Reborn (Shadow Beast Shifter, #3)(105)

“At least our bond remains,” Angel said with a true smile. “You will always have me as family, and I’ve been given a second chance at life, reborn from the sins and tragedy in my past. I will never forget my family, but I don’t wear their deaths around my neck any longer.”

It might have been my imagination, but I thought that her eyes flicked toward Reece’s for a split second before both of them cut the contact. Angel looked around at all the others then, finally realizing we were all at the Nexus. “Wait! Did you all know I would be reborn?” she asked.

“No,” Lucien said with a shake of his head. “We were waiting for Dannie. Seeing if she chose to be reborn.”

Understanding crossed Angel’s face. “Ah, right. Well, you have nothing to worry about. Dannie has chosen to remain as part of the Nexus; her energy was dispersing as I exited, and with this one act, she’ll keep the balance better than she ever could have in a vessel.”

I wasn’t the only one to sag in relief, but I did make sure I wrapped my arm around Shadow to offer whatever comfort I could. “I’m sorry, beast man,” I whispered to him. “I loved her too.”

He returned my hug, holding me long enough that I knew it hurt him to lose his mother, no matter what she’d done to deserve it. Thankfully, she had made the decision, and now we could try to remember the best parts of Dannie.





58





Our group was quiet as we made our way back to the library, following Shadow through his Solaris System pathways. There was a lot that had to be done in the Shadow Realm still, but all of us were exhausted, needing some rest before we stepped back to ensure that world finally had a chance to reach its full potential.

I, for one, needed sex, sleep, and sustenance. In that order.

I was banking on the fact that I would still need to eat food after my rebirth, because that was a soul deep bond too… right?

Shadow was first through the doorway into the library, and I was second, both of us grinding to a halt. “What in the hell?” I muttered.

Beings were everywhere, standing no more than a few feet from the door, filling the space between the shelves and even pushed right back into the middle of the library.

As our pack crowded in behind us, equally as confused, I was about to start stressing that something else had gone wrong in our absence. Until the room burst into loud applause, everyone shouting and calling to us.

“Thank you!”

“Long live the gods!”

“Our saviors.”

The many beings from all the different worlds heaped praise on us as their cheers continued.

“How did they know?” Angel asked, close behind me.

Gaster pushed his way to the front then, wanting to be the first to greet us personally. “The entire Solaris System knew that our fate hung in the balance,” he said, nodding his head respectfully to us. “The Great Council arrived to prepare us for what might be left if you all didn’t win.”

I’d never heard of the Great Council, but it sounded fancy.

“We’ve been waiting for you to walk through the door,” someone shouted from back in the group. The rumble told me it was a Brolder inhabitant. “And if you didn’t, we knew that all hope was lost.”

Cheers rose up again, and it was clear that they were settling in for a night of revelry to celebrate our victory.

Shadow held his hands up, and I was pretty sure he was the only being who could have shut them up so quickly. “We’ll have a grand feast in the dining hall later tonight,” he called loud enough for all to hear. “Bring your friends and families, for we have much to celebrate.”

“The balance remains,” Reece added.

This time, the noise was deafening, allowing none of us to get a word in, but my spirits lifted with it. As Gaster hugged me tightly, there was even more joy in my heart, and it was maybe at that moment I finally recognized that we’d won.

We had beat the freaking Nexus Goddess. I hadn’t let that sink in until now, as I’d been too filled with grief and pain. But with Angel back at my side, I could allow the joy to take hold.

This was finally the life I’d always dreamed of, not that bullshit in Torma Dannie had tried to sell me. Speaking of…

“We need to deal with Torma,” I said to Shadow, deciding that I was ready to let that part of my life go for good. “Before we can celebrate, that’s the final thorn in my side.”

His lips met mine, and it felt like the first kiss all over again. Power and life and sex filled the energy, and I wanted him so badly, my legs trembled as my panties tried not to drown.

“Later.” I growled against his lips. “Torin has already had too long to sow the seeds of his destruction. It’s time to reap that fucking bastard.”

I think my words only worked to arouse the beast further, as his chest rumbled, and he deepened our kiss. When we managed to pull apart—with great difficulty—I turned to where Angel waited, looking somewhat amused.

“You’re going to Earth?” she said.

I nodded. “Yeah, I have a pack to deal with and friends to ensure are okay. Do you want to come with us?” I was having a Shadow possessive moment, not wanting to let her out of my sight.

She shook her head. “I think I should head to the Honor Meadows and finalize a few pieces of unfinished business.”