33. Epilogue Selene
The sand is warm beneath me, still holding the heat of the day, but the breeze off the water sends a pleasant chill over my skin. I stretch my legs out in front of me, wiggling my toes in the cool grains, and tilt my head back to look at the stars. They seem endless out here, untouched by city lights—sharp and brilliant against the night sky.
Theo shifts beside me, close enough that I can feel his warmth even though we’re not quite touching. He exhales contentedly. “You know,” he muses, “I think this trip has officially ruined me.”
I glance at him, amused. “Oh? How so?”
He turns to face me, resting his weight on one arm, his grin lazy and smug. “Because now I know what it’s like to travel the world with a gorgeous woman, and eat questionable street food, and I can pretend I know how to speak Japanese.”
I snort. “ Pretend is the keyword there. I don’t even know Japanese and I still know you butchered every single phrase.”
“Wow,” he gasps, clutching his chest. “That’s a bold accusation.”
“You literally told a waiter you were the chicken instead of ordering the chicken.”
Theo’s eyes widen in mock horror. “You were never supposed to mention that again.”
“Oh, please. That moment is seared into my brain forever.”
He groans, tipping his head back dramatically. “I was trying so hard to impress you.”
“Yeah? How’d that work out for you?”
He leans in slightly, his voice dropping. “Well, you’re still here, aren’t you?”
The warmth in his gaze sends a shiver through me that has nothing to do with the breeze.
I roll my eyes, pretending to be unimpressed. “Lucky for you, I have a soft spot for lost causes.”
“Lost cause?” he echoes, mock-offended. “I’ll have you know, I am an international man of culture now.”
“Oh yeah, Hot Shot? And what part of this trip made you cultured?”
He smirks. “The part where I drank my weight in sake and didn’t die.”
I huff a laugh, shaking my head. “Honestly, I’m still surprised you survived that night.”
He grins, nudging me with his knee. “Not just survived—thrived.”
I shake my head, but the smile stays on my lips. We sit in comfortable silence for a moment, the waves rolling in and out, the night wrapped around us like a soft, endless expanse.
Then Theo exhales dramatically. “We had a great trip,” he says, “but I’m still kind of bummed we didn’t get to see Umbra.”
I roll my eyes, shaking my head. “You and your concerts.”
“What? I like concerts,” he says, feigning offense. “And you have to admit, their shows are legendary. But then they went and canceled the entire tour, and I’ll never know what it’s like to scream my lungs out in the crowd while Ara belts out some heartbreaking anthem about love and death.”
“You are so dramatic.”
“Let me have this,” he pleads, eyes shining with laughter.
I shake my head, pretending to be exasperated. “Fine. I promise, when they go back on tour, I’ll make sure we get the VIP experience.”
His brows lift. “Have I told you today how thankful I am that you were able to even get us tickets to this show? I waited in the queue for 4 hours and couldn’t even get tickets.”
I only smile.
Because he has.
Because I could get us the best seats in the stadium without a ticket. Because my sister—who Theo has spent so much time around, who he thinks is just some stagehand for the band—is actually Ara , the lead singer of Umbra, the reason the tour was canceled in the first place.
But he doesn’t know that.
And it’s honestly hilarious.
“Well,” I say, tucking my knees to my chest, “VIP experience or not, it’s just not safe for them to tour right now.”
Theo nods slowly, gaze flickering back to the water. “Yeah. I still can’t believe someone tried to kidnap Ara.”
My stomach twists. You have no idea.
“It’s wild,” he continues, shaking his head. “Like, what kind of crazed fan does something like that?”
The words press against my ribs, but I keep my expression neutral. He doesn’t know the truth—that it wasn’t some obsessed fan acting on impulse. That it was planned . He doesn’t know about the messages that she found on her bed, or the things missing from her room.
That the reason she’s coming to Shadow Grove is to hide out until they find whoever was behind it.
He doesn’t know.
And I can’t tell him.
So I just nod, letting the conversation drift, until Theo, completely unaware of what he’s just said, adds, “At least your sister’s staying in town for a while. Must be nice, having her around since the band isn’t touring anymore.”
I nearly laugh. Oh, Theo.
He’s met my sister a dozen times. Talked to her. Shared meals with her. And yet, somehow, it has never once clicked that Celeste is Ara. That the lead singer of his favorite band has been in his cafe, has sat at his table, and has stolen his fries.
And he has no idea .
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from grinning. “Yeah,” I say, keeping my voice even. “It’ll be nice having her close.”
A comfortable silence settles between us, filled only by the sound of the waves rolling in and out. The moon hangs heavy above the horizon, casting a silver glow over everything.
Then Theo shifts, turning to me, and his voice is softer when he speaks. “Do you remember that night in the truck?”
I glance at him, brow furrowing. “You’re going to have to be more specific.”
He huffs a quiet laugh. “When we talked about our favorite places. You asked me where mine was, and I told you it was more of a feeling than a place. That anywhere could be home, as long as it felt like home.”
I remember.
I remember everything .
His voice is even quieter now. “You told me you hadn’t found yours yet.”
My throat tightens.
Theo watches me closely. “Do you think you have now?”
I don’t look at the water.
I don’t look at the sky.
I look at him .
And I say, “Yes.”
His breath catches.
I don’t have to say anything else.
He understands.
He reaches for my hand, threading his fingers through mine, and the waves crash the wind whispers, and the stars burn overhead.
And for the first time in my life, I don’t feel like I’m drifting.
I have found my home.
Thank You for Reading!