Zoey cocked an eyebrow. “You know what I mean. I can guarantee that witches will not be lining up to drink Orion’s blood. The bottom line is this. This role is your destiny, Layla. You’ll have the power of a coven, and with that power, you’ll be able to heal the disharmony and bring together the witch community.”
Layla smiled weakly. “Agnes has been saying the same thing. I have a meeting with Captain Greer of the Midnight Raiders after the holidays. She’s introducing me to her Marine Special Forces group that has been preparing for the Mystic for years. Once I talk to them, I’ll make my decision.”
“They formed a second group within the Midnight Raiders for the Mystic for two reasons. One is to protect you. And the other is to make sure you don’t abuse your powers,” Zoey said. “If you want to chat after you meet with them, let me know.”
My wife wouldn’t even consider anything like dark magic, which was the abuse of power that Zoey was referring to.
Layla acknowledged Zoey with a nod. “I will.” Then she turned to me. “We should probably address the crowd before people start leaving.”
The snow was falling quite steadily, and while most of us lived on base, some of our guests were heading out to spend the holidays with their families.
She and I went over to the stereo, and I cut the music. “Can I have everyone’s attention?” I asked loudly.
Grinning, I swept my gaze over Jordyn holding Rorie, Agnes with Ellie, my dad with Orion, Dr. Vieira holding Luna in his arms, then Tripp, Webb, Jo, Abbey, Sawyer, his sister Harley, Alia Costner, Zoey, my SEAL team, Ben, Kraft, Olivia, Kodiak, and a few younger SEALs.
I raised my beer bottle. “Layla and I want to thank you for joining us, not only in celebrating the holidays but for your help and love in everything Layla and I have been through—our union, the birth of our children, fighting and winning the war on genetic engineering, and Layla’s rebirth as a vampire witch.”
Layla wrapped an arm around my waist. “Sam and I know that no matter what we face in the future, we are stronger, not only because of our bond with each other but also because of the family we have in you.” She paused. “Steven, Jo, Webb, Tripp, and Dr. Vieira, I thank you for taking in Jordyn and me. For giving us a chance when you hated the Aberdeen family, and rightly so. Agnes, Jordyn, and I couldn’t be happier that our paths have connected us with you. I wish we would’ve met years ago, but everything happens for a reason. You will always be welcome in our home.”
“Let’s raise our glasses in a toast to teamwork, friends, family, and a future filled with love and happiness,” I said. “We love you.”
Cheers erupted, glasses clinked, and tears spilled.
I finally felt at peace for the first time ever.
EPILOGUE
LAYLA
Amillion stars twinkled above, and the air tingled with magic as vampires and witches gathered on the sprawling manicured grounds of Alia Costner’s estate.
The holidays had flown by, spring had come and gone, and life had moved on without incident. Sam and I were busier than we’d ever been, with hardly a moment to spare. When he and I weren’t working, we were chasing around four littles. There was no question they were inhuman. They’d started walking at six months old, they were talking with a limited vocabulary with words likePapaandMomma, their fangs were growing in, and they healed just like vampires.
I stood under the portico of the mansion, looking out at the sea of people taking their seats. Magistras, witches who led their covens, had been invited to the ceremony to witness my induction into becoming their Mystic—a feat that hadn’t happened since the seventeenth century.
I’d gotten letters from many witches around the world expressing their excitement and hope to end the wars and to stop living in the Dark Ages. I wanted the same thing, not just for them, but for humanity—and more importantly, my children. I wanted them to grow up in a better world, to have the opportunity to thrive, to be free to do as they pleased, to start their own families, to hang out with friends without looking over their shoulders, and the list went on.
Sam and I had talked for hours about the pros and cons of me becoming the Mystic. In the end, it didn’t matter what obstacles I had to overcome. He and I agreed that this was a great opportunity to step up and embrace my destiny. To make an impact that we hoped would be beneficial for us, our children, and mankind.
I inhaled the scent of lavender, fresh-cut grass, and a myriad of other floral scents that wafted on the soft breeze as I listened to the conversations about the past, the future, and how witches were hopeful yet unsure of a witch having the power of a coven.
I’d learned from Zoey and Captain Greer of the Midnight Raiders that the team of military witches assigned to the Mystic would ensure I didn’t abuse my power. Performing dark magic or bringing someone back from the dead wasn’t something I would do. Still, I understood the trepidation that some witches had about the Mystic.
In the distance in a grassy area on the right, Zoey was at the podium, reading through her notecards. Sam and Agnes were seated near her with Ellie, Rorie, Luna, and Orion. The festivities were about to begin, and I was a nervous freaking wreck. I had been ever since I made my decision in January. After that, things seemed to have fallen into place.
Alia Costner had graciously offered to host the ceremony on her estate. She was still mourning the loss of her father and son. But she was also hopeful of her future and wanted to take part in helping in any way she could.
Zoey Thornton had been named by a collective group of Magistras to officiate the ceremony. Captain Greer and my personal tactical team of five witches of the Midnight Raiders, along with the Vampire Navy SEALs, were responsible for security around the estate. My father-in-law, Steven, had also assigned his vampire guardians to assist in securing the property. And with the help of Zoey’s students, invitations had been sent out to key Magistras of each coven.
Her vanilla scent announced her before Jordyn called my name from behind me. “You look beautiful, sis,” she said as she sashayed out of the mansion.
I was wearing a simple ankle-length white dress with a ballerina neckline and empire waist, a pair of comfy flats, and my hair was tied up in a messy bun.
“Thank you. I’m ready to puke,” I said.
“Me, too, I think.” She giggled. “These witches here kind of scare me more than vampires.”
“Why?” I asked.
