“He is as he should be,” the seer said. “No longer immortal. Still a vampire, but mortal now, like born vampires.”
Grey’s shoulders relaxed, and I knew it was with relief. He’d been worried about living forever, having to watch me die.
“Is there anything else you could possibly tell us?” I asked.
“Hmm.” It watched us, crossing its arms. Clearly debating something. “Did you cause the commotion outside a short while ago?”
Grey hesitated, then said, “Yes, that is our doing.”
It was impossible to be sure, but I thought it smiled. “Good. That Silviu is a miserable bastard. I enjoy his annoyance. Therefore, I will tell you that you will grow old and die together. When your time on Ea
rth is up, you’ll travel to the same afterlife.” Its voice sharpened. “But don’t use that as an excuse to go do stupid, dangerous things.”
Elation exploded inside me. It was more than I could ever hope for. More than I could dream.
“Thank you,” I said. “Thank you so much.”
Grey inclined his head. “You have my sincerest gratitude.”
The seer nodded. “As I should. Now I suggest that you leave here before Silviu’s guards return.”
We thanked the seer again, then ran from the cavern. As I raced up the stairs, my heart felt like it was going to explode from the joy of it.
We’d done it. Broken the curse. Saved our own lives. And we had a future together. An amazing, beautiful future.
A few moments later, we raced out the front door and away from the fireworks on the west side of the mountain. Silviu and his men appeared to be figuring out that it was all a trick. In the distance, behind a rock outcropping, I spotted my friends. Cordelia sat on Quinn’s broad shoulder, and the others gathered round, peeping their heads up from behind the rocks.
They waved, gesturing us closer. We sprinted toward them.
“Well?” Mac demanded as we neared.
“We’re good!” I said, grinning wildly. “It worked!”
“Then let’s get the hell out of here.” Eve scowled up at the scene in the distance. “They’re going to start looking for the cause of that little show soon.”
I nodded, beaming at them all. My eyes met Beatrix’s, and she smiled widely. “This is crazy,” she said.
“Isn’t it?” It made me so damned happy to see her here. To see them all here. “Come on. Let’s go.”
The seven of us raced down the mountain, with me leading the way.
Epilogue
Grey
The coast of Cornwall was bloody lovely on a sunny afternoon. Sunlight sparkled off deep blue waves, and wildflowers dotted the green grass that topped the cliffs.
Beside me, Carrow looked impossibly beautiful, her golden hair gleaming like the sun. She was the sun.
“I think we’ve almost found it.” She pulled me along the coast path. “I can feel it.”
We were searching for Evangeline’s grave. Her friends were having a picnic a couple of miles down the coast, and we would join them once we were done.
But this was a journey just for us.
And Cordelia, who ran far ahead of us on the path.
A week ago, after we’d visited the seer in Silvius castle, we’d begun to look for the grave. Carrow wanted to do it, and I wanted her to be happy.