Solace Part 3

Part III: A Year in

An Empty Bed 

Beca stirred, her body stretching across the plush expanse of the bed. The delightful touch of satin sheets gliding gently against her skin, a luxurious feel she’d grown accustomed to. The faint, familiar dimness of twilight seeped lightly through the heavy black-out curtains, signaling the start of another evening and a new day for the vampire. She reached out instinctively to the other side of the bed, only to find it empty. The coolness of the sheets pulled a soft groan from her lips.

   “Gone again,” she muttered, voice rough with sleep.

    Beca rolled over, searching for another source of warmth in the bed—but there was nothing. She let out a soft groan and mumbled, “She’s gone too?” Her vampire and her angel were both missing. That was annoying.

   It wasn’t exactly a surprise that Aubrey was gone but lately, the angel had been waking earlier than usual—earlier even than Beca or Aubrey. They often found her in different places around the house: curled up with one of the ancient texts on Angel mythos, quietly chatting with Stacie over the research, or staring off into the moon from the rooftop, lost in thought.

   Beca tried not to let it bother her, but there was something about Chloe’s restlessness that tugged at her. She didn’t like seeing her angel so... unsettled.

   With a slight frown, she pushed herself upright, gaze shifting to the recliner in the corner of the bedroom—the same chair their resident enchantress had taken to sleeping in sometimes. The enchantress with their permission stayed close, ready to help with calming spells whenever Aubrey had her bouts of night terrors.

   The empty chair brought a twinge of disappointment. Beca realized she’d grown used to seeing the Stray no—Stacie curled up there, and she found the sight oddly reassuring—much as she hated to admit it. Stacie wasn’t always around, but Beca had come to expect her presence… both begrudgingly and not so begrudgingly.

   Something else caught her eye on the bedside table—a delicate envelope, its fine parchment glowed in the scant light. Frowning, she sat up and reached for it. The faint scent of Aubrey’s perfume brushed against her senses as she turned the envelope over in her hands. Aubrey’s handwriting adorned the front in elegant calligraphy: “To My Dearest Raven.”

   Curiosity piqued, Beca slid her sharp fingernail under the red wax seal and unfolded the letter inside. Aubrey’s beautiful words immediately drew her in.

   To My Dearest Raven,

   I apologize for not being there to greet you as you rise to meet another night. Few sights in my wretched life compare to the beauty of you as you wake, your first breath of the evening is a song that stirs even the darkest corners of my heart.

   But today is no ordinary night. Today marks a full year since we embarked on this new chapter of our lives—a year of challenges, growth, and love that defies even the cold grasp of eternity. It is a milestone worthy of dignified celebration.

   As such, I have prepared something special for us. Tonight, we shall come together to honor this journey, not as individuals, but as a rather unconventional yet wonderful family. A dinner has been arranged, and I promise it will be an evening to remember.

   At the stroke of midnight, a carriage will arrive to escort you and the girls to a destination of my choosing. Please dress for the occasion and bring with you only your hunger—for food, for joy, and for life.

   Until then, my Raven, know that I carry you in my heart, now and always.

   With all my love,

   Aubrey

   By the time Beca finished reading, her lips had curved into a soft, almost reluctant smile. Her fingers lingered on the edge of the parchment, tracing the swirls of Aubrey’s handwriting and she resisted the urge to lean forward and inhale the scent of her favorite vampire. 

   “I carry you in my heart, now and always,” she murmured, shaking her head with a quiet laugh. “God, she’s so extra.”

   But her sarcasm was half-hearted, unable to mask the warmth spreading through her chest. To some Aubrey’s words could be seen as poetic fluff—but she knew better, they were real. This was her way, each word was steeped in emotion and sincerity. 

   “It’s been a year already?” It hit her how far they’d come over the past year, how much they’d built together.

   And now, with her upcoming tour looming, Aubrey though was in her own way struggling with this had decided to go out of her way to make this moment special, to remind her Raven that no matter where she went, she would always have a home to return to.

   “Well, I guess I better not screw this up,” she muttered, swinging her legs over the side of the bed.

   She glanced at the letter again, its faint scent still lingered in the air. Beca looked around their bedroom, making sure it was still empty and after a moment, Beca bashfully pressed it to her lips, a private gesture of affection that no one would ever see, that was just for her. 

   Standing, she stretched and ruffled her messy hair, already trying to figure out what to wear to whatever grand event Aubrey had planned.

   “Alright, Bree,” she said softly. “Let’s see what kind of fancy mess you’ve got planned for us this time”

***

The Soothing Clink of Coffee Mugs

Beca stepped into the kitchen, stopping in her tracks when she saw Chloe and Stacie at the marble-topped island, each with a steaming cup of coffee in hand. Stacie was in the middle of some animated story, her hands moving wildly as she spoke, laughing. Chloe, perched on a stool beside her, looked equally entertained, her pale blue eyes sparkling with amusement.

    The scene felt… cozy. Too cozy. But not unusual, Beca realized. Over the past year, the angel and the enchantress had become more than allies—they had become true friends. The countless hours they spent researching angelic myths together, coupled with the shared experience of being the only ones who could actually eat and drink coffee, had created a profound bond. 

   What surprised Beca most was that she didn’t feel a hint of jealousy. Instead, she found herself appreciating the sight. They both looked happy—genuinely happy. For a moment she let herself enjoy it. 

   But that was enough of that. 

   “Didn’t expect to find the stray up so early,” Beca remarked, with a small smirk. There was no venom in the nickname anymore—only playfulness. 

   Stacie, unbothered as ever, grinned at her. “Good morning to you too, Your Royal Broodiness.” She lifted her mug in a mock toast, but the smile on her face was sincere. 

   Chloe rolled her eyes as she placed her mug down. “Play nice, you two.” With that, she walked over to Beca, wrapped her arms around her neck, and kissed her deeply. “Good morning, baby.”

   As always, that first kiss of the day took Beca’s breath away. She flushed, her heart pounding, and whispered, “M-Morning,” almost too softly.

   Stacie watched them with a small smile on her face. She was just a teensy-tiny bit jealous of the easy intimacy the angel and the younger vampire shared, but mostly, she was just happy to see them so affectionate—and to watch Beca squirm with embarrassment every time.

   Both noticed their audience laughed but only Beca was embarrassed and cleared her throat. “So umm what’s so funny? Aubrey’s invitations?”

   “Oh, definitely that,” Stacie said with a laugh. “Did you see the wax seal? It’s like she’s planning a royal gala.”

   Beca chuckled despite herself, shaking her head. “Yeah, we always knew Aubrey had a flair for the dramatic, but this is next-level.” Beca groaned, hiding her face in her hands. “They certainly don’t make them like her anymore.”

   “Yeah,” Stacie added, her grin faltering slightly before she caught herself. “Not a lot of 180-year-old Southern belle vampires running around these days.”

   For a fleeting moment, Stacie’s humor faded, replaced by a flicker of something more subdued. She turned back to her coffee, hiding the emotion that briefly passed over her face. Supporting this family—being here with them—was enough. It had to be enough.

   Chloe raised her mug once more, her grin back in full force. “To Aubrey, our queen of dark romance.”

   “To Aubrey,” Stacie echoed, lifting her coffee.

   Beca rolled her eyes but clinked her glass against theirs. “To Aubrey.”

   For a moment, the three of them sat there, the laughter ebbing into a comfortable silence. 

***

Zip Me Up?

Beca and Chloe finished dressing in the warm glow of their bedroom, anticipation crackling between them. Chloe had chosen a sleek, midnight-colored dress for her petite girlfriend—one that fit Beca like a second skin—while Beca helped Chloe into a rich, deep-blue gown that draped elegantly over her curves, making her look more ethereal than ever.

   They looked at each other in the mirror adoring how the other looked. Beca unable to help herself turned to the stunning angel beside her and trailed a gentle finger along her jaw. “You know, you’re really something,” she murmured, her voice low. “I know it’s been a year since you came back, but every time I look at you… I swear I fall all over again.”

   Chloe’s smile softened. She slipped an arm around Beca’s waist, pulling her closer. “You’re not so bad yourself,” she teased, though her voice was filled with heartfelt warmth. “I love you, Beca. More than I ever thought possible.”

   For a moment, Beca stilled. No matter how many times she heard those words, they never failed to move her. She pressed her forehead gently against Chloe’s, letting the gravity of everything they’d been through settle in. 

   “I love you, too my angel,” she said quietly, a little embarrassed by how silly her own words sounded, her gaze and tone conveying the sincerity beyond that. Then she captured Chloe’s lips in a long, tender kiss, pouring in every bit of feeling she couldn’t put into words.

   Chloe responded with hungry enthusiasm, tightening her hold until Beca pressed her back against the bedroom wall. Their kiss deepened, Beca’s hands sliding over the smooth fabric of Chloe’s gown. She traced her way down Chloe’s waist, her touches making Chloe shiver.

   “Beca,” Chloe breathed, her voice gone husky with desire as her fingers slipped beneath the hem of Beca’s dress.

   Beca nipped gently at Chloe’s collarbone and murmured, “I missed you this morning—err evening.”

   “Sorry, baby,” Chloe whispered, peppering kisses along Beca’s jaw. “Stacie woke up early. She found something about angel mythology she just had to show me.” 

   Beca smirked against her skin. “That woman has no sense of timing.”

   Chloe chuckled softly, but her laugh faded almost too quickly. “It was… interesting, though,” she added, her voice quieter now. “There are some promising leads in the Middle East and Africa… and some of it made me think about—” She stopped herself, her lips slightly parted, her eyes momentarily darting, searching for something. 

