I felt Lily's and Ilona's claws tearing at my flesh, ripping away parts of it, trying to get to the vital organs. Pain shot through me, forcing me to redirect part of the energy to heal myself. My light dimmed. In my peripheral vision I saw Tomek bow under Regina's onslaught. Anael was growing in power with Milena's help. I did my best not to lose my hold on the demon, but I was weakening, my vision starting to blur.

I collapsed, barely fighting off the vamp and the werewolf when a wave of grey flame engulfed me, warm and welcoming. Suddenly the power in me surged out, happy to mix with the incoming energy. My wounds were healed, the pain gave way to exhilaration. I rose, pulling the attackers with me. I pushed them away, but my hands did not stop at the surface of their bodies. They went smoothly into their chests, flesh easily giving way under my thrust.

In my palms I felt fevered pulse and I pulled, ripping away the beating hearts. For a moment I held them up, seeing as their owners eyes went blank. Then I crushed them, sending a spray of crimson all around. Lily and Ilona crumpled like broken dolls at my feet.

Tomek came up to me and intertwined his fingers with mine. I looked at Anael in all his terrifying glory. He was about to attack, when we sent a wave of our combined power right into him. For a long moment he held my gaze despite being pulled into the abyss of the prison awaiting him behind the veil. In my mind I heard his threats of returning and taking his revenge on me. Then Cecylia came and sealed the torn fabric of reality, locking up the demon.

I felt Tomek crumble by my side. I caught him in time to lower him safely on the ground, so he would not hurt his head.

All the light died down and it was suddenly dark and cold and quiet. I looked around, taking in the sight of the aftermath of the battle.

Francesco was still unconscious on the altar, but I knew he'd be all right. Milena stood near him, pale and bewildered. Luckily for her, her vampires were too damaged to think about attacking her at the moment. The Queen was soothing her sister, who was having a hard time adjusting to the new reality. Tomek was exhausted but there weren't any apparent wounds on his body. I spotted his father on the ground nearby, his left side burned black. He was still breathing, though barely. I knelt beside him and put my hand on his damaged cheek. I let the power flow, the light entering him, repairing, healing. It didn't stop on the surface though. It went deeper and wider, finding the scar of the sealing spell and obliterating it. It went deeper still, the infertility curse disintegrating under its influence.

Robert gasped and opened his eyes. I smiled at him.

"Where's Tomek?" his first thought was of his son.

"He's all right. We defeated the demon together," I said, moving slightly to the side, so he could see the young wizard for himself.

He immediately got up and ran to him.

I went back to Francesco. I tenderly took off his collar and threw it on the ground. The darn thing was no longer of any use. I picked up the cloak and wrapped it around my mate just before he opened up his eyes.

"We won. It's over," I told him and kissed his forehead. Happiness lit his exhausted face.

"Like you said. Just go with the flow," he said in a raspy voice.

I laughed and kissed him again, this time on the lips.

Tomek came to his senses and approached me with his father. Before he could say anything I saw Cornelius walk up to him, his head bowed. I was ready to attack, when he spoke, making me wait and listen, "I have given you my word, that I'd serve you till the end of my days if you freed me from Milena. You have done it. So I am yours to command. You are a necromancer again, if you want you can bind me by your blood."

"I never wanted to enslave anyone. You're free. I only want you to swear you won't retaliate against my sister. She's been manipulated and used by Anael, she would have never been this cruel by her own," Tomek's generous words surprised the vampire.

"Thank you. This is more I could have hoped for. I will neither forgive nor forget what Milena has done to me, but I give you my word that I will not revenge," the leech bowed deeply. "I shall take my leave, together with my children. May the luck be always on your side, necromancer," he said and got out of the church in the company of the young vampires.

I could tell by Robert's look that he was proud of his son. Only now did I notice, that the terrifying twins were also watching the conversation.

"I wasn't expecting that from a necromancer," the Queen stated.

The lad stiffened realizing the proximity of the powerful vampire. I think she seriously intimidated him. Couldn't blame him for instinctively fearing a two thousand year old predator.

"Just doing the right thing, my lady. Like with keeping my word. I believe you're going to take your command over me now, like we agreed," Tomek said quietly, his voice slightly quivering.

I looked at him with surprise.

"We agreed you'd be my blood donor when we defeated the demon. But you're a necromancer now, you're of no use to me. I should have taken your father's offer," she laughed goodheartedly. "I don't have luck with you two wizards," she added.

"Me neither," the Regina chimed in. "Robert, what I have done to you could not be forgiven, but please accept my sincere apologies."

The wizard's face darkened at the memory.

"I have been fooled by Anael. He promised me power immeasurable, provided the Cabal with the pocket dimension for our headquarters and pictured a world where supernaturals would rule. Witches would be at the top. Now I see it was all a lie..." she sighed. "You should lead the Cabal, Robert. I will bow to you and then leave, so you don't have to see me anymore," Ava addressed the wizard with reverence, astonishing everyone.

For a moment Robert seemed to be speechless.

"You don't have to leave. There aren't many witches left in the world. We shouldn't scatter," he said finally. This must have cost him a lot, considering how much evil the witch has done to him.

"As you wish, my lord," was her response, followed by a low bow.

This was going better than I could have hoped for. I feared that once Anael was defeated we'd have to battle a host of angry supernaturals. I wondered if it was my and Tomek's display of power that made them this generous.

"What about me?" Milena asked matter-of-factly.

Only now have I noticed she was missing for the last few minutes. By her side there was a handsome man in an elegant suit, fit for a party. His clothes and hair were disheveled and he looked tired and frightened. For a moment I thought I saw a flicker of green light around his neck, but it was covered by his meticulously buttoned up black shirt.

