Chapter Seven
Keryth
PRESENT DAY
After I finished cleaning up my tools, I washed my hands in the bathroom Remi had installed for me on the rooftop right beside the enormous greenhouse at work.
Remi owned a business called Magicurity where we combined magic and physical components to create the best security systems a person could ask for. They also hired out bodyguards, supplied people with defense spells, and all sorts of things like that. Remi—and Tan, who helped run the business—were firm believers in helping keep people safe, and that was definitely something I could get behind.
I was in charge of the large greenhouse on the roof where we grew magical plants and ingredients needed for spells. I made sure all the plants grew and thrived well beyond their natural abilities so we’d always have anything we needed on hand.
Which meant I got to play with plants all day long—my literal dream job.
And it paid well. Very well.
I was so damn lucky that my cousin ended up with Remi and that Remi was a great guy and a great boss because I loved working here.
But I was also looking forward to going home and having dinner with my kids. All four of them would be home tonight—no sports, band practice, or anything else, which seemed pretty rare these days. We needed some good family time together, and eating dinner then doing a movie night was just what the doctor ordered.
I headed down to the floor where Remi’s office was so I could say goodnight and head out. But as soon as I popped my head into his office, he jumped up, saying, “Ker! I was afraid I missed you. I wanted to come up to talk to you, but I got stuck on the phone and—” He waved it away. “Anyway, come in for a second.”
“Okay.” I walked in and shut the door behind me. A year ago, I probably would’ve been worried that he was about to fire me if he’d called me inside like this, but I knew that wasn’t the case. I was confident in my work, and I knew for a fact that Remi liked having me here. He’d called me irreplaceable and unmatched in my field on more than one occasion. So I wasn’t worried. But I was curious.
“You want a drink?” He walked over to his drink cart and poured a glass of water, passing it over before I had the chance to reply. He poured himself one as well, then faced me and ran a hand through his hair, looking kind of nervous.
“What’s wrong? Is Bel okay?”
He waved that off. “Bel’s perfectly fine.”
“Good. Are you?”
He let out a small laugh. “I’m fine.” He sighed and grabbed an envelope off his desk. He started to hold it out to me, then pulled it back. “Before I hand this over, please know that I didn’t want to be the one giving it to you. But Bel made me because he said it couldn’t wait until he sees you, even if that’ll be in like two days.”
“Oookaay.” I lifted a brow. “What the hell is it?”
He laughed. “I’m probably making a bigger deal out of this than I need to. I just… I don’t want you to be mad at me.”
“Okay, now you’re kinda freakin’ me out.”
He huffed and passed it over. “It’s from Anton.”
I froze, staring at the envelope in my hand. That had been the absolute last thing I’d expected him to say.
“I’m sorry. I don’t want to get into the middle of… whatever you two have going on, but I didn’t have a choice. Anton’s going out of town for a few days—possibly a few weeks—”
“He is? Why? Is he okay?” I cringed at how eager and worried I sounded.
“He’s fine. He’s helping my uncles with a case in Brinnswick.”
“Why in the world would he need to help them in Brinnswick?”
Remi shrugged. “I don’t know the details, but apparently, there’s been a really bad vampire hunter group kind of terrorizing the vamp community there or something.”
I sat up straight. “Anton, a vampire, is going to help with vampire hunters? What if he gets hurt?”
For some reason, a small smile quirked Remi’s lips as he leaned his butt against his desk and crossed his big arms over his broad chest. “I’m sure he’ll be fine. He’s the oldest vampire we know, and my family will be protecting him. Plus, he said his children are going with him. I can’t be sure, but Bel and I think all his fledglings are quite old as well.”
I blinked at that. “Really? Even Jedediah?”
He nodded. “Yes. I can’t exactly see magic being a shifter, but I’ve been around it my whole life, and my dads taught me ways to sense it. All of them feel old, if that makes sense. If nothing else, they’re a lot older than Julius, Emrys, and Toby.”
Older than the Ellwood vampires? Wow.
“Huh. Okay. But still. Why do they need a vampire’s help for hunters?”
