Page 23 of Daring Her Vampires (Embracing The Bond #12)

“You asked if I have experience with them, not what I know.”

“Such an ass.” I shake my head.

“That’s why we are friends. We have a lot in common,” he says.

I hear the clack of keys. “Witches and warlocks are human. Their magic is what makes them live forever. Without it, they would age and die. They can cast spells with words, yet it’s mostly the intention behind the words.

They have an array of special gifts. Why are you asking me? ”

“We are going to ask one to find Fredrick,” I say, and he doesn’t say anything. “Shade?”

“It could work,” he murmurs. “Depending on the witch.”

“She helped before, but she isn’t well-liked.”

“Sounds right.”

“Sally had to get the approval of the family.”

“Of course, Sally would,” he snorts. “Sally would do—”

“Did I lose you?” I frown.

“Why did you say Sally’s name like that?” he asks.

“How do you know Sally? You never leave your office.”

“You first.”

“She’s my mate. She’s our mate.” The silence stretches longer this time. Shade is still a mystery to me in many ways. He seems to know everyone here, yet I’ve never seen him travel. He sits behind his screens watching the outside world, yet never enters it.

“I should have guessed,” he hums.

“How would you?” He sounds disappointed.

“I sent the dragons there for Saphira.”

“What?” How did I not know?

“Kingston and Maverick work for me. I got a feeling.”

“Shit.” I knew I had heard the names. We never met them. Shade has numerous contacts, and I’ve never seen them. Most of us speak to him remotely.

“How is Sally?” he asks.

“Does she know you?” I ask.

“No. She’s fun to watch.”

“Excuse me?” I growl.

“There are cameras everywhere. Are you alright with sharing with Luca?”

“Shade, you are infuriating.”

“I get that a lot.”

“We are fine with sharing,” I sigh, knowing I won’t get information from him unless he permits it.

“She is an amazing woman and deserves mates.” He pauses. “Are you sure you can handle her?”

“Yes,” I grit out.

“Treat her well,” he says sternly.

“Shade,” I chuckle. “How can I call you a friend? Every day, I realize how little I know about you.”

“How much do we really know about anyone?” he asks.

“Do you know the witch, Mara?”

“No. I told you. I don’t interfere with witches.”

“Yet you think it’s a good plan,” I guess. He would have voiced his opinion otherwise.

“Sure. Just don’t piss her off.”

“I’ll try,” I say dryly.

“I’m monitoring the area. I’ll let you know if I spot Fredrick. He’s hidden in the shadows for years—he’s good.”

“Like you?”

“Tell Sally hello from me,” he continues. “Quinn isn’t giving you a hard time? Or Micah? Sally is loved by all.”

“We have it handled.”

“Watch out for Bash. He pretends he finds her annoying.”

“Should I tell all of them that you watch them?” I ask.

“Like they could do anything about it,” he mutters.

“I’m done talking in circles,” I hiss.

“Night, friend.” He ends the call.

He’s fucking annoying. I didn’t realize he was so involved in the lives of everyone here.

I knew he was in business with Quinn. It seems like we’ve been here longer than we have, but we haven’t gotten to know Sally’s family.

Shade has never revealed what kind of shifter he is, and I haven’t asked.

I assumed if he wanted to tell me, he would.

I don’t care as long as his information is solid and the paycheck is good.

At the club, I was concentrating on Sally and adjusting to being around so many different shifters. I didn’t pay attention to the dragons.

“Boyfriend,” Sally hums, and I turn. When she calls us that, it makes me laugh and get hard at the same time.

“Did I wake you?” I ask, putting my phone in my pocket.

“No, but I was worried when I rolled over.”

I lift my arm and she tucks herself close, her cheek to my chest.

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“Why?” She tips her head back.

“Allie messaged me, and I couldn’t shut my thoughts off,” I say.

“Is she okay?”

“Yeah. She’s with Roxanne.”

“Good. She’s in excellent hands.”

