Epilogue

ANITA

It took me a week to wake up from whatever whammy my dear old dad placed on me. I should be exhausted, but I feel like a new person.

Literally.

Power thrums through my veins, more than just my normal flames, and I'm terrified to even touch it.

Demonic powers.

My mind boggles at the crazy turn my life has taken.

Not surprisingly, Father dearest didn't wait even a second before informing MID of the changes to our situation. The agency was furious at losing their prized agents, and even more pissed they had to pardon the guys for their crimes. With nothing to hold over them, MID no longer had any leverage over the guys.

They were officially free.

We are now new, shiny members of a super-secret demon hunting agency. To say that said agency is displeased is an understatement, and I wonder if we'll survive their training, but that's a worry for another day.

We have one more week before we officially have to report for duty. Soren and Stryker spend nearly every waking second fussing over me, acting like I'm fragile. Since I came so close to dying, I can't really blame them.

Darby checks on me when he can, splitting his time between me and his sister. Charlotte is still alive, but she hasn't regained consciousness yet. When Darby confessed to injecting me with some serum to save her, I waved away his concern. I would do anything for Charlotte. Whatever the cost, I'll pay it when the Jackal comes to collect.

Charlotte saved me when I needed it most.

The least I can do is return the favor.

Porter checks on me whenever time allows, but he spends most of his day training with the new agency. Cassius is a ghost. After confirming that I was okay, he vanished. I now only catch glimpses of him in passing, the man once more back to his grumpy self, and I sigh in disappointment.

I look over the rooms we were assigned with a sigh of appreciation—an entire floor in the new Demon Hunter Guild. I'm surprised by the luxury and the big paycheck that comes with the job.

While I love being pampered, the constant attention is a bit much for my introverted heart…or maybe it's because the guys are driving me crazy and denying me what I want most.

Sex.

Lots and lots of sex.

Yes, I'm pouting, but a girl has needs.

Do I think the trouble is over?

Not by a long shot.

My parents will want vengeance, but not because I killed Stuart, they couldn't care less that he's dead. No, they'll be furious they lost their additional powers from the now void contract. I wonder if my father will seek retribution from them for not fulfilling their side of the bargain, and I kind of hope he does.

Speaking of my father, though he might have saved my life, I don't mistake his gesture for anything but what it is—a debt that has to be paid.

Apparently, the entire building is abuzz with the news that I'm a fabled firebird. I'm not immortal, but I'm close to it. Firebirds are said to be both a blessing and a curse—a bringer of either good luck or doom to those who encounter it.

Worse, my feathers are supposedly highly desirable.

I guess I can look forward to some fun abductions in the future.

Joy.

Gwen is ecstatic about my new status, vowing to show me how to fly. Though she's not officially part of the team yet, I insisted she be given a room with us. Since she wasn't preapproved to join the Demon Hunter Guild, she's forced to go through their rigorous training before they'll allow her to be added to our squad.

Gwen hates being sidelined, the fairy both furious and determined to prove the assholes wrong. To everyone's surprise but mine, she excels in combat. I'm not sure of her species, and I don't really care. She's my friend, and that's enough for me.

My life has changed drastically in the last week.

Though it wasn't my crime or my magic that got me into trouble, being arrested was the best thing to ever happen to me—it brought these impossibly complicated men into my life, and I've never been so happy.

Who says crime doesn't pay?

To Be Continued…