Epilogue #4
“I’ll certainly try, but our numbers have always been limited.
Becoming strong takes years, the process needs to start when you’re very young, and it has to be in your bloodline.
” He tilts his head in my direction, a subtle salute.
“But I’ve recently learned you don’t need to be a Hunter to fight monsters—and rumor has it that there are some wolves in Stockton who’ve been keeping the vamps in line. Thought I might try to contact them.”
“You mean, reach out to actual werewolves?” We pass a guy in stained activewear, camped out on a blanket on the street. His eyes shoot up at me, shocked, so I duck my head and lower my voice considerably. “As a Monster Hunter?”
Rafa gives a low laugh. “I get it’s out-of-the-box thinking—but turns out what I was taught about paranormals might not have been 100% true.” He nudges his shoulder against mine. The pressure sends a subtle warmth through my bicep. “That’s another thing you gave me.”
We turn the corner, passing the grimy pit that serves as the entrance to BART on this side, to make our way over to the street where his shiny black tank of an SUV is parked.
At least some foot traffic moves in and out of the low-rent hotels around us, which is probably the only reason no one’s touched it.
Back at the office, I’d been afraid he might be mad at me or something, but now that it’s just us, every glance he’s given me, every gesture, even his tone of voice—he’s being nothing but gentle and warm.
And he certainly doesn’t look wasted away or in withdrawal or whatever.
Still, I search Rafa’s face, residual anxiety pressing inside my chest. “Look, do you promise you’re really okay?
That I didn’t mess you up somehow? This whole week I’ve been crazy worried I hurt you! ”
He purses his lips and ducks his head, a bit ashamed.
“I’m sorry, Alvin. Even with how we left things, I should have realized you’d feel that way.
And honestly, I did need a little space to get my head right after.
But I swear, you didn’t hurt me—you freed me.
” His eyes light up. “All these years, since my parents were killed, I’ve been in pain—lost, really—and in a way I wasn’t even aware of.
Then, after being with you… I’m not going to pretend I’m like on some higher level or anything, but I just know what I need to do now, and that I totally can do it.
At least with a little help.” We stop next to his car, and he turns to face me.
A lanky dude in torn jeans and a hoodie sprints past us towards BART, and Rafa’s palm gently cups my arm, guiding me against the side door.
Then he bites his lip shyly. “That’s the other change, I guess.
And another reason why I needed a few days.
After not letting myself get close to anyone pretty much my whole life, I think I finally feel ready. You know—to get close.”
His grip lingers and his thumb strokes the side of my triceps in a way that feels unconscious.
He’s near enough for my incubus senses to pick up on the body heat from his chest—the same heat that warmed me in his coat before.
I’m not going to lie, even though it annoyed me before, there is part of me that likes Rafa’s strong hand on me now.
Part of that is the relief in finally knowing for sure that he’s okay.
That we’re okay. But part of it is enjoying his touch.
He tilts his head, his muscular frame suddenly uncertain. “I was actually wondering if maybe we could have dinner tonight and talk more about that. That I could… make up for the radio silence by taking you someplace special.”
“Oh!” I say, feeling really embarrassed for some reason. A fresh blush rises to my cheekbones. “Well I, uh, actually have plans tonight.”
I glance over at Collin, who is happily leaning against the parking meter, watching the two of us—not the least bit threatened by any of this.
Rafa follows my eyes, his own face becoming a bit more neutral. “You mean with the Avatar?”
“With Collin. Yes.” There’s no point in beating around the bush. Still, I bite my lower lip and wince. “It’s kind of a date, actually.”
Rafa nods and removes his hand. There’s disappointment in his eyes, but he does a good job covering. “All right. Maybe some other time, then.”
“Definitely.” I don’t want him thinking I’m not interested in being friends, especially after everything we did, so I continue. “Things are… a little up in the air right now, but I should know in a couple days when I’ll be free.”
That would be after I confirm brunch day with Mom. The last thing I need is for those two to cross paths.
“Can I call you?” I ask.
“Of course.” He smiles. “Just like I told your boss, call day or night. I promise, I’ll pick up this time.”
He lifts both his arms while I just raise one hand, and there is an awkward moment where we jockey and it’s not clear if we’re going to hug or shake.
It turns out we do neither. He just gives my shoulder an affectionate little punch and says “I’ll see you around, then,” before rounding the front of his vehicle to climb into the driver’s side.
And somehow that totally casual bro-gesture leaves things feeling even more charged than if we had embraced.
I watch him drive off north through the narrow channel of tourist hotels and restaurants lining the street, still feeling the impression his touch left on my arm.
“You don’t have to choose, you know…”
I turn and Collin is standing at my side. His soft blue eyes radiate warmth.
He continues. “There’s no reason you can’t be with both him and me.”
“He might have a reason.” I furrow my brow, caught off guard. “Wait. Are you saying… you don’t want to be exclusive?”
That gets a chuckle out of him. “Considering what I am, that’s not actually a choice I can make.
If you’re asking if you’re enough for me, though, you absolutely are.
” A slight tension forms along his jawline, his expression becoming more measured.
“But I’m not flesh and blood. There are ways I can’t be there for you and ways that being with him could make you a lot stronger—which, if you’re now meeting with fae queens, might not be such a bad thing.
” He catches my frown and his smile immediately springs back, sympathetic and sincere.
“Ah, come on now—no need to look so worried, Alvin. This isn’t self-sacrifice.
I really meant it when I said I’m not the jealous type. ”
I exhale and try to relax my face—but not because I agree with him.
“And what if I really mean it when I say I’m happy to just be with you?”
“Then I’m dead glad to hear it. All I’m saying is you don’t need to turn away from other possibilities. You don’t need to wall off this part of yourself at all anymore.”
