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“We?” Eryn asked, a giggle bubbling in her voice.

“Nash has agreed to escort me,” she said with way, way too much glow.

“Nash?”

Vann tipped his head back and huffed a deep laugh.

“We will meet you…” Lexi’s voice lifted with a grand lilt. “At the castle.”

“I’d love to pick you up on the way, but our flight is very full.”

“Oh, we’re flying first class. And I shall put my feet up and watch movies and eat bonbons while we cross the Atlantic.”

“Same.” Eryn cozied deeper into her seat. A constant tingle behind her shoulder blades reminded her that with a thought, she could have wings. Wings. And fly.

But there was a hunger she couldn’t sate. The same hunger she’d felt with each dying patient, which had multiplied after the second dose.

Almost intolerable now—but she had frigging wings.

And Vann.

Lexi was alive and happy.

And a castle. She was on her way with her husband to a castle. There were times in the last few years that human connection had felt less likely than a castle. That life had felt less likely than… anything.

She had sisters who knew her pain and were teaching her to manage the cravings. Most importantly, they reassured her that the cravings were indeed a want, and not a need. A big want, but not imperative.

The flight was full thanks to thirteen furies drinking wine, munching on bags of potato chips, and sharing stories. Some were enlivened by a hopeful future, but many were a long way from finding their humor.

A demon hunter’s duty did not include rehabilitating or providing respite for monsters, but some of the team was coming with them now, and the rest would join them as soon as Tisiphone’s assets were taken care of. When Eryn had asked what “taken care of” meant, they explained why demon hunters were so wealthy. Except Tisiphone’s fortune was to be divided equally amongst her sisters.

The castle would host a wedding as well. Vann’s father and future stepmother were on their way. A compassionate and fierce woman, Sunshine was eager to help Eryn’s wounded sisters.

Believing themselves the only monsters on the planet—as part of Tisiphone’s isolation and manipulation over them—the other furies had been thrilled to discover they were part of a global family of demon-human hybrids. And, that they weren’t the only ones who had to overcome violent appetites.

Eryn ended the call with the sister of her birth. As she’d guessed, Lexi was bounding with enthusiasm to offer proper family and sisterhood to others who had been so abused by a false sister who corrupted the concept.

Vann gulped from his water bottle and smiled and shook his head with amusement. “Nash, huh?”

“You know him?”

“A werewolf. Decent guy. Really decent. We fought together a few years back, against a werewolf army. The kind of guy you trust to have your back, even though history and convention label you as enemies.”

Delight splashed into Eryn’s mood. “Lexi has always been obsessed with the paranormal. I wouldn’t be surprised if that was fate baiting her to be patient and wait for it. Patient, my sister is not.”

“Fate’s kind of a bitch sometimes, but worth it, if you are willing to fight for it.” Vann lifted their joined hands and tapped a kiss on the back of her knuckles. “I thought when Tisiphone was dead and you had your soul back, you’d run at a normal temperature, but you’re still freezing.”

“I think I’m stuck this way.” She leaned into him and absorbed his warmth. “As I’m sensing the life of a demon hunter leads to a lot of injuries… consider me your ice pack.”

He huffed a sweet laugh and tipped his bruised forehead to lean on hers. “Thank you.”

“Vann?”

“Yeah?”

“What’s your favorite food? And don’t say omelets or pizza.”

“But what if my favorite food is omelet pizza?”