Epilogue
ZIRA
one year later
Ever since I was a little girl, I had always dreamed of ruling the Marked Blooms Syndicate. Violence and power were like air and water to me, things I needed to survive, and it seemed logical that sitting on a throne, looking down at it all, was the only place I could possibly thrive.
But in reality, a secret society is still business.
And running a business isn’t always easy.
But does it eventually become easier? Sure.
The Marked Blooms Syndicate was simply a network with the ability to call on other wealthy criminals to help each other out.
And what better way to network than to get a bunch of people in the same room and let everyone have their way with their mutual enemies?
A couple with dark hair and gleaming black masks stood to the side of one of the dungeon rooms. Lena and Desmond Callen owned pharmaceutical and medical companies that I loved having access to.
And I liked them even better now that Lena was an official Syndicate member.
And though I didn’t want children of my own, I had a soft spot for their little one: a boy with dark hair, just like them.
But he was with the nanny tonight, and the two of them watched, dressed in black, as another couple took turns screwing one of our enemies from each end.
The enemy screamed like a donkey, but it was so invigorating to hear his cries.
To know that someone who had tried to steal from the Syndicate was paying for their actions. It filled me with pride.
I waltzed down the corridor, adjusting the sleek black mask against my face, making sure that my crown of rubies and teeth sat on the top of my head.
The crown got heavier with teeth and jewels each time Hazard got his hands on it.
Kylie and Finn Carter stood off to the side of the ballroom in matching black lace masks.
Kylie burrowed her head into Finn’s neck, and he put a beefy arm around her.
He owned an assassin company, and I liked having that option at my disposal.
Kylie eyed my stomach, then met my eyes.
I knew what she was thinking, even if she didn’t say it.
She had recently had a third child and had inquired several times as to whether or not Hazard and I would have any of our own.
Hazard and I were married now, but I wasn’t pregnant.
I had my surgery long before I met Hazard, but even back then, I had my eggs stored in case I changed my mind.
For now, that wasn’t in the cards for us.
In a way, every member of the Syndicate was our child, and we wanted to make sure they blossomed in their own sadistic ways.
“How does it feel to be on top?” Kylie asked, burying her real question. Finn squeezed her closer to him, a protective arm around her. As if he didn’t want me to get any closer to her. I didn’t let that gesture bother me; instead, I winked.
“Like perfection,” I said. I stroked her shoulder, then turned to the side. “Excuse me. I need to find my king.”
Both couples—the Callens and the Carters—were part of the board now, as well as a few others.
I liked it that way. With more of us, there were better ideas to throw around, even if I—and my king—had the deciding vote.
Of course, masks were still required at Masquerades—that was a unanimous vote—but initiates no longer had to bring sacrifices.
Once they captured a rival, they instead had to participate in the sacrifice of that rival.
All of which died horribly fun deaths. It was part of the plan.
Once you streamline your secret society’s rules and regulations, setting up the right people with the right tasks, there’s no reason for your enemies to grow.
You just kill them. We’d have to cut off membership invitations, but that would make our Syndicate more exclusive.
Or maybe we’d kill random people for fun!
I didn’t know, but as long as it wasn’t off-balance, I didn’t care what happened.
And that unknown future made it more interesting.
A man in a bull mask came up to my side, snaking a hand around my waist. An onyx band circled his bony ring finger, marking his union with me. A guillotine gleamed in the next room, one that we had plans for later.
“That guillotine is calling us. You ready for the celebration, my queen?” Hazard asked. “One year since you burned this place to the ground.”
One year since I had killed my father. So much had happened in a year, and it had passed quicker than I could blink. Even through all of the bureaucratic nonsense and stagnation, Hazard had stayed by my side.
I wanted to share the world with him. Now, and forever.
“You want to share the show and let people watch us?” I asked, pursing my lips. “I didn’t realize you were such a giver.”
He laughed, then grabbed the back of my hair. Lifting his mask, he pulled me into a deep kiss, forcing his tongue down my throat. I melted against him.
“Of course not,” he said, breaking away from my lips. “I want you all to myself.” He let his mask fall back down over his eyes. “I fucking love you, my psycho queen.”
“And I love you, my mad king.”
THE END