Black Bird (Nevermore Duet #1)

CHAPTER 37

COME JOIN THE MURDER

Dahlia cursed under her breath as she’d reached Conrad’s voicemail yet again, throwing her phone to her bed and pacing the floor. She’d been calling him all evening. She hadn’t heard from him in days, and he hadn’t returned any of her calls. A small voice in the back of her mind reminded her of the senator’s words from the several times that he’d visited the club.

“You should really invest in a TV … don’t you watch the news?”

It never meant a thing in the world to her before when he’d said it—even after seeing a photo of Athan Kane toting around that human bitch on his motorcycle. For some reason, now it was all she could think about. Dahlia swiped the phone from the bed, pulling up the local news website and scrolling past the menu to the breaking news headline that made her very breath catch in her throat.

Senator Conrad Stratford among suspected dead, after police respond to gunfire at Boston residence …

“You’re shitting me …” she breathed, stalking towards her bedroom door. She jerked it open, her mouth parted to summon Decclan, but she paused when she found the hallway empty. She’d forgotten that she’d permitted him to have the next few days off, and Devin was posted at the door to the club. For the first time in she couldn’t remember when, Dahlia found herself prowling through the dark hallways to fetch Decclan herself. The halls were deadly quiet. Only the sound of her clacking heels echoed from the walls as she finally reached his room. She raised her knuckles to knock on the door, but paused, remembering who the hell she was. She wouldn’t knock on anyone’s door. These doors belonged to her.

Her hand gripped the knob, and she barged in with the news of Conrad’s demise on her lips, only to find Decclan’s room as empty as the hallways. Her eyebrows lowered, and she turned around, confused, and stepped back out into the hall. She lingered there for a moment, and it wasn’t until then that she realized … it was far too quiet. Checking her phone again, it flashed nearly 4:30 in the morning. She hadn’t realized how long she’d spent in her chambers. The club was closed, and everyone would likely be cleaning up. Maybe Decclan had decided to help them. Dahlia headed for the door that led out into the tavern. She pushed the heavy door open and was surprised to find the entire club void of a single soul.

Where the hell was everybody?

The dance cages were empty. The room was dark and silent. The bar was clean, and only the dim lights where the wine glasses hung were burning over the long stretch of bar top. She didn’t remember telling anyone to close early, but by the looks of the space, it appeared they had. They had to have. As packed as it usually was here, it would have taken at least two hours to clean all of this. What was even more odd, was that usually, the coven enjoyed biding their remaining time before sunrise in the empty tavern, conversing with one another—or sometimes other things. Tonight … there was nothing. Not even a whisper as she’d passed room after room, of anyone being in their own chambers.

“I was wondering when you’d finally come out,” a low voice said from the darkness. Dahlia stilled, her head darting towards the sound.

“Decclan?” she called. A light flickered on in the corner of the dance floor, and he appeared with his hands in his pockets. The foreign flutter of nervousness in her stomach eased, and she started toward him. “What is this? Where is everyone?”

“When you were human, did you ever celebrate Christmas?” Decclan asked, slowly stepping forward.

“Decclan, the last person that spoke to me about a holiday, is sitting in an urn over my bed. You wanna take that risk?”

He shrugged, smiling softly. “I figured as much. But as a boy, I used to really enjoy it. Since it’s nearly that time of year, I thought I’d surprise you with a little gift.”

“I’ve never much cared for surprises, Decclan. But since we’re on that subject, I—”

“Whatever it is, it can wait.” Dahlia’s mouth hung open from his audacity.

“Excuse me?”

“We might be immortal, and altogether wretched, but I’m still a man, Dahlia. For once, would you just allow me to dote on my queen?”

She wasn’t sure what to say. She’d never seen him so bold—so … driven. It slightly aroused her. She quirked a brow, and smirked. “I assume the privacy is your doing?”

“I can’t take full credit for that, mi’lady … but I think you’ll be pleased.”

She slowly approached him, stopping about a foot away. “Well … by all means. Enlighten me.” Decclan smiled, dipping his head.

“Tony,” he called. The light over the stage flashed on, the sound echoing through the empty room. The bartender stood next to a single chair on the stage. Devin stood on the opposite side, and in that chair, tied with rope … was Sarah St. James.

Dahlia’s mouth dropped open, and she looked up at her loyal henchman in surprise. “You?” she asked, her mouth turning up in an open smile. “Did you also kill the senator?” Decclan’s brows drew together, and he cocked his head.

