I Only Have Fangs For You

EPILOGUE

"You don't have to do this," Mina told Sebastian.

"Yes, I do."

"But all of this is behind us."

"Not quite yet."

Sebastian held the door open and waited for Mina to enter before him.

"Let's just go home," she said. "Wouldn't you rather just make love all night?"

"And you call me the depraved one," he murmured, leaning down to place a quick kiss on the side of her neck. A place that she had learned was her favorite spot to be kissed. Well, one of them.

He caught her hand and pulled her into the room. Jane and Rhys and Christian and Jolee followed them in. Sebastian had called Christian to come from West Virginia for this. Mina hesitated as a few familiar faces turned toward her. She forced a smile as she led them to the back row. They all sat down and waited as Jackson Hallowell called the Society meeting to order.

Mina only half-listened as the board went through the official business. She was too aware of Sebastian beside her, his fingers linked with hers, his thumb stroking the top of her hand. But she certainly didn't want to be there. She realized now that the Society, even if some of the members did have good intentions, wasn't going about things the right way. After all, they couldn't have been more wrong about Sebastian.

Finally, Jackson asked the members if they had any business they wished to discuss, and Sebastian rose.

Mina stared up at him, waiting to hear what he could possibly want to say to these preternaturals.

"Hi," he greeted the room with one of his lopsided smiles that she loved so much. "I'm Sebastian Young."

Several members shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

Sebastian smiled again. "For those of you who may, or may not, recognize me, I'm the Society's third most dangerous vampire."

More awkward rustles. A cough. Silence.

"And before you go nuts and try to stake me or pelt me with garlic or something, I've actually come here to tell you that Mina-Wilhelmina Weiss has succeeded in her mission for the Society."

He looked down at her. She shook her head, not understanding what he was saying.

"Wilhelmina has stopped me from all my nefarious deeds. I'm reformed," he announced, then he pulled Mina to her feet. He took both her hands, so they were facing each other.

"What are you doing?" she asked him in a hushed voice, shaking her head, overwhelmed by this man.

"I'm telling them of your success," he whispered back with a proud smile. Then he returned his attention to the room.

"You see, I'm no longer a threat to humans," he told them.

"You never were," Mina murmured, and Sebastian shot her a glance designed to shush her.

"I'm no longer a threat because," he turned back to Mina, gazing into her eyes, "I only have fangs for you. I love you, baby."

He leaned forward and kissed her. Mina's arms came up around his neck and she kissed him back, loving this crazy, outrageous man.

Then she realized that the whole room had erupted into applause. Mina broke the kiss to look around. Members of the Society clapped madly, grinning at Sebastian and at her. But mostly at Sebastian. She shook her head-leave it to Sebastian to go from villain to hero in just minutes.

The meeting then became a huge social event, members coming up to talk to Sebastian and Mina and all the Young family. Even Jude, who didn't warm to anyone, came over and clapped him on the back. Jude knew about Daniel/ Donatello, although he'd said nothing to the other members. As far as the Society knew, Daniel just quit the group, a lie Mina hadn't agreed with. The Society should know that Sebastian Young had stopped the most dangerous vampire in New York. But to her surprise he'd been very humble about the whole thing. The only time he'd been humble about anything.

Mina shook her head again as she watched Sebastian work the crowd. Oh, he was still a flirt. He was definitely a charmer. And that was fine with Mina, because she knew he loved her with all his heart. She didn't doubt that in the least.

"Hey, Wil," Mina heard a voice call from behind her and she turned to see Lizzie entering the room in her usual leather and carrying her motorcycle helmet.

"These things are pretty crazy," Lizzie said, glancing around at the festive crowd.

Mina laughed, delighted to see her friend. "Well, you picked a good night finally to check out a meeting. Believe me, this one was a first. How did you know to find me here?"

"I happened to hear about it at Dr. Fowler's Institute, so I thought I'd come try to catch up with you. Since you are always with Super-Fang, I never see you."

Mina smiled at her friend, knowing that Lizzie was pleased for Mina's happiness with Sebastian. But it was true, they never did see each other since Mina had moved in with him.

"Come on," Mina said, taking Lizzie's arm. "Let me finally introduce you to Super-Fang. In fact his whole family is here."

Mina led her through the crowd to where Sebastian stood chatting with Vedette. The plump werefox practically glowed under Sebastian's attention.

"Sebastian," Mina said, touching his arm. "Meet Lizzie."

Sebastian turned, the smile on his face withering, his golden eyes widening in shock. Mina felt Lizzie freeze at her side. Mina glanced back and forth between them, confused by their stunned reactions to each other.

But before she could question them, it was Rhys who actually broke the silence.

"Elizabeth?" He stepped toward Lizzie, his features pale as if he was seeing a ghost. "Oh my God, Elizabeth."

"Rhys," Lizzie whispered, her eyes moving from one of the brothers to the next. "Sebastian. Oh my God, Christian."

The next thing Mina knew, all three Young brothers were encircling Lizzie. Then they were hugging her, lifting her in the air, asking her a million questions at once.

Suddenly Mina realized what was happening. Her old roommate was Elizabeth Young. Sebastian's sister. The one they believed dead. Mina looked at Jane and Jolee, who also watched the reunion in stunned amazement.

After many more hugs and laughter and tears, Lizzie turned to Mina. Through her tears, she stated in a wry way, so like all the other Youngs, "I guess I should have come to one of these meeting sooner, huh?"