not wrong. Which makes tomorrow even more important."

Mindy took Emma Jane's hand, causing her to stiffen with surprise and concern. She’d already spoken to both Peter and Mindy about the fact that she sometimes inadvertently siphoned energy from others. She wasn't used to having people touch her without getting hurt, with the exception of Vanessa, and possibly Cat, who had her own built-in protection from Emma Jane's power. But before she could attempt to pull away, Mindy trapped her hand and squeezed firmly.

"I want you to know how honored I am to be here, to see you two together like this. I've never seen Vanessa so happy. I was worried about her when you first came into her life, especially when she called me so brokenhearted."

Emma Jane remembered that phone call and how it had changed everything for them. That had been the moment she’d decided to throw caution to the wind and try for a relationship with Vanessa.

"But you guys are absolutely perfect for each other."

Mindy gave Emma Jane a teary smile, and to her surprise, Emma Jane felt her own eyes sting from unshed emotion.

"Thank you for saying so, but-"

Emma Jane's words were cut off when Mindy shook her head quickly and squeezed her hand once more, adding emphasis to her words.

"No buts. I understand what a difficult decision it must've been for you.” Mindy smiled nervously before abruptly changing topics. “Vanessa has told me you don’t have any family of your own left. I know it's a bit quick but I'd like you to consider calling us Mom and Dad. I already think of you as another daughter, and I’m proud of who Vanessa has picked to spend her life with. If you ever need anything, give us a call anytime, day or night."

Emma Jane nodded. The lump in her throat made it impossible for her to speak as Peter added his affirmations.

"That goes double for me.”

Cat smiled, looking at her mom’s hands which still held Emma Jane's, then she winked at her new sister-in-law and put her arm around her mom to give her a hug. Emma Jane knew she was giving her a surreptitious burst of healing and was grateful. The main reason she didn't usually let people touch her was fear for their safety and now for the first time she could remember, she was getting more physical affection from people than she'd had since before her mom died. Having a sister-in-law like Cat to reverse the downside to her power was almost as amazing as finding Vanessa in the first place.

"Thanks, both of you. It may take me a little time to get used to calling you Mom and Dad." Emma Jane smiled, grateful to have been offered the option. "But I promise, I'll try. Is it okay if I call you Peter and Mindy though?"

Mindy laughed, retrieving her hand and waving it in the air. "Of course. We're trying to get the other girls to call us that too, but so far, it hasn't been going well."

Emma Jane chuckled. That explained why Evelyn kept calling them Mr. and Mrs. McLean, which felt oddly formal to Emma Jane, especially with how confident and forthright Evelyn was with everyone else.

Emma Jane looked around the room again and her attention caught at the sight of the familiar grey, shadowy outline of objects interspersed with the dazzling spirit energy of the people surrounding her. Everyone in her life was breathtaking in both their human and supernatural qualities. She knew, with a sudden clarity in the midst of the din of preparations, how incredibly blessed she was they’d all be here tomorrow to witness as she promised once again to love and honor Vanessa.

Life simply couldn't get any better.