“Stratford?” he shook his head slowly. “No … why?”

“That’s what I was going to tell you. Word is that he’s dead.” St. James shifted uncomfortably in her chair; her gagged face riddled with worry. “He didn’t have her?”

“Nope. It’s news to me. Tony here caught sight of her in the club, and flagged Devin down. He came to get me. We grabbed her. ”

“Is that right?” Dahlia turned her face towards her prisoner. “Well … aren’t you a brave one? And what, pray tell, would your handsome detective think of you creeping into the lion’s den, pet?” she asked, slowly clacking towards the stage. Dried blood caked the side of her pretty face and Dahlia clicked her tongue, shaking her head. “As valuable as her blood is, you saw fit to spill it, Decclan? I’ve never known you to be so ignorant.”

“If I may.” Tony stepped forward as Sarah struggled against her restraints. “She put up one hell of a fight, your Grace.”

Dahlia chuckled through her nose. “And here I thought you’d be more concerned with her welfare, Tony. Perhaps that time you spent downstairs did you some good, after all.” She took Sarah’s chin, and the girl tried to snap her teeth around the gag in her mouth as she growled. Dahlia winced back, grinning. “My, my … I see what you mean.” She breathed her scent in deeply, that blood singing to all her senses as she fluttered her eyes closed. “My dear girl … you smell like such a bright future. It’s an awful shame. You’d make one hell of an addition to this coven, but … I simply can’t have Athan’s affection split between us. No doubt, he’ll come for you. It’s only a matter of time.” She lowered to eye-level with her captive. “It’s nothing personal, pet. But he is mine . He’ll always be mine. And when I take every last drop from you, Sarah St. James … and you see the way he obeys … all that leftover fight in you will surrender, and you’ll beg me to end you. By that time, there will be no use for you. Only then, will I grant that last wish for you … although, I think watching him kill you himself would be far more entertaining … for me .” A wicked laugh escaped her, and Decclan approached her from behind.

“I give you this, and you still want him …” he breathed. Dahlia turned around slowly. “Is nothing I do pleasing enough for you?”

Dahlia crossed her arms. “You didn’t heed a word I said, did you? Even after days cowering in your room?”

“Kane would never hurt that girl, and you know it.”

“ Kane … won’t have a choice.” Dahlia waved an arm over the stage. “We’re getting the band back together, dearest. And whether he wishes to be reminded or not, he’ll see. He’ll see that he belongs here with us.”

“I thought you wanted her for the benefits of her blood. Why isn’t that your first priority?”

“Oh, I do. But she’s useful in other ways, first. While she’s alive, she’ll be a valuable bargaining chip. It’s time to teach our detective a lesson in loyalty. You’ll do well to remember this,” she seethed, turning back to face the other two. “All of you.”

A loud bang sounded from the entrance, and they all turned towards it as Kane nearly kicked the door from its hinges and prowled into the club. Dahlia’s cruel smile grew wide, and his little human toy struggled at her side, whimpering as he stormed through the space.

“I told you I’d enjoy every second of killing you, Dahlia. I came to make good on my promise.”

This had to work. It had to. Sarah did her best to feign helplessness, but the minute he walked into that room, and she saw the look in the vampire queen’s eyes, all her rage and territorial instincts battled her self-control. Tony made eye contact with her briefly in an attempt to keep her on track, but that bitch’s otherworldly gaze raked over her mate with such predatory seduction that Sarah found it more and more difficult to remain in that chair. It was going so well. Maybe her newborn strength wasn’t enough to control the part of her that felt utterly rabid at the thought of someone else’s hands on him. The rope around her wasn’t tight, but felt more and more like wet spaghetti, the closer Athan got to the queen. It would take next to nothing to tear out of them and rip her head clean off her shoulders. All things considered; this would go a lot faster if she did exactly that.

But they had a plan … and she promised to stick to it.

So far, her immortal scent had been successfully masked by the blood from the cooler, and Dahlia seemed to have no idea that Sarah had been turned. It could have just been that her mind was strayed with the thought of finally having one over on Athan, and it seemed that he was more important to her than the blood in her veins. It only made Sarah more ravenous for blood she wanted to spill on her own. She couldn’t help but feel deeply sorry for Decclan. The hurt in his eyes was so vivid that she could almost feel it herself. She noticed the way that the man on her left had shifted on his feet with the last comments Decclan had made to Dahlia. He was nervous, too. It was obvious to her that even though they were a coven full of killers, some of them did care very much for one another. She understood then why Decclan had been so violent when he’d seen Athan in the alley. This was centuries worth of jealousy and longing—and never truly having the one thing he’d wanted, aside from his friendship.

