The Siren's Prisoner (Completed)

Epilogue

Epilogue

Ten Years Later

 I was cuddled up in Haydin's arms. We were at Leonard's house and we had just got done eating Thanksgiving dinner. I looked around the room and was thankful and still surprised that I had this much family that actually cared about me. Eric, Andre, and Andrew were in the corner whispering conspiratorially. Andre would look every so often at Jade. She was a young vampire that had joined our group two years ago. Her family was one of the few Muiridu families that still killed their targets. They were on the run constantly because it was against Muiridu law. She had a kind heart that would not allow her to carry on with her family, and so she had left. Andre had had a crush on her for months, but he was shy. I had no doubt they were perfect for each other.

Haydin was snoring slightly behind me and I smiled. That snore had comforted me many nights. Haydin and I had been married six years now and I fondly remembered our wedding. That was the first time I had met Haydin's parents. His father and mother were the kindest people I had  come across. His mother, Nora, always insisted I call her mom. I had two sets of parents now and neither were biological. Leonard and Carol were my first set. Gemma had become my sister and Loki and Seraphina my nephew and niece. I carried their picture with me everywhere. Nora and her husband Robert quickly became parental figures for me, too.

Mia was talking animatedly with Jade and Gemma. They laughed loudly at her story. I smiled. She was probably talking about her children.  I looked over and saw Leonard and Carol talking to Nora and Robert. The happy grandparents would glance ever so often at their grandchildren. Loki was seventeen now. He was a mischievious teen. His blue eyes twinlked with humor at all times. He reminded me a lot of Andre, and I was almost sure Andre had helped him numerous times with his pranks. Of course, both denied it.

 Seraphina was beautiful. She was fourteen. The calm to her brother's wild. She didn't talk much, but she was smart.  She had skipped a grade in school and was already choosing physiology colleges. Sometimes, she would point her stare at you and her green eyes seemed to see all. We had not told her, but she knew what we were. She guessed. "You're not human," she had told me one day. I had tried do deny it, but she had to ten whole pages of proof.  I had been shocked that this ten year old girl had noticed things like that I never sang. She soon figured out Andre and Eric, too. 

 Finally, my eyes were drawn to the person I loved the most in the world. Lyra, my daughter, was four years old. We weren't sure if she was Aikoade or not yet. It didn't manifest until puberty. Loki and Seraphina were entertaining her. They made Lyra count and then they would go hide. Usually behind couches and chairs. As soon as she found them, thay'd groan in mock madness, and she'd squeal in delight. Her black hair gleamed in the dying light and her grey eyes glittered with happiness. 

 Suddenly, there the doorbell rang and the last man of our party came inside: Conrad. Yes, we all forgave him. He had left the Aikoade and was living a few towns over as a mechanic. He had found his passion of cars after Eric took him on a drive in his '72 Gran Torino. Conrad's specialty now was fixing up old cars. I knew he had lost track of time and come straight from the garage because, even though he had changed, he had a smear of grease right under his eye. 

  Lyra went straight for Conrad. He loved her and always joked that she was his reward for saving me. I looked around again at my new family. It was bigger than I had ever expected. A husband, parents, nieces and nephews, friends, and a daughter. I was happier than ever and I hoped it stay this way forever.