“The incubus part, you mean.” I’m frowning again.
“The part that has so much love to give—and experience. As long as you’re happy and safe, I promise you, I’ll have all I need.”
I drop my hand into my side pocket to feel thin lines of engraving over a shallow dome of metal. They remind me of a cage.
“Even trapped in a torture box of a watch?”
He removes my hand from the pocket and places it between his own.
“Listen to me, love. If I’m with my wonderful, brave, unstoppable Alvin, I’ll never feel trapped. We found out how to free me, and I’m not interested—because I’m exactly where I need to be.”
He’s leaning in, close and achingly sincere, and his words spark a swell of joy in my chest. I squeeze his soft fingers without even thinking about it.
I don’t care how I look to the three randoms with their bright roller bags now making their way past me into the nearby hotel lobby.
I hold Collin’s gaze and do all I can to let my emotions show clearly on my face.
I want him to know how much I care about him.
“Well, I feel the same. Look, sure, I do like Rafa. And if I think I need to do any exploring or free-range sex-demon grazing or whatever, I promise, I’ll let you know.
But you’re the first boyfriend I’ve ever had.
Every moment with you feels like discovering a whole new world.
And the only thing I want right now is to find out where you’re going to take us on our date tonight. ”
Collin grins. “Well, that’s grand, then—because I’ve decided it’s time to take you back home.”
The wave-like hills beneath us are covered with large carpets of lavender-colored flowers that ripple in a warm, gentle breeze.
The sunset above echoes their soft purple, and it’s framed by fluffy clouds, edged with pink and pale yellow.
Clusters of sheep dot the landscape like little brown and gray cotton balls, and at this distance, their plaintive bleats are soothing.
The sweet-pea-sized yellow flowers in the bushes around us fill the air with vanilla, and underneath it, I inhale fresh salt air carried in from the sea.
Collin and I are tucked between the shallow peaks of two large hills, and his back rests against a pillar-like stone carved with weathered runes.
I’m resting snugly against him in the evening cool, and he’s wrapped both his arms and most of his woolen cloak around us both, surrounding me with his warmth and his woodsmoke scent.
It’s definitely a vibe.
“This is beautiful,” I say.
Collin breathes in the fragrance of the air and takes in the landscape.
“I’ve no memories from before the watch, but whenever I try to think of where I came from, this is the image that comes to me.
I’ve never been able to experience it as anything real before now, but with you, anything is possible. ”
He pulls me in tighter, and I feel his breath against the back of my neck.
We haven’t had any sexy times since before he got taken from me.
I was still recovering from the god-tier magic over the last week, so the most we’ve done is cuddle a little bit on my couch.
But after seeing Emma today, after training with Ms. Stryker, even after talking to Rafa, things feel more settled somehow—and my guy is being as adorably charming as ever.
When our eyes meet, I lean in and kiss him deeply. Again and again.
We’ve been sharing mead from a wooden cup. The ancient drink starts out honey-sweet before finishing with the tartness of infused blackberries. I was surprised it was so fizzy when I had my first sip. Its tang is on his tongue, and I let myself savor it.
Of course, we aren’t really in ancient Ireland right now.
Less than an hour ago, I changed into Mom’s porn PJs and crawled under the covers in my bedroom, before Collin brought us here.
Now, I’m wearing the same woolen clothing he is—a green tunic with leather belt and shoes.
Soft light-gray pants. It’s a little itchy in places, but it’s also cozy and warm. It makes me feel closer to him.
He’s brought me into his world, so I know, on some level, this is all a dream.
But over the last several days, I’ve learned to appreciate dreams. Big dreams I never thought would come true, like the one I had about helping people with my magic.
And smaller, more intimate dreams, like finding someone who could actually love me.
Dreams Collin has made real.
“What are you thinking, Alvin?” My sweet magical boyfriend has come up for air. He strokes my cheek with the side of his thumb.
“Just about how perfect this is. And how lucky I am that someone like you wants to be with me.”
The diffuse evening light makes his blond curls glow.
“We both have a lot to be grateful for. And there are loads more class things I can show you! I’ve always wanted to experience Tokyo DisneySea.
A rake of humans have been there, so I’ll be able to recreate it down to the studs: the food, the rides—even the mad crowds! ”
I laugh. “All right. Well, I’ll look forward to that.” I roll myself around completely so I can slide him down to the lush, sweet grass in front of the stone. So I can bring my body fully on top of his. “But for now, I just want to make this one perfect date last for as long as I can.”
A spark of mischief flashes in his eyes as his fingernails stroke their way up the curve of my butt. “Is that so? I might be a bit curious myself how long you can last. This time.”
Feigning outrage, I cry out “Rude!” and playfully grab his wrists, one after the other, and lock them by his ears with both hands.
I narrow my eyes and try to look deadly serious. “But… challenge accepted.”
He grins wickedly in response, right before I suck on his neck. And he makes such awesomely cute little moans and whimpers, I can’t help but cover him in marks. Sometimes it’s fun to overwhelm another guy with desire—at least this way. If you really like him.
When it seems like he can’t stand the teasing anymore, we tug free of our coarse wool garments and press close again, skin against skin, cock against cock, rolling and edging on the yielding grass, each determined to outlast the other. Playful and full of love.
It turns out the elf was right when he first blackmailed me—I was never going to get to choose a human life.
And that means there are big challenges ahead.
Meeting a scary fae queen. Building a friendship with a Monster Hunter.
Making peace with my evil and now terrifyingly protective mother.
Trying to understand this power inside me that keeps wanting to blow up the planet.
At some point, I will need to wake up and deal with all of that.
But right here, right now, Collin and I are living our happiest dream together. And if this is what it means to be paranormal, then I honestly wouldn’t trade it for anything else.
Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed Alvin's story as much as I loved writing it.