Page 37 of To Hell and Back
When she pulled away from him to glance around, she saw that the entire area had been put back the way it had looked before the storm. With a grin, she took his hand and said, “I’m ready. Take me home, mate.”
Chapter Eleven
Although Killian hadwarned her, Seneca was still completely blown away by her first glimpse of the villa on the Amalfi coast.
He teleported them directly to the circular driveway in front of the villa just in time to see the stunning view of the sun rising over the vibrant blue water of the Tyrrhenian Sea. As the first light of dawn broke over the horizon, a brilliant array of pink, orange, and pale gold hues chased away the dark shadows of night.
The calm sea glittered like tiny diamonds where the sun’s rays touched the surface, and gentle waves lapped along the shoreline. Lush greenery covered the tall cliffs that hovered like watchful sentinels over the stacked tiers of houses, and the vibrant colors of the buildings added to the picturesque scenery.
The villa’s exterior was pristine white, with large balconies and wide glass windows. On the ground level was an enclosed terrace that extended out of the building that was covered with citrus laden trellises and there was a small area that was overflowing with fresh herbs and lemon trees that perfumed the air. Off to the side was a large pool that was lined with Mediterranean cypress trees for privacy and several lounge chairs were laid with a clear view of the sea.
As the sea breeze caressed her face and she breathed in the salty air, Seneca felt the tension she’d been carrying slowly drain from her body. For the first time in what felt like forever, she actually felt like she was truly alive again. But what made that moment a million times better was having Killian by her side.
Experiencing the pleasures of life with someone who mattered was a gift. She had never really dated before, but she didn’t need experience to understand what they had together was special. Killian was the one person who could help make sense of the madness that had become her life, and feeling the warmth of his hand against hers was a reminder that she was no longer alone in the universe.
That was the real beauty of having a mate. It was knowing she had a partner who would be with her through the good times and the bad. There was no need for vows between them. They didn’t need to make promises or assure each other with words. Everything between them was clear through their mating bond. Their bond was unbreakable, impervious to any force. No one would ever come between them, and their connection would only grow stronger with time.
“It’s so beautiful here,” she whispered.
The idyllic setting seemed suited for soft words rather than loud voices. The streets would soon be busy with sound and movement once people began to wake and prepare for the day ahead. But for now, it seemed like the dawn belonged to just the two of them.
“I am pleased you like it. I can take you through the town once I give you the tour of the villa and grounds and introduce you to—” Killian’s smile shifted into a fierce scowl. “What in hellfire is that?”
Seneca followed his gaze toward the side of the wide driveway leading up to the villa’s entrance. Sitting on one of the stone benches was a beautiful arrangement of glowing flowers in a black vase with a pretty silver ribbon wrapped around the base.
“Your name is on the card,” he growled.
“Could they be from Arson or someone at The Manor?” she asked.
“Only a few people from The Manor could get past the protection wards surrounding the property, but they wouldn’t dare to come here without permission. Who the fuck is sending flowers to my mate?” Killian roared.
Dario appeared a few feet away still dressed in his armor.“What’s wrong, boss?”
When Killian gestured toward the flowers, Dario turned toward them with a scowl.
“Those definitely weren’t here when I brought the car back.”
“Someone was on the property. Take Anika, Tatum, Callum, and Jaylen to scan for a point of entry. I want to know how someone got in here without us knowing.”
Dario bowed his head, then disappeared.
Seneca knew from her mate that those were the other Guardians who currently lived at the villa. With so many people on the premises, she couldn’t fathom how someone had managed to bypass them as well as sneak through Killian’s protection wards. That seemed like an impossible feat, which meant whoever managed it had to be a very powerful supernatural.
“At least they didn’t make it into the villa,” she pointed out.
“They couldn’t get in even if they tried. The property is protected, but we kept it light since we often have deliveries and visitors dropping by. As long as someone doesn’t have bad intentions, they won’t be harmed. The villa is different. There are countless layers of spells, runes, and wards guarding the villa that I’ve added to over the years. It would take years for even the strongest of the gods to get through. And the moment they tried to break in, I would know. Whoever was here probably sensed that and didn’t even attempt it.”
That helped her relax. She understood why he was so upset about the security breach, but he had stated that no one with bad intentions could enter the property. That meant whoever had visited them hadn’t meant to cause them harm. Still, after this, she had a feeling the entire property was going to be locked down just like the villa. There would be no safer place in the Human Realm once he was finished.
For now, she was curious about who had sent the flowers to her. Stepping forward, she reached for the card, but Killian put his hand over hers to stop her.
“Don’t touch it. Let me.”
Giving in, she nodded and waited while he lifted the card out of the bouquet. Her name had been written in calligraphy on the front, and he turned it over so they could read the message on the back.
Congratulations on finding your mate and for successfully earning the right to remain in the current timeline. Try not to die again and enjoy your rebirth!
“What the actual fuck?” Seneca stared at the card in disbelief. “Someone knows that I was reborn? But how? How could they know I had to earn the right to remain here?”
