Epilogue

I showered the second we got back to the manor after I forced myself to take two huge mugs of Auntie Fe's healing tonic. I was stalling, really. My wounds would stitch themselves back together. I hadn't been badly wounded, but when that coffin shattered, it scratched me up pretty good.

I found myself standing under the hot spray, letting it rain down over me with my eyes closed, because I didn't want to stare at the dirt and blood trailing down the drain. Hearing the sound of a door opening and closing, I didn't even bother to move. Even as the sound of the shower doors sliding open registered, I kept my eyes shut, content to bask in the heat scorching my healed skin.

Hands slid over my shoulders, gently massaging the aching muscles. I let my head fall back, resting against a hard chest. Lips caressed the front of my throat, and I felt another presence in front of me. I smiled, knowing exactly who had joined me.

"We've got him locked up until you're ready," Michael whispered, smoothing his palms down my arms and kneading gently the whole way. "Just say the word, and we'll take care of him."

I knew they would. I knew Freddy was ready to rip Ichabod' s throat out with a hooked claw, but he was refraining for my sake. Yes, I wanted the warlock to die a miserable death after what he'd done to me, to my parents, and to all of us, but more than that, I wanted him to suffer.

"Patience is a virtue, warlock," I purred, running my slicked palms up his bare torso that rippled under my touch. He stared down into my eyes through the spray, his silvery hair dripping with water, and the little droplets highlighted the tan color of his skin, which was dotted with small freckles.

"None of us are feeling very patient right now, luv," Jason's voice whispered in my ear. I knew that accent, and if I turned around, I knew I'd be staring straight into bright yellow eyes.

Damon seemed to come out to play a lot more often now, especially when clothing was optional. I'd asked Jason how he felt about that the other night, and he assured me he and Damon were one and the same, like two sides to the same coin. I found out that Jason could feel everything that Damon did, and they spoke to each other in their minds. I didn't understand it in the slightest, but fuck, that forked tongue just did things to my insides—quite literally.

"You know… I'm still a little sore," I murmured, tilting my head to the side and allowing Michael to place small kisses along my collar bone. "Any idea how I can relieve the aches?"

Jason sucked in a hissed breath near my ear, and his hands slid around the curve of my hip. "I think we can help with that," he chuckled darkly.

Michael dipped lower and took my puckered nipple between his lips, prompting a low moan from me. At the same time, Jason's deft fingers swirled around my clit. My knees felt like buckling, but the two of them made sure I stood steadily. I was thankful my shower was big enough, because being in this cube made me acutely aware of how large they really were.

"Are you sure? What do you need? Ask, and it's yours," Michael said, pulling back, his sky-blue eyes searching mine in earnest. My heart swelled at the concern on his face.

Reaching up, I skimmed my palm along his neck, coming to a stop when I reached his cheek. "I need both of you. Just make me forget for a little while," I replied, meaning every word because I ached inside too.

His eyes were molten, and they dipped to my lips seconds before he took them with his own in a kiss that could set the world on fire. Jason's fingers were moving over me faster now; the rhythm was close to driving me insane with need. I kissed Michael fiercely and felt that tingle of power as it zipped over his skin like an electric current. I knew if I looked down, creeping black veins would be writhing under his skin. His connection to dark magic was growing stronger by the day, and I liked this darker side of him because it made him who he was.

"Lift her," Jason said over my shoulder, his lips curving into a sinister grin that made me shiver, but it was the heated look in his eyes that had me whimpering.

I just needed to feel their touch to know it was okay to have grief, hatred, happiness, and love all at the same time because it balanced me, making me whole again.

Michael hooked his hands under my thighs, along with Jason, and my feet left the ground as they lifted me. I was already pulsing and throbbing, needing to feel them deep inside me. My back lay against Jason's hard torso as he started to lower me. His cock brushed my ass, making me moan, and the feel of him slowly stretching and filling me up was pure ecstasy with a bite of burning pain, until that washed away too, replaced with only mind-numbing pleasure.

He cursed the entire time under his breath, switching back and forth between accents. I knew he and Damon were flitting in and out of control. Idly, I wondered if this could technically be considered a foursome.

Michael's cock pushed at my soaking wet entrance, and he slid in inch by beautiful inch. His pelvic bone grazed my clit as he filled me up, leaving me breathless. I watched as his snake tattoo slithered over his skin, wrapping around his neck and causing his eyes to go dark. Having the two of them inside of me was an amazing sensation, making me feel connected and cherished at the same time. It was pure bliss in every way.

