Epilogue
Palmer
Ikicked my feet up on Felix's desk, ignoring his annoyed huff as I scrolled through the latest security reports on my phone, spinning one of my bunny blades in my other hand.
Port Black was running smoothly, our territory expanding after taking over what used to be Scorpion turf.
My mates had been hesitant at first to let me take such an active role in gang operations, but I'd quickly proven myself invaluable. That and the fact that the gang members themselves threatened to mutiny if they didn’t agree to let me participate.
That was my favorite part. I knew they would’ve given in eventually, but seeing the looks on their faces, especially Rhodes’ and Ash’s, when Rooster straight up ignored their orders and instead looked to me for confirmation. Priceless.
"Get your boots off my desk," Felix grumbled, but I could feel his amusement through our bond.
"Make me," I challenged, not looking up from my phone. A chill brushed against my neck, which was Jasper's way of warning me that Felix was about to pounce.
I rolled out of the chair just as Felix lunged, laughing as he crashed into his own desk. "Thanks for the heads up, Jasper."
Jasper stepped beside me, solid and real now thanks to our resurrection mating ritual. His auburn hair fell in his green eyes as he smirked. "Always happy to help thwart my brother's plans."
"Traitor," Felix muttered, but there was no heat in it. We'd all grown closer since the bonding, our emotions and thoughts intertwined in ways I was still getting used to.
My phone buzzed with an alert from one of our street crews. "Heads up—possible Scorpion activity in the warehouse district."
Felix's playful demeanor vanished, and Snake rushed into the room, hopping up onto the desk, nosey as ever. "Details?"
"Some of their old enforcers were spotted meeting with new faces. Could be recruiting." I pulled up the surveillance photos our people had managed to snap.
Jasper peered over my shoulder, his presence solid and warm against my back. "They're getting desperate. Eight weeks without leadership has fractured them."
"Good," I said coldly. After what Scorpio had done, I had zero sympathy for any of his remaining followers.
The mate bond hummed with protective energy as my demons sensed my darkening mood. Misha appeared in the doorway, drawn by our emotions. "What's wrong?"
"Scorpions are scurrying," Felix explained out loud and through the link, moving to the wall of monitors that tracked activity across our territory.
I felt Talon and Ash tune into our mental connection, their attention shifting from whatever they'd been doing. Rhodes was already on his way down from his office upstairs. Now that we’d all bonded, we were all able to communicate telepathically.
It was awesome, although there had been some learning curves to it.
Like the mortifying night when Rhodes, thinking he was only communicating with Jasper, sent a detailed, explicit play-by-play of exactly what he wanted to do to me later.
I'd been in a meeting with our street captains when the images flooded my mind, making me choke on my water so badly that Felix had to pound on my back.
The knowing smirks from my other mates told me they'd received the same mental pictures.
The worst had been three days after the bonding, when I'd been soaking in the bath and idly thinking about each of my mates, comparing.
.. certain attributes. I hadn't realized I was broadcasting until Talon burst into hysterical laughter somewhere in the house, followed by several male voices shouting various versions of "I knew it!
" and "Told you so!" I’d simply slid beneath the hot bath water and contemplated just remaining there. Forever. But I couldn’t help but laugh about it now.
Ash had since instituted what he called "mental manners training," which basically involved Rhodes lecturing everyone on maintaining proper psychic boundaries.
Talon, of course, deliberately violated these at every opportunity, usually by sending random animal noises or snippets of annoying songs at three in the morning.
‘We should hit them now, while they're weak,’ Talon suggested through the bond.
‘Agreed,’ Ash chimed in. ‘Better to crush them completely than let them rebuild.’
I pushed away from Felix's desk, already planning. “I'll take a team to scout the warehouse district. If they're really recruiting—”
‘No.’ Six voices rang out simultaneously, both aloud and in my head.
I winced, rubbing my temple. ‘Indoor voices in the mental link, please. We talked about this.’
‘Sorry,’ came six sheepish responses, still in unison but at least quieter.
"Also," I growled, realizing that they’d just shot down my plan, "I'm not made of glass."
"No one's saying you are," Rhodes said as he entered, his energy crackling with tension. "But you're too valuable to risk on a scouting mission."
"I'm a spirit witch and your mate. I can handle myself." But even as I argued, I felt their fear and love washing over me through our connection. They'd almost lost me once to Scorpio and Asrael. The thought of it happening again was unbearable to them.
Jasper's hand squeezed my shoulder. "Let the street crews gather intel first. If there's real trouble, we'll handle it together."
I sighed, knowing when to pick my battles. "Fine. But I'm not sitting on the sidelines if this turns into a real fight."
"Wouldn't dream of asking you to," Misha said with a wicked grin. "You're scarier than all of us combined when you're angry."
"Damn straight." I pulled up our territory map on Felix's monitors. "Now, let's figure out where these assholes are hiding and make sure they know exactly who runs this city now."
The mate bond hummed with dark satisfaction as we began to plan. The Scorpions wanted to play? Fine. But they'd learn quickly that messing with The Exiled was a fatal mistake.
