Chapter Sixty-eight

Izabella imagined she felt much like Dorothy, spinning away from everything she knew in a tornado. It felt like it was hot enough to be made of fire, but it didn’t burn their skin. All the children were with her. Just before leaving she had grabbed Rose from the bed and took hold of Devon’s arm as she heard the door break in. Diving into the room as it looked to be ablaze. What the hell was she doing? What would Bram think? When they landed, the room around them was sparse with things. Though the little in there, the two chairs and a table, as well as the fireplace, were carved mahogany. They depicted a great battle, in the fireplace. The chairs were lovers, and the table had the claws of a giant bird.

“Welcome to our home! We’re so glad to have you all.” Scarlet raised her arms in the air excitedly.

“You do see that the poor girl and all those germ breeders are terrified. Don’t you?” A man, standing in the shadows of the deepest corner in the room commented. His voice was dark and rich, heavy with an accent she wasn’t familiar with.

“Shut up.” Scarlet turned to him, pouting. “I want to be excited to meet her and the kids. I don’t want to be pushed away anymore. Those are your grandbabies.”

“No. If they were of my son’s blood, perhaps. But there is nothing like that here.” The shadows he hid in didn’t even move. If he hadn’t spoken, no one would have known he was there.

Devon bristled, pushing away from her hip. “I am Bram’s son!” Silence streamed through the room until Scarlet jumped.

“Oh! No, my dear, please… you and the children need to get off the seal.” She started pulling everyone off to the side.

“Devon really is Bram’s son.” Izabella couldn’t help but step toward them. Holding Devon’s hand. “He adopted Devon a year ago. The moment he saw him, he knew Devon was the one who would be his heir, they even look alike. Bram loves him just as much as any father that had a hand in the child’s birth.”

No sooner did she get everyone off the red painted symbol. That Izabella fell to her knees, the kids crumpling behind her as red lights streamed from the floor. A moment later, Bram and Tyler were standing in the room. When their eyes met, she wanted to throw herself at him. She wasn’t fast enough as his arms wrapped around her. “Are you okay?” He held her close, grabbing Devon too.

“Yes!” She couldn’t help but half laugh. “Yes, I’m okay as long as you’re here.” Her arms wrapped around his neck as he pulled her up to stand with him. For a moment, her feet left the floor. Devon was wrapped in one of his massive arms, holding them all together. A hiss came from the corner of the room, and Izabella saw Bram’s smile fade as his eyes narrowed. “You’re covered in blood again. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” His arm tightened around her waist, pulling her forward with him. “Scarlet, I hate to say this to you of all people; but thank you. There was a small army in my apartment when I got there. If you hadn’t shown up to get everyone out… I wouldn’t have made it in time.”

“I’m so happy to see you! I’ve missed you so much, my darling.” She was bouncing on her toes, holding her hands against her chest. “You can all stay here as long as you need. Your father and I already prepared your apartments again. I hope you don’t mind that I really want to get to know your lover and son. Is she really the one? Is she your mate?” Izabella looked up at him with questioning eyes, she wasn’t sure what they were talking about, but it sounded big. Now wasn’t the time for asking questions though.

The man in the shadows finally stepped forward into the light of the room. If Izabella had thought Bram looked like his mother, it was nothing compared to how similar he and his father were. He looked like an older, more worn version of Bram with long black hair half pulled back while the rest ran unruly over his shoulders down to his waist. He was absolutely gorgeous. Just like his son. “Are you really going to pick some simple human, one so naïve no less, over Mihaela? There’s a perfectly good, and powerful witch right here, for the taking.”

Scarlet glared at her husband, hands on her hips. “Vlad. Please don’t. I want to be able to see my son!”

“I never wanted Mihaela. And I never gave a shit about power. I know that you can never understand that, considering the lengths you’ve gone to gain as much as possible. But I swear on my life, you touch my family, and it will be the last thing you do. I’ll not risk you trying to kill them, or me. I left because I’m sick of your shit. I only returned for them.” Looking back over his shoulder, he motioned for the children to follow him. Tyler took up the rear, refusing to make eye contact with any of them.

“How dare you bring that fucking bastard here with you.” Vlad sneered at Tyler, his dislike couldn’t show more on his face.

“I’ve always wanted grandbabies.” Bram and his dad turned, looking at her angrily. “Oh, Vlad, imagine the castle coming back to life with their laughter echoing through the halls. And Tyler doesn’t matter anymore. It was just a faze they went through. Immortals are allowed such things dear.”

“Don’t get too cozy with that. We’ll stay a few days, as a thank you for helping, but I’ll be returning to the city shortly.” Looking back at the children he smiled, “I’m sorry about all this. I know it’s late, lets go get everyone off to bed.”

