Chapter 613: No Pity
I left Gram in the kitchen, exiting into the driveway. I still missed seeing Mom's classic blue Mustang, her baby gone with her to Harvard. And I really needed to replace my own car Minnie, the electric blue Cooper a wreck thanks to explosives placed by the Dumont brothers.
Did I have proof they blew up my car? Technically, no.
Did I need it?
Snort.
Funny how the past flowed around me as I stood there, images of my old high-school boyfriend Brad and his big black truck, of Demetrius Strong when he was leader of the Chosen of the Light handing me pamphlets, explaining why I was evil and really had to die. Quaid on his motorcycle. I hugged myself, looked up into the gathering dark as the door eased shut behind me.
I didn't have to turn around to know who stood there, unobtrusive, watching.
"What do you think, Charlotte?" I stayed where I was, making myself breathe, trying to keep the pressure of what I'd just learned from taking me to my knees. "Should I just cut and run?"
I heard her grunt, turned at last, and caught the flare of wolf in her eyes before it retreated.
"You have a duty to your family," she growled. Literally growled, her voice vibrating with the were inside her. "If that means marrying, so be it."
Honor and duty were her thing. So her attitude didn't really surprise me. But I thought we were better friends than that.
Who was I kidding? As hard as I tried, Charlotte wasn't my friend.
"Even if it's someone I don't think is right for the job?" I took a step toward her, saw her shudder ever so slightly.
"Even so." She looked away, shoulders tight. So strange to see my bodywere show emotion physically. "For the good of the family."
I laughed, didn't mean to. Nor did I intend for the sound to be so sharp, bitter. "I've been hearing that particular phrase my whole life." And I'd given in, hadn't I? Given up, caved. Even embraced the fact this was my destiny-this and more.
But there were lines in the sand I wasn't sure I was willing to cross.
"I've given them everything," I said, without anger, as my body sagged a little, my heart sighing even as my alter egos nodded and agreed. "Can't there be something left for me?"
Charlotte's whole being snapped, the crackle of her werepower shuddering through her. "No," she said. "There can't." She spun and left me there, slamming the door behind her even as I wondered who Charlotte was really thinking of.
Because it sure as hell wasn't me.
No sulking. My vampire sent it gently, but with authority.
I know. I turned back to the dark again, the quiet of the early summer neighborhood, the sound of kids laughing in the distance, a mother calling to come inside. The distant wail of a siren silenced. The air around me stilled, the whole world soft and enveloping. Time held its breath.
Yes, I had duty to think of. Yes, I had the coven to appease and protect.
But the decision was mine.
A face crossed my mind, one I hadn't seen in a while. One I missed. Sebastian confessed his feelings to me at Uncle Frank and Sunny's wedding, though neither of us acted on them. My biggest struggle with choosing a partner came from the worry I would outlive him. But in Sebastian's case, that wouldn't be a problem.
Though children would be. I had no idea if vampires could have them.
My vampire sighed. Unlikely, she sent. But knowing you, anything is possible.
Regardless, as I stood there thinking about the delicious vampire leader, my concerns about him and Uncle Frank and Sunny grew. I'd been meaning to reach out to them again. There had been no contact in almost a year. Minding my own business held me back, knowing I was being scrutinized. But I realized I now had an excellent excuse to at least check on Sebastian.
The maji chamber under his house was the only way I knew of to contact my maji guide Iepa when she didn't initiate contact first. I'd been meaning to visit, but kept putting it off. And I wasn't about to lie to myself and make up reasons why I hadn't yet. The answer was simple.
I'd have to ask Iepa if Ameline was really necessary and I was afraid I wouldn't like the answer.
Avoidance, thy name is Syd.
No more of that. It was dark enough I knew Sebastian would be up for the night. I reached for him, let my spirit power tie in to the vampire essence and sent her out to touch him.
Nothing.
Which was totally and utterly weird. I could feel the other vampires at the mansion waking, but no Sebastian. Had he returned to Austria, to Pannera Sthol's side permanently? His Queen was a big part of his life for centuries, his decision to move his blood clan to North America a sticking point with her.
Maybe he'd given up his family and gone home to Pannera.
Hmm. Didn't sound like Sebastian. Not without saying goodbye.
Then again, how well did I really know him?
The mystery of his disappearance distracted me from my present predicament. And, though I knew going anywhere near the vampires could be seen as stepping over the line, I couldn't imagine Sebastian or any of his blood clan would raise a stink.
Charlotte. I reached for her and heard the door open immediately. "I'm going out," I said.
She didn't comment, simply came to my side as I walked down the driveway to the street, my mind touching Gram and Shenka.
Have to check something out, I sent. Be right back.
Got it covered, Shenka answered.
Troublemaker, Gram sent.
I hoped she was wrong.
***
