Selena
I couldn't remember my father. He'd left when I was three; old enough to miss him though, or so my mother had told me. But this had caused angst with my stepfather. I hadn't accepted his place as my new father. Perhaps my three year old self had sensed what Elijah was. But now, as I walked one shaky step at a time out of Ulvic's cabin into the moon-bathed trees, with Varick's sturdy form at my side and Cass up ahead, I wished I knew something. Anything to grasp onto that linked me to my biological father.
I wouldn't even recognise him. Elijah had removed any trace of him from the house. Photos...all the memories gone before they'd ever really been made.
“He could be lying,” Varick growled, his grip on my hand tightening.
“He helped us in the game,” I whispered, my breath a puff of vapour in the freezing air. Snow was beginning to fall, a thin sheet of it already coating the grass at the bottom of the wooden steps.
“He looks like you,” Cass said, glancing over her shoulder with an encouraging smile.
Somehow, that made me feel even sicker than I already was. What else of mine did he possess?
“Where is he?” Tiredness gripped me in its fist. We hadn't rested since we'd escaped the games, having barely been on Ulvic's island for more than an hour. And I couldn't shake the haunting feeling that if my father had somehow found us, so could the Helsings.
“At the pier. He said he didn't want to intrude...” Cass led us further into the trees, winding down the steep, muddy track in the direction of the sea.
“Perhaps I should go ahead?” Varick suggested, but I quickly shook my head and he didn't press the issue further. This was one of those moments that needed to belong to me. And me alone. As soon as I found the courage to ask the others to hold back.
Clouds weighed heavily from the night sky, making the way forward increasingly dark as we left the light of the cabin far behind.
Pounding footsteps rushed through the trees to my right and Varick moved swiftly to intercept whoever it was.
Jameson crashed into him, his feet bare and his shirt buttoned up wrong. “I heard you talking.” He grinned from ear to ear, looking to me. “Who's here?”
“Selena's father apparently. Maybe you should go back inside,” Varick said calmly. “Check on Thames.”
Jameson shook his head. “Ulvic's taking the rest of the pack back to the cabin. She'll be fine.” He bounced on the balls of his feet.
I hurried to catch Cass, too anxious to stop moving but soon heard them fall in to step behind us.
Jameson casually brushed past me, putting himself between Cass and I, sliding an arm around her waist. “How's it going, Firefly?”
She slinked out of his hold, throwing him a scowl. “This is serious. Can you handle not flirting for five seconds?”
“Two?” he offered.
She rolled her eyes and headed on, quickening her pace.
Varick snatched the back of Jameson's shirt before he jogged after her, giving him a glare of warning. His intention was obvious. This isn't the time.
As we met the edge of the trees, a dark figure came into view on the pier.
I turned sharply, pressing one hand to Jameson's chest and the other to Varick's. “I think I'll speak to him alone.”
“But-” Varick started, but I kissed him to halt his complaints.
“You'll be right here to step in if anything goes wrong,” I assured him with the briefest of smiles, trying to ignore the brush of tiny wings in my belly.
“Fine,” he grumbled as I stepped away.
Jameson folded his arms, giving me an easy nod.
I headed past Cass and the pebbles of the beach shifted beneath my boots. Beyond Ulvic's vessel was another large catamaran, its cabin light illuminating the walkway behind my father. He was wearing a large coat with his hood pulled up. The light slid over me and I felt exposed, quickly hugging my arms to my chest and holding my chin high to try and gain a little composure.
The rickety pier creaked beneath my feet as I reached him. He lifted his face to the light, pushing his hood back and my heart stuttered in my chest.
He looked just like me, there was no denying it. Everything about him from his ebony hair to his steel-grey eyes. Eyes that were roaming over me, taking in every inch, his face a picture of pride. He was clean-shaven and his hair neat, sweeping back over the crown of his head. His height was where we differed; he was nearly as tall as Varick.
“I'm human,” he said softly, his voice gravelly. He raised his palms to me, showing his innocence and I noticed a wedding band shining on his left hand.
I inhaled an icy breath, unable to stop myself as I reached out and touched the ring.
“Did you remarry?” I asked, my throat constricting. Had he really abandoned us? Mum had said little of their separation, only that he'd left without notice. That she'd had to petition for a divorce on the grounds that her husband was missing. And that answer was suddenly the one I needed above all others.
“No.” His hand closed around mine and I instinctively pulled away.
I gazed at him, sensing a connection between us that longed to be explored. “You're Typhon?”
He nodded once.
“Mum said your name was-”
“Brendan,” he supplied with a crooked smile. “It is. Typhon was the name I went under to remain anonymous at the games.” He stepped closer and I forced myself to remain still. “I watched every second, Selena. And it nearly killed me not to walk out there and take on every Vampire I could for you. But you didn't need saving, did you?” He lifted a hand as if to touch me, then dropped it to his side.
My lips seemed stuck together as I took in every centimetre of him. What was someone supposed to say to a father they'd never met? But he wasn't just that, he was the spectator who had helped me escape from the Helsings...
“Were you there, on Raskdød? The first game?” I found my voice at last, shivering as the cold tried to drill its way into my bones.
“No...I heard about you though. That's why I went to the Isle of Lidelse. I have spies amongst the Helsings, they told me-”
“Wait- what?” Shock juddered through me. “Spies? Who are you?”
