Page 108 of Hybrid Heroics

The aftermath…

We had this same moment with every fight, but this one was different. There was a finality that hung in the air, clinging to my skin like frost on a window.

It was done.

Alric was dead.

Sloane was… healing the grass?

She paced across the yard in a way that reminded me of the line for airport security. After every zig, she would zag, heading in the opposite direction. She stepped over bodies, careless of the dead.

Once she knew her treasures were safe, she set to work on repairing the damage. York observed her with a grin, waiting for her to ask for his help. But she wouldn’t.

I turned my attention to our friends, making sure their injuries were healing. The mysterious young boy who had fought with us tried to wave me away, though I didn’t give him the option. He was no child, but I didn’t know what else to call him.

“I don’t think we’ve met before,” I greeted, hovering my hand over the gash on his shoulder.

“We haven’t.”

“Do you have a name? Calling you a kid feels wrong.”

He tipped his chin. “Otello Ness. I’m not a child, but thank you for healing me.”

I moved on to another as Otello wandered toward Ripley and her mates.

The angel who fought alongside Raguel had vanished as soon as Alric hit the ground. Something about her felt familiar, but I never caught her name.

Pete and Lawrence, the imp from paradise, chatted with Sam and his parents. Then they disappeared, leaving the Second Devil of Hell to join his mate.

Amelia was with Aoife and another man, catching up on witchy business. Or I assumed.

Rig and Charlie pulled Sam away, the three of them venturing around the side of the estate to the patio. They waved at Nate, grinning and laughing as Daphne fussed at him.

It was like… Alric’s death had released everyone from their tension. After a few words and handshakes or hugs, they all parted ways, heading to their homes. The news would spread quickly, but I didn’t think anyone would be upset by the outcome.

“I’m going to fill Mom and Dad in,” Freya murmured, stepping up to my right side. “They’ve been waiting for news.”

“I’ll visit soon,” I promised her.

“I know you will.” She kissed my cheek, letting Sarge haul her into the Void.

As I watched her leave with her guys, York waved goodbye to his cousin. Sterling and Flint left together. I wasn’t surprised that Murphy and Thatcher didn’t join them right away. The alicorn followed the warlock to Miller. And from there, the twins laughed about something that made her mates frown. They all disappeared in a hurry, almost like they were chasing each other.

Jack and Grim stopped Sloane, both men shrugging as she rolled her eyes. The hellsteed tapped his wrist as Blaire and Baylor approached.

I glanced around the yard, shocked to not feel my usual level of worry. We had just been in a major fight, but everyone was healed and parting ways. There was no frantic urge ripping my chest into shreds with the need to fix everything.

It was refreshing.

Stone bumped my arm with his elbow, tilting his chin to the body a few feet in front of me. I frowned, wanting to bring him back so I could kill him myself.

I had checked all the bodies, making sure no one would pop up and catch us off guard. Not that they would make it anywhere. The wards were reversed, letting people off the property. But there were too many of us standing around for a lone survivor to get very far.

“Burn him first?” the demon asked, though he was already dropping hellfire onto the vampire’s torso.

“Yep. Start with him. Make sure Grim collects his soul. Sloane might not want to keep it in her collection—”

“If she knew, she would,” he interrupted.