Page 18 of Fang Girl

"I know it's fast," I said, "but when you know, you know." I opened it to reveal a silver key. "Move in with me. We'll build a place where we can coexist. Where you can help souls find peace and write your articles, and I can keep making music, and we can figure out this crazy supernatural life together."

"That's... not a ring," she said with a relieved laugh.

"That comes later," I promised. "When we're ready. But for now..."

"Yes," she said, taking the key. "Yes to all of it."

The band whooped and started playing again, this time one of our hits. I pulled Ari close and we swayed together as the stars came out.

"No ghosts right now?" I asked.

She shook her head. "Just us."

"I'll keep them quiet for you," I said. "If you'll keep me human."

"Deal." She stood on tiptoe to kiss me again. "Now take me home, my vampire rock star."

"As my ghost whisperer commands."

We walked hand in hand to the van, leaving the cemetery and its spirits behind. Whatever came next—vampire politics, ghost drama, paparazzi chaos—we'd face it together. Sometimes, the greatest love stories aren't about perfect people, but about two imperfect souls who make each other better.

Even if one of those souls is technically dead.

Epilogue - Ari

"Stop fidgeting with the fangs," I told Victor, adjusting my own plastic ones. "You're supposed to be a ghost."

"These sheet holes are not properly aligned," he complained, tugging at the white fabric draped over him. "I can't see properly."

I laughed and straightened his costume. "Now you know how actual ghosts feel."

We walked hand in hand down the leaf-strewn sidewalk, dodging tiny superheroes and princesses racing between houses. The autumn air was crisp, and paper decorations rustled in the breeze. A year on tour with The Nocturnals, and we'd specifically routed back through the college town for this night.

"There it is," I whispered, pointing to the Victorian house on the corner. Its gables were strung with fake cobwebs, and carved pumpkins lined the steps. "Minnie's been waiting seventy years to get that locket back."

Victor squeezed my hand. "Ready?"

I nodded. We'd gotten good at this—my ability to communicate with ghosts and his vampire persuasion made us an unstoppable supernatural detective duo.

Minnie materialized beside us, wringing her translucent hands. "Oh, I do hope they'll let you in this time."

"Trust us," I said softly.

Victor adjusted his sheet and walked up to ring the doorbell while I hung back with Minnie.

A middle-aged woman answered, bowl of candy in hand."Trick or treat!"

Victor gave her his most charming smile, the one that made audiences swoon. His eyes dilated slightly as he said, "I was hoping to look around your lovely home. My grandmother used to live here, and I'd love to see how it's changed."

The woman's expression went slightly dreamy. "Of course, come in!” She glanced down the steps at me. “Both of you."

I hurried up the steps, taking Victor's hand. "Thank you so much."

The woman led us through the house, chattering about recent renovations, and I remembered Minnie’s words: "Upstairs, in the master bedroom. There's a loose floorboard under the window seat."

Victor kept the homeowner occupied with questions about the original fixtures while I slipped upstairs. The bedroom was easy to find, and the window seat lifted on hidden hinges. Sure enough, one floorboard was slightly warped. I pried it up and reached into the dusty space beneath.

My fingers closed around something metal. The silver locket was tarnished but intact, tiny roses etched across its surface.

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