EPILOGUE

The White Darkness

Allegra waked into the White Darkness. It was over twenty years since she had broken her Bond. Not long ago, she had left her two daughters back on earth with their tasks, and she had journeyed down to the center of Tartarus. She found Charles in a smoky nightclub. They had not seen each other since that night when she’d left him in New York.

“There you are,” she said gently.

Charles wore a sharp black suit and was sitting in front of a piano, idly playing the keys. “How did you find me here?” he asked.

“It’s one of our favorite memories, isn’t it?” Allegra looked around. “1923. The Cotton Club. Before the fire.”

Charles sighed.

“Shall I play you something?” Allegra asked, sitting next to him. “Will you sing for me?”

Charles nodded. He stood to take the microphone and began to sing. “‘Unstop the day, you’ll rise again…’”

Allegra listened, her eyes glistening with tears as she played. When he was done, she clapped.

“Shall I tell you the story? Of Florence,” Charles asked. “I do not know if you are strong enough to hear it.”

“Begin from the beginning,” Allegra said. “I only know my side.”