Epilogue

EPILOGUE

GARREX

I slammed my fist through the vampire's chest, crushing its heart into dust. As the creature crumbled away, I whirled. I needed eyes on Gwen, to know she hadn't been injured.

She leaned against the alley wall behind Whispering Relics, her arms crossed and a scowl on her face. Relief and a sense of déjà vu swept through me at the sight. Fighting at a witch's side, exterminating the vampire threat, felt... good.

And terrifying.

"That's the third one this week." She kicked at the pile of ash. "They're getting bolder."

I frowned. "Which is precisely why you shouldn't be out here."

"Bills don't get paid by secret identities, Garrex." Gwen rolled her eyes, but her lips struggled not to smile. "I need this job, remember?"

I sighed. We'd had this conversation many times. It didn't seem to matter to Gwen that her magic was a magnet for supernatural attention. No amount of danger and risk deterred her.

Pride swelled in my chest. My mate was as brave as she was stubborn.

"I live to serve," I grumbled, scanning the alley for more threats.

She snorted. "Could you sound any less enthused?"

We started walking, Gwen's heels clicking against the pavement. The night air was thick enough with fog that I could ascend before anyone drew close enough to see me, and I'd learned my mate liked to walk her thoughts into some semblance of order.

I kept my senses on high alert, ready for another attack. We were still figuring out the aftermath of Gwen's discharge of magic. Clearly, she hadn't performed the Lumina Vinculum with vampires still roaming the earth. Or Cecily had been wrong about the charms. Or the reawakening of magic had been deemed the greater need, and vampires came as the cost.

We just didn't know. But my witch was determined to unravel the mystery.

"If they're coming out in numbers like this," Gwen mused, "what do you think that means for witches? For those just awakening to their powers?"

"It's likely their numbers are rising, too. We just haven't encountered them yet." I glanced at her. "It's been less than a month."

Gwen bit her lip, worry etched in the lines of her face. "I don't like it. They're vulnerable babies and unaware of the dangers lurking in the shadows."

I reached out, my hand grazing her arm. Even through the fabric of her jacket, I could feel the warmth of her skin, the pulse of her magic. "We'll find them, Gwen. Guide them. Keep them safe."

The thought both thrilled and terrified me. More witches meant a potential return to the old ways, to the balance we'd lost centuries ago. But it also meant more targets, more innocents thrust into a world they weren't prepared for.

Like Gwen had been.

I glanced at her, noting the determination in her stride and the way her fingers twitched, ready to summon magic at a moment's notice. She'd come so far in such a short time. Pride swelled again in my chest, quickly followed by a familiar pang of guilt.

"What?" Gwen asked, catching my gaze.

I shook my head, pushing the conflicting emotions aside. "Nothing. Just... be careful."

She softened, reaching out to brush her fingers against my arm. The touch sent a jolt through me, stone skin or not. "Always am, big guy."

We turned the corner, the lights of the city glittering in the distance. I marveled at the way Gwen had embraced her powers and taken to this new world.

But as the number of vampires grew, so did my fear for her safety. I knew she could handle herself, but the thought of losing her, of failing her as I had failed Cecily all those centuries ago... it was a weight that sat heavy on my chest.

"I still think you should close up shop," I muttered, knowing it was a losing battle.

Gwen sighed. "And I still think you worry too much. I'm not helpless anymore, Garrex."

"I know." And I did. I'd seen her power firsthand, felt the raw energy she could wield. But the memory of her limp in Ivy's lair, drained and vulnerable, still haunted me.

Before I could argue further, she stretched up on her toes, pressing a quick kiss to my cheek. The warmth of it lingered, even as she pulled away and continued strolling down the sidewalk.

A piercing scream shattered the night. My head snapped up, every muscle tensing. I locked eyes with Gwen, seeing my own urgency mirrored in her gaze.

"The park," I growled, already moving. Gwen matched my pace, her shorter legs pumping to keep up.

We rounded the corner, and my heart sank. Two vampires circled a young woman, their eyes gleaming with undead hunger. But what caught my attention was the faint glow from the woman's hands.

Magic. Untrained and wild, but unmistakable.

Gwen was already moving, her own power surging to life with a familiar warmth that never failed to send a thrill through my wings. With a flick of her wrist, a barrier sprang up around the young witch, shielding her from the vampires' grasp.

They snarled, whirling to face this new threat, and I launched myself at them with a roar.

My fist connected with the first vampire's jaw, sending him flying. He hit the ground hard, but was up again in an instant, fangs bared. I didn't give him a chance to strike. Ducking under his wild swing, I slammed my elbow into his chest, feeling ribs crack beneath the impact.

I launched myself at the nearest vampire, my fist connecting with a satisfying crunch. The creature stumbled back, hissing in pain and surprise.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Gwen squaring off against the second vampire, her magic crackling around her like lightning. The young witch, her face scrunched in concentration, raised her own hands and mimicked Gwen's stance.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a flash of light and a yelp of surprise, a burst of energy exploded from her palms, catching the vampire off guard.

It wasn't much, but it was enough. The vampire stumbled, and Gwen pressed her advantage. A blast of pure power sent him tumbling head over heels, and then I was there with a crushing blow to his chest before he could rise again.

As the last of the ash settled, I turned back to Gwen and the young witch. Gwen had dropped the barrier and was whispering to the girl, who looked shell-shocked but relieved.

I approached slowly, not wanting to frighten her further. Up close, I could see she was barely older than Gwen, with wide brown eyes and disheveled dark hair. She tensed as I drew near, but Gwen placed a reassuring hand on her arm.

"It's okay," Gwen soothed. "This is Garrex. He's with me."

The witch nodded uncertainly, her gaze flicking between us. "What... what just happened? How did you do that?"

Gwen smiled gently. "The same way you did. We're witches."

The girl shook her head, disbelief warring with the evidence of her own senses. "That's not possible," she whispered. "Magic isn't real."

I couldn't help but chuckle. "Says the girl who just shot magic from her hands."

Gwen shot me a look, but I saw the amusement dancing in her eyes. She turned back to the young witch. "What's your name?"

"Mia," she whispered.

I caught Gwen's eye over Mia's head. This was what we'd been hoping for. Proof that the witches were returning and magic was awakening once more in the world.

But with that hope came a heavy responsibility. And an even heavier threat. The vampires were growing bolder, just as Gwen said. Three in one week, turned to three in one night?

They would stop at nothing to snuff out the light of magic before it could fully reignite.

We had our work cut out for us.

"Well, Mia," Gwen said, "I know this is a lot to take in. But you're not alone. There are others like us, and we can help you understand your powers."