by Jaymin Eve
I was happy to see Emma and Lexen with House of Darken. Star was also there with a tall, good-looking guy. They were holding hands.
“That’s Brad,” Xander explained, noticing my stare. “He’s Maya’s best friend.”
Ah, this was the human best friend. He actually looked a lot like a Daelighter as he stood there hand in hand with a Darken princess. I mentioned that to Xander, and he nodded.
“He’s eating some of our food to extend his human life. He’s hybrid now.”
That’s what the secret keepers were as well. Humans changed by Daelighter energy.
“It’s nice to see Ambra is finally out again,” Xander said sadly. “Lexen’s mother has barely left her room since Marsil died.”
Lexen’s mother was ethereal and beautiful, but there was no hiding how pale and thin she looked. Jero, the other brother, stayed at her side, holding her hand. He looked strong and sure, standing tall. But a deep pain was etched across his face as well.
It was too great. The losses were too much.
Another group exited the incubation level and I had to stop myself from running to Maya. It felt like years since I’d seen them all, even though it had only been one night. I missed them.
“Who’s that with Maya?” I asked, seeing a tiny Asian woman and a large, robust man on either side of her. “Her parents?”
Xander nodded, his lips brushing against my ear. “Yes, they’re here as well now, staying with Maya in Daelight Crescent. They work for the human-Daelighter section of the government, so they’re used to our ways. It worked out pretty well.”
Maya appeared to have the best kind of family there was, the kind that loved and accepted unconditionally. House of Leights still fascinated me the most. I’d see a lot of them before, of course, but I was in love with their nature-based lifestyle. Living with their trees. And they were all gorgeous, in a supermodel, I-have-cheekbones-for-days kind of way.
Maya fit in perfectly, even if she was almost the shortest among them. Her mother was the only one I could see who was even smaller.
“It’s starting,” Xander told me, and I turned to face forward.
Daniel and Callie, along with a bunch of their people, were standing right on the edge of the justices’ cliff. Council members stepped closer carrying stones and crystals. Not the ones from our trip to Columbia. Nope, they were all gone forever. These were just ancient energy stones that would bind Daniel to the network and his house.
I had no idea what was being said. The ceremony was not in English, but there was a magical feel in the air.
Daniel did not hesitate when it was his turn to repeat the words, his hands on the stones. But before he finished, he did something that must have been unexpected, judging by the hushed gasp that went through the crowd of Daelighters. He reached back and grabbed Callie’s hands, bringing her forward, placing her hands on the stone with his.
“I’m going to guess this is not how it usually goes?” I murmured to Xander.
He shook his head. “No, the overlord couple rules together, but there is only one true overlord. Daniel is … sharing his power with Callie, giving her full access to the overlord energy he will control.”
Callie looked like she was going to resist at first, but Daniel whispered something to her and she just shook her head at him, relaxing. They both repeated the final words together, and the dress she was wearing, floor length and black with a scooped neckline, started to shimmer. White and blue energy rocked across her body, moving to Daniel.
“This is the part where one of them could be rejected,” Xander said, sounding worried.
I felt nervous for them. They were our family. I wanted them to be able to take this new step together. Light shot up and I gasped, not sure if that was a bad sign. Another beam of light, from whatever was above, shot down to meet their beam.
“The network accepts them,” a council member shouted.
The cheers that erupted were almost deafening, and my heart swelled at the thought that all the houses were joined together in this moment. In celebration. The rest of the ceremony was over pretty quickly after that, then all of the overlords met to congratulate each other, while the members of the houses started to make their journey home.
Daniel asked all of us to stay until the end, sending messages to his friends via the network. “You’re going to have to show me how this network works soon,” I joked to Xander.
He gave me a wink. “You got it, babe. You have forever to learn about my world. I can’t wait to discover everything with you.”
He was perfect. Most of the time, anyway. The arrogant asshole came out on occasion, but to be honest, I loved that side of him almost as much as his sweet side.
