Epilogue

6 months later

"Ready?"

Ava nods. "Yep."

She lays the photos out on the table. The man in the pictures is mid-50s with a leering grin. He was arrested for kidnapping and murdering a twelve-year-old five years ago, but the cops handling his case accidentally fucked-up the evidenceandhe walked.

Until now.

"Perfect," I say with a grin, pulling down my mask. Ava does the same.

During the days, Ava is studying to become a social worker. She wants to work with kids in the foster care system.

Once a weeksheinvites her little sister Lily over for dinner, who regards me witha mix ofsuspicion and curiosity.But Lily trusts Ava as much as I do,andshe sees justhow happy Ava has been since the Hyde case ended.

I visit Henrik's grave regularly. Sometimesjustto talk out loud and pretend he's still here. I'll never completely forgive myself for Henrik's death, but I know he'd want me to be happy.

We keep our relationship private as best we can. Ava was my patient, meaning our relationship would go against all codes of ethics. But breaking that rule is far from the worst thing I've ever done. It's also far from the most clandestine thing about our connection.

I decide to keep my therapy practiceopen,for at least a fewappointments per week. I'm still fascinated by how the human mind works. Even more so now that I can feel the full extent of my own. Being DrKellerthe therapist doesn't feel like pretending. But neither does being Hydethekiller.

Ava and I look like two law-abiding citizens on the outside, dedicated to helping our communities. And that's true.

But I still hunger for blood, and so does Ava.

It's not a pastime we indulge in too often.

I've learned that life is all about balance. Ava balances the light of Jackson with the darkness of Hyde. With her by my side, I can control my darkest parts: bloodlust, rage, and hatred.

Turns out,the hunt is so much sweeter when you're doing it with the woman you love.

Now we get to play detective, criminal, and killer allin one.

The man is panting, running through the trees in the darkness. His body is weak; it wasn't hard to catch him, throw him in my trunk, and release him into thedepths of the forest.

I circle him on one side, catching a glimpse of Ava's mask glinting in the distance on the other. I tackle himandAva raises her knife.

Heat surges through me as I watch her beautiful hands slice the life out of him.

"Good work, little detective," I murmur. "Now it's your turn to run."

I can feel my eyes darkening with pure, intoxicating lust as I stare at her.

"Ten…" I begin the countdown. "Nine…"

She pulls off her mask, meeting my gaze. Full lips, cupid's bow. Silky black hair. Gray eyes like moonlight. What did I do before I knew this kind of beauty existed?

She grins. Then runs.

The End

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