The air crackled with magic. Blood stopped flowing. Then Slate gasped as he began to glow. I refused to close my eyes. Instead, I squinted through the glare and kept singing. Slate's body thrummed and inside my mind, I pictured his heart knitting back together. I demanded that whatever immortality Gargo had left behind start doing its job. I willed Slate whole.
The glow burst suddenly and Slate sat up with a roar.
The crowd who had gathered around us cheered. I looked up to see that not only had the Gargoyles returned but the Zone residents had come out with them. They were holding hands, tears streaking down their faces as they did mine, and they hugged each other in relief when they saw their zone lord alive and well. Slate stood up looking hale and vital. He helped me to my feet then pulled me into a passionate kiss. The Beneathers cheered even louder.
What a testament to Slate's rulership; that even after he'd put them through hell a second time, they still rejoiced his survival. I was damn proud of him but that pride, of course, took a back seat to my relief.
Slate eased back and held my face in his hands. With his head bent to mine, he whispered, “I've never been so grateful for your stubbornness.”
I chuckled. “I've never been so shocked by your lack of it. After all that, you would have given up so easily?”
“Your kiss is worth dying for.” He kissed me again as if to prove his point and it went on long enough that someone cleared their throat. Slate growled as he lifted his head. “I've just been brought back to life by the woman I love, do you mind?”
“Sorry,” Binx grumbled.
The crowd laughed and cheered once more.
Slate took my hand and turned to address his people; Gargoyles and Zone Residents. “You've stood beside me through the worst moments of my life,” his words immediately quieted them. “We've faced an invasion together and then I was invaded and you suffered with me. I can't express how much your loyalty and friendship means to me.”
“You could start with a party,” someone shouted, bringing a round of laughter.
“Tonight, the entire zone is shut down,” Slate called back. “The main streets will be closed to vehicle traffic of any kind.”
The crowd went still.
“Because that's where we'll be dancing!” Slate shouted.
The Beneathers applauded and roared. Even our Shining Ones started to clap.
“I'll supply the food and drink, all you need to do is join me,” Slate went on. “It's time to reclaim our home once and for all!”
As everyone went wild, Slate swung me up into an embrace and buried his face in my hair. “I thought I'd never hold you again, sweetheart.”
“I knew I'd hold you. I wasn't going to stop until I did.”
He set me down and lifted his head to stare at me. “I guess I should have had more faith in you.”
“No, you should have had more faith in us.” I nodded toward the other men, and they closed in around us, their hands going to Slate's shoulders.
Verin stood back from our group—back in human form and dressed—but Cerberus—human but naked— pushed him forward. “Go on then; get in on the love-fest.”
“You're a part of us, even if it's temporary,” I held a hand out to Verin.
Verin took my hand and allowed me to draw him into our circle, but he stood there stiffly. Slate looked from me to Verin and back again.
“I get possessed by a God and you get a new lover?” Slate growled at me.
“It's a long story, babe.” I sighed. “Don't freak out just yet.”
“Yeah, you're gonna need a drink before you hear this one,” Cerberus interjected.
Verin grunted in agreement.
Slate huffed out a breath and considered Verin. “I saw what you did. Regardless of what's happened between you and Elaria, I appreciate the assist.” He held his hand out to Verin.
Verin took it. “Welcome back, Zone Lord.”
Chapter Fifty-Two
“So, you really are one of us now,” Slate said to Verin.
Verin grunted and cracked his neck.
We—and that included Cerberus—were sitting on metal, foldout chairs around a plastic-topped table; one of many such arrangements that had been set up in the Zone's streets. We had plastic solo cups in our hands, full of booze from the impromptu bar Slate had set up outside his club, The Quarry. The bar wasn't manned; people helped themselves to the bounty of alcohol and mixers. Grills were going too, cooking up food for the masses and manned by grinning volunteers. Inspired by Slate's generosity, many of the Zone merchants had donated food and beverages to the event. We had a communal platter of nibbles in the center of the table that had been brought over by Aribella Lane, a Dryad who owned a fruit and vegetable market. I sat between Slate and Darc, but Verin was just beyond Slate, his forearms set on the table before him, bringing him closer to me.
Around us, the Zone celebrated with the focused determination of apocalypse survivors. They hugged each other, made toasts, danced, and kissed as they made valiant attempts to get intoxicated. Gargoyles and winged shifters flew above, doing acrobatic aerials to impress the encouraging audience below, and music filled the entire zone. It was an even greater celebration than the one we'd had after surviving the war with Gargo. Although, I suppose this was merely a continuation of that.
“It seems that I owe you more thanks than I'd originally thought,” Slate continued.
“How so?” Verin asked.
“You didn't want this but you did it to save Elaria. You've done all you could to help her and, by extension, me. So, here's to you, Blue Dragon. Welcome to the family.”
Slate held up his red plastic cup. Verin stared at Slate a moment then lifted his cup and knocked it against Slate's. They grunted at
