Chapter 25

Byron laughed heartly as I told a story about my father and I. Of course I had to doctor it in order for it to fit the times but it was nice to hear a familiar laugh I had long forgotten. Myrissa's says softly, 'You're father must have been mad.'

'More irritated than mad, but he was always calmer than most.'

Wiping at his face, Byron says, 'But a Benz, I would have had a cow if my daughter Kit took my car on a joyride. I'd love to meet your father some day.'

That statement bit into my heart as I whisper softly, 'He passed away some time ago.'

The chuckles died then, and I felt Nick's hand on my shoulder. I wanted to flinch away but knew I had to keep up pretended as he says, 'He died three years ago, just before our wedding.'

'Oh, I'm so sorry.'

'Its alright, that is one reason I was so prompted to look into my ancestry. My grandpapa was always very firm about knowing ones roots and to where they lead. Now that I'm alone except for Nick I decided it was time to reach out to at least a few of my cousins. So I than you for not turning me away.'

'Of course, it's been a pleasure getting to know you,' Byron says with a warm smile on his face.

Just then I hear a yawn and look towards the hall leading off from the open kitchen. It was another startling moment. Their daughter was coming into the room. She looked so much like me, all but the red hair and blue eyes. Her nose was freckled, but besides that we had the same bone structure and she asks, 'Mom, Dad who's this?'

'Oh, this is the cousin that wrote a couple days ago to us. She stopped by before a meeting to meet us,' Myrissa says with an open smile on her face.

It was amazing to watch this interaction. I had so few normal interaction with humankind and it seemed to lift my spirits. But then Nick squeezes my shoulder, reminding me of what I am as he says, 'Which reminds me, if we don't leave now we will be late for the board meeting.'

Nodding, I say quickly, 'Thank you so much for letting me come into your home and get to know you both. I hope...'

But Byron puts up his hand and says, 'No need to thank us, we are family. Say if you are free tonight. Why don't we meet up to get some dinner?'

My heart lifted and I nod, giving him my phone number. Nick had frowned at this but didn't say anything. We quickly said our goodbyes and left. Getting in the car, I let out a happy sigh and smile. Looking over at Nick, I notice his mood is darker and feel the prickle of his power. It reminded me of what he was and to not let my guard down as I pull away from my decendents home and back towards the hotel. Nick asks huskily, 'When did you get a phone?'

'Oh, Jerry gave me one yesterday morning. I forgot to mention it.'

He didn't look happy, but his face was so passive I couldn't be sure. He was like granite at times, hard to read. It was silent in the vehicle as we made our way back. The sun was close to cresting, maybe a few minutes away. But the smooth speed of the Maserati ate up the miles. Finally I can't help asking, 'Why did you say you were my husband?'

'It was the simplest thing. I am no one's personal assistant and definitely not a body guard. So I chose the next best thing.'

It seemed plausible, though I can't help thinking back to the mansion and explosion. He had shielded me from a blast not just once, but twice. Pulling into the cobble drive he asks, 'Didn't you forget to ask for the envelope you need?'

I smile and say, 'Nick, you may see humans as food, but I see them as complex. Given time they will give it to me without me even asking.'

He frowns as we step out and head inside just as the first rays start to slice into the morning sky, propelling Nick faster to his rooms. I am about to enter mine, when he says, 'We have much to discuss later.'

I nod, knowing he has more questions about the phone. I knew the moment I mentioned to get Byron's number it would be suspicious to Nick. Closing the door, I hear Jerry behind me, 'How did it go?'

'It went fine,' I say as I slip off my jacket and toss it on the bed.

Jerry asks frantically, 'What happened to your shoulder?!'

I look at myself in the mirror and see the four points of blood on my shoulder and sigh. I grab a klenex and say, pressing it into the spot, 'It happened yesterday at the warehouse.'

'Why didn't you tell me?! I didn't see it then!'

He rushed to the bathroom and comes back with a packet of bandages the hotel is kind enough to provide and says, 'Let me see it.'

'It will heal on its own.'

He gives me a sardonic look and I chuckle. Complying as I unbutton a few buttons and pull down the shoulder strap. He winches and asks, 'What happened?'

My mind went back to Jack's hand on my shoulder as she dug her nails into my shoulder. I had swung to hit her, but she had slide away laughing. I had watched her lick her fingers and jerk in surprise saying, 'You drank a Pureblood's blood?!'

We had stared at each other and I knew I had to show strength. So I let a slow smile come to my face as I said, 'Yes, and he was delicious.'

With that I had left, seeing the terror on the face of a creature more terrifying then myself.

Looking at Jerry, I smile and say, 'A parting gift from JR.'

'But I thought you said that vampires heal quickly?'

'Yes, but JR likes to tip her finger nails in Tridium?'

Jerry puts the bandages on and says, 'Huh? What's Tridium?'

Pulling my shirt back up with a small winch remembering Nick's hand squeezing the same spot, I say, 'Its a drug we vampires can use to get, in a sense, high. We never truly sleep so it dulles our senses. But JR uses it to inflict wounds that last. It inhibits a vampires ability to heal quickly. It had started to heal earlier, but then Nick squeezed my shoulder. The bloody thing started to bleed again. Thankfully he didn't seem to notice, I think it had to do with the sunlight.'

'What if he's listening right now?'

I simply shrugged as I go over to the open curtains, watching the sun rise and prickle my skin saying, 'Then he will know, it won't hurt for him to know. By the way, make plans to leave in about a week to Paris.'

'Paris?' Jerry asks confused.

'Yes, it seems the person I need to speak to about this...war is there.'