"Who knows what the hell goes on in the minds of spirits," I muttered. "I'm just glad you're okay."
We found a few stragglers at the back of the group and helped them to the exit. When everyone was finally out, we did a head count. Every single omega was accounted for. A sense of unrestricted joy charged the air.
"Wow," Emory breathed. "This is all of us. So… we can just do whatever we want?"
"Whatever you want," I confirmed.
"And I can shift into human form or finch formwheneverI want?"
I grinned. "Whenever you want."
"Wow." Emory looked over his hands. "I'm happy, but at the same time, it's kind of overwhelming."
Quinn stepped in. "My cousin's mate Kamari used to run a sanctuary for omegas. His friend took over, but I can tell you where it is. If anybody needs resources, feel free to go there. They'll help you."
Emory gasped. "Oh, that sounds perfect! Wait, is it okay if I bring my mate too? Do they allow alphas there?"
"Of course, as long as they're respectful," Quinn said gently.
My brows raised. "Hang on. Your mate?"
Emory put his arm around David's waist and pulled him closer. He blushed, laughing. "I thought it was obvious by now."
Well, call me an idiot. I cleared my throat. "Well, now I feel silly for not noticing it earlier…"
After information was exchanged and all the omegas were brought up to speed, a huge shift happened. Literally.
A massive flock of finches spread their wings and took to the open sky, streaming through it like one big cloud. The sight of so many omegas exercising their newfound freedom made me emotional. I'd finally done it. I'd helped them take back what was stolen from them. Fromus.
"Hey, what the hell happened to Santino?" I asked.
"Animus forced him to shift and put a leg band on him. One he's unable to remove by himself," Quinn said. He wasn't the vengeful type but a tone of alpha protectiveness drifted into his voice, lacing it with a growl. "Serves him right, I think."
I remembered the fury on Animus's face. How it mirrored my own.
"Animus was gonna kill Santino, wasn't he?" I asked. "But you stopped him?"
Quinn looked up at me. His dark eyes shone under his lashes. "I did. I hope that's okay with you. I don't want to downplay what he did to you..."
Despite all the bullshit I'd been through, my heart felt warm. Quinn was the perfect healing salve. I smiled and embraced him. He really was the sweetest alpha on earth.
"Don't worry about it," I murmured in his ear. "You did good, Quinn."
He blushed. "Anyway, after he was knocked down a peg, the others scattered," he said. "What do you think they'll do now?"
"I don't know. And honestly? I don't give a shit, as long as they never do something like this again. Because then Iwilllet Animus do whatever he wants to them."
Quinn looked over his shoulder. "Hey, speaking of Animus…."
The spirit walked casually out of the main door. He dragged out Santino, who was in a bird cage swearing his fool head off, and dumped him unceremoniously on the ground. Animus turned towards the Society building and raised his arm with an open hand. The entire building froze solid as if it were made of ice. Animus breathed heavily. It seemed difficult for him to use so much magical energy.
As Animus closed his fist, the building shattered into a million pieces.
Quinn and I stared in awe. Where the Society once stood was just chunks of ice. It was gone – forever.
Animus walked up to us, his shoulders trembling slightly. I could tell he was trying to hide his weakness.
"You two," he said, not unkindly. "It's the responsibility of mortals to make sure things like this don't happen. Don't count on spirit magic to solve everything for you."
