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Story: The Night Firm

I hold him back. "Not today. Let today be about Lily. We have plenty of time."

That night there is much celebration, laughter and joy, and as I take turns dancing with each of the brothers, I'm reminded of just how lucky I am to have them in my life. They each bring a special kind of magic to my heart. Not just their elemental magic, but their soul magic, that connection that fills me and makes me feel like I've finally found home.

Elijah matches my intellect. Pushes me to new knowledge and understanding. I can stay up all night talking and reading with him. He shares my passion for books like none other.

Derek makes me laugh, soothes over hurt feelings with his calming water magic and verbally spars with me.

Liam is my fire. He burns as hot as I do and fans the flames of my passion, in and out of the bedroom. He is my music and my warmth.

Cole… Cole helps me to embrace my shadow self, the light and the dark within me. He shows me how to hold the duality of my nature together in a way that makes me stronger.

And Sebastian…he is my rock, my foundation, the man I know will hold me up when I need extra strength. He supports me and loves me through it all.

These men together create the family I have craved my whole life. They form the unbreakable circle in which I stand.

* * *

The next dayI have a job interview. Not for myself, of course, but for a new assistant for The Night Firm.

It has to be held at the courthouse, since our castle is still full of people celebrating Lily's wedding.

I'm sitting at my desk when she arrives, and I have her escorted in.

"I'm Kass," she says smiling.

She's a beautiful woman with a scanty resume and I've been curious about her since reviewing her application.

"Tell me why you want to work for the Night Firm," I say.

She hesitates. "I… I've only been in this world a short time, and I'm still trying to figure out where I belong. I was recently turned into a vampire and most of my human life was wasted on…well, let's just say I didn't have that great of an upbringing or even direction, really. I know the Night Firm is no longer a legal defense, but is now about making sure the disenfranchised of the world get equal access to resources and opportunities. I want to be a part of that. I want this new life to matter. To make a difference. I know I don't have experience, but I'm a fast learner and I will work hard, I promise you that."

I study the woman before me. She and I are very different in many ways. She's less polished, less educated than I was when I came to the Firm. But she has the same haunted look in her eyes I did. A look that speaks of pain and loss. Like me, she needs a new path that will give her life meaning.

Before I can comment, she shifts uncomfortably. "I understand if I'm not a fit…or if, if the Night brothers won't want me."

She may not be the perfect fit on paper, and it might be complicated, all things considered, but my flash buzzes and I know what I must do. I stand and offer her my hand. "Welcome to the Night Firm."

* * *

THE END

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