   Beca lifted her head, catching the flicker of hesitation in Chloe’s expression. “About what?” she asked, her tone curious but light, nervous, unsure if she truly wanted to know.

   Chloe shook her head, forcing a smile. “Nothing. It’s silly.” She kissed Beca again, more insistent this time as if trying to forget or make her forget at least. “Let me make it up to you?” She whispered. 

   “Yes, please,” Beca said, her voice dripping longing, she let whatever underlying doubt drift away with Chloe’s kisses. She pressed a hot kiss to Chloe’s jaw before returning to her mouth, her hand sliding up Chloe’s thigh.

   “I love it when I have you all to myself,” Chloe purred, her possessive tone sending a thrill straight through Beca.

   Beca moaned softly, loving the rush of being wanted so completely. But just as Chloe’s hands started hiking Beca’s dress higher, a voice echoed through the hallway:

   “Hey, lovebirds!” Stacie called out, laughter evident in her tone. “Hate to interrupt, but the limo’s here, and it’s not gonna wait all night.”

   They broke apart reluctantly, both of them breathless and flushed, exchanging a rueful smile. Beca placed one last lingering kiss on Chloe’s lips. “To be continued,” she whispered, still catching her breath.

   “Definitely,” Chloe said, brushing her fingers over Beca’s cheek. But as she straightened her gown, her hand lingered for a moment on Beca’s wrist, her gaze dipping slightly, almost as if the light in them had dimmed, she looked unfocused and restless.

   Beca frowned catching the far-off gaze in her angel’s eyes and asked. “Chlo?”

   Chloe blinked, her soft smile returning too quickly to feel natural. “Sorry, just… you’re so beautiful,” she said, her tone light but distant.

   Something in Beca’s chest tightened, but before she could say more, Stacie’s voice broke the moment.

   “You guys?” The enchantress yelled out again. 

   “We heard you the first time!” Beca shouted, “See? No sense of timing.”

   Chloe gave her a small laugh and gestured towards the door. “Come on, let’s not keep our Queen of Dark Romance waiting.” 

   “Right.”

   They tidied their hair and clothes and headed out into the hallway, finding Stacie waiting with a self-satisfied grin.

   “Don’t say a fucking thing, Stray,” Beca muttered, her cheeks still pink.

   Stacie held up her hands in mock surrender. “Wasn’t gonna!” She tossed Beca a playful wink before bounding toward the door.

   Beca shared a knowing smile with Chloe. Together, the three of them stepped outside into the cool night air and climbed into the sleek, waiting limo. The door closed behind them, the promise of a memorable evening ahead—once they could pick up right where they left off.

****

A Golden Invitation

The limo pulled up to the towering hotel in a smooth glide. Beca, Chloe, and Stacie stepped out into the city’s late-night glow, their dresses catching slivers of light. With little ceremony, they crossed the grand lobby—all marble and soft-lit chandeliers—and took a private elevator that swept them up to the top floor.

   When the doors slid open, they stepped into a palatial penthouse. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the city’s skyline like a painting, and an array of ornate lamps cast a welcoming glow across plush seating, a long table laden with gourmet hors d’oeuvres, and a small cluster of classical musicians quietly tuning their instruments. Everything looked polished and lavish, yet somehow intimate.

   Standing at the center of it all was Aubrey. Her gold gown shimmered under the warm lights—elegant but understated enough to highlight her natural poise. Still, there was a delicate flush on her cheeks and a spark of anxiety in her eyes, as though she were both hostess and hopeful suitor all at once.

   “You made it,” she said, exhaling a subtle breath of relief as she caught sight of them.

   “We did,” Chloe replied with a gentle laugh, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “And it was worth it because you look-” She trailed off, letting her appreciative gaze speak volumes.

   “-Like a goddess,” Beca finished, stepping forward. Her midnight-colored dress hugged her form, lending her an almost regal bearing—though the wonder in her eyes was anything but  aloof. “My golden goddess,” she murmured.

   Stacie, lingering behind them, offered a wide grin. “Seriously, Bree, this is above and beyond.”

   Aubrey’s blush deepened at their praises, but she stayed composed. “Without the three of you, this is just a penthouse.”

   With that single sentence, the blonde vampire got all three of them to freeze in place and blush. That was the power of the older vampire, her earnest passionate words could disarm the coldest of hearts. 

   “You three… truly look absolutely breathtaking,” Aubrey continued. Her gaze slid across each of them—Beca in her sleek midnight dress.  She stepped closer, her hand rising to gently cup Beca’s cheek. Beca’s dark eyes glazed over, her body stilling under Aubrey’s touch as if she were caught in a spell. She tilted her head, waiting. Their lips met briefly but no less meaningful. Their blood bond amplified the message each tried to convey, “I missed you.”

   Aubrey pulled her in for a hug and whispered into her ear, “I’m sorry for leaving you this morning my Raven.”

   Beca’s lips quirked into a soft pout, though the faint blush in her cheeks betrayed her attempt to stay aloof. “Yeah, it sucked. This better be worth it.”

   Aubrey chuckled, her knowing smile softening her usual poise. “It will be, my love. I promise.”

   Reluctantly releasing Beca, Aubrey turned her attention to Chloe. The angel stood nearby, her flowing deep-blue gown catching the warm light of the room, the color accentuating the impossible pale blue of her eyes.

   Aubrey hesitated for just a moment, her breath hitching as she took in Chloe’s beauty. No matter how many times she saw her, Chloe always had the power to stop her in her tracks.

   Chloe, true to her nature, closed the distance between them in an instant, throwing her arms around Aubrey in an eager hug. “You look like you came out of a magazine or something,  Aubrey!”

   Aubrey smiled, her hands settling on Chloe’s waist as she leaned back to look at her. “Thank you, Angel,” she said softly. “But I believe you’re the one who belongs in a gallery tonight.”

   Chloe’s cheeks flushed as she laughed. “You’re just saying that.”

   Aubrey’s gaze softened, her hand lifting to tuck a strand of Chloe’s hair behind her ear. “No,” she murmured, her voice lowering. “I mean it.”

   Their eyes met, the air between them shifting. Aubrey leaned in slowly, giving Chloe plenty of time to pull away if she wanted to. But Chloe didn’t. Instead, she tilted her head, her lips parting inviting her in.

   When their lips met, it was soft and lingering, a kiss filled with gratitude and quiet adoration. When they finally pulled apart, Chloe’s gaze was luminous, her smile tender.

   “You’re always full of surprises,” Chloe whispered, her voice tinged with affection.

   “And you’re always just so full of light my little Angel” Aubrey replied, her tone equally gentle.

   Finally, Aubrey turned to Stacie, who stood slightly apart, her chic purple ensemble befitting her role as the enchantress. Her customary confidence wavered as she glanced at Stacie. Aubrey stepped forward letting her hesitation melt away as she pulled Stacie into a gentle hug. 

   Stacie’s eyes went wide, but she melted into it, swallowing the knot in her throat at the unexpected warmth.

   “I’m really glad you’re here,” Aubrey whispered, her voice quiet enough that only Stacie could hear. Her soft tone conveying a message of sincere gratitude for the enchantress. 

   Stacie blinked back at the threat of tears. “Thanks for including me.”

   “Of course,” Aubrey added, and clearing her throat continued. “Shall we sit?” She gestured to a cluster of cozy armchairs near the windows. 

   They made their way over, exchanging murmured compliments about the penthouse view—its city lights stretching in every direction. Beca and Chloe settled into a loveseat side by side, hands entwined, while Stacie took a plush armchair nearby, carefully smoothing her dress. Aubrey waited a moment before taking a seat opposite them, the slightest tremor of excitement in her posture.

   “Now that we’re settled,” she began softly, “I have… a few surprises tonight.” She nodded at the quartet, who stood poised with their instruments. The lead violinist inclined her head to Aubrey, then raised her bow.

   The first strains were tentative and delicate. Beca frowned in mild curiosity—until a recognizable refrain surfaced from the strings, translating electronic beats into haunting swells of melody. Her eyes went wide, and she sat up straighter, heart pounding.

   “Wait…” she murmured, pulse thundering. “I know this tune.”

   Chloe squeezed her hand. “Becs?”

   A faint, shy smile touched Aubrey’s lips. “Yes. It’s the arrangement of that song you composed for me—‘Please, Please me, my Golden Goddess.’ I had it reworked for a string quartet. I… I hope that’s okay.”

   For a split second, Beca seemed stunned. She remembered long nights spent tinkering with software and loops, pouring every ounce of desperate longing and devotion into that track. It had  been her gift to Aubrey, back when their love felt as fresh and impossible as a dream. Back when she was a different version of herself. 

   “I can’t believe you did this,” she said softly, her voice thick with emotion. “It’s… beautiful. No, it’s more than that. It’s perfect.”

   A wave of warmth passed through the group. Chloe’s face glowed with quiet joy as she looked from Aubrey to Beca, her blue eyes brimming with pride. Stacie, typically one for playful jabs, had tears shining at the corners of her eyes.

   “I remember this song,” Stacie murmured, deflating. She remembered that night vividly, the tone was different but it was the same song. It was the same song she swayed to, with a whole different purpose in mind, to seduce Aubrey. 

   She held her composure as best as she could but each note brought back painful memories of her misdeeds. And yet it was so beautiful, she remembered thinking she could relate to the painful longing in the song far too well. Her chest tightened, and she could feel her eyes misting. 

   She couldn’t though, this wasn’t the time. Tonight wasn’t about her. It was about them.  

