📎A/N. Hello my lovelies,

To be honest, I can't believe we are at the end Keira's journey. I am so very grateful to each and every one of you for your support and encouragement. You have no idea how much it means to me. 

I was going to do a final roll call of countries, but it is nearly 1am, and I am a little emotional with our parting. I will miss you all heaps. Check back in the next day or so, if you are curious, as I will post the final country list sometime tomorrow.

For those of you also following Evolution, it will now resume its hiatus now the WD is complete.

I hope you enjoyed the story as much as I enjoyed bringing Keira, Ryker, Dayna, Deacon, Mitos, and the rest, to life.

Don't forget to vote.

Take care and God bless,

❤ ℳ

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Just before dawn, Keira gave up all pretense of sleeping. She'd tossed and turned all night. Every time she closed her eyes, visions of Ryker and Makeda bombarded every part of her brain. She was ready to scream when she imagined his lips trailing down the woman's flawless chocolate skin. Lips that not long ago pressed against her, promising more than he was prepared to give.

How could she have been such a fool to think he actually cared? If he did, he wouldn't have flirted so shamelessly in front of her. He wouldn't have left with the stunningly beautiful female vampire. He wouldn't have left without saying goodbye.

Mother Earth, did I make the right decision?

"It's too late now," she mumbled as she swung her legs out of bed and reached for her jeans.

Then why does this hurt so much?

Keira threw some water on her face and tiptoed downstairs, not wanting to wake the rest of the house. She padded into the kitchen and placed a tea kettle of water on the stove top. There was just enough light from the kitchen appliances, Keira decided to leave the main lights off. When she turned around to reach for a cup, she looked up to realize the patio door was open. She brought a hand up to her chest and let out a small cry as a form materialized in the doorway. Before she could let out a full-blown scream, the form blurred and a hand suddenly reached out and wrapped itself around her mouth.

"Did you really want to wake the house at this ungodly hour?"

Her shoulders relaxed when she recognized the voice, and she reached up to yank away Ryker's hand.

"You didn't need to scare me like that."

"Who was scaring who? I was already here, and some woman with hair looking like a bird's nest stumbles into my kitchen at five a.m. If anyone is to be scared here, it's me."

Keira subconsciously ran a hand down her hair. Being so long, it tended to stick out in all directions with the least provocation. "I didn't expect anyone to be up yet," she mumbled.

Ryker leaned against the bench and folded his arms across his chest. "Neither did I."

She became self-conscious as he watched her every movement like a hawk. When the kettle whistle blew, she was grateful. The awkward silence was killing her.

"Would you like one?" she asked as she poured herself a tea.

"Not for me, thanks."

Unsure whether to flee with her drink back up to her bedroom or to stand her ground, Keira decided on the latter, and made her way to the dining table.

"You know you threw me with your announcement last night," Ryker said, finally breaking the silence.

"I don't think Dayna will speak to me for a while." Keira had tried talking to her sister when they went up to bed to try and explain. However, Dayna had cut her off claiming she was too tired and they could discuss it in the morning. Something she very much doubted her sister would do. It would now take an act of congress to get Dayna to listen when she'd set her mind not to.

Keira glanced towards the door that led to Ryker's wing of the house. "Shouldn't you be getting back, before you're missed?" Her voice came out a little more tense and sharp than she expected. She winced, hoping he didn't pick up her distress.

"No, one of the others has taken over. I was finding it hard to concentrate, too many things on my mind, so I got Vincent to finish up for me."

Keira's cup halted midway to her mouth. Not much surprised her these days. However, Ryker callously sharing a lover with another man had shocked her.

"You do know I really didn't need to hear that," she said stiffly. Keira placed her cup down on the table and rose. "I know you're pissed at me, but I don't know why you're being so cruel."

She needed to flee before she fell apart. How could she have thought him anything other than the player she knew him to be.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Ryker growled.

Keira clenched her fists. "You know exactly what I'm talking about, so don't act dumb." She turned and marched towards the door.

Before she had taken two steps, Ryker blocked her path. "Actually, I don't. How about you enlighten me."

"Get out of my way and go back to Makeda. I'm sure Vincent's finished with her by now."

"What does Makeda have to do with this?" Ryker stopped short and stared at her. "You think that me and..." he trailed off then started to laugh. "Is that what this is all about? For such an intelligent person, you are one daft witch that ever rode a broomstick."

He then grabbed her by the shoulder and pulled her towards his room. She struggled the entire way trying to pull away from him. "Let me go, I don't need to see this."

"Oh yes, I think you do."

Ryker pushed her through the door of his room and turned on the lights. She scanned the room, fearful of what she might find.

Shit.

The room was empty and the bed perfectly made. No Vincent, no Makeda, and no orgy. Keira didn't know whether to be relieved or embarrassed.

"You know, for a redhead, green does not suit you."

