Epilogue
Jessica
Three Months Later
Calamity Creek was everything we’d hoped for and more.
The town nestled in a valley surrounded by old-growth forests, with mountains rising in the distance. Victorian houses lined streets that somehow felt both timeless and contemporary. Magic was everywhere.
No one concealed any of their magic. It wasn’t secret or shameful magic that had to be concealed from the mundane world.
I watched from our front porch as a werewolf jogged past in wolf form, unbothered by the morning joggers who called out friendly greetings.
A witch across the street was tending her garden, flowers blooming in impossible colors under her encouraging touch.
In the town square, visible from our hill, a small dragon perched on the fountain, sunning itself while children played nearby.
“Coffee,” Anubis said, appearing beside me with two mugs. He’d gotten better at remembering I still enjoyed morning rituals, even if I no longer needed caffeine to function.
“Thank you.” I took the mug, savoring the warmth. “I love it here.”
“As do I.” He settled into the chair beside mine, looking out over the town. “It feels peaceful. We can finally exist without constant vigilance.”
Our house was a Victorian renovation on the outskirts of town; three stories with a wraparound porch and enough space for both of us to have our own studies.
Mine was filled with books and half-finished attempts at writing (immortality apparently hadn’t made me better at finishing projects).
His was a temple to ancient Egypt, artifacts from his personal collection that would make museum curators weep.
“We should go back soon,” I said. “To Egypt. It’s been almost two weeks.”
Anubis nodded. “Tomorrow? I want to check on the tombs, ensure Osiris and Thoth are maintaining proper protocols.”
“You mean you want to micromanage from a distance.”
“I prefer ‘ensure quality standards are maintained.’”
“Micromanage.”
He smiled, that small, secret smile I treasured. “Perhaps a bit.”
Traveling to Egypt had become routine. Anubis would fold space, and we’d step from our living room in Calamity Creek directly into the desert night.
We’d spend a few days visiting the tombs, checking in with the other gods, and walking through the Cairo markets.
Then we’d return home, existence casually spanning two continents.
It was surreal. It was perfect.
My phone buzzed with a text from Sophie.
How’s the supernatural town? Met any vampires yet?
I typed back.
Not yet. There’s a dragon in the town square, and the bakery is fantastic. Their croissants are amazing.
Of course you found the good bakery. That’s so you.
How are classes?
Good! Made a study group. Might actually pass Organic Chem this time.
Proud of you, honey.
Love you, Mom. Say hi to my god stepdad.
I smiled, showing Anubis the phone. He read it and shook his head. “She is incorrigible.”
“She’s perfect.”
“Also true.”
A car pulled up in front of our house, a vintage Bentley that looked like it had been driven off a magazine page. The driver’s door opened, and a vampire emerged, pale and elegant in an expensive suit.
“Mr. Anubis, Ms. Thomas,” he called up to the porch. “Welcome to the neighborhood. I’m Alistair Blackwood. I run the historical society.”
“Thank you,” I called back. “Would you like to come up?”
“No, I won’t intrude. I just wanted to introduce myself and extend an invitation.
” He approached the porch steps but didn’t climb them.
Vampire invitation rules still applied even in sanctuary towns.
“We’re having a community gathering this weekend.
Supernatural beings and human allies celebrating the autumn equinox. It would be an honor if you’d attend.”
“We’d love to,” I said, glancing at Anubis for confirmation. He nodded.
“Wonderful. Saturday evening, the clearing north of town. Very casual.” Alastair smiled, revealing just a hint of fang. “I’ve heard you’re quite knowledgeable about ancient Egypt, Mr. Anubis. I’d love to discuss some artifacts I acquired in the 1800s. Get your expert opinion.”
“I would be happy to,” Anubis said, and I heard genuine interest in his voice.
After Alastair left, I turned to Anubis. “A community gathering with other supernatural beings. This is so weird.”
“You are immortal with divine power. You’re in a relationship and living with a god. And that is what you find weird?”
“Fair point.” I leaned against him, and he wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “I just can’t believe this is real. That we have all this. A home, a community, forever together.”
“Believe it.” He pressed a kiss to my temple. “Because I have no intention of letting you go. Not in a hundred years, not in a thousand. You are mine, Jessica Thomas. For all of eternity.”
“Yours,” I agreed. “And you’re mine.”
“Always.”
We sat together on the porch, watching Calamity Creek come to life around us. Mortals and immortals, humans and creatures of myth, all coexisting in this strange, beautiful sanctuary.
“Hey,” I said after a while. “Want to fold space to Egypt tomorrow morning? Get fresh kanafeh from that place in Cairo, bring it back for breakfast?”
Anubis laughed. “You want to teleport across the world for pastry?”
“I’m immortal now. I can have international pastries for breakfast if I want.”
“This is true.” He stood, pulling me up with him. “Very well. Tomorrow, Egypt for kanafeh. Tonight, we will explore our new town.”
“And later?” I asked, sliding my arms around his neck.
“Later, I make love to my immortal partner in our new home, in our new life, with all the time in the world to savor every moment.”
“Best plan ever.”
He kissed me, deep and thorough, and I felt the familiar pulse of divine power, his and mine, intertwined now, eternal and unbreakable.
This was my life now. Our life. And we had forever to live it.