Chapter 50: Epilogue

HUGO

^THREE WEEKS LATER^

“Hugo Cortes, you are hereby stripped of your guardian angel status and forbidden to use your powers for personal gain,” the coven’s final words echoed in my ears. Their decision was a blur, softened only by Astra’s intervention. She had argued that I had been instrumental in our savior’s mission, and even in the face of death, Danica had stood up for me.

I emerged from the trial feeling like a free man, but I was a stranger to myself. I felt hollow, like a shell carried away by the wind. Despite the fact that I had manipulated them into becoming Danica’s guardians, they had still shown up to hear my verdict.

Even Klaus, who was now approaching me.

Klaus caught up to me as I aimlessly wandered. “How are you holding up?” he asked.

“Better each day,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. The wound left by Danica’s departure was still fresh, a constant reminder of what I had lost. She was gone, but her memory lingered, a bittersweet reminder of what we had shared.

I kept telling myself that her sacrifice had been worth it, but my heart refused to accept it. My mind was filled with dark thoughts, selfish desires of watching the world crumble if it meant having her by my side.

“I meant your exile,” he clarified.

Of course, he did. “I’m doing great, maybe Danica’s coffee shop has a job for me,” I retorted, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

I turned to face him. “What do you think? How good could I be?” I had spent my entire life being a disappointment, a bad example, a failure.

“You don’t have to leave the mythical world,” he said. “They didn’t exile you from this world, just from your title.”

His words did little to comfort me. I had never wanted to be a guardian angel in the first place. It was a role I was born into, not one I had chosen.

“But what good am I doing here then? I won’t be some call boy for an angsty witch or a slave at a wolf pack,” I spat back.

I knew it was only a matter of time before word got out and no one would want to associate with me.

“Teach the guardians,” he suggested.

“What?” I was sure I had misheard him.

“Guardians at the institute are always in need of a great teacher, tutor, and guidance. They need to see the good you did, your golden results. They want that for the rest of the guardians. Teach them to be great guardian angels,” he said, and for the first time, I didn’t despise Klaus.

My bitter smile made him back away. “They don’t stand for what I believe in. They don’t work how I want them to. That’s why I left. That’s why I never wanted to be any part of it.”

His response was simple. “Then change it!”

^FIVE MONTHS LATER^

“Creed stopped invading the mythical world. An agreement was reached with Creed’s clan that nothing was seen. We are all alive because of Danica Murrell, she saved us,” I told my first class during the introduction. “Any questions?” I asked.

A shy-looking teenage girl raised her hand. “Is that true? I mean about you and Danica?” she asked.

Word had gotten out about us, but the most loyal denied everything, not out of shame, but because Celeste had said that’s what Danica would have wanted, to protect me.

“I didn’t mean personal questions, but I appreciate the effort.”

“So it’s personal?” she persisted.

“It’s a personal matter that I do not wish to discuss. Until next time, everyone,” I announced, watching as the students filed out of the room.

As they left, a new figure entered the classroom.

“Hello, how can I help you?” I asked.

“We have a new guest coming to our institute,” one of my assistants informed me. We often took in creatures for the sake of learning. How to tame them. How to communicate with them.

“A celestial nymph. Strange little being but feisty. Apparently, she was raised in a werewolf pack. But her powers are a bit peculiar.” I had never given celestial nymphs much thought before, but now… now the mere mention of them sent a jolt through my heart.

“Dangerous?” I asked.

She shook her head. “Some are saying that she is unkillable.”

“Won’t she be a problem?” I asked.

“She wanted to come here herself. She is waiting for you in your study.”

I walked through the long corridors and saw a raven-haired girl standing with her back towards me, gazing out the window.

“Hello…” I said cautiously, not wanting to startle her.

She turned her head slightly towards me, but I still couldn’t see her face. “Delinquent finally becomes a saint?” she asked.

The sound of her voice sent a chill straight to my heart. It had to be my imagination playing tricks on me.

“I don’t believe we’ve crossed paths before,” I said, squinting to see beyond the shadow masking her features.

She hesitated before speaking. “I spent a long time debating whether to come here or not. I decided against it, but you seem to be the only one who can assist me.”

“Assist you with what?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.

“To find peace. Celeste told me you could help. But I’m not sure you’d want to, especially after I took so long to return. To be honest, I didn’t think you’d want me back if you knew what I traded my life for.”

A headache began to pulse at my temples. Celeste? She knew Celeste?

“Who are you?” I asked.

She turned around slowly, and my world crumbled. Everything I thought was real disintegrated like ashes. I had always known life was uncertain. But death… death was final. Or so I had believed.

“I was angry at you for trading my love for my safety before. But I’ve done it again… and this time it’s much worse.”

I was speechless, unable to utter a word. She moved closer, her body tense with caution.

“The one I love the most will bear the consequences.”

End of Book