Fateful Signs (Ballad of the Seer, Book Three)

Chapter 46 - Together

After Katherine and Rachel departed, Lily learned the extent of the damage done by the warlocks. Not including Gran, two members of the Council had fallen that day: Edward Fulton and Dimitri Volkolov. Also, thirty-four guardians had given their lives. It was too high a number, but at least it was finally over. Maxwell was banished, Sebastian was dead, and Mia was off somewhere, oblivious to all of this, having a new life. Not that Lily would ever tell anyone about that.

        After leaving Duncan to talk with his family, Lily went to hers, including Katie and Aunt Chelsea, to share in their grieving, and to give them the message that Gran had implanted in her mind, which was only revealed to her once she saw them all together. She told them all how much Gran loved them. Her parents comforted her. Her mother enveloped Parker in a loving embrace when the little boy began to cry. Aunt Chelsea hugged Katie. Henry put an arm around Lily to comfort her.

        Lily noticed that her friends were all back from the Hub. She went over to hug Hilary, giving kind smiles to Eric and Bobby. "Are you guys okay?"

        "Us?" Hilary asked. "Are you kidding? Dianna told me what happened. Are you okay?"

        Lily nodded. "I'm sad, but I'll be fine. I got to say goodbye."

        Dianna ran up and wrapped her arms around the both of them. "Tell me that it's all over."

        "It's over." Lily said, putting an arm around her other best friend. "They're all gone." Maxwell was probably in the process of becoming some unnamable creature, which is what he deserved. He'd spent his life acting like a monster, now he would be one for real.

        When the hug ended, Lily looked over at Jack who was telling Eric and Bobby all about the battle. Jack called to Jason, who was standing with his mother and some of the other adults. He came over to stand beside Jack. Jack clapped him on the back. "This guy was a real help."

        "Really?" Eric asked. His icy stare turned to surprise and a little bit of appreciation. Perhaps things would finally thaw between the stepbrothers.

        "It was nothing." Jason said.

        "Nah, dude, don't downplay it." Jack said. "I saw you take out one of those bastards from a hundred feet with a crossbow. It was so badass."

        "Interesting outfit." Hilary told Jason.

        He looked down at the black military-esque gear. "Yeah, it was my dad's. My mom gave it to me. I figure maybe I can do some good in it, to make up for all the bad stuff he did."

        Hilary smiled. "I think that's a great idea."

        "Speaking of badass moves," Lily looked at Dianna. "Where the hell did you learn to fight like that?"

        "Those two meatheads." She nodded to Jack and Jason. "They taught me everything I know."

        "And you," Lily looked at Jack, smiling at him. "You broke your curse."

        "Seriously?" Eric asked. "Isn't that what you wanted?"

        Jack nodded. "It was awesome. I have never felt such a rush." His grin was wide. "The best part was that I was me the entire time. No monster taking over or threatening to."