Epilogue
Viktor dried the last plate and set it in the cabinet while Ant wiped down the counters.
Bridget and Robert had left twenty minutes ago, taking their debate about pizza toppings with them, and the house had settled into the kind of quiet that Viktor had learned to appreciate.
Not the silence of an empty building or the tense stillness before violence, but the comfortable hush of home.
Able dozed in his bed by the window, belly full of illicit steak scraps, occasionally twitching as he dreamed.
“That was nice,” Ant said, rinsing the cloth in the sink.
“Yeah.” Viktor hung the dish towel on its hook. “Your sister’s scary when she gets going.”
“She’s the only person I know who’s threatened to sue the Justiciary.”
“Exactly.” Viktor grinned. “Remind me never to piss her off.”
“You won’t.” Ant turned to face him, gray eyes serious. “You’re too important to her now. She considers you family.”
Family. He’d spent centuries without one, moving through the world like a ghost, and now he had a neurodivergent mage who took everything literally, a terrifying lawyer sister-in-law, and a very spoiled German shepherd.
Not a bad deal, he thought, reaching out to tuck a strand of blond hair behind Ant’s ear.
Ant leaned into the touch for a moment, then stepped back and surveyed the kitchen, checking for any spare dishes. “Everything’s clean. We should…”
The dish towel on the counter suddenly floated upward.
Ant blinked. “What?”
Viktor, who’d slipped into invisibility the moment Ant looked away, carefully moved the towel through the air in a lazy circle.
“Viktor.”
The towel drifted higher.
“I can sense your presence through our bond, you realize.” But Ant’s voice sounded amused. “You’re standing approximately two feet to my left.”
Viktor shifted right and dangled the towel directly over Ant’s head.
“Now you’re behind me.”
Damn. Viktor dropped the towel onto Ant’s shoulder and reappeared, grinning. “Can’t blame me for trying.”
“I absolutely can blame you.” But Ant was smiling. “That was childish.”
“You loved it.”
“I tolerated it because it was you.”
“Same thing.”
Ant turned fully to face him, and Viktor caught the mischievous glint in those gray eyes a heartbeat too late. The cabinet behind Viktor suddenly swung open, and every single plate they’d just put away floated out in perfect formation.
“Jesus Christ…”
“Telekinesis is a basic skill,” Ant said mildly, while twelve dinner plates orbited his head like a planetary system. “Would you like me to juggle them?”
“You’re going to break something.”
“I’m a highly skilled mage. I’m not going to break anything.” To prove his point, Ant sent the plates spinning faster, adding the coffee mugs into the rotation. “See? Perfectly controlled.”
Viktor stared at the flying dishware, then at his mate’s smug expression, and started laughing. “Okay,” he managed. “Okay, you win.”
“I usually do.” Ant guided the plates and mugs back into the cabinet, each one settling into its proper spot. “But your invisibility trick was amusing. You should do it more often.”
“Yeah?”
“Within reason.” Ant stepped closer, close enough that Viktor could see the exhaustion still lingering at the corners of his eyes, the faint bruise on his temple from where he’d collapsed after destroying the ward matrix. “Perhaps when we’re not handling fragile kitchenware.”
Viktor cupped Ant’s face, thumb brushing over that bruise with infinite gentleness. “How are you really feeling?”
“Tired,” Ant admitted. “My magical reserves are still recovering. But I’m fine, Viktor. Anytime I feel off-kilter, I just remind myself that we’re safe and we’re home.”
Fuck, I love him, Viktor thought, not for the first time and definitely not for the last.
Ant’s pupils dilated slightly. “I can feel what you’re thinking.”
“Good.” Viktor bent to kiss him, slowly and thoroughly, savoring the small sound Ant made against his mouth. “It saves me from having to explain.”
“You understand me perfectly.” Ant kissed him again, harder this time, fingers threading through Viktor’s hair. When they finally broke apart, Ant’s cheeks were flushed, and his breathing had quickened. “Bedroom?”
“Yep.” Viktor swept his mate up without warning, grinning at Ant’s undignified yelp. “Definitely bedroom.”
