Page 32 of Daring Her Vampires (Embracing The Bond #12)

Chapter Eighteen

Sally

A llie’s sad face remains as Mara rips her hand away and stumbles.

She hits the wall beside Serenity. Her eyes are open, yet they don’t focus.

She’s trapped in Allie’s past. I don’t know what she saw to cause my new sister's reaction, but I know it was bad. My mates are furious, knowing Allie didn’t tell them something important.

“Allie, what does she mean?” Atlas asks.

“Later,” she says, watching Mara.

“Now,” Luca demands.

“Can I lie down somewhere?” Mara asks roughly.

“Of course.” I motion for her to follow me into my room. I meet Atlas’s eyes as we pass, hoping he will control the room while I settle her. He nods, but I don’t believe it. My boyfriend is always in control, yet he is losing his shit.

“Thank you,” Mara whispers, entering the room. I shut the door slightly. “I just need a few moments alone.” She sits on the edge of the bed before lying down.

“Take all the time you need,” I say, reaching for the light switch.

“No, please. The dark helps,” she says, and I drop my hand. I think she lives in the dark, afraid of any connection.

“I’ll check on you soon.” Voices rise on the other side of the door, and I edge back. “Don’t mind the yelling.”

“I would expect nothing less,” she says, meeting my eyes. “They wouldn’t be good brothers if they weren’t angry.”

Shit. Luca snarls, and I quickly back out of the room and shut the door. Atlas is restraining Luca while trying to remain calm, but I see the demon in his eyes. Allie is facing them, her arms crossed, as if holding herself together.

“What did he do?” Luca growls, pushing forward.

“I think you need to control yourself,” Micah says, standing.

“You need to back the fuck off,” Luca hisses, and Micah’s eye twitches. I look at Serenity and nod to the bedroom door. She blurs to it, standing guard. Ryker follows, standing in front of her, watching my mates, ready for anything.

“We would never hurt our sister,” Atlas grits out. I slowly move closer, staring at Allie’s face. Her eyes are filled with pain.

“Your demon is showing us that you could,” Micah says, pushing Daisy behind him. Everyone is watching Luca and moving to intercede if needed.

“You don’t know anything.” Luca’s fangs emerge, and he glares at Micah. Heath’s head tilts back and forth as he positions himself behind Allie.

“He forced you, didn’t he?” Atlas asks softly, and Allie looks down.

“The witch will tell us,” Luca says, grabbing Atlas’s arm, flinging it away. He takes a step, and I block his path.

“Sally,” Micah says, the warning clear. Before he can take a step towards me, I hold up my hand.

“Don’t,” I whisper to Micah, but keep my gaze on Luca. “She won’t tell you. It’s not her place.” Luca’s jaw ticks, but he doesn’t move. I move closer, placing my palm on his chest. “She’s in pain, so is Allie.” He drops his head.

“Sister, tell us,” Atlas says, his hands balled.

“He forced me to be with him when I was human,” she whispers.

“Motherfucker,” Atlas spits and whirls around, his hands in his hair.

“I didn’t want you to know,” she admits. Luca grabs my hips and drops his head further. “It was long ago, and I didn’t want to relive it.”

“I will tear him apart,” Atlas hisses, gripping the edge of the counter.

“He’s a dead man,” Luca swears, straightening. He takes a deep breath, staring into my eyes for a moment before turning. “Shit, sister.” He holds his arms out wide, and she blurs, throwing herself into them. Tears fill my eyes as I see the love Luca openly displays for her.

“I need to know where he is,” Atlas says, his back to the room.

“Give her time. She’ll tell us.” Moving to him despite the anger rolling through the room, I rub his back.

“Allie needs you first.” He nods and turns.

His handprints are etched into my counter from his grip.

“Take a break in the spare bedroom.” He drags his knuckles down my cheek and holds his hand out to Allie.

She leaves Luca’s arms and takes it. I don’t move, watching them leave the room.

“They could have hurt her,” Heath says, and I turn sharply.

“No. They never would,” I say firmly. “It was a shock, and none of you know about their past.”

“Their love is clear, yet we still don’t know them,” Micah says.

“All you need to know is that they are good men who love their sister,” I say.

“We trust your judgment,” Heath says.

“I would be angry too,” Saphira says.

“I’m ready to kill the man,” Roxanne snaps.

“If you need help, reach out,” River says, walking through the room.

He stops at the door. “I’m glad I came. I saw the pain her gift causes her, and it helped me understand her better.

