Fates Intertwined

Epilogue

There used to be a point in time where the only thing I worried about was whether or not I was next in line to be used as a puppet for a twisted man's sick entertainment. I didn't know who I was, not really, and I didn't know who my enemies were.

Still didn't, until they met me face to face.

There used to be a point in time where the only thing I had to worry about was getting food and finding a place to sleep for the night. Times were rough, but I was raised the way I was for a reason. And it was a damn good thing.

While I hated my adoptive family, they taught me a valuable tool. The act of thievery. Bad, I know, but without it, I wouldn't have survived.

Many times, I had been beaten and bruised so badly, I was sure to never wake up. That I wouldn't survive to see the light of day again. It never lasted, but this. This feels like torment. Like my own personal hell.

Today is the day of Naraina Stallard's funeral. A day I never thought would come. Out of all of us, Nara was never stupid enough to get herself killed.

But then there was me. Right in the center of it all. Like a fucking moth to a zapper (me being the zapper).

I swipe my hair out from under the necklace I put on and exhale as I stare at myself in the mirror. I've thought about skipping. About avoiding it and pretending it never happened. But my guilt would swallow me, and I'm sure Nara would figure out a way to come back and haunt my ass for the rest of my fucked immortal life.

I'm wearing a black long sleeve dress with a V-neck that falls to my knees and a pair of black heels that I found in the wardrobe.

I slide on the leather jacket I've been wearing and sigh once more. Can't skip, Aurora, I tell myself. You have to be there for your friend.

And so, I make my way to the door. I hesitate for a split second, my gaze sliding to the snow globe sitting on my nightstand. With a sigh, I grab it and stuff it into my pocket, then pull open my door.

But as I do, I find Zyran standing outside with his fist raised. He's in a black suit that looks a little too tight on him and his brown hair is tousled hair sitting awry on his head.

"Had me worried for a second." The corner of his lips pull up, and I know he's trying to lighten the mood. It didn't work. He cleared his throat. "You ready to go?" I nod, and he holds out a hand for me, to which I take.

***

We stand around the grave where Nara's casket sits, ready to be lowered and buried. Evelyn, Oliver, and their kids are here in honor of Nara and the lost princess of the Syren kingdom. Esme, Nikolai, and Angel stand beside them, and Xander, June, Maddi, and Ari are not far from Evelyn.

I stand between Zyran and Eric and Syrena, the queen of the Syren kingdom and Nara's mother, stands before the priest with her two daughters, Amara and Ellianna. Amara and Syrena are the only ones crying; Ellianna just looks confused.

It hurts, knowing that I'm the reason for their pain. Their suffering. If I had told them where I was going, maybe then none of this would've happened.

Maybe Nara would still be alive.

Zyran tries to grab my hand, to hold it, but I pull away, shaking my head. Don't get close. If you distance yourself, no one gets hurt. They'll be safe.

Syrena talks about the loss of her daughter, how she felt so much relief knowing Nara was alive and well and never realized how much it would hurt to lose her again, for good.

I don't meet her eye, staring down at the casket. I wouldn't blame her for hating me. I know I would.

Not long after, we're throwing the flowers onto the casket and it's being lowered into the ground.

She's really gone.

It's going to feel empty without her. She may have acted stupid, but she did it to make us smile. To make us laugh along with her. She won't make anymore jokes, or say the word freaky whenever she finds something disturbing, creepy, or interesting. She won't laugh like she used to, or force me into a dress she made from the scraps of men's and womens' clothing. She won't make anymore flirty remarks, or find the love of her life like she wished for.

She's just...dead.

The sounds of Syrena and Amara crying echo in my head as I watch as the dirt covers her casket, a tear slipping down my face. I hear Eric and Zyran sniffle.

As the funeral concludes, Syrena leaves with her daughters, and the rest of them follow in suit to the entrance of the graveyard. I feel a hand on my shoulder and turn to find Eric staring at me with a solemn smile. He squeezes my shoulder, his eyes watery, before he's walking away.

Zyran stays. "You gonna be okay?"

I inhale. No. "I'll be fine." I glance at him before turning back to the casket, my hands stuffed into the pockets of my jacket. I look toward Eric, watching as he follows after the group with his head hung low. "Go. Eric needs you." I nod my head in his direction.

"Are you sure?" His brows crease in concern.

I nod. "I'll be fine." I try to muster up a smile the best I can, but I don't think I do a good job, due to his expression. "Go, Zyran. I'll catch up with you later."

I won't, but it's the only way to get him to go toward Eric.

He sighs. "Okay." He steps forward, pressing a kiss to my forehead before leaving to chase after Eric. I watch them before I step toward the casket still being buried.

I watch the last grains of dirt cover the large wooden piece as I mull over everything that has led to this moment.

From Octavia cursing us, to being locked away for over a century and a half. From escaping from Hydra, to landing here with the friends I never remembered having.

I inhale a deep breath and exhale. Thunder booms overhead and I think back to everything I've ever been told about or by Van Helsing.

"...my little experiment."

"Even if I did, Van Helsing won't stop until he has you. It's a miracle he hasn't now, what with all his military access. Van Helsing has wanted you since the day you were born, Aurie."

"You are more important to Van Helsing than she is. He won't go after her until he has you and you're under his finger."

Van Helsing was the reason for all of this. Why all of this started. Why Nara is dead.

I feel a drop of rain as I come to the realization that this wasn't my fault. It was Van Helsing's.

And this? I glance down at Nara's casket once more, anger surging through my veins. This meant war.