“Why do you keep thinking I can’t use my legs?”
“I know you can.” Viktor headed for the stairs, cradling Ant against his chest. “But this is faster.”
“That’s not…” Ant stopped, clearly running the calculations. “Actually, yes. This is approximately forty percent faster than if we walked together, accounting for your longer legs.”
“Only you would know the percentage behind it.”
“You like it.”
Viktor took the stairs two at a time. “Babe, I fucking love it.”
/~/~/~/~/
Their bedroom was dark except for the moonlight filtering through the curtains.
Viktor set Ant down beside the bed and immediately pulled him close again, hands sliding beneath his mate’s shirt to map warm skin.
Ant made a soft sound and arched into the touch, his own fingers working at the buttons of Viktor’s shirt.
“You’re overdressed,” Ant murmured.
“So are you.”
They stripped off, clothes discarded in a careless pile that Ant would probably organize in the morning because he couldn’t stand mess in the bedroom. Viktor guided his mate back onto the mattress, following him down and bracketing Ant’s body with his own.
For a moment, they just looked at each other. Ant reached up and traced Viktor’s jaw, his collarbone, the faintest of scars that decorated Viktor’s chest from fights that played out centuries before they’d met. “You’re beautiful.”
Viktor huffed a laugh. “I’m a monster, babe.”
“No.” Ant’s expression turned fierce. “You’re a vampire and my mate, and if I call you beautiful it’s because you are to me.”
He meant it. Every syllable. In Ant’s ordered, logical worldview, Viktor wasn’t a predator or a killer or a shadow - he was simply Viktor, and that was enough.
How the fuck did I get this lucky?
Viktor kissed him instead of answering, pouring everything he felt into the slide of lips and tongue. Ant responded with surprising aggression, rolling them over so he straddled Viktor’s hips, pale hair falling forward to frame his face.
“Let me,” Ant said quietly.
Viktor’s hands settled on his mate’s thighs. “Whatever you want.”
Ant bent down and kissed him again, slower this time, exploring with the same methodical focus he brought to everything. Viktor let himself sink into it, into the careful attention Ant paid to what made him shiver or gasp, the way his mate noted every response like data to be analyzed and applied.
There was a zing of magic, and Viktor knew he wouldn’t be on prep duty this time. When Ant finally shifted to take him in, Viktor had to close his eyes against the overwhelming sensation. Fuck. His mate was tight and so perfect, Viktor was ready to blow at a second’s notice.
“Okay?” Ant asked, sounding breathless.
“Yeah. You?” Oh, look. I can still form words.
“I’m exactly where I want to be.” Ant began to move slowly, seeming to want to savor every sensation. Viktor gripped his hips and let his mate set the pace, fighting the urge to flip them over and take control.
He needs this, Viktor reminded himself. After Claudius, after being trapped, he needs to choose.
So Viktor held on and let Ant take what he needed, watching pleasure transform his mate’s usually serious expression into something open and unguarded. The bond sang between them, creating a feedback loop of sensation and emotion that blurred the line between where Viktor ended and where Ant began.
“Viktor,” Ant gasped, rhythm faltering.
“I’ve got you.” Viktor sat up, wrapping his arms around Ant’s back and pulling him close so they moved together. “Always got you, babe.”
Ant buried his face against Viktor’s shoulder and came apart with a choked sound that went straight to Viktor’s core.
The smell of Ant’s spunk was enough to drag Viktor over the edge with him, and he sank his teeth into Ant’s shoulder, savoring a few mouthfuls of his mate’s blood, before licking the small marks closed.
For several long moments, they just held each other, focused on their shared breath and the way their hearts beat as one.
Eventually, Ant pulled back, looking dazed and satisfied. “That was…”
“Yeah.”
“Very thorough.”
Viktor laughed and kissed his temple. “From you, that’s high praise.”
“You’re biased.”
“Damn right I am.” Viktor eased them down onto the mattress, tucking Ant against his side. His mate’s heartbeat was gradually slowing as his body relaxed. “Just so you know, you scared the shit out of me at that estate.”