“Welcome home, pet. I’m surprised it took you this long to get here.” Dahlia shifted her gaze to Sarah, who eyed her like a cat about to pounce on her meal. “I must say … I really can’t blame you for your lack of self-control the night we last saw one another. She looks absolutely delicious.” Her smile was nothing short of evil.

Bullseye … right where they wanted her.

Sarah drew her brows together, urging tears forward and bugging her eyes at Athan, who looked every bit the part of a terrified keeper of secrets. Dahlia noticed the exchange, pulling her focus back to him. “Oh, does she not know?” Her thin eyebrows raised in delight. “How scandalous. This just became a great deal more fun.”

“Don’t. Shut your fucking mouth.” Athan’s tone deepened into a snarl. It fueled the queen’s hunger for melodrama, and her lip curled over her spotless teeth .

“Oh, I’d be careful with your choice of words, Kane. I was already planning to butcher you with her slow death, but you can’t deny me this. It's far too delectable to pass up. I figure you owe me that much after failing at your end of our bargain. What did you think was going to come out of it? I let you live with your freedom and your little infatuation?” Her laugh made Sarah’s bones itch.

“If you so much as blink in her direction—”

“You’ll what? Kill me?” She grinned, shaking her head and making a small step towards him. “And here I thought you simply didn’t have it in you to love … perhaps you were right all these years, Kane. Perhaps I’ve been wrong about you all along. Does she love you? ” She glanced over her shoulder to Sarah who breathed heavily past her gag. “Yes … yes, I think she does.” Her gaze returned to him. “Would she still love you if she knew what you’ve done to her? If she knew her knight in shining armor was the entire reason she suffers?” She turned on her heel in Sarah’s direction, facing her fully. Athan took an unsteady step forward.

“Stop!” He reached a hand out, and Dahlia eyed him over her shoulder. “You want me, you have me. I’m done playing games. We’re too old for this shit. Don’t fucking touch her. Your quarrel is with me.”

Dahlia smiled. It was gruesome and sinister. “See, that’s where you’re wrong, Athan Kane. It took a very long time to break you, and somehow you still cling to that human side of you that believes there’s hope for beings like us to live a life as pathetic as theirs.” Sarah fought against her restraints when Dahlia eyed her next. “See, Sarah … I laid claim to him centuries before you even existed . Do you have any idea what he is? What drives him? You believe he loves you?” Sarah’s breathing went rapid the closer the queen came, and Athan seemed ready to snap. They locked eyes, and he narrowed them at her.

Don’t move. She won’t get a drop. Stick with the plan, love. I’m right here.

“I’m no fool, Sarah St. James. I know you must be aware of what everyone seems to want from you … and why. Did you really think he was any different? He’s a creature of darkness. A creature I made . He took your blood, pet. He took your life .” Sarah tearfully shook her head, giving Athan looks of disbelief and pain. “Aww.” Dahlia clicked her tongue. “It’s painful … I understand.”

“That’s enough! Get the fuck away from her!” Athan started towards them, and Dahlia spun around, thrusting her arm forward and burying her claws into his chest. Sarah screamed through her gag, and the two men at her side hesitated forward. Athan groaned loudly, his eyes never leaving the queen’s as he stared her down. “You won’t,” he snarled, grabbing her wrist as she held his heart in her fist.

“Look at that,” Dahlia breathed. “It’s beating. Pounding, really. You really do feel strongly for her, don’t you? Are you afraid, Athan?”

“We both know I’ve never been afraid of you.” His teeth ground together, and Sarah struggled against her control to slaughter the bitch.

“Mmm …” she seethed, leaning into his face. Their noses barely touched, and she breathed him in. “But I smell it all over you, Kane. Yo u’re terrified. You’d do anything to spare her.” Athan’s eyes grew desperate. He looked over Dahlia’s shoulder at Sarah’s pleading stare. “If you want her to live, then you know the price. Our deal is off. There’s a new bargain now.” Dahlia glanced back at Sarah, smiling. “Surrender yourself to me. Take my blood … and I’ll spare her life. I’ll take only enough from her for the change.” She returned her attention to him. “And you will never see her again.”

