Page 105 of Daring Her Vampires
“It’s always a good time to joke.” She rolls over and presses her hand to Atlas’s chest. “Thank you both for letting me have a moment of weakness.”
“You don’t have to thank us,” Atlas says.
“Being upset about your mom isn’t a weakness,” I whisper, thinking of my mom.
“I wanted to push for more answers, but what’s the point?” She wipes her cheeks. “She was dying. I didn’t want to spend the only time we had arguing. She felt trapped, and I understand that, yet I was her daughter.” She sighs and looks between us. “Do you think I did the right thing?”
“Yes,” Atlas answers.
“It would have solved nothing to prolong the anger.” I brush my thumb over her jaw. “She’s at peace now.”
“Are you? At peace?” Atlas asks.
“I still have questions, but I don’t think her answers would have satisfied me,” she says. “I won’t miss her, because I never had her. She was a stranger with my face.”
“Are you going to always wonder about her reasons?” I ask, hating the thought of her pain.
“There is a way,” she mutters. “I need to find my father.” I stop my snarl.
“Is that what you want?” I ask.
“I do. He may not talk to me, but I’ll get closure,” she says.
“I’ll call Shade,” Atlas says, sitting up.
“Call Quinn,” she says.
“I can call both. Shade may have more resources,” he says, pausing.
“That may be, but I think Quinn knows where he is.” We stare at her.
“How? Why wouldn’t he say something?” I ask.
“Quinn knows a lot of things,” she sighs. “He hides many of his skills. He also protects people. I’m guessing he did someresearch into my past when I started working for him. I don’t think he knows it all, but enough.” Atlas nods and leaves the room. “How are you feeling?” she asks, facing me.
“I didn’t have a long-lost mother show up,” I say, and she tilts her head.
“No, but you finally got justice for your mom,” she says softly.
“I see her smile every time I look at Allie,” I admit, grinning. “She's gone, but her features are clear on her face. I didn’t have enough time with her, and I still miss her. Oddly, the feeling remains after all this time. I’m not sad, yet I wish she were still alive. I doubt she would have accepted the gift of being a vampire, so she would still be long gone.” I play with the ends of her hair. “You were right; things happen for a reason. We wouldn’t have the life we do now or have seen all we have if she would have lived. Our human lives would have been short, and we would have lived out our lives working the land. It was a hard life. I’m still amazed at all the changes we have seen.” I drop her hair and glide my finger over her lip. “I wouldn’t have met Shade or accepted working for him. I wouldn’t have come here and met you. That would have been a tragedy.”
“It would have,” she whispers.
“I have been stuck, living the same day over and over. I’ve enjoyed our travels and the experiences with my siblings. My life has become dull. It was full of color when Mom was alive. Her gardens and smile gave me light. She was quiet but steady. Her fear of our father held her back from showing her joy. I saw glimpses of it.” I cup her cheek. “You gave me the light back. From the first moment, I knew you would help me see color again.” Her eyes glisten, and I smile tenderly. “I love everything you are. Your love is almost too big for your body, so you shine it on everyone you care about. I’m grateful I get to bask in it. I have never trusted anyone except Allie and Atlas. They have loved me through my worst days, and I didn’t think I would havesomeone else to love. You have shown me what it means to love with your whole heart and soul. You were meant to be mine.” I kiss her softly. “Watching you fight today, all I felt was pride. I am proud to fight beside you for the rest of our time on earth. I will always protect you, but I will never doubt your abilities. You have adapted to being a vampire so easily. The universe knows all. I didn’t believe it before, but I do now. I love you, Tricks. I love you for your heart, your beautiful soul, and the way you attack life. You’re sexy as fuck, and I want to get lost in your love forever.”
“Damn,” she breathes. “You don’t say much, but when you do, it packs a punch.” She lunges forward, hugging me.
“Anyone can talk, but if the words don’t mean anything, what’s the point?” I hold her tight and look toward the door. “My selfless brother has been giving me time, but it’s his turn.” Sally moves away, and Atlas opens the door.
“Quinn knew where he was but lost track of him,” he says roughly. “He’ll find him.”
“It won’t be right away, so we have time,” she says, patting the bed.
“And you say I’m quiet,” I mumble.
“Fuck off,” Atlas grunts, sitting on the other side of Sally. When he sits stiffly, avoiding her eyes, she straightens and faces him. He cups the leather on his wrist and stares at the wall. “My purpose has been to keep the family together, no matter how I had to do that. I pretended to be happy to be a vampire and live the rest of my time with the scars that proved it. I couldn’t be unhappy or regret the change, unwilling to validate the guilt Allie felt. It took years to be at peace with my vampire side. There were times when I thought it was pointless to feel any joy at all. Using my speed and skill to help those weaker than me finally gave me a reason for being a vampire. Luca and Allie kept me sane, and they are the only ones I loved.” He focuseson her face. “I didn’t think I could have a mate. Honestly, I didn’t think there was a woman who could pierce my heart. It’s hardened over the years; they have been the only ones who could break into it. One look at you, and I felt it crack. You easily slid inside and showed me another way to live, and to love. I didn’t understand your family. How can they love each other when they are so different? Many of us are naturally enemies. Vampires aren’t social. We like to keep to ourselves, and our emotions are locked away. You are the force behind all the gatherings, the humor, and the love you shower on all of them. I understand their defense of you, and need to ensure we treat you how you deserve.” He takes off his cuffs. “Luca was right, we lived, yet we didn’t enjoy much. I don’t want to hide my scars anymore because they led me to you. Allie wasn’t stopping me from showing them, I was. I didn’t want to be reminded of the day my human life ended. Now, I will look at them with pride, knowing I wouldn’t have you if I didn’t have them.
“I love you. My heart beats for you, and the shell is gone. The truth is; I hate my father because he changed. When I was young, I wanted to be just like him. He wasn’t always violent and never raised a hand to me. We used to hunt together. He taught me how to live off the land, and we would spend hours talking.” He shakes his head, and I frown.
