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I look between them. Both so similar, but so different at the same time. I wonder where I fit in with them.

‘What do we do now?’ I ask. ‘Now that she’s here.’

We all fall quiet again, deep in thought.

‘I don’t know what I want from her. I don’t know if I want anything,’ Cora says in a tired voice.

‘That’s okay,’ Raya says gently. ‘You don’t have to know yet.’

Cora nods. ‘We’ll figure it out. Together.’

That word hits different now. Together. Not just three girls, but sisters.

For the first time in my life, it truly feels like I have a family.

EPILOGUE

THEO

The Captive

Three Months Later

Cicadas chirp softly as we are seated outside on the deck.

Tara’s knee brushes mine under the table, as Raya is mid-story about some of her and Hunter’s adventures when they were in London. As we are jetting off tomorrow to start our travels, I called everyone together for a final get-together.

It’s nice to be gathered like this when it isn’t for a battle. It’s nice to be together just simply because we enjoy each other’s company.

There’s no blood on our hands. No plan hanging over our heads. Just wine, thick and laced with blood, and lights strung across the roof.

‘You’re quiet,’ Tara murmurs as she reaches for her glass. She spins it slowly before bringing it to her mouth.

‘I’m enjoying the peacefulness of it all,’ I admit.

I was always one for chaos and a good time, but lately, I’ve been enjoying the quieter moments and slowing down a little. Nothing is the same anymore. I feel as though I’ve changed entirely and so has everyone around me. Somehow, we are still the same, but so different. I don’t quite know how to explain it.

For the past few years, all I’ve known is Red Thorne. Each week, there’s something new brewing here. New travellers, fresh blood, more liquor. That was my old life. I’m ready for a change of scenery.

Cora is across from us, her feet kicked up on the bench beside Kian. She swirls her glass idly, her eyes half-lidded like a cat in the sun. Even Kian looks more relaxed than I’ve possibly ever seen him as he laughs at something Hunter says.

‘This feels like the first time I’ve been in the same place as all of you without someone trying to kill us.’ Cora grins.

Kian lifts his brow. ‘There’s still time.’

‘Don’t put that out into the universe,’ Cora mutters sourly, but smiles into her drink.

Maree comes out of the house with another bottle. She is as quiet as a mouse among the vampires in her company, looking very soft and human-like. She has a faraway look in her eyes that hasn’t faded since her mind was bewitched, but she is calm and content, which is all the girls can hope for.

‘Refills?’ she asks, already topping up glasses that she notices are getting low.

‘You’re trying to get us drunk,’ I say to her with a charming wink.

She smiles at me warmly.

Nyra’s eyes sweep over the group as she sits back, watching everyone, a small smile on her face. Maree pauses to gently pat her sister’s shoulder. The two of them – one vampire, the other human – reunited after so many fractured years, now sitting side by side like they never spent decades apart.

Time bends strangely for people like us.