“I'll tell you everything in time. Tonight, I just wanted to meet you. And to promise that I'll help you. All of you.” He glanced over my shoulder and I followed his gaze to where Varick, Jameson and Cass were standing in a regimental line at the edge of the trees. Varick looked as statuesque as the boughs surrounding him. And my neck burned as I realised all of them could no doubt hear our conversation.
I turned back to my father. “Help us how?”
Brendan fixed me in his gaze. “I have friends, many friends who all have an investment in ending the games.”
I nodded slowly, then finally remembered my manners. I wasn't too sure how Ulvic would feel about what I was going to offer, but I voiced it anyway. “Do you want to stay? We can talk...” He was already shaking his head.
“Not tonight. Look at you, Selena. You haven't slept and dawn will be upon us in a few hours. Varick will have to find somewhere to wait out the day. And I'd very much like to acquaint myself with him properly.”
My heart stumbled over itself. How much had he seen of Varick and I together? What did he think of his daughter falling for a Vampire? And did I care what he thought? I didn't even know him.
“I'll return tomorrow night. Once we are both better rested.”
He stepped back and I suddenly felt a bond between us dragging me back toward him. “Wait-” I choked out.
He turned back just as I collided with him, wrapping my arms around his waist. “Thank you,” I said into his shoulder, the faint musk of cologne flowing over me.
He hesitated before hugging me back, but when he did his hold was bone-crushing. The type of hug I'd craved from a father my whole life.
“I'd never let anything happen to you.” His mouth moved to my ear. “I know you don't know me, that I haven't been present in your life, but I promise I'm not going anywhere now.”
I tugged back, the sharp sting of my childhood coming back to me. Did Brendan know what had happened after he'd left? Did he have any idea what me and Mum had been through?
His gaze was searching as I pulled away. “Your mother?”
“Alive,” I replied, as if that were the most positive thing I could say in relation to her. I didn't know if she was well, but I assumed not after everything that had happened. Tears welled and guilt rolled through my body.
“I see,” he said quietly. “I know have a lot of explaining to do. And I will, I swear it. But tonight you must rest. Tomorrow is a new day, and I'll answer everything you have to ask in full honesty.”
“Okay.” I backed up, swallowing the lump in my throat as I watched him board his boat.
Before he'd even pulled away from the pier, Varick was at my side, his arm locked around my shoulders. “He's right. You need to rest.” He whipped me into his arms and I let out a yelp as he sprinted back through the forest.
“Varick!” I clung to his shirt, though I knew he'd never drop me. I couldn't see anything from the speed he was moving and my head spun as he planted me on my feet back in the cabin. Ulvic was behind the breakfast bar, downing a glass of whiskey. He jerked his chin toward Reason and Mekiah's bedroom. “You can use that one. Guess they won't be needing it any time s-soon.” He started drinking from the bottle, but before I could ask if he was alright, Varick carried me into the room and slammed the door.
“Sleep.” He placed me on the bed, impossibly gentle as he skimmed his thumb under my chin.
“How can I? After everything...” I rested my head back on the pillow, sighing. My mind was doing cartwheels, but I was physically exhausted. It wouldn't be long before I passed out.
Varick watched me until I beckoned him to join me. “Do you want to talk about your father?”
I shook my head. Varick had heard all there was to be said between us anyway. And I needed to unravel my own feelings about it before I'd be able to discuss it. I was bone tired and couldn't keep my eyes fully open as I tried to keep looking at Varick.
His mouth hooked up at the side as he dropped onto the bed and I rolled into his arms. His skin was cooler than it had been earlier. He'd start to crave blood more intensely soon.
“I'll Charm you to sleep?” he offered.
I knotted my hands into his shirt, pulling him closer. “No,” I breathed, tracing his mouth with mine.
“Selena,” he growled and I felt the vibration of his voice thrum through my body. “You must rest.”
He was rigid, every line of his muscles tense. I knew I wasn't going to win this fight so settled on curling into the strong shell his body made. My breathing grew shallow as I let my hands run down his chest, exploring the firm arcs of him. I knew I was getting carried away, shifting a leg between his to move as close to him as possible. The raging, pulsing feelings inside me were new and electrifying, making every hair on my body stand to attention. Did he feel it too?
“I should go.” His voice was hoarse.
I stiffened, longing to ask him the question circling in my mind, hovering on my tongue. But I didn't have the nerve.
“Stay,” I insisted, knotting my fingers in his shirt, though I was certain I couldn't hold onto him if he chose to leave.
How could I have been through the V Games twice and still have been too cowardly to ask Varick a simple question? His answer held too much power over me. And I couldn't bear to learn that he truly wasn't capable of being attracted to me in an entirely human capacity.
I tried to settle on soaking in the peace of the moment.
Perhaps that was why sleep was eluding me. This moment was everything. We were safe at long last. And it seemed impossible to believe I wouldn't wake tomorrow in a coffin, hanging above a precipice or careering down a river. So maybe that was why I wanted him as close to me as he could possibly be tonight. In case we never got the chance again.
“I'll have to leave before dawn,” Varick murmured softly.
“Promise you'll wake me,” I breathed, letting my eyes fall closed.
“Alright,” his voice hummed in my ear. “Now go to sleep.”