Sarah jerked around in the chair, screaming the word “no” through the gag. She repeated it desperately as Athan looked at her again.

Don’t you dare! Don’t you fucking dare drink from her! This wasn’t part of the plan!

The sorrow in his cerulean eyes nearly shattered her heart.

Athan! Please!

“If I make this deal, you give me your word that you won’t lay a hand on her after you get what you need. Otherwise, you kill me right here,” Athan said sadly. Sarah screamed, catching his eyes again. His pupils dilated and she couldn’t look away.

Be still. Don’t make any moves. You won’t stop this. Sit in that chair and let me keep you safe.

As hard as she tried to thrash against the rope, she found herself unable to do anything other than what he’d said. It was the same overwhelming control he’d had over her in his bathroom. She could do nothing. Tears spilled down her cheeks.

“Oh, you have my word. I changed Lorraine with a single pint. Your human will live the rest of her miserable life. And you, handsome …” She pulled her claws from his chest and grazed her bloody fingertips down his cheekbone. “You’ll finally come back to bed.” Sarah couldn’t contain her growl, and Tony nudged her shoulder in warning. Decclan looked as if he were about to combust. “Do we have a deal?”

Athan glanced back at Sarah, swallowing hard. “Yes,” he whispered, closing his eyes. Dahlia practically purred. Sarah sobbed, hanging her head.

“Good. Now …” She brushed her hair over her shoulder, offering her neck. “Drink.” He didn’t look at Sarah again as he hesitantly stepped forward, taking the back of her head gently, and breathing deeply before he leaned into Dahlia’s neck. His eyes darkened, and his fangs slid out, piercing her skin as he closed his mouth over it. Dahlia moaned, bringing both arms around him and curling her body into his. Athan’s bond was tight, and Sarah could do absolutely nothing but burn alive with rage as she watched the queen’s hand rove down his bloody shirt and palm his crotch. Decclan trembled behind them with anger and hurt. When Athan finally freed his mouth from her, he breathed heavily and Dahlia did the same, her eyes fluttering as she smiled. “Your bite is as delicious as your cock, Athan Kane.” Every nerve in Sarah’s body was on fucking fire.

Athan released her, stepping back and running his tongue over his bottom lip. He looked so defeated. She’d only seen him look like that one other time. The day that she’d figured out the truth. He was subjecting himself to a life of servitude, all for the sake of keeping her alive … and th ere wasn’t a single thing she could do to stop him. His arms hung by his sides, and his head bowed. His breaths were shuddered and broken.

“I made a mistake,” Dahlia smiled. “Letting you go? In all that time, it seems you’ve forgotten who and what you are, Kane. Don’t feel bad. Over the past few weeks, I’ve come to understand exactly how you feel.” Devin shifted beside Sarah’s chair. “I grew to know what love feels like.” Athan raised his head in confusion. “Oddly enough … I was able to find my mate.” The room went as silent as death itself. “You heard me right. Pretty, young thing. Reminded me a bit of you. I was surprised how quickly things changed between us.” Dahlia stepped forward, slowly closing the distance Athan had put between them.

“Reminded …” Athan breathed.

Something like pain flickered across her face and was gone instantly. “I realized what was most important. I made a decision. Much like the one you’re making now. But … if I can’t have both … neither will you.” Athan eyed her closely. “I can get enough of her blood when she’s just a body. A husk.” Sarah stiffened, and Tony glanced over at her. Athan slowly shook his head, wide-eyed. “Kill her.”

Athan’s back went stick straight, his muscles tightening in war with himself. “You gave me your word!”

“It must be agony to lose control of yourself a second time where she’s concerned,” Dahlia crooned, watching as he took a strained step towards Sarah’s chair. “I told you I wouldn’t kill her. I didn’t say a thing about you.” Her body turned as he passed her until they were both facing Sarah. Tears ripped down her face and Sarah violently shook her head, sobbing. “You really thought I’d let her live so that you could pull some heroic stunt to get her back? It’s a hard lesson, trust me, I understand. Killing Patrick weighed heavy on me. But this is who we are. One day … a century from now … perhaps two? You’ll see it my way, Kane. You’ll always be one of us … a Black Bird. Even if I have to clip your wings.”

Athan approached Sarah’s chair, Dahlia only a few feet behind him. Their eyes met, and Sarah tearfully shook her head, unable to contain her heavy sobs. He towered over her, his shadow casting over her body like Death awaiting his due. Tony shifted uncomfortably beside her, watching him in shock. Athan narrowed his eyes.