I have to admit she was brave. Considering she was the one that started the madness and almost helped the demon win, she could expect a death sentence from everyone involved. To be frank, if it wasn't for Tomek, I'd gladly finish her off myself. Just in case.

"I think your talent should not go to waste, doctor. If you accept, I'd be glad to provide you with a laboratory and all the means for your research. I believe that with your brother's cooperation you could help us understand how the wizard and necromancer blood work on vampires," the Queen proposed, looking at Tomek for approval. The young wizard agreed.

"Maybe incidentally you could uncover the reason why there were so few wizards born in the last century," the Queen continued, glancing at Ava and Robert. They gave a slight nod.

"I believe you are still my employer, your Highness," Milena smoothly went into her role.

Tomek looked anxious but happy.

"If you allow, my husband Adam will be working with me," she said pointing to the man standing at her side. He nodded, looking bewildered. "He's a talented researcher, even if sometimes reckless," she added with a small smile.

"Of course. I see you could use an assistant," Eva agreed, glancing at Adam. "Then it's settled," the ancient vampire said with glee.

"What's going to happen with the infected?" Francesco joined the conversation.

He was tightly wrapped in the cloak, making sure most of his body was covered.

"Without the connection to Anael's power, the parasite will die. So those who haven't fully turned yet will recover. Those that have changed will lose their strength and survival instinct. They won't feed, so they'll just die out by themselves," Milena explained coldly.

"They'll die of hunger. That's awful!" Tomek exclaimed.

"With their high metabolism this will be much faster than for humans. I think one or two weeks at most," the doctor didn't seem moved.

"If this helps vampires can hunt them down. This would be a child's play with emojis being practically defenseless," the Queen offered.

Tomek looked shocked. Deep down inside me the forces of nature were whispering about survival of the fittest, making me disgusted.

"Leeches keen on murder, as always, I see," my mate said hatefully.

I expected the ancient vampire to argue, but she just smiled.

"The dawn is coming. Ava, would you teleport me and the doctors to the court? I'd rather not spend the day here," Eva addressed her sister.

"With pleasure," the witch responded.

Milena hurriedly said her goodbyes to Tomek. I got a feeling she didn't want to talk to him any more than she had to. Then she took her husband's arm and whispered something to him, making him bite his lip. The Queen joined them. Ava recited a spell and they were gone in a flesh of blue light.

I wrapped my arm around Francesco. I just began noticing that it was freezing cold in the church and we were seriously lacking in clothes.

"With the demon gone the Cabal's headquarters is no more. All the remaining witches are gathered at the werewolves' place. I could take us there. We all need to rest and get warm," Ava said, looking pointedly at me and my mate.

She was right, I wasn't going to argue. Neither were my companions. The witch effortlessly opened a portal and in a moment we were at the pack's dining hall. It was full of people – werewolves and witches were having an early breakfast.

Jan was the first to come up to us, followed by Dominik.

"Welcome, my Lady," he bowed to the Regina. "I see you have brought guests," he said, glancing at us. His eyes went wide when he noticed me and Francesco. I guess we were quite a sight.

"I am no longer your leader. Robert is the Rex now," the witch bowed to Tomek's father. A murmur went through the room.

"My lord," Jan bowed with respect.

"May I ask if our alpha will be coming shortly?" the werewolf inquired.

"She's dead," I interjected. "I killed her in self-defense," I added.

Jan wasn't trying to hide his joy. Dominik paled. I sympathized with him. He lost his fated mate.

"Robert, Ilona has put a collar on Jan. Could you take it off? You're their leader now...", Francesco asked.

The wizard obliged momentarily. He despised all forms of slavery, just like his son. Jan thanked them heartily. The pack would have to choose a new alpha now. I wondered if Jan would be able to get back his position.

Without further ado we were shown to our new rooms. I was with Francesco and Tomek stayed with his father. Once we got some clothes on us, we gathered in a small study. Jan had a breakfast and a brazier brought for us there.

I cozied up with my mate on a couch while the wizards slumped in comfortable armchairs. Francesco was gently stroking my locks. I think we both had to get used to me having hair.

"So, you're the legendary Ada," Robert said with a smile.

"Yes. Though it's something I still have trouble wrapping my head around," I replied truthfully.

"Do you have your memories back? Do you know what happened those five thousand years ago?" Robert was curious.

"I actually do. The thing that wasn't described in the book, was the creation of necromancers. As I fought Anael we made enough fuss to rip the veil open. A man and a woman emerged from it. The man helped me, adding the power of death to the power of life that I was wielding. The circle of life is never complete without death, you see. We were a perfect couple. Thanks to him I defeated Anael.

"But the woman was jealous, that I have not chosen her, but the man. To appease her he relinquished his power and she became the Guardian of the Veil," I recounted.

"The Dark Lady," Tomek whispered in awe.

"Yes. The Dark Lady was not only the guardian of the veil, but she was supposed to make sure the demon stayed imprisoned. I guess after all those years he must have finally charmed her to let him out," I mused.

"But why did you lock your powers? And how?" the wizard continued his questioning.

"You saw what I did to the cultists in the church. This is the power of nature, the survival of the fittest. There's no place for compassion, helping the weak, redemption. I didn't want to be like that. So I locked it all behind love. I knew that was the only way to retain my humanity," I said and cuddled closer to Francesco.

Heput his arm around me and pulled me closer to his warm chest. With a gleefulsmile I wondered how he was going to react, when I told him we were going tohave a daughter.