Page 28 of Destined for Dreams
Tormod worked his jaw. “Yeah, I know. But I could still take them.”
“As you can see, I’ve met my end of the bargain,” Caius said, breaking the growing tension. “Now you must fulfill yours.”
Zoe lifted her chin. “I want a week with my daughter first.”
“When I last saw you, you emphasized the danger of this rising demon and that we must stop him right away. Now you want to put off dealing with him for a week?” Caius’ golden eyes blazed. “That was not part of our agreement.”
It was no surprise she wanted to delay things. They’d expected that.
Bartol glared at Zoe. “You have forty-eight hours with Rebecca, and you will tell us all we need to know during that time or we will take her and leave.”
Outrage filled the female nephilim’s features. “That’s not good enough.”
“It will have to be,” Rebecca proclaimed loudly. “Because that is the longest I am staying here and putting up with you.”
Zoe drew in a deep breath. “Be reasonable. We’ve spent precious little time together in your life, and you’ve only heard about me through those who hate me. Why not give yourself a chance to form your own opinion?”
Bartol couldn’t entirely blame Zoe for her feelings, considering all she wanted was to spend time with a daughter she was forced to give up centuries ago as a baby. She might have garnered some of his sympathy if not for what she’d done to his friends—and especially to his mate. Never mind the way she'd manipulated them into coming to see her. The female nephilim was conniving and ruthless with no real remorse. She would say anything that would get her daughter to stay for even a few hours longer.
“What do you want from me,Mom?” Rebecca asked, emphasizing the last word. “You planned which man I would fall in love with, and you’ve hurt people over and over to get what you want. There’s no denying that. Why should I give you a chance when all you’ve ever done is screw up people’s lives, especially Derrick’s?”
“I taught her the word ‘screw’ just last week,” Tormod whispered proudly. “It’s such a good word—especially since the angels would never teach us that one.”
Bartol didn’t bother to reply.
“I want us together—no matter what it takes,” Zoe replied pleadingly. “Can you truly blame me when you were ripped from my arms while you were still a suckling baby?”
Rebecca lifted a brow. “Was it worth the deaths of so many people to get what you wanted?”
“Yes, it was.”
“Does it even bother you?” Rebecca pressed on.
“No.” Zoe shook her head. “Not really.”
The nephilim’s eyes rounded, and she covered her mouth with her hand. Her daughter’s powers were at work again, but this time on her. Perhaps such a coercive skill could be useful when directed the proper way. Rebecca could literally force the truth out of people whereas a sensor could only detect it.
“Are you afraid no one will ever love you? That maybe the only chance you have for redemption is through me, your daughter?” Rebecca asked, her voice taking on a stronger edge.
Zoe worked her throat. “I’ve felt that way for a long time.”
Bartol and the others exchanged looks. Many people had suspected a longing for love and acceptance were the driving motivations behind many of Zoe’s actions over the last few centuries—which was when her behavior had become the most extreme—but hearing her admit what she felt was different. Within her gaze, one could see the abject loneliness and insecurity that the woman usually hid so well. It was almost pathetic.
He could not watch it anymore. “Forty-eight hours, take it or leave it.”
“No more bartering,” Rebecca added.
Zoe’s pale hands trembled. She was still in shock after being forced to reveal such a deep and dark secret. “If that is all I can have, then I will take it.”
“Good.” Caius pulled out a map and showed it to Bartol and Tormod. “This is where the nerou compound is—a little over one hundred miles northeast of here.”
They glanced over it, listening to the rest of his directions so that they’d be sure not to flash too far off their mark. It was tricky going to a place where they’d never been before. At least Tormod could travel that distance on his own, and Caius could take Rebecca so that Bartol would not have to touch anyone. Zoe would have to flash her own two nerou back herself since neither of them would have the ability to do it. Bartol wanted nothing to do with them. And anyway, transporting two people at the same time appeared to be something Zoe was capable of doing at her age and strength.
After everyone was clear on where to go, the female nephilim appeared to have collected herself once more. She ran her gaze across the group. “After we arrive, I’ll give you a tour of the compound and show you to your rooms. I want the rest of the evening alone with my daughter, but I will meet you after breakfast in the morning, and we can talk about the demon then.”
Bartol figured that was a fair enough compromise. “Very well.”
Zoe flashed away with her nerou, Caius and Rebecca going next. He waited until he was the last one standing before addressing the pilot and co-pilot standing by the aircraft. “You’re both free for the next two days, but don’t go too far and keep your cell phones turned on in case we need you.”
They were werewolves and appeared ready to explore new territory. “Will do.”
With the dismissal, Bartol flashed away after the others.