There was no greater evil, than the darkness of this night … when life was yet a whisper as that evil thieved the light. But my skin was still a prison … a bird denied his flight.

Sarah stilled, recalling what he’d written in the journal he had given to her. The one she’d read over and over. She heard his voice again in her mind.

… Be dark, my lonely captive … until the murder sets you free …

It dawned on her, then. What she had figured out the night that she’d first kissed him in his apartment. A murder of crows. Her mind flashed back to the front porch of Rhaena’s cabin. The night he told her everything. He’d kissed her then, too. He told her the bond between him and Dahlia was— broken . They were mates. He was her mate . She had no hold on him any longer. This was a show . Sarah slowly nodded, and Athan stopped before her, a sly smirk creeping across his mouth. He knelt down, taking the side of her face in his hand.

“You are so fucking beautiful …” he breathed, pulling down her gag and leaning in to brush his mouth across hers. He jerked the rope around her middle, snapping it and freeing her arms. She hooked them around his neck, and he raised her up from the chair, pulling her to him as he kissed her. “Show her,” he whispered, smiling. “Show her how gorgeous you look in my blood.”

Sarah turned her face to the queen, smiling as her eyes darkened and she let her own set of fangs grow longer. Dahlia stood stunned, frozen in shock and rage, as her silver eyes grew wide. Sarah trailed her tongue across his bottom lip, savagely kissing him back as blood trickled down both their chins. Athan groaned in pleasure, and Dahlia lost control. She flew towards them, blinded by her own jealousy, hardly anticipating Sarah’s catch on her pale throat as she threw her by the neck against the wall behind them. Tony acted quickly, grabbing the mic stand and thrusting it through her middle, securing her body as it hung there just above the floor.

She growled in pain, hissing through her teeth and reaching for the pole protruding from her belly as Sarah kept her hold on her throat.

It was a satisfaction like no other to see the monster bleed. To bleed from oncoming death … and not to bleed for control she no longer had. Sarah had become twice as powerful, as they’d found out at the lab … Dahlia was no match for his mate’s strength. Athan met Devin’s pace, each one of them grabbing one of Dahlia’s wrists, and slamming them to the wall as they each drove a large knife through her forearm. She wailed, baring her teeth as her eyes went wholly black and she focused entirely on Athan.

Her laugh made him cringe as she peered through an inky glare. “A crucifixion …” She chuckled, the toe of her boots dangling just above the floor. “How dramatic of you, Kane.”

“I’m glad you were able to find your mate.” Athan smirked, directing his attention to Sarah, who gripped Dahlia’s throat tighter. “Meet mine.”

Sarah leaned closer, snarling in Dahlia’s face. “Sorry, bitch. It’s over. You will never … touch him again. He’s never belonged to you. And you’ll pay for every single life you took … by slaughter, and by slavery.”

Dahlia huffed another bloody laugh. “And you think the three of you are gonna deal me my punishment? I’ll enjoy watching this coven rip you apart. I hope you’ve enjoyed the royalties of your short immortal life.”

“Funny thing,” Sarah smiled. “You call yourselves the Black Bird coven. Did you know that a flock of crows is called a murder?” Decclan slowly crept up behind Sarah, watching expressionless as Dahlia bled onto the stage. “Crows aren’t as loyal as you might believe. If they find one in their murder that shows signs of disease … they turn on them .” Dahlia stilled, her face going taut. “ They decide the fate of one of their own.”

Devin stepped off the stage and opened the emergency exit. Athan watched as every member of his coven walked inside. Every one of them silent and watching. Dahlia’s eyes slowly returned to that moonlit silver, haunted by what she knew was coming for her. She dragged her helpless gaze to Decclan, and Sarah let go of her throat, stepping back.

“Decclan …” Dahlia whispered, her eyes pleading. He said nothing as he stepped forward. “Decclan kill them.” He didn’t move. Dahlia struggled against the hold of all the things that were impaling her. “Kill them!”

“Too late.” Athan smirked. “You burned that bridge, too. They’ve all made their choice. Your siring bond is severed.” Devin dropped the empty cooler next to Decclan’s feet. Dahlia stared down at it, trembling.

“Fucking traitors … you fucking—” Her lip quivered, and she stared at Decclan. “You claimed you loved me.”

