Page 20

VAEL

I 'm changing Kaelin's wrappings when I sense my mother's presence approaching the house.

The distinctive prickle at the back of my neck has always announced her arrival since I was a child—a survival instinct I developed early.

My hands still over my daughter's tiny body, her red-amber eyes blinking up at me with curious innocence.

"Your grandmother's here," I tell her, my voice automatically softening in a way that would shock anyone who knows me as Aerasak's most ruthless bounty hunter. "Try not to spit up on her expensive clothes."

Kaelin gurgles something that sounds suspiciously like agreement, tiny fists punching the air. Even at a few days old, she's already showing more spirit than most full-grown demons. I finish securing her fresh wrappings and lift her carefully against my chest, her weight almost nothing in my hands.

Trinity appears in the doorway, Liora nestled against her shoulder. Dark circles shadow her eyes, her brown hair falling loose around her face. Despite the exhaustion etched in every line of her body, she's never looked more beautiful to me.

"I heard a carriage," she says, voice raspy with fatigue.

"My mother." I can't keep the tension from my voice. "I'll handle this. You should rest."

Trinity's spine straightens immediately, her green eyes narrowing. "I'm fine."

"You've slept maybe four hours total since they were born." I step closer, careful of the precious bundle against my chest. "She's here to see the twins, not interrogate you."

"Shouldn't I be present when your mother meets our daughters?" The stubborn set of her jaw would be infuriating if I didn't admire it so damn much.

Before I can answer, the front door opens and closes with authoritative precision. No knocking, of course. Kaelesha Rennick has never believed in announcing herself when entering her son's home.

"Vaelrix?" My mother's voice carries through the house. "Where are my granddaughters?"

Trinity's eyes widen slightly. "She sounds..."

"Excited," I finish, equally surprised. "Go lie down. I swear I'll wake you if she starts plotting world domination."

A small smile tugs at her lips. "Fine. One hour." She transfers Liora carefully to my free arm, our fingers brushing in the exchange. "But if I hear anything suspicious?—"

"You'll what? Storm down the stairs and defeat the most powerful demoness in Aerasak's business world with your sleep-deprived glare?"

"It's worked on you," she counters, already backing toward the bed.

I suppress a smile and turn away with both twins cradled against me. My mother's footsteps sound on the stairs, precise and measured.

When I step into the hallway, Kaelesha is already halfway up, her tall figure commanding attention as always.

Her horns—larger and more elaborately curved than mine—are adorned with gold cuffs that match her impeccably tailored suit.

Not a hair out of place in her severe updo, not a wrinkle on her ash-gray skin.

She stops when she sees me, her red-gold eyes—so like mine—widening at the sight of the two bundles in my arms.

"Vaelrix," she breathes, and for once, there's no criticism in her voice, no calculation in her gaze. "Let me see them."

I move down the stairs carefully, hyper-aware of every step, every movement. My mother reaches the landing and approaches with uncharacteristic hesitation.

"Two daughters," she says, peering at their tiny faces. "The messenger only said the human had delivered successfully."

"Trinity," I correct automatically. "Her name is Trinity."

My mother's eyes flick to mine briefly, but she doesn't press. Instead, she reaches out one perfectly manicured finger to touch Liora's cheek. "May I?"

The request throws me. I can't remember the last time my mother asked permission for anything. I nod, carefully transferring Liora into her waiting arms.

"This is Liora," I say, watching my mother's face closely. "And this is Kaelin."

My mother cradles Liora with unexpected proficiency, her entire demeanor softening as she gazes down at my daughter's face. "Hello, little one," she coos, her voice transformed into something I've never heard before. "Aren't you just perfect? Yes, you are."

Liora blinks up at her with those golden eyes, and my mother gasps softly. "She has our eyes. Both of them do, despite being..."

"Half-human," I finish, tensing for the criticism.

But my mother simply nods, still captivated by Liora's face. "Our bloodline runs strong. They're beautiful, Vaelrix." She looks up at me with genuine emotion. "You've done well."

Something loosens in my chest—a knot of tension I didn't realize I'd been carrying since I sent word of the births.

"Let's sit," I suggest, heading toward the sitting room. "Trinity's resting upstairs."

My mother follows, still murmuring softly to Liora. When we're settled on opposite chairs, she finally tears her gaze from my daughter.

"They both look healthy. Strong." She strokes Liora's cheek again. "This one has your thoughtfulness. I can see it already."

"And this one has your temper," I reply, nodding to Kaelin who stirs restlessly against me.

To my shock, my mother laughs—a genuine sound I haven't heard in decades. "May I hold her too?"

We exchange babies with careful coordination, and my mother's expert handling makes me wonder about her early days with me, before ambition consumed her completely.

"Your father would have been proud," she says suddenly, and the unexpected mention of him—a subject never discussed—leaves me momentarily speechless.