   “Excuse me, ladies, I have to hit the little ladies' room,” Stacie said softly, rising from her seat with practiced grace. She offered a quick smile, tilting her wine glass slightly to excuse herself, and headed toward the balcony.

   Chloe’s brow furrowed, her gaze flickering between the empty doorway and the others at the table. Beca was absorbed in the music, her hand reaching to touch Aubrey’s in a silent gesture of thanks. Aubrey’s cheeks flushed deeper, her composure softening under Beca’s gaze.

   Quietly, Chloe excused herself, following after Stacie.

    The muffled strains of the quartet followed Stacie down the hallway, their haunting beauty growing fainter as she pushed open the bathroom door. She leaned against the cool marble counter, gripping its edge tightly, her reflection staring back at her like an accusation.

   Her breath came fast, uneven. She pressed a hand to her chest, willing herself to calm down. “You’re not gonna cry,” she muttered to herself, her voice barely audible over the rush of her pulse. “You’re fine. This is okay. You’re fine.”

   Her jaw clenched as she blinked rapidly, determined to hold it together. But the song wouldn’t leave her head. The notes wrapped around her memories like chains, dragging her back to a time she wanted to forget—a time when she was someone else, someone she hated now.

   The door creaked open behind her, and Stacie’s shoulders stiffened. She caught Chloe’s reflection in the mirror, her pale blue eyes soft with concern as they met hers.

   “I’m fine,” Stacie said quickly, straightening up and forcing a practiced smile. “Just needed a minute.”

   Chloe stepped inside, closing the door behind her. She didn’t say anything at first; she just studied Stacie with quiet intensity.

   “You don’t have to do that,” Chloe said gently, taking a step closer.

   “Do what?” Stacie laughed, a brittle sound. “I said I’m fine.”

   Chloe didn’t move, her gaze steady. “You don’t have to pretend with me.”

   And just like that, the dam broke. Stacie’s bravado crumbled as she slumped forward, covering her face with her hands. A shaky sob escaped her, and Chloe was there in an instant, wrapping her arms around her.

   “I’m trying so hard,” Stacie choked out, her voice thick with anguish. “I’m trying so hard to be better. But when I heard that song…” She shook her head, burying her face against Chloe’s shoulder. “It’s like it’s all still there. Every bad choice, every mistake. I’ve spent this whole year trying to fix myself, but it’s like the memory won’t let me go. It haunts me.”

   Chloe held her tightly, her hand moving in slow circles over Stacie’s back. She didn’t rush to speak, letting Stacie’s sobs fade into quiet shudders.

   “We see you,” Chloe said softly after a moment. “We see how hard you’re trying, Stacie. You’ve come so far, and you’re doing great. You’re not who you used to be. You’re part of our family now. You matter to us—to me.”

   Stacie pulled back slightly, her face streaked with tears. She searched Chloe’s eyes, her lips trembling as she tried to form words.

   “Thank you,” she whispered finally, her voice hoarse. “I… I think I needed to hear that.”

   Chloe smiled a gentle warmth in her expression. “Anytime.”

   Stacie exhaled shakily, brushing at her face as she tried to compose herself. “God, I must look like a mess.”

   Chloe laughed lightly. “You look human. And that’s okay.”

   Stacie huffed a laugh through her tears, shaking her head. “You’re too good for this world, you know that?”

   Chloe shrugged with a playful smile. “Perks of being an angel, I guess.”

   Stacie hesitated, glancing down before speaking again. “You keep showing up when I need you—when I’m at my lowest. This whole year… you’ve been the kindest, the most patient with me. But why? Why do you do it?”

   Chloe tilted her head, her answer simple and earnest. “Because you need help.”

   “That’s it?” Stacie asked, incredulous. “You know I need help, so you just… show up?”

   “To me, it’s that simple,” Chloe replied, her voice filled with quiet conviction. “Of course.”

   Stacie’s shoulders sagged, her expression softening. “I don’t deserve a friend like you.”

   “Everyone deserves a little divine intervention now and then,” Chloe said, her words carrying a quiet strength. Taking care of Stacie felt right. This was where she was needed, and she was happy to be here for her.

   Stacie stepped closer, hesitating before asking, “Can I—”

   “You never have to ask if you can hug me,” Chloe interrupted gently, opening her arms.

   This time, Stacie didn’t cry. She leaned into the hug, exhaling deeply, a sad but peaceful smile. She had no idea what this was—why she stayed in the mansion, surrounded by vampires and angels. But it felt safe like she belonged here. Among them, a monster like her could find solace. And moments like this—moments of genuine connection—were overwhelming in the best way.

***

Wining and Dining

The laughter echoed softly in the elegant, dimly lit restaurant as the four women settled into their seats. Stacie and Chloe’s plates were artfully arranged with the first course, the chef’s finest creation for their multi-course meal. Aubrey and Beca sat opposite them, sipping from golden chalices filled with blood.

   Stacie grinned, eyeing the vampires with a mischievous gleam. “So… just blood, huh?” She tapped her plate, full of delicacies, and raised an eyebrow. “Ever miss something crunchy? Like… potato chips?”

   Beca snorted, shaking her head. “Not exactly. There are perks to blood, you know. Fewer calories, for one.”

   Chloe laughed, nudging Aubrey with her elbow. “But really, don’t you ever miss just… having dessert? Or a steak?”

   Aubrey shook her head, smiling. “Not anymore. But we’ll enjoy watching you two indulge tonight. Go on—savor every bite. This was all arranged for you, after all.”

   Stacie lifted her fork in a playful toast. “To us mere mortals and our inferior taste buds!”

   They all laughed, and Stacie took a dramatic bite of her entrée, savoring it like it was the most delicious thing in the world. She moaned exaggeratedly, casting a sidelong glance at the vampires. “You poor, deprived souls.” 

   Aubrey chuckled, casting an amused glance at Beca, who rolled her eyes good-naturedly. “Honestly, after a century or two, you just stop caring. But please, Stacie, don’t let our boring palate stop you from enjoying yourself.”

   And enjoy herself, she did, as did Chloe. The two savored every meticulously crafted dish, delighting in each bite as they teased their vampire friends about each course. By the time dessert arrived, Stacie had already devoured every crumb, licking her fingers to get the last of it.

***

A Letter Never Meant To Be Read

They’d finished dinner an hour ago, but the four of them remained at the softly lit table, empty plates pushed aside. A gentle hum of conversation from nearby diners merged with the soothing notes of a distant piano, creating a warm, intimate atmosphere.

   Aubrey glanced around, her gaze settling on each of them. A hint of a smile tugged at her lips. “It’s been a year since… well since everything changed. We’ve all come so far.” She paused, carefully choosing her words. “I wanted to ask you all, what’s been your biggest accomplishment or… what you’re most proud of, this last year?”

   There was a moment of contemplative silence. Stacie shifted uncomfortably in her seat, a nervous laugh escaping her. “Wow. You really know how to kick off the deep stuff, Bree.” She fiddled with the clasp of her purse. “I’m not even sure where to start.”

   Chloe smiled encouragingly from across the table. “Wherever you want. We’re listening.”

   Stacie exhaled slowly, then pulled out a small, folded letter. “Okay, um… part of my therapy with Emily involved writing letters to—” She winced. “—to my victims. I’m not really supposed to share it. It’s more for me, I guess, but… you asked. And if you’re open to it, I’d like to read it.” She looked at Aubrey, then Beca, and finally Chloe. “This is for Aubrey and Beca. And, in some  ways, for you too, Chlo.”

   Beca and Aubrey exchanged a guarded glance. Aubrey’s fingers tightened around Beca’s under the table, as though bracing for impact. Still, after a moment’s hesitation, she gave Stacie a small nod. “We can handle it.”

   Stacie cleared her throat and carefully unfolded the letter. Her voice wavered with raw emotion.

   “Dear Aubrey and Beca,

   I know I can’t undo what I did, but I need you to know how sorry I am—and how much I despise who I became in my obsession to be close to you, Aubrey. When I idolized you, I turned you into a savior in my head—someone who could rescue me from the mess I’d made of my own life. I gave up everything chasing power because I thought it would make me ‘worthy’ of you.

   In reality, all I did was hurt you both, and hurt myself, too. I crossed boundaries I never should have crossed—twice—and turned ‘love’ into something twisted and monstrous. I manipulated you, Aubrey, and I betrayed you, Beca, knowing how deeply you loved each other. I pushed you to a brink I can’t forgive myself for.

   I understand if you never trust me again. I know an apology isn’t magic—it can’t erase the damage or heal the wounds overnight. But I’m trying every day to be better, to never again become the person who did those horrible things. I hope you’ll see I’m not that person anymore. And I will gladly spend the rest of my life making amends. Thank you for allowing me to be here. And for letting me try.”

   When she finished, the table fell silent. Stacie swallowed, folding the paper back up. “So… yeah,” she murmured, voice tight. “That’s my big ‘accomplishment.’ Facing what I did.”

   Aubrey stared at the letter, eyes brimming with conflicting emotions—remnants of old pain, but also a quiet acceptance. She reached out and put a hand over Stacie’s. “I’m not going to lie,” she began, voice trembling, “it still hurts to remember. But… thank you. For telling us. And for trying.”

   Beca looked torn, her jaw set. She squeezed Aubrey’s hand in silent solidarity. “You really hurt us,” she said evenly, not mincing words. “But… you’re here, and you’re doing the work. I see that. I’m not sure how long it’ll take me to move on, but I appreciate your honesty.”

   Chloe placed her hand gently on Stacie’s arm. Tears glistened in her eyes. “Thank you for sharing that. It’s hard to open up about what you did—and why. I know that took courage.”

