Of Dragons & Vampires

Chapter Thirty

Hecate had arrived early in the morning, adorned in glittering gold and flowing green fabrics, her braids pulled back from her face and her dark skin glowing in the sun. Evander stuck close to Abel, their hands entwined as he practically hung off his boyfriend's arm. Jamie and Reagan stood beside them, the wolf's arms wrapped protectively around the huntress. The four had stuck together like glue since they had buried their dead, forever grateful that those who survived, survived.

Death brings those who escape it closer together.

Charvi stood to Abel's right, linking her arm with Ashwin, the fiancée she had insisted come straight to the island as soon as it was safe. He had brought news with him from India, according to Ashwin the leading vampires of that country had yielded as soon as they had heard of Atlas's momentous defeat and death. Danae had also contacted her husband, Lord Valentine, who stood close to Evander's sister, his nose buried in the thick of Danae's dark hair. According to him, the vampiric aristocracy in England had crumbled. The remaining powerful lords had been forced into submission by the rebels who had been spurred on by news of the rebellion. At last, the vampire rule was over.

"She looks so obnoxious," Evander whispered, staring at Hecate and knowing that Abel could hear him. The dragon smiled sadly and squeezed his lover's hand.

They watched as Hecate wove her hands gracefully through the air, small sparks of golden magic coiling around her fingers as she created a document on papyrus paper. The letters were golden, each rule written down created by the surviving members of the rebel's council, and binding. Soon, the document would be taken across the globe to be signed by the leaders of each supernatural faction, ensuring peace.

Evander rested his head on Abel's shoulder, smiling at the gentle kiss the dragon's soft lips left on his forehead, before watching as Hecate swung her hands apart, the hefty document thumping on the town hall's table with an ominous thud.

"There, done!" Her light eyes glinted impishly, "Anyone who signs this contract is bound to it, and anyone who breaks it will suffer the consequences."

"Which are?" Colette raised an eyebrow.

Hecate straightened, her nostrils flaring. Goddesses were not used to being questioned, even by a being as powerful as a dragon.

"Let's hope you never find out," Hecate declared. "Now, I must say...you're pulling the one-eyed look off very well, Colette," she turned to meet Evander's lavender eyes, "And far more of you survived than I thought."

Colette bristled at that, her fingers twitching to run over the healed skin of her now empty eye socket.

"Through this document, no supernatural creatures will ever again attempt to rule over others, humans will remain in the dark about their existence, and any attempt to reveal said existence or claim domination over another species risks death, or worse."

"Worse?" Jamie scoffed, standing his ground as Hecate's eyes settled on him.

"There are worse thing in the world than death, pup. Perhaps you'll find out."

Reagan's hand flew to her short sword, her finger gliding over the tip, her glare fixed on Persephone who just laughed in return.

"Mortal weapons cannot kill me, dear. I am a Goddess, and I have other places to be," she spun, smiling and stepping back from Colette and the treaty. "I'll see you in twenty-one years' time," She nodded smugly towards Reagan and Jamie, reveling in the confusion polluting their faces, before she disappeared in a cloud of swirling green smoke.

Evander bit his lip, turning to his friend who met his eyes. They all knew, this wouldn't be good.

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