The Ending Series: The Complete Series

by Lindsey Fairleigh

  “So, what are you thinking of doing for this monument?” Mase asked. “Something metal, obviously,” he added, nodding toward Camille.

  Dani perked up a bit, straightening her spine and leaning forward. “This brings us to Becca’s vision, actually. She’s the one who suggested I come to you guys for help.” Dani shrugged and, clearly excited, rubbed her hands together, looking from Camille, to Mase, and back. “All my ideas were lame, but Becca claimed you’d have a great one. Said all I needed to do was get you guys out to the barn, and the four of you would take it from there.” Dani leaned forward and clamped her hands around Mase’s foot, which was poking up under the blankets. She shook the foot excitedly. “Becca promised to help you plan it out and make it amazing.”

  Mase flashed Dani a quizzical smile, then looked at Camille, eyebrows raised in question. He wasn’t surprised to find Camille grinning from ear to ear, and he knew from just looking at her that she already had a plan. He also knew, without a doubt, that it would be amazing.

  ~~~~~

  With a grunt, Mase tossed his twenty-third armful of scrap metal onto the heaping pile he’d already hauled out to their little graveyard on the hill. Arms finally unburdened, he wiped his brow. He had, for the first time in a long time, actually broken a sweat.

  “That’s good, Mase,” Becca said from beside Camille, who was perched on the stool-sized boulder between Ky’s and Ben’s gravestone markers. Peter stood behind both young women. “We’ve got plenty to work with now.”

  Camille closed her journal and held her hand out to Mase, beckoning him to approach. When he reached her, she pulled him down and planted a tender kiss on his lips. A thank-you clearer than words could ever be.

  Mase still wasn’t sure what was about to happen, but he was anxious to find out. He was also anxious about what the strain of using her Ability so much would do to Camille—regardless of her and Peter’s and Becca’s assurances that she’d be fine—and about whether or not they’d be able to finish up before anyone else on the farm caught on to what they were doing.

  Dani had remained back at the farmhouse to rouse the others for a big, communal New Year’s Eve breakfast, a breakfast she’d hoped would keep everyone busy in the farmhouse long enough for the Re-gens to complete their work.

  “Are you sure you’re up for this?” Mase asked Camille, his eyes searching hers. When she nodded, no hint of uncertainty on her face, he straightened and looked at Peter. “And you? You’re sure you’re up for this, too?”

  Smiling sadly, Peter nodded. “I’m healthier than I’ve been in years. It’s all my mom ever wanted for me.”

  “Good.” Mase reached over Camille and grasped Peter’s shoulder. “At least in that regard, we can know that she died with peace in her heart. In the end, it’s all any of us can ask for.”

  Swallowing roughly, Peter nodded and shifted his focus beyond Mase, to the heaping mound of junk metal staining the tranquil hilltop graveyard. “Shall we begin?”

  Camille craned her neck to look up at Peter, and Mase caught half of her smile. She nodded once before her focus shifted to the mountain of metal as well. And as Peter rested his hands on both of her shoulders to boost her Ability to manipulate metal, Mase moved to the side.

  “You guys might want to sit down for this,” Peter said. When Mase looked at him, his eyes were closed, his face locked in concentration.

  Becca settled on the overgrown grass gracefully, folding her legs and resting her hands in her lap. For a moment, all Mase did was stare at Peter and Camille curiously. Until, that is, he had no choice but to take a knee, because the earth started groaning and shaking, and it all seemed to be coming from the pile of metal.

  When Mase looked at the pile once more, he couldn’t believe his eyes. It was almost like it was melting, sinking into the earth. He shook his head. Not almost; the scrap metal was sinking into the earth, being swallowed up by the hillside.

  And as he watched, as he gaped at what the woman he loved was doing with her mind, something incredible happened.

  It started out as a tiny, fragile sticklike thing. A sapling, Mase thought to himself, somewhere in the back of his awestruck mind. But it grew quickly, gaining height and thickness, sprouting more fragile sticklike things. Branches, the coherent part of Mase’s mind whispered oh so quietly. Dozens, maybe hundreds of branches.

  Because as Mase knelt on the ground in that small graveyard on a hill with the brand-new sun hovering mere inches over the hillside, a tree of pure metal grew out of the ground just a few dozen yards away. Its branches shimmered in the morning sunlight, reaching high and wide, sheltering the four Re-gens from the bright glare. It truly was beautiful. And impossible. And amazing.

  Stunned, Mase tore his eyes from the tree of pure metal and stared, mesmerized, at Camille. At beautiful, impossible, amazing Camille.

  He couldn’t imagine ever loving anyone more.

  49

  JAKE

  DECEMBER 31, 1AE

  The Farm, California

  Jake stood behind the farmhouse, his attention fixed on the hilltop, on what looked like metal rising up from the ground up on the hill. “What the hell…” He took a step just as the back door swung open and shut again.

  “Jake?” He heard the patter of footsteps down the porch steps. “Jake, you—”

  After a moment’s pause, he tore his gaze away from the growing thing. Dani stood behind him, her curls wild and blowing in the breeze and her cheeks flushed. Her green eyes were opened wide, but for some reason, she didn’t seem as taken aback by the object on the hill as he had been.

  “You weren’t supposed to see it yet,” she said, her eyes locked beyond him. “It’s supposed to be a surprise.”

  “Zoe asked me to find Peter,” Jake said, and he looked back at the metal branches slowly extending away from what appeared to be a glinting tree trunk. “You knew about this?” When Dani didn’t say anything, he looked back at her, waiting. She shook her head, unable to pull her gaze away from the metal tree growing up on the hill.

  Dani snapped her eyes shut quickly and shook her head again. “I mean, yes, but no. I didn’t know what they were going to make exactly, I just knew they were going to create something.” She moved forward to stand beside Jake. “That’s a big something.”

  “You could say that,” he said and let out an amused, quiet grunt.

  “We thought it would be a nice addition to tonight,” Dani said. “A way to commemorate everyone.”

  Everyone who was gone was implied, and Jake nodded. “It’s actually kind of perfect.” He crossed his arms over his chest as he watched the four Re-gens atop the hill gradually cast in the forming limbs’ shadows.

  “Really?” Dani asked, peering up at him. “How’s that?”

  Jake scratched the side of his face and nodded up toward the hill, toward the graveyard. “Since Zoe has been spending so much time up there, I was going to save one of the benches I’ve built for the bonfire tonight and put it up there.”

  Dani’s knowing eyes widened and her smile reached from ear to ear. “That’s a great idea! Do you have one ready? Maybe Mase can put it underneath the tree, you know, before everyone sees it.”

  Jake nodded. “But there are a couple finishing touches I’d like to make first.”