Keira closed her eyes and gulped. How did she get this so wrong?

With as much dignity as she could muster she raised her chin and turned to face him. "What did you expect me to think, she was all over you last night. Then you just took off with her without saying anything."

Ryker ran a hand through his hair and let out a deep breath. "Good grief you are frustrating. Why would I sleep with her, when I'm only interested in you?"

He began to pace the room. "She needed some warm blood. I dropped her off at Dierdre's and went straight over to sit with Grant. Just like I've done every night. Unfortunately, your bombshell was a bit of a distraction, so I got Vincent to relieve me early."

Guilt at just how much she had misjudged him spread through her. "How is he?" she asked.

His shoulders sagged. "I don't really know. I wish he'd scream or yell. Anything but sit there like a statue. I don't know how to get through to him."

"All you can do is be there for him. He will need to come the rest of the way in his own time."

"I know, but it's hard seeing him suffer like thi—" Ryker glared at her. "Stop changing the subject. We are talking about your irrational state of mind, not Grant's."

Keira wrapped her arms around herself as if the temperature had suddenly dropped. Right now, she wished for Dayna's teleporting ability more than anything. How was she going to talk herself out of the corner she had backed herself into?

"You know you're killing me," Ryker said in a soft voice.

"Not possible, you're a vampire."

The next instant he was standing toe to toe with her. His finger reached under her chin and tipped her head upwards until she was looking directly into his vivid blue eyes. He smiled down at her. "If anyone can, you can."

Ryker then ran a hand down her locks and tucked a strand behind her ear. "Why didn't you tell me?"

She knew he was asking her about her imminent departure.

"There just wasn't time. I was going to tell you, I just didn't want to have the conversation with everyone around us."

A shiver ran up and down her spine as Ryker's hands trailed up and down her arms. She was sure that the man was in possession of magic, because she was quickly becoming a lump of jello.

"This thing between us..." Ryker's voice came out low and heavy, sending further tendrils of desire through her. "I don't want to give it up before we had a chance to explore where it's going."

When he pulled the strap of her top off her shoulder and bent down to leave a feathery kiss on her exposed skin, her legs nearly gave way. Keira's breath became labored as he moved her hair away from her neck and nibbled at the skin along her throbbing vein. Goosebumps erupted across her entire body as he lightly nipped at the juncture where her neck met her shoulder.

Keira threaded her fingers through his hair and threw her head back to allow him better access. "Don't stop," she whispered, desire ripped through her, and she pulled him closer.

"I don't intend to."

Ryker, with agonizing slowness, continued to torture her neck and shoulders while deftly unbuttoning her top at the same time.

"You taste divine," he growled.

With each nip, lick, and kiss, Keira was able to concentrate less and less. Ryker had removed all ability for her to think rationally. All she wanted was to feel him against her in the most primitive way possible. Skin on skin, lips on lips. She wanted to explore his body, just as he was exploring hers.

After ensuring he had left no part of her shoulders and exposed skin untouched, Ryker moved back up her neck, and his breath fanned the shell of her ear. "I was thinking I could move my shifts around and, at least once a month, I could fly out on a Friday night and spend the weekend with you."

Keira was almost too far gone to take in his words. Almost. She pushed away and stared at him in shock.

Ryker raised and amused eyebrow and cocked his head. "What did you expect? I'd let you go back to California and move on? I told you we had unfinished business. If that business means some uncomfortable flights, so be it. Besides, with the way things are going, I could lose my job. Who knows, maybe I can find gainful employment elsewhere. Like... say... the City of Angels and sexy witches."

This was not how she'd envisaged this conversation going. Her sudden panic must have been evident when Ryker let her arms go and took a step back. "You don't seem too thrilled about that."

Keira, now conscious of her half naked and exposed body, pulled her unbuttoned top together and cross her arms over her chest. "It's not like that."

Ryker narrowed his eyes, and his face grew stormy. "What, am I not good enough to be around your brainiac friends?"

Keira took a step forward and reached out to Ryker. "No. You misunderstand me, it's nothing like that."

Ryker pushed her hand away. "No? Then how is it? Everything was fine until I mentioned coming to LA. So, it's okay for us to have a roll in the hay here, but that's it? That's where it ends?"

She needed to stop this before he got even more worked up than he was. "You are such a pig-headed vampire, would you just shut up and let me speak." Keira was now practically shouting.

Ryker froze, and his expression reflected one of shock. "I see you have your powers back."

"What are you talking about?"

Ryker bobbed his head and indicated downward. She looked in the direction he was looking to discover two small blue orbs hovering near her palms.

"Shit!"

Keira shook her hands violently as if she were shaking water off them. The spheres disappeared as quickly as they appeared.

They stood in silence. Both breathing heavy and both not sure what to say.

Ryker broke before her. "I believe the floor is yours."

