“Yeah,” I nodded, “I am. Married too and a mom.”
“So we’ve heard,” Colto
n smiled. Sobering, he added, “We’re sorry about your daughter.”
“We’re going to get her back,” I repeated what everyone else kept telling me but I had a hard time believing.
“Yes, we are,” Colton grinned and high-fived the other guys. I was pleased that even after everything that had happened they were still just three carefree guys. They deserved that.
“How have you guys been?” I asked.
“Busy training,” Tyson shrugged.
“Did you know Isobel left?” Colton asked me.
“No, I didn’t,” I shook my head. I was a bit shocked to hear that Isaac’s sister had left. I figured after Isaac’s murder she would immerse herself into the Coven even more.
“Yeah, found herself a vamp. What are the odds?” Tyson chuckled. “Can you believe a vampire hunter and a vampire are soul mates? Mindboggling.”
Now that was definitely shocking news. Isobel was one of the biggest vampire haters out there. I guess the saying was true; karma is a bitch.
“Is she doing okay?” I questioned.
“Seems to be fine. She doesn’t really call any of us much,” Wayland shrugged. “Her parents were devastated when she disappeared so soon after Isaac’s death. No one heard from her for months. Then one day she called her dad and told him she was in the States and her boyfriend is a vampire. At that point, they were so happy to hear from her that they don’t even care that she’s with a vampire. Not that you guys are that bad or anything,” he winked at me.
“You’re not so bad yourself,” I joked.
“Principessa,” Jonathon appeared behind me, his voice worried. “You disappeared.” He rubbed my shoulders.
“I needed a moment,” I shrugged.
“Ciao,” Jonathon nodded at the three guys. Addressing all of us, he said, “The vehicles should be ready. If not, I expect Gabriel is about to lose it.”
“I’ll see you guys later,” I waved at them. I hoped I saw them later. Preferably in one piece.
I let Jonathon lead me away and into one of the waiting vehicles. It was a black Chevrolet suburban with tinted windows. Gabriel sat in the driver’s seat, fussing about something, with Patrick in the passenger seat. Danny, Mason, and my mom were squished in the third row. I sat in the middle of the second row, between Jonathon and Joseph.
Jonathon entwined our hands together and I looked over my shoulder at the massive stone mansion that had become my home.
“We’ll be back,” Jonathon assured me.
* * *
The air in the vehicle was thick with tension. We’d been in the car all day, and night was falling. None of us had spoken in a long time and no one appeared to be about to break the silence. We were all lost in our thoughts, probably wondering how we were going to die. At least, that’s what I was wondering.
I mean, let’s be realistic. We didn’t stand a chance against the Originals and their Guarde. They’d lived so long for a reason.
And since they took Makenna, they’ve forced us into action sooner than expected.
We. Are. Not. Ready.
A few days of preparation isn’t enough to take down the Originals.
I look up towards the front of the car and Gabriel’s jaw was clenched tight. He was as worried as I was. He knew we didn’t stand a chance…and yet, he was still here…ready to fight for us.
I didn’t like Gabriel at all when I first met him, but after I got to know him better…he’s actually pretty decent. He’s had a hard life and has found that it’s easier not to make attachments. But after everything with Selena, it’s like he decided that a life alone wasn’t worth it.
“We have to stop for gas soon,” Gabriel grumbled. “Stupid American piece of crap. It’s always hungry,” he hit the steering wheel with the palm of his hand.