Chapter Twenty Eight

Six weeks later…

The sun was close to setting. Its light brought such color to the room since the drapes had been drawn all the way back. Standing at the window and staring at its rays was Sayge. It turned out Ahnger had UV windows installed a few decades ago in the mansion so it was okay for a vampire to open up to the daylight. Besides, Sayge wasn't exactly looking at the setting sun. She was looking at the trees in the distance.

Ahnger had left some time earlier. Apparently he could go out during the day thanks to the sun. He had told Sayge he figured out he had the ability since there had been some close calls for the male over the decades when his father had been hunting him. And there was Rihgor he hadn't died from the sun. It was because of the darkness that it protected its hosts from burning up. No one knew why it didn't work for the hosts of the light since Mehrcy and Sohrrow got burned on the arm while Ahnger was untouched. Either way, the male could still go outside now that he was the official host of the darkness.

He had been doing that lately.

Sayge understood why Ahnger would do take the risk on going outside. It all started right after their mating ceremony. Because of his history with the Black Dagger Brotherhood, the king was willing to give Ahnger and Adam a second chance. While Adam had proved himself during the raid at the docks, Ahnger would still have to prove himself even after all the risks he had taken against the lessers four months earlier. Even though it seemed the Brothers seemed eager to see what the male would do, the offer seemed to have caused discomfort to the male.

It hadn't been the offer which had Ahnger leaving their bed during the middle of the day. It was the fact that Ahnger would soon be working side by side with his family. After so long of sacrifice for them, the male was now given a chance to be a part of the family he left.

The change had been sudden but understandable. Not once did Sayge question his doubts. She knew he would make the right decision. She had been in the same situation after confronting Behnjamin. Having no one to go to, she had wondered whether to follow up on her threat or not let her father's dark shadows dictate her life. Not once had she thought of her father once deciding to lead her life as she saw fit. Now Ahnger would make the same decision he saw best for himself.

As the sun began to fade away, a dark figure emerged from the trees and Sayge smiled. At the edge of the woods and making its way to the maze garden was a huge black wolf. From the distance Sayge could see parts of the wolf's fur was white while its eyes were different. They were no longer black and gold but a pair of dark gold eyes.

Sayge dashed out of the bedroom and darted down the hallway to the stairs. Some of the doggen were in the hall cleaning so Sayge darted around them as she made her way downstairs. Ahnger's family had officially moved into the mansion so she caught a couple of glimpses of the males and females who were awake minding their own businesses. All Sayge did was run to the back door leading to the garden and peeked out the side windows. It was there she saw black smoke drift to the side as the door opened. Sayge stepped aside as Ahnger walked in and grabbed a pair of slacks he had placed by the door.

With his back turned towards her, Sayge got a good look at the male's back. The patterns of the seal seemed to have flowed over Ahnger's scars and left some room right between his shoulders. It was where the seals danced around which made Sayge smile for her name had been carved into Ahnger's back.

Stepping into his slacks and stretching his arms, Ahnger stopped in his stretching and tipped his head back. He took one sniff in the air before turning around and lifting Sayge in his arms. She held on tight as he twirled her around in a tight spin. Unlike the other days when Ahnger had looked worried, today he looked happy without any sign of worry.

"Have a good run?" Sayge asked as he set her down on her feet.

"Just what I needed."

Sayge smiled as Ahnger gave her a quick kiss before he started kissing her on the neck. The male growled when she pulled away and kissed him on the lips. She was happy to see Ahnger looking so bright for once.

"So I'm guessing you're not worried for tonight?"

Tonight was the night when Ahnger and Adam would start doing patrols with the Brothers.

"Truthfully," he said, "I'm concerned they won't keep up with us."

Hearing the sarcasm in his voice, the two smiled at one another as they both walked to the center of the mansion. The sun had finally gone down so the others would soon be gathering in the dining room for First Meal. Soon the males along with Victoria would be heading out to join the Brothers for the night while the females would make their way to The Pack for their shifts. Tonight was also the night where Gabrielle would be getting back in the fight alongside Nightmare.

Sayge didn't mind being the only one staying behind. There were the doggen around the mansion and someone had to look after Dhusk and Rhose. Sayge adored the young that watching them wouldn't be much trouble. Besides, she wanted to be ready when Ahnger returned. Thinking of him now as a Brother still felt taboo. Watching him coming back home with a black dagger would make it feel so real.

With him wrapping his arm around her shoulders and drawing her close, Sayge leaned into his embrace and smiled as the two walked into the dining room where everyone was ready for the night to begin.


Sitting porch with his quiver resting on his legs and bow next to his hand, Adam watched as the sun set. In his other hand were his shades where he tapped one of its tips against his lips. He shifted his eyes over at his bow and smiled. The Brothers had offered to give him a dagger or some shooting lessons which he had kindly refused. The male had used a bow since he was a boy. Tossing it aside for modern weapons almost felt blasphemous.

Adam smiled to himself as the last rays of sunlight ran up the house.

Sam hadn't told anyone of his thoughts of leaving and he silently thanked the human for his silence. This was his chance for a new beginning and he would take it. Adam was tired of all his running even though nothing has happened over the centuries. Maybe he had been forgotten over time. The thought brought such false hope he wished true. To be forgotten and left alone to be who he wanted to be would be such a gift.

Time had changed to where everything Adam had been a master of was no longer needed. Working with the Brotherhood would help him find himself in this new world. There were even people who wanted to get to know him and he wouldn't have to worry about them dying of old age. At least, not for a very long time.

Yes. This was Adam's fresh start. No more running. No more hiding. No more fearing of his past ever finding him. No more looking over his shoulder for the demons that once chased him.

Adam was free.

Once the sun touched the earth, the male took his bow and quiver in one hand and stood the same time he placed his shades on. Placing his quiver over his head and tightening the strap against his chest, Adam gave his bow a good check and closed his eyes. Dematerializing was still a difficulty for him but he was getting better. So with a cunning smile on his lips and his bow at the ready for whatever the night held in store for him, Adam dematerialized from the cabin to meet Ahnger with the Brothers with the thought of his life beginning once more.