His warm lips press against mine. My hands spread out over his hard chest and slide down around his taut stomach to his lower back, trying to avoid the cuts. We hold each other close. He feels so good. So warm. So solid.

I want this moment to last forever.

‘Aw, true love.’ Howler lands on the boat, rocking it. ‘It makes me want to puke. Doesn’t it make you want to gag too, Hawk?’

‘I never thought it was a good idea in the first place,’ says Hawk as he lands beside Howler. ‘Eternal damnation is what I get for listening to you lot.’

‘How’s the flesh wound, boss?’ Howler shows off his forearm that glistens with his raw, skinless muscles. ‘Want to compare and see who gets bragging rights?’

I don’t want to ask, but I have to. ‘What about the angels?’

‘They’ll find Michael,’ says Raffe. ‘They’ll go back home and elect him as the new Messenger. They should manage to corral him eventually. He’ll make a fine Messenger, even if he doesn’t want to.’

‘We’ll be safe from them?’

‘They’ll all be gone soon. Your people can start rebuilding your world.’

‘What about the Watchers?’

‘They’ve chosen to stay with me. They never had the prejudices against Daughters of Men anyway, which was their problem to begin with. I’m afraid your people might have their hands full with them.’

‘But only because the women will prefer us over their own men,’ says Howler.

‘Is that right? You’re so sure we’ll all want an ex-angel over regular ol’ men?’

Howler shrugs.

‘We may not be as perfect as we used to be,’ says Raffe, ‘but it’s all relative.’

I try to give him a dirty look, but I can’t help but laugh. ‘Yes, I’m laughing at you.’

Raffe pulls me closer and kisses me again. I melt into his taut body. I can’t help myself. I’m not even sure I should try.

My whole world turns into Raffe sensations as our lips explore each other.

Epilogue

Epilogue

I walk down the center of the street in our old neighborhood. I recognize the cracked building with the graffiti of an angel that has the words ‘Who will guard against the guardians?’

Every door now has a feather dipped in red paint nailed to it. I guess one of the gangs won the turf war since we left and it’s all their territory now. I suspect there are still regular people hiding in attics and basements, though.

This is now the southernmost end of the peninsula that hasn’t been burned down by the fire from the blood hunt. Many of the walls are dark with soot, but the buildings still stand.