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“I’m gonna miss you too, Sylvie. You be a good girl for Grandma and Auntie, okay?”

“I will. I promise,” she says with a nod before getting quiet. “Youarecoming home, right?”

“Yeah,” he says with his voice breaking. “I’m gonna come home.” He hugs her again before Aunt Sana comes over. Striker sets her down and kisses the top of her head.

“I’ve got her,” Aunt Sana says as she hugs him.

“If anything…”

“Don’t,” she says. “You’ll be fine. She’ll be fine. If you let that negativity in, it will break you.”

“Just… Don’t teach her bad habits, please,” he says, trying to lighten the mood.

“Oh… I will teach her a few things,” Aunt Sana says with a smile.

“We need to go,” I say softly. I don’t want to rush him away from his daughter, but we need to get back soon.

“Yeah,” he says with a sigh. “I love you, Sylvie.”

“I love you too, Daddy,” she says happily as she holds Aunt Sana’s hand.

We turn and walk back to the house in silence. No one wants to verbalize their fear, but we all feel it. We all know how chaotic and devastating this is about to be. We get to the brick room and stand in front of the portal.

“Ready when you are,” Dad says to me. I nod and take a deep breath.

This is it. This is where the prophecy has led us. My mom’s sacrifice was to ensure I would be able to lead everyone into this civil war and hopefully come out of the other side alive.

I let go of Kael and Callum’s hands as I step through the portal.

Chapter Nineteen

Lilith

Istepthroughtheportal and take a few steps into the library before turning back. It’s been just a little over a week, but everything feels different. I smile as the guys step through carrying our things. “We’re home,” I say, trying to smile, as my family also emerges. Volis and Striker take in the entire library at once. The portal is tucked away between two large bookcases. Beyond the shimmering pool, I can still see Aunt Sana, Grandma Arieana, and sweet little Sylvie. I wave to them before they turn away.

We gather around the table at the center, where there is a map of the country. “The guys know this property better than I do,” I say. I notice a change to the map as I trace the mass of land that has started to slowly shift towards Grimitara.

“I’ll shift and go up to look around. You should probably stay here or near the library just in case there is anyone here,” Daemon says.

“I’d rather step out so I can lead,” I say.

“Okay,” Daemon says as he opens the door. We all cautiously step out of the building. “If I see anything, I’ll tell you.” He takes a few steps and looks around before shifting and taking to the air. I smile when I see the green shimmer off his black scales. He is truly remarkable in this form. It certainly doesn’t hurt that getting dragon-fucked is amazing.

“Have you seen them shift before?” Dad asks me. Leli bursts out laughing, which makes me giggle. I know she heard the commotion and likely heard me mention it.

“You didn’t,” Dad gasps as he looks at Callum and Kael.

“Do you really want us to answer that, Mazvyn?” Kael asks with a smirk.

“She’s so little, though,” Dad frowns.

“Magic certainly helps,” Callum chuckles.

“It’s like a Mary Poppins pussy,” Leli giggles. “A cunt of holding.”

“Leli, really?” Dad frowns at her.

“What?” Leli asks. “It’s true. Just be thankful she didn’t get dragon-fucked while she was shifted into that tiny little Arctic fox.”