He shrugged and ran a hand through his hair again. “Like I said, I don’t know any of the details. Half my family works for the BCA—sorry, Brinnswick Central Agency—so I kinda got used to not asking a ton of questions since they can’t always share that stuff with outsiders. Sorry, Ker. I didn’t ask for more. I can try to find out, if you want me to—”
I held up my hand to stop him. “No, that’s okay. But thank you.”
I really wanted to know what Anton was up to, but I didn’t want Remi to ask his family. Then they’d all know about my… obsession with the ancient vampire. And I wasn’t ready for that at all.
Plus, if he was with the Ellwoods, he was well-protected. They were a fierce bunch, that was for sure.
I glanced down at the envelope and my name that was written in pretty script on the front. Anton certainly had lovely handwriting. “Thanks for passing this along.”
Everything in Remi deflated. “You’re not mad?”
“No.”
“Oh, thank the Mother. I thought you’d try to kill me when I gave it to you.”
I snorted. “I’m not that bad, am I?”
“About literally anything other than Anton? No. But when it comes to him…” He trailed off with a shrug, and I hid my wince.
“Right. Okay, well, is that all?”
He nodded. “Yep. You still coming over on Friday after work?”
“Of course. Gemma’s staying at a friend’s house, but the rest of us will be there.”
He smiled at me, then pulled me into a hug. It’d surprised me when Remi had first started hugging me. I’d assumed it was because he was a wolf shifter, and many shifters tended to be physically affectionate. But then I’d met his family and realized it was just how the entire Ellwood coven was.
Since Bel and Remi started dating, I’d received more hugs than I had for my entire life previous to that.
I didn’t hate it.
I’d always made sure my girls were hugged and loved to the best of my ability, but after our mom had passed away, I hadn’t really had a lot of affection outside of them and sometimes Bel. It was actually really nice to have that again.
Too bad I didn’t have a broad chest to cuddle up to in the middle of the night.
Anton and his broad chest flashed in my mind’s eye, and a pang of heartache and longing shot through me.
But I pushed it away and accepted the platonic affection Remi was offering, gave him a tight squeeze, released him, and waved as I walked out the door. “See you tomorrow.”
“See ya. Oh, wanna do lunch with me tomorrow?”
I sent him a smile. He was a really great guy, and I enjoyed his company. “Sure. That’d be great.”
He grinned back, and I headed for the exit, clutching the envelope tight in my fist.
As I made my way through the building, I checked my phone and saw I had a waiting text from Oakley.
Oakley: Do you have plans on Saturday? If not, can I invite myself over?
That made me grin. I’d told Oakley when we first became friends that they could invite themself over any time they wanted. Having four kids meant I had very little free time, so if they wanted to hang out with me, they’d be better off just coming over rather than waiting for a free adults-only night. It had taken a long time for them to take that to heart, but I was glad they finally had.
Me: Of course! Saranor has ballet in the morning. Want me to swing by and pick you up on the way home?
Oakley: That sounds perfect. Text me the deets. Thanks, Ker.
Me: Anytime.
I sent them the class details, an estimated time I’d be able to get them, and a few heart emojis before I stuffed my phone in my pocket and pulled on my gloves. It was way too cold out to be going outside without them on. Then I ran as fast as I could to my car. Brrr.
It was absolutely freezing out, so I blasted the heat in my car on the way home. It was days like this that made me even more grateful for Remi. Before him, Bel was living on the streets—despite me trying to get him to move in with the girls and me—and I was always so terrified about him being outside on cold days like this. Thank the Mother he was safe and warm now.
If only that was true for all the unhoused.
On the drive home, I kept glancing over at the envelope in the passenger’s seat. My curiosity was at a max.
Anton had never written me before.
The stubborn part of me wanted to drop the thing in the trash. But the biggest part of me was dying to know what was inside. Was it a letter? It had to be a letter, right? What else would he send me?
And why the hell was my heart pounding at the thought of Anton writing to me?
Why did every fiber of my being want to open it up and read it?
By the time I parked in front of my building, I couldn’t wait any longer. Plus, I didn’t want to be worrying about it while I spent time with my kids, and I definitely wasn’t about to open it in front of them. Despite claiming I wanted nothing to do with the man, I was curious. Why the hell had Anton thought it was so important to give it to me?