   They let the moment breathe, the candlelight casting long shadows across the table. Finally, Aubrey cleared her throat, dabbing at the corner of her eye.

***

The Weight I Shoulder

“My turn, I guess.” She offered a tight-lipped, self-conscious smile. “Therapy is… well, it’s been intense. I still have nightmares, but I’ve learned coping techniques—breathing exercises, body scans, even group sessions, and Stacie’s spells help tremendously. And as it turns out talking to others who’ve gone through something similar is more helpful than I ever expected.”

   Her hand found Beca’s on the table, their fingers intertwining. “The hardest part for me of this year,” Aubrey went on, “was accepting Beca’s decision to go on tour. I was… I was terrified of losing her, or being apart when I needed her. But Chloe here—” she glanced at the redhead with gratitude shining in her eyes “—reminded me that if you love someone, you trust them to chase their dreams. And I’m trying to do exactly that.”

   Chloe beamed, her cheeks rosy with quiet pride. “It’s been amazing to see you work through that,” she said softly.

****

My Faithed/Dreaded Tour

Beca shot Aubrey a grateful smile, then sat forward, her turn to speak. “So, yeah, the tour. Europe. It’s… a big deal.” Her voice quivered with a mix of excitement and nerves. “I haven’t been back there in years, and the crowds are already looking huge. I’m thrilled, but leaving you all behind…” She sighed, a pang of worry crossing her features. “It’s tough.”

   Aubrey gave Beca’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “We’re going to miss you. I’m going to miss you,” she admitted. “But I’m also really proud of you. And if you’ll have us, maybe Chloe and I can join you at some point—surprise you on the road.” The corner of her mouth twitched in a half-smile, as though the idea were both terrifying and thrilling.

   Chloe nudged Beca with her shoulder. “You know you’ve got our support wherever you go. But you’d better not disappear for too long, Mitchell,” she teased, trying to lighten the mood. “We might just have to hunt you down.”

   A soft laugh rippled around the table, easing the tension.

***

An Angelic Search 

Chloe straightened, her expression turning introspective. “I guess it’s my turn… I’m still researching what it means to be a seraphim. Honestly, it feels like chasing fragments of an ancient puzzle. There’s next to nothing in modern texts, and the older scrolls are incomplete.” She paused, her fingers tracing the edge of her glass. “But I’m not giving up. I know there’s a reason I was brought back as… this. And I feel like it’s out there, waiting for me.”

   Stacie, sensing the weight in Chloe’s words, jumped in with a teasing grin. “Hey, if you need a wingman, I’m game. We could always take a trip to Africa or the Middle East. I mean, we found some leads there, right? Nothing like a little desert adventure to spice things up.”

    Beca snorted, crossing her arms as she leaned back in her chair. “Yeah, because what this group needs is you two running around ancient ruins with zero backup. Sounds like a great idea. Totally safe.”

   Stacie smirked, unfazed. “Please, like you and Aubrey wouldn’t show up five minutes in with some badass rescue plan.”

   “Of course, yeah I can see it now, two vampires in the desert. What kind of SPF could protect vampires?”

   “My Raven of course loves to make light of the situation but she does make an excellent point,” Aubrey interjected dryly, her gaze flicking between Chloe and Stacie. “The idea of any of us navigating a dig site without proper preparation is… concerning.”

   “Maybe,” Chloe said softly, her smile faint. “But it’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot. This pull—it’s been growing stronger. And it’s not just about finding answers. It’s this feeling, deep down, that there’s something I need to do. Somewhere I need to be.”

   The table fell silent, the gravity of her words settling over them.

   “I know I’ve been restless lately,” Chloe continued, her voice thick with emotion. “And I’m sorry if I’ve been distant. I love you all so much. Being here, with you—it’s the happiest I’ve ever been. But I can’t ignore this… this thing inside me. It feels like it’s trying to tell me something, and I don’t know how much longer I can push it away.”

   Beca’s jaw tightened as she sat forward, her hand resting lightly on Chloe’s. “Chlo, you haven’t been distant. And if this is something you need to figure out, we’ll deal with it. But don’t feel like you have to do it alone. You’ve been here for all of us. Let us be here for you.”

   Aubrey nodded, her expression softening. “Beca’s right. You’ve carried so much of this on your own, and you don’t need to. Whatever this is, we’ll support you. But…” she hesitated, her voice quieter, “don’t rush to leave what you’ve built here. Sometimes the answers come when you least expect them.”

   Stacie reached out, her voice unusually tender. “Aubrey’s got a point. You’re the glue that holds all of us together, Chloe. We’ll back you up no matter what, but… just don’t forget how much you mean to us.”

   Chloe’s pale blue eyes shimmered as she looked at each of them in turn, her heart aching at the love and support surrounding her. “Thank you. I don’t deserve you all.”

   “Bullshit,” Beca said bluntly, squeezing her hand. “You deserve everything, Chlo.”

   The warm camaraderie returned, but an unspoken tension lingered beneath the surface—Chloe’s restlessness, the pull she couldn’t ignore. They all felt it, even if no one said it aloud: this moment, this togetherness, wouldn’t last forever.

   And as they laughed and teased, Chloe tucked the thought away, letting herself soak in the love and light they gave her for just a little longer.

   Stacie’s voice broke through the silence, softer now, and tinged with determination. “I’ve actually been working on something else,” she admitted, reaching into her bag again and pulling out a rolled-up map. “I’ve been doing some… research.”

   Beca’s eyes narrowed slightly as Stacie spread out the map, pointing to an area between Georgia and North Carolina. “At first, I tried looking for him directly,” she said, glancing at Aubrey. “But that led nowhere. So instead, I looked into your family history Aubrey, focusing on your father and where he’d been.” She gestured at the map, where she’d marked the edges of ancient  towns and legends. “It took forever, but I think I found him. I think he’s hiding around here.”

   Aubrey studied the map, her face a mixture of concentration and recognition. After a moment, her lips parted, her voice barely a whisper. “I know this place.”

   Beca, however, looked deeply troubled, her jaw tightening. She shot Stacie a glare. “You went behind our backs?”

   Stacie’s face fell, guilt coloring her features as she looked down. “I… I thought it could give Aubrey closure. I wanted to do something more concrete.”

   “That wasn’t your decision to make,” Beca said, her voice taut with barely restrained anger. “We were moving on, and you…”

   “Beca.” Aubrey’s voice was calm but firm as she placed a hand on Beca’s arm. “It’s okay. I want to do this.”

   Beca’s expression softened, her anger giving way to worry. She exhaled, running a hand through her hair. “Fine. If it’s what you want, then… I won’t stand in your way.” But her words were clipped, and she avoided looking at Stacie.

   Stacie swallowed hard, guilt heavy in her chest. “I didn’t mean to overstep,” she said softly. “I just wanted to help. I’m trying so hard to be better, and… I thought this could make a difference and maybe help with her nightmares.”

   Chloe, who had been quietly observing, spoke up. “Stacie’s heart was in the right place,” she said gently, her gaze moving between Beca and Stacie. 

   Aubrey nodded, her hand lingering on the map. “Stacie, thank you. I know this wasn’t easy for you, and I appreciate it.”

   The tension in the room eased slightly, though Beca still looked unsettled. Stacie met Chloe’s eyes, drawing strength from the quiet understanding there.

   Chloe leaned toward Stacie, her voice low but warm. “You’re doing great,” she murmured, just for her to hear.

   Stacie gave a small, grateful smile, her heart aching with the need to prove herself. She turned back to the group, her voice steady once more. “So… what’s the plan?”

   For a moment, no one spoke, the weight of the map and its implications pressing down on them. But as their gazes met—Aubrey’s determination, Chloe’s quiet encouragement, and Beca’s reluctant acceptance—a sense of unity began to settle over them.

   This was their next step.

***

Facing my Demons

The girls stood in the dense woods, their breaths visible in the cool night air, each one feeling the weight of the place. Memories seemed to hang in the shadows, memories that Aubrey could feel pressing down on her.

   Suddenly, Aubrey fell to her knees, her face a mixture of anguish and determination as a wave of memories crashed over her. She remembered her father running through these woods, carrying her dying body, his face contorted in despair. The pain was sharp and unrelenting.

   By her side, Beca sank down, wincing. The blood bond between them made her feel every fragment of Aubrey’s suffering as if it were her own.

   Chloe and Stacie immediately crouched down, fussing over them both, their faces etched with concern.

   “We don’t have to do this, Aubrey,” Beca whispered, her voice filled with worry, even as she struggled through the shared pain. “If it’s too much…”

   Aubrey’s face tightened as she tried to mask her pain, but there was a glint of resolve in her eyes. “I think I have to, Stacie was right. I’ve made progress, but... this is a chapter I need to close.”

   She turned, noticing the strain etched into Beca’s face, seeing how deeply the blood bond made her suffer. Aubrey’s voice softened, almost trembling. “I’m sorry, my Raven. Because of our  bond... you’re sharing this pain.”

   Beca tried to manage a reassuring smile, though it wavered under the weight of Aubrey’s pain. “Yeah, this sucks. But if you can do it, then... so can I.”

   Chloe reached out, her hand a steady presence on Aubrey’s shoulder. “We have your back,” she said firmly.

   Stacie, standing by Chloe, said nothing, but her eyes flashed with an intense hatred, a fire that didn’t need words. She glanced at Chloe, and the two exchanged a fierce, wordless understanding, united in their rage over the suffering their loved ones had endured.

