Page 112 of Into The Light

“Good.” She smiled and kissed his cheek.

Aiden’s eyes moved to Lothaire, who stood back with his arms crossed tight over his expansive chest. That scowl he wore still sent a shiver down my spine and I was glad not to be the recipient of it this time. The two brothers remained locked in a stare.

“Lothaire,” Aiden started, but he didn’t have a chance to finish. Lothaire appeared in front of him and pulled him into a strong embrace. Aiden stiffened for a moment before returning the gesture and wrapping his arms around his brother.

“I thought you were dead,” Lothaire said, struggling to steady his voice. “I thought I’d lost you.”

“I’m alive because of you. You didn’t give up on me. Thank you, brother.”

Lothaire clapped him on the back and straightened up. “Well? Was it worth it? Are you human?”

“Can’t you smell it?” Annella laughed. “He’s human all right!”

“I hope it’s everything you want,” Lothaire said and let his glance fall to me.

“It is, and it will be.” Aiden reached over and took my hand. “I can never thank you all enough. You saved me.”

“What about me?” Thorne’s voice came from behind us. We turned to see him walking up with Catrain. “I’m the one who figured out that the Picts were here and could save you. Don’t I get a hug?” He flashed his mischievous grin.

“What would I do without you?” Aiden said, returning the smile and pulling him in for a brief hug.

“Apparently desiccate and die. At least that was your plan, wasn’t it?”

“Something like that.” Aiden shrugged.

“Thank you, Catrain,” I said, stepping forward. “Thank you for saving us. We owe you everything.” Even though she didn’t look welcoming to warm gestures, I tossed my arms around her neck and squeezed her tight.

When I stepped back, her hardened face softened, and she tipped her head in a nod. “It was my mother who saved you.”

“But she wouldn’t have if you hadn’t convinced her,” Aiden added. “Thank you. You saved us.”

“I saw it on beach. Your connection,” Catrain said. “I have some of my mother’s magic and I saw it. Like a tether tied between you. An unbreakable bond binding you together.”

“Is that why I could feel her and find her when she was in trouble?” Aiden asked, his voice softer.

“Yes,” Catrain answered with conviction. “You will always feel her and sense her. And she can feel and sense you. Now even more since your hearts beat as one.”

“Well, that explains that,” Aiden said, giving me a soft smile. “You were pulling me.”

“I guess I was. And knowing now we can sense each other there’ll be no sneaking off to the bar with Mark and leaving me behind. I’ll find you.” I waggled my brows. “Seems like you’re really stuck with me now.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” The adoration in his gaze brought on that familiar flip-flop in my stomach.

Lothaire broke our stare. “Some of us here are still vampires and can’t be in the sun, and we don’t have much time before it comes up. It will take us at least fifteen minutes to get back to the safety of the house.”

“Fifteen minutes?” I opened my eyes wide. “It was over an hour on horseback here and a twenty-minute helicopter ride before that. You’re that fast?”

Annella chuckled. “We’ll have time to spare before the sun pops up in twenty minutes.”

Lothaire turned to Aiden. “I’ll see you at home, brother. Take your time,” he said, gesturing to me.

“We’ll see you tonight. We’ve got a lot of catching up to do now that I’m not dying.”

Lothaire gave him a soft smile. “I like that plan.”

“I’ll see you both at home! Welcome to the family, Emilia!” Annella said, smiling at both of us. “Ready, Thorne?”

The glimmer in his eye and the smile he fought to suppress told me he had other plans.