“Have you known her a long time?”

“No. We met a few months ago when Kingston and Maverick mated Saphira. We clicked.”

“You seem to click with all of them.”

“I’m closer to some than others.”

“I talked to Shade.”

“How is he?”

“Do you know him?”

“Not really.” She looks away and out the window. “I’ve heard about him.”

“He seems to know all of you.”

“Are you friends?” she asks.

“I thought so.” I chuckle and follow her gaze. “The more I learn, I realize I don’t know much about him.”

“You don’t have to.” She wraps her arms around my waist, leaning further into me. “The details don’t matter much; it’s the feeling in your gut.”

“I suppose.”

“I love this window. It’s the main reason I moved in.”

“Really? Why?”

“I love people,” she sighs. “I’ve craved a connection with them. When I didn’t have anyone, I made up friends. After I moved here, I didn’t know the family well. I could stand here and pretend I was involved with the ones buzzing around town. It’s always busy and exciting.”

“We are more alike than I thought. Every place we stayed had to have windows. I’ve spent hours observing people. I was human, but I hardly remember what it felt like to be one. Did I feel small and fragile?” I pull her closer, resting my hands above her ass.

“Is that how you see them?”

“Yes. As the years pass, more and more each day. That is how I felt right after I was turned. Fragile. Small. I had a difficult time adjusting. I hated it. I hated being a vampire. How could I like being something that killed my mom? I was a creature with the ability to kill with a flick of my wrist. I thought I should despise it, that Mom would be so disappointed with me,” I confess.

“Atlas, no.”

“I’ve always taken care of my siblings, and I allowed them to be the thing that caused her death.” I clear my throat. “She wouldn’t be able to understand how I could let that happen.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” she says.

“Maybe not, but it felt like it.” I exhale harshly.

“She was a delicate woman, and I took her for granted. Dad’s personality was huge, both good and bad.

She faded into the background. I don’t have memories like the one Luca shared.

We didn’t have late-night talks, and I didn’t watch her garden.

We existed in the same house, yet couldn’t relate to each other.

My guilt over her death has never gone away.

I wish we would have had moments together.

I tried to look out for Allie and Luca, fend off my dad, and find time to be a kid.

When she died, I thought, was she grateful that Dad was dead? Did he die first?

“I didn’t feel anything when I discovered my dad.

Allie thought we would condemn her for taking his life.

It was a shock, but he got what he deserved.

She did the thing we were unable to do as humans.

He was a miserable man who hated his kids and told us so at every opportunity.

Luca had it worse. They fought all the time.

Dad punished him by belittling him. Fuck,” I whisper, my jaw clenching.

“I hated him. I hated everything about him. My role in the family was to get between Dad and my siblings. I was bigger and older than Luca. He was always quiet and reflective. He didn’t like confrontation, but Luca claims it was because he was weak.

That wasn’t the reason. He had a rage deep inside, and if he let it out, no one was safe. ”

“Luca told me about the bullying,” she says softly.

“I didn’t know. He tried to hide it and I was so pissed when he told me.

I was the protector, and I failed him. His scars may have healed, but plenty remain inside.

They took away his innocence and confidence.

It was bad whether he was home getting it from Dad or leaving the house.

Those kids were cruel. He probably didn’t tell you everything, but give him time.

He hides behind a mask. I see him opening up to you, and I’m grateful. ”

“What about you? Do you hide?”

“Of course. I’ve never had to open up to anyone.

Each of us has our place in the family; mine is to always be in control and know what to do.

I don’t blame them. I easily slid into that role and haven’t tried to leave.

That’s why I find your family so fascinating.

I’ve barely spoken to any of them, yet I see the love and respect they have for each other.

Everyone works together to solve the problem, and you care about the others' opinions. I suppose I’m used to making decisions, so having their permission about the witch didn’t matter to me.

Only after you needed it did I care. “Fredrick took away Allie’s childhood, her innocence, and her humanity.

