Mason POV
We are all squeezed into two vehicles and on our way to Malachi’s coven. Nobody wanted to stay behind. Everyone wanted a little more ti with the children. I, myself, am in turmoil and misery. Leaving my children with bloodsuckers is the last thing I want to do.
Even though Selena is just a ans to an end, it does give comfort that she will be looking after them. And that she will bring them to when the ti is right.
I am still pissed off about last night. I know I have succeeded in letting my brothers believe I am not responsible for Elara’s urges for , but the bastards got in my way with ti alone with her. I was so looking forward to taking things to a new level, but the potion had worn off by this morning, and I do not know when I will get another opportunity to give her the potion.
Selena discreetly moves closer to , and I smile softly at her. Selena will make a fine replacent if sothing happens to Elara during the war. She looks like Elara, and with a little guidance, she might even act like her.
“We’re here,” Braden announces from the front seat, and I sigh inwardly. The ti has co too soon to say goodbye to the twins.
Malachi’s residence is nothing like I expected. It looks like a one-bedroom cottage, and the paint is chipping from the walls and gutters. How the fuck does an entire coven live here?
We park under a big tree and pile out of the vehicles. I take Isaac, and Axel reaches for Lanie while Kane takes Stella.
“This can’t be it?” Gabriela whispers to Braden. “It can’t be.”
“Welco, everyone,” Malachi appears, surrounded by vampires who curiously – or hungrily, I cannot decide – look at us.
“Grandpa,” Elara smiles brightly, walking towards him and hugging him tightly. “Thank you for helping us.”
“Of course,” he smiles warmly. “That’s what family’s for.”
Julia POV
My heart is beating like a drum, and my hands are sweating as I watch Elara hug the man who is supposedly my father. It is surreal, and I do not know what to do or say. He is my father, but he looks younger than I do. Talk about a dagger to the heart.
Malachi pulls away from Elara, his eyes searching the crowd until they settle on . My breath hitches in my throat as it feels like he is looking into my soul.
“Hey, Jules,” he says softly, walking towards .
srised, I stand frozen on the spot. Uncertain if I should say or do anything. What is he expecting? A warm hug and joyous welco as if the past two decades did not happen?
“Last I checked on you, you could speak,” he smiles mischievously. “Did it change?”
“Checked on ?” I frown.
“Yes,” he shrugs. “I looked in on you from ti to ti, but it beca impossible since Constantine went into lockdown.”
“Oh,” I mutter, unable to form two consecutive words.
“And you are my lovely Selena,” he smiles, turning towards her, and she looks nervously at him. “My, you’ve grown so much since I last saw you.”
“That’s so fucking creepy,” Mason mutters loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Don’t let get started on you,” Malachi says, glaring at Mason. “I know more than you know.”
“How about we go inside?” Elara asks, breaking the tension.
“Please do,” Malachi smiles, and for a split second, I sense a hint of familiarity. “Follow .”
Like sheep, we trail after him, and I do not miss the nervous glances between the Mason, Kane, Axel, and the vampires. If I were not so anxious about eting Malachi, I would have found it entertaining.
“This area will be yours,” Malachi says as he leads us into a living room. “There are three rooms through that door, and a bathroom. Oh, and the kitchen’s through there. We don’t use it. It’s mostly for show and guests.”
“Aren’t you staying here?” Elara asks. “How is this protection if ...”
“We’ll be here,” Malachi cuts her off with a smile. “We stay in the basent. Always have and always will. We prefer the silence.”
“I’ll show you around,” a gorgeous vampire with long, silky black hair steps forward. Her eyes glide curiously over the n. “I’m Vivian.”
“Thank you, Vivian,” Gabriela replies, and turns towards the n. “Boys, would you grab our luggage, please?”
Without a word, the n hand the babies to Elara, Gabriela, and Selena. I, on the other hand, feel alone and isolated as if I am on an island. Everybody is in control and has sothing to say, except for . I am a grown-ass woman, and I am standing around like a lost child.
“Oh, can I hold one?” Vivian asks. “I always wanted to be a mother.”
“Back off, mosquito,” Axel snaps when she reaches for Lanie, and Vivian bares her fangs, hissing at him.
“Vivian, temper, my dear,” Malachi says calmly, and Vivian retracts her fangs.
“And you want to leave my kids here?” Mason’s voice climbs an octave. “You people are insane.”
“Vivian wasn’t threatening you children,” Malachi replies. “She reacted to an insult. The sa you would if I called you a dog or mutt.”
“I don’t care,” Mason growls, holding Isaac closer. “I’m not leaving them.”
“Then don’t,” Elara says firmly. “We’re not forcing you. You can stay here with them, or you can stay with them at the cottage when we attack the Council.”
“I ... I’m sorry,” Vivian whispers. “I’ve been a vampire for three years. I’m still working on my temper, and ... I only wanted to hold the baby. It’s my dream to be a mother.”
“I overreacted,” Axel says sheepishly. “I’m sorry.”
“Here,” Kane hands her Stella. “This is my daughter, Stella.”
“And my great granddaughter,” Malachi says proudly.
“Hey, little one,” Vivian coos, carrying Stella to a couch and sitting down.
“Luggage, people,” Kane says, looking at Mason and Axel before he walks out.
“Mom,” Elara whispers, touching my shoulder. “Are you okay?”
I look at her in a haze before I slowly nod.
“I will be,” I smile stiffly. “It’s just ...”
“Weird,” Malachi finishes my sentence.
“I agree,” he continues softly. “Just because I pretend not to care, doesn’t an I don’t. I want to hug you like I used to when you were five. Or have a never-ending argunt about the environnt like when you were seventeen. You’re my daughter, and I don’t know you. Do you even still like strawberry ice cream?”
He looks at with so much longing that it pulls out of my emotional numb state.
“Yes,” I smile for the first ti since I laid eyes on him. “I still do.”
“My kids aren’t staying here!” Mason shouts, bursting in, covered in blood, and splintering the mont.
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