Page 83 of Unmasked Prophecy

“Fuck,” he growls again. “You’ll...”

“Be the death of you?” I moan into his ear. “Yeah, well, I did promise.”

He chuckles.

I smile.

Fucking finally.

This is what freedom feels like.

EPILGOUE

The brush moves through Lily’s hair, long strokes making it shine. We sit in the middle of the bed, Mera and I on either side of her, working small braids with our fingers, adding bright beads that clink when they bump together. She has just started school and is loving it, but told us she wanted beads in her hair, just like her new best friend Ayla.

“Like this?” I ask, showing her a strand of hair in the handheld mirror.

“Yes,” she chirps, clapping her hands.

Mera laughs. “This is going to looksopretty.”

Lily beams, the delight on her face brighter than any of the colors in her hair. She loves when we do this, when we spend mornings tangled in blankets and laughter, the world outside as far away as the past. I could stay here forever, in this moment, with these people, and never want for anything more.

The door swings open, and Talon leans against the frame, his expression soft as he watches us. “Think you missed a spot,” he says, nodding at the strands of beads scattered like confetti on the bed.

Lily giggles, her smile a burst of sunshine. “Nia!” she exclaims, pretending to scold me. “Now we have to start again.”

I snort. “Nia’s hands are broken, honey.”

Talon grins, walking over and leaning down, putting his hands on the bed and leaning towards Lily. Then, he tickles her, and her squeal of laughter fills the room as she launches back. The motion sends beads clattering to the floor, and I can’t helpbut laugh with her. “Why don’t you go find Zane?” he says, setting her down gently. “Pretty sure he’s eatin’ all the pancakes and I gotta talk to Nia, yeah?”

She gasps, feigning shock, and bolts for the door. “Save me some!” she bellows as she runs out. “Zane, I’m going to kill you.”

Talon turns to us, his face shifting from playful to serious. “We got a situation,” he says, his voice low.

Mera and I exchange a glance. “What’s going on?”

“Kael found a woman last night,” Talon says, sitting on the edge of the bed, his eyes meeting mine. “Left the club late, saw her on the side of the road. She was in a real bad way. When I tell you it is a shock this woman was alive, I’m not kidding. Someone tried to kill her.”

Mera’s hand flies to her mouth, shock widening her eyes. “Is she okay?”

“Bad shape, but she is alive. Kael took her to the hospital, but she won’t speak. Won’t talk to the cops. Won’t tell anyone what happened. All he knows is that someone did that to her.”

My heart cracks open. “Someone tried to kill her and just dumped her on the side of the road?”

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