Epilogue

Ava

“They are almost here!” I announced to Ziv as I paced in the large hallway by the double front doors. Lu had texted me to let me know their estimated time of arrival that morning. I had been pacing for over an hour already, much to the annoyance of our cat. Ziv was watching me from where he lay on a fancy red velvet pillow with golden tassels, his eyes narrowed.

I’d been restless since last night when Lucius had abruptly departed to help his assistant rescue my teens. We’d been living in his big house for a week, without any mention of any such plans, and I was still reeling from the news. He’d sent Aries after them on the day we’d defeated Calder, and it warmed my heart to know that. It made me even more certain that I wasn’t making a huge mistake by moving in with my lover after a single day.

He was good, through and through, and he cared about the things I cared about. I wanted to tell him all of those things very badly, which was why I was pacing anxiously. I was nervous about seeing the kids too. I’d promised I’d take care of them, but Calder had taken advantage of me and harmed them instead. How were they doing? Were they okay?

One day was not enough to prepare all the bedrooms we’d need, or stock the house with clothes and food… I felt absolutely useless pacing a hallway when I should be doing something to help out. I wasn’t used to having someone else do my job for me, do anything for me at all.

The crunch of gravel beneath tires had me leap for the door and wrestle the heavy panel open on silent hinges. A van that had seen better days was coming to a halt at the bottom of the steps. There were claw marks that scored the side, but I barely noticed that. When the doors slid open, my kids started piling out, and my heart felt like it would burst out of my chest.

Jonna, Zaira, and little Puck. The last one raced for me and I eagerly swept him in my arms. A smile split my face when I saw even the surely seventeen-year-old Abraham unfurl himself from the backseat with what almost amounted to a happy grin. They were all there, safe, unharmed.

“You can relax, my sweet mate. We’ll take good care of them, together.” Lucius’ deep voice announced in a husky whisper from my left. I felt his wing sweep around me, his arms curling around my waist. Yes, we would. This was home.

THE END

Want to read more by Vala Stone?

Check out The Professor and the Siren for free here: www.valastone.ink