   They moved forward, their steps slow as the memories intensified, becoming almost unbearable. Beca and Aubrey linked hands instinctively, grounding each other, and then, almost as if on instinct, Beca reached for Chloe’s hand. After a moment’s hesitation, Aubrey extended her hand toward Stacie, who looked startled.

   “Are you sure?” Stacie asked, her voice barely more than a whisper.

   Aubrey’s gaze was steady though pained, and she gave her a small nod. Stacie visibly touched, swallowed hard, and took Aubrey’s hand, squeezing it in solidarity. This was her idea after all, if Aubrey needed her hand for support, she’d cut it off and offer it gladly. 

***

All four women stood in a row, united as they faced the cabin in the clearing. It looked smaller than Aubrey remembered, derelict and decaying, yet the sight of it still sent waves of pain through her, and she clutched Beca’s hand tighter.

   “Are you sure?” Beca asked again, her voice raw as she fought to hold herself together.

   A raven cawed in the distance, its call echoing through the still night. Aubrey froze, a memory flashing through her mind of the woman she had fed on in this very place and the raven that had been her only friend in those dark days. She closed her eyes, drawing strength from the memory.

   “My Raven…” Her voice was soft, as if speaking to her long lost friend the raven itself, the dark creature that had once been her sole comfort. She turned to Beca, her eyes fierce. “I can do this, my Raven. Especially if you’re with me.”

   Beca’s hand tightened in hers. “I’m not going anywhere.”

   They took a step forward, moving toward the cabin door, which suddenly burst open. Standing in the shadows was the creature who had haunted her past. The sight of him brought it all back—the chains, the animalistic horror, the branding, the fear.

   A wicked smile spread across his pale and deformed face, his sickeningly orange and yellow eyes glistening with delight. “You’re finally back. I knew you’d come back to me.”

   Aubrey’s voice was cold, controlled. “I’m not back.”

   Ignoring her, his gaze shifted to Beca. “And you brought your little fledgling. How cute. Can I play with her?”

   Beca’s jaw clenched, but Aubrey stepped forward, her voice laced with venom. “Don’t talk about her. Don’t even look at her!”

   He chuckled, undeterred. “Or what?”

   A dark energy radiated from Aubrey, making her appear more fearsome than the women had ever seen. Her fangs bared, her eyes gleaming with fury. “Or I’ll tear you apart with my bare hands.”

   Chloe’s hands twitched, her own rage barely contained. “If you don’t do anything, Aubrey…”

   Behind her, Stacie muttered an incantation under her breath, the talismans scarred into her skin glowed beneath her clothing as the power of Lilith awakened in her.

   For a split second, the old vampire flinched. He had once told Aubrey’s father that her power would rival his own. Seeing the danger in her eyes, he knew he was right. 

   Aubrey signaled with her hand, silently asking them to hold off. She took a step closer to her tormentor.

   “You took everything from me,” Aubrey spat. “You made me into a monster. Because of you, I did monstrous things, hurt so many people…”

   The vampire sneered. “People! We are so much more than them. They’re just cattle for us to feed on. I thought I taught you that.”

   Aubrey shook her head. “Shut up! I don’t think like that anymore! I’ve met people who changed my mind.”

   “They’ve made you weak!” He snarled with contempt. 

   “No,” Aubrey’s voice was steady. “They’ve made me stronger than you could ever imagine.” 

   She looked at Beca, her Raven. She was simultaneously the worst and best thing she’d ever done, “They showed me love and devotion, even when I don’t deserve it.” 

   Aubrey’s gaze shifted to Chloe, the angel that had once held a flaming sword to her throat, and yet she couldn’t be happier to have met her. “They taught me forgiveness, and gave me the strength to be selfless.” 

   Finally, she looked at Stacie, and in her eyes, she saw that little girl playing in the rain. “And that we can always try to do better, be better than what we once were, no matter how tainted our past may be.”

   The vampire’s laughter was hollow. “How pathetic, what a waste you could have been fearsome and formidable.”

   “I never wanted that! I wanted to be with my father! I wanted to live! At the very least… I wanted someone to show me kindness! To love me unconditionally and someone I could love back! And I have that now. You are the one that’s pathetic. You are nothing and—” she looked around his cabin and at him, then beyond him, “-you have nothing.  And I came all the way here to tell you that you no longer have control over me. Your influence is gone. And—”

   “And what?” he snarled.

   Aubrey took a deep breath. “And I’m done with you.”

   With that, Aubrey turned, squeezing Beca’s hand, but Beca held back, turning to the vampire with a dark glint in her eye. “I can feel everything she does, and we both agree: you’re pathetic.”

   The ancient vampire almost lunged at her angered by the disrespect of the fledgling, does she not understand sacred vampiric hierarchy? 

   But he froze, noticing the two women in the distance, Chloe and Stacie standing firmly in the background. Their presence was heavy and palpable, and they emanated a power he didn’t fully understand. 

   Aubrey looked over her shoulder, signaling to Chloe and Stacie. “Let’s go.”

   Stacie shook her head, a cold smile forming on her lips. “You guys go ahead, we’ll catch up.”

   Beca glanced at Chloe, worry flickering in her eyes, but Chloe’s smile was dark and reassuring, with a hint of the wrath she had been holding back. “Go ahead babe, we just want to give him a piece of our mind too.”

   After a brief hesitation, Beca nodded, and she and Aubrey walked away.

   As soon as Beca and Aubrey disappeared in the distance she turned back to the vampire. She approached slowly, her gaze piercing, multiple talismans of protection, and power glowing beneath her skin. Her smile was dangerous, it was a smile that was comfortable with violence. 

   Her voice was cold, her words laced with years of resentment. “You set off a chain of events that shaped us all. Because of you, she’s who she is... and she saved my life. But if I had known how much she suffered because of you, I would have gladly accepted death instead.”

   The vampire laughed mockingly. “A witch? I didn’t know there were any left!”

   Stacie raised her hand and gave him the finger, her voice low and dangerous. “I’m right here, motherfucker!”

   He studied her, intrigued. “What’s your name, little witch?”

   Stacie’s eyes narrowed. “I’m Stacie Conrad, the Enchantress, Dancer in the Dark, Daughter of Lilith but more importantly…”

   “What?”

   “I’m your worst fucking nightmare.” Her eyes glowed with Lilith's power, her casual clothes vanished, replaced by her black dress, the attire of Lilith, her body shimmering alive with glowing talismans. 

   The vampire's sneer faltered, sensing the danger emanating from the witch. 

   “She can be very forgiving, after everything you’ve done she just lets you go like that. Very forgiving. She even forgave me and I’m just as big a monster as you. But unfortunately for you, I  don’t forgive as easily.”

   Knowing what was about to happen, the vampire moved to lunge but his feet were glued to the viscous floor. It was the same spell Stacie used against Beca.

   Realizing he was stuck and desperate he used the other ace up his sleeve, hypnosis just as he used on Aubrey’s father. His red and yellow eyes tried to bore deep into Stacie’s soul, “You don’t want to do this little witch.”

   Stacie laughed out loud and rolled her eyes, “Hypnosis? I’m an enchantress dumbass.” She quickly whispered another spell and purple electric magical chains burst from her arms and wrapped around the vampire, rendering him entirely immobile. 

   “How does it feel to be the one that’s chained up for once? Don’t worry though, I’m not going to hurt you. No, that pleasure… I’m leaving to her.”

   Stacie moved out of the way, Chloe stood there, she had been simmering with rage this whole time. 

   Chloe stepped forward her rage finally breaking free. The pale blue hue of her eyes was replaced by living fire. Her fist clenched to her side. Her wings unfurled high, majestically, alert, and gleaming brightly with holy fire. 

   The air around her became hot, and she took a step forward, the ground beneath her feet gave way and cracked, unable to hold up the power of the angelic being. 

   Another set of wings protruded from her back in an explosion of feathers and power.   

   “It was you…” She seethed, voice barely restrained. “This whole time it was you. I thought it was Aubrey… then I thought it was Stacie who damned the love of my life, but it’s been you. You started everything! And you’re just some sad crypt-keeper loser in his creepy little cabin.”

   “What— who are you?” The ancient Vampire whispered with a slight stutter in his voice. 

   Chloe’s expression didn’t shift, but her voice dropped to a low, dangerous murmur. “Do you know how much it hurts to be resuscitated,” Her voice rose, shaking with anger. “To have every nerve ripped from oblivion, every bone stitched back together, every muscle screaming, your mind disoriented and lost, forced to remember it all? Do you know what she suffered because of you? What we’ve all suffered?”

   Her fists trembled as she held back the full force of her fury. She reached down and picked up a jagged rock, holding it before her in her fingers. “Ever since I came back, I’ve felt like a newborn. Confused. Relearning everything I once knew. And every day… I’ve gotten stronger.” She turned her gaze to the rock, her grip tightening, and with barely any pressure, the rock crumbled to dust in her fingers. “I’m so strong that I have to be careful when I touch the ones I love, or I might hurt them.”

   “But with you,” she continued, her voice laced with dark satisfaction, “I don’t have to hold back.”

   Chloe’s transformation intensified, her figure shrouded in light as the fire engulfed her and the last set of wings erupted.

   Stacie, seeing the magnitude of Chloe’s fury, took several cautious steps back, her expression an odd mixture of respect and wicked delight. 

   Chloe’s entire form was slowly consumed in a halo of fire as she hovered, suspended in divine wrath. Eyes both blue and ablaze with holy fire appeared out of the night, each eye staring daggers into the vampire. They began to circle around her, like a horrifying carousel of angelic vengeance. Then she spoke, her voice, booming and filled with the weight of divine authority, and it echoed across the woods.

   “For the agony you caused to those I love—you will know my fury, you will know divine retribution.”

