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I run to Brayden, lifting his soaking wet body off the floor. “Are you all right?”
He coughs a few times. “I think so. What happened?”
“It’s a long story.” I wrap my arms around him, carrying him away from the trauma that surrounds us.
A deep cough grabs my attention. I turn to see Topher sitting up and breathing. Seconds pass before Micah does the same. Both men seem confused and weak, but they’re alive.
“You saved them,” I whisper to Brayden. “Youdid that.”
TWENTY-FIVE
not a happily ever after
Several minutes passbefore the room calms down enough that I’m able to release my hold on Brayden and move toward my only friend, Luna—or what’s left of her. Her face looks as angelic as always. Her normally vibrant bright green eyes are open, and her pupils are fixed and dilated. Her heartbeat stopped quickly, and she died instantly. Even being armed with that information doesn’t help the sorrow I feel toward the young lycanthrope. “I’m so sorry, my friend.” I can’t hold in the tears.
A cold hand lands on my shoulder. “She was a warrior,” Thorne says, squeezing my skin gently.
“Yeah, she was.” I watch as he gently lifts what’s left of her into his arms, cradling her to his chest. I follow them downstairs and to the dining room table where he lays her body.
Fran and Celeste move to my side, and the three ofus stand in awe of the tiny woman. “She died for nothing,” I whisper. “Marnie took the girls, anyway.”
“The girls will be okay for a short while. Luna is our priority right now.” Celeste’s words sound much older than she appears. “She will be honored by the lycan community here in her hometown. She deserves that.”
“Aye, she does.” Thorne wipes a tear.
Topher and Amelia join our group. He’s weak and moving slowly, but it’s clear he’s healing. “She will be held in the highest honors,” he says, wiping a tear.
Micah appears from nowhere. Like Topher, he’s weak and looks exhausted. “My sweet Luna,” he whispers, bending down and kissing her on her perfect cheek. “I never got the chance to make you my mate.” Chill bumps cover my skin at his words. I’d seen cute interactions between them, but never realized they were at the mate part.
“I’m sorry, Micah. I feel responsible for this. If I would’ve…”
“No,” Amelia interrupts. “You can’t take responsibility for this. Luna knew what the dangers were. She made the decision to try to help the girls. That was heroic. She was no match for Marnie, but she tried.” She looks at me. “You don’t get to own this.”
Her words strike a chord, and I nod. “How can we help?” I ask Topher, her Alpha. He doesn’t respond. Instead, he gathers her into his arms as the lycan leave the house full of vampires.
Amelia wraps an arm around my waist. “Lycan havestrict burial traditions that vampires are not allowed to attend.”
“I understand.” I don’t want to understand, but I do.
We spend the next few hours cleaning up what’s left of the house. Every window is shattered, and glass is everywhere, but with vampire speed, the five of us make decent time. I took Brayden upstairs immediately after he released us from the bubble, locking him inside the room with his parents. Whatever compulsion Fran used on them is magically still working. With the insanity of what happened downstairs, I don’t know how.
“I’ll get the windows replaced tomorrow,” Fran announces as Thorne drags the last trash bag to the road. “Such a shame. Some of these windows were as old as the city.”
“What’s next?” I ask once every task is completed.
“We find the children and kill Marnie and Eudora,” Thorne announces.
“Why do I get the feeling that’s going to be easier said than done?” I lower my head into my hands.
……
Fran works her magic, compelling Brayden’s parents into forgetting everything that’s happened after meeting us on Bourbon Street. She doesn’t bothertrying to wipe Brayden’s memory. His ability would prevent it.
After leaving the “bed-and-breakfast” they booked, the three of them set off on their way home, completely oblivious to the shattered windows and insanity of our lives.
“Do you think Marnie and Eudora will go after him?” I ask, nodding toward the Uber leaving the house.
“Yes,” the rest of the vampires answer in unison.
