Page 146 of Court of Evil

“And me,” I add, smiling at him and my loves. “I am willing to fight and die for what I believe in. Are you?”

Quinn frowns. “If we sign this, we become yours?”

“No. Not at all. You lead your people, and I will lead mine. This is simply a treaty between us, a contract of friendship, if you will. It’s how we’ll keep our world safe for the next generation. It’s how we’ll assure what happened to us doesn’t happen again. We’ll become . . . united.”

“I’m in.” Freya nods. “Our people have faced enough prosecution for a lifetime. I think it would be good to have friends.”

“I’m in too,” Althea agrees. “We have always needed this. I knew it would happen eventually.”

“I am also with you,” Avea says. “Our people need protection at night.”

“Quinn?” I ask as she thinks, looking around.

“Wolves are pack creatures, so what’s one more pack?” She smiles.

My smile is wide as I tug the document to me, relief filling me. “Then allow me to be the first to spill my blood. It would be my honour to prove my dedication to this alliance.”

Picking up the spelled chalice and dagger, I close my eyes for a moment, offering my thanks, and then I run the blade across my palm and fist my hand over the chalice. Then, I pass it on.

One by one, they cut their hands and add their blood before it’s passed back to me. Jarek nods, and I dip my fingers into it then touch the agreement. Our blood mingles, binding us together.

The moment it touches the paper, I feel it wash over me and I jerk. I hear the others gasp as they feel it too, and when I lean away, I can’t help but smile. Something deep within me relaxes now that this is dealt with, something I have been dreaming about for weeks. “It’s done. The treaty of the courts and queens is complete. We are sisters in arms now. We are the protectors of the world. When called, we will come.”

Their smiles reflect my own as Quinn leans over, eyeing the document. “There’s space at the bottom. Why?” she asks curiously.

“To allow any new courts to sign,” I answer, my eyes going far away. “I have a feeling we will need it.”

“Freaky,” she whispers as she leans back.

“No, that is her gift.” Althea stands. “I look forward to fighting alongside you, my fellow queens.” She winks, and then she is gone.

One by one, the others offer their gratitude, and they leave until only I and my team remain.

Jarek carefully rolls up the agreement and seals it away, and it disappears.

I look over my monsters and sigh happily. “It’s done. Let’s go home. We have a long future ahead of us. This fight is far from over. We have the whole world to protect now, monsters and humans alike.”

“Fine, but I call shotgun,” Ronan yells.

“Nah, that’s mine,” Fang responds.

“I would like shot of the gun,” Tem responds.

I look back at this place once more, sensing the generations of my people here. I offer them my thanks before I turn away.

“We fight to the death for shotgun?” Addeus asks.

“Fucking hell,” Shamus grumbles.

“I can make a shotgun,” Jarek adds helpfully.

Rolling my eyes, I step through the portal Zeev creates, and they follow.

We are not alone now.

I am not alone.

EPILOGUE

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