They started to move in sync, as if they'd planned this whole thing out, but I knew it was because they could read my body so perfectly.

"So fucking beautiful," Michael murmured, staring into my eyes as he thrust faster and faster.

"Come for us, luv. Let me feel you fall apart in our arms," Damon whispered against the shell of my ear, his breath hot against my skin.

" Mine …" I heard Jason's possessive thoughts shift through my head.

They were made for me, and we were connected down to our souls. Even before the crash, I knew they were mine.

They picked up the pace, slowly drawing out my pleasure as they held me aloft and bounced me on their dicks between them, a dewy sweat working its way over our bodies from the steam of the shower. They were so deep that they hit every spot I needed them to hit, and tears were springing to my eyes from the pleasure .

I slapped a palm over my mouth to keep from screaming until Michael said, "I've warded this room; they can't hear you."

Small zaps of electricity rolled over my clit and my eyes flew open and my mouth fell slack. I moaned, long and drawn out, as Michael's magic pulsed in time with their thrusts. It felt like he was holding a vibrator to my clit, and soon I was seeing stars. I couldn't hold it in any longer, so I started outright moaning. "Fuck, fuck, fuck!" I chanted. "Oh god, don't fucking stop!"

"Never," Jason promised, his teeth clamping onto the tender part between my neck and shoulder before swiping his long tongue over the love bite. My panting breaths were loud in the small shower.

Both of them made noises of affirmation, mixtures of growls and groans. Hands slicked over my skin, gripping my thighs, my breasts—everywhere at once. I felt their cocks thicken even more, and they began pulsing. I knew they were seconds away from coming, and so was I.

"I'm there—fuck!" My voice was high-pitched and shaky as I came, my pussy squeezing them tight as they let go.

"Yes…" Michael growled deeply, his head thrown back as his neck muscles strained.

They were both moaning hard now, digging their fingers into my skin as they came inside me. It spilled out, dripping between the three of us, and they gradually slowed down, drawing out the aftershocks of pleasure until it felt like none of us would have the strength to remain standing much longer.

We were all silent; the shower steam was starting to dissipate, and slowly, they slid out of me and set me on my wobbling feet .

"We didn't hurt you, did we?" asked Michael, like he couldn't help himself.

I smiled up at him. "I'm not as fragile as you think."

His eyes rolled, but he smirked down at my upturned face and said, "Oh, right, I forgot you were the master of death now, goth girl."

Jason reached around, grabbed a bottle of soap, and began lathering it in his palms before smoothing it over my skin.

"Let us take care of you, October. Don't think about anything; just feel good." Jason kissed my temple, lingering for a second as he breathed me in and I breathed him out.

I groaned again, this time in relaxed bliss, as Michael grabbed the shampoo. He washed my hair while Jason lathered my body, and I thought for a moment that this must've been Heaven and not Hell after all. Maybe I really did die in that bus crash, and this was all just some sort of twisted hallucination in the afterlife.

Eventually, the water ran cold, and I knew it was time to get out before I got all wrinkled. I toweled off and dressed, wearing a pair of black leather pants, a dark green crop top, and my tall combat boots. I let my hair air dry as I swiped some black lipstick and liner on, all the while the guys dressed and watched me, making it obvious that they were studying closely.

"So what's this big evil plan you have for Ichabod?" Michael asked, his eyes turning a dark midnight blue at just the mention of his name. I really loved that about him—his protective instincts that made me feel safe.

"Please tell me we get to kill him a little bit," Jason added, his yellow gaze switching back and forth to steel gray. The pleased, creepy smile that spread across his wide lips said plenty. They were plotting.

"A little bit?" I laughed, brushing my hair out slowly as I debated what to do.

Death? Death sounded good. Death it was. Plotting was fun when it was reserved for the wicked. On second thought, death might've been too easy an out for the warlock.

"You can just bring him back, and we'll kill him again." Michael and Jason fist bumped, totally on board with that idea.

"You guys are sadistic." Shaking my head, I couldn't help but grin.

"Yeah, but that's a part of our irresistible charm, right? That's why you love us so much," said Michael.

I paused, setting down my brush, and faced them both, the smile dropping from my face as my eyes flitted between them. "Nothing's changed, right? After what I did out there, I'd understand it if—"

"You're fucking insane if you think super cool necromancy powers are enough to make us run away, October," Jason assured me.

