Page 22 of Fallen Demon

At this time, the castle was almost silent, pitched in darkness, with only the occasional vampire guard making their rounds, and the ones posted at entrances.

The kitchen wasn’t as silent, though. A couple of humans, and two low-ranked vampires, were already getting started on breakfast—with the castle full of guests, they needed to start early.

The scent of cinnamon and vanilla hung heavy in the air.

“How can I help you,ma chérie?” Chef Morris asked.

“Just let me raid whatever you’re making, and I’ll be out of here,” I told him.

“If you wait five minutes, I’ll make you a real breakfast.”

I wanted to tell him that wasn’t necessary, but I had learned long ago he wouldn’t let this go. So, I agreed and he gave me a plate with heaps of pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, and a big mug of coffee.

It was enough to feed five of me. “Thank you, Morris. You’re the best.”

The old man waved me off, and I got the hint. He wanted me out of his kitchen. Happy to oblige, I carried my food out. I would go to the training grounds, sit in a corner, and eat before starting with light exercises.

However, as I walked down the hallway, heading to the foyer, I heard a soft voice singing. It came from one of the sitting rooms, where the light was dim and the door was halfway open.

Curious about who would be singing at this time, I spied inside.

Thea lifted her head, her voice faltering for a second, but she waved at me and continued. Carefully, I entered the room and saw Aurora curled on the sofa beside Thea, her head on her mother’s legs. Thea ran a hand up and down the girl’s back as she breathed in deeply.

“Hi,” I said softly.

“Couldn’t sleep?” Thea asked me in a whisper.

I put the plate and the mug down on the center table and took a seat on the armchair to her right.

“I could … until I couldn’t.” I took a piece of bacon and gestured for her to take one too. “Please, Morris gave me more than I can eat.”

She smiled. “He always does.” Thea reached to the plate and got a strip of bacon. “Thanks.”

“What about you two? Couldn’t sleep either?”

“Didn’t you feel it? Aurora had another night terror. The entire castle shook. It wasn’t the worst she's had, but I bet most people woke up with it.”

It was probably during my nightmare. I shook my head. “No, I didn’t.”

I looked at the little girl, now sleeping peacefully. She looked like a porcelain doll. Unfortunately, she'd started having night terrors where her power escaped her, and she caused the entire castle to shake. Drake and Thea had been really worried about them, afraid that at some point, she would cause the castle to collapse.

Since then, Thea had warded Aurora’s room to keep her power contained, but that didn’t stop the night terrors from causing an earthquake.

“After she calmed down, she couldn’t go back to sleep, so I came down here with her,” Thea told me.

“And she fell asleep.”

“Of course she did.” She glanced at her daughter, adoration stamped on her pretty face. “All I have to do is make her comfortable, sing, and done. She crashes again.”

“You guys will figure this out,” I said.

Thea looked at me. “I hope so, but so far, no one has, and our friends are the most powerful supernaturals we know.”

“And she’s the most powerful of all.”

Thea nodded. “That scares me.”

“I know.” I thought of getting up and giving her a big squeeze, but I wasn’t the emotional type and I would probably wake Aurora if I tried. “She’ll do well, though, whatever her destiny is.”

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