Xun shouldered in and wrapped his arms around Leah and Callum. Ryon, Calder, and Caleb pushed in and connected. Ursula did the same. Jezza and Flo, helping a hobbling Ruby, joined us.

Abel pulled me close and took Cain’s hand, lifting them up and moving their bodies close so their hands were tucked to their sides.

Even though Abel gave me a tug, I stayed removed.

And I did this to look up and down the street.

Finally, I shifted forward, reaching out to clasp hands with Lucien, and I did it with my head thrown back, shouting, “We are The Three!”

And on a radiating circle of blue light, our huddle disappeared.

So we missed the cacophony of human cheers.

* * * * *

In a home somewhere in Idaho, a husband and wife embraced, his eyes rimmed with red, hers wet with tears.

In a pub somewhere in London, a bartender called to the unruly crowd, “Pints! All around! On the house!”

In a convenience store somewhere in Florida and on a street in New York City, perfect strangers embraced, smiles quivered, and tears flowed as all experienced sweet relief.

And in an apartment somewhere in Washington DC, a woman listened to a newscaster, quietly sobbing.

But she did it smiling.

* * * * *

In a Café Somewhere in Nevada

The cheers deafening behind her, Naomi kept her eyes to the screen.

Then she lifted them to the ceiling.

Her prayer was short and silent.

I never doubted, but even so, thank you.

Once done, she turned around and shouted, “Lemon meringue pie all around!”

The cheer of jubilation split her ears.

But they didn’t care about pie.

Knowing this, Naomi smiled.

* * * * *

Abel

Abel opened his eyes and lifted his head.

He felt his mate stirring beside him, but he saw Jian-Li sitting on the bed and felt her hands clamped tight around his and Delilah’s.

A tear dropped down her cheek as she caught his gaze, and her lips were trembling when she spoke.

“Welcome back, tian xin.”

He grinned at her, and when he felt Delilah lifting up, he helped her, sweeping her in one arm at the same time he caught Jian-Li in his other.

He tucked his women close.

He held them tight.

And he did this for a long fucking time.

Epilogue

All That We Can Be

Delilah

As the sun snuck beneath the horizon, the sound of Abel’s guitar strings bounced against the rocks of the bay.

A bay that was crowded shoulder-to-shoulder with vampires, wolves, wraiths, phantoms, and humans.

Up front, his khaki pants rolled up his ankles, the breeze blowing at his white linen shirt, the sea lapping against his bare feet, stood Yuri.

To one side, leaning in, her hand in his, her head on his shoulder, stood Aurora.

On his other, her arm around him, her head also on his shoulder, stood Sonia.

And at Aurora’s side, also holding hands with her daughter, stood Barb.