Chapter 28

 

 

Dawn came and went. Brent woke at noon and pulled Amelia closer. She wasn’t cold. Her chest rose and fell. But she definitely didn’t wake.

He breathed in her scent and pressed a kiss to her shoulder. Leaving the bed was the last thing he wanted, but he did need to check the office and ask about the vampires in custody. And maybe work out when Amelia could meet his children.

He pressed one more kiss to Amelia’s mouth and climbed from the bed.

Within an hour he parked on the street and hurried into the office. The building was full, everyone busy. Brent walked to Zoe’s office and took a seat in front of her desk. “I may not be in until tomorrow, but I’ll be available if anyone needs me.”

“I’ll hold down the fort.” Zoe grinned. “Kellan will be in later with Nyla. They’ve spent part of the days with me here. And he says he’s sorry he missed the fight.”

“Not that you got to do much.” Brent smiled. “Amelia did have a better solution than I did.”

“You going to tell me what was up with Eamon? She seemed broken up over that.”

“He was her first love and her husband in her first life. She was the reason he became a vampire, at least in part.”

“And you aren’t jealous?”

“Was,” he admitted. “Then I realized she was with me in that lifetime too. She was a princess, almost a prisoner in his home. He couldn’t give her the love she needed. I couldn’t resist. But she couldn’t leave without him hunting her down.”

“Oh.” Zoe shook her head. “So, she never wavered in her choice in you?” Her eyes lit up.

“Never. And I imagine Amelia should have a story in the next few days, and I’m sure she’ll leave out most of the details. Last thing we need are more people wanting to bring ancient entities into our world to worship as gods.”

Zoe nodded. “Got that right.”

“And she fixed Tyrone’s mind.”

“What was wrong with him?”

“I suggested she wipe his memories of her. She took it a little too far. I feel bad for the guy. He fell hard for her.”

“Yeah, so did Yuri.”

“Interestingly, she was always a sorceress, but her grandparents locked away their magic. In fact, I want you to look into her family tree and any stories to do with them. I have a feeling we’re going to find something very interesting.”

“I’ll see what I can dig up. Can I tell her what I’m searching for?”

He nodded. “I have a feeling her sister would be interested in knowing too, even if her magic is no longer reachable.”

“I’ve never heard of a vampire with magic,” Zoe pointed out.

“The first vampires had magic. And Eamon gave her enough blood to ensure her magic came roaring back.”

“Weird. I’ll see what I can find. You should get back to her.”

“One more stop before I can do that.”

 

* * * *

 

Jordan sat on his couch with the guitar Leanan often played, strumming chords. He should have written her a song a year ago, but he was afraid to jinx what they shared. Now he needed to do something to remember her and everything she taught him.

He wiped his face.

Mike walked in and plopped down next to him. “Sorry, Jordan.”

“I dreamed of her last night. Her beautiful smile, her kind soul, and things you don’t want to hear.”

“She would want you to move on, find someone to make you feel more than she did.”

“I love Leanan. I never thought she’d leave.”

“She didn’t. She was taken from you. But I learned something interesting. She was betrothed to another spirit, entity, god, whatever, like the one Amelia banished last night. He would have pulled Leanan out of this realm and tortured her before long. Apparently, he did this every so many years. She’s finally free.”

“What? She never said anything,” Jordan answered.

“You were her escape, Jordan. You made her happy. You gave her a piece of herself she was missing.”

“How do you know?” His voice broke.

Mike handed him a letter. “It was taped to your door. I had to read it. I’m sorry.”

Jordan opened the paper and read all of it, tears filling his eyes. Everything Mike said and more. He gave her the same hope she gave him.

“I don’t know how to move on,” Jordan answered.

“Go slow. Don’t look for love yet. Just don’t let yourself fall apart like you did before.”

He shook his head. “Don’t want to be that asshole again.”

“Good, now I should go. Gwen’s waiting on me.”

Jordan set the guitar down and hugged his oldest friend. “Thank you.”

“You bet. And tonight, we’re going out. You need someone in your bed, even if it it’s for an hour.”

He nodded. “I’ll be thinking of her the whole time.”

“Don’t doubt that.”

 

* * * *

 

Brent stepped into Preston’s office and sat down. “So, the vampires?”

Preston sat back. “Alive, dead for the day, but alive. They don’t even remember what happened last night, or why they’re not healthy.”

“Did you tell them what happened?”

“Yeah, and Drummond showed up here last night, begging us to put him somewhere the sun would take him.”

“Shit. Tell me you didn’t.”

He shook his head. “No, we didn’t. In fact, he helped take care of the creepy twins who were taken over for the big battle. I think they’ll find another path. None of them were too worried about Crom Cruach. They followed Eamon, for the most part, because he treated them well and he was a good leader.”

“What about those blood slaves?” Brent protested.

He nodded. “That’s why they’re in custody, and there are plans to try to get them used to feeding in this day and age, and not necessarily using a live source.”

“Good to hear.”

“You hear about Toryn throwing you and Amelia a party at Shenanigans tonight?”

Brent shook his head. “Why?”

“Because, he wants you to know how much he appreciates what you did, and that you’ve shown how much you’ve changed.”

He snorted. “Because I didn’t kill every vampire last night?”

Preston smiled. “Yeah. He told me what happened when Inuala held you prisoner before. Can’t say I blame you.”

“Thanks. We’ll be there. I’m going home and back to bed.”

“I’d love to go back to bed for the day, hold my woman.” He sighed. “I’m leaving in a bit, but we’ll be there tonight.”

“I’ll see you then.”