Michael nodded. "It was pretty sexy, actually, the way your eyes went all white... I never knew I had an X-men fetish." His eyes looked dazed as a smile blossomed on his face, accompanying sinister thoughts.

God, I loved them and their fuckery.

I smacked him on the arm. "Shut up! My eyes weren't really white, were they?"

They glanced at each other before nodding in tandem.

"Holy shit, I really am a freak." A hysterical laugh fell from my lips before I could reign it in. "Fuck, I wish my dad was here to teach me about all this. Don't witches in movies get like a family grimoire or something? Like a how-to guide? Necromancy 101: For Dummies isn't going to cut it if I have to deal with people like the mayor in the future."

"I think you're getting ahead of yourself," Jason said, taking my shoulders in his strong grip. "Let's just worry about getting rid of one psychowarlock before we go on a witch hunt."

"I resent that," Michael mumbled, but he was grinning.

"I'm glad I have one of you in my corner."

There was a knock on the bathroom door, and when Michael opened it, both Norman and Freddy were on the other side. They let themselves in through the steam.

"It looks like a party in here," Freddy said with a pout. I hated when he gave me those puppy eyes, because I. Would. Give. Him. Anything.

I rolled my eyes, but Norman took me in his arms for a comforting hug that was slightly cold as he whispered, "You good?"

I nodded into his hard chest. "I am now." I breathed in his familiar scent and felt all my muscles relax. Pulling back, I looked at the four of them and said, "Why are we all crammed in my tiny bathroom?"

Freddy grinned. "I don't know, I kind of like the intimacy we've established in this room right now." He wiggled his eyebrows like the weirdo he is.

My cheeks flamed because I suddenly realized both Freddy and Norman had super-smelling abilities and were probably scenting all the shower hanky-panky we just had.

"Aw, don't be embarrassed." Norman chuckled seductively in my ear, making me feel like I just took a shot of espresso. He woke me up in more ways than one with that voice. Curse my nether region for being a hungry bitch and craving good dick.

"We're just jealous and giving you shit. Let's talk in the room. There are a few things we need to discuss before we deal with Ichabod." That sobered me right up, the thought making me face the reality that I really did have to make a decision.

Dread pooled in my gut at the thought of facing the man who killed my parents, but I knew it had to be done, and in a way, that meant something. Ichabod was a powerful warlock, and he hated mortals with a passion. The guy was fucked in the head. I knew the guys might have an issue with the solution I'd come up with, but I just felt like it was the right way to handle this. It's what my parents would want, and I wouldn't stoop down to Ichabod's level.

We piled onto my bed, and the guys waited and listened as I told them my grand plan. I fidgeted under all of their attention, but I reveled in the waves of overwhelming love and support I could feel emanating from each of them. Fuck, I fucking loved these sexy, scary men. They really were mine, weren't they?

"Are you absolutely sure about this?" Norman asked. His stare was serious and penetrating. I could hear a calm worry in his voice.

I nodded. "I know it sounds risky, but it's the right thing to do."

"This doesn't have anything to do with Calvin, does it?" Jason asked, hissing Cal's name through clenched teeth, but he continued to gently slide his fingers through my hair as he glanced out the window.

"He helped me," I defended. "He went against his own father to save me and to stop him from desecrating my mother's grave."

"He kidnapped you," Michael muttered darkly, his jaw tightening as he fisted the sheets. "Are we supposed to just let that slide?"

"Yes," I said with finality. "We'll let it slide. I'm not saying what he did was right, but he was put in an impossible position. In the end, he chose to do what was right. I have a feeling he'll be punishing himself for a while."

Probably a long time, and I was afraid any chance he once had with Maddie was long gone. But you just never knew what the future might hold.

"This is insane; you know that, right?" Maddie mumbled as we stood in front of the blank wall at the end of the upstairs hallway.

We were all here—the aunties, my guys, Jessica, Maddie, Baen, Calvin, and even that creepy little marionette dummy, Roger. We stood in a half circle by the blank wall, listening to the sporadic knocking. The aunties were holding Ichabod between them with a binding spell. His limbs were plastered to his side, and he could only move his mouth, which he used to smile smugly at me.

"What are you going to do, little necromancer?" he asked. "Send me to the hell realm?"

"Don't tempt us," Freddy growled.

Ichabod just laughed but then glanced at his son. "I should have seen it coming, Calvin. I should have known you'd be too weak to be useful. You're a pathetic excuse for a warlock. I might as well have had a filthy mortal for a son."

