I burst through the doors of the Maison de Champagne, startling an old woman in a fur mink. The Maison was not my scene. But as the most expensive and luxurious hotel in town, it most certainly was Dorian's. Speeding across the shiny marble flooring, I headed for the ornate front desk, banging the bell over and over until a disgruntled employee made his entrance.

"May I help you?"

"Yes, I need the room number for Dorian Darkwater."

"Ma'am, we can't just give out that sort of information--"

"Look..." I glanced at his nametag. "Aidan, I can't explain why this is so important--you wouldn't believe me if I did. But for every second of every minute that I stand here begging you to help me, a friend of mine is drowning. He's dying--and I have to help him. Do you know what that's like? Watching someone you love suffer, and not being able to save them?"

Aidan stood there, lips twisting as he wrestled with his conscience. He sighed.

"One of these days I'm going to get fired. Just wait a sec." He shuffled to his computer and I followed, bouncing on the balls of my feet, tapping the desk with impatience as he looked up the necessary information.

The computer beeped; Aidan made a face that quite clearly said "oops."

"He's... checked out."

"What? No." I shook my head. "That's not possible. He wouldn't. He couldn't."

"He did. I'm sorry, he left about an hour ago."

"Damnit-damnit-damnit!" I dragged my fingers through my hair, trying to think. "Maybe you saw him on his way out? He's tall, blonde, snooty--wears tailored suits."

"Yeah, actually." Aidan nodded. "He never tips."

"Of course not. Did he say where he was going?"

"As a matter of fact, yeah. He said... everywhere."

My heart sank into shoes. So he was on the run. Everything he said, about staying, rebuilding the gallery, and stopping Elijah - it was all a lie.

"Says in the notes that he left you something."

"H-he did?"

Aidan turned to the long row of mail slots behind him, searching for the right cubby. He returned when he found what he was looking for, sliding a white envelope across the desk.

"I really hope you find what you're looking for," he said.

Shaking with rage, I picked up the letter and crumpled it in my fist.

Sitting in my car, in the hotel's parking lot, I sobbed as I read the letter, tears staining the stationary. Dark Dorian told me he was sorry, that he loved me, and he was never coming back. If he could feel when I kissed his twin, then I knew he could feel the agony of what Elijah had sentenced him to. Could I really blame him for skipping town, knowing what lay in store for him if he stayed too?

Hell yes.

I set the crumpled up letter aside, then un-balled the check he had left behind. Six. Million. Dollars. I could spread my wings. I could start a new life. I could finally leave the Village behind...

Or I could save Dorian.

I sat up straight and wiped my face, scrubbing away the tears. This was the last time I would cry for him. I cranked the engine and drove back to my apartment, racing the new plans and bold ideas running through my head. It was time to pack.

"Amelia, I don't understand." Alessa shook her head, chin trembling. "You just got back. How can you leave again? You told us you wouldn't--you promised."

"I know, I know," I said, slipping the carry-on from my shoulder in order to hug my sister. I squeezed tight then stepped back, hands on her shoulders. "But I have to do this."

At least this time I was leaving the right way. This time I was saying goodbye.

"When are you coming back?"

I shook my head again, shoulders hunched as I gave my sister a bittersweet smile. "Not sure. But I'll write and I'll call--and I'll send you lots of dresses. A dress from every country."

Alessa hugged me again, burying her face in my sweatshirt, holding on for dear life. When she stepped aside, Jeff was right behind her.

"Found these in the gift shop," he said, holding out a new pack of earbuds. "Noise-cancelling. For the flight."

"Thanks." I took the gift, sniffing as I turned it over in my hands, trying not to cry for the millionth time. I needed to be strong for the days ahead, days when I would have no one but myself to rely on. 

"Your mom, she really wanted to be here, Amelia. But it's hard for her, seeing you leave again. She's just as stubborn as you are."

I chuckled. "Yeah, I definitely get that from her."

"Definitely." He sighed. "We'll be waiting for you. Take your time, and whatever you're doing... Just be safe. And come home the way you're leaving--the right way."