I sit in comfortable silence with my mother, watching her rock Kaelin with surprising gentleness. The room feels different somehow—warmer, less formal. The weapons displayed on my walls and the trophies from successful hunts suddenly seem at odds with the tiny lives we're holding.

"They'll need protection," my mother says, breaking the quiet. "Powerful children always attract attention."

"They have me," I respond, the possessiveness in my voice surprising even myself.

She nods approvingly. "Yes, they do. But they should also have proper education. I can arrange for the best tutors when they're old enough."

Instead of bristling at her interference as I normally would, I find myself considering it. "That would be... helpful."

"And what of their mother?" She asks the question casually, but I know better.

"Trinity needs time to recover." I keep my voice neutral, though something fierce and protective surges through me at the mention of her name. "We haven't discussed what comes after."

My mother's eyes narrow slightly. "The arrangement was temporary, as I recall."

"It was."

"And yet?" She raises one perfectly arched eyebrow.

I look down at Liora, sleeping peacefully in my arms. Her tiny features—so much like Trinity's, yet with unmistakable traces of demon heritage—stir something profound in my chest.

"And yet nothing has gone according to plan since the moment I met her," I admit.

To my surprise, my mother chuckles. "Love rarely does."

I snap my head up. "I didn't say anything about?—"

"You didn't have to." She traces a finger gently over Kaelin's cheek. "I've never seen you look at anyone the way you look at her... or these little ones."

The observation lands like a physical blow. I've been so focused on navigating these unfamiliar feelings that I hadn't realized how transparent they've made me.

"It's not weakness, Vaelrix," my mother says, reading my thoughts as she's always been able to do. "Caring for your family—protecting what's yours—that's our most fundamental strength."

I exhale slowly, looking at my daughter's peaceful face. "I didn't expect this. Any of it."

"The best things in life are rarely expected." She transfers Kaelin back to me with practiced ease. "Now, I have meetings to attend, but I'll return next week with gifts for my granddaughters."

I walk her to the door, both twins cradled against my chest. She pauses at the threshold, reaching up to touch my face—a gesture so unexpected I nearly flinch.

"You've created something beautiful here, Vaelrix. Don't let your pride ruin it."

With that cryptic advice, she's gone, leaving me standing in the doorway with my daughters warm against my chest.

I carry the twins upstairs, their tiny bodies nestled perfectly against me.

The nursery I built adjacent to Trinity's room is bathed in soft light from enchanted lanterns that glow like trapped stars.

I bought each piece of furniture myself, carved the wooden cribs with protective runes hidden in decorative patterns, selected the softest fabrics for their bedding.

I place them in their cribs with care, marveling at how something so small could command my entire existence so completely. Kaelin squirms, her tiny fists batting the air before settling. Liora simply sighs, her gold eyes blinking slowly before closing.

"How did you two take over my life so completely?" I whisper, trailing a finger over Kaelin's cheek. "I've tracked the most dangerous criminals across two planets without hesitation, but the thought of anything happening to either of you terrifies me."

A knock at the front door pulls me from my reverie. I check that both girls are settled before quietly closing the nursery door, leaving it open just enough to hear if they wake.

Trinity's door is closed, and I pause outside it, listening for her steady breathing. Good. She's finally getting some rest.

The knock comes again as I descend the stairs. I pull open the door to find a courier—a young demon with barely-sprouting horns—clutching a sealed document.

"Bounty Hunter Rennick?" he asks, eyes widening as he takes in my full height.

"What is it?" I keep my voice low.

"New contract, sir. High priority." He thrusts the document toward me. "Commissioner Drez said you'd want to see it immediately, despite your... leave of absence."

I take the sealed parchment, noticing the official stamp of Aerasak's Bounty Commission. "Wait here."

Breaking the seal, I unfold the document and scan its contents. Shock rolls through me as the target's name jumps out at me.

Captain Drez'kor of Galmoleth.

The face sketched on the parchment is unmistakable—the same demon who had his hands on Trinity at that party, the one who planned to claim her permanently. The same one I tricked with a false messenger to get him away from her.

Charged with conspiracy, theft of valuable assets, and abandonment of post.

A slow, dangerous smile spreads across my face. Perhaps it's petty, perhaps it's beneath me, but the thought of hunting down the demon who thought to own Trinity—who I know has touched her and used her in ways that make me spiral with rage—sends a surge of vicious satisfaction through me.

"Tell Commissioner Drez I accept." I hand the courier a generous tip. "I'll be in touch regarding the capture."

After closing the door, I stand in my entryway, the bounty documentation still in my hand. The timing couldn't be more perfect—or more inconvenient. With newborn twins and Trinity still recovering, I should be refusing any contracts.

But for this one? For the chance to capture the captain who thought he could claim what's mine?

Worth it.