So I opened it up and found a letter inside. I hesitated for only a moment before reading it.
My Darling Keryth,
First of all, I just wanted to tell you how much I adore you. I know you don’t want to hear it, but it’s the truth. I adore you, and while it might sound odd, I miss you terribly.
My heart lurched in my chest as my eyes welled up. Fuck . One paragraph in, and I already wanted to cry, damn him.
Because the truth of the matter was… that I missed him too.
Please hear me out. I beg of you. Please read this entire letter. Please, Keryth.
I want to apologize for how things ended the night we met. At the time, I hadn’t understood how it could’ve all gone so wrong so quickly. But looking back, I suspect I know why you were so upset, and I would like to apologize to you.
I’m so very sorry. I never, ever intended to make you feel like I was treating you like anything other than my beautiful date. I was not trying to pay you for the time we spent together. I swear I wasn’t, and I’m so sorry I made you feel like I was.
All I wanted to do was help. I saw the money in my wallet and thought you could use it more than me, but I now see why that didn’t go over well and why you think our date wasn’t an actual date.
But it was. At least it was to me.
Up until that point, that night had been the best one of my entire life—and I’ve lived a very long life, my darling. Meeting you was amazing, Keryth. So phenomenally amazing. I didn’t want the night to end, and I certainly didn’t want it to end the way it did.
Again, I’m very sorry for making you think I was messing with your head. I wasn’t. I didn’t mean anything by it, and I hope you’ll accept my sincere apology.
I’m going out of town for a little while, but I wonder if I could see you when I get back? I’d really love to talk to you and explain in person.
I want you in my life, Keryth. More than you can possibly imagine.
Please give me a chance.
Yours Always,
Anton
P.S. Here’s my cell. Call or text me anytime.
His number was written underneath.
I sniffled and wiped at the tears sliding down my cheeks.
Could it be true? Could I have misread the situation? Could Anton be telling the truth?
Mother of All, I really wanted him to be.
Because I could pretend all I wanted, but nothing would make this ache in my chest go away, this ache for him. No matter what was going on, there was always a dull hurt that I knew had nothing to do with my health and everything to do with the old vampire I pretended I didn’t want to see.
After debating for a few seconds, I entered and saved his number in my phone, then pulled up a new text message. My fingers hovered for a long time before I blew out a breath and typed a message.
Me: Now you have my number too.
The reply came almost immediately.
Anton: Keryth?
Me: Who else would it be? Do you hand your number out to lots of guys?
Anton: No, I’m just… surprised. Thank you for reaching out.
My chest was tight with hurt and… and hope. I debated what to say in response for a long moment.
Me: When you get back, let’s talk.
Anton: Yes. Please. Anything you want.
That made me smile a tad as warmth bloomed in my chest.
Me: Let me know when you’re home.
Anton: I will.
I started to get out of the car, but my phone buzzed again, so I shut the door and pulled the phone back out.
Anton: I know I’m probably pushing my luck, but could I maybe text you sometime?
I didn’t even hesitate to respond. Because I wanted to talk to him as much as he wanted to talk to me.
Me: Sure.
Anton: Thank you.
Anton: I miss you, and I’m very much looking forward to seeing you when I return.
Me: So am I.
Anton: You have no idea how happy that makes me.
Anton: Are you home for the night?
Me: I just parked at home. I’m spending the night with the girls and watching a movie.
Anton: That sounds like a fun time. I’m reading through a case file, so I’ll text you later, my darling.
Before I could respond, a knock on my car window made me jump in surprise.
A man in a big winter coat and a red beanie sent me an apologetic smile and yelled through the window. “Sorry! I didn’t mean to scare you.”
I rolled my window down. “That’s alright. Did you need something?”
His smile grew. “Yeah, I do.”
Then he reached through the open window, grabbed the back of my head, and slammed my face into the steering wheel. I cried out in pain a moment before I felt a sharp prick in the side of my neck, and my vision went fuzzy.
I managed to turn my head back to the guy in time to watch him open my car door, and then everything went black.