“Braison, she’s connected to this city even if she doesn’t remember that.” Libby’s voice was firm and full of warmth, and some emotion. I’d forgotten how long Libby had been part of The Coven with them. She rested her head on his shoulder. “Don’t worry. The spirits will protect her.”

“How do you know that?” Braison whispered.

“Because I can feel them all around her.” She sighed. “They’re protective of her, as they should be. They’ll guide her away from danger.”

“Clearly not.” Braison’s voice cracked again. His face flushed. “Sweyn is down the street⁠—”

“And yet Paulina just came from that direction unscathed.” Libby pointed to Braison’s former girlfriend. “And she’s walking away from her now.”

“I’ll follow her and keep her safe.”

“No.” I grabbed the back of Braison’s shirt as he started to walk away. “Do you trust me, Braison?”

He looked up at me with broken eyes. “Yes.”

“Then do not move any closer to her.” I gestured to her. “I can feel the dead around her now, walking beside her as friends. I would not be surprised if she sees them.”

He flinched. “But she lost her Mark.”

“Ah, New Orleans does not follow the rules of the dead quite the way they’re supposed to. The humans have many encounters with spirits. Ask the taxi drivers about their ghost policies.” I smirked. “Am I wrong, Pierce?”

He cursed and shuddered. “I’ve seen so many damned ghosts here, man. So. Many. They look like real people until they vanish in front of you.”

“See?” I smiled and released my grip on his shirt. “I would wager money that Paulina does not think she is alone right now. Let that comfort you, for even Sweyn is terrified of the dead.”

Braison’s eyes brimmed with tears. He nodded. “So it’s true then? She has no memory? What did Tegan do to her exactly?”

I frowned. “I’m not sure. But she’s not hurting, and that’s important.”

Braison was silent a moment as we all watched Paulina get farther and farther away from us yet still visible in the distance. “Is it wrong of me to want her to miss me?” he finally whispered.

God, do I know that pain. But I had to keep my head in the game and not down that dark path. I cleared my throat, waiting until Braison’s gaze met mine. Then I said softly, “Tegan did something to her memories. That alone should indicate just how unbearable the pain of missing you was for her.”

His face crumpled like a piece of balled-up paper. He scrubbed his face and whined.

“We just have to follow through with the plan, Braison.” Libby shook him gently. “Okay? We follow the plan and eliminate the immediate threats . . . then we go get your girl.”

He groaned.