Epilogue

Jade’s eyes fluttered open, stinging as they adjusted to the unfamiliar sensation of light. Her vision was hazy, everything blurred together in a swirl of color. Slowly, the shapes sharpened, and she made out a face—her mother’s. Her lips were moving, but the words felt distant, muffled like she was submerged underwater, struggling to break through the surface.
Finally, the barrier shattered.
“Jade, oh Jade, my baby.” Her mother’s voice cracked, tears streaming down her cheeks as she clutched Jade's shoulders, searching desperately for recognition in her eyes.
“Mom?” Her voice was weak, her throat dry. “What happened? Where am I?” She glanced around, taking in the sterile white walls, the ‘Get Well’ balloons floating in the corner, the steady beeping of machines, and the IV tubes taped to her arms. She wore a hospital gown. Slowly, her memories began to resurface. She sat up abruptly. “Where’s Aiden? Is he all right? And Benjamin?”
“Calm down, honey. Everything’s fine.” Her mother pulled her into a tight embrace, running her fingers through Jade’s tangled curls.
But Jade’s mind raced, fragmented images flashing before her eyes Aiden running at Skye; Benjamin drinking her blood; Skye’s mocking laughter; Shaun’s mutilated body; Owen burning to ash; Benjamin whispered that he loved her and finally, Aiden, crumpled and lifeless on the ground.
It was too much, her head spun, and she slumped back against the pillows, her breath shallow. Her mother quickly called for the doctors, and soon after her father and sister arrived.
The rest of the day passed in a blur she was wheeled from one room to the next, undergoing a series of tests and procedures to check her neural function. Abby, her little sister, sat perched on her lap during the ride, giggling at the doctors’ silly outfits and the ridiculous robes they made Jade wear.
By the time the tests were over, she was exhausted. She forced her family to take a break and go out for dinner, refusing to let them settle for hospital food. “Bring me back leftovers,” she insisted, smiling faintly as they reluctantly agreed. A nurse stepped in to take over her care as they left.
When the nurse finally wheeled Jade back to her room, she saw someone waiting for her—Benjamin. She tried to stand, eager to hug him before she could move, he was already at her side. His arms wrapped around her, lifting her gently to her feet. He kissed her neck softly, his lips lingering as he breathed in the scent of her hair. A smile spread across his face, and she leaned back to meet his gaze, her heart skipping at the sight of his deep green eyes, searching hers for love and recognition. Without thinking, she grabbed his face and pulled him in for a kiss.
The nurse cleared her throat, blushing as she quickly backed out of the room with a small, “Excuse me.” Jade laughed against his lips, feeling his warm breath on her skin. Her fingers combed through his silky black hair, and they rested their foreheads together, sinking into the most comfortable silence she’d ever known. There was no need for words—they both knew they loved each other.
“Sorry to break up the moment—”
“Aiden!” Jade’s head whipped around, and she threw her arms out before he could finish speaking. He hugged her tightly, lifting her off the ground before setting her back down gently. He helped her back onto the bed, while Benjamin sat beside her, taking her left hand. Aiden leaned on the mattress to her right she glanced between them—her two loves. One was her best friend, the other her soul mate both meant the world to her.
“So…what happened?” she asked, turning to Aiden. “The last thing I remember is trying to heal you. I thought you were dead.” She grinned, relief flooding her now that he was standing in front of her, alive and well.
“You did heal me,” he said, his voice soft but serious. “Maybe even brought me back from the dead but Jade, you nearly killed yourself in the process.” His expression darkened with concern as he looked her over. “When I woke up Benjamin was yelling your name, but you wouldn’t respond. We rushed you here, and you’ve been in a coma ever since.”
“How long?” she asked, her gaze shifting between the two boys.
“About two months,” Benjamin replied, squeezing her hand gently, offering comfort.
She sank deeper into the cushions, trying to process the weight of that revelation. Two months? It felt like she had just woken from a long nap, not a coma that had kept her suspended from reality for so long.
“Are you guys friends yet?” she asked, half-joking but hoping that three months of worrying about her might have mended some fences.
They exchanged glances across the bed, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. Finally, Benjamin turned to her with a small smile. “I think we’ve come to an understanding.”
It wasn’t quite friendship, but it was progress. She smiled back, relieved. She peppered them with questions about everything she had missed—Lacey, the boys, school, her family. Benjamin and Aiden shared stories, and the room filled with the sound of their laughter. Jade’s heart warmed, not from her powers, but from pure happiness. For the first time in a while, everything felt right.
Before long, a doctor entered, reminding them that visiting hours for nonfamily members were almost over and she knew her own family would return from dinner soon.
Aiden paused at the door, popping his head back in. “Before I go,” he started, “just wanted to let you know—the council semi-forgave us, but they want you to visit Crystal River with me…at once. Okay, bye!”
And with that, he was gone, ducking out before she could protest. She rolled her eyes, amused. Coward. He knew she had no interest in dealing with the council, but the idea of seeing the Seraphina society sparked a flicker of curiosity.
“What do you think?” she asked Benjamin, smiling as his thumb softly traced circles on her palm.
“It’s probably inevitable,” he sighed, his voice laced with a hint of resignation. If she went to Crystal River, the society’s rules would keep them apart for who knew how long.
“Well, we’ve got time to figure it out.” she tugged on his arm, pulling him down to lie beside her. Seeing Aiden had been good but having these intimate moments with Benjamin without Aiden’s watchful eye was even better.
His fingers lightly trailed down her arm, drawing small, playful circles on her skin, sending a tickling sensation that made her smile. She wrapped her arm around his waist, snuggling closer, letting her body mold to his. Resting her head on his chest, she listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
Her thoughts inevitably drifted back to Skye’s taunt. She couldn’t shake the idea that her real mother might still be alive—trapped somewhere, suffering. Maybe she was locked in a dungeon, a victim of sadistic demons. The thought twisted like a knife in her chest. She silently vowed to hunt Skye down, to get the truth, no matter how many demons she had to face.
As if sensing the darkness of her thoughts, Benjamin began to hum softly in her ear. She recognized the tune at once it was an oldies song he’d made her listen to in the car one time. He’d promised she would fall in love with it. She didn’t love the song, but loved Benjamin’s deep, calming voice, like the gentle roll of waves.
Slowly, Jade let herself relax. The tension ebbed from her body as she listened to his humming. She pushed all thoughts of the future away, content for the moment to lie in Benjamin’s arms, safe and at peace.
Sleep claimed her, pulling her into a deep, dreamless slumber.