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Epilogue

PHANES

    "Finally," I start, "She's gone and she's gone for good."

    My attention turns over towards the boy whose on his knees, holding something. Something rather symbolic to this entire mess.

    A yellow hibiscus.

    Anakin looks devastated but quite frankly, that isn't my problem. He made her choice for her, he allowed her to go with Calytrix. It is almost bile inducing the way his puppy dog eyes look at the stupid flower in his hand.

    I laugh at the thought that Nerissa and Anakin believed they would ever end up with one another. Knoxx goes towards Anakin and whispers something in his ear, causing Anakin to tense and emotion fade from his face.

    "Get out of here, boy! Before I slaughter you just like we did your mother." That got both boys' attention.

    "What did you say?" Knoxx snarls.

    Tears of fury fill the boy's eyes, I smile at the sight. "Do not make it your father that I kill, I've been waiting for an excuse."

    "You son of a b-" Knoxx starts before going to tackle me but Anakin puts out his arm. It is like he hits a stone wall with the way he slams to a halt against Anakin's strong arms.

    "Go." Anakin says, a smile on his face that does not meet his eyes, but I'll allow him to think I trust him. "Don't be a pussy. Go away Knoxx. Can't you see I have better things to do?"

    "What about Nerissa?"

    Anakin rolls his shoulders back and it is almost like he finds the conversation boring. "Who the fuck cares about her?"

    "I do, she's my cousin, you dick." Knoxx stares lines of fury into Anakin's face. "You do, Anakin, she's your mate."

    A tart laugh breaks through his friend's words. "Please, she's just like any other whore in all of Etna. I'll find another one."

    He really doesn't care about his mate, does he?

    "You hate her that much, boy?" I question him.

    He smirks, "I could never love one of your whores. Even if you put enough food in front of me for it to last a lifetime."

    "All you want is food?"

    He nods. "That's all that bitch is worth."

    Knoxx looks at Anakin, eyes filled with disappointment, and scoffs. "You'll regret that, brother."

    "Get out of here, Lennoxx, before I kill you myself." The anger in Anakin's eyes really drives his point. Even I am impressed by the lack of care he holds for someone he loves, maybe he can be useful after all.

    "I'm going to get her back and I want you to remember this moment." Knoxx growls before backing up and running out of my temple.

    I laugh. "You're so much like Sin. You did the right thing son."

    "Thanks." He says, the smile not leaving his lips. My gods he looks just like his father when he does this. When he smiles, really smiles, he shows his gums. "You knew my father?"

    "Once upon a time." I say simply, leaving the past to the past. "He'd be proud that you chose me over a girl."

    Anakin shrugs, "Wasn't hard if I really thought about it, besides, what use is she to me? She doesn't have the experience I look for in the women I fuck."

    "How cruel, she could learn."

    "Your little Princess over there doesn't seem to know what she's doing. She couldn't even decide between the two of us. It was the most pathetic thing I have ever seen in my life. Besides, her entire experience comes from books." He scoffs and I almost laugh with the youngling.

    "She's a work in progress." I say with a wicked smile. "She's powerful, she just needs to learn how powerful she is."

    "Is that why you let Calytrix have her?"

    "Calytrix and I have an agreement." I confess. "Also, the girl signed her soul away, even I can't break a blood contract."

    "But you're a god." Anakin seems surprised by that.

    "There are some things stronger than gods, Anakin." I toss him a pomegranate, he catches it easily, before he glances at it. "Go ahead, eat. You deserve it after the journey you took. All the beatings for a girl who wants nothing to do with you."

    He leans up against the temple and takes his dagger, cutting it open slowly. Pushing his dagger in, he scoops a line of seeds on the end of it, before moving them onto his tongue. Juice slips out of his mouth as he uses his teeth against the seeds, he wipes the juice with the blade.

    "We're going to make a good team, Anakin."

    "I agree." Is all he says before I open a portal and lead him into Lani.

    END BOOK ONE.