EPILOGUE

Winter

My knees hit a hard floor, and the light around me disappears. "Alec!" I scream. "Alec!"

"Winter!" Someone grabs my shoulder, and I turn to Alec, ready to embrace him.

But it's not him. It's Damon.

My heart falls and keeps on falling. I kneel there staring at Damon, my mouth hanging open.

We're back in the lighthouse, morning light surrounding us, the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks. The old man sits in his chair, studying us.

"Where is he?" I croak.

Damon's gaze drops. "Winter ..."

No. I can't believe this. It can't be happening.

I shake my head, tears streaming down my face. This isn't real. Alec can't be dead.

"Why did he do that?" I sob.

"He did it for us." Damon's eyes are red and wet.

Scrambling to my feet, I rush over to the old man. "Our friend gave himself up for us. He sacrificed himself! There has to be a way to bring him back, right? Right?"

The old man blinks at me. "He made the ultimate sacrifice."

"Yes! That's what I'm saying!"

Still