I saw anger and worry flash across her face and she continued, “That’s not fair. What am I going to do for money?”
“Fairness is not an issue when it comes to your safety. If Sully was able to get to you so effortlessly, do you not think another vampire can do same? Furthermore, you are my agápe and you don’t need to work because I will provide you with everything you need.”
“Well, what if I want my own money?” she questioned.
“Then I’ll give you some and it will be yours.” I wasn’t budging on this one. “I’m sorry, Chansey, but I can’t and won’t negotiate on this one with you. Your presence at this job is a risk I am not willing to take unless you think they will allow me to come sit with you behind the lobby desk every night, but I hear vampires aren’t good for business, you know?”
“Stop trying to be funny! I’m not laughing,” she complained and I knew my little firecracker was angry with me.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you angry, but surely you see my point. I can drive you to and from work, but that isn’t going to stop a vampire from coming inside and taking you.”
Her face told me she was conceding before she said, “Yes. I know you are right.”
“I am sorry but you know this is the way it has to be,” I apologized.
I gave Chansey the time she needed to speak with her manager, then we were in the truck, on our way. “Do we have time for me to pack a few things if we’re staying for a day for two? I am human, you know? I need things,” she reminded.
“You can borrow what you need from Gia and Lairah,” I said as I continued driving, waiting for the interrogation to begin.
“Who are Gia and Lairah?” she questioned.
Sully turned his head, facing the passenger window, as if to withdraw from the argument about to spew. “They live at the compound with Sebastian, Solomon, and his brother, Thatcher.”
Her face was a mix of jealousy, anger and hurt, all rolled into one look. “Meaning you lived with two women?”
“Yes, the six of us all lived in the same house before I came to Pascagoula,” I admitted.
“How long have you lived with these women?”
I did the math in my head and answered, “I have lived with Gia for about 14 years and I guess Lairah would be about 12 years.”
She was speechless for a moment, then said, “You mean to tell me you lived with two female vampires all these years, until a few months ago, and you didn’t think you needed to tell me about it?”
“There wasn’t anything to tell. I didn’t tell you I lived with Thatcher either, but you don’t seem too upset about that. There is no difference.”
“Oh, trust me, there is a difference,” she almost shouted.
I saw Sully shrink away from my enraged agápe and I said, “There was nothing between us. We just resided in the same home. That’s it.”
She turned her head to face the road ahead of us and I knew she just needed some time to absorb what I had told her. She would see how things were when she met Gia and Lairah, I hoped.
Chapter 25
We were all deep in our own thoughts, so the drive to the compound was quiet. I was grateful when my eyes fell upon the gates to the driveway leading to the doors of the mansion where so many new or rogue vampires had taken refuge over the years.
I parked in the circular drive by the front door and turned off the ignition. Sully got out of my truck while Chansey sat motionless, and although Sully could still hear every word exchanged between us, I felt a little more comfortable with him out of the truck.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Gia and Lairah and I see my mistake now.”
“I don’t want to go in. I don’t want to meet the women that know everything about you when I know almost nothing at all. I’m the one that is supposed to know you inside and out, not them.”
“You can’t think about it like that because they are like sisters to me.” I reached over and turned her face toward mine and said, “I know you will feel completely different when you meet them.”
She pulled her face away from me, slid toward the passenger door of my truck and said, “I wouldn’t be so sure of that if I were you.”
I got out of the truck and the three of us walked toward the house. I opened the door and Chansey and Sully followed me into the foyer, then I led them into the living room where I knew my five family members would be waiting.
We were met by Sebastian and he embraced Chansey saying, “Curry told us what happened and I am so glad to know you are well. I am so pleased to see you again and it is a pleasure to have you in our home. Please allow me to introduce the others.”
I waited nervously as Sebastian began the introductions. “This is Solomon’s brother, Thatcher.”
Chansey shook the hand extended toward her and said, “It is very good to meet you.” Thatcher returned the compliment, then Chansey and Sebastian moved on to Gia, who was standing closely to Thatcher.
Chansey’s heart accelerated as she met the first of the women in my life. Gia wore a casual kelly green knit dress and her young, heart shaped face was framed with long, dark, straight hair parted in the center. Her deep chocolate eyes were framed with long, thick lashes and accented by the black, catlike liner on her upper lid. “Chansey, this is Gia.” Gia stepped forward and hugged my agápe, as she would her own sister.
“We have heard so much about you from Sebastian and Solomon and I am ecstatic to meet you. Lairah and I are badly outnumbered and we’re glad to have a new sister in the group,” Gia said, almost a little too ecstatically.
I could see Chansey was surprised by Gia’s warm welcome, but didn’t respond. I was certain Gia had overheard my conversation with Chansey before we entered the house, so I knew she understood Chansey’s lack of confidence at this moment and wasn’t offended.
Sebastian moved on to introduce Lairah, the last to join our family. Casual as always, she wore a T-shirt from the latest concert she had attended with denim shorts. Her natural, make-up free face was complimented by her loose, blonde curls and light, golden brown eyes. “I, too, am very glad to have a new sister and I know we are going to be great friends.” Lairah mimicked Gia’s embrace and attempted to make Chansey feel welcomed and part of our family. Chansey still said nothing but I felt encouraged by the slight smile she offered.
I introduced Sully to my family and carefully chose the words I used as I explained the situation with his coven. When I finished, Sebastian turned to Sully and asked, “I have never heard of the transfer of the agápe’s power. Is there a reason Zoyah believes this or did she dream this up on her own?”
“She was quite secretive about it, so I don’t know,” Sully replied.
Sebastian wasn’t pleased by this newest problem, but said,
“This does present a problem but it doesn’t sound like Chansey is in any immediate danger since the coven doesn’t know Sully was near your location. It would probably be safer to stay here a little while, just in case his coven traces his whereabouts.”
I was glad staying was Sebastian’s suggestion and I wasn’t forced to ask Chansey to stay of my own accord. A little forced time around Gia and Lairah was exactly what she needed to help her see she shouldn’t feel threatened by my relationship with them.
Lairah made eye contact with me and raised her eyebrows, letting me know she was about to address Chansey further. “Curry told us you left work without going home to get your things. You are welcome to anything of ours you need.”
She was still wearing her work uniform and said, “I don’t have any clothes and I would love to take a bath, if possible.”
“That is easily taken care of, so come with me and I’ll show you to Curry’s quarters.” Lairah looped her arm through Chansey’s and escorted her toward the bedrooms. “I have some wonderful new body washes and lotions you simply must try,” I heard as they trailed down the hallway with Gia in tow.
“Don’t worry. Lairah and Gia will not let her out of their sight,” Sebastian reassured me.
“I know they will protect her,” I said confidently.
“She seemed to handle being thrown in with the other hens pretty well. You’re lucky because that could have gone in a much different direction, my friend,” Solomon laughed.
“I know and I won’t let it happen again,” I reassured him.
“You need to tell her what it is we do here, and sooner rather than later,” Sebastian warned. “It is your duty to tell her everything since she is part of this family now.”
“I will tell her tonight and warn her to never be alone in the house,” I promised.
“We have two new ones,” Sebastian warned.
“Do they know there is a human in the house?” I questioned.
“They do and I have warned them to stay away from her,” he reassured me.
“Do you they understand I will kill them if they come near her?” I asked, needing to know they fully understood the dangers of going against orders.