A note from the Author:

I asked Daniel, my co-writer (for all intents and purposes), to create an epilogue for Olivia and Alistair. He commented on their chemistry and I knew he would create an amazing final scene. Here it is!

Epilogue: Written by Daniel Darlington

Unexpectedly, Alistair found himself absently stroking the fur of the panther that was Olivia LaRoux. She, unlike Elizabeth, had to watch, shivering, as Lilia was tortured during her transformation and carried away, unconscious, by Demetri. It was for comfort, he enforced in his mind, which had begun to wander. When Caius and the rest left, Kristian watching Elizabeth reluctantly, being carried away from his arms, Alistair stayed. Olivia had left too.

That left him, his thoughts, and a church.

A place of worship, just now filled with vampires and other unnatural creatures. Alistair chuckled at the irony. However, his humour ground to a halt at the smell that invaded his nostrils. The odour of wet fur burned his sinuses, making him wrinkle his nose. "Not left yet?" He called out to thin air.

He was mildly surprised to find that Olivia had stayed after all. Perhaps to try and jump him?

An indignant growl was his answer, as jet-black fur padded out from the shadows of the cloister to his left. It was sleek, defined and yet not at the same time; a walking shadow. "And here I was, expecting you to dive on me like some crack-addicted rabbit." Another growl, slightly more threatening. Alistair shrugged, wiry brunette hair swaying slightly at the movement. He unbuttoned his jacket and threw it at the panther who bounced away and eyed it; her soft, hazel eyes flitting between the vampire and his clothing. "Phase. I can't stand listening to that growl. It's worse than an empty human stomach." Taking it in her teeth, Olivia withdrew back into the shadows. Despite the lack of visibility, even with his eyes, the vampire turned away out of courtesy.

"You stink, you know that?" Chimed Olivia's voice from the cloister as she stepped out, zipping the jacket up. It clung slightly to her form, but the majority of it drowned her, falling to the floor.

"Likewise. Wet fur, what is it? Eau de farm animal?"

"Shut up or I'll take a bite out of you." She warned, eyes flashing. Alistair recalled the growl, and a smirk played along his pale lips.

"Depends where, in all honesty. I might enjoy it if you aim at certain parts." The emphasis on the last word was enough to make the shape shifter gag slightly, her mouse brown hair flowing freely over her face.

"You're disgusting. You'll taste worse than you smell."

"Hey, you offered." Alistair advanced playfully, enjoying watching her squirm. "I'll bet you'll miss me when I'm gone."

"Keep dreaming."

"Vampires don't dream."

"Well, keep… ugh!" Olivia sighed heavily in defeat, making Alistair chuckle. "You and your brother are leaving, then?"

"Carlisle thinks it would be best. He wants Kristian to be away from Lizzie. The further away, the less danger there is to her."

"Danger?" She cocked an eyebrow in suspicion. Alistair shrugged and explained.

"Seeing as Lizzie's Kristian's singer, he's drawn to her. If he doesn't feed, sooner or later he'll cave and take a little bite out of her; maybe more."

"He doesn't have to worry about that." Olivia clenched her fists, hard. Alistair could see a bead of blood ooze out from the grip. "I wouldn't let him touch her."

"I don't doubt that. Heck, you nearly ripped me to shreds back when I gave you my first jacket. Which was very nice, I might add." Alistair still remembered eyeing the torn fabric in sorrow. "That was my favour..." Olivia's hand shot up, cutting his rant short.

"Hold up. You were losing when we fought?"

"Did I say that out loud?" Alistair rubbed his head; unable to believe he'd let that slip. Olivia cackled triumphantly, beaming.
"So you admit you were losing?"

"No."
"Yes you diiid!" She'd turned into a stubborn five-year old, Alistair thought. He watched her, defiantly shaking his head. Her face was near flawless, and aside from the odd mark on her countenance, he could say nothing wrong about it, aside from the fact that it reeked. "Come on, admit it!"

"Will you shut up if I say yes?"

Olivia grinned impishly, placing her pale hands on her hips, where they stood out against the black fabric of the jacket.

"…I'll think about it."

"Then no, I won't admit it."

"Fine!" Olivia tossed her hair back arrogantly, a frown bolted onto her face. Alistair smirked even more, which only fuelled the anger. "Don't think I won't kill you."

"I don't believe you."

"What? Why?"

Alistair took another step forward, smirking always. She stayed, rooted to the spot. "You haven't killed me yet, have you?" He lowered his voice, down to a low, seductive whisper.

"What makes you think I won't?"

"You don't have the guts to kill someone. You're just a scared, little girl who has a party trick." Olivia's eyes burned into his, and she could clearly see them against the warm amber. She gritted her teeth, trying not to retch at the smell of his unnecessary breathing. A smirk, not unlike the vampire's, materialized across her own face.

"That 'party trick' nearly tore you apart a few days ago, bloodsucker."

"Prove it."

In an instant Olivia had snapped, and was on top of Alistair, pinning him to the ground with her paws. Her claws were dangerously close to his flesh; despite they both knew his granite skin seemed impenetrable. "Hm." Was all Alistair said. Olivia's mind raced. Why wasn't he leaving? Why didn't he fight back?

"You've ruined my new favourite jacket, Livvie." The use of her nickname lessened her anger slightly. He wasn't entirely aggressive. Then again, she didn't think he was a threat to her at all. She did her best at a threatening growl, but there was no heart in it. Alistair smiled. "How're you going to pay for a new one?" There was that whisper again, and it made her shiver; her silky black fur rippling as she did so. Olivia phased back, ignoring the fact that she had eviscerated any form of cover or clothing. Alistair smirked, that same, half-smirk that had angered her before. "Well?"

"What do you suggest?" She played along, grinning impishly.

"I have several ideas. Most involve you, me, coffee, and breakfast in bed."

"Who's covering the bill?" Olivia inquired quietly, lowering her face a quarter-inch, her hair tickling his cheek.

"The person with the wallet, obviously."

"And that person is…"

"I'm sure Carlisle wouldn't mind." They shared in the laughter; both ignoring each other's odours, blocking them out subconsciously. Alistair's bare hand reached up to touch Olivia's cheek, who recoiled a little. After adjusting to the icy cold, she relaxed into it. "So, how 'bout it?"

"…Your shirt." Olivia concluded, eyes lighting up.

"Excuse me?"

"Give me your shirt. I don't want to be exposed here, of all places." Alistair laughed, and shook his head. When she asked why, the smirk grew into a flirtatious grin.

"I like the view." He replied, eyes flitting down. She punched him lightly on the shoulder, and grumbled a defeat. "You can have it, on one condition."

"That being the hotel room, coffee," marked with air-quotes, "and breakfast in bed?" Alistair shook his head again, the grin blossoming further. His hands snaked around her neck, and she ignoring the icy trail they left. "Then what?"

Before she could exclaim her disbelief, his lips were on hers, locking perfectly into place, like they had been waiting for this chance. Olivia's eyes widened, but then closed as she sank into the moment; pushing back fiercely as they pressed against one another. Alistair pulled away, a triumphant smile plastered onto his face. He stood, rolling Olivia off onto the cold marble. This she shivered at, the floor unwelcome and freezing, unlike Alistair's confident hands. He pulled his shirt off and threw it to her. "Hotel room, then?"

THE END