Emma just about barreled me over as she tackle-hugged me. “I missed you,” she exclaimed.
I burst out laughing. “I missed you too. I was wondering if I might be a little crazy, since it was only one night apart.”
Maya joined us then and we pulled her into the hug. “Nope, not crazy,” she told us. “I was almost going to sneak out of Chase’s place last night and come find you all.”
“Tell me that Chase’s place in Daelight Crescent is a tree house,” Emma said with a laugh. “And we can have sleepovers there?”
Chase joined us then, after saying farewell to his parents. “It’s a very large tree house. And you’re all welcome anytime. There’s enough room for us all to live together and still have our own wings, if you’d like.”
Everyone laughed even though he’d said nothing particularly funny. It was just nice to think about the future. About being together. And I guess … we were all happy.
“Callie!” Emma cried when our friend finally escaped from the council and others gathered around the new overlord couple. “You’re an overlord major.”
Callie hugged all of us, her face glowing even though her eyes were tired and somewhat haunted still. “I can’t believe it, but … I feel the energy now. Inside. The same way my fire is there. And while I’m really happy, Daniel is still getting his ass kicked for dropping that on me with no notice.”
Her mate chuckled as he wrapped his arm around her. “You’d never have turned up today if I told you what I had planned. It all worked out for the best.”
She shook her head at him but didn’t argue. The last of the crowds were disappearing, and I realized how huge this top section of Imperial actually was.
“So, what did you want us to wait here for?” Lexen asked Daniel.
Daniel and Callie’s faces went somber. I worried for a moment they had more bad news.
“I’ve been waiting for my full powers,” Daniel said. “Because I wanted to offer you all one last chance to say goodbye.”
Lexen froze, like he knew exactly what Daniel meant. “You should call your parents, Jero, and Star back as well,” Daniel prompted his friend, who still looked frozen. “It’s a one-time offer.”
“Are you sure?” Lexen said hoarsely. “I’ve never heard of anyone doing that before. I don’t want to get their hopes up.”
Daniel clasped his friend on the shoulder. “I will break the rules for you all. Just this once.”
Emma started to cry, and so did Callie. My eyes felt very damp as I stared at the ground, still not totally sure how Daniel was going to allow them to say goodbye to Marsil.
“He’s in redemption?” Emma asked, sobs escaping her.
Daniel nodded. “Yes, he sacrificed himself to save two worlds. His soul went straight to redemption.”
Emma nodded rapidly. “Of course it did.”
Lexen’s parents appeared from the huge building that was near the back of this level. Star and Jero were with them. Lexen met them halfway so he could explain everything. Ambra started to cry, burying her head in her hands, while Roland comforted her. Jero and Star, though, both looked happy, their faces almost bright as they hurried across to our group.
“They all accept your gracious gift,” Lexen told Daniel.
Roland cleared his thro
at. “You’re breaking a lot of rules today, Overlord Daniel.”
Daniel shrugged. “First day on the job—everyone makes mistakes on their first day.”
Roland chuckled. “I can see you’re ready to bring about the sort of change Lexen has always pushed for. I can’t wait until the day the four of you stand at the pillar of Overworld. That will be a fine day indeed.” His wife lifted her head, her dark blue eyes rimmed in red. Roland’s arm was still around her, solid, supportive. “Ambra and I are going to seriously discuss when to hand the mantle over to Lexen. Whenever he and Emma are ready for it.”
Emma went very pale, but she also looked pleased that they had included her.
“Can I see my son now?” Ambra asked, her eyes brimming with fresh tears. “I need to see him one last time.”
Cue waterworks again. This was going to be one emotional visit, and I wondered…
“If you’d like this to be a family thing,” I offered quietly, “I’m happy to stay behind. My heart is breaking for all of you, but I don’t know Marsil personally, and maybe I’m—”
I didn’t get a chance to finish before Ambra and Roland stepped forward, and then they … hugged me. Tight. Like parents would. Which had my heart cracking right down the center.
