She stared at me for another few seconds before robotically rising from her seat and walking toward the stairs. Holding onto the banister, she ascended to the second floor, never looking back.
Collapsing into the couch cushions, I covered my face with my hands. What a mess. I didn’t want to be that harsh but she needed to hear it, right? My mind was all over the place, so I sat there, questioning it all.
Maybe I was wrong. I probably should have let Dev handle it instead of me, but I felt the need to protect him after what he just went through. What he was still going through.
It was so unfair and heartbreaking for them both. When I heard Irna’s bedroom door close, I decided I would stay out of it from that moment forward, but in the meantime, I wanted to help my uncle get through this hard time, and I would do whatever I needed to do.
I got up and walked back toward the dining room without stopping until I stood behind the chair right next to Dev’s. He didn’t look up or even acknowledge my presence, so I pulled out the chair and sat in it. His hands were softly laying on his lap, so I took the one closest to me and held it in mine. After several seconds, Dev realized something was different and his far away gaze shifted as he turned and focused on me.
“Hey, Firecracker,” he said with a tight, but genuine smile. “How long have you been sitting there?”
I gave his hand a little squeeze. “Not long. What about you?”
“Not long,” he repeated. “I was just…”
His words died off as if he didn’t know what to say. I squeezed his hand again and lay my head on his shoulder, letting him know it was okay. I didn’t need to talk, I just wanted to be there. He squeezed my hand in return, letting me know that was what he wanted too.
Chapter Nine
Dinner was a quiet affair, even with the table full of people sitting around it. Everyone seemed to sense the somber mood we were in and talked amongst themselves quietly. Devlin and I said only a few words to one another, but that was okay. I just wanted to be there for him if he needed me. Talking wasn’t necessary.
Xander joined us, but not Matias, Amos, or even Irna. It looked like she actually listened to me. I felt a little guilty for that, but I knew it was the right thing to do, for both of them.
I stood up to take Dev’s and my plates to the kitchen when I finally saw my vampire mate. He stood in the dining room door, glass of blood in hand and motioned for me, Xander, and Devlin to follow with his head. I looked between Xan and my uncle before putting the plates back down on the table, then walked out of the room, followed by the two men.
He led us to Amos’ office, letting us in before closing the door behind us all. Amos was sitting on the couch, his head lolled back, as if exhausted. Slowly, he picked his head up to look at us all as we walked further into the room.
“Have a seat,” he supplied, and indicated toward the various chairs and the rest of the sofa.
I took one of the armchairs while Dev took the other, and Matias sat on the opposite side of the couch from Amos. Xander put his hand on the back of my chair, but otherwise remained standing as we waited for Amos and Matias to tell us what happened with the scientist.
“Councilman Liu was right,” Amos sighed, deeply, “and so was your hunch, Emelia. They are building a sort of super supernatural through experimentation. Their goal is to make warriors who serve the Council, without question.”
I looked at Matias and he clenched his jaw, but didn’t look away. “You got all of that from the scientist?”
“Dr. Edgebert was very forthcoming when she realized she didn’t have much choice,” Amos continued and briefly glanced at Matias. “She told us that she and the other scientists were given instructions handed down from the Council to take prisoners from all three races and do everything to enhance their abilities, all while making them more compliant. They used magic mixed in with some science to experiment on supes, and they were on the cusp of completing their task when we took her hostage.”
“Super soldiers.” Devlin stared out into space as the words passed through his lips. “Ainsley died so they could pervert the natural order, and make slaves of us all. They broke his body, his spirit...”
“They never broke his spirit,” I said softly to him. Devlin whipped his head in my direction. “They could never break his spirit, no matter what they did to him. That was where they failed.”
“They killed him!” Devlin was now standing, his chest heaving with anger. Xander moved to stand in front of me but I stopped him with my hand. Devlin would never hurt me. Never.
I rose from my chair as well and slowly wrapped my arms around my uncle. He began to relax when he realized I wasn’t going to let go. That was all the encouragement I needed.
“I know and I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I’m sorry they took him. I’m sorry we couldn’t save him in time, and I’m sorry that his body couldn’t be healed enough in the end. I miss him too, so much.” My voice broke, but I cleared my throat and kept going. “We will avenge him. I promise you, we will make them pay for what they’ve done to him. What they’ve done to all of us.”
I felt him nod sharply, then he gave me one more squeeze before gently pushing me away, guiding me back to my chair before returning to
