Conlan and Riley blinked at the light as they walked out of the door and into the bright sunshine. Quinn and Alaric, Jack, back in human form, and the rest of the Seven and the shape-shifters followed them into the bright noontime sun. Reisen came last, cradling his wounded arm, with Micah. The Trident had healed him, but Poseidon had not gifted him with the return of his hand.
The sea god's vengeance would be served its pound of flesh.
The band crossed the street and walked, content to be alive and free, down the sidewalk to where it bordered a tree-lined park. A fountain sparkled in the chill autumn air.
"So this is good-bye, Atlantean," Jack said.
Conlan, arm tight around Riley's waist, shook his head. "No, I have a feeling that we'll be seeing more of each other. This fight is far from over."
Jack grinned, saluted, and strode off, melting into the trees with the rest of the freedom fighters.
Quinn remained behind, still clutching her sister's hand. "What will you do now, Riley? Want a job? You're pretty handy to have around in a fight."
Riley smiled, but then looked up at Conlan, her gaze troubled. "I don't know, actually. We have kind of a problem. Conlan can't date a human without the world ending, and I'm kind of opposed to destroying all of humanity, Atlantis, and the shape-shifters in one fell swoop."
Ven laughed. "Hell, I never thought I'd say this, but one of those bloodsuckers wasn't all that bad. I never thought I'd see Drakos turn on Barrabas."
"Who's Drakos?" Quinn asked.
"You call him Daniel," Conlan replied absently, gaze fixed on Riley. "And he disappeared after the battle, though he gave no quarter during it. I think we will have to learn more of this Daniel."
Conlan pulled Riley into his arms and, right there in the park, in front of his men, Quinn, and half of D.C., he kissed Riley with all the passion inside him. All of the terror, all of the relief. Then, still holding her in his arms, he sought out the priest.
"Alaric. I choose her. Over my duty, over my kingship, and even over my life. Begin the ritual of divestiture-aid me to renounce the throne and gain my future."
He grinned at his brother. "Ven will make a wonderful king."
"Oh, hell, no," Ven said, backing away.
Alaric opened his mouth to answer, but the voice of the sea god issued forth instead. Pure power blazed out of the priest's eyes.