  ~~~~~

  Other than the chirping conversation among a family of blackbirds exploring the cool metal branches beneath their feet, there was silence. Everyone—all nineteen members of the remaining group—stood around the fabricated tree, gaping in awe.

  Earlier, when Jake had seen it being created, literally coming out of the ground, he’d watched it grow into this monstrously beautiful thing. But seeing it up close was different. The tree was a work of art, a masterpiece. And there it was, in the center of grave hill, sprawling, captivating. Chills rushed over his skin as he took in the branches that twisted and turned, almost protective in the way they reached out over the group, like they were trying to shelter everyone beneath them. />
  Tom and some of the others had moved to the trunk of the tree, touching and admiring the details of the bark and the intricate leaves growing out of the metal branches. But Jake’s focus was on Zoe, standing a few feet from him. Her hands covered her mouth as she stared up at the monument in amazement.

  “I can’t believe it,” she murmured into her hands. “It’s beautiful.” Then, she noticed the bench. Her eyes narrowed, and hesitantly, she took a step closer. Closer, until she crouched down in front of it. Her fingertips traced the image Jake had carved on the backboard, while the fingers of her other hand moved to her hip, to where the Celtic knot tattoo was hiding beneath her clothes.

  “It’s not perfect,” Jake said, realizing he should’ve asked Jason or Tom to help him with the carving. But knowing how much the symbol meant to Dani and Zoe, that it represented their unbreakable bond, it seemed appropriate, necessary even.