Cal stared back at his father with a blank face, and I noticed Maddie's eyes flitting to him every few seconds, even though I knew she was still trying to ignore him. There was something brewing between the two of them, and Maddie was fighting it. Baen, meanwhile, was watching Maddie. He'd gone to the aunties after the others came to rescue me. When he let Fe and Pip know what was happening, they'd gone to the Wicked Quill and retrieved a very specific book Baen had in his collection and brought it back here just for this purpose. Thank the great pumpkin; he'd made it to the fight in time.

I held that book in my trembling hands now, and even just holding it, I could feel the power pulsing from its pages. It was an ancient grimoire belonging to some line of witches that didn't exist anymore. An antique, Baen had said, and extremely valuable.

I'd spoken to my aunties when Fe took me into the kitchen for my healing tonic. I'd told them what I needed to do, and they'd agreed wholeheartedly. It was the only way. So here we were, standing together with the man responsible for it all between us, smiling like he was genuinely proud of himself. All because of some sick obsession with my mother. It was disgusting, and I could barely even look at him. He'd ruined too many lives already, and it stopped here.

" Idcirco praecipio tibi ut aperta ," Auntie Pip said in a strong voice as she spoke the revelation spell, her hand outstretched.

The wall shimmered and twisted until an arched doorway suddenly appeared out of thin air. The knocking was louder now, and the door seemed to be moving again, breathing like it was a living thing. Auntie Pip had said it was a living thing, and I believed it. The door pulsed with power, and shivers racked my body, causing my hair to stand on end.

I stepped forward, opening the door. It took a little force to do so, because as soon as it cracked open, a whirlwind flowed through. The dim hallway was bathed in light, and I stared into the writhing chasm of color, sparks, fog, and raw magic—the portal to the mortal world. The last in existence that was accessible at any time. On the other side of those lights was Sunset Hollow. My town. My history. The remnants of the life I was choosing to leave behind.

I looked at Ichabod and cracked open the grimoire. I had the page marked with a bookmark, and I took a deep breath before reciting the spell word for word, my voice strong and steady.

" Ego tibi vires Ichabod. Adque rediit mortale! "

His eyes went wide, and his mouth parted in a scream as tendrils of blackness snaked from my fingertips, stretching towards him like creeping arms. "No! You can't do this!" He was panicking in earnest now as reality set in.

I repeated the phrase until that blackness wrapped around him, making him shake, scream, and beg. I took sick pleasure in his pain, watching in awe as his magic seeped from his very skin and into the air between us. It was a shining light, and it was so bright, I had to look away. I could feel the raw magic flowing into me, but I didn't want it. I wasn't a witch. I was a necromancer, and I had no need for this kind of magic.

Looking around, my eyes landed on Cal, and I smiled. Flinging my hands out, I ripped the last remnants of power from Ichabod, sending him crumbling to his knees, and flung it straight at Calvin's chest. He staggered back, eyes wide, as Maddie ran for him, but she stopped herself at the last minute.

"What did you do to him?" she breathed, looking at me with wide eyes.

I was breathing hard as I watched the magic soak into his skin, making his eyes flare with power and then settle. He sat against the wall in a daze.

"I gave him his father's powers." I looked back at Ichabod with a pitying sneer. "This piece of shit is mortal now. I think it's only fitting that he be sent to live among his own kind, don't you?"

Maddie choked on her surprise, saying, "You mean we're not going to kill him?"

I locked eyes with Cal, who was watching me with a perplexed frown. "No. We're not killing him. We're doing him one better. Ichabod will be banished to the mortal world forever, and then we will shatter this portal. No coming in or out of this world, unless it's on Halloween night. It's too dangerous. He can rot with the mortals—no powers, no allies, nothing, just the way he deserves."

Cal stared at me, and I could have sworn I detected gratitude shining in his eyes. I knew he most likely hated his father now, but still, losing a parent wasn't an easy thing. I had the power to kill this warlock where he stood, but I was making a choice.

"That's right, assface, fuck you!" Jessica shouted as she raised one leg and pointed. I felt her crawl out from under my hair and smiled at her squeaky little voice, which provided me with much-appreciated back-up. "Have fun eating mortal food and paying taxes!"

"How do you know what taxes are?" Freddy asked.

Jessica snorted, rubbing her legs together in an evil manner. "I know things."

I looked at my aunties and nodded. The two of them waved their hands in tandem, forcing Ichabod to his feet. He was straining against the magic, utterly worthless and weak. He was as mortal as we used to be, and he would never desecrate another grave again.