Decclan took a deep breath, and tilted her chin up, meeting her eyes. “Love is weakness … freedom is freedom. And for me … I can’t say I’ve got room for the two of those things to coexist.” He quickly turned her head and savagely bit her neck, drinking heavily from her as she thrashed against the wall. Dahlia gasped as he jerked himself away, cursing under her frantic breathing. He left the stage and Tony stepped up next, taking his floppy cap off and bowing his head at her before lunging forward and feeding from the other side of her neck. She fought against him, growing weaker as he broke away and replaced his hat. He joined Decclan at the right side of the stage.

Devin came forward, giving her a mock salute, and a side-smile. “It’s been fun, doll. But I’m headin’ home.” He ripped her corset open, exposing her moon-white breasts. Dahlia breathed rapidly, glaring at him through heavy-lidded eyes.

“Not so fun now, is it?” Sarah smirked, gesturing towards her nakedness.

“Fuck y—” her insult broke into a growl as Devin chose his spot, drinking mercilessly from her breast. He released her with a bloody smile.

“Nothin’ like a good tit,” he winked. “Slán.”

An Irish goodbye …

Athan chuckled through his nose as Devin skipped off the stage. One by one, members of the coven stepped up to drain her, until Dahlia hung there, bloody and mangled. Barely alive. She was so weak that the open bites all over her skin couldn’t mend themselves. Her head hung until her chin rested against her chest. Blood stained her icy blonde hair, and Sarah took her place at Athan’s side.

“It’s time,” she whispered, sliding an arm around his back. He nodded, softly kissing the top of her head. He stepped forward, raising her face up by her hair. She could barely open her eyes.

“Look at me,” he demanded, leaning in closer. Her eyes fluttered, and she weakly held his gaze. “Two-hundred years I’ve warned you. Two fucking centuries. I told you one day I’d kill you, and I’d enjoy it. I told you I’d keep my promise. Tell me how you killed your mate.”

She managed a weak smile and closed her eyes. “Sunlight …” she whispered. “Bring … bring him to me …”

Athan turned towards Decclan, who nodded, and strode off. Tony and Devin joined them on the stage and pulled the knives from her wrists. She gurgled as her body weighed her down onto the mic stand still lodged in her abdomen. Athan ripped it from her, tossing it to the floor. Dahlia dropped with a sound thud against the stage. They hoisted her up from under her arms and dragged her down the hallways. The entire coven followed behind them, climbing up the winding stairs to the door that opened to the rooftop. It would be the first time any of them had seen sunlight in decades. And they’d experience it along with the execution of their captor. A freedom bought with Sarah’s blood.

The sky was clear and graying with dawn. The air was bitterly cold, and the coven lined the sides of the rooftop as they tossed their leader into the middle. Decclan crept out of the door, eyeing the sky as he walked slowly towards her. He knelt down, tucking Patrick’s urn beneath her arm. She stared at him for what seemed like an eternity.

“Enjoy … your freedom, Decclan …” she huffed out.

“I hope Death is kinder to you than you ever were to me, Dahlia.” He stood and joined Devin and Tony near the door. Sarah and Athan stood close to her, and she glanced at the sky before fixing her eyes on his mate.

“Well played,” she whispered. The sun began to rise, and the shadows on the rooftop gave way to its light, inch by inch. Dahlia gave her a knowing smirk. “When you find … John …” Athan felt Sarah jerk forward in surprise. “Tell him I’m preparing his special place … in Hell …” Athan’s stomach sank, and before Sarah could say a word, the sunlight poured over Dahlia’s body, and she shrieked in agony. She burst into flames, and Athan grabbed Sarah by her waist, pulling her to him and staggering backward. Dahlia screamed, thrashing with what remaining energy she had left until all that remained of her was a pile of ashes around an urn.

Sarah heaved against his chest as Athan held her and they watched the pile in silence. All this time, Dahlia had known something. And she took that secret to her grave. Her final act of vindictive bullshit. Part of him wanted to whip his cock out and piss on her ashes. Their frustration was ebbed by elated murmurs and sniffling as they finally looked around them.

The coven was safe.

All of them turned their hands this way, and that. Some in shock, some in tears, as they witnessed their first sunrise in centuries. Decclan wept. Athan considered part of that to be the demise of the one he loved … but a bigger part was the gaping freedom he now had. The life he was about to live. Tony started singing, tearfully. Devin danced like a damned fool.

It was over .

Dahlia Van Hausen was dead.