Epilogue

Sebastian glanced around the crowded living room of Cain’s mother’s house. He’d expected their visit with her to be a quiet affair, only Lily, himself, and maybe his grandfather, who he’d told about the visit this morning when they talked on the phone.

He should have known better. Once his grandfather learned about Lily, he babbled away about how excited he was to meet her. Once they got off the phone, he probably called everyone in their tribe to pass along the news of his grandson’s impending marriage.

Unable to hold back a smile, Sebastian tightened his hold on Lily’s waist and drew her closer. She’d confided in him several times over the past week about her aversion to crowds. Therefore, he’d not left her side since they entered the house. Even though, Cain’s mother had tried several attempts to separate them.

“Why look who just arrived?” Mrs. Platero pointed to the couple who walked through the front door. “Rex, and look…his sister Candace is with him.”

Lily curled into him and laid a hand on his chest. “So that’s your boss. You’ll have to introduce us.”

The interest in her voice had him scanning the man’s features on the other side of the room. Like the other men in the room, he had dark hair and stood a little taller than most at around six feet. He had what some would call a hawk-shaped nose. A majority of the women in their group found him attractive, but Sebastian wasn’t certain whether it was because of the power he held over the group or because of his looks.

Cupping his hand over Lily’s, he stared into her beautiful face and gazed into her brown eyes. With her blonde hair cascading down around her shoulders, she lit up the entire room with her presence. More than one man had commented on his luck at finding such a woman.

His gaze shifted to the hidden spot below her collar. He had marked her yesterday with the hard suction of his mouth. “You sure you want to meet him. After all, he’s the one responsible for sending you to Alaska instead of allowing you to fly off to some tropical island.”

She giggled and leaned closer. “I might forgive him that faux pas since it brought us together. However, I have plenty of other questions for him especially since you told me—”

“Lily, my dear, I see my grandson here has been remiss. He didn’t even get you a drink.”

Sebastian tore his gaze from Lily and cast an evil glare at his grandfather before eyeing the glass in his hand. “Why is it you feel she needs a drink?”

“Because it’s a party. She needs to drink and be merry.” His grandfather stood just far enough away to cause her to have to shift out of Sebastian’s embrace to accept the glass.

Mrs. Platero covered her mouth with her hand, but Sebastian caught sight of the smile she tried to hide.

What were these two up to?

He lifted a brow. “And where’s mine?”

“You’re a strapping young man. You can get it yourself.” His grandfather stepped closer and drew Lily to his side. “I’ll watch over your fiancée while you’re gone.”

“No.” Sebastian set his hand over Lily’s cup and drew it from her hand. After sniffing the contents, he took a sip and handed it back to her. The lemonade tasted a little tart but contained no alcohol. “Lily’s a sweetheart. She doesn’t mind sharing.”

Lily shook her head and smiled at his grandfather. “Thank you for thinking of me, but…” She glanced around and moved back to Sebastian’s side. “I tend to say the wrong thing when faced with strangers.”

Sebastian didn’t believe it. She’d charmed everyone she’d met so far, but he appreciated her trying to appease his grandfather. “Of course, if you’d left this visit down to merely the four of us…”

A shock looked flashed across his grandfather’s face. “Yes, but then we’d have to have another party after you two were married. And you already said you were only planning to be here a week.” He waved a finger. “And I know you. Once you have a ring on this girl’s finger, we’ll be lucky to get you out of your house until you have to go back to work.”

“Which may be sooner than you think.” Rex’s voice came from behind Sebastian.

He glanced over his shoulder at the dark-haired man who stood a few inches shorter and had a lean lanky body. Their dark gazes crashed. “No. Fire me if you want, but we’re not budging from my house for at least a week.”

“Then I have to be back at work.” Lily grabbed his hand and tugged. The action pulled him back a step, giving her an unrestricted view of his boss. Her eyes lit with interest. “But from what Sebastian has told me. You probably already know that.”

