Epilogue
Kris
One week later
I was at work, likely the last normal work week for me.
Zhen’s month was coming up quickly. I was braced for incoming insanity.
I think? Trying to, at least. Zhen was already in insanity because Samhain was upon us, so he had multiple fires to put out all over the city.
I wished I exaggerated. But he also had plenty of family here to work with, and the bond seemed mostly content to let him fight, so long as he stayed within this general area.
I’d gone on two hunts outside of Demonbreun—we hadn’t wanted to risk the bond—but they’d both been an overnight fight and we were home by morning.
It was actually less work than I’d feared.
But October also wasn’t over yet, so I trusted nothing.
Jo Jo had sadly gone back home but had already made plans for Charlotte to come out and see him in December. I could cover things at work while she went to play with him. I thought it cute how attached the two had gotten, but I was happy to see her glowing.
Which was why, on this incredibly slow Friday afternoon, I decided to ask my little sister a few questions. “You and Jo Jo seem to be doing really well, even long distance.”
“Oh, for sure.” Charlotte spun in her chair, orienting to face me better. “I think I finally understand why Zhen was so automatically appealing to you.”
“Por qué?”
“It’s that feeling of being with a man you can fully trust.” She ticked things off on her fingers. “He’s not going to dismiss your feelings, you know he’ll have your back when you need it, and if shit starts flying, he’s the first one into the fray so you don’t get hit.”
I nodded, because she was absolutely dead nuts accurate, but I also couldn’t resist teasing. “So the pretty face has nothing to do with it?”
“Well. I mean, I’m not blind.”
I laughed.
The front door opened, and I turned to greet whoever it was, only to see Jennifer Davis enter. Oh? Didn’t expect Yan Yichen’s former (sane) girlfriend here again. “Hi, Jennifer! How are you?”
“Honestly? Fabulous. A serious threat has been removed. I haven’t felt this light in years.” She came in, leaning her arms on the desk’s bar. “I’ve come to give you gift certificates to a new restaurant opening. You absolutely deserve some kind of reward. But I also came to pour you some tea.”
“That’s incredibly sweet of you, and I love tea. Please spill.”
“Oh, this is good tea,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“I’d have loved to read the story and not live it.
Life is a bitch, I guess. So. After Luna’s arrest, the police realized she also had a restraining order against her.
They searched her apartment, found all sorts of things: a crap ton bugs, cameras, tracking devices.
Basically the works. She wasn’t just following me around but everyone in his family. ”
My mouth dropped. “Oh. My. God.”
“Yeah. I’ve been petty, talking to every single person who dismissed my fears. I copied that information over to them. Just to prove they were wrong for not taking me seriously.”
“I don’t think that’s petty. I think that’s smart. Now they know they need to take someone seriously if they feel stalking is happening.”
“Exactly. Whole situation proved who I can trust. More importantly, who I can’t.” Jennifer perked up a little. “My fiancé is definitely someone I can.”
I clapped my hands excitedly. “Eep! It happened? Congrats!”
“Thanks! He popped the question over the weekend. I happily said yes. He’s been such a gem.
He took me seriously, even helped gather the evidence and file.
Took precautions searching our vehicles every morning.
He found some trackers. I got me a good one.
I am sorry to Yichen, though. I did love him and still miss him.
But I can’t be tied to a dead man. I can’t live the rest of my life that way. ”
I held up a hand, reassuring her. “He suspected you’d feel that way. He’s already moved on, as well. He’s actively looking for his new bride, so don’t feel guilty.”
Her expression softened. “Thank you. I needed to hear that. Maybe this guilt will go away now. Anyway, let me drop this off for you. Oh! I wanted to check on you, Charlotte. Are you okay?”
Charlotte gave her an okay sign with her fingers. “Never better. As it turns out, my boyfriend was the one to tackle Luna to the floor, and he got her down before she could hurt me. Really, it was a group effort, as Zhen provided the distraction.”
“Good, good. Just hearing about it secondhand was alarming. I heard after the fact both men are demon slayers?”
“Correct,” Charlotte confirmed.
“Damn. No wonder Luna couldn’t get the best of them.” Jennifer grinned from ear to ear. “That makes my day. She’s clearly messed with the wrong people. Anyway, I’m thankful. If I can return the favor, let me know. Oh! The certificates.”
I took the stack she handed me. “Oh, a steakhouse? That’ll go down well. Thank you, Jennifer.”
“My pleasure. I’m here on a lunch break, so have to go, but stay in touch!”
“Absolutely.”
I watched her leave and felt like this was the perfect wrap-up to the craziness. I was so relieved for her sake a major threat in her life was safely behind bars. With everything Luna had done, she was likely due to be in prison for years. A good thing for us.
I heard the tap of a cane, turned to see Boss coming toward us. She was beaming. “Girls! Yan Yichen has agreed to marry his bride. We must start setting up the ceremony.”
“Oh!” Charlotte popped up and headed for the supply room. “I think we have everything we need in stock, but let me check.”
She’d been part of several ghost marriages at this point and had a good handle of what all was involved, so I let her arrange the setup. “Have you called his parents?”
“Just now, yes, we need to find a good time and day for both families. Can you call the bride’s family?”
“Of course.” I was blanking at the moment on who that was, as Yan Yichen had talked to three girls this week, but the system would tell me. No need to ask.
Well, looked like our workday was picking up! Thank god, nothing worse than a slow day at work. Time just dragged and I’d rather be busy.
Alarm shot through me and I quickly knocked on wood. Just in case something was listening. The last time I’d thought that, I’d gotten kidnapped ghosts and a missing demon doll. Did not need a repeat of that, thanks.
I’d much rather prepare for a ghost wedding.