Page 30 of The Huntress (The Blood of Legends #1)

Chapter Thirty

OLD LOVE, NEW LOVE

“W hat?” Callie gasped. “The woman you loved?”

She jerked back. Jealousy was swift, lancing through her before her pragmatic mind had a chance to warn her. She wanted to push him away, but the desire pooling in her core wouldn’t tolerate that. Torn between her heart and her body, with the latter winning, she kept him close. She’d give him a chance to explain. Then he’d better finish what he’d started.

“Many years ago, I fell in love with a human. When I revealed what I was, she ran from me. Stavros confronted me, and we fought. It wasn’t my proudest moment. I was stronger than him, but the need to take the arrogant upstart down a peg drove me. Neither of us knows who killed her. She tried to come between us, but one of us threw her back. She smacked her head on a rock when she fell.” He grimaced, his eyes shrouding in shadow as he remembered. “Stavros begged me to convert her, to save her, but she drew her last breath before the conversion took hold.”

“He blames you.” Callie’s heart broke at the sorrow in Gabe’s eyes. “You blame yourself.”

He nodded, his lips pinching white. He pulled away from her, but she tightened her legs, trapping him. Cupping his face, she kept his focus on her. His intense gray eyes shimmered with sadness, self-recrimination, and unforgiveness.

“Gabe, this was years ago. You can’t let it beat you up like this. Abigail’s death wasn’t your fault. Don’t assume the blame for Darius’s actions either. Stop. Analyze it from all angles before you accept accountability. From my perspective, as an ex-victim, I don’t blame you at all. I doubt Abigail would have. You did try to save her.” She feathered a kiss across his lips. “You’re my hero, Gabriel de Winter.” Her voice cracked under the potent emotions that claimed her chest, but she didn’t care to analyze them.

“I am?” A hesitant smile formed. “But I failed you.”

“Did you? You claimed me when you could’ve left me to die. You found me and killed Darius. Or am I dreaming I’m in your arms, enjoying your touch? How much you’ve pampered me in the last hour?” She drew in a shuddering sigh, gyrating her hips to enhance the sensations of his erection against her.

He pressed his mouth over hers. She savored his soft lips, inhaled his scent, and tasted his heat, then moaned as he did as she had silently asked. He lifted her other leg, and with one thrust, buried himself to the hilt. She cried out, her thoughts drowning in pleasure. Within minutes, with their breathing erratic, he carried her back to their room. When he opened the door, he stilled. He remained there, staring at their bed.

“Callie,” he whispered, then lowered her feet to the floor, and twisted her toward the bed.

Her breath hitched at the girl curled up on the pillow. She was asleep, her bare body shivering.

“Is that…George?” Callie asked Gabe, stepping farther into the room, careful to make as little sound as possible. “Dress her please, Gabe.” With a flick of his wrist, pink pajamas covered the child. Her long black hair, minutes ago a bird’s nest, was now braided. Tiny bunny slippers adorned her feet. “How is this possible?”

“She’s a shifter, Callie. Though, how she changes from a rat into a girl, I can’t say. Many vampires have yearned to understand the genetics of our mortal enemies. It’s therefore understandable why the shifters choose not to reveal their…magic.”

“Magic?” She mouthed, arching her brow. Disbelief consumed her mind, but she brushed it aside. It was a human reaction, which she wasn’t anymore. The evidence of the glowing orange symbol on her wrist should have proved she knew nothing of his…their world.

She sat on the side of the bed. A diaphanous negligee with a deep-V neckline appeared, hugging her curves. She shot a look at Gabe despite smiling. A matching gown appeared, and she sighed, accepting she was lucky to get that. Soon, he would show her how to conjure items as he did. If she relied on him for her wardrobe, who knew what he’d dress her in.

“Gabe? I have to save her.” She brushed a curl off the little girl’s forehead.

“I understand, but she’s a shifter in a vampire Hold. Her life won’t be safe here either.”

“What if she has no one?” She raised wide eyes, pleading with him.

“If she chooses to stay with us, Callie, then she’s welcome. You take care of George. I’ll create a bedroom for her.” Gabe kissed her temple and left.

