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We knew that human-turned were still made, and we had punished several of them. The only ones that we didn’t always punish were the human-turned males. They seemed to retain their humanity, and Donovan and Mick were the perfect examples of it.
Mick had been my police partner many years ago when I had first learned of this new world. He had learned of what I was by accident when he had observed me taking down several vampires on what would have seemed like a normal traffic stop. These vampires had known where Alex was being held and once I had received the information, I had killed them.
It had been tense for a while with Mick, and even though I tried to protect him, he had come further into our world. So far in that after his wife and child were killed in a car crash, he had asked to join us. He had pushed just long enough that I finally relented, and we found a nice woman by the name of Joanna to bond with him, and then once turned, they mated.
The two of them were good together, and as far as I knew, happy. Now Donovan and Mick traveled with their mates and worked for me locating other human-turned and reporting back to me.
I climbed into bed, staring at the windows as the shutters began to descend to block out the rising sun. My mind heavy as I thought of Olivia and Gabe and the friendship that we had once had. I wondered for a minute where they were, maybe it was time to find them and reach out. Check on them, see what they were doing. More importantly, find out which side they were on.
I closed my eyes, my mind drifting back to simpler times of laughter and love. Of children being born, or couples being happy. I remembered many moments with Trent, and with Alex, and then my mind finally settled on Julian. I could almost smell his scent, feel his touch. No matter what had been happening in our lives, when we were together, things were better. Our relationship had always been complicated from the moment we first got together, and while at the end of his life, we weren’t a couple, we never stopped loving one another.
The memories were bittersweet as they rolled through my mind, and for the first time in a very long time, a tear eased down my cheek for all those that I had loved and lost.
***
“We’ll, it looks likeyour idea might have worked.” Hazel commented as I met with the elders the next morning.
“I have to agree,” Henry added. “I have heard nothing but good things about you being out last night.”
“Do you think it was enough?” Scarlett asked, “Or are you planning on doing that again?”
“I plan on doing it several times. I think me being out there in the open several times a week would be good for us.”
Beckett shook his head, “It still seems like a dangerous plan.”
“It is,” Clayton commented. “But it might be wise. News has spread like wildfire that she was out at the club last night. Many of our breed are happy to see that, although I have heard from a few elders that they feel it was irresponsible.”
“Irresponsible?” I echoed back. “I hope you told them that it is probably one of the most responsible things I have done for a while. Thirty years ago—even twenty years ago—Alexander didn’t hide. Yes, he was careful about where he went, but he did what he wanted, when he wanted. He didn’t have a bunch of sentinels following him everywhere he went either.”
“Those were different times, Mistress.” Henry said. “Very different times.”
“I know they were, Henry. I think we need to keep it up for a little while longer at least. Portage needs to know that I’m more accessible. We need someone to come forward and try to get to me.”
“And if something should happen to you, Mistress? Who will take over then?”
Garrett would be the wiser choice, but he wasn’t even transitioned yet. He was only twenty. Rex could do it, being my son, and Alex’s grandson, he had the rights, but I wasn’t sure that Rex had the temperament to do the job.
I exhaled slowly, “Let’s not worry about that yet.”
“If you are going to be out in the open, we need to worry about that.”
“Then let me think on it. Garrett is too young, and I’m not sure Rex is suited to the position.”
Clayton rubbed his jaw, “I might have to agree on Rex. While he is a strong male, he can get a little aggressive with some things.”
“Another reason you should mate, Mistress. If you have the right male at your side, then they could always take over for you in the interim until Garrett comes of age and figures things out.”
“Or there is my sister.” I said slowly.
Hazel laughed, “Your sister would turn our breed into a bunch of lustful party animals.”
“I’m not so sure about that.” I replied to her. “Angelina knows how important our breed is. Twenty years ago, I would have agreed with you, but now she has become a very important part of our society, and she’s just as strong as me.”
“Well, not as strong as you.” Beckett stated. “But she might be an option. I still think a mate would be a better choice.”
I frowned, “Stop with the mate bullshit, Beckett. I already told you I would think on it, but it’s not going to happen overnight, so let it go already.”
He shook his head, but let the matter go. A few minutes later, they filed out of the room, and Clayton stayed behind.