He teetered on the threshold now, and my aunties were waiting for the go-ahead, giving me the chance to have the final say. I stepped up to his back and raised up on my tip toes until I was at ear level and whispered, "If you ever even think of my mother's name again, I'll know. I'll find you. I'll suck the life from your veins and relish in it, you sick bastard. Have fun playing mortal."

Then I pushed him into the portal. He screamed and toppled forward, the magic sucking him in and wrapping around his body like an embrace. It only took a few seconds for him to disappear altogether. I stood there in the sudden silence, breathing hard and fast. Tears pricked my eyes, but it wasn't out of sadness. It was a relief. Ichabod was gone, and he was never coming back. I'd make sure of it.

I turned around and faced everyone who was watching in silence. My family. The only people I could trust with my life.

"It's done," I whispered, wiping away a tear that trailed down my cheek as my emotions caught up with me. Michael stepped forward and kissed me on my cheek, taking my pain with him. One by one, the rest of my guys did, too.

"We need to destroy it," I said to the aunties, and they nodded solemnly and stepped forward.

We needed all the magic we could get to do this, so Michael stepped forward too. I heard a rustling noise, and we all glanced over to where Calvin was getting back to his feet. He staggered a little, and magic played along his fingertips, but he set his jaw and walked to my side.

"I need to help you do this," he said, his tone grave, but I watched his throat bob. He had a power flowing through his veins now that wasn't just about mixing potions and calling it a day. It was dark, and if he wasn't careful, it could consume him just like his father, but I had faith he could handle it.

"Are you strong enough to do this right now?" I asked, looking him up and down with a raised bow. I would understand if he wasn't .

He nodded. "I'm stronger than I've ever felt, thanks to you."

I wasn't about to say, You're welcome, not after I'd just banished his father to the mortal world, but we both knew it was something that would linger between us from now on.

We gathered together and joined hands, though Auntie Pip held my left shoulder as I held the grimoire in that hand. "We say it together, and we say it right. The portal will shatter forever." The others nodded.

"Wait!" We all turned at once. Maddie came close, her eyes glossy with tears. She was biting down on her bottom lip, and she looked like she was shaking a little bit. "October…"

"What is it?" I asked, my heart falling into my stomach.

"I'm going back," she said. We all sucked in a collective breath.

I blinked at my best friend. "What do you mean you're going back?" My voice turned raspy as my throat clogged with emotion. I couldn't lose her either.

Looking guilty and so sad, it made me want to cry. Maddie took my hand and squeezed. "I have to go back. My family probably thinks I'm dead or missing. And to be honest, I still have to wrap my head around this whole witch thing. Everything's been happening so fast, I don't even know where my head is anymore. I need to do this... just for a little while." Her eyes begged me to understand.

"B-But the portal—" I stammered, trying my hardest not to burst into tears.

"I will still be there on Halloween. I'll come back on the bus, Toby, I swear. I'll come right back at the stroke of midnight on Halloween. I just need to handle my shit before I choose to make a life here, ya know? Plus, someone needs to keep an eye on Ichabod for a while; make sure he doesn't terrorize the mortals. "

"You're serious about this?" My heart was breaking, but I knew I couldn't stop her.

"Absolutely. It's what I need," she said, and I saw the truth of it in her eyes.

"Here you go, Maddie girl," Auntie Fe said suddenly with a sad smile. She reached into the pocket of her dress and pulled out a tiny compact mirror. "This is a witch's mirror, so it has the power to transcend worlds. Just whisper the words inscribed on the back of it here," she gestured to the pewter siding, "and we can speak with you anywhere. It's like FaceTime for witches!"

Tears rolled down Maddie's cheeks as she took the mirror and held it to her chest. "Thank you, Auntie."

Maddie looked at Baen, and I followed her gaze. His jaw was clenched tight, and so were his fists, but I could tell he wouldn't say a word. They'd barely gotten to know each other, so he knew he had no say in this decision she was set on making. But his eyes were impossibly sad, and she looked away just as quickly. Her gaze flickered to Cal, her brow furrowed, and she turned back to me before she said something she might regret.

I took my best friend in my arms and squeezed her impossibly tight, tears leaking down my cheeks as I sucked in heavy breaths. I hadn't cried this hard since the night my parents died, and it sort of felt like a shard of my soul was splitting off. Maddie and I had been inseparable since we were little kids, sisters in the truest sense. She was my family, and I suddenly needed this next year to pass us by as quickly as possible so I could have her back.

