Hyde (The Devil's Roses 3)

She nodded, not wanting to take away from Aleks moment. She didn’t want pity. She wasn’t ready for them to know the extent to which he had tricked her.

Dorian sniffled lifting Aleks's arms and Shane lifted his legs. They placed him on a white sheet Lydia had brought.

Aimee kissed his lips once. Giselle bent over his face kissing it over and over.

"I can push someone. I can bring him back." Ari sobbed clutching Dorian.

Lydia shook her head, "Too dangerous Ari. Like I told you with Ben, you don’t know which of us will end up in his place."

Hanna crawled along the cold ground in her white nightdress freezing as the bitter wind pushed and pulled. She kissed Aleks once on the cheek. She lingered trying to get a slight waft of the smell she always got from him.

His smell had left with his spirit. She pressed her face against his warmth.

"Goodbye my friend." She whispered ruffling his dark blond hair.

Everyone took their turn saying their goodbyes. Hanna snuggled into Sam. She couldn’t bear to watch as Dorian said his. It broke her heart to see such a frightening man so weakened and vulnerable. She knew someone great had left the world but seeing Dorian distraught somehow made Aleks more worthy. Dorian gave his heart and compassion to no one. He wiped away a tear and closed the sheet wrapping Aleks like a mummy. He lifted the huge body and stepped down into the grave. He kissed the head of the wrapped body and gently placed him on the ground. He picked up a handful of frozen dirt and kissed. He placed it on the mound and stepped away.

Everyone took a turn placing a small amount of dirt on top of him.

Hanna hated seeing the dirt cover Aleks. She wanted him to burst through the sheet, he was unbreakable. Nothing could hurt him.

But he did not.

Dorian gave the service in a language she could only guess was Norwegian and pushed the dirt over his body.

They gathered stones and piled them on top of him.

The sun started to set and Hanna noticed how frozen her body was. Sam took his shirt off pulling it over her head. He stood in nothing but a thin white t-shirt. She smiled up at him trying not to jump into his arms.

Dorian looked at her and winked. She nearly laughed knowing she needed her bracelet back.

Sam picked her up and suddenly they were back at Lydia's. They were in Sam's room. Hanna looked at her surroundings and shook her head, "I need to go home. I need to see Roland." She couldn’t bear the thought of him touching her filthy skin.

He flashed and suddenly they were standing in her bedroom. She hobbled grabbing her robe. She pulled his shirt off and smelled it once. He laughed taking it. She pulled the robe on and opened her bedroom door.

Roland walked along the hall to her room instantly, "Hanna my dear you're home. Aleksander told me you were being held by Mr. Dragomir."

She fell into his arms.

"Roland this is Sam."

Roland stiffened, "Yes I've met the young man before. I knew his mother a long time ago."

Sam blushed, "Hello sir. Nice to see you again."

Roland nodded, "Two Sirens. How unbearable."

He looked at her ankle and grimaced, "I see the beast has returned."

She shook her head, "Only when I needed it and I was able to control it. This is from Marcus." Her throat thickened, "Marcus and Aleks have both passed."

Sam spoke softly, "And a friend of ours Ben."

Hanna nodded, "The funeral for Ben is tomorrow."

Roland sighed, "A lot of lives lost."

Hanna felt dizzy, "All in one day."

"Roland I will be staying if it's alright with you?"

Roland looked at Sam, "You will let me know if you need anything? From the guest bedroom?"

Sam laughed and nodded, "Fair enough."

Hanna frowned watching Roland turn and walk away, she dreaded the story she would have to tell him.

Epilogue

The cool wind blew making the trees sway, knocking pine needles down upon the grave. The fresh dirt pile was laced with exotic flowers. Aimee had gone with Ari to different counties to find them.

The small pile looked even smaller next to the huge trees surrounding it. Bright green ferns and huge brown tree trucks and black dirt covered in vivid colors.

The funeral was heart wrenching, a man named Brandon Green who was Fae like Lucas and Ben gave the service.

He was handsome, as they all were, and soft-spoken. His eyes darted to the grave as he spoke. Tears softly flowed from the cheeks of every person sitting, all but Lucas. His stoic face, made Hanna concerned for him. He wasn’t allowing himself to think of anything beyond revenge. She was certain of that.

Sam held her hand, heat emanated from his palm into hers. She was grateful for him but also the fact he had been fine with her asking for some time. She wasn’t ready to be in a relationship. She needed to figure out everything else. Her heart knew him as her true love, that wouldn’t change.

Lydia wiped her tears.

Hanna did nothing but stare at the brightly glowing bracelet on her wrist. She was grateful Lydia had been able to give her another. She didn’t give off the same energy as she did before but super naturals could still sense her. The bracelet safeguarded against hormone imbalances.

She imagined Roland was glad she got a new bracelet as well, although somehow he was able to feel something even when she wore it.

The funeral ended as it had begun, in tears and kind words.

Hanna didn’t know what to say. Everything was her fault.

****

Later in the week Hanna watched as Aimee went through the land acquisitions made for the Roses. No land had been bought in Alaska but Lorri had told her that. She was sure Daniel had bought the land on his own.

Hanna felt helpless and distant from everyone. She hadn’t fit in on a good day and Aleks had been the main reason she was ever even accepted.

Giselle paced the room, "Alise said Alaska. Why Alaska? Why would anyone want to go to Alaska?"

"No day light, maybe it’s a vampire colony." Hanna thought aloud.

Lorri pointed to her, "I know the place. There was a bitch named Marcella who tried to hook up with Daniel. She owned some Vampire Resort. It’s a remote lodge, really gorgeous but middle of nowhere. They will know we're coming from miles away." She smiled at Hanna, "Nice kid."

Aimee pulled out a map and looked at Lorri, "Where?"

Lorri looked for a second and pointed, "There. On that inlet. No one lives any where near them."

Aimee looked at Hanna, "Want to take a road trip?"

Hanna nodded, "I do."

XXXX

The End