Extended Epilogue
Czar
It’s been over a year since Azrael’s passing, and not one day goes by without me wondering what could have been.
When he lost his unborn child and Hevan, it hit him hard, and I can relate. When Evelyn was taken from me, I didn’t want to live another day without her, yet I knew it was for the best, for all of us.
In our world, love is equal to liability, and our father reminded us of that on a daily basis.
Proved it, too, in the sickening way he violated Hevan, and while Evelyn narrowly missed out in his depravity, he made her pay in other ways.
Something I would never be able to fix for her, despite how desperately I wanted to.
So I can appreciate why Azrael no longer cared; he had nothing left to lose. He didn’t just murder our father, he committed suicide, knowing the repercussions of his actions.
Jensen assured me he didn’t suffer, but we both know differently; we both know burning to death is a horrible pain to endure. Hell, we use it to torture our enemies. We’ve heard the screams that bounce off the walls and our stone hearts.
After Azrael’s passing, I struggled to gain control of our empire, but I rose from the ashes of a fallen kingdom and gradually recreated us.
We no longer deal in human trafficking. Though the money is less, I can rest easier knowing we’re no longer an accomplice in the obscenities of society that haunted me and my brother.
Just dealing drugs and firearms is all.
A knock on the car door interrupts my thoughts and lets me know we’ve arrived at our destination.
I push open the door and step outside. The sunlight is blinding as I head toward the cemetery to pay my respects to mark my brother’s one-year anniversary.
The leaves crunch beneath my shoes, and when I arrive at his grave, I kneel to trace over his name for the first time since they placed the headstone a couple of months after his death.
I swallow back the lump in my throat, and my chest tightens, causing my hand to tremble with emotion.
When I lower my head, I notice that something is poking out of the fresh flowers on the grave, and I glance around the cemetery, wondering who the hell would have put flowers on his grave to begin with, but my search comes up empty. He didn’t exactly have a stellar reputation.
I lift the envelope from the flowers, and my heart skips a beat at the writing.
It looks just like his.
What the?
My heart thuds as I swiftly tear the envelope open to reveal a letter.
Czar,
I once told you that you would make an outstanding leader, and I meant it. You’re doing great things, little brother.
My heart pounds against my chest like a drum. “The fuck?” I glance around the cemetery.
Nothing.
You were born to rule; never forget that.
There’s a club called Temptation in New Jersey, and there’s something there that might interest you.
I was done living in a world of darkness when I knew there’s light.
They say the truth will set you free, but will it really? I want you to know, I found my freedom, now it’s time for you to find yours.
My blood pumps wildly. No. Hell fucking no. My fists pump beside me.
Find your star, Czar, and let it guide you home. I did.
Azrael.
Is he serious? He orchestrated his death? “Son of a fucking bitch!” I boom, standing, and kick at the dirt. “You goddamn fucking bastard!” I kick the flowers over, uncaring about the spray of petals flurrying into the air.
I’m sure to the outside world, I look like I’m having a meltdown at my dead brother’s graveside.
In reality, I just discovered he’s very much alive.