"I miss you already, you bitch," I murmured into her inky locks.

She sniffled through a laugh. "I'll think of you every time I see a spider. "

"Aw, you do love me." Jessica said, though her voice was wobbly.

"Never!" Maddie mocked hissed, but I could tell she would miss Jessica too.

When I let her go, Maddie gave the guys a round of goodbye hugs and kissed the aunties on the cheeks. She bit her lip as she gazed between Cal and Baen as they stood next to each other with grim expressions.

"It's not goodbye, but see you soon," she whispered, turning away before they could say anything.

She faced the portal, taking a deep breath. I watched with a hollow heart as Maddie stepped to the threshold, the magic already brushing her skin.

She turned to the side and said, "Now I have to think of something good to tell the police." She sighed deeply, but turned at the last moment and glanced down to where Roger was sitting. "You! Come with me; I'll need your help keeping an eye on our newly mortal pain in the ass while we're there." We all laughed at how happy Roger looked. His new master was definitely a step up from the last one.

"Maddie," Michael said, and she turned to look at him. "When you get back, can you check on our families and see what the official story is? Maybe report back so we know for sure?"

Maddie smiled. "Of course I can. I'll probably have to play amnesia while I'm there, so I'll do a little sleuthing."

Michael nodded gratefully. Roger made it to Maddie without a word and grabbed her hand. With a wave, they stepped into the light of the portal, and I felt like sobbing as the magic swallowed her up, carrying her back home.

It was silent after she was gone. I couldn't believe it. She was really gone, and I'd have to go a whole year without my bestie. I was definitely not prepared to face this place without her, but on the other hand, I was happy for her. She needed this time to sort things out for herself. Knowing Maddie, she'd probably come up with some hair-brain idea to tell her parents she was headed off to college overseas or something.

"It's time," Auntie Fe said, stepping up to me.

We all clasped hands again, and I noticed that even Norman, Freddy, Jason, and Baen held on too, even though they had no raw magic themselves. We were going to give Maddie a send-off as a family, and we were locking Ichabod away forever.

" Remove ostium, ego imperium! "

We chanted together as one, repeating it ten times as the portal began to shatter and warp. The wind whipped my hair, and we all staggered but kept chanting, the collective force of our power tearing it apart bit by bit.

A cracking and popping noise tore through the hallway, and the wall around the door splintered as light shattered around us. It blinded me, and I had to close my eyes and look away.

When the wind died down and the hallway fell into an eerie silence, we dropped our hands and looked up to find only an arch-shaped scorch mark left behind on a plain wall, a single crack splitting right down the center. I was still crying, so I wiped the tears away and felt someone approach me from behind.

"You did the right thing," Freddy whispered, kissing me lightly on the cheek. I leaned in for that kiss as Norman came around to my other side.

"She'll be okay. It's Maddie."

"It's the mortals we have to worry about with that spitfire," Jason added, walking up next to us. "They won't even see her coming." He smiled at the scorched mark.

Michael joined us, and the others stood around in a daze, recovering from the surge of power. I felt a sudden flush of warmth run through me as I stood there, surrounded by the people I cared about and who cared about me. Love really is a beautiful thing.

"I love you all," I whispered. Everyone looked at me with smiles on their faces. "I mean it. I love you all so much, and I just needed you to know that."

"We know, little goth. We know," said Michael, gripping the back of my neck as his finger kneaded the spot, and I relaxed under his touch.

We were silent; nobody wanted to move yet. We just stared at that wall, as if trying to linger as long as we could with Maddie. But it was time to get things in order around here, and that's exactly what I would do. I'd see Maddie soon. What was one year anyway?

"She'll be back," Baen whispered before clapping Cal on the shoulder and striding away with his hands in his pockets and his big shoulders slumped.

I glanced over at Cal, and he hesitantly gave me a sad smile before nodding his chin at me and walking out behind Baen.

I smiled at the thought that when Mads came back, she was going to have her hands full, and I hoped she would give them a little hell to contend with. I took a deep breath and turned around to drag my guys off with me, but Pip suddenly clapped her hands together and announced, "You know what goes well with victory? This new cupcake recipe—"

"No!" we all shouted collectively before falling into a fit of laughter immediately after, while Auntie Pip just stood there with her hands on her hips .

"For the love of the great pumpkin, Auntie... A girl can only die so many times."

The end is only another beginning...