Drecken’s magic curled around my ankles, steady and protective. “I am very glad that you’re on our side, viperling.”
Jesper met my gaze, warmth flooding our bond. “You ended their operation, honey drop. Onyourterms.”
Peace thrummed through me, knowing that we had burned the human facility from the inside out. We left nothing of the Whettlocks’ work standing.
I pushed my love through all six bonds at once, letting their love fill every spot in my heart.
Kalista wasn’t at peace. Humans still had their factions and their hatred, but the supernaturals still had their own problems. There would be more missions, more blood, and more pain to overcome. But for the first time since the humans had dragged me into a lab and tried to turn my DNA into a weapon they could wield, I felt balanced.
“The Fates really outdid themselves,” I murmured.
“With what?” Slater asked.
“Blessing me with all of you.” I smiled. “And making damn sure the humans never get to use my power again.”
The Whettlocks and their fucked up research were done, and we would keep trying to make Kalista a better place. If anyone ever tried to weaponize supernatural DNA to fit a human agenda again, they’d learn that we were not theirs to use.
epilogue - rune
. . .
6 MonthsLater
I scaled down from the cold, barren tower at the outlook of Blezen, a frustrated sigh escaping me as I landed in plush snow below. “It’s confirmed. They have at least fifty drake scales hidden in barrels.”
Another piece of the puzzle found in the dragon and drake scale operation we’d been tracking…unfortunately, it was also leading to the much bigger cult-like problem we had been afraid of.
Thankfully, worrying aboutthatshit was above my pay grade as a spy for the Supernatural Council.
“It has to be a contact point,” Jesper muttered. “Okay, get out of there, honey drop. Drecken’s going to be waiting on you.”
Drecken shimmered into existence in front of me and held out his hand with a small bow. “Viperling?”
“He’s here,” I murmured through the comms, taking his hand. He teleported us out of Blezen and into our home—the Grimsworn Estate.
The smell of stew hit my nose, and my stomach growled. “You cooked?”
“You asked me to.” Drecken’s cheeks turned red as he rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s my mom’s recipe.”
“I helped.” Reggie sniffed, calling from the couch.
“Sir Reginald helped me find the journal my mother had the recipe written inside,” Drecken clarified.
“It’s scrumptious,” he told me, rolling over onto his stomach. “Master Drecken gave me some already. I’ll be napping if you need anything, Mistress.”
Drecken rolled his eyes as sparks of magic crackled off him. He snapped his fingers, and the table was set with seven bowls of stew and glasses of water. “Yes, well…I hope you like it. I know it’s not as good as Jesper’s, probably.”
I pushed onto my tip-toes and kissed his lips softly. “I’m going to love it, spell daddy.”
He groaned, leaning his head back as he did so. “Why does that sound so good coming from you?”
“Because I’m your mate.” I rounded the table and took my spot, grabbing my spoon and taking a bite. The herb and garlic flavor burst in my mouth, and I moaned. “Fates, Drecken, thisisscrumptious.”
He snorted, claiming the seat next to me and taking a bite himself. His eyes widened. “It tastes just like my mother used to make it.”
I reached over and fixed a stray hair on his head. “You’re an excellent cook, and your mom made a lovely stew.”
“Thank you, viperling.”