   The monstrous seraphim form exploded and from the explosion and the smoke fell Chloe, her red hair glowing, her figure wrapped in a silver holy armor, her flaming sword high above her head and she screamed with righteous fury as she unleashed everything she’d been holding back since her resurrection. 

   The Ancient vampire couldn’t move, he couldn't even scream, all he could do was watch as the holy redhead fell from the sky, and how her flaming sword descended onto his head. 

   When she struck, the impact erupted into a blinding explosion. The woods shook violently, gusts of winds almost tore the trees from their roots. 

   Stacie, protected by her talismans, stood amid the chaos, barely flinching as the shockwaves of Chloe’s divine wrath rippled through the trees. She took a slow, almost casual glance at her nails, her small smile, was one of satisfaction.

***

Ride or Die? Ride. 

In the distance, Beca and Aubrey paused as the night erupted with light and the ground trembled beneath them. They turned, looking back toward the explosion.

   “What was that?” Aubrey asked her voice tight with awe and a touch of worry.

   Beca’s lips curved into a wry smile as if she already knew. “I think Chloe just gave him a piece of her mind.”

   For a long moment, Aubrey stood silent, staring into the dark. Then, without warning, a tear slipped down her cheek. She wiped it away quickly, but another followed, her composure unraveling at the edges.

   “Is this…” Her voice faltered, and she pressed her lips together tightly before trying again. “Is this what it’s like to have a family? To be surrounded by people you love and love you back? People who would fight for you? Wage war for you?”

   Her voice cracked on the last word, and she shook her head, trying to regain control. “I’ve lived so long—so many years alone. I thought… I thought I could live without this. But now that I have it…” She closed her eyes, another tear tracing its path down her face. “It’s overwhelming.”

   Beca didn’t say anything. She stepped closer, her movements fluid and purposeful, and wrapped her arms around Aubrey in a firm, grounding embrace. Without words she told her, yes this is what we do for our loved ones, for our little family. We hold them when they’re down, we love them, we forgive them, we laugh together and cry together and yes we even hurt those who hurt us.

   Beca thought as she glared towards the source of the explosion. 

***

My Angelic Calling

Chloe, breathing a little hard, emerged from the crater where the Vampire’s face used to be. Her holy armor gleamed and unscratched. Her six wings were still behind her, and the flame of her sword dimmed revealing a beautiful silver one-handed sword with delicate intricate details in gold. Her face was serene, her expression calm, but her eyes sparkled with satisfaction.

   Stacie stared half in awe, half in amusement. She pointed at the armor, her tone somewhere between impressed and teasing. “This is new. You should rock it more often—it’s hot.”

   Chloe blinked, momentarily surprised, before looking down at herself. She gasped as the armor melted away, leaving her once again in her usual clothes. “What…?” she murmured, a little dazed. 

   “I didn’t know I could do that.” She thought a little confused and in awe. But as the thrill of battle faded, something else filled Chloe’s heart—a deep, unshakeable sense of purpose. Her mission, which had felt so murky since her resurrection, was coming into sharper focus.

   “Stacie,” she said softly, a new light in her eyes, “I think… I know what I’m supposed to be doing.”

***

Reconvening 

They met back with Aubrey and Beca at the edge of the woods, a decked-out Mercedes Black G-Wagon waited for them. 

   The four of them were quiet on the drive out of the North Carolina forest. Aubrey drove, her gaze focused and reflective as she processed everything that had happened. These women had changed everything in her life, for the better. She couldn’t believe how incredibly grateful she felt right now. 

   Beca sat on the passenger seat, holding Aubrey’s hand protectively. She felt relieved, and at peace though something gnawed at her, the witch in the backseat. The woman was undoubtedly insane, reckless, selfish, and stubborn but worst of all she had been right. Beca didn’t want this, she was worried about how facing him would affect Aubrey. But looking at Aubrey’s peaceful expression she couldn’t help but feel grateful to her. 

   In the backseat sat Chloe. She was sincerely happy that Aubrey’s tormentor was gone, she felt no guilt whatsoever for what she did. She felt righteous and fulfilled. She knew what her purpose was now and looking at Beca holding Aubrey’s hand so protectively she realized she felt two things, absolute love for the two, and the absolute absence of guilt. 

   Stacie feeling giddy and satisfied by the turn of events couldn’t resist being playful. “Still think it’s funny we’re driving. I mean, I could have teleported us out, Chloe can literally fly, and you two can run faster than a jet plane.”

   The others ignored her, but she saw their small, tired smiles in the rearview mirror and she shrugged satisfied. 

   After a long silence, Aubrey’s voice broke through, her tone soft. “Thank you,” she said, her eyes glancing at each of them in the mirror. “For coming… for being there.”

   No one responded, they didn’t need to. The gentle and tired smiles on their faces spoke volumes. 

***

A Quiet Departure

Everything was taken care of. There was nothing left in the room that was hers, save for the single piece of luggage by the door—a worn, hard-shell suitcase, old and tattered, but still functional. It had seen better days, much like her.

   One last thing.

   Her gaze landed on the antique handmade dresser, its surface adorned with a single vase holding black calla lilies. The same ones Beca had given her months ago. They had grown, flourishing under her care, their deep, velvety petals as striking as ever.

   Stacie reached for the vase, brushing her fingers lightly against the petals.

   Transformation and renewal. That’s what Beca had said they meant. She hadn’t given it much thought at the time, but now… standing at the threshold of yet another turning point in her life, she understood. She had kept them alive all this time, and it wasn’t without its hardships… just as she had kept herself going. Despite the odds, despite the damage she caused to others and to herself, she had endured.

   She lifted the vase and tucked it carefully under her arm, then turned to take one last look at the bedroom. It wasn’t much, just a temporary space in Aubrey’s mansion—a place she never quite considered her own, but one that had been safe. A respite from the world outside. She had spent many nights here, though more often than not, she had ended up in their room, sitting in that worn recliner, keeping watch, ready to offer a calming spell if needed.

   Even so, this had been her space. A small corner of the world where she was wanted. Where she was allowed to try.

   With a quiet inhale, she turned on her heel and walked out.

   “I’m leaving,” Stacie said as she walked into the living room, the space they usually reconvened after a long evening. 

   The words cut through the soft hum of conversation.

   Beca looked up from where she sat, earbuds in, one leg slung over the armrest of the couch. Aubrey was curled up with a book, elegant as ever, while Chloe was reading something at the other end of the sofa, her feet tucked beneath her.

   All three of them stilled at once.

   Stacie stood in the archway, suitcase at her feet, the black calla lilies cradled carefully in her hands.

   Beca was the first to react, tugging her earbuds free. “Wait, what?” she asked, brows furrowing. “Where’s this coming from?”

   Aubrey closed her book slowly, setting it aside. Her expression was unreadable, but there was something knowing in her eyes.

   Chloe blinked, studying Stacie in that quiet, perceptive way she always did. “You’ve been thinking about this for a while, haven’t you?”

   Stacie nodded, shifting the weight of the vase in her arms. “Yeah, since I read the letter to y'all,” she admitted. “I helped Aubrey get the closure she needed, and she hasn’t needed my spells since… you know. But I still feel like I haven’t earned my own closure,” She exhaled, a small, self-deprecating smile on her lips. “I don’t think I ever really will. But I can’t just sit here, pretending I’m done making amends adnd everything's OK. I need to go out there and… do something. Something good.”

   The room fell into silence.

   Beca’s jaw clenched. She sat up properly now, hands resting on her knees as she searched for something to say. It surprised her, how much this bothered her. Stacie leaving. As much as she liked to call her a stray, she had grown used to her presence, her ridiculousness, her constant interruptions, and the strange, quiet reassurance she had come to provide.

   Aubrey sighed, folding her hands in her lap. “I— uh Stacie. I want you to know that wherever you go… you’ll always have a home here.”

   “I know.” Stacie’s voice softened, of course, she knew, no one in their right mind would have welcomed her into their homes as they had, no one would even let them into their room, held her hand, hugged her, only them, and now she knew she was a part of them. “And I’m grateful for that. More than I can ever put into words.”

   Beca scoffed lightly, shaking her head. “You really think we’re just gonna let you go? Who’s gonna get under my skin now? Who am I supposed to argue with?”

   Stacie grinned, despite the lump forming in her throat. “Oh, I’m sure you’ll manage.”

   Chloe, who had been quietly absorbing it all, gave her a small, understanding smile. “You need to keep going…” she murmured. “I get that.” But there was something troubled in her eyes now, a reflection of her own restlessness.

   Stacie took a steadying breath and stepped forward, placing the vase of black calla lilies in front of Beca. “I wanted to say thank you,” she said. “For this. And for everything.”

   Beca looked down at the flowers, momentarily speechless. “They’re still alive?” she asked, almost incredulously.

   Stacie huffed a small laugh. “Yeah. Guess I’m better at keeping things alive than I thought.”

   Beca’s fingers ghosted over the petals, the memory of when she first gave them to Stacie flashing in her mind. Back then, it had been a gesture wrapped in reluctant kindness. A quiet acknowledgment that, despite everything, she saw Stacie trying her best, and wanted her to keep going. 

   And now…

   Beca swallowed hard and picked up the vase, turning it back toward Stacie. “You keep it.”

   Stacie blinked. “What?”

   Beca shrugged, pushing the vase gently toward her. “Transformation and renewal right?”

   Something in Stacie’s chest tightened.

   For a long moment, she just stood there, staring at Beca, at all of them. The women who had given her a second chance. Who had given her a family.

