Black Blood (Series of Blood Book 4) Emma Hamm (popular novels txt) 📖

mind, wandering through his thoughts like a cool breeze. He was not opposed to a life sentence within Legion. There was at least one other like him in the depths, and he would agree without a fight.

“Fine,” Mercy said. “Absorb him. Just give him a few days in living hell for me.”

“That is least I can do,” E said and turned to Lydia. “How would you like me to do this? This is an in-between place, and I would not want to violate any laws.”

A sword rose from the ground between them. Lydia gestured. “May your sword be true.”

Wren grasped the blade, her body stronger, her mind sharp as steel. The blade whistled as she sliced it through the air and Malachi’s head separated from his body in one fell swoop. A black mist rose from his neck. Wren opened her mouth, inhaling his soul, and smiled.

“He is home.”

“Good,” Lydia said. “Now go back to yours.”

They blinked out of the world in between worlds and returned.

Lydia dipped into the Future, knowing they would return changed. Nothing would seem different, but everything was. Their lives would never be the same again.

“Is it wise to leave them alone?” she asked. “I trust them, and just I feel as though I should give them guidance.”

“They will know the way.”

“How?”

“Because we aren’t going anywhere far. We’ll remain here to help.”

“You don’t want to go somewhere new?” Lydia turned, her hands framing Pitch’s face. “Some new dimension we could save? Another adventure?”

“I’ve had enough adventure for the rest of my existence. Now I want peace and quiet.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her hair. “And you.”

“Even the Goddess me?”

“I will take you in any form. I carried you with me for a thousand years, and I will never let you go again.”

She flung her arms around his neck, kissing him soundly. Against his lips she whispered, “I love you, my phantom.”

“And I love you.”

Epilogue

Lydia slurped at the drink she held in her hand, though it rattled at the end. Frowning, she nudged her sunglasses down her nose. The margarita in her hand was suspiciously empty.

“Pitch?” she called. “My drink is empty!”

“Again?”

“Apparently.”

“I thought I filled it a few minutes ago?”

She shrugged. “I was more thirsty than I thought. Can you get me another?”

He rolled onto his side and stood, grumbling about needy women.

They were enjoying their retirement. Lydia had insisted they find a beach house as close to the ocean as possible, and Pitch wasn’t very good at denying her anything. The gaudy hot pink beach chairs were horrible, even Lydia thought so, but she still bought them. Anything that annoyed Pitch was absolutely necessary in her life.

She jingled the ice in her glass. “It’s still empty! There’s something wrong with my glass.”

“I’m coming, woman!” He returned to her side and poured her another glass. “Is that all, my queen?”

“Oh, hush. Sit down so I can put sunscreen on your back. When are the others arriving?”

“Any time.”

A soft popping sound near her head made her jump.

Jasper sat down hard in the sand next to her. “You’d think after all these years, you’d get used to that.”

“You surprise me every time. Stop showing up unannounced.”

“And uninvited,” Pitch added.

“No, actually I invited him,” Lydia corrected.

“Why don’t you have a bonfire going?” Mercy asked. Ignes peeled himself off her back and took flight in the air. “And why are you wearing sunglasses, Lydia? It’s night time.”

“There’s still a chance of getting a burn.”

“That’s not how the sun works.” Mercy raised an eyebrow. “Is that sunscreen in your hands?”

“Pitch has sensitive skin.”

The subject of their conversation snorted and stood up. “Jasper, help me get the tables before she unmans me any further.”

“I don’t want to know what mine will say, right behind you.”

They marched across the sand while Lydia snickered. She lived for nights like these. Though they were retired, she liked to keep in touch with the other Gods and Goddesses. She considered herself their mother, or new mother as they liked to call her.

She gave them their powers. That made her something to them, more than just a friend.

Another popping sound echoed in the night. Burke appeared, arms laden with towels and blankets.

“You know we live on a beach right?” Lydia shouted.

“Mercy predicted it would get chilly tonight?”

“Mercy might have control over the elements, but I think Ignes will keep us warm either way.”

He sighed. “Fine. Where are the others?”

“Wolfgang and Lyra are late, as usual. Pitch and Jasper are getting the tables.”

Burke dropped all the cloth on the ground. “I’m going to help.”

“You’re going to drink,” Wren corrected as she leaned down to scoop the blankets back up. “And we’re not leaving these in the sand.”

“I don’t wash them,” he said while walking toward the manor.

“Neither do I!”

Lydia burst into laughter. “Wren come braid my hair. Pitch hates it when it’s not down. Braids confuse him.”

“Anything to annoy the lord of night.”

As Wren passed by, she leaned to sniff at her drink. “What’s this?”

“Margarita.”

“It smells like straight tequila.”

“I think it’s a little of both?”

Wren arched a brow. “Do you even know what a margarita is made of?”

“Tequila.”

By the time the men returned with the tables, the women were all seated around a fire watching Ignes project figures into the sky. He spat flames upwards and made them into creatures. A wolf chased a rabbit through the sky before it turned around and became a stallion that chased the wolf.

Leaning back on her hands, Lydia grinned. The stars sparkled in the clear sky, the crisp salty air brushing the sweat from her skin. Sand ran beneath her fingers and it didn’t matter that it was stuck between her toes.

Pitch stood over her. “Where are the other two?”

“Late.”

Lyra’s bubbling voice interrupted them. “We’re not late! We’re early.”

“For the party?” Lydia shouted. “Because you’re definitely late, if that’s what you’re here for.”

The Siren plopped down next to her. “Couldn’t be late for the party, hon. We are the party.”

Pitch clapped Wolfgang on the shoulder, pulling him into