“You are family,” Roland said, his deep voice rumbling all around me. “Lexen told me everything that happened while you were gone, and there is no doubt in my mind that the eight of you … you’re family.”
“We would like you there,” Ambra added as they both released me.
I couldn’t speak, my throat clogged with emotions, so I just nodded.
Daniel stepped over to the edge of the justices, leaning out very far over the tree-filled land below. Light spread out from his hands, starting small, before it shimmered all the way down the huge cascading steps.
The beam got wider and longer, and when Daniel dropped his hand, the light did not disappear.
“Redemption time,” he said, before he sat down on the beam and pushed off.
“A giant rainbow slide … well, okay then,” I murmured as one by one everyone got on and pushed their way down the light.
When it was my turn—Xander right behind me—I dropped down, surprised to feel my body almost mold into the light. It was warm and soft, and as I started to slide, there was no out-of-control feeling, just a smooth glide all the way down. I was so fascinated with watching the lands below, trees and fire and monsters and water, that I almost missed the fact that I was closing in on the end. Luckily Daniel was there; he caught me before I could do an impressive tumble across the land. “Oh, thanks,” I said, when he set me on my feet.
“No problem. I figured most of you would be distracted.”
Not Xander. He sailed down like a boss, landing smoothly. The mood in the group was a strange mix of somber and excited as Daniel strode further into the pretty land. It was very fairy-tale-esque, with streams and green rolling hills, and that perfect warm temperature where you felt comfortable and not hot.
“There are souls here?” I asked, looking around. It seemed deserted.
“Yes,” Lexen said quietly. “But they’re not visible to us, not normally. They exist in their own version of paradise.”
Daniel, who had disappeared briefly behind some trees, reappeared then, and he wasn’t alone.
Ambra let out a choked cry, her hand going to her mouth as she ran toward them, Roland, Lexen, Star, and Jero right behind her. The rest of us let them go across first, strolling very slowly toward the group.
Marsil looked just like his brothers: dark hair, stocky build. A little shorter. A little less beautiful than Lexen but definitely still a Darken. He had his arms wrapped around Ambra; she trembled against him. “I love you, Mom,” I heard him whisper as he held her tight.
“How long do they have?” Callie asked Daniel.
“I’ll give them as much time as I can,” he replied, voice hoarse. “But there’s only so long I can draw Marsil into this realm without depleting my energy to the point of endangering my house.”
Eventually Marsil was hugged by all of his family, and the tears were flowing all around again. But there was a … happy feel to the emotion this time.
“You chose redemption,” Star said. “I’m surprised.”
Marsil grinned at her. “Do you remember Jenna—we grew up together? She was my best friend, and when she was killed in that cave-in … I haven’t felt whole since.”
“It was a freak accident, right?” Roland said, remembering.
Marsil nodded. “Yes, it was. She has always held my heart, and I hoped she was here. I chose to remain as I was in this life so that I could see her again. And all of you, if it was possible.”
Ambra sobbed, reaching forward to push her son’s hair back.
“Did you?” Star asked, her eyes bright.
“I found her,” he said, happy. “Please know that I’m content. I will wait for you to join me one day. Redemption is the perfect kind of—”
His words were cut off.
Daniel lunged forward and grabbed Marsil’s arm, stopping him from flickering away.
“I can’t hold you much longer,” Daniel warned. “Don’t talk about the afterlife. It’s not for anyone to know until it’s their time.”
Marsil nodded, before he stepped forward again and hugged his family, one by one, each of them whispering last words of goodbye. I had to step away, because I wasn’t sure I could watch this for one more moment and not sob my heart out.
“I love you,” I heard Emma say, and I turned enough to see her hugging him. “Thank you for everything. I will never forget you.”
“I love you too,” Marsil whispered. “Look after my brother. He needs someone to keep him in line.”
