Page 121 of Cursed

Peace. Security. Vengeance, she never had to ask for.

49

EPILOGUE

SADIE

Istand at the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Blackwood Cybersecurity headquarters, twenty floors above downtown Ravenwood Hollow. The city stretches before me, a network of connections and systems not unlike the digital landscapes I navigate daily. My reflection stares back—sleek black blazer, confidence I didn’t possess a year ago.

One year since the Hunt. One year since my life transformed into something I never could have imagined.

“Admiring the view, Ms. Reynolds?”

I turn to find Landon leaning against the doorframe of my office, arms crossed, watching me with that intensity that still makes my pulse quicken.

“Just thinking about time,” I reply, turning back to the window. “It’s been exactly a year today.”

Landon crosses the room, his footsteps silent on the polished concrete floors. His arms encircle my waist as he presses against my back. “A year since you became mine.”

I catch his gaze in our reflection. “A year since you claimed me.”

“And now look at us.” His lips brush my ear. “Partners in every sense.”

My office reflects my dual nature—sleek, minimalist furniture contrasting with my collection of robot figurines arranged on floating shelves. A space that’s both professional and personal, much like my relationship with Landon.

“The Hunt is tonight,” Landon murmurs against my neck. “This year will be different.”

I turn in his arms, facing him directly. “Different how?”

Landon’s fingers trace the faint scar below my collarbone—his initials, a permanent reminder of our beginning. “There are no prey invites this year. All four Blackwood brothers are coming with their prey from last year.”

“Re-enacting the Hunt?” My breath catches.

“In a sense.” His eyes darken. “Some of Tyson’s carnival crew are participating with their girls, too. Colt, Nash, and a few others. And all the hunters and their prey from last year are invited.”

I process this information, considering what it means. “So Mira will be there with Xavier? And Bianca with Knox?”

Landon nods. “But first, little butterfly, we have a private celebration scheduled.” His tone shifts, becoming more intimate. “Our car is waiting downstairs.”

An hour later, we step out of the elevator into an exclusive penthouse event space.

Xavier stands with Mira by his side, her hand tucked into his arm. Knox is deep in conversation with Bianca. Vane leans against the bar, Lia perched beside him on a stool, her head thrown back in laughter.

“What is this?” I whisper to Landon.

“An anniversary,” he says. “One year since the Hunt that brought us together.”

As we move further into the room, I notice the subtle dark undertones—masks displayed on black velvet pedestals. Thefamiliar white half-mask with skull detailing sits prominently in the center—Landon’s.

Xavier approaches, raising a crystal glass. “Before we begin tonight’s Hunt at midnight, we acknowledge what brought us here. One year ago, we claimed what we wanted most.”

This isn’t a typical anniversary celebration with champagne and cake. It’s darkly ceremonial, acknowledging the twisted path that led us to each other.

I study the other couples as we mingle. Each Blackwood brother with hispreyturned partner, each relationship as unique as the men themselves.

Xavier stands with Mira near the bar, his hand possessively at the small of her back. Their relationship remains intense—his eyes never leave her for long—but something has shifted. When she speaks, he listens with genuine attention. I recall how terrified she seemed during last year’s Hunt, and now she challenges him openly.

“You can’t seriously expect me to wear that tonight,” she says, gesturing to what must be her Hunt outfit for the re-enactment.