Page 88 of Voyage of Death and Desire

She attempts to smile. “I’m not. How many people can say they’ve met their great-great-great-grandfathers?”

“Please,” Thorne begs.

“No. I love...” Her eyes close as her breathing becomes even more sporadic.

“I love you, too,” he cries. Francis takes one last breath until there are no more to take.

He collapses to the ground, with his arms wrapped around his descendant. “Elsie? Is she…”

I nod, taking his hand into mine. “I’m so sorry, Thorne.”

A group of EMTs run toward us with their equipment in tow. They move to Francis immediately and begin working on her frail body. Forthe first time, I look around at what remains of the home Thorne built centuries ago. A few pieces of brick, along with the front steps of the home are the only things left.

Connor and Micah are alive and being cared for by one of the many ambulances on the scene. It takes a few minutes to find Luna, but I finally spot her on a gurney not far from the other lycan. I don’t know where Elias and Abram are, but I have no doubt they survived the explosion. We’re surrounded by chaos.

Thorne stands with his hands clasped behind his head, as he watches the gurney carrying Francis’s body being rolled away. I don’t know how to help him.

TWENTY-FOUR

the funeral

The next fewdays pass in a flurry of emotion and turmoil. Investigations have been nonstop at the house, ending with a conclusion of a gas leak. Although we know the truth. Thorne has been quiet since Francis’s death, and I don’t blame him.

Apparently, the Charleston lycan own several homes throughout the city. Connor was kind enough to offer one large enough to house all four vampires, along with Luna.

Sliding into the black dress I purchased especially for the funeral, I find myself staring at the shell of Thorne in front of me. He single-handedly planned her funeral and took care of her estate, refusing to let anyone help.

“Are you going to be okay?” I ask as he slides his cuff links into place. It’s a question I’ve asked dozens of times in the last three days.

“Aye,” he answers. The emotion sounding through his voice is the opposite of his words.

Walking behind him, I wrap my arms around his waist. The anger I felt about Samirah has left, replaced by the love I feel for Thorne. “I’m here if you need me.”

“Aye, I know.” He turns, wrapping his arms around me. “I love you for it.” A clock in the hall echoes into the room, chiming its bell eleven times. “It’s time to go.” He holds his arm toward mine, and together, we exit the stately home and walk toward the location for the ceremony.

Overlooking the Ashley River, a small group of vampires, lycan, and a few unsuspecting humans, gather. The cerulean blue sky is the perfect backdrop to say goodbye to someone we love.

Thorne clears his throat before moving next to the urn holding Francis’s ashes. “Thank you all for coming.” He pauses. “Francis was a force to be reckoned with. Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing her was truly blessed. She could do everything from making enough food to feed an army to sailing a three-hundred-year-old vessel.” A few laughs leave the small crowd.

“She was sharp-tongued, sharp-witted, and loved. This world won’t be the same without her in it.” He wipes a stray tear. “I wish I could regale this speech with tales of her youth, but I only got to know her recently.” He looks around the group. “I think I can speak for everyone here when I say she made more ofan impression on me in that short time than many people have made on me through lifetimes.”

Thorne picks up Francis’s remains. “Thank you, my girl. You were amazing, and I am so proud of you.”

Tears fill my eyes with his words. Thorne carries the urn toward the river with the small crowd behind. He opens it, lifts it high into the air, and shakes it, releasing her into the water below.

“You are free,” he whispers, wiping tears.

“That was beautiful,” Luna says as we work our way back to the home we’re borrowing. “Your words were perfect.”

“Aye, thank you. She deserved so much more,” Thorne answers.

“I think she would’ve thought that was perfect.” I lace my fingers through his as the rest of our small crew walks ahead of us.

Back at the house, the five of us sit, staring at each other. The small talk passing between us is nothing more than banter, ignoring the elephant in the room. Thorne has relaxed and the heavy energy he’s carried since Francis’s death feels lighter. I’m just about to bring up Kragen when Luna beats me to it.

“So…what are we going to do about the asshat that caused this?” she asks, looking around the room.

“He has to be stopped,” Elias adds.

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