Julianna covered her mouth with both hands as tears slipped down her pale cheeks. “I’m so glad.”
“And we had to live this long in order to find love.”
When she lowered her hands, Winter could see the broad smile on her lips. “I’ve seen. Ethan keeps Marcus from being much too serious. And Bel and his two men!” She gave a giggle that Winter hadn’t heard since he was a child. “They turn into wolves! Beautiful wolves!”
“Rafe has found someone to handle him.”
Julianna laughed again. “Finally. I think his Philippe is making him softer, kinder.” But her expression turned grim. “But what about you? I’ve not seen you here with anyone.”
“I found someone. He’s a witch, actually. Still learning magic. His name is Fox.” Winter’s voice caught when he said his lover’s name. “And I love him…so very much, Mom.”
“That’s wonderful! You must bring him here. I want to see him just once if you’ll let me.”
“He’s been taken…by Damon. The vampire wants us all dead, and he’s taken Fox to hurt me. And I can’t find him. I can’t—”
“It’s okay, my dearest one. I’ll find him for you. I promise.”
Winter blinked at her several times. A chill ran through him as she placed her hand over his. She couldn’t touch him, but there was a feeling of cool air brushing over his skin. “You can do that?”
“Ghosts are pretty good at talking to other ghosts.” Her smile turned a little smug. “I might have bragged that my sons had found the handsomest of men.” The happiness faded all too quickly, and she became serious again. “I feel my time is growing short. If I don’t get another chance, can you give a message to Aiden for me?”
“Of course.” Winter’s heart skipped a beat. He wasn’t sure Aiden was ready to hear it, but he would hold it until he was.
“Tell him I’ve loved him every single day since we first met. I’m so grateful for all that he’s done, but it’s time for him to stop living for our children and find love again.”
“I’ll tell him.”
“Good. Now go tell your brothers I love them and how proud I am of them. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Winter watched as she turned and walked through a wall, disappearing from sight. He had no idea how she was going to find Fox or how many other ghosts she talked to. In all his years as a vampire, he’d never used a ghost to seek out information quite like this. He just spoke to the ghosts who likely knew his target. Would she be able to locate where Fox was being held?
Reluctantly, he returned to the library where everyone was gathered and relayed the message from Julianna to her sons. There were tears and silent nods of gratitude. His brothers seemed happy for her words and the knowledge that she’d seen them with their mates.
“Wait!” Ethan gasped. “Does that mean she’s seen everything we’ve done in this house?”
Winter cackled and fell into one of the empty chairs. “And for some reason she still thinks you are the perfect mate for Marcus.”
“Oh God,” he moaned, dropping his bright red face into both of his hands. “I don’t think I can have sex again.”
“I’m pretty sure Marcus will help you forget about what an exhibitionist you’ve been,” Rafe teased.
Marcus leaned over and whispered something into Ethan’s ear. Winter glanced over at Bel and his wolves, who all looked like they were still preening over his mother’s descriptions of beautiful wolves, when she whispered in his ear, “The Wadsworth.”
Winter bolted up to his feet and looked around, but he couldn’t see his mother in the room despite the fact that River still held his ring. She mentioned something about running out of time. Could she not come through any longer?
“Fuck!”
Aiden rushed to Winter’s side. “What’s wrong?”
He didn’t hesitate. Winter grabbed Aiden’s hand and tapped his powers, parting the veil. A grunt left Aiden as he pulled his father with him into the world of the dead. Around them, he could hear chaos erupting as everyone reacted to their sudden disappearance.
“What are you doing?” Aiden gasped.
Winter ignored his questions and quickly searched the room until he spotted his mother in the doorway. She looked so damn faint, but there was a tired smile on her lips. And in that moment, she had eyes only for Aiden. “There!” he said, pointing at her.
Aiden stiffened and swallowed hard as he was suddenly faced with the ghost of the woman he’d not been able to see in over a century.
“Julianna.”
“My love. Thank you for everything.”
“I’m so sorry—” Aiden choked out, but the words stopped with a shake of her head.
“I love you. I can’t stay. Be happy. Winter has my message.” She turned her gaze on him. “Go to The Wadsworth. Damon has Fox there.” Her smile returned. “He’s very cute.” And then she simply faded from sight.