Epilogue
PART ONE
Calloway
One year later
Stone walls tower over us in the back courtyard of Lucian’s Westchester estate as fellow vampires Julian, Norwood, Gregory, Benjamin, Malik, and Wallace take seats on the benches in front of us.
Rook stands his ground in the back, his mind largely preoccupied with Kylie’s impending delivery of their first child and his general skepticism of everything otherwise ever-present.
The first year as the new head of the Council for this region has been tumultuous to say the least. Pushback, upset, and questions from the previously classed elite, along with support, excitement, and understanding from everyone else, have kept us much busier than we’d like.
For Rook, that’s meant an even grumpier mood at times.
Kane, on the other hand, loves all the fucking drama and attention and being at the helm of socializing.
“Gentlemen,” I greet, crossing my arms over my chest and getting down to the business of why I’ve called the men who fought alongside us in this very mansion last year here in the first place.
“I appreciate you coming, and more than that, we appreciate the support you’ve provided us over the last twelve months of transition.
We know there’s a long way to go in restoring universal order to the vampires as a whole, but I’m happy to say that the health and vitality of our group is thriving. ”
All three of our mates are pregnant, the number of fated mate pairings is at an all-time high, and as far as we can tell, there haven’t been any ill effects from nature running its own course with the bloodlines.
Holland and some of the other gofers involved in the underground trafficking of women are the biggest thorns in our sides in this region, but while I’d rather they were dead, they’re suffering more in their new stature—serving as blue-collar workers in the day-to-day, and for Holland specifically, working as a garbage man.
We keep a close eye on them too, just in case.
“We’re happy with things this way, Cal,” Julian says.
“It took a lot of balls to stand up for what was right, but I’m glad you did.
As soon as I returned home, I met my mate.
It took some courting, but as of six months ago, we’re officially bonded.
” He confirms our success firsthand. “I owe you gratitude, and as such, this meeting felt like the least I could do.”
“Same,” Malik agrees. “My mate is expecting. We just found out.”
“That’s great, Mal,” Kane congratulates. “Give Whitney my best wishes.”
Kane has done a particularly good job in his new role with vampire relations—which isn’t much of a surprise, and I’ve been more inclined to stick to the mechanics and logistics side of things.
Rook has handled any disgruntled complaints.
However, I’m pretty sure it wasn’t a nice meeting like this where he held their hand.
Daily life, however is much the same, just moved to the outskirts of a different city. I’m still working at my newly rebuilt shop, Kane’s still repossessing, and Rook still does his route every week. Though, we don’t necessarily need the money and tend to put in half the hours we used to.
Our living situation had to change a bit—given how the fucking gofers burned all our shit down—but it’s for the best. We rebuilt on the grounds where our cabin is, a compound-style family place.
Each of us has our own house now—mine, Rook’s, and Kane’s.
And the actual cabin itself serves as more of a guesthouse for people like Kylie’s Gammy and old roommate Alyssa, Blair’s sister Bonnie, and Romy’s best friend Hillary to come visit.
“Well, if you hadn’t guessed already, I brought you here with a larger purpose than just to give my repeated thanks,” I continue.
“We’ve invited you here because we need manpower.
There’s too much to manage for just the three of us, and with all the threats we receive from other groups on the daily, we need to be organized and capable.
We’d like the six of you to join us as members of the Council. ”
“We need the help, and you were the best we could find,” Kane adds teasingly, making the group laugh.
“You can take time to think on it,” I say. “You don’t have to agree now if you’re not ready, but—”
“I’m in,” Julian cuts me off to agree. “I’d do anything to keep things the way they are now. To keep the sanctity of what you’ve created here. So, yeah. I’m in.”
“Me too,” Benjamin agrees.
“Whitney’s been telling me I need something to keep me occupied so I stop worrying over her pregnancy so much. This fits the bill nicely,” Malik chimes in.
Kane laughs. “Speaking of worrying over pregnancy…” He hooks a thumb toward Rook. “That’s why you’re looking at a brick wall with this one. Kylie could go any minute.”
Rook growls, and I smother a smile. Just like with the kidnappings and the bonding craziness, I know Kane and I will both be eating our words soon when Romy and Blair are close to delivering too. It’s biological.
“Norwood, Gregory, Wallace?” I question. “What about you guys?”
Norwood nods. He’s the strong, silent type, so I don’t take offense at the lack of enthusiasm. If anything, that’s as good as seeing him jump up and down.