"I will."

"I love you, Amelia." 

"I love you too, Dad."

Jeff hugged me, lifting me off my feet a little. "See you around, kid."

I walked a short distance away, where Vanida stood, waiting, her eyes red and puffy from tears that hadn't stopped flowing.

"I didn't forget about you," I signed. "I love--"

"Don't say it," she signed back. "I don't want to cry anymore. Just give him hell for me."

"Done." I smiled, wrapping my arms around my friend, swinging back and forth. "And be careful," I signed. "I know it's a lot, asking you to keep watch over Danny and his brother--but with Opal gone, someone has to do it."

Vanida nodded. "I'll keep you updated. And you do the same."

The pre-boarding announcement was made. The last flight to London was leaving soon.

Ticket in hand, I scooped up my backpack and slipped it over my shoulders. Walking backwards, I blew them all a kiss, waving goodbye for the last time.

The Shield and Sword was a popular tavern in the heart of London. Pubs just like it had officially become my home away from home. I liked being invisible, lost in a crowd where no one knew me or the terrible things I let happen. It was the only peace from the constant anxiety I felt during the day, and the nightmares when I closed my eyes. Every night I woke up in a cold sweat, dreaming about Dorian choking, drowning, dying endlessly as he waited for me to save him...

I ordered ale from the bar; beer in hand, I found a nice booth in the back and settled in, studying a map of the city. I had never been skilled with directions - back in the Village I needed GPS just to find the grocery store. But times were different. And if I wanted to do the things I had planned, I needed to be different too. When someone plucked the map right out of my hands, I had the distinct impression they disagreed.

 "Why are you here?" A Londoner stood over me, light eyes ablaze with mistrust for the newcomer. She must have had twenty years on me, her weathered face marked by zig-zags of scars old and new. Her graying hair was pixie cut, her clothes plain and shabby. She didn't look like anyone to be messed with. Yet, here I was.

"Are you... Imogen?"

"You the one with the death wish?"

"I'm looking for someone," I said. "But I can't do it alone."

"You're no hunter." She took the opposite seat, regardless. "You're young, you're scrawny. You wouldn't last a day."

"I know. That's why I need your help. I need you to teach me like you taught Opal. Teach me how to be like you. The places I need to go, the things I need to do..." I shook my head. "I won't survive if I can't fight back."

"Me? Help you? Bollocks." She sat back in her seat with a laugh.

"I can pay."

"That's not the point, innit." She shook her head. "I know who you are. Opal died because of you. And Joshua, and Wilson. And I heard what happened to Dorian Gray--how his own kind, monsters just like him, turned against him. Drowning forever..." She whistled. "He deserved exactly what he got--and then some. No, I think we're done here, luv." She tossed me the map and rose to her feet. "You know the way home."

"Dorian's demon is still free," I said, forcing the hunter to turn back and listen. "I will find him. But I can do that a lot faster if you help me."

"What makes you think I won't find him and gut him myself?"

"Because it won't work. And because I'm the only who can stop him--for good."

I told her my plan. She was intrigued enough to re-take her seat and order a beer.

"You're plum mad," she mused. "You'd do that? To yourself? Do you know what you're giving up?"

"Everything. I'm doing this for Opal, Joshua, Wilson and everyone else the demon hurt. They deserve justice. If I do this I end the cycle. I promise you that."

The hunter lifted her chin, considering... "Alright, say I help you--show you the ropes, turn you hunter. It's long hours. No friends, no family, no hobbies--it's the job and nothing else. Most of us have trained for this since we were anklebiters. You ain't got that head start. So if you want this life..." She pointed with her beer. "You'll have to work for it. It won't be easy, and it certainly won't be quick."

This was my last chance to back out. Dorian would understand, he was that kind of person. But who was I?

"I'll do whatever it takes. I'm ready."

Hey everyone! I hope you're enjoying the last chapter of Immortal Sin! Thank you so much to those of you who read this far into the story! You're amazing!!! 🎒✈️🍺