A small moan escaped her, the fight went out of her as her shoulders slumped and she gave herself over to his heady invasion. He invaded her senses as he tasted her with a reckless abandon that, although it caused her toes to curl, somehow soothed her body. He made her forget about the quest for more power as the infinite bond between them surged up to enfold them both within its calming depths.
Cassie smelled burnt cloth and hair as she fell into him, but he still refused to release her. The tears didn't evaporate in her eyes anymore as they slid down her face and dripped onto his skin. His hands slid into her hair as he drew her more firmly against him to deepen the kiss. She clenched his forearms as she sought something to stabilize her, not from the influx of power, but from the influx of him.
Slowly she began to understand that there was only one thing that could push her over the edge completely, but it was also the one thing that could bring her back. Love. Not just Devon's love either, but the love of all the people she cherished and cared for so deeply. For all of them, she could do anything, including controlling the voracious beast within her. She didn't think of it as her enemy anymore though, but as her ally. It had helped her to destroy all of their enemies tonight, and she knew now that if she ever needed it again, it would be there for her. However, it did not rule her and it never would.
Devon's emerald eyes filled her vision as he broke away from her and rubbed his thumbs over her cheeks. The tips of his fingers began to heal as they brushed away her tears. His lips, nose and cheeks were burnt but he didn't seem at all affected by it as he looked at her with such love and yearning that it made her cry even harder.
"Shh Cassie," he whispered. "It's alright now. You're still with me. It's ok."
She kissed him again; she was unable to get enough of the feel of him as her lips brushed over his and her fingers ran through his hair. "I'm still here?"
"You're still here," he assured her. "You're still here."
He kissed her again, and when he pulled away, her tears slid over his lips to heal his scorched and blistered skin. She let Annabelle's healing power flow into her fingertips as she brushed them over his lips and across the charred marks on his cheeks and the tip of his nose. His emerald eyes sparkled as he smiled at her and slid his arm around her waist.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in the hollow of his throat as he lifted her from the ground. She would love to remain buried in his embrace for days, if not weeks, but that wasn't going to be possible.
She pressed a kiss to the base of his throat and reluctantly removed herself from him to survey the damage that had been caused. Her friends were gathered around Joey's prone form. The snow around him was turning a deep shade of red. Dani's arm was bent at an odd angle as tears slid down her face and she sobbed forcefully. The right side of Melissa's face was a large bruise that had already turned the color of a ripe plum. She was balancing like a flamingo as she hovered over Annabelle working on Joey.
Annabelle shook back her strawberry curls as she sat back on her heels. "There's nothing I can do."
Dani's shoulders shook, she was struggling to breathe as she rested her hand on her brother's still chest. Julian and Chris gathered near them as Cassie hurried to help Annabelle with the healing of her friends. She knelt in front of Dani and tenderly took hold of her arm.
"I'm sorry," she told her as a familiar heat slid from the tips of her fingers and into Dani's arm. Joey had tried to kill her, but in the end he had come around to their side, and been an asset in the battle. Dani had betrayed them, but Cassie knew the girl wasn't evil at heart; she had simply been confused and misguided. Cassie meant the words as spoke them to the heartbroken girl. "I'm sorry for your loss, but we're still here for you."
Tears continued to slide down Dani's face; she bit into her bottom lip as she managed a small nod. Cassie rejoined the bones in her arm, squeezed it comfortingly and rose to her feet. Annabelle was working on Melissa's face when Matthew stopped a few feet away from them. Cassie knew why The Elder had come here; she could feel it radiating from him as he stared imploringly at her.
Cassie approached him cautiously, she didn't know if she was ready for this, but she didn't have a choice. "You know why I'm here," he said.
She swallowed heavily before nodding. "I do."
"A force of good," he breathed. "It was all I aspired to see in the end."
Her throat clogged as a single tear slid down her face. Even if she had chosen the wrong path, Matthew had wanted to be here to see. There was only one thing he sought from his life anymore.
He took hold of her hand and patted it between both of his. More images of her future filled her head, but these ones weren't frightening and overwhelming. These were kind and peaceful as they revealed to her a future so bright that even an eternity of having to live in the shadows couldn't darken it.
"Peace," Matthew whispered before he released her hand. "The sun is coming." Cassie looked toward the horizon as the night sky started to lighten at the far edges. A tendril of apprehension crept down her spine. "Go child."
Cassie hesitated, she didn't want to leave him here knowing what he intended, but this was his life and his choice to make. He'd had enough of it years ago but it had been a vision of her, and of hope against Zane, that had kept him in this world. Even still...
"You can come with us."
Julian cursed as he shook his head disapprovingly. Matthew smiled indulgently at her. "No, my journey is done."
"Thank you." It seemed like such an inadequate thing to say but she had no other words for him. No other solace to give to the tormented man.
Turning away from Matthew she took hold of Devon's hand as he hurried her toward the house. He shepherded her inside as the first rays of the day broke over top of the trees. She turned to look out the window as Matthew held his arms out to the dawn. A halo of light encircled him; he was aglow in the aura of warmth that he hadn't been able to enjoy for hundreds of years. His eyes closed as he tilted his chin up to silently embrace the rays that lit his body on fire and turned it to ash.