“It’s a cause I’d be proud to die for,” Gregory says solemnly, igniting Kane’s humor button again.
“Trust me, Greg, we’re hoping that doesn’t happen.”
“Things have been quiet,” I agree. “Being prepared is purely precautionary at this point.”
“Well, I can’t be the only guy to bow out,” Wallace finally says with a smile. “Not that I want to be. I’m in. You just tell me what I need to do.”
“Fuck!” Rook snaps in an outburst, making all of us jump, it’s so unexpected.
“What the hell?” Kane asks, his hands up in a karate-chop position that’s so damn comical I can’t help but laugh.
“Kylie’s in labor!” he yells, but I swear he’s already gone in a blur.
Kane holds up a hand before chasing after him, and I’m left to wrap things up.
“Anyway, we appreciate you all. But for now, I guess we’re going to have to cut this meeting short.”
Julian’s smile is genuine as he holds out a hand to shake mine. “Give Rook our best.”
I nod. “We’ll be in touch. Proud to have you as a part of our cause.”
PART TWO
Rook
One year later
I push through the door of mine and Kylie’s house, following the voices carrying from down the hall.
My jaw clenches when I hear Kylie grunt out in pain.
I burst into the spare bedroom, and the scent of sterile medical equipment hits me straight in the face. As parents of an unborn vampire baby, we have to be prepared for birth a little differently from most humans—aka deliver at home with a medical team that knows the deal.
Dr. Howard stands near the hospital bed we had shipped in just for this occasion, and two nurses move around him with practiced efficiency, but I barely register any of it.
Because all I fucking care about is Kylie.
She’s propped up against the pillows with her legs in stirrups. Her hair is damp and clinging to her skin, and her breathing is uneven as another wave of pain rolls through her. She grips the sheets, knuckles white, her whole body tightening against something that won’t let go.
I rush over to her without hesitation. My girl is strong. I know that. I’ve seen it. But this feels different. I don’t like it one fucking bit.
“I’m here, baby,” I whisper, reaching down to pull her hand into mine.
“Apparently, vampire babies come a lot quicker than human ones.” She offers a small smile, and I kiss her sweat-drenched forehead.
“I love you so fucking much.”
“I love you too,” she whispers through a clenched jaw. “But I’d also love to get our baby out of my body. Otherwise, I might end up as grumpy as you here soon.”
Another contraction hits, and her body tenses beneath my hand, her breath catching as pain overtakes her. Immediately, I drag my gaze to the doctor.
“How much longer, Doc?” I ask, my tone leaving no room for anything but a straight answer.
He meets my eyes briefly. “Not too much longer. You’re doing great, Kylie.”
Kylie moans through another contraction, her small body tensing up in ways that make my chest ache.
“Can’t you give her anything for the fucking pain?” I question, anger rising in my throat. “A fucking epidural or something?”
“Unfortunately, it’s too late for that,” Dr. Howard says, and there’s a huge part of me that wants to fucking throttle him.
I’m fine, Rook, Kylie pushes into my mind. Also, please don’t hurt the doctor. I need him to deliver our baby.
Fuck. I hate seeing you in pain, baby.
“I’m okay,” she says out loud, her voice strained but sure.
Her eyes lift to mine, and I hold her gaze for a second longer than necessary, searching for anything that tells me otherwise, but there’s nothing to be found.
The next stretch of time blurs into something that feels both too fast and not fast enough. I stay exactly where I am, her hand in mine, my body angled toward her like I can shield her from the worst of it, even though I know I can’t.
I watch every shift in her expression, every tightening of her jaw, every breath she pulls in as she pushes through something that would break most people.
But she doesn’t break because my Kylie is so fucking strong.
“Okay,” Dr. Howard announces with a smile. “Next two contractions, we’re going to have our baby.”
Kylie nods, already bracing herself, and when the next wave hits, she bears down with everything she has. A sound breaks from her—raw, unfiltered—and it cuts straight through me.
My grip tightens around her hand. “That’s it,” I murmur, even though I hate every second of this. “You’re doing so fucking good, baby. I’m so proud of you.”
She exhales sharply, her body trembling as the contraction eases.
“Last one, Kylie,” the doctor says. “And your baby will be here.”
I lean closer, my forehead nearly brushing hers. “You’ve got this,” I tell her, my voice rougher now. “I’ve got you.”