Angelina
When I came out of the bathroom, Isabella was sitting in one of the window seats. As soon as she saw me, she headed in my direction and I was swooped up in such a loving hug that it brought tears to my eyes. She held me at arm’s length, appraising me with murmured approval.
“My sons are right, you are beautiful.”
I blushed under her words. I wore black jeans, dark blue pumps, and a long-sleeved silk blouse the same colour as my shoes.
“Are you ready to meet Lorenzo?”
My nerves were frayed from the loss of my friends and terror at meeting the boys’ father. It was important that he liked me, and I just wondered if I was good enough.
“Don’t be afraid. Lorenzo will love you.”
A question came to me. I needed an answer. “From all the things I’ve read about vampires, and I know the rumours are all wrong, there’s one thing bugging me.”
Isabella led me to the window seat and sat down, holding my hands in hers. “Ask away. You can always call on me for advice.”
“How come you have children? I thought vampires were unable to conceive. Is it the same for Hybrids? Sorry if these are stupid questions.”
“Not at all. Vampires are unable to have children, that much is true. I was human when I met Lorenzo. He discovered me badly beaten and close to death. I’d been mugged,” she explained.
“Did he turn you?”
“No, not at first. He took me to his home and nursed me back to health. He realised I was his mate as soon as he saw me. But until I knew everything about what my future would be like, he allowed me to heal.”
Silence descended. Isabella gazed out over the gardens and then refocused on my face. “We made love when I was still human, and before we shared blood to complete the mating ritual. That is when I fell pregnant with Luca and Salvatore.”
“And when you were changed?” I urged.
“Lorenzo was already a Hybrid, so I was changed to Hybrid, like you will be. Neither of us realised I was pregnant until years later.”
“Years later? How did that happen? I don’t understand.” I screwed up my eyes, trying to get a handle on what she was telling me.
Isabella laughed and squeezed my hands a little tighter. “We spoke to council members about this phenomenon. Apparently, it’s uncommon, but not unheard of within our race. The seed lies dormant until our body is strong enough to carry the children full term. Hybrid babies are much stronger than human babies. The pregnancy is a little tougher on us because they require so much more nutrients.”
“So, the pregnancy wasn’t easy then, not even with your strength and powers?”
She grimaced. “Unfortunately, no. It seems Mother Nature requires us to experience the full effects of a pregnancy and giving birth. My morning sickness lasted for months. But it was worth every bit of discomfort to have two such wonderful sons.”
“I’m glad you did, too.”
“Have you told them the depth of your feelings yet, that you love them?”
“Not yet, but I will.”
“They will know. Although, they need to hear the words out loud. Come on,” she said, getting up and pulling me with her. “Let’s go and meet your father-in-law.”
My steps faltered as we stopped outside the smallest of the sitting rooms. I recognised Luca and Salvatore’s voices. The third was deep and rich. Nerves rolled in my tummy and interlocked with my grief. How would I ever get over this?
Isabella opened the door and threaded her arm through mine.
As soon as we were over the threshold, Luca and Salvatore were by my side. Isabella left me to be comforted by them. They crushed me between them, their hands caressing me, their voices murmuring their love and support. I broke down and wept openly. Still, they held onto me. And if I was honest, I never wanted them to let me go. After a long while, we broke apart, each of them holding one of my hands.
“Welcome to the family, Angelina.”
I glanced over to where Isabella stood by the fireplace with her husband. His arm was draped loosely around her shoulder. Luca and Salvatore were tall, but Lorenzo was at least a head taller. An imposing-looking man with short black hair and neatly trimmed goatee beard. His eyes were brown, so dark that they were almost coal black.
The brothers took me to him. I’d yet to utter a word. Grief. Confusion. Anxiety. All these emotions threatened to crush me. Lorenzo moved to me and caught me up in a warm embrace. I wasn’t certain what to expect from him. His warm welcome brought on a fresh wave of tears. He held me tighter, allowing me to sob against his shoulder.
I became embarrassed and moved away. “I’m so sorry. I’ve soaked your shirt,” I mumbled.
“Don’t apologise for the way you feel, Angelina. You have been through a dreadful encounter and lost those close to you. A shirt can be washed.”
“I’m so sorry we have to meet this way.”
A soft smile appeared on his lips. “Isabella and I are very pleased to meet our sons’ mate. We too are sorry it’s under such a sad cloud. Come, let us sit.”
Luca and Salvatore sat so close that they almost squashed me. I closed my eyes momentarily and, yet again… the horrific scene back at my old apartment. The sound of Cassie’s screams and Jake begging for their lives to be spared. And then… oh my God, Viktor had raped Cassie. The scene changed. He was using a knife to do something to her skin, causing her to scream out in agony.
“This is happening to you because of Angelina. Things wouldn’t have turned out this way if she’d been here.”
“Make it stop. Please, make it go away,” I sobbed.
“She’s witnessing what happened to her friend. We can see it too. What the hell is going on here?” I heard Salvatore say.
“How is this even possible?” Luca sounded troubled.
All I could do was continue to hold my ears and moan in pain.
“You need to mate with her… and fast,” Lorenzo insisted.
“Your father is right. Viktor is somehow managing to get inside her head and fill it with his vile thoughts. Did she touch anything inside the flat?”
I heard this conversation all around me, as if I was on the outside looking in. I tried to retrace my steps to see if there was anything I’d touched or leant against. My hand. I’d rested my hand on the wall. Pulling away from my mates, I checked my hand. It had been wiped clean, but some had gone under my fingernail.
“Blood.” I held my finger out to them. “I’ve got blood under my nail.”
With lightning speed, Lorenzo took me in his arms and rushed me to the closest bathroom. He filled a washbasin with water, grabbed a nailbrush, and scrubbed at it. The bristles hurt my delicate skin, but that was the least of my worries. I wanted the blood gone.
“There. It is all gone now.” Lorenzo grabbed a towel and dried my hand.
“What happened?”
“Come. I’ll explain.” He held my hand. “Anyone killed by a demon leaves a kind of residue in their blood. A snapshot of what happened to them.”
“That’s horrible.” I shuddered.
“Demons are vile, soulless creatures. They take great delight in inflicting pain on others and taking their souls.”
“Does that mean he has Cassie and Jake’s souls?” I felt sick at the mere idea of it.
“Yes, it does.”
“Is there any way of releasing them?” I felt tears swim in my eyes.
“You must destroy him. Once destroyed, all souls will move towards the light and continue on to find eternal peace.”
“Then I must complete the mating ritual with Luca and Salvatore.” My words were resolute.
We paused outside the sitting room.
Lorenzo studied me, his expression serious. “Yes. You must.”