Epilogue

Halloween

The backyard of Ronin’s house was transformed into a wonderland of fairy lights and flower vines under the full moon. A bonfire added light and warmth for everyone. Crystals surrounded the intimate space where Ghost and Sidonie stood, staring at one another with hearts in their eyes. Everyone wore white, including the groom. For the evening, the Death Riders traded their black leather cuts for bleached linen.

Sidonie wore a flowing white dress with a matching turban on her head. Golden hoops dangled from her earlobes, with a dozen or so bangles lining each wrist. Every time she moved her arms, they melodically clinked together.

The officiant wore a yellow dress, and she held a bundle of leaves. Pungent smoke swirled around her, trailing like a cloud as she danced around the perimeter, shaking the rattle she held. A small altar had been set up, with black candles burning. She laid the sage upon it and picked up a small wooden box.

“I bid welcome the divine messengers who bridge the living and the dead,” she cried out. “We ask the loa to come forth and bless this woman and this man in unity.”

She opened the box to sprinkle powder on the ground, forming an intricate design.

“The veve has been drawn,” she explained. “Come forth, spirits.”

Suddenly inside the drawing on the ground, a faint shimmering light appeared. Slowly, it morphed into the shape of a woman. Keres’s mouth dropped open, hardly able to comprehend what she was seeing. It was a … no, couldn’t be. Yet there it was, a person she could see through.

What. The. Fuck?

She was in The Twilight Zone . Or she was officially crazy. But since everyone else seemed to go with the flow, perhaps they were all certifiable.

With the ghost watching, the beautiful ceremony continued. Vows were said. A blessing was performed. And then the officiant picked up a drum and banged a melodic tune as she and Sidonie danced. Ghost joined his new wife, twirling her around. Eventually they held out their hands to Leia and Chase, and they joined in. Vivi didn’t even wait for an invitation. She practically bounced in happy abandonment.

Ronin took her hand and surreptitiously led her away from the revelry. They slipped into the night, and she shivered a little in her thin dress. Ronin put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close, sharing body heat.

It was just them in the moonlight.

Laying her head on his shoulder, she decided to breech the subject she’d been thinking long and hard on. “I have a proposal.”

“I think I’m the one who’s supposed to propose.”

Her heart raced at his words, but she pushed down the excitement to focus on what she wanted to say. “Not that type of proposal. I was wondering if … perhaps … you’d like a partner.”

He moved, and she raised her head, meeting his gaze.

“You’re already my partner,” he said.

“No, I meant a working partner,” she quickly elaborated. “You have your contracts, and I would never interfere with them, but this business with Davorin has me thinking that there are really awful men and women out there. I would like the opportunity to eliminate those vile people.”

“You would?”

She nodded. “What happened to me and Abigail, it happens to a lot of innocent women and children. And many times, the justice system failed them. That’s the wrongs I would like to fix.”

He reached up and moved some of her auburn hair off her forehead. “I would say yes on one condition.”

Keres cocked her head. “What’s that?”

“That you marry me.”

“Wait. Are you proposing?”

“We should probably clarify which proposal we’re talking about.”

She laughed. “ Your proposal I’ll say yes. My proposal you’ll say…”

Waiting, she arched one eyebrow.

“I say yes,” he replied, smiling. “I think we’re going to make a fantastic couple.”

“An assassin couple.”

Leaning toward her, he brushed his lips against hers. “You are absolutely perfect for me.”

An awareness came over Keres, and she glanced around until she saw Abigail and Darby standing off to the side. They smiled at her and then slowly faded away.

“You probably won’t believe me, but I just saw them,” she murmured. “Abigail and Darby. I think they’ve found peace.”

“I’ve no doubt.” Ronin leaned forward to give her a gentle kiss. “This is the night to bring spirits forth. Oh, by the way, I talked with Damon Barese. His men are rounding up the rest of the Deathmen, although many had already disappeared once the news came of Davorin’s demise. He’s also set up a task force to dismantle the human trafficking ring, finding victims and reuniting them with family.”

“Good. You think Mr. Barese would let me cut off some penises?”

He laughed. “I have a feeling there will be a lot of people who need a date with Lady Death.”

Then he pulled her into his arms and kissed the fuck out of her.

The End

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