Night Embrace

Her grandmother wrinkled her nose. "It just reeks, doesn't it? You can't kill her or him unless you want to fight me."

 

Talon exchanged a stunned look with Sunshine.

 

"One day, Morrigán. One day…" Camulus flashed out of the room.

 

The Morrigán took a deep breath, then turned around to face them. "Congratulations, kids."

 

"I'm free?" Talon asked, still unable to believe it.

 

 

 

The Morrigán nodded. "With your Dark-Hunter powers intact.

 

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"

 

Sunshine hesitated. "Is he still a Dark-Hunter?

 

"

 

"No," her grandmother said. "Artemis released him from his vow when she gave up his soul. Once psychic powers are bestowed on someone, they remain with them forever.

 

"

 

Sunshine smiled. "So he can go out into daylight now?

 

"

 

"Yes." The Morrigán looked suddenly uncomfortable. "By the way, there's something I need to tell you two.

 

"

 

"What?" they asked in unison, both of them afraid of what she might say.

 

"Because of the way our pantheon works, the two of you are…" She bit her lip and wrung her hands.

 

"We are what?" Talon prompted, terrified of what was coming next. When dealing with a god, one could never be too careful.

 

"You're immortal unless you renounce it.

 

"

 

Sunshine blinked. "What?

 

"

 

Her grandmother cleared her throat. "You and your brothers were born immortal, sweetie. It's why you still look like a baby even though you're pushing thirty.

 

"

 

"Does that mean Mom's immortal too?" she asked.

 

"No. Since your father isn't, she decided that she would give up her immortality to age with him. But since it was my blood that gave her immortality, it was passed on from her to you and then from you to Talon.

 

"

 

Joy ripped through Talon. "You mean I never have to watch her die again?

 

"

 

"Never. Not unless you choose to.

 

"

 

 

 

"Oh hell no," Talon said, laughing.

 

"I figured as much." The Morrigán stepped back. "Well, I'm sure the two of you have a lot to do. Like plan a wedding. Go make lots of babies." She took their hands into hers and then pressed them together.

 

"I expect a large number of great-grandkids from you two.

 

"

 

 

 

The Morrigán vanished, leaving them to stare at each other in wonderment.

 

Sunshine licked her lips as she stared up at him. She couldn't believe everything that had happened

 

 

 

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Most of all, she couldn't believe she had Talon for her own. "So what's our first course of action?

 

"

 

That familiar look came into his amber eyes. "Try to make a baby?

 

"

 

 

 

She laughed at him. "Sounds good, but it'll probably take us the rest of the night to get back to your cabin.

 

"

 

"True, but your loft isn't that far away…

 

"

 

Sunshine smiled. "No, it isn't.

 

"

 

 

 

He kissed her hand and then led her from the room.

 

They left the building and blended into the monstrous crowd of Mardi Gras celebrants who were heading home. Sunshine's heart was light as they walked hand in hand, until they reached the street.

 

 

 

Gasping, she pulled Talon back as a giant float narrowly missed him. Then she burst out laughing. "What is it with you and the Mardi Gras floats?"

 

"It's not the floats, love, it's you. Whenever you're around, everything else fades from my notice."

 

She bit her lip impishly. "You keep talking like that and I'll definitely take you home, lock you up, and throw away the key."

 

"That's fine with me, just make sure you're naked when you do it."

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 19

 

 

Zarek watched as Talon and Sunshine vanished into the crowd. He was happy for Sunshine, but he couldn't understand what the two of them felt for one another.

 

He'd never known any kind of love.

 

"Fuck it," he snarled, limping away from the building. He needed to get back to his townhouse.

 

"Dionysus will be coming for you."

 

He paused at the sound of Acheron's voice behind him. "So?"

 

Ash sighed as he drew near. "Can we not have a truce?"

 

Zarek scoffed at the thought. "Why? Mutual disdain suits us so well."

 

"Z, I'm too tired for this. Give me something to use with Artemis. Something that will make her want to give you another chance."

 

 

 

Zarek laughed bitterly. "Yeah, right. After what I saw in there you don't honestly expect me to believe that she pulls your chain, do you? How stupid do I look?"

 

"Things aren't always what they seem."

 

Maybe, but Zarek wasn't willing to give on this. He'd screwed himself royally tonight. The moment he had turned on the gods, he'd known they would make him pay.

 

Not that he cared.

 

 

 

 

Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) Let them come for him.

 

 

 

"Look," he said, turning his back to Acheron, "I'm tired and hungry, and I just want to lie down until my injuries heal, okay?"

 

"Okay."

 

Zarek paused as a group of college students stumbled past, laughing and teasing each other. He watched them curiously.