Charlotte

Now four days had passed since we gave birth. Draco had spent more time away from the Island than I cared for, but he wanted to be ready for the next attack. The castle would be more state of the art than the island. He wanted it to look as it did before, but with technological upgrades. They were even adding additional electricity to the area along with cellular towers and the like. He was taking a nap right now since he’d been working hard with Marco and the rebuild.

I held Marco close, waiting for Draco to wake up. The dreams that plagued while I was pregnant were not only back, but more detailed. It scared me because the truth of it could cost me everything. My heart hurt because it could push Draco from me. I didn't have the ability to know everything, but I did know this. I could lose it all.

"Charlotte, what's going on?" Falcon asked as he stood in the doorway of Marco’s nursery, which was off to the side of our room. I came in here to get some clothes for my baby and give him a bath to put him to sleep. I'd been so lost in the vision that I didn't hear him enter. Shit, and he was too keenly aware for his own good.

"Um...nothing. I'm just thinking about what happens when we stop loving each other."

"That's impossible. I've lived for centuries and I have never met a couple who fell out of love. It's been less than a week since the babies were born. Perhaps Draco wants you to heal well enough." He hasn't touched me and that was to be somewhat normal. It wasn't his lack of desire for me now that had my heart hurting, it was the possible hatred in the future.

"Thank you, Falcon. It helps."

“He’s been working hard with rebuilding the castle and preparing for the next possible attack. I think he wasn’t recovering as fast as he claimed. Give it time.” Marco cried out just then, saving me from having to reply. "How's my nephew? He looks like he's much older than four days."

"Yes, he does. I weighed him this morning and he was sixteen pounds. Four pounds in four days. That's a lot for a human baby. I don't know about a vampire.”

"It’s a lot, but I’m not sure. That’s something you’d have to ask Mary or one of the other females. My little girl is only seven pounds.”

“How are you feeling about it?” He’s been very private since their births. Although he met with our people many times over the week and dealt with the police back in Washington, he was still being quiet around here.

“About what?” he asked.

“About all of it? How do you feel now that you’re the leader of all of us? And have a daughter?” Draco and I would never have our own daughter. The thought of that stings a little, but then again, the world wasn’t meant for more than one of her. Speranza was special, a gift and a one of a kind.

He sighed, rubbing his neck then said, “It’s scary, but I’m trying to take it one day at a time. I was leading the armies before she was born, so it shouldn’t be any different. But the threat to her and Nora are constantly on my mind.”

“That’s natural. If there’s anything I need to tell you I will. So far so good. I think Stavros must not have a plan yet,” I said. The visions hadn’t been there. If they were Falcon would be the first to know.

“I’m sure he already knows the truth about Speranza,” he remarked, looking around the room. The tension in his shoulders noticeable when he mentioned his daughter.

I sighed, “No doubt. All it takes is for one of them to find a cell phone and make a call to their friends and then it spreads like wildfire. He is probably wondering what to do next.”

“I hope he’s panicking and we can find that rat. He has lived long enough. I want to see him die. I’m not even concerned about who tears his head off. As long as it happens soon.” The rage was visible in Falcon’s eyes as he talked about his lifelong enemy. It was quite astonishing to see. His eyes were a dead giveaway to his emotions.

I saw movement by the doorway, then Nora walked in.

“Hey, there you are,” Nora said, looking at Falcon with a smile on her face.

“How was the lab?” I asked my best friend. I missed our long girl talks. Life was so much harder now. This was Nora’s second day in the lab. Most of her time was spent with Falcon and the baby.

“It’s not the same without Vigo,” she lamented. She didn’t want to work on it by herself, but time was of the essence. We couldn’t let Stavros torture Vigo and risk hurting him. Or even worse Stavros getting the cure first.

“We’ll figure out where he is and rescue him. There’s no way Stavros will kill him. He wants him to find a cure. That would be his only leverage,” Falcon promised, squeezing Nora a little tighter.

“That’s true. He probably doesn’t have quality scientists on his side, that’s why he took my lab partner,” she grumbled.

“Yes, and how he’s been getting around in disguise is driving me crazy.”

“Did you contact the wolves again?” Nora asked him, brushing his facial hair. I blanched, but glad that they were too busy staring at each other. I returned my attention to Marco and avoided looking up.

“Yes, they would like to meet tomorrow in Wolfe Creek. Apparently, they don’t trust me, and Redding, where Kane lives, isn’t populated enough. They will be bringing their own pack of wolves for insurance purposes.” He scoffed at the idea.

“I’m sure they are apprehensive but aren’t they tough?” Nora asked, clinging on Falcon’s arm. He rubbed her back, calming her nerves.

“Yes and no. In large numbers, they can take us on, but they can’t do it with a few,” Falcon informed us, then stole a kiss from Nora.

“That’s fine with me. Are all four of us going plus the babies?” Nora questioned, smiling at Falcon.

“No, how about you and Falcon go, and I’ll take care of my little beauty,” I offered.

“Are you going to ask them if they know anything about Thor?” Nora asked, brushing his chest.

“I am going to mention it. Something made him change, and it has to do with our baby,” Falcon grumbled. “As a father, I want to know what he has to do with my daughter.”