Page 47 of Poison's Kiss
"He has no clue, and he'll never hear it from me. Drackus would skin me alive, and I mean that very literally. My involvement with Drackus dates back centuries. He saved my life against a demon. I knew then the stories about him weren't true. Though he loves the fear he instills, he's not the monster he's notorious for being.
"The reason I'm involved in his circle right now is simply to keep him from killing Kane. Since Kane first started breaking his bonds to Castine, I've been there, guiding him. He's a good soul with a tainted past.
"Castine slaughtered his family before his eyes. One of his sisters was barely fourteen at the time. She even made Kane watch the show play out, keeping him helpless when she screamed for his help.
"Castine then turned him, and seduced him with her power for so, so many years. As he grew stronger, her hold over him weakened, and soon she lost all of her influence over his mind.
"That's when I came in to help him break free. I led him through the steps and helped him ease the pain during the worst of the breaks. Castine didn't come after him once she found some new toys to entertain her.
"I've helped others in the past. It's my way of giving back. If I hadn't had a helping hand early on in life, I wouldn't be standing here today.
"Your father knows about Kane, and he threatened to tear his heart out. As you can imagine, he meant it very literally. I explained Kane's situation, and I swore to him I'd keep you close to me, watch after you. I had Sierra tracking the scent you inadvertently left behind. Of course I lied to Drackus and told him it was your changer friend's scent you were trailing behind you. You're not supposed to be spending so much time with the dark user."
"Why is that?" I ask, growing irritated with all the vague warnings about Gage.
"Your father isn't big on destiny's plan. I think he's misinterpreted the information, but he's convinced he's right. That's all a much longer conversation for another time."
Fine. I'm overwhelmed as it is.
"So how did Sierra and the others fall behind if she was the one tracking me?"
"Ah, that's because I put them to sleep when I knew where we were going. I called your father and the others, knowing he would turn that place into a massacre. I didn't want to risk the ones I consider my children. I knew you'd keep Kane safe. I trusted you'd know your father's power the second you sensed it."
I look down, staring at the backs of my hands as if they're intriguing enough to deserve so much intention.
"He hates me more than he ever loved me."
"Who? Kane? Nonsense. He's just completely confused right now. He's working hard to keep you safe, but yet he drives you away every chance he gets. He's been disengaged from our world for so long, he doesn't want to risk getting sucked back in. He tries so hard to pay penance for his past sins, but none of those were by his hands alone. All of the evil he ever dished out was at the behest of his queen, Castine. He judges himself more harshly than you ever could. Bottom line, he'll come around. The question is will you still love him when the bond is broken?"
I hope not.
"He's a night stalker, and I'm a witch. It's absurd to even think about. I would just like for him to at least be civil with me. I don't need him to love me, or even care about me, but I'd like to be able to converse with him without him tearing me to shreds each time. We have to work together until this problem with Castine is resolved."
Dray nods, absorbing my words.
"I agree, and I'll talk to him about that. Mostly, I think he's trying to keep you away from him. He blames himself for you being on Castine's hit list."
I sigh as we start heading back to the house.
"Better me than someone without Drackus for a father."
He laughs ridiculously hard, losing his poised composure as he shakes from the outburst.
"Indeed," he says, his chuckles tapering off. "Now, would you like to come in and start discussing what strategy we should use?"
I glance through the window to see Kane glaring at me, resisting the urge to tear into me where I stand.
"I think I've handled all I can today. Until the bond is broken, it's hard to breathe around him."
He nods, seeming to understand, but I tug at his arm before he heads up the stairs.
"Why didn't anyone tell my mother?"
He tilts his head, confused by my query.
"About your capture? Thad called Frankie. I assume she knew your father would handle it best. Haven't you talked to her since your return?"
I swallow hard, realizing my supposed mother hasn't even called me.
