Page 79 of Beast of Blood and Roses
Fierro cocked an eyebrow but didn’t comment. Given the rumors I’d heard about Angelo Santi, he would find another way to get whatever he wanted.
Sadness settled in my chest like a heavy stone, and I squeezed Fierro’s hand tighter. My throat tightened as I spoke. “So he killed them in their home and then took me?”
Tobias gave me a mournful look, pain flickering in his dark eyes. “Unfortunately, yes. The coven searched everywhere for you, but Volaris had hidden you too well. I suspected your mother was the one who bound his powers before she died. She was incredibly powerful, and according to Tinker Bell, she passed that strength onto you.”
As if summoned by her name, Tinker Bell walked into the room with three other people trailing behind her. Two beautiful blonde women and a handsome dark-haired man entered, their presence filling the space with an almost tangible magical energy.
“Ah, I knew you would come here eventually,” Tinker Bell said with satisfaction. “Your family is part of your strength, Aurora. Before we focus on training, you should know who you’re fighting for.”
She gestured toward the group. “Thisis your cousin Rose Dragan. Rose’s father is a Nightshade, so she’s part witch and part vampire. This handsome man is Valentin, her mate.”
Rose smiled warmly. “Welcome back to the family, Aurora. I’m so sorry it took us this long to find you.” She stretched out her arms with genuine affection. “How about a hug?”
I smiled through my tears and fell into her embrace. She felt warm and welcoming, and even though we’d just met, I could tell she was around my age. I had a feeling we would become close friends.
Tinker Bell turned to the other woman. “This is Alice Ravencrest. She’s from your father’s side of the family. Unfortunately, she’s the last of the Ravencrests.”
Looking at Alice, I could see a familiar pain in her eyes - the same kind of loss I’d carried for twenty years, though hers was fresh and raw. Someone who understood what it felt like to have family ripped away. Someone I could really relate to. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
Alice hugged me tightly, and I could feel the genuine warmth in her embrace. “It warms my heart to know there’s another Ravencrest in the world. We’ll have to stick together.”
Valentin’s attention turned to Fierro, his expression becoming more serious. “Haven’t seen you for a while, Bastia. Where have you been?”
The serious tone in Valentin’s voice made me tense. Fierro had been through hell - he didn’t need to be interrogated by my family. I opened my mouth to intervene, then caught myself. This wasn’t my place, was it?
“I committed a crime and had to pay for it,” Fierro replied honestly. He glanced up at Tobias with genuine remorse. “I’m sorry for what I did.”
My heart clenched at Fierro’s honesty. He could have lied,could have made excuses, but instead he was owning his past completely. A surge of pride mixed with anxiety swelled inside me - would my family see the man I saw, someone who’d faced his mistakes and grown from them?
Tobias studied him for a long moment before responding. “According to Tinker Bell, you’ve already paid for your crime.” His eyes darkened with warning. “Just don’t repeat your mistakes, or next time your punishment will be lethal.”
“Understood. But I’m still an enforcer for the Santi family. I’ll make sure that no innocents will die on my watch.”
I watched my family’s faces carefully, my heart hammering. The Santi family had a reputation, and not a good one. Would they see Fierro as a threat now? Would they ask him to leave? The thought of having to choose between him and the family I’d just found made me feel sick.
Tobias sighed heavily. “That’s all I ask. Lilliana didn’t deserve to die simply for asking for help.”
“Agreed,” Fierro said quietly. “My hunger took over that night, but thanks to Aurora, I can control it now.”
Tears pricked my eyes as I heard him give me credit for his transformation. Me? I was just learning who I was, still figuring out my own power. But if loving him had somehow helped him find peace with his nature, then maybe that was magic too.
Valentin frowned, his expression growing serious. “You were the beast in the bayou? The creature everyone’s been talking about?”
Fierro’s shoulders sagged slightly, the weight of his past evident in his posture. “Yes,” he said quietly.
I stepped closer and placed my hand protectively on his chest, feeling his heart beating steadily beneath my palm. “But he’s changed now. He’s not that monster anymore.”
“Because of you,” Alice said softly, her eyes moving between us with understanding. “Love changed him.”
Rose nodded. “I can see it—the way he looks at you, Aurora. That’s not the gaze of a killer.”
Fierro’s jaw clenched. “I did terrible things. Killed innocent people. I don’t deserve forgiveness, but Aurora... She saw something in me worth saving.”
I squeezed his hand tighter. “You saved me too. From Volaris, from a life of lies, from never knowing who I really was.”
After a long moment, Tobias’ expression softened. “I have something for you, Aurora.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a heart-shaped gold locket that gleamed in the afternoon light. “This locket has protective magic—it will warn you if there’s evil nearby. Open it.”
With trembling fingers, I took the locket and carefully opened it. There were tiny, perfect portraits of my parents - my real parents - looking young and happy and so much in love. Tears spilled down my cheeks.