  Zoe studied him for a moment, then shifted her gaze back to the bench. Had it been too soon to inscribe the names of the fallen into the wood; were the memories still too fresh? Jake began to wonder if he should’ve waited.

  When Jason joined them, crouching beside Zoe, he reached out, touching one of the names that were etched among the two-by-fours. Jake had tried to capture memories of all their friends and loved ones, those who helped them fight from the beginning, like Dave and Sammy, Sarah, Ky and Ben, and those more recently lost, like those who helped to fight the General’s soldiers, and Tavis, and Anna, of course.

  Both Jason and Zoe seemed dumbfounded as they stood and took a step back together, assessing the entirety of the sight in front of them. While the memorial was meant as a tribute for all to appreciate, it was obvious it held special meaning to the Cartwrights. After all, every name carved on that bench was one of Zoe or Jason’s friends, their family.

  Zoe walked slowly over to Camille, wrapping her arms around the smaller woman’s neck. There were muffled words murmured, followed by a silent, desperate squeeze before Zoe took a step back, wiped the tears from her eyes, and turned to face Mase.

  His mouth quirked into a smile, and he shrugged. “It was mostly Cami—”

  Zoe’s arms were around his neck before he could formulate a complete, nonchalant response. She moved on to Becca next, then Peter. Tom and Jason also thanked the Re-gens, grateful for such a memorable and meaningful gift.

  “It’s beautiful,” Tom said to Camille, and then everyone was chatting and laughing and asking questions that Camille could only smile and deflect to Mase to answer.

  Tom stopped in front of Peter, and they seemed to exchange a sort of quiet conversation with their eyes. Until, finally, Tom pulled Peter against his side, his arm wrapped around the young man’s shoulders. “Your mom would love it,” Tom said, his voice strained.

  Jake looked away, not wanting to intrude on such a private moment.

  “Can you believe this thing?” Jason said, walking up to him. He pointed over his shoulder at the tree. “Who knew?”

  Jake chuckled as he thought about the strangeness of watching a metal tree grow out of the ground before his very eyes. “It’ll be nice to see how creative some of us can get now that everyone’s Abilities aren’t solely focused on defense tactics and precautionary measures.” Jake grinned inwardly, remembering his conversation with Harper about his visions the night before as they sat out on the porch, having an after-dinner drink.

  “Thank you…for the bench,” Jason said, and he extended his hand.

  Jake accepted it, noting that Jason’s grip was tighter and his grasp lasted longer than necessary.

  “I know it’s mostly for Zoe, but…thank you,” Jason said again.

  Jake gave him a curt nod. “It’s for everyone,” he said. “We all spend enough time up here, I figured it wouldn’t hurt. Besides, it’s not like it’s finished. I need you to fix it up for me. It’s looking a little rough.”

  “Nah man, you did good.” Jason patted Jake on the shoulder and gave one final nod of appreciation, then stepped away to reclaim Dani’s hand from where she stood in a herd of people.

  To Jake’s surprise, Dani glanced back with a smile aimed right at him. She winked, and Jake smiled back. He turned away, but stopped short. Zoe stood in his path, her jewel-colored eyes illuminated as she stared at him. Jake almost lost himself in their vivid, hypnotic depths.

  “You knew about this,” she said, then her eyes widened. “That’s what you were doing when you never came back to breakfast this morning.”

  Jake brought his palms up and shook his head. “I saw it, and only accidentally. I didn’t know about it before that.”

  “Yet you still had time to make a bench to put under it?” She placed her hands on her hips and lifted one of her eyebrows. “Seems fishy.” She looked back at the tree.

  “There’s no conspiracy, I promise,” he said. “It was already something I’d been working on, a bench I’d put together for the bonfire, actually. I guess you could say I knew it had a higher purpose.” He folded his arms over his chest and flashed Zoe a smirk. “It’s not like I could keep a secret from you, anyway.” Which was another reason he’d kept his distance from her all morning.

  “You better not keep secrets,” she chided and didn’t hesitate as she jumped into his arms, nearly knocking him over as she wrapped her legs around his waist. She snickered, though her eyes were still a tad damp, with happiness, he hoped. “I love you,” she said and placed a kiss against his lips. “Thank you, all the time, for everything.”

