Epilogue
Empusa The Devourer
The After Party
The restaurant glows with soft golden light. Crystal glasses shimmer on polished tables. Candles flicker in tall holders, their flames trembling against mirrored walls. The air smells faintly of roasted garlic and seared steak, a decadence meant to soothe those who could afford such comfort.
They sit together at a corner table draped in white linen. Elowen’s hand, bright with the new ring, rests on the surface like a beacon. Beau’s arm hovers near hers, not quite touching, yet always near enough to remind anyone watching that she is his.
Kai leans back in his chair, telling a story with his hands as wide as his grin. Imani laughs, tipping her head just enough that the curls spill against her shoulders. Their laughter rings above the muted hum of the other diners. It’s their idea of the perfect evening. Together, disgusting.
Imani rises slowly, glass in hand. She taps the fork against the stem of her glass and a chime cuts through the air. Conversation around them pauses, as though strangers know instinctively to grant space to the words about to be spoken.
“I want to make a toast,” Imani says. Her voice carries warmth and strength in equal measure.
She looks at Elowen and then at Beau. “To love that has endured every trial. To laughter that fills the dark places. To friendship that never lets us fall alone. And to our family, however the hell this was made.” Her glass lifts, the glimmer on it matching the annoying shine in her eyes. “To the newlyweds.”
Kai stands and clinks his glass against hers.
Beau follows, raising his wine in steady reverence.
Elowen blushes and shakes her head with joy that spills past the rim of her control.
“To the Drewitt’s!” They chant simultaneously.
They drink. The table fills again with laughter, small touches, quiet reassurances.
It’s a picture of survival turned into triumph. And I watch from afar.
From the far side of the dining room, hidden among shadows and strangers, I let my gaze slide across them. The soft music can’t drown out the roar in my head. It’s almost sickening, how happy they look.
They have no idea the terrors that await them. I’ll move in silence again until it’s time to make my move.
Elowen is useless, even as a vampire.
Kai is an idiot.
Imani could never amount to the power I am.
Beau Drewitt will have wished that he had not ran.