Page 27 of Christmas Embrace

“I have to tell you something.” Sydney paused, lowering her voice.

“Hmm…what?” Samantha took a sip of champagne.

“Yesterday, when I came home, she was watching the baby. And she gave him to me and then we were talking and then, I don’t know what happened but there was this switch in her. There was something in her tone, the way she said it. Talking about humans and blood. She was back,” Sydney whispered.

“Who was back?”

“Dom. Dom was back. Like old Dom. Badass Dom.”

“Pre-demon Dom?” Samantha’s eyes widened.

“Yeah. No. Well, sort of. It was mostly in her tone of voice, what she said but it was just like this tiny flicker. You know she never really talks about what happened to her, but Kade told me Quintus told him about her past.”

“What happened to her children was awful.” Sadness flashed in Samantha’s eyes.

“Yes. I mean I know she lost them.”

“There’s something else, Syd.” Samantha averted her gaze.

“What is it?”

“It’s nothing really.”

“Sam. Please. She watches Zach. I trust her but if there’s something I should know.”

“You have to promise not to tell her,” Samantha insisted. “When she’s ready, if it’s meant to be, I’ll tell her.”

“Tell her what?” Sydney asked. “I promise to keep it confidential.”

“I sometimes see them.” Samantha shrugged.

“See who?” The hair on her forearms stood up, aware she wouldn’t like the answer. Even though she was a vampire, Sydney still didn’t care for the paranormal. “No, don’t tell me. Okay…tell me.”

“The children.”

“Whose children?” Sydney asked, her heart pounding like a drum.

“Her children. Dom’s children.”

“You see them?”

“Yes, it’s okay. You have nothing to fear.” Samantha smiled, sensing her unease.

“Ugh. You know I’m not crazy about the demon ghost shit. I barely can accept what I am.” She glanced at her pale skin in the mirror, reminding her she needed to feed.

“You’re beautiful, Syd. A beautiful vampire.” Samantha gave a warm smile. “It’s funny how I never wanted to be a witch yet here I am. And you, brave detective, you’re scared of ghosts?”

“I’m cautious. Of everyone. Especially…” Demons. Ghosts. Zombie vampires. “Paranormals.”

“There is danger everywhere, isn’t there? Humans are capable of the evilest atrocities.”

“Yes, but as a human…let’s just say, ghosts aren’t exactly something I’d want to see. Dom’s kids…are they always around? Like are they in my house?”

“I think it’s more like when she’s around me. I can tap into the magick of the universe. And maybe her kids are drawn to it and that’s why I see them. Or maybe they’re drawn to Ava. They know I can see them whereas most people won’t.”

“Do you hear them?”

“Not yet. They remain silent for me. It’s only been a few months since they’ve begun showing up. My guess is their concern is for their mother. I’m just hoping that when the real Dom emerges, she’ll be okay. None of us really know how she’s feeling.”