Epilogue
I burst from the bowels of the earth with Mavis clutched in a talon.
Above, on steadier ground, Val and Cassie standby, wearing near identical expressions of concern. They don’t wait for me to shift back before throwing their arms around me and Mavis.
Needing to hug them all back, I shift.
Seconds later, I hear Fern say, “Group hug,” and then she and Marguerite join us.
We stay that way for a long time, all of our arms wrapped around one another. It’s the happiest and saddest moment of my life.
I have Mavis back. But lost Greg.
Zeus is dead. But I had to kill him.
And also, we maybe sorta broke the world.
I look at my friends. “Did I do the right thing?” my voice catches on that last word.
Val laces his fingers through mine and tugs me close. “You did what had to be done