We aren’t going to be best friends, but I can move on.

” He looks around. “If I found out someone did that to my sister…” He focuses on me.

“Blood or found. I would be just as filled with rage as they are. I want in on the plan.” He opens the door, stepping into the hall.

“I’ve pulled off many shit plans over the years. ” He grins, nods, and shuts the door.

“The wolf has a point,” Ryker says. “We all would murder anyone who fucks with family. We’ve done it before. Atlas and Luca are family now, even if you think you don’t know them well enough, Sally does.”

“Thank you.” I tilt my head. “It’s going to be a long night. You don’t have to stay. Mara will do the spell when she’s recovered. If you want to stay, you’re welcome. We can order some food.” I put my hands on my hips. “If you don’t want to be nice to my boyfriends, you’re welcome to leave.”

“River’s going to be pissed,” Saphira points out.

“He’ll miss the food,” Maverick says, and everyone laughs. The tension eases, and a discussion about what to eat ensues. I let out a shaky breath.

“Sally,” Serenity says, and I look at her. She motions to my bedroom and I move toward her.

“I’ll keep them out,” Ryker mumbles. We shut the door behind us, and Mara is sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Do you have a pen and paper?” she asks, and I walk to my dresser. Serenity turns on the lamp, and I find a small pad and pen. “I’ll write down whatever I see.”

“Will it be exact?” I ask.

“I don’t know. It’s hard to know until I try.

” She takes the pen and paper with her gloved hands, making sure not to touch my fingers.

She takes a breath, exhaling slowly, and closes her eyes.

Her lips move, but no sound emerges. Bursts of energy float around the room, and Serenity stands beside me, watching her with fascination.

When Serenity became a vampire, her powers were more than what new vampires would have.

Ryker assumed she had a witch in the family tree, and her gifts were diluted over the years.

I haven’t spent much time with her without the family, and I’m curious what she can do.

The stories about her turning are well known, and I would have loved to see her in action.

She had to rescue Ryker, which I would have found hilarious.

“Damn,” I whisper when the lights flicker.

Mara’s hand is moving across the paper, yet her eyes are still closed.

I resist peeking at the words. I hear my mates speaking to Allie, but I don’t understand the words.

I knew they needed time alone. Allie didn’t need everyone watching her as she explained her experience.

I wanted to comfort her, but they needed to do it.

“It’s done,” Mara says, looking at us. “Serenity, can I talk to Sally alone?”

“Sure.” Serenity leaves, and Mara studies me. She waves her hand, and I frown.

“I soundproofed the room. They can hear a murmur but not the words. I don’t know how long it will last. My energy is low,” she says.

“Why?”

“There is a list of places he goes.” She waves the paper. “Two of them are most likely, yet I think I know which one he will be at.”

“Okay.”

“I know your mates won’t want you to go…” She bites her lip.

“Say it,” I demand.

“You’re meant to be there.” She scowls. “I don’t want you to be in danger, but I know you are supposed to face Fredrick. I don’t want to cause any more anger than I have, yet you have power. You hide it well.” She tilts her head. “I would never suggest you sneak away.”

“I am good at doing what I’m told not to,” I say dryly.

“I can sense that.” She smiles slightly.

“How do you know? I thought you could only see someone's memories, not the future.” I don’t question her knowledge, but I’m curious about her power.

“When I do a location spell, it’s as if I am looking out of the person's eyes.” She holds up her palm again.

“The spell slipped. I’m hoping they don’t notice.

I was looking out of Fredrick's eyes, and I saw you. It’s hard to explain the intricacies of my magic.

I just know that is what I saw. I will leave it up to you. ”

“What are the two places?” I ask, and she holds out the paper, pointing.

“Your family will want to wait and plan the attack. I suggest you encourage that,” she whispers, and I nod.

“Where will he be tomorrow?” I ask.

“Most likely here.” She moves her finger.

“Thank you.” The tension leaves her shoulders, and I know she removed the spell. “It took courage to come.”

“Courage or stupidity?” she asks.

“Never stupid. Don’t ever ignore your gifts. They are special. You are special.” I smile, and she flushes.

“I’m glad I came. Whatever you do in the future, be safe.” She stands and walks to the door. “Your visions are similar to mine.” She looks over her shoulder.

“I think so.”

“Have they become more frequent since meeting your mates?” she asks.

“Yes, and clearer.”

“Listen to them,” she mumbles and walks out the door.