Sebastian looks pointedly at Vorn and waits for him to leave. “Anya?” Vorn asks, ignoring his new friend.
“I will be okay, Vorn. You should rest while you can,” she insists.
Vorn bows and turns to leave, stopping briefly at the door when he hears Sebastian call his name. “Vorn, thank you for bringing my daughter home.”
“You’re welcome.” With that, he seeks out the housekeeper who guides him to his room.
The two stare at each other in silence for a moment, neither moving. Afraid to break the moment Sebastian waits.
“How did you meet my mother?” Anya demands again.
Sebastian stares at her and smiles softly, “I brokered a deal with Lailah on behalf of the vampires. The council sent me to discuss terms because they felt a war was inevitable. Caius had crossed a line when he attacked the Fae years ago. He had enough followers that the Angels were threatening to end our species.” He glances away, lost in thought for a moment.
“She was exquisite.” He walks to one of two large windows to look outside. “I am eight hundred years old, Anya. I have seen every manner of creation on this earth, but nothing prepared me for meeting Lailah.” She moves so quickly he has no time to prepare or defend himself.
Anya is beside him in a flash and grabs his face with her hands, taking his mind, she sees her mother as he does. Through his eyes, she sees the respect that grows into love. The passion, the honesty and the love.
“I would have fought to protect you both.” He opens his mind and heart fully to his daughter. “I would have given my life to save yours.” She feels the rejection he felt when she left, the pain and the anger.
“You see, I understood why she left. It was to protect my species, or so I thought.”
Anya releases him and puts her hand on his shoulder.
“But you loved her.” She spins and walks away to warm up by the fireplace. “What if I do not wish to be this, Herald, everyone talks about. What if all I want is to go back to being normal? Would you condemn me for my choice?”
Sebastian stares at his daughter and is shocked to hear the insecurity behind the question. In an instant, he stands before her. “Know this, Anya, whatever choice you make I will stand by you. As I suspect, will Keane. Even this Drow seems to have a protective streak when it comes to you.” Sebastian smiles and his fangs glint.
“You would fight the Fae, the Angels even your own kind, for me? Why? Are you so ready to die?” Anya feels it is her duty to test his loyalty.
Anger boils for a moment and a red flame flickers behind his eyes. “I was not given a choice twenty years ago, Anya. I would fight every species on this planet and any other if they dare touch you.”
‘Your mother’s death will not be in vain,’ she hears the unspoken words and is touched. Unshed tears fill her eyes and she moves into his open arms. “Thank you, Dad.”
The words are like a salve to his injured spirit. It soothes the pain and loss filling an empty space in both of their souls. “You’re welcome,” he whispers and presses a kiss to her forehead. Anya pulls away and walks to the window to look out on his gardens.
“It is time for a change. Love should not come with restrictions. The Angels did not create the imbalance that was all Caius’s doing.”
The sight of her standing in his home staggers him. The family resemblance is remarkable. “You sound like your Aunt Magdalene.”
Anya turns to him. “Caius said something about my Aunt. It sounded like she was in trouble.”
Concern has his brow furrowing. “I will call her.” He flips out his phone and checks for messages and finds he has missed multiple calls from her. “No new messages left. I will call her in the morning.”
“I look forward to meeting her. I’m so tired. Is that weird? Do we get tired?” Anya scrubs at her eyes. “Everything I thought I knew is all an illusion.” Wrapping her arms around herself she thinks about sleep.
“Sleep is a requirement, even for Vampires, though not nearly as long as humans. Nourishment is also vital to avoid a blood lust for newborns.” He moves to a hidden panel and punches in a code. “This will help.” Sebastian removes a vial of dark blood and pours two glasses.
Anya stares at him in shock. “You keep blood in your office?”
“Not just any blood. This is the blood of an ancient. We provide blood to each other. It strengthens our abilities and allows us to feed less often. The bond is strong between the council members and this is a way to maintain it.”
“So, you just drain each other? I don’t know what to say about that.”
“Not quite. We take turns. For instance, this is Council member Faygin’s. Once every six months, we go in and donate. On average we can provide up to two pints at a time. The power in the blood allows us to regenerate faster and go longer between feedings.” He drinks his and watches as she smells the air.
“That scent, is amazing.” Anya moves closer and her eyes shift to the amber color.
“Anya?” he asks with concern in his voice.
“I’m okay,” she says with a hoarse voice. “It’s just so strong.” Her fangs lengthen and she lifts the glass to her lips and sips. The rich warm liquid flows into her system, rushing through her body it heals and empowers Anya. A second sip is bigger than the first and the third has her finishing her glass.
He watches with understanding when she looks at the glass with disappointment. “Is there