Gabriel tottered over to her and held up his arms. She bent down and scooped him up. The delightful scent of him, and the comforting feel of his chubby arms, caused more tears to slide down her face as she hugged him against her. Devon slid his arm around her waist and pulled the both of them against his chest. Smiling, Gabriel poked Devon's nose when he rested his chin on her shoulder and smiled at the little boy.
For the first time in four years a feeling of serenity crept through her. She'd found her home in Devon and everyone else gathered within this room. It was still going to be difficult, they would have to find a place to stay and raise the children, but they had each other and she knew they could get through anything together.
She kissed Devon's cheek and smiled at him as his emerald eyes merrily twinkled back at her. Yes, this was where she belonged, where she always would belong. Barnacle cuddled up against her, rested his head on her shoulder, and closed his eyes.
CHAPTER 25
Cassie placed the last picture in the box and closed the lid. She barely glanced around the room that had once been hers as she hefted the box in her arms and carried it to the front door. Julian took it from her and carried it out to the RV they had purchased for this journey. Chris met her in the hallway with another box full of photos. He'd been avoiding going to his house, but there was no avoiding it anymore.
"Are you ready?" she inquired.
He frowned as he glanced anxiously across the street. "Yes."
"I'll stay here." Devon kissed her cheek and took the box from Chris.
Cassie nodded and took hold of Chris's hand as she braced herself to face his mother. "There's nothing over there I need," he muttered.
"I know, but you have to talk to her. Maybe even offer to let her come with us. She at least has to know you're still alive."
"She's probably barely noticed I was even gone, I don't think she cares if I'm alive."
Cass
ie wanted to argue with him but she wasn't sure he was wrong. They walked across the street and climbed the steps of the dilapidated porch. The screen door creaked as he opened it for her to enter the screened porch. There was a strange car in the drive but that was nothing new. There didn't appear to be a party going on though as music wasn't shaking the foundation. Chris hesitated before knocking on the door.
"Chris..."
"This has never really been my home Cass."
Cassie braced herself as footsteps hurried across the worn rug within. The door was flung open, and Mary's smile faded when spotted them. Waves of distress radiated from Chris, Cassie had to shut herself off to the emotions he was emitting before she was buried beneath them. Mary's hazel eyes widened and for a moment Cassie thought she was going to slam the door in their faces.
Chris's shoulders hunched like he was preparing himself for a blow. "Hi Mom," he greeted.
"What are you doing here?" Mary glanced over her shoulder before moving a little closer to them and closing the door more. Cassie's nose scrunched as the stench of whiskey wafted over her.
"I came to see how you were doing and to see if you would like to come with us?"
"Am I in danger?" she demanded.
"No, this is probably the safest you've ever been. The safest we've all ever been," Chris assured her.
"Then why would I go with you?"
Cassie was half tempted to bite her, but she was fairly certain she'd get drunk from just one pull of her blood. "We probably won't be coming back," Chris informed her.
"I'm surprised you came back now, this has never really been your home. That," she nodded across the street. "Was always more of your home, with her."
Mary's upper lip curled as her gaze raked Cassie from head to toe. "I wanted to say goodbye," Chris said feebly.
"I thought you might even be dead," Mary continued as if he hadn't spoken.
"We survived."
Mary didn't bother to ask what they had survived as she took a step back. "Well, goodbye."
It took everything Cassie had to keep her displeasure hidden as Mary closed the door on them. Her hand tightened around Chris's as he stared mutely at the door before turning away. "Let's go home," he muttered.
Cassie would have done anything he asked to take away the kicked puppy look he had going on right now. The creak of the door caused her to turn back as Mary poked her head out again. "I'm glad you're ok," she said.
Chris perked up a little as he took a step back toward her. "I'm glad you're ok too."
"I'm happy you'll be safer now. Maybe... uh... maybe you could ah... call once in awhile."
"I will... Mom," Chris's voice broke a little as he ran his hand through his hair. "I promise."
"Good. Stay safe."
She retreated quickly and closed the door on them again. Cassie couldn't stop herself from smiling at him as she leaned against his side. He continued to stare at the closed door as if it were a portal to another world. "That's the nicest she's been in years."
"She does love you Chris, the best that she can."
"Yeah, I know."
"I love you," she told him as she bumped against his hip.
"I love you too, Solar."
She glowered at him as he finally smiled again. "I really don't like that one," she muttered as he laughed at her.
He took hold of her hand and led her into the cold. Devon and Julian were standing outside the RV and she could see the shadows of Melissa and Luther moving around within. Gabriel was sweetly curled up within Devon's arms, sucking on his thumb as he watched them approach. They'd decided it was best for the rest of the children stay with Annabelle and Liam on the lot of land, and farmhouse, they'd purchased in Canada. Gabriel had simply refused to remain behind and Cassie had been more than willing to bring him.
