Chapter Twenty
Grace sat on the floor after a long shift at the store and finished stocking the candy near the front with Tina’s help. Every now and again, she would find her mind wandering to the bizarre night just a few weeks before. She couldn’t help but think about where it all started, there in front of the store, and what she could have done differently to stop it all.
Even if Thrax had been a monster, he hadn’t deserved to be murdered by a madwoman who, from what Rem had explained to her, had taken his very life essence. Maybe even his soul. She shivered at the thought.
It had taken a lot of thinking, but she’d come to conclusion that there likely wasn’t anything she could have done.
Thrax had been acting on instinct. It was just what his nature was, and eventually things were going to end up the way they were.
Still, it didn’t stop it from hurting any less. Although he might have been the reason she was there to witness it, no being deserved to go out that way. Ever.
One thought kept also returning to Grace, as it concerned one of the few things she was certain about when it came to people like Agatha. If you play too close to the flame, you’ll eventually get burned. She’d already done this once and barely escaped. Grace doubted she would escape again.
At least luck had been on their side up to this point. Rem and the hybrids had been concerned about people spotting the dome and reporting it to the authorities. If they did that, the Horatius Group would likely come with their own army of monsters.
But nothing had changed after the blue dome went up. No one seemed to notice, which was likely because it was so far out that local town folk weren’t likely to venture that way in the winter. The closest ranch, Taylor’s, was run by a Vestal and a hybrid.
None of them were sure what would happen in the thaw, but, as mayor, Grace’s sister was looking into options. They weren’t long-term, but they would be a good temporary fix.
The new Glycon army Agatha was making was the real worry though. Already Rem was working with Anassa to find some way of combating them.
Although judging by his recent expressions, he wasn’t thrilled with her answer. What little exposure Grace to Anassa made her uneasy. Something about the creepy woman reminded her of Agatha.
“All done,” Tina said, and smiled down at her.
Grace nodded and stood to let the teen out the door.
She waved to the car parked outside waiting for her. Grace glanced down the quiet road.
People were feeling less worried now. There had been no incidents of animals being killed or taken. Most thought the “bear” that had reportedly attacked Vitus had likely moved on looking for better hunting grounds.
She snorted. Things were more dangerous than ever, but somehow the people in town felt safer. Grace knew they wouldn’t be able to keep all this secret for long. The townspeople would have to know and would likely have to take up arms to protect themselves.
There was no way in hell she was sacrificing the people there to Agatha. They deserved more. And when it come down to it, she knew they would choose the right path. The hybrids weren’t the enemy. Agatha was.
Warm arms wrapped around her middle.
“What are you doing here?” Vitus whispered in her ear. “Can’t that candy wait?”
She smiled. “Just thinking.” She sighed and leaned against his warm body.
He hummed, but it sounded more like a growl. “What about?”
Grace had been waiting for the right time to say something, but when you had a business, there was never really a right time for these sorts of things. Everything in her life was about to change. She’d thought it’d changed before, but this was a whole different level.
Heaving a deep sigh, she pulled a plastic stick from her pocket and held it up for him to see. She only hoped he understood what it meant. His arms stiffened around her, and she turned to look at him.
“You’re pregnant?” Vitus said.
Grace nodded. “I was late, and so I took a test,” she said softly. “I’m pregnant.”
For a moment she thought he might be upset until he grinned broadly down at her and lifted her in his arms, twirling her around. Grace laughed as he did so.
“You’re still not fully healed,” she said, and laughed. “Put me down, you maniac.”
Vitus placed her on the ground and pressed his mouth against hers. She sighed against his lips. When he’d pulled away, she was crying.
He reached down and swiped the tears.
“You’re not upset then?” she asked. Despite how Vitus was acting, she needed to hear the words.
He pulled her against his chest in a warm hug.
“I’m beyond happy,” he said. “I have a family and a place where I belong. It’s all I ever wanted.”
She smiled against his chest and wrapped her arms around him.
“Me too,” she whispered.
Through Vitus she had found a new life. It wasn’t one she was used to or without sorrow, but it was filled with love and joy. Two things she lacked before.
She snorted as one of his hands drifted a little lower to her ass.
“Maybe we should go in and celebrate,” he mumbled against her ear.
Grace shook her head. “Only you would want to celebrate that way.”
Vitus leaned back and stared down at her. She could already see the light blue glow behind his contacts.
“Seems like the best way to celebrate,” he said, and grinned.
Grace shook her head and pushed past the man. She turned when he didn’t follow and smiled. “Better lock the door if we’re going to really celebrate.” She winked.
A low growl came from him, and she giggled as he stepped inside.
“See?” Vitus said. “Best way to celebrate.”
Grace laughed as she made her way to the back room, ready to celebrate now and every day of their lives together, no matter what the future might bring.