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“This is ours?” I could hardly believe it. Mama was going to love it. She’d still be pissed to lose her horses, but…
“Your mother has expressed an interest in acquiring a unicorn,” Julian stated, making me wonder if he’d read my mind.
“Is that a thing?” I asked, spinning to face him.
“I’ll see what I can do,” he said, opening the door and dropping a brass key in my hand.
He flipped a switch, and the house filled with warm, golden light. The inside was as adorable as the outside. It was an open floorplan with a country kitchen, complete with an island/breakfast counter, and knotted oak cabinets. And an old-fashioned wood fireplace, and overstuffed couches to my left. The stove was lit, and the fire provided a cozy feel along with the scent of campfire and fall. It should have been overkill on a tropical island, but somehow it wasn’t.
“There are three bedrooms with ensuites,” Julian explained. One up front here,” he gestured to the right, “and two off the dining area beside the kitchen. I asked for the fridge to be stocked. But your family can shop in the village tomorrow.”
I spun on my heels, exhaustion suddenly catching up to me as my eyes watered. “Thank you.”
“You are most welcome. The wardrobe and washrooms should also be filled appropriately. Again, just until you are able to shop for new items.”
Swallowing back the lump in my throat, I nodded. The realization that my entire life had just been turned upside down washed over me like a tsunami, and I threw out a hand to steady myself against the wall. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said, forcing a smile.
Julian got the message, and after a moment of hesitation that felt awkwardly like a first date when the man didn’t know whether he should make a move, he retreated toward Private Jensen and the waiting cart.
I shut the door and pressed my forehead to the solidness of the wood. I was here because I’d used my telekinesis without thinking. Of course, I couldn’t regret that since it may have saved Lydia’s life. Or cursed it to one of vampirism…
If I had paid attention to my intuition, maybe I could have avoided them getting into the lab. If I’d just been more careful—
No. I couldn’t second guess the past. It would only drive me crazy. I knew from experience. Lydia could still be okay. And if she was turned, I’d find a cure to save her. I couldn’t help my father, but I could still help her. And now, I finally had a way to make that happen.
All thanks to a vampire.
Chapter Four
I Created a Monster Killer
The clawfoot tub was amazing until it started moving around the bathroom. Luckily, when I asked it to stop, it did. I think I lost consciousness by the time I crawled into the soft bed and didn’t wake until Zoe burst in and started shaking me.
“You’re alive! Oh thank gods.” She pulled me into a suffocating hug, and it took me a full minute before everything came flooding back.
“I was until you attacked me,” I said, gently but firmly shoving her away.
I blinked. Mama stood behind her with a smile so big her hazel eyes crinkled up until they looked like slits. Relief washed over me, knowing they were both here and okay. If either of them had been hurt… I couldn’t lose another person because of my work or my abilities.
“You’re crying,” Zoe reported, scooting onto the bed beside me. “None of that. This place is amazing. Wait until you see the village. Ooh, and I packed our swimsuits so we can check out the beach. I expect we’ll need more because there’s no way we won’t be there practically every day.”
“Slow down,” I begged. “I have work to do. But I’m glad you’re not mad about this.”
“Mad?” Zoe asked at the same time as Mom said, “Work?”
I glanced between them and gulped some air. It did feel fresher than I was used to.
“I’m going to be working with SHADE. They need a scientist for their crime lab.” I answered Mama’s question first, and since I knew she didn’t like my research, I carefully avoided that part of the deal. Nothing wrong with keeping the peace.
“I’m surprised you agreed to work for the government,” Zoe said as she slid off the bed and threw open the curtains to let in the morning light.
Squinting, I lay back and threw a pillow over my face, which she promptly tugged off.
“They saved me. It’s the least I could do,” I said, looking up at her suspicious face. Then I changed the subject. “And to answer your question, I was worried you’d be upset that I upended your lives.” I would have been.
“By making us move to a tropical paradise?” Zoe snorted.
“The coven here is one of the best in the world,” Mom said, offering me a hand up. Her palm was rough with calluses from the physical labor of the ranch, her strength a comforting constant.