  Jake laughed. “For everything?” His grip around her tightened. “Even when you say I nag you about your clothes, or when I tell you you’ve been snoring?”

  Zoe rolled her eyes. “No, but for everything else—and I don’t snore.” She playful batted at him before settling back into his hold. “Thank you for waking me up early to watch the sunrise and for making sure I get the last cup of coffee. That sort of thing.”

  A deep laugh rumbled from his chest. “Yeah, well, that’s more about self-preservation.”

  “I can respect that,” Zoe said and her smile grew. “So, does this mean we’re short a bench for tonight’s festivities?” She glanced at those few who still lingered around the tree, everyone else already heading back down the hill.

  “I’m sure we’ll figure something out.”

  Zoe’s mouth quirked up at the corner, and her eyes filled with mischief as she leaned her forehead against his. “Who needs a seat when there are always dark corners to hide in?” Her eyebrows danced merrily, making Jake chuckle again.

  “This is true,” he agreed.

  Zoe kissed him once more, but this time her lips lingered on his and her eyes remained shut. “One of these days…” She breathed out slowly. “We’ll have a place of our own, a quaint little house up on the next hill, still close but not that close. And we can do whatever we want, wherever we want.”

  Jake’s blood rushed faster, felt warmer. “That sounds nice,” he groaned. “Soon the farmhouse won’t fit us all, anyway.”

  Zoe pulled away and tilted her head to the side. “Are you alluding to our family, Mr. Vaughn, or to someone else’s?”

  Tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear, Jake shrugged. “Our family, Dani’s family, Biggs and Harper’s families…”

  Zoe straightened, her mouth hanging open. “What? Chris is pregnant? And she didn’t say anything?” He could hear her apprehension and excitement. “I didn’t sense it?”

  “Calm down,” Jake laughed. “I don’t think so, at least not yet.”

  “Buuut…” Zoe prompted.

  “But Harper’s had two, very similar visions these past couple weeks, and it seems likely she will be at some point. He’s obviously happy, but also afraid.” Harper knew how dangerous pregnancy was for her, not just because of the lingering effects of the Virus, but childbirth in general.

  “So that’s what’s been distracting him.”

  “Yes, but don’t say anything, Zoe. I’m not sure he’s told Chris yet.” H
arper had been worried how she would respond, given the fact that she’d already lost her two boys.

  “H would be a wonderful dad—and Chris with her own child in her arms—they’d be a beautiful family.”

  Zoe jumped down, out of Jake’s arms, and laced her fingers with his. “Either way, you’re right, we definitely need a place of our own. Our kids are getting their own room, because Mama’s gonna need her beauty sleep.” Zoe peered at him, a knowing grin on her face as they made their way back down the hill.

  Jake couldn’t wait to start their family—to have a sense of purpose and normalcy…even if he did still need a bit more finesse when it came to the whole taking-care-of-the-kids part of it.

  Zoe laughed and squeezed his hand. “Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time for practice,” she told him, clearly mind-lurking.

  Jake shook his head. “You just couldn’t help it, could you?”

  She laughed. “I’m only kidding. You’ll be a great father,” she said, and she ran ahead of him as he reached for her, evading him. She smirked. “There have to be some perks to this Ability, right?” She flashed him a smile that made him unbelievably happy.

  Jake followed after her, thinking those teal eyes he’d been destined to save had become his whole world. He’d never felt more whole and at home than he did with Zoe, and he couldn’t wait to start his new life with her by his side.

  50

  ZOE

  DECEMBER 31, 1AE

  The Farm, California

  Dani and I sat on our knees on the perfectly placed bench, each of us wrapped in our respective blankets as we etched our initials into the trunk of the metal tree. Although it was a dark night, with only a sliver of moonlight, and there was a bit of wind, being outside with only the dogs for us to worry about and our companionable silence was a nice reprieve from all the commotion down at the farm. It was New Year’s, which meant we’d had a late dinner and there would be celebration and bonfires long into the night.