A knock at the door interrupted our planning session.
One of our prospects shuffled in, clutching an ornate scroll like it was the most precious item on earth.
Also, this kid in particular was very cautious.
Ever since Misha let him out of that holding cell and offered him a place in the gang, he’d been like a golden retriever puppy.
"This just arrived for you, boss," he said, handing the scroll to Ashland while keeping a close side-eye on Misha. The second Ash had the thing in his hand, the prospect bolted. Smart kid.
"What's that?" I asked, pushing off from where I'd been leaning against Felix's desk. The paper looked expensive, all cream-colored with gold leaf edges. Definitely not our usual correspondence of threats and territorial disputes.
Ashland broke the emerald green wax seal, his ice-blue eyes scanning the contents. A rare smile tugged at his lips. "Well, well. Looks like my sister is making it official."
"Official?" I perked up, happy that Saige and Ashland were actually communicating. She’d reached out, and we’d went to Emerald Lakes just last weekend to visit. We ended up staying in this apartment above her magic shop. The visit had gone well, aside from some unsurprisingly hilarious things.
"A coronation ceremony and a wedding," Ashland confirmed, passing the invitation around. "The Emerald Lakes crew isn't wasting any time cementing their claim to the throne."
I felt Talon's excitement spike through our bond before he even opened his mouth.
"Fuck yes! A proper demon celebration! And oh my goodness, I’ll need to gather some new presents for our precious nieces!
" He bounced on his toes like an overeager puppy.
Seeing these guys with two infants had been an experience.
"And I need to find Faris—that blood mage still owes me a food fight rematch in the castle kitchens.
And I've got the most brilliant idea involving the fountain and some creative uses for dragon fire. .."
"No," all six of us said simultaneously, making Talon pout.
"He’s my new best friend and you guys are no fun," he grumbled, but his eyes still gleamed with mischief. I made a mental note to warn Saige's crew about whatever chaos my mate was planning.
"When is it?" I asked, trying to peek at the invitation over Rhodes' shoulder. He tilted it so I could see better, his arm wrapping around my waist. Snake wasn’t one to be left out so he hopped onto Rhodes’ shoulder, as though he could read the paper himself.
Rhodes tried to shoo him away, swearing about rodents messing up his clothes, and Snake tried to bite him.
My grumpy demon left him right where he was after that.
Snake was constantly doing things to annoy Rhodes now that he knew how to push his buttons.
I think they secretly loved each other the most.
“In a month," Misha answered, already thinking of logistics. I could feel him mentally cataloging everything we'd need to arrange. "The ceremony is in Besmet, and the wedding is in Emerald Lakes. We'll need to shore up security here before we leave."
"And find something suitable to wear," Felix added. "Can't have our little bunny showing up to her first demon court function looking anything less than devastating."
I rolled my eyes, but warmth bloomed in my chest at their obvious pride in claiming me as theirs. "I can dress myself, you know."
"Oh, we know," Jasper purred, as he traced a finger down my spine. "But watching you try on outfits is half the fun."
Heat flooded my cheeks as memories of our last "shopping trip" flashed through my mind. The changing room at that boutique would never be the same.
"Focus," Ashland commanded, but amusement colored his tone. "This isn't just a celebration—it's a political statement. The first demon-witch queen of Besmet, married to demons, mages, and dragons. Every power player in the realm will be watching."
"Including any Asrael loyalists who managed to slither away," Rhodes added darkly.
I straightened, steel entering my voice. "Let them try something. Between us and Saige's crew, they wouldn't stand a chance."
“Any updates from Hunter?” Jasper asked, thoughtfully.
We’d been in touch, but I hadn’t seen him since that fight with Slade.
“Last I heard he’d finally found Fern and she’s being held in some facility.
He’s been helping Khol find others like her.
Young adult witches and mages with out of control power who have either had no training or dark pasts that affected how they use their magic.
” I shrugged. “It sounds like Hunt’s kind of taken this on as his personal mission to help give back.
I know he feels guilty after working for Asrael all of those years. ”
“Well, he shouldn’t.” Felix picked up his tablet and began tapping on the screen, always eager to keep busy. “What Asrael did to you two, along with countless others, was out of your control.”
I sighed. “I know that. Hunter knows that, deep down. It’s going to be a long healing process and if this helps him get through that process? I’m all for it.”
"That's my supportive Bun-Bun," Talon crowed, swooping in to plant a kiss on my temple. "Now, about the rematch, I was thinking..."
"NO!" we all shouted again, but I couldn't help laughing. Soon, we’d be in Besmet, surrounded by demons, dragons, and who knew what else, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Through our bond, I felt my mates' love and possessive pride wrap around me. We had battles ahead, no doubt, but we'd face them together. The Exiled and their spirit witch, ready to show all of the world exactly how powerful we could be.
Talon did a perfectly executed backflip and struck a pose. "I hope Emerald Lakes can handle a Port Black invasion…"