Hunters

Epilogue

Rachel and Daniel sat on the terrace of the mausoleum, his arms wrapped around her, his chin resting on her shoulder. He wore a black t-shirt with pictures of Vlad and Bran castle on it. Rachel had laughed when first seeing it, but Vlad had seemed strangely touched.

It was the most beautiful sunset she'd ever seen. And Rachel had never felt happier in her life. But a dark cloud made its way through her thoughts. One matter was left unfinished.

"How was Angus' execution?" She'd hated it that Daniel had gone to see it.

"I didn't get to it. Changed my mind half-way there." He tightened his grip on her. "You were right. I never wanted to see him again either. I heard he put up a fight, though. They let Vlad do it."

"Has Roz recommended him for Head Hunter yet?" She played with his fingers, watching the light dance over his skin.

"Yeah. The other Hunters were against it, so they settled for a trial period to test his loyalty. They've sent Vlad out to eliminate the top vampires." He chuckled. "Roz told me he seemed indecently excited by the idea. If he pulls through, he'll be the next Head Hunter. Well, at least until I decide to return and take my throne."

Rachel smiled and watched the blood-red sun sinking beyond the cement factory. Everything had turned out fine in the end.

Justin had said goodbye and used his reward money to pass to the other side. Rachel would miss him, but it was best for him. He would finally rest in peace.

She and Daniel had left the Romanian Hunter headquarters in Braşov with Daniel muttering 'bureaucratic assholes', returned to Câmpulung for their stuff, and decided to stay in Romania and be simple tourists for a week or so. They'd be returning to Bucharest the very next day.

Rachel hadn't seen into the future since her near death experience, but she didn't miss the gift. It would be exhausting to keep trying to follow a path. Daniel had proved he'd been right. The future was what you made it.

"What are you thinking?" he whispered in her ear.

Rachel shuddered with pleasure as his warm breath brushed her skin. "Just how stubborn you are. If you hadn't been so determined to change the future, we'd both be dead." She turned to look at him. "But why do you ask? You can tell what I'm thinking."

He shook his head. "I've been giving you privacy ever since you got better. I want to fight for this."

"Fight for what?"

"For you."

Rachel twisted and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Fight for me? Daniel, I'm yours. I love you."

"Which is why I have to do this." He got to his feet and pulled her up. "We've been through so much and I've kinda made a mess of the usual steps in a relationship, what with almost getting you knocked up and everything. I'm not happy with myself."

She giggled and swatted his shoulder. "Since when do you follow rules? You almost sound disappointed that you didn't knock me up."

"Who said I was following rules?" He smirked and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before standing. "I'm so not following rules. I'm just giving myself a bit of a thrill."

"What are you on about?" She squinted. He was up to something, but he was blocking her out, so she couldn't tell. "What's going on?"

"Rachel Giuliani," he said, looking upward as if trying to remember something. "I never asked you if you have a middle name."

"If I do, I'm taking it to the grave with me." She stood, too, and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Your name sounds funny either way."

Rachel let go of him and stepped back, her hands on her hips. "What are you up to?"

Daniel shrugged. "I was just thinking. Giuliani. It sounds like you're the daughter of some mobster."

"What's it to you?"

"Rachel Paxton sounds much better."

Rachel's mouth fell open. Daniel dropped to one knee and took her hand, a mischievous grin on his face.

"I'm not following rules. This might be the worse proposal ever, but at least I'm being original."

"Pro-proposal?" Her heart beat so fast, it made her dizzy.

"Rachel, sweetheart, after all we've been through, I realized my life would be utterly boring and miserable without you. I'm the most selfish bastard I know, still, I care more about you than I do about myself. I want to spend the rest of my existence taking hits and shots for you. And trying to get you knocked up. Will you marry me?"

Rachel swallowed, trying to clear her head. "You want to take hits and shots for me for the rest of your life?"

"Stabs, arrows, the works." He reached for his back pocket and pulled out a small box. "This I did properly." He opened the box. A delicate white-gold band topped with a heart-shaped ruby rested on the crimson lining of the box.

Her words cascaded out while she tried to pull herself together. "That's why you've been blocking me out. You wanted to surprise me."

"Yeah. And I've been blocking myself out of your head because I'm a masochist. I'm dying here, but I don't want to know the answer before you say it."

"What's to know?" She put one hand on her forehead. "If you didn't guess right away that I'd say yes, you're an idiot. And there you have it. The worst proposal acceptance."

Daniel got up and swept her off her feet, spinning in place with her in his arms, laughing. "We're two of a kind, aren't we, sweetheart?" He put her down and slipped the ring on her finger. "I love you. And I want to be with you forever."

"I love you, too." She cupped his face and pulled him into a kiss.

He immediately tightened his grip on her and held her against him, kissing her with more passion than she'd expected. God, their life would be one huge rollercoaster ride. And she wouldn't want it any other way.

THE END

Nope, no author note here. Meet me on the next page for our official goodbye.