“Yeah,” Grim says.
I turn to him. “He ate him?”
The elemental nods as if he doesn’t believe it either, yet he probably watched the whole thing happen.
“You ate him.” This time, I’m trying the statement out as if it could be true.
Riddle gives me a very satisfied grin. Then he burps again.
“Is that… how is that even possible?” I ask.
Grim slowly turns his head, jaw still slung open. “He ate my finger,” he says, his voice low.
Riddle licks his lips and plops on the ground.
Behind me, Riven chuckles. “I’d say you get an A in familiars, Everly.” He wheezes.
“Riven!” I yell as I turn to look at him. Thank the goddess he’s alive. “Are you all right?”
“Fine,” Riven answers and looks at me with a smile that’s as handsome as it is kind. “Are you?” The intense concern in his eyes drums a pitter-patter in my chest.
I look away. “Yes. I’m fine.”
“Jean-Claude?” Riven slowly stands, letting me help him up, and walks over to the pile of vampire char. Jean-Claude is simply a shape—a mound of black charcoal. A lump.
My entire stomach drops. I can’t stomach the idea of Jean-Claude… dead. Truly dead and gone. “Is he… dead?”
“He’s not ash,” Riven says. “Then he’s not dead.” And with that, Riven drops down onto his knees, beside the count and closes his eyes.
EPILOGUE♀♥♂♂♂♂EVERLY
I stand by Riven’s desk, as far away from the fireplace as I can without being rude. Ever since the incident with Faunus, that huge, alien eye has followed me around from class to class. And it’s unsettling.
But here I am, watching as Riven signs a certificate that will allow me entrance into the Academy of Enchantment. It’s what I’ve wanted since I got here and yet… it feels bittersweet, all the same.
While the Academy of Necromancy has provided me with unique opportunities, I belong at the Academy of Enchantment. But I won’t forget the experiences I’ve had here. And the friendships I’ve made. And those relationships that defy explanation.
It’s then that I think to myself that Harlow and I never did get to have that conversation I promised him about our friendship. Oh, well. It would just confuse things now and that’s the last thing I need. It’s probably the last thing he needs, as well.
“There you are.” Riven finishes writing with a flourish. He hands me the letter and then studies me. “You know I want you to stay.”
I smile. “I have to go, Riven. I’m not… meant to stay here.”
The temperature in the room rises, which means only one thing. Grim walks out from the fireplace and approaches me. “Stay.”
I smile at him. “I can’t.”
“Very well.” Riven says and offers me a look of encouragement, but the expression is sad. Lonely even. I still wonder about him, about all of them. I wonder what will become of Jean-Claude, of Riven, Harlow and Grim.
I turn and face a molten lava eye scanning me from head to toe. “You are always welcome here, Everly Stillwater,” Cackus says.
“Thank you, Cackus,” I answer.
“And do not forget the favor you owe me,” he continues. Now I realize that favor was a moot point. Since Grim is Cackus’s familiar, Cackus was never going to destroy him. So, he got a favor for nothing, basically.
“I won’t,” I say with a quick smile.
Grim faces me and puts his arms out as I walk into them. I hold him tightly against me. “I wish we had had more time to get to know each other,” I whisper. “I think we would have been good friends.”
“We are good friends, Everly,” Grim says as he pulls away from me. I nod and smile up at him.
“Everly,” Riven says as I face him. I walk up to him and throw my arms around him, even as he seems surprised. “I’m sorry for the train stunt,” he whispers.
I pull away from him. “I forgave you for that a long time ago,” I answer.
He doesn’t drop his arms from around me and I like feeling them. He feels warm. Safe. “You know you can always call me for whatever you need,” he says.
“Thank you.”
“No, thank you. I can’t begin to repay you for everything you’ve done here…”
“I’m just glad I could help,” I answer.
And I try to take a step back. Riven realizes he’s still holding me and drops his hands with an embarrassed little smile. “You’re a very special woman, Everly Stillwater,” he says as I turn to walk out of his office.
♀♥♂♂♂♂
Class has already begun, so the hallways are quiet as Grim escorts me to the landing pad, where Pilot waits with his four-person carriage. Standing right beside him is Harlow. I say hello to Pilot before I turn to face my Incubus.
“Leaving and not even saying goodbye?” he asks, going for casual but not quite making it.
I smile at him as Riddle squawks from where he sits on my shoulder. Harlow will always hold a very special place in my heart. “I had a feeling you’d be here… waiting for me.”
Harlow grins from ear to ear. “Are you trying to tell me I’m becoming predictable?”
I laugh and can’t help the sadness welling up within me. I’m just… worried I’ll never see him again. “You? Predictable? Never.”
I give Grim one more wave as Harlow opens the door to the carriage for me and I climb inside. Harlow follows me and closes the door behind us. Riddle and I settle into the seat and with one more wave at Grim, we’re off.
“So…” Harlow drawls in that sexy voice. “Do I get a reward for helping keep Ractic out of your hair