Your family knows nothing about her, yet they are willing to look past the pain they suffered to help us.

I’m grateful, but uncomfortable. I want to be the one who makes it all better.

She’s my sister and my maker. I don’t mind the scars on my wrists because they’re a statement of my devotion to her.

Becoming a vampire was the ultimate sacrifice.

It was worth it to remain in the world with her and Luca.

I couldn’t bear living a short life. Allie would be left alone.

With every day that passes, I try to make up for a father who didn’t love us.

I want to be everything he wasn’t,” I confess. Sally cups my cheek.

“Atlas, you are.” I try to look away. “Boyfriend, you are a good man.” I want to lower my eyes.

My shame shows through them. “I may not know everything about you, Luca, or Allie, but I see the love and respect. I’ve made a game out of observing people.

You can tell a lot about someone just by watching them.

They love you and look at you with devotion.

You did your job. You protected them the best you could.

It’s okay to have moments of weakness, but it doesn’t mean you are any less strong.

You can be sad about your mom, yet wish for something more.

She was flawed. We all are. I’m sure she felt just as trapped in her role as you did. She loved you; I know it.”

“Shit, Little Bunny,” I whisper, sliding my hand up her back and tangling it in her hair. “Thank you. When you told us your story, I couldn’t believe how strong you have been. Your light shines so bright, with your family and with us. I admire you.”

“I have been brought low many times. My life hasn’t been perfect.

I make excuses for my dad and put a positive spin on a horrible situation.

Sometimes, I still want his approval. I wish he would send a note with the flowers, forgiving me, although I don’t need it.

My mom's death wasn’t my fault, yet I’ve dreamed of his apology.

I’m not perfect. I have doubts and fears.

” She drops her head, resuming her study of the city.

“I never thought I would have a mate, now I have two. I thought I would die alone, childless. Meeting the family gave me hope that I wouldn’t.

They became the loves of my life. I still wouldn’t have children of my own, but I would have the ones they had to play with.

I couldn’t wait to spoil them and drive their parents crazy by teaching them to test the limits of life.

I didn’t expect you,” she whispers. “But I won’t give you up. ”

“We wouldn’t let you,” I rumble, kissing the top of her head. “I want to give you children.” She tenses. “Do you want that?” Her words and body seem to be at odds with each other.

“I have a confession,” she mumbles. “But I think I should wait and tell you both.”

“Tell me now, and Luca tomorrow.” I frown.

“I had a vision the day we met.” She looks up. “We will have a daughter.”

“Wait…what?” Something is wrong with my heart. It fills with wonder and hope.

“I just know. I saw her in the vision, running.” She bites her lip.

“I hope you're ready because she looks like a wild one. I’m sure she takes after me. She’ll be into everything and won’t listen.

” She pulls back slightly. “Boyfriend, now's the time to say something.” I pick her up and wrap my arms around her, tucking my face into her neck.

“Mate, that is the best news I’ve ever heard,” I rasp. “That was the last thing I thought you would say.” She circles my shoulders.

“I didn’t know if I should say anything. My visions aren’t reliable, but I know it’s true. It was clear, and I felt an overwhelming amount of love for her.” She runs her hands up my scalp. “Will Luca be angry?”

“He’ll be pissed at me that I demanded to know before he did,” I say.

“I’ll make it a special moment for him,” she promises.

“You make all our moments special.”

“I have to,” she whispers. “You never know when your last moment is.”

“Fuck, we are lucky. You will be a wonderful mom.” I never thought I would be a dad.

“I am quite the catch,” she drawls, pulling back, and I throw my head back, laughing.

“Little Bunny,” I chuckle. “I couldn’t imagine a better catch.”

I carry my mate to the bedroom, my mind at ease, and bundle her between Luca and me. She falls asleep quickly, but I lie awake, grateful to the universe that sent her to us. Sally is right. Our daughter will be a hellion.

I can’t fucking wait.