“You even sleep at night like a worthless human.” Vlad grumbled.

“I don’t know why you bothered trying to have a son. I am half human by your choice. Any other children would have been too. You could have just created a full blood if we’re so damn filthy. And I prefer to spend my time during the day, when I don’t have to worry about seeing assholes like you.” Izabella shied away from Vlad, keeping Bram between them as they passed, reaching back to grab Jen’s hand. The children all trailing closely behind.

“Bram, I think I need to get back. I shouldn’t have followed you here.” He looked at Mihaela and Scarlet nervously. No one here seemed to care much for Tyler.

“Mihaela, would you be so kind as to return him back to my apartment? Will you be good? You and Gavin may want to hide out in one of the safe houses until I get back.” Tyler nodded.

“First, tell mom and dad that I want my Marius back.” The woman had long dark hair, also looking a lot like Bram and Vlad. Her voice was like honey, sweet and soft. She had the same accent as Scarlet and Vlad.

“Is she your sister?” Izabella whispered. Bram looked down at her, frowning, and shook his head slightly.

“Sister?” Her laugh was like little diamonds filling the air. The woman practically shone. “I’m his wife darling.”

When her eyes went to Bram’s, he gave her a sad look. “I’ll explain if you let me. We haven’t seen each other in over four hundred years. Scarlet, where is Marius? It doesn’t make sense to hold him any longer. Mihaela and I will never be a thing. Let her have whoever she wants and stop trying to control us. Tyler has things he needs to do back in the city.”

“No,” Scarlet frowned, “I may change my mind later, but you will stay and allow me to see you and children for a while.” Her smile faded.

Tyler looked nervous. He clearly hadn’t thought through following Bram here. “Ha, never mind. I’ll do it myself.” He set Devon down and peeled himself from Izabella’s hands.

Even Tyler looked surprised. “You can do that? I never knew you could teleport.”

“You know how I feel about using magic.” Bram frowned, biting into his arm, he started toward the large sigil.

Scarlet ran up, putting her hands on his chest. “Fine, I’ll do it. I don’t want you messing with my transportation.” She glared at him. “Come on then, let’s go.” Tyler got back on the red circle with the funny looking designs in it. Izabella had assumed that it was painted on, but Bram was going to use blood to modify it. She wondered if the whole thing was written that way. Her face pinched, how grotesque. Bram went to the center with them, “What are you doing?”

“I don’t trust you to just send him home, so I’m making sure.” His eyes went to Mihaela then Izabella. “I will be right back. Don’t move.” Izabella nodded, pulling the kids closer around her.

“You don’t seem to care that Bram is married?” The dark haired woman raised a brow at her.

“You are trying to get your own boyfriend back, and you’re using Bram to do it. I can put two and two together, that though it may true, there’s clearly more to that story. And I’m sure Bram will explain when he’s good and ready.” Inside, she wanted to scream. How could he not have told her he was married? Especially considering the things they’d done. But she knew that it was better to be logical and give him a chance to explain. It’s not like she could get mad at him and storm out anyway. She had no idea where they were. “Anyway, where are we?”

“This is Bran castle. You’ve landed in Romania.” Both Mihaela and Vlad crossed their arms over their chests and took a step closer. No wonder all three of them had such thick accents. “You do smell pretty delicious. I assume that’s you. I haven’t smelled an adult virgin in years. Makes me want to…” As he stepped toward them, Izabella pushed the kids behind her, backing away. Her heart pounding in her chest.

The lights flared again. Bram and Scarlet were back. Stumbling slightly, Gabe caught her. A few of the children fell to their knees. All of them may have been terrified, but the exhaustion was more than any of them could stand. Bram glared at his father, quickly placing himself between her and him. Pulling her under his arm, he guided them away silently. “I’ll see you in the morning, Scarlet.”

The walls were all white, and much like Bram’s apartment, every room was accented in red. Most of the fabric were made of velvet and silk. The halls were large, and long and she felt like they were moving in a circular way. Everyone was silent as they walked, and Izabella herself was starting to think she may be in shock.

“In here.” He said, opening a large wooden door. It almost looked like a dungeon door, but the room beyond was just as lavish as any she had ever seen. His bedroom was stylish and luxurious, but nothing compared with the artistry in the carved wooden things in the room. He walked through the room, and lead them upstairs. “You can all stay here. There are two more floors up the spiral case, feel free to roam in here and cozy up wherever you find a good place. I’m going to stay in the main room to make sure that no one enters. Izabella, you’re welcome to the bed on the top floor. You could probably fit a few kids in there with you.”

“No, I’m going to stay downstairs with you. We clearly need to talk.” He nodded, not smiling, but looking tired.