Sebastian slid his arm around her waist. “Rex Ledger, let me introduce you to my fiancée, Lily Winslow.”

Rex nodded.

“Rex, let me get you a drink.” Mrs. Platero darted away before he had a chance to decline the offer.

His grandfather snorted. “I’m afraid my grandson is being stubborn, and he won’t let the lady out of his sight.”

Rex patted his grandfather on the shoulder. “I figured as much, but I appreciate you trying.”

After a parental glare that said to behave, his grandfather walked away.

Sebastian drew Lily a little closer and turned to his boss. “So, what’s up?”

Rex shifted slightly to put his back to the wall. The subtle move gave Rex a clear view of the room and its occupants. Rex’s gaze fell on Lily. He shook his head and turned to Sebastian. “She’s smarter than you’ll ever be but completely taken with you.”

The incredulous tone should have annoyed Sebastian, but instead, he laughed. “Now, tell me something I don’t know.”

Lily turned as if to walk away. “Yes, like why you’re acting as if we should be honored to have you talk to us.”

“Lily.” Sebastian tightened his grip and kept her from leaving. “Give him a second to get a reading on what’s going on around us. Then he’ll tell us what he wants us to know.”

She lifted her brow as if questioning his sanity.

Sebastian recalled all the questions she’d asked when he relayed the old myths about the origin of his people and why they were gifted with special abilities. She’d been fascinated by how the ancient prophesies had correlated with current events, but she didn’t believe the world was in danger. Though in truth, if the stories were true, he didn’t exactly understand how they would affect their future either.

Rex smiled and shoved his hands into his pockets. “You’re right. We’re among friends. I simply wanted to confirm with Sebastian you’re on board with the program.”

“Program?” She lifted her cup to her lips casually, though Sebastian could almost feel her spine bristle.

“He’s talking about the Neanderthal project you’re working on.” Sebastian hoped Rex would get on with it and soothe her ruffled feathers. It was time.

“Yes, well, I guess I understand your interest in the research, but I don’t believe people who lived thousands of years ago could know what would happen in the future.” Lily shifted on her feet and widened her stance, as if readying herself for battle.

“Then you aren’t worried that a person might someday be tracked down by his DNA? Because he or she has special talents?” Rex’s intense gaze showed he had strong feelings on the subject.

Sebastian eased his hand over her back. “Watch it, Rex. Not everyone has the same passion about the subject as you do.”

Rex darted a glance around the room. “We have to act now to get ahead of the issue because if we wait, by then, it’ll be too late.”

“What are you talking about?” She shook her head. “The Neanderthal project won’t hurt anyone.”

“Are you sure? You have Neanderthal DNA,” Rex fired back.

“How do you know that?” Lily dropped a hand to her hip.

Surprised, yet thrilled by her origin, Sebastian shifted closer.

Rex stared at her for a moment, then added, “You like millions of other aren’t aware of what lay ahead. You have no teaching from your ancestors to guide you. That’s our job to re-educate you and show you how to honor the earth and live in peace with each other.”

“Right, and that’s why—”

“We need to work together. There are forces working against us. They don’t share our values and won’t hesitate to kill anyone who stands in their way. There is a battle on the horizon, and we need to prepare to win the war.”

Lily rocked back on her heels and bumped against Sebastian’s chest.

The truth of Rex’s prediction tingled though Sebastian’s senses. He wrapped his arms around her middle and wondered if there was more to Cain’s death. Had someone used Karen as an excuse to kill him?

Rex’s gaze remained locked on Lily. After a long moment, she nodded. “I see your point and believe I have a vested interest in the program, too.”

With a nod from Rex, Sebastian released his pent-up breath and drew air into his lungs. He reminded himself that today they needed to celebrate good friends and the beginning of his life with Lily. “Now we have that settled. Why don’t we relax and enjoy the party?”

Rex smiled. “Exactly, we have much to celebrate.”