Epilogue
AURORA
Six months later.
It was opening night for Maya’s latest production, and the Spotlight Theater was packed.
While this was the coven headquarters, the shows and movie screenings had always been human-friendly.
Not all the actors were witches, and the lighting and sound were done by human technicians.
Aurora loved how the theater served as a place for the whole neighborhood, not only witches and vampires.
Covens like the Thornfields only succeeded in isolation, and Aurora would much rather hide her magic ability in public than be cut off from so much of the world. Living amongst human society made life brighter.
Gia found her at the bottom of the stairs. “The doors are shut.”
The music swelled in the theater beyond. “You look excited.”
Gia grinned, her cheeks flushed. “I am. I might not have acting or singing skills, but I love this.”
“Yeah?” Aurora pulled her close. “Even with all the late nights and staffing drama.”
Gia rolled her eyes. “I’d hardly call it drama.”
In truth, the staff were great. Aurora had worked more closely with them when they’d first reopened for movie nights, but she was becoming less involved as time went on.
She wasn’t as enthusiastic about running the theater as Gia.
Especially when it came to the business side.
Aurora had quickly learned to avoid the office, and not because she’d once been trapped in there.
Gia, on the other hand, was all business, happily taking care of all the tasks that made Aurora’s mind fog over. Aurora might not mind hiding magic sometimes, but human work wasn’t for her.
Luckily, Gia had helped her settle on the perfect alternate career. The woman was full of brilliant ideas.
Gia glanced around the lobby. “I don’t think there’s anything else we need to do until intermission.”
The staff did seem to have it covered. “Shall we wait it out in the office?”
“An excellent idea.” Gia led her up the stairs and along the hall. “How was your class today?”
Aurora’s stomach flipped. “I think it went well.”
At Gia’s suggestion, Aurora had started helping one of the coven elders teach magic lessons. After Aurora had taught her the magic basics, Gia had claimed she was a natural teacher.
While most witches were taught by their parents, family members, or tutors, Gia wasn’t the only one to miss out and find themselves an adult in need of training.
Working with children wasn’t for Aurora, but she loved teaching adults, whether it was basic stuff or more complex theory.
She was even helping run an advanced session on magical research, diving deep into counter spell construction.
Picking things apart and building new spells stretched Aurora’s mental legs in a way working in the theater simply hadn’t.
She loved living in the human world, but magic needed to be her main endeavor.
“It only went well?” Gia asked as they reached the office, her teasing tone clear.
“Okay, it was great. I’ve got a bunch of reading to do before we test our latest theory, and the beginners did so well yesterday.”
Gia beamed, shutting the door behind her and clicking the lock. “I love seeing you happy.”
Aurora pressed her against the door. “Yeah, well, I love seeing you happy. You’re glowing.”
Gia’s hands settled at her waist. “That’s because I have something important to ask you.”
“Oh?” Aurora brushed Gia’s hair off her forehead, butterflies swarming her chest.
Gia’s hands tightened. “Will you move in with me?”
Aurora crushed her into a kiss, their mouths meeting in a rush, bodies pressed tight. “I’d love to.”
She’d been living with Lilly and her other roommates, and while it was fun, Aurora was ready to settle into her relationship with Gia.
She wanted to marry this woman. Raise beautiful fur-babies with her.
See musicals and ballets and whatever else Maya decided to produce for the Spotlight stage.
She wanted to watch old movies in the balcony, and kiss in the street.
She wanted everything with Gia. It was a life Aurora feared she’d never have, and now that it was hers, she and Gia were going to make the most of it. Nothing held back.
Vengeance had been sweet, but this was sweeter.
The End