Page 9 of Blood Ties
“You are correct Grayson. The only day walker known in existence is Gabriella and her father of course, but most believe him to be a myth. Does anyone else know of this?” She asked. I shook my head. “It would be best if it stayed that way for now, for both of your safety. I believe Damien is the only one who would know why your transition turned out the way it has. I will send out a messenger summoning him, not giving him the reason, of course, in case the message is intercepted.”
I had just been quietly listening, absorbing what was being spoken until I heard that. Then out of nowhere rage coursed through me, like a hellish fire. “No!” I spat before walking into the kitchen, ignoring the puzzlement on my mother’s face like I was a rebellious child.
“Gaby?” I heard Grayson before I felt his strong, gentle arms wrap around my waist. I leaned into him absorbing his strength. “What’s wrong? Mention your father and you clear the room.”
I inhaled deeply, breathing in his scent. He still smelled like Grayson, but there was an edge to it. It was more alluring. The way his scent affected me had changed too. It took everything in me not to rip my clothes off right there in the kitchen and beg him to take me. “I just don’t think we need to know that badly.” Grayson grunted in disbelief. I was incredibly curious as to why Grayson transitioned the way he had. I sighed, “I just know that to pursue why you turned like this, we will have to track him down. And right now we don’t even know if it’s permanent.” I turned in his embrace to face him. “Maybe it’s petty of me, but I just feel like he abandoned me.” I shrugged. “I dunno. I’m probably being ridiculous,” I mumbled looking away feeling embarrassed.
“Baby, you’re not being ridiculous. You have every right to feel the way you do. And we don’t have to contact him if you don’t want to.”
“Really?” My gaze lit up meeting his, almost excitedly.
“Really,” he declared firmly. “I wouldliketo know why I am the way I am and if it’ll last, but thewhytruly doesn’t matter. All that matters is thatI am.” His brow knitted together. “Did that make any sense?” he chuckled.
I nodded. “All that matters is that you have the talents not why you have them.”
“Exactly,” he nodded.
“And you’re sure you’re okay with not seeking him out?”
“Positive. He’s your father. If the day comes and you want to find him, I’ll support that, even if it’s a hundred years from now.”
“And if I never do?”
Grayson gave me a crooked half smirk. “Then I’ll support that too.”
“Even if it means never finding out why you are the way you are?”
“Even then,” he kissed my forehead softly lingering there for a few seconds.
My mother left shortly after, but not before telling us how absurd she believed we were being in not seeking my father out and how she still felt it would be best to return to the nest permanently. As the new head, she had responsibilities that required her attention. I think she was just eager to get away from us when it became obvious we weren’t taking her advice, any of it. I didn’t know the situation behind my parent’s relationship, seeing as how I only just learned of it, but I couldn’t help but feel like she was pushing us into trying to bring my father here. I just didn’t know why. Anton was dead. If she truly wanted to go after Damien there was nothing holding her back. At least nothing I knew of. She could always give up her claim on the nest.
It was still early, but with the stress of my mother’s visit, jumping into the shower seemed a good way to unwind. I was worried about everything and anything. The list was continuing to expand. A shower was one of my favorite past time when it came to relaxing, besides Grayson. He headed into his office needing to make some calls, so I took it upon myself to slip away and give him his privacy. Normally showers with Grayson ended up getting me dirty again, not that I was complaining, but it was nice to just enjoy the water beating against my skin, the heat of the stream soaking into my muscles working the tension from them.
Once my shower was over, I wrapped myself in a towel and headed into the bedroom expecting to find Grayson only he wasn’t there. I had been in the shower for so long I had assumed it had been enough time for him to finish his calls. I decided to go search for him. It didn’t take long. He was still in his office. I was about to go in when something he said halted me in my tracks.
“No, I’ll be in tomorrow. Tell Mason I want the files yesterday. Just because I’ve been out sick doesn’t mean everyone can slack off and not do their jobs.”
How could he already be planning on going back to work? He was a new vampire, not to mention we weren’t even sure if his sun tolerance would hold. I pushed the door open, Grayson turned and without even looking at me he held up his index finger giving me the universal sign for hold on. He wrapped up his call quickly.
“I’ll be done in a minute baby.”
I couldn’t help but be a little agitated over his phone call and here he was acting like nothing was wrong. When I didn’t move Grayson looked up. Seeing the annoyed expression on my face he paused in his task.
“What’s wrong?”
I rolled my eyes irritated I had to explain it. “Did I hear you correctly? You’re going back to work tomorrow?”
He had the sense to look guilty, running his hand up the back of his neck nervously. “I was going to talk to you about that.”
“When Grayson? Tomorrow as you’re walking out the door?” My voice rose and my temper flared.
“Gaby...” He sighed. “I’ve been gone from the office almost all week.”
I glared at him. “You were there Tuesday. You’ve only been out two days. I’m sure they can manage without you until Monday and honestly I think that may still be too soon.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, you’re a newly turned vampire. I don’t really think it’s safe for you going back to work just yet. Not until we know you can handle yourself. Think about it. You’re going to be thrown into a building full of happy meals with legs.”
