Page 103 of Daring Her Vampires
“Does anyone else think these types of battles are becoming too easy?” Elijah asks, walking backwards in front of us, his arms wide. The long line of shifters and vampires talking and laughing pause as they consider his point. “I mean, some of us just watched.” He looks pointedly at Heath.
“I severed a head,” Heath informs him.
“From ten feet away from the vampire,” Quinn says dryly.
“So?” Heath smirks.
“We should celebrate the win,” Roxanne says, clapping. “We should go to a club.”
Everyone yells, “No.” My smile is automatic. The adrenaline is wearing off, and I know Bash is with my mother by the cars.
I have to face the woman who abandoned me.
“Tricks.” Luca squeezes my hand, and I glance at him. “Are you ready?”
“No.” I smile sadly. “I never will be.”
“It can wait,” Atlas whispers, but I know everyone can hear. They sober and the conversation stops.
“I’m afraid it can’t,” Marie says, appearing ahead of us. “She won’t last.” I nod and blur.
I skid to a stop as I see her lying in the grass. Bash is sitting on the ground beside her, his face filled with sympathy. I’m grateful to him, and he stands as I approach.
“Thanks, Bash.” I touch his shoulder lightly, and he nods. I sink to the ground and stare at the woman I’ve never seen in person. They cleaned the blood from her face, but the scars and bruises remain. I can see subtle differences in our features now that her skin isn’t red. I’m not surprised that I thought she was me in the vision. Her heart is slowing even more, and I know her injuries are too severe to heal. My mates stand guard behind me, and the others give us space. I gently pick up her hand, and her eyes open.
“Daughter,” she rasps, her voice barely a whisper. “I’m sorry.”
“What are you sorry for?” I ask, and I can’t help the bitterness that escapes.
“That I left you.” She swallows harshly.
“Why did you?” I also can’t help but feel hopeful.
“Your dad was abusive. He loved me too hard. I couldn’t do anything right, and he isolated me on the farm. I couldn’t take it.” Her eyes plead with me, and my anger rises.
“Why didn’t you take me?” I grit out. She’s dying, and I’m trying to be understanding.
“I couldn’t,” she chokes out.
“Tell me why,” I demand, and her eyes lower. “You met someone else.” She twitches, and I know I’m right. “He didn’t want a baby fucking up his good time.”
“It wasn’t like that,” she denies.
“We’ve all made mistakes,” I start, exhaling. “I can accept that, but you have to admit it.”
“It was wrong. I was tired. He was a horrible man, and I couldn’t go on.” She coughs, and blood drips on her chin. “I have regretted the decision ever since.”
“When?” I ask.
“What?”
“When did you regret it? Was it the day after you left a baby in the hands of the monster you feared? A month later? Years? When your new relationship fell apart? Tell me exactly.” My stomach rolls.
“I can’t answer that,” she mumbles, and I nod.
“How could you fight the bond?” I can’t imagine being away from my mates.
“He wasn’t my mate,” she says, and I jerk.
