“And your daughter is just fine, too,” I say with a smile.
Dan pulls back, looking into my eyes with shock.
“What?”
“A baby,” I say, putting his hand on my belly. “A little girl. She saved me.”
Dan looks at my belly, then at my face, and back again. “We’re going to—”
“Yes, Dan,” I say, laughing as my strength returns. “You’re going to be a father, and she wants you to know her name is Faith.”
“Faith,” he says, touching my belly. “Perfect.”
Dan helps me to my feet, and I see the coven gathered together at one side of the circle.
“Gretchen!” I gasp, hurrying in their direction, only to fall over my own feet.
“Hey, wait up,” Dan says, catching me. He sweeps me up into his arms and carries me to where the other witches are gathered. When we get there, we find Gretchen spread out onthe ground, the others around her. Kyra looks up at me, tears streaking down her cheeks as she clings to Gretchen’s hand.
“I can’t heal her,” she sobs. “It’s not working.”
“And it won’t, child,” Gretchen gasps. “I’m done. My life’s work is complete.”
“How old are you, Gretchen?” I ask as Dan puts me down beside her.
“Not worth talking about now,” she rasps. “But I can go. That’s all that matters. And you girls—”
She looks around at the others, and they gather closer.
“You make your lives in the packs now. There is no need for seclusion, and you can finally live your lives. Go. Have love, have pleasure, have… freedom.”
I take Gretchen’s other hand, squeezing it gently. “I’ll take care of them, Gretchen.”
“I know you will,” she replies, looking up at me. Her eyes suddenly pick out Dan standing beside me. “And you, boy. Don’t be too hard on her. It was I who made her keep secrets, so if you have to be angry, then hold me accountable. Your girl here, she’s had enough anger for more than one lifetime, and now she needs love.”
“She’ll have it,” Dan says, touching my shoulder.
Gretchen smiles and looks up to the sky. “I’ll be with you in your dreams, Kyra,” she whispers. “Find me there.”
“Mother!” Kyra cries. “No!”
The other witches gather around, holding Kyra as Gretchen’s last breath leaves her body.
I know Gretchen wasn’t her biological mother… but she was the only mom the poor girl ever had.
To my astonishment, Gretchen’s body disappears, vanishing into a thick white dust that scatters across the ground. Green grass and flowers grow upwards in a sudden rush, and Kyra reaches out for the petals as the other witches comfort her.
Dan picks me up again, walking towards the edge of the circle. I can see the other lunas being helped by their mates, and all around us, there is death, destruction, and carnage.
But we won. We finally won. This is the end of it. Forever.
“Should we go home?” Dan asks, nuzzling my neck.
I tighten my grip on him, snuggling against his chest.
“Yes, my love,” I reply. “Let’s go home.”
Epilogue - Dan