She stared after him, her heart swelling to overflowing, seizing her breath. He was such a wonderful man. Somehow he’d known chasing George away would tear Callie apart.

“George?” She stroked the girl’s cheek, trying to wake her without frightening her.

Her long eyelashes fluttered against her caramel skin, and big black eyes peered up at Callie.

“It’s Tara, but I like George better.” She scrambled to sit up, all thin limbs and clumsiness. She rubbed an eye with her small hand, and Callie’s heart softened.

Offering George a gentle smile, she climbed on the bed to lean against the headboard and tugged the girl onto her lap. “George it is, then.”

“Did Gabe dress me?” She snuggled against Callie, who kept her arms wrapped around her.

“Yes. Do you like it?”

“I do, though I shouldn’t. Pink’s easy to spot.” Her words hinted at a sad history, one where George had to linger in the shadows to survive.

Callie scowled. “There’s no need to hide anymore. You’re with me now. I’ve got you, little one.”

“Gabe’s a vampire,” George whispered.

“So am I. Are you scared of me too?”

“I’m not scared,” she said, despite the squeak in her voice.

“Of course you’re not. You’re fearless, George. So spill it. You’re a shifter?” she asked, and George nodded. “Right. Where are your parents?”

“It’s just my mama, and she couldn’t keep me, not when I’m a poly.”

“Poly?”

“My brothers are wolf cubs. I should’ve been one.”

The way she said that had Callie frowning. There was longing in her voice, as if being a werewolf meant she belonged. Callie could relate to the need for a family. It must be a universal need, across all species.

“We have to find your mom,” Callie said, but George trembled in her arms.

A sharp unpleasant smell followed. She shifted to face the little girl, connecting the child’s gaping mouth and wide eyes to the acrid stench.

“N-no, please. Mama said to never come back.” Her stilted cry broke something in Callie.

“What about your alpha?” Beasts have those, right? Like in her romance novels.

“He’s mean. Mama said he hates poly-shifters, so staying home would make him angry.”

“I’d love to keep you, sweetheart. We just need to make sure we can.”

“You’d keep me?” The hope on George’s face was painful to witness.

Callie crushed her in her arms, kissing her temple.

“I’d love you like a daughter.” She stroked her black hair, hoping George could remain with her, and that there were no other obstacles to hinder adoption.

She’d been there for Callie when she needed help. There was nothing in the world that would force her to abandon George who needed her now. Even if she couldn’t keep her, Callie wouldn’t abandon her.

“You will?” There was a sniffle then a sob.

Callie let her cry, but rubbed her hair and back, hoping to convey how safe she was.

“Gabe’s readying your bedroom. I’ve no idea where it is, but it’s yours if you want it.”

“My own room?” George hiccupped.

“Yes, it’s all yours. You’re kind of stuck with me, whether you stay or not. I’m in your life for good.”

“As am I,” Gabe said from the doorway.

George jerked back, her head popping up to meet his gaze.

He bounded over and landed on the bed, shaking it. “I hope you like pink…tons of it, because it’s my favorite color. Everyone knows vampires can’t like pink. We have to wear blacks and grays. That’s more fitting.”

George giggled, shaking her head. “I like pink too. It’s not a shifter color either.”

“We’ll make it our family color.” Gabe flashed a charming smile. “Are you hungry? You had a nibble of Callie’s steak, but I can get you anything you want, princess.”

“You can?” She gasped, lifting wide eyes to Callie. “Like pizza? Hotdogs? Ice cream?” Her voice rose with excitement, squealing with delight.

“Sure,” Gabe said.

“Don’t you want to see your room first? We can eat in the kitchen afterward.” Callie was curious where George’s bedroom was.

“Like a family?” George asked in a soft voice, hope, excitement, and joy splitting her cheeks with a bright smile.

“Yes.” Gabe scooped George into his arms, spinning her as he carried her out of the room.

She squealed in delight but clung to him, just in case. Her fear had lessened but hadn’t left her completely. That would take time.

Callie followed, wiping away a stray tear.