Bloodstream

Epilogue

Nathaniel

Today was a day meant for celebration, for victory, for triumph against a force so evil, against a threat that wanted to annihilate us. But instead here we are gathered to mourn the ones we lost in pursuit of freedom we stand here breathing in.

I had blocked out most of what Ezra was saying. I knew it pained him but I didn't want to accept the fact that any of this was real.

".....Sage, a Queen, a fighter, my sister...Axel, a ferocious leader. Donovan a selfless King. Xander, a fearless Alpha.

Our Queen and Kings  have fallen today but if they are watching over us, let them know we will stand strong for them." He concluded and stepped away from the podium.

"Yes" everyone agreed in unison, standing around the closed caskets. We couldn't face them. We couldn't see them lying there so lifeless.
Vampires and Wolves, together for once, at the most unfortunate time.

I could tell Ezra was trying so hard not to choke on his words or just break down but I also knew he would be able to keep it together. Me on the other hand, I was a mess, living on borrowed time, magically cured thanks to a witch and a Siphoner, Ashton. Wondering why me? How do I get this second chance? What have I ever done to deserve this?

I saw Ezra slipping away from the crowd. The wolves came forward to take Xander's body. He was to be buried in Cohen, at an ancestral plot. Ashton would take Donovan and Axel back to Gervase. Sage, she was home already. But I didn't have it in me to carry that coffin into the crypt. I just couldn't do it. Mostly because it wasn't even a crypt. It was a stone basement underground, however Ezra did plan on fixing up the place to make it look nicer. Never in our wildest dreams we thought we would have needed a crypt to put a Pure Blood. And here we are. Standing around four. 

"I know what you're thinking, Nathaniel" Ezra's voice from beside me took my attention.

"I can't do it" I shook my head, a tear pricking the corner of my eye.

"We have to" he put a hand on my shoulder and I broke down like a child, so helpless...so alone.

"I couldn't get to her in time, Ezra" hot tears were streaming down my face as I looked up at Ezra. Surprise replaced the pain for a second when I saw his eyes red and puffy with tear stains down his face.

"Neither could I" he broke down but looked away pinching the corner of his eyes, leaning down against a table so no one could see him.

"Nathaniel" I heard Arabella's quivering voice. There was not a dry eye in the room. She especially blamed herself for not being able to help sooner, Axel was long gone before Sage could even get to them. But what good is any sort of contemplation now?

"Leaving?" I wiped my eyes.

"I'm taking Kinsley back. I don't think she should be alone. Besides its only a matter of time before they start fighting for the next Alpha. She shouldn't be around for that…" she sniffled a cry.

"Okay" I whispered and leaned in, wrapping her in a hug, one that she returned with painstaking muffled sobs.

She pulled away to look over my shoulder "Ezra" she nodded with sympathy.

"Arabella" he gave her a curt nod.

She turned away immediately, reaching her hand out to Kinsley who I don't think even realises what was happening.

My eyes fell on a lonely figure sitting in the corner - Phoenix. It was that very second he glanced in my direction and stood up with a sympathetic look I lost count of how many times I had seen today.

"You okay?" He walked towards Ezra and me.

"I just gave my sister's eulogy, Phoenix" Ezra's voice cracked from the sharpness he was forcing into it.

"I'm sorry for your losses" he shook his head with remorse.

"I think you should leave before midnight, Hunter. We're locking the city down tonight" Ezra's voice suddenly sounded sharp... and cold.

Phoenix's surprised look was manifested by my voice "Locking the city down?" I furrowed my brows.

"Yeah, I told Ashton and the wolves too," Ezra's eyes were hollow and lifeless. The pain from a minute or so ago was replaced by an icy glare..

"Why?"

"Because it's what I should have done to begin with" he snarled, taking a stride towards me.

"Calm down, Ezra," I whispered.

"Why don't you take some rest, Ezra. You've had a hard day" Phoenix stepped towards him.

"Don't" Ezra put a finger up. That helpless broken look now replaced with anger and coldness "As long as the gates are open there will be threats are our doors and I don't have anything left to lose. Nothing except this Kingdom. So you all have until midnight to leave" it was as if he blurted that out in one breath.

True enough. The city was cleared of any foreigner well before the sun could even set.

We lost track of time because the next time I looked at my watch it was six in the evening.

"Its time, Ezra" I whispered, still wishing this was a nightmare and I was about to be woken up any second now.

"No" he shook his head, tears streaming down his face frantically, he hung his head in his hands shaking his head.

"Yes" I nodded, sobbing. "We have to"

Centuries of feuds and wars never prepared me for the hurt and loss I felt when I had to lift that coffin up. But it had to be done. All these years, I never failed her and I wasn't planning on doing it now.

"Bye you little pain in the ass" Ezra raised a toast before chugging down half a bottle of Bourbon in one go.

"Bye, Sage" I whispered "I will see you again" I raised my glass before chugging the whole thing and standing up.

"Where are you going?"

"Leaving" I took my coat off and draped it over my arm.

"Your house burnt down, Nathaniel. Stay here" he gestured around.

"Yeah...but that was home, Ezra. I need to get it fixed" my shoulders dropped. "Sage loved that mansion. So the least I could do is rebuild her house"

"It's already evening, Nathaniel. You're not building anything" Ezra smiled at me with an understanding look "Start tomorrow"

"Yeah okay" he was right "We all have to start new tomorrow"

***********

Ooooh. Here we are.
I want to thank all of you for sticking around this long.

Just a heads up... Bloodstream will be taken down towards the end of the year for editing. I'll keep you guys posted on that.

The story doesn't stop here. Bloodstream: Enchanted era begins here vamps. I hope you guys enjoy and show that book just as this one.

I'll see y'all there.