   She swallowed hard and took the vase back, holding it carefully in her arms.

   “Keep them alive,” Beca murmured. “For me.”

   A sad smile appeared on Stacie’s lips. “Yeah,” she whispered. “I will.”

   There was a small tremble in Stacie’s hand, an impulse that she needed to fight, a yearning for connection and reassurance, but she knew the rules and so she opened her mouth to ask for permission but Beca beat her to it. She quickly wrapped her arms around Stacie’s neck, embracing the woman who had once caused her so much pain, but through her valiant effort to redemption had become a welcome addition to her life. She was Beca Mitchell and the enchantress was family, she didn’t need permission anymore.

   Stacie’s eyes shot wide, and a gasp escaped her lips as Beca’s embrace tightened. Chloe and Aubrey shared the same gasp of surprise. This was a sight none of them had ever seen. 

   Tears started to fall from Stacie’s eyes as she returned the embrace with her free hand. She tried her hardest to hold back her tears and when Beca pulled away, her eyes too were misty. 

   Beca with a small sad smile said, “Keep doing good things st— Stacie.”

   “I will. I promise.” Stacie said in a low voice, trying her hardest not to let her voice break into sobs. 

   Chloe exhaled slowly, the weight of the moment settling over her like a quiet realization. A shift in her understanding.

   Aubrey walked over and reached out and squeezed Stacie’s arm. “If you find what you’re looking for… come back.”

   Stacie let out a shaky laugh. “Yeah. And maybe next time, I’ll be the one bringing flowers.”

   Beca rolled her eyes but smiled. “You freaking better.”

   They all stood there for a beat longer, lingering in the moment. And then, with a deep breath, Stacie took a step back.

   It was time to go.

   And as she turned toward the door, Chloe’s gaze followed her, something flickering behind those pale blue eyes. Understanding and recognition.

***

The Most Painful Decision

A quiet realization settled over Chloe. Watching Stacie say goodbye, something clicked. The restlessness she’d felt for months—the pull she couldn’t explain—solidified in her chest like an undeniable truth. She couldn’t ignore it anymore.

   As Stacie stepped back, preparing her portal, Chloe inhaled deeply, feeling the weight of the decision settle into her bones. Her fingers curled at her sides as she looked at the women she loved.

   “I think… I need to go too.” She said in a low voice, a sentence she wished she didn’t have to say.

   Beca’s head snapped up, her face paling as shock punched through her. “What?” Her voice was quiet, but the tremor beneath it betrayed everything. “Chloe… why?”

   Chloe’s heart twisted. “I don’t want to leave,” she admitted, her voice thick with emotion. “Not really. But after what happened with the vampire, I felt something. I understood something.”

   She looked at them both, her hands shaking slightly as she tried to put it into words. “When I fought him… when I struck him down, it wasn’t just vengeance or anger driving me. It was justice. I’ve spent months wondering why I came back—why I was chosen to be this. And in that moment, I knew. I was meant to do more than just exist. I was meant to act. To fight. To  vanquish the evil that preys on the helpless. That’s what a seraphim does.”

   A heavy silence fell over the room, her words landing with the weight of absolute conviction.

   Beca took a step back as if the realization had physically hit her. “So that’s it? You’re leaving? You’re leaving me again?” Her voice cracked on the last word, her hands clenched into fists. The sight of a hospital room, of holding a pale hand, crying into the night, praying for death it all came back in a rush and it almost broke her. Aubrey feeling the sharp pain of grief that her bonded vampire was feeling walked over to her and placed an arm on her shoulder but Beca shrugged it off and stepped toward Chloe.

   “You came back for me, Chloe! You came back so we could be together!”

   Tears welled in Chloe’s eyes. “I know…” She reached for Beca’s hand, gripping it tightly. “Being here, with you—with both of you—has been everything I hoped for. But this feeling inside me, this calling… it’s getting stronger. I think I have to follow it.”

   Beca ripped her hand away, shaking her head. “No. No, that’s bullshit. We’ve been through too much to just…” She trailed off, her breath shuddering with panic and pain, her fangs extended defensively. “I can’t do this again. I can’t lose you again!”

   Chloe took a shaky step forward, her fingers twitching like she wanted to reach for Beca but didn’t dare. “If you need me to stay, I will,” she whispered. “I’ll stay for you.”

   Beca’s face twisted, torn between love and the raw ache of knowing that Chloe wasn’t truly asking for permission—she was asking for understanding. The same understanding the angel had shown time and time again. 

   And Beca knew she was being selfish, but she didn’t care. She wasn’t ready to give her the same courtesy. 

   Aubrey, who had been silently watching the exchange, finally stepped forward, her voice quiet but steady. “Beca…” She dared to place a hand on her fledgling’s shoulder again, hoping she wouldn’t shrug it away once more. “I know how hard this is. But maybe… maybe she does need to do this and we need to be supportive.”

   Beca turned sharply to her, eyes wet with unshed tears. “You’re seriously okay with this?”

   Aubrey inhaled slowly, a flicker of something vulnerable crossing her expression. “No. I’m not,” she admitted. “Not completely. But I understand it.” She glanced at Chloe before looking back at Beca. “I had to accept that you’re leaving for your tour, even though the thought of you being away terrifies me. And now my Raven you have to do the same.”

   Beca let out a quiet, broken sound, pressing the heels of her palms against her eyes. “This isn’t fair,” she muttered.

   “I know,” Aubrey said softly. “To use your own words, this sucks.”

   A tense silence stretched between them before Chloe cleared her throat, her voice tentative. “Maybe we can set up another communication circle—”

   “No,” Beca cut her off, her voice hoarse. She dropped her hands from her face, looking directly at Chloe. “I don’t want a damn communication circle or a spell that lets me pretend you’re here when you’re not. I just…” She exhaled sharply, chest rising and falling with the weight of it all. “Look, I know you need to do this. I’ve seen you struggling for months and I think I’ve known all this time that this was coming… I just didn’t want to accept it.”

   Chloe bit her lip, nodding once. “I’m so sorry, Becs.”

   Beca let out another long, uneven breath, then finally, finally looked at her—not with anger, but with something else, something resigned and fragile. “Just promise me…” Her voice wavered. “Promise you’ll be there for my first show.”

   Chloe’s face softened, and she reached for Beca’s hand again, this time threading their fingers together. “I promise, your first, and your last. No matter where I am, I’ll be there.”

   Aubrey stepped closer, watching them both before pulling them into a tight embrace, holding them together for just a little longer. “We’re going to miss you,” she murmured to the angel.

   Chloe swallowed against the lump in her throat. “I’ll miss you, too. More than you know.”

   Beca exhaled shakily, her forehead resting against Chloe’s. “Just… come back to us,” she whispered. “Don’t stay away too long.”

   “I won’t,” Chloe murmured, sealing the words with a kiss against Beca’s lips—a soft, lingering kiss. Not a goodbye kiss, there was no finality in their lips. There was a promise of returning to a place that was comfortable and familiar, each other’s arms.

   After a second of holding onto Beca, Chloe turned to Aubrey, offering a gentle smile before wrapping her arms around her. “Thank you,” she said softly. “For everything. For accepting me, even when I didn’t deserve it.”

   Aubrey’s voice wavered slightly. “I’ll miss you, Bird. The house won’t be the same without you.”

   Chloe pulled back slightly, smirking through her tears. “Just once, could you give me a cute pet name too?”

   Aubrey gave her a soft, knowing look. “You won’t like Bird?

   “Too generic,” Chloe said with a playful shake of her head. 

   Aubrey studied her for a second, she was asking for closeness, intimacy, and belonging, “What about Dove?”

   Chloe’s eyes brightened and her smile turned wistful. “That works!”

   She lingered in Aubrey’s arms a moment longer before finally stepping back.

   After a final, lingering glance at the two loves of her life, Chloe turned to Stacie, who had been watching the entire exchange in stunned and confused silence.

   Chloe wiped at her eyes and forced a grin. “I think everyone deserves a little divine intervention every once in a while. Especially you.”

   Stacie blinked. “Are you serious?”

   Chloe nodded. “Yeah. Let’s see what trouble we can get ourselves into.”

   Stacie let out a breathless chuckle, shaking her head. “Oh, now you wanna cause trouble?”

   Chloe shrugged. “Better late than never.”

   “Alright then,” Stacie smirked. “So where should we go?”

   Chloe exhaled, still feeling the weight of the goodbye pressing into her ribs. “I don’t know. I was hoping you had some ideas.”

   Stacie gasped. “Well we still have the leads in the Middle East, and Oh my god! Should we start a monster-hunting agency? Or—wait—a PI agency? The Enchantress and the Angel?”

   Chloe raised an eyebrow. “Feathers and Quill?”

   Stacie snorted. “Oh, that’s actually kind of cute.”

   Chloe nodded thoughtfully, then grinned. “How about A. Charming Agency?”

   Stacie’s eyes lit up. “Oh, that’s good. That’s really good.”

   Stacie walked through the portal but Chloe stood at the threshold for another beat, her heart hammering against her ribs.

   She had said everything. She had held Beca and Aubrey one last time, promised she would return, and promised she would be at Beca’s first and last show.

   And yet—she hesitated.

   Her fingers curled at her sides. Leaving was the right choice. She knew that. She felt it in every inch of her being.

   But knowing didn’t make it easier.

   Her gaze flickered back to them—Aubrey standing tall, holding her composure, Beca looking as if she might shatter at any moment.

   God, I loved them so much. Chloe thought as she swallowed hard.

   “I love you,” she mouthed towards Beca and Aubrey.

