Just moments ago, I had been a demon, with black hair, milk white skin, and razor-sharp teeth. Although I hadn’t been aware of what was happening, I remembered it. And now I was myself again. The darkness had faded from me the moment I sent the killing blow to Devon.
“But I killed you before that,” I whispered.
He shrugged. “Nah, you didn’t. I’m fine.” He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and pulled me to him. “We did it. We killed the demon. We sent it away. We destroyed the order. You’re free now.”
Another half-laugh bubbled in my throat.
I was free.
For the first time in my life, I was free to do whatever I wanted. To be whoever I wanted.
The emotion that overcame me with that news was too much to bear. I melted into Devon’s arms, glad he was here with me. That we had endured it. That we had done it.
Together.
Six Months Later
Makenna
Life couldn’t be more different than I had ever imagined, but it couldn’t be better either.
I stepped back and took a good look at the tree. At the large living room around it. At the stone fireplace in the corner of the room. I thought that decorating the house and setting up the tree would be enough, but something was still missing.
I touched the ring on my index finger with my thumb. It had become a habit since I started wearing the ring Devon had gotten me centuries ago. At first, I didn’t notice what I was doing, but Devon had. He showed me I always reached for it with the tip of my thumb, as if I had to feel it, to make sure it was still there.
That I hadn’t lost it again.
Kevin came running into the room, startling me. He held a pink notebook in his hand, waving it wildly over his head. He ran behind me and grabbed my arms. “Save me.”
I frowned. “From what?”
A moment later, Sabrina stomped into the living room, her gaze mortal. “You prick!”
I gasped. “Sabrina, language!”
“Ugh.” She pointed at her brother. “He took my diary and won’t return it to me!”
“Kevin,” I called out, looking at him over my shoulder. He knew the rules. No messing with his sister like that. “Give it back.”
“But—”
“No buts.” I shook my head. “You have three seconds to return it.” I lifted one finger. “One. Two. Three.” He didn’t do it, but I couldn’t be mad at him for that.
So I channeled my magic. The lights in the living room flickered and darkness swirled around Kevin’s middle, tickling him on the sides and under his arm. He laughed out loud, contorting his body to escape my tyranny. He let go of the diary.
It fell like a rock, but before it could hit the wooden floor, a mini cloud of darkness appeared beneath it and floated toward Sabrina.
She grabbed the diary. “Thank you,” she barked, still upset. With a huff, she flipped her hair and stomped back upstairs.
Instantly, Kevin ran after her.
These two …
I stared back at the tall tree in the corner, with white lights, red and golden streamers, a few other decorations, and a small star that had come with the ornaments on top. It still didn’t feel like it was done.
A door opened in the distance. I turned to the kitchen and saw Cecilia entering through the garage door, her arms loaded with grocery bags. “Hi,” she said, putting the bags on the kitchen island.
“How was the store?” I asked.
“Not too bad,” she said. “With the storm coming and Christmas in a few days, I thought it would be packed, but it was okay-ish.” She headed back to the garage.
“Want help?” I asked, raising my voice.
“Sure!” she yelled back.
I took a step in her direction, but then the sliding doors to the back porch opened, letting in a chilly wind that sent a shiver down my spine. Devon stepped inside and instantly took off his jacket and shoes.
Beyond him and the now closed doors, I could see the faint silhouette of the cherry tree we had planted In the backyard, covered in snow. What would have been our lives without that tree?
“I can help her,” Devon said, walking to me. He leaned into me, entwined his index finger In my blond hair—which had become a habit—kissed my forehead, then continued to the kitchen.
I smiled at his back.
Sometimes it was still strange to be here, living this life, and sometimes it just felt plain right.
After the warriors, Devon, and I defeated Ingur