“I already had,” Ben said. “But I would have left again if I could.”
“Okay,” I said, feeling uneasy. “Where is this going?”
“We have something special between us,” Zach said.
“That magic we used isn’t normal,” Luka added. “We’d be crazy not to use it.”
“And crazy to split up,” Matt added.
“I agree with that,” I said. “But I have no idea where you’re going with this.”
“We can use it,” Zach said. “Years ago, there were organizations you could hire to hunt down dark magic or help find missing people. They haven’t been as prevalent lately. I think it’s time that makes a comeback.”
“Like private investigators? Or like vigilantes?” I asked.
“Maybe a little of both,” Luka said. “Either way, we start our own business. The five of us. And we use this magic to help people.”
“And if we happen to find out what happened to your family along the way, even better,” Matt added.
“What do you think?” Luka asked.
My heart was so full just looking at my mates. I didn’t have words for how I felt. They wanted to stay together. To use our magic to help people. What more could I ask for?
I set my glass down on the bar and walked closer to them and then spread my arms wide. “I think I’m the luckiest girl in the whole world.”
They moved in for the embrace. The five of us were all connected. We completed each other. And though they had struggled with sharing, we found a way to make it work.
“Come on,” Luka said, breaking away from the group hug. “Let’s go dance.”
I followed them all toward the dance floor, fully prepared to have the most fun night of my life.
I’d survived the trials, I’d passed the Academy of the Elites. I was about to be a graduate. And I was going to stay with all my mates.
I’d been through so much in the last year but I wouldn’t trade any of it. Because in the end, it was worth it to begin my life after the Academy like this.