Keira closed her eyes and took a deep breath. This was not how she'd imagined this conversation going. To be honest, she'd made her decision so quickly she'd not really thought about the ramifications.

"Firstly, I could never be ashamed to be seen with you. For you to think I could, just means you don't really know me very well."

It was now Ryker's turn to cross his arms over his chest. "Then why did you react that way when I suggested I visit you in LA?"

Keira began to button her shirt. She needed a barrier to hide behind, even if it was a bit of material. "It's because you may not find me in LA."

Ryker frowned. "I don't understand, why?"

Keira cleared her throat, and her eyes fluttered closed. This was more difficult than she thought it would be. "I gave notice yesterday, I'll be leaving Berkley at the end of the term."

"But what does that have to do with me com—" He halted mid-sentence. "Where exactly will you be headed when you finish?"

"Some fix-me-up between here and Salem."

His eyes opened wide and an instant later she was hauled against Ryker's hard body. The hunger that surged through her forced her to groan aloud. His lips crushed into hers in a searing kiss before she could take a breath. In fact, she didn't think she could even remember how to breathe. His potent lips were all consuming.

Ryker's hands snaked around her waist, and he pulled her against him roughly. At the intimate contact, Keira could feel just how much he wanted her. He deepened the kiss, and she no longer knew which way was up, or even what day of the week it was. Every nerve ending was vibrating with anticipation and desire.

After Ryker had taken his fill of her lips, he pulled away. His chest rose and fell, each breath came out in heavy pants. "You are so damn addictive, I can't think straight."

Keira reached up and placed her hand on his chest. "Then stop thinking," she whispered.

***

Keira settled back into her seat and smiled. Not long ago she had dreaded returning to a place fraught with so many bad memories. Now she was reluctant to leave. For the first time in decades, she had a purpose, and it didn't frighten her as much as it once would have. She was born to be a CrossRoads witch. However, it was only now she chose it as her destiny. With Dayna's help, they would ensure the coven grew and prospered. She would never leave them that exposed again.

There were so many reasons to return and none to keep her away.

She had no illusions. In all likelihood, any relationship with Ryker wouldn't work. He was a vampire, she was a witch. However, she knew it would be magic while it lasted.

Keira buckled her seatbelt, flicked her phone to airplane mode and stared at the photo of her and Dayna outside the house her sister was adamant 'spoke to her like no other'. There was nothing she could say to convince Dayna otherwise. The rundown lemon was about to get a new owner. Check that... two new owners.

She turned off the phone and looked out the window as the plane taxied down the runway.

"Mom, I'll be back," she whispered.

***

Amos ignored the tug at his jacket and stared up at the majesty of the flock of birds flying above the canopy of the forest. He sighed and tapped his foot in time with the music.

As the third movement, built and crescendoed in wave upon wave of notes, he envisaged himself as a giant striding the tallest mountain peaks, breaking through the enigmatic fog, and stretching towards the very outskirts of eternity. The timpani drums rolled and ebbed with the tide, and he was now an eagle soaring over the valley.

Amos steepled his fingers and closed his eyes when the final movement increased in tempo and emotion. Wait for it... This was his favorite part. After its peak, it would conclude with a pulsating melody that cast its light across that landscape and into every dark corner of the world.

This time, the tug at his jacket became more demanding.

He pulled the earbuds from his ears and turned towards his companion. Hopeful his irritation wasn't lost on the man it was aimed at. "Yes. What is it this time?"

Zahir pointed to the laptop. "This. I want to see it once more."

Amos reached over and replayed the video. Surely he's memorized it by now, he thought.

After watching the Mayor of Salem answer yet another barrage of questions from reporters, and then the news anchor repeat the same story that played on every other news channel, Amos paused the video. He couldn't take another repeat of that stupid memorial service.

"He and the other infidels that follow him will suffer for what they have done," Zahir growled. "Our Lord Leviathan will smite them all."

"Deacon and Ryker Kincade will get what's coming to them, have no fear. But until we have determined another way to bring her through, we need to lay low. I still have members of the Order tucked away in their midst, and we will know exactly what they are up to."

Zahir snorted. "We need not your spies, we need power."

"And how exactly do you suggest we get that from? There will not be another conjunction of a full moon and summer solstice for five decades."

"We no longer require a celestial event from above, when we have the power here on earth."

Amos frowned. "What are you talking about? What power?"

Zahir pointed to the blond woman, dressed in a bright yellow dress, standing in the background just behind Mayor Deacon Kincade. Amos looked closer and realized he recognized her. She was one of the witches that destroyed the ability for their lord savior to return.

"The three witches. They will return Leviathan to us."

The End... or is it?

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📎A/N. Thank you so very much for reading. Without you, the experience wouldn't be as wonderful as it has been.

And as a final question for you all... who was your favorite character and why?

Take care.

❤ ℳ