Page 44 of Pieces of Halves

Her shoulders slump with relief, and she looks behind me.

“That is Sofia.” I turn to face the evil woman who birthed me.

“What is this disgrace doing hugging you like that?” Sofia snarls, her face rabid.

She lunges at Izzy, her movement jerky. In an instant, I am in front of Izzy. Before she can even take a step, Jona grabs Sofia and slams her into an oversized and weathered chair. Every muscle in my body is tight as I take a step towards Sofia.

I will kill her.

“Jacob,” Izzy calls me and takes my balled hand into hers. Her touch is soft and delicate, calming me. “We need her alive for now,” she mumbles and looks at Sofia from the corner of her eye.

“You’re right, baby.” I give her a small smile and kiss her forehead.

“You disgust me. Vampires are leeches to all kind. They need to be eradicated.” Sofia spits out as she struggles through the ropes.

“First of all, I don’t care about your opinions, and the value of your life is limited to the information you give,” I state andtake a step back, the muscles of my shoulders feeling like they are coiling.

Torture is not my specialty, but Jorgan was glad to offer his services. With a mixture of emotions, I glance at Jorgan, who casually sits at the far end of the table, his long body lax as he eyes Sofia. The man looks like death with dark brown eyes and closely cut black hair.

“You will not get anything out of me,” Sofia smirks.

Every word coming out of her mouth is infuriating.

“Maybe,” Jorgan says, one side of his face lazily moving up.

“Demons helping vampires, how pathetic.” Sofia spits, her lips twisting.

I hope Jorgan makes her suffer. Needing a moment to compose myself, I leave the room.

“You are a disgrace!” Sofia screams after us.

Walking through the hall, I have my fingers laced through Izzy’s, her touch giving me some sort of peace. She is my home, my calm. She would never selfishly leave me.

Adrian and Rosie walk ahead of us, Adrian unbearably and protectively doting over Rosie. He normally is weak for her, but this is something else. If not supporting her by her waist, he is holding her hand as if afraid she will fall at any moment. I scoff at his ridiculous behavior.

Bright morning light attacks my eyes, and I squint, adjusting to it. There are a few mossy steps ahead of us, leading to an open green courtyard of the castle. Adrian takes Rosie’s hand, dramatically helping her.

Rosie pauses and huffs. “I am not disabled.”

“I know.” Adrian suddenly seems flustered, but does not let her go.

Confused, I bring my brows together with a shake of my head. Izzy giggles lightly, and I look at her with a raised brow. She knows something that I don’t. Squinting at Adrian, my eyes drop to the way his hand protectively lies over Rosie's lower abdomen. It was quick, but I saw it.

“I’m going to be a godfather,” I state and smile, pure joy filling my heart.

Finally, some good news.

“You will not be the godfather,” Adrian says, his face flat.

“Yes, I am,” I tell him and look at Rosie, who is biting her lip to stop a grin.

“No,” Adrian argues.

“Yes.”

With her lip still under her teeth, Rosie turns to look up at Adrian. He looks down at her and groans in defeat. I want to laugh at how pathetic he is, but Izzy elbows me in the ribs. Looking down at her, I find a stern glare.

“Sorry, he brings out the worst in me.” I chuckle quietly.