Page 161 of The Star's Sword

“We’re all okay,” I said. I glanced at his leg. “Are you okay?”

He nodded. “My friends are okay and the love of my life doesn’t have to be heartbroken forever. Of course I’m okay. I’m more than okay. Everything is perfect.”

“Stay with us,” Samael said. “At the sanctuary.”

“Thank you,” Zadis said. “I’ll take you up on that.”

“We have so much to do,” Os said, taking a spot on the crumbling wall and looking up at the sky. “So much to rebuild. How to explain all of this to the havens?”

“At least there is hope now,” Griffin said, moving over to hug me before sitting by Os.

Mor was next, giving me a huge hug and then releasing me to sit by Os and Griffin.

I walked over to stand by the wall, Samael’s hand in mine, Simon and Cayne next to us.

All of us were quiet for a moment, as the moon shone down over us.

Then a flapping noise overhead drew our attention, and we all looked up to see a huge shape flying overhead.

It lowered, flapping its wings, and then we saw it was Mark, as he walked forward out of the mist with his wings still out and partially extended.

“How are things at the keep?” Simon asked eagerly.

“They’ve been better,” Mark said, scratching the back of his neck. “But I think I got things settled for the night, with the help of the elder vampires.” He looked at Simon. “I’m sorry, but your humans are gone. Vasara’s colony broke into the keep while we were gone, and when they reached the dome, the humans actually went with them willingly. Apparently, the story was that you were only waiting to feed on their babies, so they decided to take their chances. Hell knows how they could believe such a thing about you, but humans are stupid.” Mark shrugged a shoulder. “They believed her that a better place was waiting, but they’re surely being fed on now, whether it’s for blood or attention.” He sighed. “I suppose they will have to be freed with the other human feeding camps in the havens.” He frowned. “I can’t say I feel very inclined to pity them.”

Simon was quiet for a long moment, then nodded. “I suppose you can’t help anyone who doesn’t want to be helped. Or make people trust you if they don’t want to.”

Cayne put an arm around a downtrodden Simon. “I’m sorry.”

Simon then raised his head. “Well, sometimes you need to be left so you’re free to leave as well. I think it’s time for me to be done with the mid-realm for now.” He exhaled slowly. “I wanted to save them. I wanted to protect them. But it’s time to go live for me. I’m tired of even those I help giving me a side-eye.” He looked at all of us. “Especially when I have so much love around me now.”

All of us reassured him eagerly that yes, he did have us.

“How is the rest of the keep?” Simon asked.

“Some of the vampires fled,” Mark said. “I think they thought you might invoke blood loyalty. The ones left want you to answer for why you let Vasara die. I think things can be rebuilt, but honestly you shouldn’t have to do it, Card. You’ve done enough for a lifetime.”

Simon nodded, but I could tell his mind was still troubled.

“So, what do we do now?” Mark asked. “We just saved the world, so how do we celebrate?”

“I know,” Simon said. “Cayne has to go to Ara’s place to talk to her attendants. In the meantime, the rest of us could have a—”

Sam slapped a hand over his own face. “Don’t say revelry.”

“Revelry!” Simon said at the same time. “To heal up and celebrate saving the world!” He pouted at me. “Come on, Cleo. Even you can’t say no to celebrating saving the world.”

I looked at Samael, who shrugged, then at Zadis, who gave me a wicked grin.

Mark gave me a heated glance that promised he would be in on whatever happened.

Mor stood. “I’m going to help Cayne.” She winked at me. “You handle these boys, Cleo.”

I gave her a salute. “I’ll do my best.”

“All right, just don’t forget to feed my vampire while I’m gone. I’ll be back to give you the mantle,” Cayne said, coming in to give me a rare hug. Gods, he was big. He slapped me on the back, making me nearly lose my breath, and then stepped back with Mor. “We’ll go check in with Luren. Let him know the world’s been saved. Bring the good news to more demons.”

Griffin and Os stood too.

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