Epilogue

 

Even though he’d planned for it, Elias had never truly thought he’d need the nuclear option.

He’d always thought he’d still have allies — never friends — and his brother, but he’d been proven wrong. Everyone was a potential enemy, and his brother was too enraptured by his vampiress and his whore of a wife to think of family.

Elias spared a moment for the pain, but Jace was right there, ready to nuzzle his hand. “I’ll get you a new pillow,” Elias promised him. “Soon. Perhaps a stuffed animal instead?”

Jace let out a soft sound, though there was pain to it. The creature had gained so much attachment to the pillow that he was like a child with their blanket. Still, if it would settle the beast within, he’d happily buy a pillow or ten.

Elias glanced at him, remembering the glorious sight of his pet covered in the blood of his enemies — a literal interpretation of the phrase, to be sure, and not quite one he’d had in mind… and not in the best time and place.

He’d been so sure he could pin the deaths on the rebels, but he’d been wrong. He’d done what he’d scorned the others for.

He’d underestimated his opponents, and they’d seized the opportunity to destroy his legacy.

Elias wanted to make the excuse that he hadn’t been properly prepared, but that would’ve been a lie. The countless defenses of Tartarus had spoken to that, but the rebels had — incredibly — brought witches. Not only that, but those witches had been able to unravel complicated spells wrought over the years.

It was a blow to his pride, but then, there had been a lot of that going on lately.

It seemed pride had been his downfall, but he learned from his mistakes. He wouldn’t make them again. He’d have plenty of time to ruminate over his losses and mourn them, to lick his wounds and plan — to watch the world at a distance from its center as it changed and shifted.

He inhaled deeply then let out the breath, resigning himself to the fact that he’d be driving until well past dawn.

Again.

But he didn’t have time to stop. Elias had to put as much distance between himself and that accursed city as he could before everything turned further south and anyone pinpointed him as the source of some of the misfortune leading up to this… crash and burn of society.

At least he’d had that much power.

It only felt right that he wore an illusion fueled by his sister-in-law’s power. She didn’t know he’d taken the charm from Julian years before, and Elias doubted his brother remembered it either.

Another pang.

But it gave him another persona to wear, and Jace… Well, Jace was hardly memorable in human form as long as he wore clothing. A bit of time to grow his hair out some, perhaps, and a change of color. He simply wouldn’t be able to take his pet out naked.

No one would know where to look for him, and even if they tried, they wouldn’t find him. Nyla Mirza Ivers was a strong witch, after all, and she would be the one protecting him for as long as he chose to wear her charm.

The irony, at least, pleased him, even if nothing else did.

There was plenty of vampire blood in his stockpile, enough for him and Jace to keep themselves young for another decade if needed — to wait until everything settled.

But he wouldn’t remain hidden forever.

No, Elias Ivers was not a man to languish in some small town, living a normal life for the remainder of his years. He would have plenty of time to plot and plan in the modestly-sized city he’d chosen years before, lost amidst a sea of faces and watching from afar.

When the opportunity presented itself, he’d return home, and he’d work up the ranks again. He could be patient. He’d done it once, and he could do it again.

It was all simply a matter of time.

 

THE END OF

THE FATE OF THE FALLEN

SERIES

 

…for now…

 

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read the product of my twisted imagination. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please consider leaving a review if you can; every review from short to long is greatly appreciated. The time you take to tell others what you thought means the world to me.

 

About R. Phoenix

 

R. Phoenix (code name: Raissa) has an unhealthy fascination with contrasts: light and dark, humor and pain, heroes and villains, order and chaos. She believes love can corrupt, power can redeem and that the best of intentions can cast shadows while the worst can create light. She agrees with those who say that the truth is best told through fiction — even though fiction has to make sense while reality can be utterly baffling.
 

She loves chatting with readers, though she often awkwardly rambles. No matter how much she tries to keep her bad and often perverted sense of humor in check, it seems to escape at the most inconvenient moments. (Thanks, universe.) Feel free to friend Raissa on Facebook and chat or send her an email!
 

 

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[Dystopian Paranormal]

 

Series

[Paranormal Dark Erotica] |

[Paranormal Dark Romance] |

[Paranormal Erotic Romance] |

[Dark Paranormal/Dystopian]

[Dark Paranormal/Dystopian]

[Dark Paranormal/Dystopian]

Sanguine (#7) [Dark Paranormal/Dystopian]

 

Standalones:

[Sweet Romance] |

With Morgan Noel: [Romance]. Sequel: [Erotica]

 

The Need Trilogy

(#1): [Dark Erotica] |

(#2): [Dark Erotica]

(#3): [Dark Erotica]

 

The Tamed & Trained Trilogy

(#1) [Dark Erotica] | .

With M.A. Innes: (#2) |

With M.A. Innes: (#3) [Dark Erotica]

 

Status Quo Spinoff

Gifts (#1) [MMF & MF Erotica]

 

 

[Urban Fantasy]

With M.A. Innes: [Contemporary Taboo Romance]

With Morgan Noel:

 

Broken Boys Series

With T.N. Nova: [Contemporary BDSM Romance]

With T.N. Nova: [Contemporary BDSM Romance]