Chapter One Hundred and Two

Devon looked at Eudom nervously. Izabella cocked her head to the side, trying to figure out what he meant, while Bram’s eyes made a slow presession toward him. “How do you know my son?” He asked, not liking the words Eudom used toward Devon. “Are you the one who—” Izabella covered his mouth with her hands. This time his glare aimed at her.

“Hold on, Bram. You need to only ask one question at a time.”

“Izzy wants to play our game again?” Eudom smirked, his white teeth seemed so large in the darkness. Izabella nodded, giving him a smile. “I know baby Devon well. Though I only just met him, the shadows aren’t limited to time like humans, and so he’s been part of this story longer than you realize.”

Bram started to argue, but Izabella put her finger up, pleasing Eudom all the more. “It’s his turn.”

Eudom stood, tapping his fingers together. “Do you know what happens when a human gives birth to a half vampire-half witch?”

Bram’s voice was streaked with annoyance. “I’m literally the only one that’s ever been born. The only people who could answer this question are my parents.”

Eudom tapped his chin, waiting expectantly. Izabella knew he was baiting them into asking. She looked up at Bram. “Our baby would have been half and half, just like you.” Bram swallowed hard, as he frowned at Izabella. Realization dawning on him as his eyes flittered between her, Eudom, and Devon. “What would have happened if you didn’t take our baby, Eudom?”

“My Izzy would have been drained of all energy, to the point where she would have been in very big danger to try to give birth to the baby. Baby vampire would have drank your blood, and baby witch magic goes crazy once born. If you did survive the birth after being depleted of blood, which would have been very unlikely, the fire magic would have burned you up. Assuming you and baby survived that long to start.” Eudom’s smile was gone, his eyes riveted not on Izabella, but on Bram. “You are more human than vampire, because Scarlet had to take away your vampirism with magic while she carried you. It set your desire and DNA as human with vampire tendencies. That’s why Bram could never be the son she wanted. You started out human in her womb. I did not steal your baby. I took him so that he would not hurt his momma. Are you starting to understand?”

“Wait.” Devon started up at Eudom, his large blue eyes wide. “Are Bram and Izzy my for *real* mom and dad?”

“They are.” Eudom twittered excitedly, clapping his hands together. “I wanted everyone together when they learned. I told you Izzy would see baby soon!”

Izabella’s legs went weak and Bram had to catch her before they gave out completely. “Devon?” Her vision blurred as she pushed away from Bram, falling to her knees. She opened her arms to him, and Devon ran at her throwing his arms around her and the two of them cried there, in the middle of the dark room.

“But why? Why did you bring him back years later, and how could he exist a full year before she even got pregnant?” Bram slowly knelt beside them, pulling both into his arms, but his eyes were locked on Eudom. Shock. Anger. Joy. He had no idea what emotions he was feeling. There were just too many.

Eudom smiled happily. “Magic is hard to control when you’re a baby. Until one can control their tempers and hold back magic, the dart cannot be used to quell it. He would have been very dangerous to be around. Even for Bram.” Eudom shook his finger at him. “Eudom kept Devon safe with him in the shadows where he couldn’t hurt anyone until he could be brought out again. Eudom used the darts but had to know it was safe for Izzy. I knew if you knew, you would fight Eudom and go to him. Bram was safer. If Devon could live with Bram for a year and be safe, then I could introduce Izzy safely. So, we took Devon through the shadows and found Bram earlier. That way, Izzy wouldn’t be without her baby long, and Eudom could make sure all were safe.” He opened his arms wide clearly pleased with himself.

“Why didn’t you tell me? What if he’d been hurt, do you know how I found him?” Bram felt angrier now. His son, his true flesh and blood son had to live in a orphanage and was hunted by one of his own kind.

“Bram didn’t believe Eudom when we first met. Don’t you remember?”

“I don’t remember.” Bram looked down. They were a family. A real one. They had been for over a year, and none of them had known. Shit. He hadn’t known Izabella long enough for that to be true, but she would have still loved her son. Even if she didn’t know he was there.

“That’s what you meant then, when you said that you had met Bram before, but he wouldn’t remember. He didn’t believe you?” Izabella looked up, finally started to gain control of her emotions.

Eudom twittered again, “Yes and no. The reference was for the moment. But there are other meetings he wouldn’t remember too. From long ago and much forgotten. They weren’t very important. Not like last time.”

Holding Devon close, Izabella kept whispering how sorry she was. How she didn’t know. And Devon just clung to her, completely overwhelmed. Gavin cleared his throat after a while. No one was talking anymore, and the emotion was starting to clear the room. “This was all very touching, and I’m really glad you’ve all found each other. You can be one big happy family now. But we have to do something about Tyler. I can’t leave him there another day. Eudom, will you help us get Tyler back?” Gavin didn’t smile as his hazel eyes locked onto those two red burning spheres on the other side of the room.

“Ah. Yes. Tyler. You understand that you will need to take down the Elders and appease the parents before you’ll get him back.”

“I don’t care what I have to do. Will you help me?” He snapped.

“No. Eudom cannot become involved in those matters. Vampires and witches don’t like Eudom. They are afraid of his powers. But, if Izzy helps you, Eudom will keep his promise to protect her.” His finger tapped his chin and he twittered. “Do you know that without Scarlet, Dracula will kill you all?”

“I know.” Gavin sighed, “We’re safe to speak in the shadows, yes?”

“Yes. But is he worth changing the world’s power system to the way Dracula wants it?” Eudom leaned forward, stretching out over the space between him and Gavin.

Gavin finally smiled again. “Worth changing the whole system? Yes. To what Dracula wants. No. I have a different proposition.” His eyes stared down at the family holding each other close. Bram would agree once Gavin shared his logic. Izabella was going to be the one to convince.

“What are you scheming?” Bram looked up at him, kissing Izabella’s and Devon’s heads, he stood. Crossing his arms, he also got closer to Gavin. “I’m down for saving Tyler and making sure that Dracula doesn’t overrun the world with vampires or turn humans into cattle.”

“Perfect.” Gavin nodded, his smirk back. “Eudom, you’re freaking me out with that rubber neck thing you’ve got going on. Will you come here please? Also, Izabella, I need you to listen too. You’re going to be just as big a part of this as Bram. My proposition is simple. What if we overthrow the Elders and put someone on the throne? A King, or, better yet, a Queen with a very powerful, time manipulating friend that can second as her advisor? Not only would no one be able to question or touch her, but she’ll have a whole fucking army of vampire-witches to enforce her laws and keep her safe. We all know her soon-to-be husband will never let anyone else touch her. And with a whole brood of children and the half human-half vampires that already follow Bram without question, no one would dare disrespect or go against her word. What could be better than putting the hands of the world into that of a unicorn’s? Who else would be so fair and just? And when she’s tired or needs a break, I’m pretty sure there are one or two who will eventually be able to take up that scepter among us, soon enough anyway.” He smiled down at Devon, who turned to look up at his mom. His eyes turned seriously to Bram. “We just need someone to step into it until our resident unicorn is ready.”

Izabella turned to look at Bram. “I mean… I-I haven’t even decided if I want to be turned or not. But if you’re serious about this, I don’t want to.”