   Aubrey nodded, returning the sentiment without words while Beca blinked rapidly worded. “I love you too.”

   The portal shimmered behind her, pulling at her, and with one final, lingering look, Chloe took a step forward— and disappeared. For now. 

***

Empty Nest

After Chloe and Stacie left, the house felt hollow. The silence was a sharp contrast to the warmth they had shared only hours before. The absence of Chloe’s laughter and Stacie’s playful quips left the mansion feeling too big, too empty.

   Beca sat on the couch, shoulders heavy with the ache of goodbye. Aubrey joined her, wordless but knowing, and without hesitation, Beca leaned into her, burying her face in Aubrey’s shoulder as the tears finally broke free.

   Aubrey wrapped her arms around her, holding her close, her voice a soft murmur against Beca’s hair. “I wish I had wings right now… so I could wrap them around you and hold you the way she did.”

   Beca let out a small, breathless laugh, though it was tinged with sadness. “It just… it hurts. Losing her again. Even though I know she’ll come back…”

   Aubrey held her tighter, the weight of their bond making her feel every ounce of Beca’s pain. “I know.”

   They spent the next few days wrapped in quiet comfort, not trying to fill the space left behind, but simply existing in it together. It wasn’t about romance—it was about healing.

   There were no grand declarations, no forced distractions—just the quiet solace of each other’s presence.

   Beca tended to her garden while Aubrey sat nearby, flipping through a book, her gaze drifting to Beca more often than the pages. When Aubrey made her rounds through the mansion or spent hours in the library, Beca was always close by, never too far out of reach. Neither of them wanted to spend a second apart as if doing so would make the absence of Chloe and Stacie all the more real.

   Every evening, their phones rang, bringing back the warmth that had left with Chloe and Stacie. Video calls stretched late into the night, filled with easy conversation and the grounding presence of their long-distance family.

   Chloe and Stacie had indeed made it to the desert, chasing leads and unraveling old myths, their faces glowing with the thrill of adventure. Beca talked about the endless tour preparations, groaning about last-minute changes, while Aubrey playfully complained about the reckless charges being made on her credit card.

   “You’re funding an archaeological dig now?” Aubrey quipped one night, scrolling through the latest expenses. “Seriously, what the hell did you two buy?”

   Chloe grinned from the screen, her eyes bright with excitement. “It’s not just sand, Aubrey. There are artifacts! Lost knowledge!”

   Stacie shrugged. “Plus, we needed better gear. I mean, do you know how expensive enchanted cooling fabrics are?”

   Aubrey sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “I can’t believe I’m bankrolling this.”

   Beca chuckled softly but as soon as the call ended, the laughter faded, leaving behind only the quiet ache of missing them. Without a word, she and Aubrey would sink into each other’s arms, two souls weighed down by loss and overwhelmed by love.

   Their grief and their devotion intertwined—two beings built for eternity, finding comfort in the only thing stronger than time.

***

A Raven’s Flight

On the morning of Beca’s departure, Aubrey saw her in the limo, her heart heavy. She placed a hand on Beca’s cheek, her voice soft. “Did you remember all your… requirements?”

   Beca chuckled through her tears. “they told me that I could make a list of requirements because I'm the artist tonight apparently get to make requirements and I kind of told him that I'm just like an eccentric artist and goth and I even asked for a coffin so I'll never go into the sunlight I'll always have my coffin I'll be receiving you know your special packages so I'll be fine and I've done this before,” she said, smirking. 

   Aubrey’s hand tightened around hers. “I’m going to miss you.”

   Beca nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll miss you too.”

   They shared one last embrace, one final kiss. But even as their lips met, both of them knew—this wasn’t really goodbye. This kiss wasn’t final, not truly. It was temporary, a pause in a melody they’d return to.

   The kiss was soft, languid, sensuous. It lingered, carrying echoes of the first kiss they had shared in the back of that limousine—tentative at first, then blossoming into something passionate, something all-consuming. Their bond pulsed beneath the surface, magnifying the moment a thousandfold. Every emotion—love, longing, hope—surged and crashed between them like waves.

   She knew Beca would come back. She would always come back. Their bond made it inevitable. But knowing that didn’t make the moment any easier.

   Aubrey rested her head against Beca’s neck, breathing her in,. Then, in a vulnerable whisper meant just for her, she asked, “Will you love me?”

   Beca chuckled softly and responded with a soft and certain, “Until my dying breath.”

A Raven’s Message

It was midnight, and Aubrey hadn’t moved since Beca left. She stood on the edge of her large estate’s wraparound porch, her dark blue eyes still seeing the ghost of the vehicle that drove her love away from her home—and for now, from her life. She felt a strange mix of peace and wistfulness settle in her chest. 

   Aubrey’s southern genes told her what she needed right now, a good sit down. She turned back to the quiet of her house, picked up an expensive chair, and brought it to the edge of the porch, setting it down to face the road and the vast night sky. 

   With a sigh she let her body melt into the chair, and she looked up at the moon, her one constant, her oldest friend.

   “You’ve always been there haven’t you?” She whispered.

   Then, somewhere off to the side, she heard a faint croak, a familiar sound, the unmistakable call of a Raven. She looked over, surprised, and saw the raven perched on a nearby tree, its dark feathers blending seamlessly into the dark night.

   But Aubrey could see its eyes, they were as bright and as sharp as ever. It was  Intelligence. The raven tilted its head, studying her as it always did, and thought to himself,

    “Because of you, I lost my unkindness, my siblings—my family.

    Because of you, I watched my mistress, my Beca, crumble. I watched helplessly as her light dimmed and her hope faded.

    Because of you, I saw her wander into despair, her strength devoured by your darkness.

    Because of you I have known hatred and mistrust, for you are the shadow that stole what was bright, what was sacred.

    And yet… because of you, I have also seen something remarkable.

    I have seen you struggle against the weight of your own misdeeds, fighting to rebuild what you once tore apart.

    I have watched your hands, stained with the blood of the past, try to craft a better future.

    I have seen you break—over and over—and rise again, refusing to let your failures define you.

    Because of you, I have witnessed your quiet determination, and your tireless efforts to earn back what you once destroyed.

    Because of you, I have seen Beca’s pain lessen, her smile widen. And I have watched her make the admirable choice to forgive you every day.

    And while a part of me still resists, still holds on to the memory of what you took, I cannot ignore the truth of what you have become.

    Beca has called you the Golden Goddess, a title she speaks with love and reverence.

    I will not call you that.

    You are no goddess, and you are not golden.

    You are flawed.

    But you are also something far more extraordinary: redeemable.

    Because of you, I have come to understand that redemption is not a single act, but a thousand choices made in the face of failure and doubt.

    Because of you, I have seen that even those steeped in shadow can reach for the light, even when it seems out of reach.

    Because of you, and because of your valiant efforts, I will remain.

    But do not mistake this for forgiveness. That may never come.

    This however... is my acceptance.

    Not for what you were, but for what you are trying to be.

   With those final thoughts, The raven took a determined flight, its wings cutting through the night air as it landed on the porch railing just a few feet away from her. 

   Aubrey smiled, her heart lifting at the unexpected company. She rose from her chair and went over to the small bird feeder she kept nearby. Scooping a handful of seeds, she walked back to the raven, and no longer afraid she stretched out her palm, offering the seeds with a gentle patience.

   The bird eyed her suspiciously, cocking its head as if deciding whether to trust her. Then, slowly, it reached out, taking a few seeds from her hand in a delicate, almost hesitant gesture. 

   Aubrey’s smile widened, her heart swelling with gratitude, “Thank you,” she murmured.

   The raven let out a quiet croak in response, a soft acknowledgment of her words. Aubrey’s gaze drifted to the horizon, where the car had disappeared, and she felt a pang of longing mixed with an unshakable reassurance.

   “I know how you’re feeling,” she whispered to the bird. “I’m a little sad, too. But don’t worry… our girls will be back.”

   The raven cawed in response, agreeing with her. 

   Aubrey looked down the road, thinking of the three women who had changed her life in ways she had never thought possible—Beca, the woman she had hurt in so many ways, and yet had continued to love her even when she didn’t deserve it. The woman who had taught her that not only was she capable of loving someone so profoundly, but that she was also worthy of it. 

   Then there was Chloe, the angel who had brought light into her dark existence. She was a warped reflection of sorts, a stark reminder of the darkness of her actions. An all-powerful holy being, that knew terrifying rage, and vengeance and yet paradoxically had such an impossibly gentle and forgiving heart. Aubrey was always at a loss whenever she was around. And such a holy being had been kind to her, forgiving and absolutely wonderful. The woman—the angel had left her with no choice but to fall in love with her.

   Finally, there was Stacie, the enchantress. A flawed child she once saved, her torment warped into an obsession that led to so much pain not just for others but for herself. Who when confronted with the error of her ways, and shown the depth of love and forgiveness had done everything in her power to seek redemption much like her. The enchantress was now committed to continue to seek it, for the rest of her life if need be. Stacie Conrad, who had hurt her, who had hurt Beca and Chloe. Stacie Conrad, the woman she had taught her that to forgive is not a once-in-a-lifetime choice, but an active one you make every day.

   Aubrey sighed, content yet wistful, suddenly the Raven took flight again and landed on her shoulder. She stiffened slightly surprised and she wondered if the Raven was seeking comfort, or trying to comfort her. Regardless, she was grateful for its presence on her shoulder.

   “Yeah,” she whispered, a small, knowing smile on her lips. “They’ll be back.”

   With that, Aubrey Posen, relaxed into her chair, her gaze lifting to the moon, feeling its quiet, unwavering presence as it watched over her.

The End.