Cassie rose up to kiss Devon's cheek. He grinned down at her as Gabriel straightened up and began to play with the collar of his shirt. Though the child had been distrustful of both him and Julian in the beginning, he'd quickly become comfortable around the two of them. He'd taken to following them around almost as much as he followed her.
"Everything go ok?" Devon asked.
"Better than I'd expected," she replied honestly.
Chris climbed into the RV and immediately began to argue with Julian over who was going to drive the first leg of the trip back. Cassie rolled her eyes and Devon placed Gabriel in the RV as he began to squirm. He tottered over to where Julian sat and climbed into his lap. Gabriel wasn't even remotely intimidated by Julian's scowl as he pulled at Julian's ears. Cassie couldn't help but smile as Julian gave up on trying to appear daunting and started to bounce Gabriel on his knee.
Devon pulled her into his arms and kissed her. "That's good. How are you doing?"
She shrugged as she glanced back at the house that had been her home for so many years. There were hundreds of good memories there, but it had stopped being her home when her grandmother died, and she was ready to move on. Ready and excited to start this next journey in her life, or afterlife.
"I'm ready to go home," she told him.
He smiled as he drew her closer. "Me too."
She savored her last view of the house before she closed the door on the RV and locked it. Chris and Julian appeared to have lost the driving battle to Luther, who was sitting in the driver's seat. Devon pulled her into his lap and cuddled her against him as Luther pulled out of the drive. Cassie watched the town she'd loved, and grown up in, fade into the distance as she rested her head against his chest and let his soothing, powerful aura lull her into a peaceful sleep.
EPILOGUE
Cassie stood in the shadows of the living room and watched the children playing just beyond the window. The sound of their laughter warmed her deadened heart as they chased each other in circles. She adored their home here, and the vast amount of property gave her the opportunity to test her abilities without pushing herself to the point where she might lose control.
She was getting better at drawing on only the ability she wanted, when she wanted it, and controlling it. Devon had taught her how to hunt animals, and to know when it was time to release them before killing them so her hunger was more under control. It had been over four months since the last time she'd lost control and accidentally killed one.
Devon watched her as she remained hidden amongst the shadows, a small smile playing across her full lips. Though he knew she missed the sun, she didn't complain about it, and had taken to this life far better than he had expected.
Though, he felt that was mostly due to the fact that she'd found a home here. That she had discovered a peace in death that she'd never had in life. None of them knew what was to come, but she had managed to find a stability, love, and family here that she had stopped dreaming of years ago.
She had always been beautiful to him, but her newfound inner tranquility had made her a stronger and more vibrant woman. One that he was awed by, one that he was unbelievably proud to call his, and he found himself looking forward to every day of the eternity they would share together.
There would still be bumps in the road, but he found he was looking forward to those too, as he had no fear of what she would become anymore. He knew who and what she was now, and so did she. She was a force for good, and anyone that threatened that good, or any of her loved ones would have to deal with the consequences of that. Consequences he knew she would be able to come back from as she was learning to control her power, to use it justly, and to thrive on it while not being consumed by it.
He smiled as one of the children squealed and feet thudded past the window. "They're having fun."
Cassie glanced over her shoulder at Devon as he leaned against the frame. Leisurely warmth spread to the tips of her toes at the sight of his powerful form. He came to her as she held her hand out to him. "They are," she agreed.
"You miss the sun."
"Sometimes, but I can play tag with them at night. I wouldn't change anything."
"I know." r />
"Maybe one day I can go back into it too."
"Maybe," he agreed though he didn't sound overly hopeful or enthusiastic about it. Her intense reaction to the sun hadn't lessened over the past couple of months. It was the one thing about her new life that she still wasn't able to control.
He kissed her temple as she rested her head against his shoulder. She'd never dreamed that she would have this life, with her mate, and their massive adopted family that brought love and laughter into her life every day. Even if she never got to feel the sun's warmth again there was nowhere else she would rather be, and nothing that she would have done differently.
It had taken awhile for all of the children to fully trust them, but over the past months a bond had been forged between them. Some of them still showed signs of shyness and uncertainty, but those moments were fleeting at best, and they had all come to think of this as their home as much as she did.
They worked daily with the children to teach them the ways of the Guardians and Hunters, and how to fight and survive. Most of them would leave here one day, and when they did, Cassie knew they would carry on the traditions that they had been bred and trained for. They would always have a home to come back to here, as would their children, and their children's children. Many future generations of Hunters and Guardians would emerge from this home and she was eager to teach and meet every one of them.
"They're about ready to go," Devon told her.
She managed a brief nod. "Ok."
He took hold of her hand as he led her through the large house to the attached garage. Liam and Annabelle had taken up residence in a smaller house, behind this one, with some of the older children. She and Devon had taken the basement of this house with the remaining younger children. Luther, Chris, Melissa, Dani, and Julian had taken up residence in a modular home they'd purchased and placed on the land. It was cramped living quarters but they were all working on building a more centralized, massive house on the hundred and fifty acre property.