said loudly enough for everyone to hear, “You may fight on my team anytime, Nyx Ciar.”
I inclined my head. “It will always be my pleasure to serve with those like you who keep our world safe from evil.”
“As for Volod,” Armand said to the crowd. “We shall burn what is left of him.”
Armand began giving orders on disposing of the dead. Not only would we set fire to Volod’s body, but we would burn all of the other Vampires as well.
As everyone set off on their tasks, I hurried to my father’s side.
“Father.” I flung my arms around him and he wrapped his own around me.
“I am so proud of you, my princess.”
“Thank you for coming.” I kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you.”
“I could not see you hurt anymore.” Father looked around at the paranorms working side by side with Vampire paranorms. “Your people fought well.”
“They did,” I said. “As did you and your warriors.”
“Of course,” Father said in Drow. “For I brought only the finest.”
I kissed Father then hugged my brother. “Thank you, Tristan.”
“I did no more than anyone else,” he said. “You are the one to be commended for all that you have done.”
“No.” I shook my head. “These people are the reason why we survived and ultimately why I was able to kill Volod. It is they who deserve praise.”
Tristan kissed my cheek and hugged me again.
For a long time I walked through the battlefield, talking with Trackers, paranorm and Vampire paranorm alike. A heaviness weighted me down as I thought about all that I had loved and lost because of Volod.
I tried to think of Nadia how I’d known her. Radiant and beautiful, full of life and love. And not to think of her as Volod had left her.
When my thoughts turned to Rodán, I remembered all of the good times we’d enjoyed since he had recruited me. My former lover, friend, confidant, mentor, and Proctor. He had been so many things to me. The emptiness he left behind would never be filled.
The two of them had left an indelible stamp upon my life and I would think of them always.
Later, when it was getting close to daylight and time to burn Volod’s body, Colin and I met up again and he put his arm around my shoulders. We didn’t talk at all for a long time as we watched Volod’s body burn to ash.
“He almost had victory but he got too greedy,” Colin said.
“And evil.” I shook my head. So much evil I didn’t even want to think about it.
After a while I sighed and looked up at him. “I need a vacation.”
He touched the tip of my nose with his finger. “You deserve one.”
“Where do Vampires and Dragons go on vacation?” Olivia said as she walked up to face Colin and me.
I lightly punched her arm. “Anyplace that doesn’t involve other Vampires of any kind.”
Colin tilted his head to the side. “I think I might know just the spot.”
Rain pattered on the windowpanes of our New Hampshire cabin. It was dark outside, branches scraping across the panes as a late-spring storm whirled its way through the country.
Colin and I snuggled up under a blanket in front of the fireplace. I rested my head on his shoulder.
“Demons, Werewolves, Vampires, Zombies, and more Vampires.” I sighed. “I’ve had enough excitement in the last year than most people face in a lifetime.”
“Just Zombies and Vampires were enough for me.” Colin stroked my hair, the feel of his fingers sending delightful shivers through me.
“Nice of Armand to give us a two-month paid leave of absence along with a nice fat bonus.” I tilted my head up to meet Colin’s beautiful gaze. “And I want to spend all of it with you.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He continued to run his fingers through my hair, soft and wonderful. “I wasn’t about to let you go off without me.”
“Olivia should be having fun with her boyfriend in the Bahamas,” I said. “Wonder if they brought the whips and chains with them.”
Colin snorted with laughter. “Knowing Olivia, I am sure.”
I snuggled deeper in our blanket, enjoying the warmth of Colin’s body. Loving his scent, loving everything about him.
“Do that little bite thing you do,” Colin murmured, his words rumbling in his chest. “I love it.”
“I thought you would never ask.” My fangs dropped at the mere mention of biting him and I licked his neck then scraped my fangs along his neck.
He hugged me tight. “I love you,