Ant was quiet for a moment. “I scared myself,” he admitted. “When I was trapped in that loop, I thought...I thought I might not find my way back to you.”
“But you did.” Viktor’s hand cupped Ant’s face, thumb brushing his cheekbone. “You called for me, and I came. Keep remembering that babe, because that’s how it works. You call, I answer. Always.”
“Always,” Ant repeated softly, like he was testing the weight of the promise.
“For as long as we’re both breathing.” Viktor pressed a kiss to his forehead. “Longer, if I can manage it. I told you before - there’s nowhere else I’d rather be than right here with you.”
Ant’s eyes were starting to drift closed, but he smiled. “I love you, too.”
It was rare for Ant to say it directly - usually the bond said it for him - but when he did, it hit Viktor straight in the chest every single time.
“I know.” Viktor pulled the blanket over them both. “Now sleep, precious. We’re safe. We’re home.”
Ant was quiet for a moment. Then he said, “I am. Because of you.”
Ant’s breathing had already evened out into sleep, his body trusting enough to drop into unconsciousness within minutes. Viktor stayed awake longer, listening to the steady drum of his mate’s heartbeat and watching moonlight paint shadows across the ceiling.
There’ll be another case. Viktor knew that. The Justiciary would call, or Bridget would show up with another file, or some asshole would commit a crime complicated enough that they needed Ant’s particular skills.
And Viktor would follow his mate into whatever danger came next.
He would stand between Ant and anything that tried to hurt him, even to the point of tying up bad guys into pretzels instead of ripping their heads off because Ant ultimately wanted those same bad guys to face the justice he believed in.
Viktor could take or leave it, but he’d give Ant the world if he could.
In his own way, Claudius had done Viktor a favor by reminding him of how far he’d come.
He knew, with absolute certainty, that he’d spend the next eight hundred years by Ant’s side, if the Fates allowed it.
And if they don’t, he thought fiercely, I’ll fight every god and monster in existence to make it happen.
Ant shifted in his sleep, unconsciously pressing closer, and Viktor closed his eyes as he smiled. He was already wondering what tomorrow would bring, and he knew that if Ant had been awake, he’d be doing the same thing.
That’s why we’re perfect for each other, he thought, letting his limbs relax. Always looking for the next bad guy.
The End…or is it ??
If you have gotten this far, then you have my heartfelt thanks.
I wasn’t a hundred percent sure about writing this story, but once I got going, the story just ran away from me, lol.
I kept thinking “slow it down, slow it down,” but between Viktor’s anger at Claudius and Claudius himself, I realized retrospection and quiet time were going to be in short supply for this story, and just let it go.
Maybe in their next case, I can have them hunting squirrels instead (IYKYK, hehe).
If you do want to read another case for these two, then please let me know.
In the meantime, I have so much more coming.
My May release was Flint and Arrow’s story which is book four in the Assassin’s Alley series.
I do hope to finish that series this year, so Calvin and Levi’s story will be later in the year, provided my fingers keep going.
I’ve also got more books to write in the Hellhound Collar series, another one in my Monster series this year, and at least one more, possibly two God series books.
My brain can be an interesting place sometimes.
I know life has been shit lately, and times seem to be getting harder, not better. I do wish I could have some control over that, the way I do over my character’s lives, but that’s not what the Fates have in store for me.
I also wish that for all the words I do write, I could say something meaningful that might help you, because I know you’re going through stuff, too.
Please know that you are in my thoughts, and I am with you in spirit, quietly sending out positive vibes to any higher power that will listen, that hopefully our world finds peace again, real soon.
In the meantime, know that I am sending you love, and hopefully, this story puts a smile on your face. I still believe one hundred percent in love, and perhaps more importantly, that all of us deserve it. If you’re reading this, then know I love you.
Hug the ones you love, my friend,
Hugs
Lisa xoxo.
PS: If you could take the time to leave me a quick review at the place where you bought your copy of this story, I would really appreciate it. Reviews help readers decide to try new-to-them authors, and me and my author friends all truly appreciate it. Thank you.