EPILOGUE #2
Kennedy’s already inside, changed into dry clothes, and is making coffee. She hands me a mug without a word, and we stand together at the window, looking out over our kingdom of rescues.
“We got the adoption applications for the three terriers,” she says quietly. “Salem vetted all the families. They’re good homes.”
“When?”
“Weekend after next. I thought we could make it a celebration. Invite everyone.”
Everyone. That means Asher and Sloane, with their growing brood of half-angel children.
Cain and Kat, with their demon-wolf hybrid kids, who I’m pretty sure think Ember is going to morph into a human.
Zachriel and Emogine, Jaxon and Maitlyn, even Hades and Aradia.
Basically, everyone who helped us build this place.
Our family.
The family I never thought I’d have.
“Sounds good,” I say, pulling Kennedy against my chest. She fits there perfectly, like she was made for it. “How many applications are we still processing?”
“Forty-three dogs, two cats, and someone wants to adopt one of the donkeys.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Just one donkey? They’re bonded.”
“I told them that. They withdrew their application.”
“Good.”
We stand in comfortable silence, watching the sunset break through the clouds. In the distance, I can see Gabriel leading the horses to pasture, and Jenna is beside him as she always is. They’re laughing about something, and the sound carries on the wind.
Peace. This is what peace looks like.
“Do you ever regret it?” Kennedy asks suddenly. “Giving up the fighting, the missions. All of it?”
I don’t even have to think about it. “Not for a second.”
“Not even a little?”
“Ken, I spent millennia fighting wars for people who didn’t appreciate it.
Saving humanity over and over while they destroyed themselves just as quickly.
” I turn her to face me, needing her to see the truth in my eyes.
“But this? Saving those who actually deserve it? The innocent ones who never asked to be thrown into this cosmic shit show? This is the first thing I’ve done in my entire existence that actually matters. ”
Her eyes get that shiny quality that means tears are coming, but she’s smiling. “You’re a good man, Reaver.”
“I’m really not.”
“You are. You just hide it under all that gruff, scary exterior.”
“I’m scary,” I admit with a wink.
She gives me a hip check. “You’re a marshmallow.”
“A marshmallow with wings and a sword.”
“Still a marshmallow.”
I kiss her because I can, because she’s mine, because somehow I got lucky enough to find my sunny day in the middle of all the darkness.
When we break apart, Kennedy’s definitely crying now. “I love you,” she whispers.
“I love you too, sunshine.”
There’s a scratch at the door, and I open it to find Ember standing there, tail wagging. Behind her, three of the new rescues have somehow escaped their kennels and are sitting politely in a row.
“Oh my God,” Kennedy laughs through her tears. “Did you teach them jailbreak techniques?”
“She’s a bad influence,” I say, deadpan serious, but I’m already opening the door wider to let them all in.
The apartment fills with dogs, old Ember claiming her spot on the couch, the three newcomers exploring nervously, tails starting to wag as they realize this is a safe space.
This is home.
Kennedy sinks onto the couch, immediately surrounded by animals seeking comfort. She looks up at me, covered in dogs, hair still damp from the rain, wearing my oversized jacket and the biggest smile I’ve ever seen.
And I think, This is it. This is my happily ever after.
Not Heaven.
Not glory or divine purpose or saving humanity.
Just this.
Just her.
Just the animals who need us.
Just love.
“By the way,” Kennedy says as I settle in beside her, Ember’s head in my lap, “Salem called. They found a situation in Montana. Puppy mill, over a hundred dogs.”
“When do we leave?”
“Tomorrow morning. Michael’s already arranging transport.”
I nod, already running through logistics in my head. “We’ll need extra kennels, more medical supplies, probably another vet on standby,” I say, thinking out loud. “We’re going to need more space,” I add, looking around our cramped apartment.
Kennedy follows my gaze, then looks back at me with a mischievous smile. “Are you saying you want to build a bigger house?”
“I’m saying the animals need more space.”
“Uh-huh. And the fact that you’ve been complaining about not having a proper workshop has nothing to do with it?”
“Completely unrelated.”
She laughs, that bright, joyful sound that never gets old. “Whatever you say, marshmallow.”
That night, after the animals are fed and settled, after Gabriel and Jenna have retreated to their cabin on the far edge of the property, after the Oregon stars come out in full force, Kennedy and I lie in bed and talk about the future.
More land. More rescues. Maybe a second location in another state.
Educational programs to teach people about animal welfare. Partnerships with other sanctuaries. A world where no animal has to suffer the way Ember did. The way any of our rescues did.
It’s ambitious.
It’s probably impossible.
But then again, I’m an Archangel who spent centuries in Hell’s worst prison before fighting my way to freedom and finding love with a human therapist while building an animal sanctuary with the first Blood Angel and a Harbinger of Death.
Impossible is kind of in our wheelhouse.
“Reaver?” Kennedy’s voice is sleepy now, her head on my chest.
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
“For what?” I ask as I run my hand through her hair.
“For choosing this, for choosing us and love.”
I press a kiss to her forehead, breathing in her scent—vanilla, rain, and home. “Sunshine, you make it easy.”
She’s asleep within minutes, her breathing deep and even. But I stay awake a while longer, listening to the sounds of the sanctuary settling in for the night.
Dogs dreaming in their kennels. Horses shifting in their stalls. Chickens roosting in their coops. And somewhere out there, Gabriel and Jenna are finding their own peace.
All of it was possible because someone believed that the monsters could be redeemed. That the fallen could rise and that love, real, true, unconditional love, could save even the most broken souls.
I used to think I was created to save humanity.
Turns out, I was created to save the ones who actually deserve it.
And in saving them, they saved me.
Gently, I place my hand on Kennedy’s stomach where our own little miracle waits to meet the world.
My name is Reaver, formerly known as Barachiel, Elite Archangel of Heaven’s armies.
Now I’m just a guy who runs an animal rescue with the love of his life.
And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.
THE END?
TREACHERY PRISON
“Well, well, well… Hello, dear sister. It looks as if you’ve gotten yourself into quite the predicament this time, haven’t you?”
I let out a frustrated sigh. “Hello, Warren.”
“It’s just War now,” he corrects, and I can’t help but grit my teeth at his audacity.
Four Horsemen coming 2027
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