Page 117 of Spirit Storm

"And my parents and Wylder's mom would be alive."

"Along with all the other people who didn't need to die."

I know Birdie told me everything happens as it's meant to, but I'm with Sebastian on this one. "Things would've been so different. I would've grown up with my sisters and my parents."

"But you never would've met Asher."

I can't even imagine that. It's a good thing that life or fate or destiny isn't a decision made by mortal men, because we're not meant to choose.

My heart hurts even thinking about it. "So, how do you feel?"

He's quiet for a moment. "Like I'm waking up from the longest nightmare imaginable."

I get that. "What will you do now?"

He smiles, and it's the most unguarded expression I've ever seen on Sebastian's face. "I think I'll find a beach house somewhere. White sands, warm days, good vibes… and maybe a special lady to share it with."

I lean to the side and rest my head on his shoulder. "I love that for you. I want an invitation to the wedding."

"You got it, kid."

Something passes between us that doesn't need words. He found me and gave me my life back. He saved me when no one else could. He spoke the truth when no one else cared enough to tell me what was going on.

We stood the same ground for entirely different reasons, and somehow ended up in the same place.

Asher materializes beside me and takes a knee. "All right, Pops. Your turn."

He takes my hand in his and helps me up. When I sway on my feet, he pulls me to his side and steadies me. I accept his strength and take one last look at the cave entrance.

"We did it."

"Yeah, we did," Wylder says, stepping over to join us.

I rest my head against Asher's shoulder and reach out to take Wylder's hand. "And it's over, right?"

Asher hugs me tighter and kisses the top of my head. "Nah, baby girl. This is just our beginning."

EPILOGUE

The Evergreen Cemetery is silver and still during the witching hour of Litha, the moon so full and bright it throws shadows from every headstone. The summer solstice marks the peak of the sun's power, a time of abundant crops, active nature, and a turning point for the year.

Power hums beneath the soles of my boots, warm and ancient, rising through the earth like something enormous just rolled over in its sleep.

Lily turns the old-fashioned copper handle on the heavy door to the Hallowind crypt, and the three of us enter the resting place of our ancestors.

Inside, the air is still and heavy, despite the cool night air outside. Lily lifts a hand, and the sconces along the stone walls burst to life and glow with golden light. She plays it off as no big deal, but both Violet and I are proud of how well she's doing with her magical studies.

Now that we're all home and settled, our magic has settled too. As Birdie would say, 'Everything happening as it's meant.'

The vaulted ceiling arches high above, its carvings and artistry lost in the shadows. In the center of the space, a wide, smooth marble altar table sits, and S'Nark jumps up in his cat form to sit at the corner.

"I'll get the window." Violet grips the little crank of the tall window and begins to wind it to air things out. "May the Hallowind spirits enter with our welcome."

The window itself depicts a beautiful raven in flight, surrounded by swirling mist. In full sun, it's breathtaking. In moonlight, it's eerily cool.

The crypt smells of stone and cedar and the dried rosemary we scattered in here last week in preparation. The altar table runs down the center of the space, and we've laid it out exactly as Vale described.

Spaced in a triangle on a black silk altar cloth, we've set out three white candles, one for each of the living members of our bloodline, and in the center of them, a wide black candle to represent our family line.