Wicked Destiny

Epilogue


It’s been a month since the episode in the clearing. After I passed out Declan brought me back to my place. He felt that being back home might have sped up the process of me pulling through. It didn’t, of course. He explained that after the second day and he wondered if he should actually take me to the hospital just in case something was medically wrong. So by the third day he’d crawled in next to me in my bed and had held my hand as he fell asleep. That’s when we had our first dream date since all the chaos. I told him I had been waiting on him and that he was so late.

After a couple of exercises, I finally opened my eyes to find a teary-eyed Shay and one stressed out Declan. I wasn’t even able to get a word out before Shay’s arms were locked around my neck. Even though it wasn’t a great time to joke, I told her, “If you don’t loosen your grip, I’m going to pass out again.” She released me quick and Declan planted a long, single kiss on my forehead while he continued to smooth my hair. Looking at him, I mouthed the words, “Thank you.” That night I think we ordered pizza four times. I felt like I hadn’t eaten in weeks, well, a week actually. So there was lost time to make up for.

Shay stayed with me for about a week more. She was paranoid to leave me alone, I guess, but after a week up under each other, we needed our space. Besides, I was never alone. Declan was with me now. I insisted we live together and he willingly complied. He wouldn’t let me go back to work, though, until this week. I didn’t complain. If I could make a living just lying in bed with Declan, I would. Technically, I could, but we needed to keep things interesting. Jared would stop by and bring me all the printouts and stuff that needed a signature. He could’ve emailed it, but I knew he wanted to see me too. As it turned out, everything I saw with Shay, Jared, and Mindy that day with Simon was just an illusion. Go figure.

Today is the first day officially back at the club as the owner. Everyone knew now and it was time for me to have a better approach. So I walked to work today. It was Wednesday afternoon and I brought with me all the papers that Jared dropped off. I needed to talk with him about ordering our supplies. I heard footsteps behind me and I whipped around only to find Simon standing there.

“What do you want?” I asked as I slowly kept backing up. I was ready to sprint, actually.

“No need to be alarmed, dear Sloane. I was merely checking up on you.” He smiled as I stopped.

“I don’t need a babysitter, so find someone else to scare,” I snapped.

“Sloane, I just wanted to warn you. Enjoy what peace you have at the moment, because he is watching you.” He pointed to the café on the corner where Crystal and Dee sat watching me. “Please, be on your toes. I can’t wait to see what else you have in store.” He smiled at me and faded away. Creepy, I thought to myself.

I kept my eye on the two vamps as I walked to the club. I sent Declan a text telling him to get here fast. I glanced one final time in their direction and they were gone too. I hurried to unlock the door and then locked it back. Jared was already here. I wasn’t going to bother him with any of it; I just wanted to forget about it and concentrate on something human, like running my club. I knocked on Jared’s office door to let him know that I was there and I reluctantly poured myself a shot of patron. I brought the bottle with me as I sat down in the VIP section and pulled everything out of my bag. When I looked up, there was a woman standing in front of me. I looked for Jared, but he never came out of his office. He must not have been here yet.

“I’m sorry, can I help you?” I knew for a fact I locked that door. She had to have come out of Jared’s office. We were going to have to have a talk about all these girls.

“You are so beautiful,” she said.

“Um, thank you, but what can I do for you?” I was starting to feel uncomfortable.

Declan walked in and interrupted her. I gave him a look to hurry up look and he walked over to join me.

“Who’s this?” he asked.

“I was just trying to find out when you walked in.” I smiled sarcastically. “She told me I was beautiful.” I laughed a little and looked back at the woman.

“She’s right,” we both laughed.

“I’m sorry. Please, tell me what I can do for you.” I insisted.

“You really have no idea who I am?” She looked hurt, and when I didn’t reply, she turned to walk out.

It was something in the air and the different facial expression. She was fairly young. She only looked to be a couple years older than me. She was quite beautiful also. She had dirty blonde hair, a nice curvy figure, and her skin was flawless. She was wearing a pair of blue jeans and a Nirvana t-shirt. But when she turned away, something flickered in her eyes like lightening. I jumped up and Declan followed.

“Wait!” I shouted. She stopped and slowly turned around.

I walked up to her, not believing for a moment what was going on. There was no possible way. This woman was only a little older than me, but here she was and how was that possible? I was too stunned, and from the looks of it, she knew I was grasping realization. She shook her head, and then I heard her in my head. Yes, she said, and I immediately jumped.

“Who is this, Sloane?” Declan asked.

I turned to look at him. “It’s my mother.”

And we both looked just as confused.