Lexen didn’t smile. He looked like his was gritting his teeth actually, jaw rigid, brow furrowed. He was hurting.
“It’s time,” Daniel said a few moments later. “I’m sorry.”
All of the Darkens held their hands out towards Marsil, and he did the same back. Slowly, he started to fade. Just before he disappeared completely, he said: “Oh, and there’s one last thing…”
He was gone then, but in his place two figures slowly appeared, neither of them familiar to me.
The Darkens held each other in their grief, but Daniel stepped forward, astonishment on his face. “Rao … Fraizer,” he said. “You’re both here?”
Rao? I had not recognized him at all. He looked tall and handsome, the scars completely gone from his face. He stood beside Fraizer, who was a younger, happier, hawk-haired version of Daniel.
Fraizer spoke first. “I’m so sorry I betrayed you. I just wanted to save Rao.” He turned his head toward Maya then. “I’m sorry, I hope Laous didn’t hurt you.”
Maya waved a hand at him, tears streaking down her cheeks. “I’m perfectly fine. Sorry we couldn’t save either of you.”
Fraizer shook his head, smiling broadly for the first time. “I was saved. Rao is my family, something I’ve searched for my entire life. We’re together now.”
Daniel was crying. Not in an obvious way, but I could see the glints of moisture on his cheeks. “You both made it to redemption. How could I not know this?”
Rao chuckled, which made all of us smile. “You not had much time,” he said, in broken English.
Daniel chuckled too, wiping at his face. “Yes, that’s true. I was afraid to search for your names as well. Afraid I’d try to save you from the justices.”
“Told you I was a good guy,” Fraizer said with a wink. “You just had to have faith.”
Daniel stepped forward, sucking in a deep breath. “Stick together,” he told his brothers. He reached out and pulled them closer. “I’ll see you both on the other side.”
The three hugged, a bittersweet moment, which hurt as much as it was beautiful. Then Daniel stepped back, and Fraizer faded away. Rao stayed a moment longer … just long enough to hug Callie.
“I’m so sorry,” she sobbed against him. “You
tried to help me so much, and I ended up killing you.”
“Shhh,” he said gently. “Not your fault. Saved me. Thank you.”
Her tears increased, her body actually shaking as she sobbed and cried. “I’m happy,” Rao said simply, before he leaned down and kissed her cheek. Then he was gone.
Daniel caught his mate as she collapsed.
“How … how did they appear?” Lexen asked Daniel, who was lifting Callie up into his arms.
Daniel shook his head. “I have no idea. I guess there is a lot I don’t know about my world. About the justices. Maybe if I figure it out, we’ll be able to see them again. I hope so, anyway.”
Everyone was emotionally spent, that much was clear, as Daniel called for a transporter to take us back to the surface.
“Where do we go from here?” Emma asked.
“Wherever you want, baby girl,” Lexen told her. “But my first suggestion is a long vacation for us all. I mean, what’s the point of a private airplane if we don’t use it?”
“You all have to go back to school,” Roland told them, his voice hoarse with emotion. “Some of you still have to graduate high school.”
Everyone groaned except Emma, who clapped excitedly. His words had lightened the mood, and by the time Xander grabbed on to the light beam to take us home, I felt better. My chest still hurt, but it wasn’t as deep.
This was the start of the rest of our lives.
And I for one couldn’t wait.
25
One month later
The first morning light was just cresting across the familiar sky as I kicked my legs out, staring at my ocean. My favorite time and place. I was just missing my favorite mate.
Xander would probably be pissed that I’d snuck out of bed this morning—we’d only flown in late last night—but it had been so long since I’d seen Hawaii. I couldn’t miss the first sunrise. Our vacation had taken longer than expected to get to. There was just so much that needed to be dealt with first.
But we were finally here.
I was in his pool, the ocean spread out before me. Xander owned one of the superfancy resort-style estates right along the ocean. He said we could stay here as long as we wanted. I was hoping for forever.