~ Senol ~
Standing at the entrance of their home in Iron Mountain, Senol took a deep breath and let his mind reach out. Closing his eyes, he saw his vampire brother, Jared running through a vast city in some South American country. His father was at his side, smiling at something Jared said. His soul filled with happiness to know the man he thought of as a brother was finally happy.
Their old keeper was healing up nicely from the internal wounds sustained at the hands of Jared’s father. Though he couldn’t read the man’s mind, he could sense deep discontentment and dark through brewing. The older man’s hygiene had slipped over the last couple of months, as his drinking increased. Senol didn’t trust him.
His mind drifted to Jared’s mother and her new mate. Senol liked having new friends to watch over and help if he could. Though he could actually communicate with Jared, he was a strong empath and could sense the feelings of others. Jared’s mother was filled with love, happiness and a healthy dose of caution where Abrams was concerned. She didn’t let it overwhelm her though. Even now, she was digging through records at a county courthouse, looking for clues to find a child. She was smart and resourceful. Alek was a good partner in crime. He was holding the flashlight so she could read from a file. Unless Senol missed his guess, the courthouse was not open on the weekends and probably not at night. Hunters weren’t all that conscientious when it came to following the letter of the law. This was a good example of the ends justifying the means in his opinion.
Rebecca touched his arm. “Greetings, my love. Are you well?”
Not opening his eyes, he brought his hand over to rest on hers. “I am better than well. My vampire brother and his family are safe and happy this day.”
“Jared came through for us, just like he promised.”
Opening his eyes, he turned to his love mate. “He sent the money?”
“One million dollars was transferred into my account this morning. I shopped for the children and for you, my sweet.”
Relief flooded his body. “I knew Jared would not forget us. He cares for each of us deeply. He believes it is our shared suffering that binds us together, but I know it is our love and hope for a better future.”
“The money will ensure no one goes to sleep on an empty stomach and the little ones have warm blankets and clean clothing. That is a blessing.”
“I wish I had more to offer you than my love and life in an abandoned military shelter. You deserve all the nice things the world has to offer. I can travel anywhere in my mind and see the world. You are trapped in this drab mountainside bunker where no flowers bloom or birds sing. It grieves me deeply.”
A smile slid onto her beautiful face. Her hand came up to run through his long white hair. She twirled a long strand around her finger like she was wont to do when she admired him. Senol didn’t know exactly what she was thinking, but he could feel her love for him, her relief at not having to worry about money anymore and her need to feed him.
Though I am human and we don’t share the blood bond, your abilities allow me to glimpse into your thoughts when you feed. I get to enjoy your memories of the places you visit and the wonderful sights in the verse. What woman could wish for more than that?”
“I feel like an old man with white hair sitting on a mountain, dreaming his life away.”
Kissing him on the cheek, Rebecca moved close to him. You are barely twenty. Your gorgeous white hair makes you unique and special in my eyes. Be happy you don’t have fiery hair, like me.”
Reaching out, Senol ran a lock of her dark orange hair through two fingers. “It’s lovely beyond measure. I love looking at you and talking with you. Overall the females in the verse, you are the only one for me, my sweet Rebecca.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too, but I sense a worry growing in the back of your mind. Care to share, my love?”
“I heard rumors that central government had decided to destroy all their old military sights. It seems they are a favorite place for urban explorer to photograph and several have gotten injured recently.”
“I had not seen that in my travels. If that is so, we will be forced to find a new home.”
“Wherever you go, I will follow.”
“I have almost thirty children under my protection, so I will have think of how best to proceed.”
“Will you drink, my sweet?”
“Are you sure you are strong enough?”
“I ate well today and drank an entire canteen of water. If I continue this way, I’ll be fat as a hen.”
Senol laughed. “I can’t imagine that. I do hunger, my love.”
Climbing into his lap, she offered him her neck. Biting down, Senol closed his eyes and shared his visions for the day with the woman he loved.