Page 74 of Absentia Mori

He chuckles. “I can’t make any promises.”

When Libra finally gives us the nod to leave, I’m relieved. I’m done playing nice and polite with these people. They make me anxious and uncomfortable. Plus, I want a moment with just us and our girl. We are the only ones who matter now.

The weight that’s been lifted from my shoulders makes me feel light and airy. Like anything is possible. I’m free from Absentia, Maur and Lettie don’t hate me, and my three monsters proved they aren’t going anywhere without me. There’s just one more fire to put out. The fire that started it all.

Mordecai, Raithe, and Fabien climb into the hearse and wait for me to say my final goodbyes. I hug Maur and Lettie tight, the way I should have hugged them last spring before we all parted ways. I know now that nothing in this life is guaranteed. Something orsomeonecan snatch it all away in a heartbeat.

“Your inheritance is about to get a lot bigger,” I say to Maureen. “I can’t let her get away with this.”

She nods. “I know. There is no love lost between me and Penny Blackwell. Her reign of terror needs to end.”

I’m grateful Maur’s on my side, but others won’t be. “What about your cousin Draven? Do you think he’ll stand in my way?”

She bites her lip. “I don’t know him well enough to say. But you do what you have to.”

“I would text Bones, but I don’t want to give them the heads up you’re coming,” Villette says as she tugs at her sleeves.

I adore this girl. “That’s okay, Lettie. Aries won’t let anything bad happen to them or me.”

“Call us when it’s done,” Maureen says.

We give each other one more final embrace before I slide into the passenger seat next to Mordecai. Maur and Lettie cling to each other in the fog as they watch us drive away. I wave back until we pull out of the long driveway, and I can’t see them anymore.

Mordecai grips the steering wheel tightly. “Ever Graves or bust?”

I nod. “Yeah, let’s go fucking end this.”

He slides his hand over to mine. “I’m sorry we ever called you princess. We didn’t know that’s what he used to call you.”

I swallow down the lump in my throat. My father’s pet name for me makes me want to vomit every time I hear it. “How could you know? It’s fine. Just… never again. Please.”

Fabien leans forward from the back seat and caresses the back of my neck. “Onlylittle freakfrom now on.”

I chuckle. “Definitely suits me better.”

The lull of the engine keeps me in a dozy state. I drift off for a while, then wake to look out the window for a few minutes. The night is still, the sky black with no stars. No ravens. We’re getting close.

My pulse quickens as we drive up the jagged cliffs leading into the secluded town.All roads lead back to Ever Graves.That familiar sinister energy permeates around us like black sludge. I never get used to it. And being away from here for so long, it hits me like a ton of bricks, spiking my anxiety.

When Mordecai turns onto the first cobblestone street, the lamplights flicker. Masked faces peer at our intrusive hearse, their curiosity piqued. Panic rises in my chest until I see their orange and black bags. Fuck. I forgot it’s Halloween. I breathe out a sigh of relief.

Fabien chuckles. “Sweet treats for evil deeds. Want me to snag you a lollipop, doll face?”

I clench my thighs and squirm in my seat.

Mordecai raises an eyebrow as he gazes down at my lap. “I want one, too, if it’s going to make your body react like that.”

My cheeks flush. “Don’t distract me from my rage, please.”

Raithe bursts out laughing. “Fuck, you’re hot when you’re frustrated. Lean your seat back, and I’ll take care of that for you.”

My breath hitches. These three can make me wet with one look. It’s unholy. And I fucking love it. “Later,” I rasp. “Once she’s dead, you can eat all the lollipops you want out of my pussy.”

Mordecai adjusts his cock in his pants. “Fucking hell, Lib. I’ll murder anyone for you if that’s my reward.”

I can’t help but smirk, pleased to know that I can make them hard just as fast as they make me wet.

When we drive into the residential district, I notice the lights on at Harker Mansion. It’s set far back from the road, nestled on at least ten acres. But even from this distance, I can spot the lights twinkling. “She made it,” I murmur.

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