Page 76 of The Vanishing
“This severe imbalance within me…” Domenico sighs, his eyes softening. “Has manifested itself through my actions with you and your brother. I have known for a long time. But I… I did not know how I should resolve it. How to right my wrongs. I have been… very harsh toward you. Strict in demanding and requiring much of you—to the point where you are so fearful to tell me that you are in love with Andrea’s daughter, and that you wished to form a bond with her.”
Domenico takes another deep breath, but this time, a hint of a smile forms on his mouth. He rubs his thick fingers against the top of his son’s head. “You have chosen well, and I am not angry with you.Iam sorry that I have brought our relationship to such a state as this. You have sacrificed much to sustain our realm… and me. I am grateful. Congratulations on your union. May it be blessed.”
Cellina’s heart is in her throat when Domenico lifts his gaze to focus on her. “When I should expect grandchildren, please tell me in advance? Do not hide this from me.”
Nodding, Cellina steps up to the bed. She looks down at Giovanni and there are tears streaming down his face. He clenches his eyes shut as Cellina meets him on the floor, sinking to her knees. She wraps her arms around Giovanni’s shoulders to bring his head into her chest. He leans into her, shuddering from scattered breaths and quiet sobs as she rests her chin against the top of his soft hair.
She meets Domenico’s eyes. “You’ll be the first to know, we promise.” She turns her face into her mate’s hair and kisses him, holding him tighter.
“My youngest and his mate came to me very late last night,” Domenico says. “They wish to try giving me their blood. I have agreed, but the process will need to be slow. Gradual. Can you accept this?”
“Of course.” Cellina smiles. “I know my father would love to visit with you, too. He misses your friendship—especially, quote, ‘beating you in chess.’”
“Ha.” Domenico throws his head back, a bright smile on his face. “I lie on my death bed and your father spreads insipid lies. That old hound wishes he could beat me.”
“You should put him in his place.” Cellina flashes her most innocent face, batting her eyes. Domenico stares at her, shaking his head in a slow motion.
“My son, you have bonded with a cunning and beautiful female. I should expect nothing less from Andrea and Saida’s offspring. God help you.”
Thirty-Five
The moment Haruka passes through the doorway to the bright sunroom, Cellina stands, blinking her round gray eyes. Her dark auburn hair is twisted in an intricate bun atop her head, and she wears a beautiful mint-green dress that flutters when she walks. Cellina always reminds Haruka of a lovely butterfly… that could bite you if provoked.
She reaches out toward him as they draw closer, urging him to do the same. When their palms are clasped, she smiles in awe as she looks him over. “You cut all your long hair off—you look so handsome.” She stretches her neck and Haruka bends down. She kisses him on both cheeks. “The long hair was beautiful,” she says, beaming, “but this is more modern… fresh! Now you both have the sexy boy-next-door vibe.”
“You looked like a woman.” Giovanni sits with his arms folded at the head of the table. He raises his eyebrow in a smirk.
“I don’t think so.” Cellina tilts her head, considering. “If anything, he presented even more gender ambiguous with the long hair. Very gorgeous either way.”
“And so what?” Nino frowns at his brother. “What difference does it make?”
“Relax.” Giovanni stares, his face flat. “It was just an observation.”
Haruka rolls his eyes. Unsolicited opinions, as usual.Pompous creature.
Without warning, Nino laughs as he sits at the table. “I heard that.”
“You heard what?” Giovanni asks. Nino shrugs, his eyebrows lifted in innocence. Giovanni grumbles, “Don’t talk shit about me in your heads in front of me. I don’t like that.”
“I said that you are pompous, which is true.” Haruka sits down and scoots his chair up to the table. “How was the talk with Domenico this morning?”
Giovanni leans with his elbow on the table and points with his finger. “Andgood-looking. Don’t forget that part.”
“The talk went well, Haruka.” Cellina waves her hand in front of her mate to dismiss him. Giovanni sits back, snickering to himself. He is obviously in high spirits. Cellina grins. “He’s already asking us about grandchildren.”
The tension in Nino’s body skyrockets, so much so that it catches Haruka off guard, making his own body tense in response. He turns to his mate, bewildered. “What is wrong? Why—”
“Nothing.” Nino shakes his head, then runs his fingers into the top of his scalp. An unmistakable sign that it is definitely not nothing. “I’m fine. Sorry, Haru.” He takes a deep breath, but Haruka watches him, trying to read and understand his internal anxiety.
“Nino mentioned something about taking on some of these Socotra refugees,” Giovanni says. “If we do this, we need to develop a plan for integrating them into society. We can’t just dump them into an apartment and expect them to thrive. There’s a lot they need to learn—a lot of hand-holding.”
“I agree.” Haruka sits back, sighing. “They are already educated in math, science and languages, so that is one obstacle we do not need to be concerned with. Helping them adapt to the social-emotional aspects of dwelling in a modern society will be the true challenge.”
Cellina leans forward, folding her arms against the table. “Should we consider which realm leaders we’d want to be involved first, then have them help with developing a program?”
“I like that.” Giovanni nods. “But we should limit it. We don’t want too many chefs in the kitchen—or for this to become some weird political issue. What kinds of powers do these vampires have?”
“With the ones we’re accepting, Kahla is non-verbal because Lajos did something to her voice,” Nino explains. “But her mate told me that Kahla’s voice was very persuasive. Her aura’s manifested power was in her speech. Her mate—her name is Mai—she can manipulate her aura in shapes as an extension of her body. She showed me by making her essence into the shape of these giant blue and glittery bat wings. She can even fly.”
