Chapter 20

I blink several times to make sure I'm seeing Tanya and Kate standing beside me. The chip I had crumbled back onto the plate. I turn and look at Alice for any kind of confirmation and she just waits for my reaction. Instead of looking back at the two vampires next to me, I make a rash decision and launch across the island sending pots and other things scattering. All three ladies stare at my agility to get across the island. Two of them have amused looks while the third is sad.

"Care to explain what that was Abby." Alice said.

"No." I said standing behind her. I start pulling on my fingers to keep from having

a complete meltdown. It's a habit I picked up when I was a kid.

Staring into the dining room to keep myself from looking at the three vampires I try to focus on the soft color of the room. It has a cozy feeling to it. I have no idea why I'm acting this way. I'm sure if my mom were here, she would reprimand me for my rude behavior. I feel so overwhelmed right now I don't know what to do. All the control I gained after my husband died is slipping away from me and that scares the hell out of me.

As the panic starts building, I am suddenly overcome by a calm feeling. It may not seem right, but I welcome it anyway.

"That's alright Alice. I've spent almost a thousand years looking for my mate, I can spend a couple more days until she gets used to me." Tanya said.

Wait. What did she just say? She's been around for almost a thousand years?

"What did you just say?" I asked dumbfounded.

"I said I've been around for almost a thousand years Abigail."

"Are you…are you…you're kidding right?" I asked.

"No, I'm not kidding."

My head is trying to soak in what she just told me. A thousand years! I can only imagine what she has experienced and the people she met. I turn my full attention to her and wait for her to continue but she just stares back at me waiting for me to freak out or something of that nature, but I'm too stunned. I look at Kate and see if she's going to say anything to contradict what Tanya said.

"I'm ten years younger than Tanya." She stated.

Whoa!

"So…you were around when William the Conqueror invaded England?" I asked. That's the only event I can remember off the top of my head to ask.

"Yes. We knew him. He was an arrogant ass in my opinion." Kate answered.

"He did lead the Vikings away from our village Kate." Tanya said.

What? My mouth gapes and I can think of nothing to ask. I mean I have a zillion questions but they are so jumbled right now I can't form one to ask.

Alice looks at me with a bit of concern.

"Abby, are you okay?"

What?" I said looking at her.

"I said are you okay with them telling you how old they are? You're not freaking out like I saw you doing earlier."

"Are you kidding? They're every historian's wet dream." I admitted. It's true. I can't imagine what my professors would do or say if they were in my shoes right now.

"Nice." Kate said, "I've never been called that one."

"I can be your wet dream, Abigail." Tanya said staring at me and sending a chill up my back. I bulk at her admission. She did not just say that? But, then again, I can't believe what I just said. Both Kate and Alice laugh.

"If you all will excuse me, I need to see my mate, I've been gone from him for too long. And, Abby, the bathroom is upstairs, first door on the right." With that she's gone.

I stare after her. Why did she leave me alone with these two? I look back to Tanya and Kate but see Kate standing by herself. Looking around to see where Tanya went and I automatically take two steps back when I see that she is standing right next to me. I mean there are only a few inches between us. Just like on the ship, she takes two steps forward. I look over to Kate to enlist her help but she has disappeared too. Great!

"Abigail. You have no idea what this past century has been like for me," she whispered into my ear.

I shiver again at her breath tickling my skin. She doesn't miss it either. As I lean away from her she follows me and I hear her inhale. What is it with vampires sniffing me? Do I smell that bad or that good? Then, It hits me.

"Where's Irina?" I asked trying to steer the conversation away from me and it works.

She pulls back and closes her eyes. When she opens them again, I can see sadness cloud them.

"She's no longer here."

"Do you mean…?" I try to ask but can't finish. She's dead. I mean, not like dead as in vampire dead, but dead, dead.

"Yes."

I see tears forming and wonder why none have fallen. I breaks my heart to see her like this. I mean, I don't know her that well, but to lose a sister is heartbreaking, especially if she was as old as Tanya and Kate.

"Sorry." I apologized.

"You have nothing to apologize for. Irina made a terrible mistake and it cost her." Tanya stated.

I'm not sure, but I think she's a little angry. Before I can say anything else, my stomach lets its presence known. I also feel the urge to relieve myself. Alice is right…again.

Tanya chuckles at me and I slip away from her. She goes to follow and I stop her.

"Have to pee." I stated. Even though, the alcohol feels like its worn off, I still feel a little buzzed.

"Okay." She replied.

I find the stairs down the hallway I came through earlier and start climbling them. Tanya follows me and I feel her hand rest on the small of my back. I flinch at the contact and try to swat her hand away but she only grabs that instead.

"I don't like being touched." I admitted.

"That's too bad because I plan on doing it a lot now that you're here."

When she said that it brought back a statement she said earlier about waiting for her mate. I was too distracted by her age than I was by the mate part.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked.

We reached the top of the stairs and I look into the first door I see and see that it's the bathroom. It's huge. It shouldn't surprise me that everything here is huge but it does. I walk inside and flip the switch. Tanya tries to step in but I place my hand on her chest and immediately retract it. She smiles mischievously at me then.

"Eager to start pleasing me Abigail?"

"What? No." I said and close the door in her face.

After I flushed the toilet and wash my hands, I hesitate to open the door because I know Tanya is still behind it. Instead I pace the length of the room, pulling on my fingers again. It's very inviting and has the same color skim as the dining only the colors are a bit darker up here. The shower and bathtub are separate and large enough to hold more than one person. Why am I thinking about that?

"Abigail. I know your done and if you don't open the door in the next ten seconds I'm coming in whether you like it or not."

Taking a deep breath I open the door. As predicted, she's right in front of it.

We stare at each other for a minute. I see her eyes darkening as I look. I still don't think that's a good thing. She grabs my hand and leads me back downstairs. Instead of walking back to the kitchen like I hoped because I'm starving, she leads me the opposite way. We pass the back door and continue down another flight of stairs.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"Time for you to meet the rest of the family." She said.