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Roman strode toward the door. This meeting is over.
Give her a chance to explain, Connor said.
Roman whirled around and glared at him. What has gotten into you? Have you forgotten where your loyalty lies?
Marielle saw Connors hands curl into fists, and she grabbed his arm to stop him. Please dont blame Connor for my mistakes, she told Roman.
He scoffed. And your mistakes include me?
Connor shot her an angry look. Release me. I fight my own battles.
She let go, surprised that his angry lash stung her more than Romans. Why shouldnt she seek to protect him? He always protected her.
Enough! Father Andrew scowled at them all. Lets all sit down and let Marielle explain.
She took a seat and glanced warily at Roman.
He sat with an impatient huff. Shanna sat next to him, took his hand in hers, and leaned close to whisper something in his ear. His tense expression relaxed.
They had a good marriage, Marielle realized, one filled with understanding and tenderness. Romans sour mood stemmed from the fear he had endured, the fear of losing his beloved wife.
She glanced at Connor who was sitting nearby, his arms crossed, his face frowning. She sighed. Hed been so happy earlier in the evening, but now he seemed downright grouchy. He knows he is losing me. Shed go back to heaven as soon as she could. And he would be left behind, still lonely and still full of pain and remorse.
His words came back to her. Yere healing me. Dear Lord, she hoped so. She couldnt bear the thought of him existing for centuries with so much sorrow and despair.
Please begin when you are ready, Father Andrew said, interrupting her thoughts.
She took a deep breath. Father Andrew and Connor heard some of my story last night. I have been banished from heaven for disobeying orders. Last night was my third time.
Her second time was when she healed a baby who was supposed to die, Father Andrew explained. The boy grew up to be a serial killer.
Roman nodded. Otis Crump. Robby told us about that.
Marielle shifted on the hard chair. Thats when the Archangels decided to strip away my healing abilities. As a punishment, I became a Deliverer, and I had to deliver the souls of all the women who were murdered by Otis.
That must have been heartbreaking for you, Shanna said.
Roman snorted. Im sure it was a lot tougher on the women.
Yes, Marielle conceded. You are correct.
What does this have to do with me? Roman asked.
I think I know. Father Andrew leaned forward. You mentioned the first time you disobeyed. Eastern Europe in the Middle Ages?
Yes, in 1461. She noticed Romans stunned reaction. I was a Healer then. I was sent to a small village in Romania where a farmers wife had given birth to their third son.
Roman jumped to his feet. You witnessed my birth?
Marielle gave him a sad look. You and your mother were dying. I was given orders to heal your mother. But not you.
He flinched. I was supposed to die?
I touched your mother to heal her, and your father broke into tears, praising God. Then he vowed that if God would heal you, too, he would dedicate you to the Church.
Roman paled. My father made a vow?
Yes. He pledged to give you to the local monastery.
Roman walked away slowly till he came to a wall of glass windows overlooking the garden.
I couldnt see any harm in healing you, Marielle continued. The world was full of poverty and disease. I thought you could do some good as a monk.
Roman leaned a forearm against the window and gazed outside. I never knew. My father took me to the monastery when I turned five and left me there. I thought he didnt want me.
He loved you greatly from the moment you were born, Marielle said quietly. He cried and pleaded for you until my heart could no longer bear it. So I healed you.
You saved his life, Shanna whispered, tears glimmering in her eyes.
Roman rested his brow against his forearm. When my father left me, the monks gave him a sack of flour. I thought he had sold me for food.
Shanna rushed toward him and hugged him from behind. It was probably a gift since they knew how poor your family was.
Im sure thats all it was, Father Andrew agreed. But as an abandoned child in pain, Roman misinterpreted it.
Were ye punished for healing him? Connor asked her.
I was reprimanded. She sighed. But I didnt learn my lesson very well. I still have trouble following orders.
Well, thank God you disobeyed. Shanna turned toward her. I wouldnt have Roman now if you had let him die. Or my children.
I wouldna be here, either, Connor said. Neither would Angus or Jean-Luc or Gregori or any of the others who were sired by Roman.
Roman turned and wrapped an arm around his wifes shoulders. His eyes glinted with unshed tears. I cant help but wonder why I was supposed to die. Ever since I was transformed by Casimir, I have believed it was my destiny to bring about his defeat.
Youve done a lot to protect mortals and encourage Vamps to live in a good way, Shanna told him. Ive always been proud of you.
He smiled and kissed her brow. Then he looked at Marielle. Do you really consider me a mistake?
She shook her head. The mistake was mine, but I cannot regret it. You have led a good and noble life. I have always been grateful that there are good vampires who are willing to fight the evil ones. And I am thankful that I can offer you my assistance.
The Lord works in mysterious ways. Father Andrew smiled at her. I believe your destiny has long been linked to these Vamps.
She took a deep breath. Could it be true? Could she somehow be exactly where she was supposed to be?
She glanced at Connor and found him watching her intently. Her heart lurched with a burst of emotion. No, this couldnt be what the Father intended. An angel didnt succumb to human emotions like desire and longing.
No angel was supposed to fall in love.
It was over an hour later before Connor was able to teleport Marielle back to the cabin. Shanna insisted on fixing her a meal in the cafeteria, which turned into a cooking lesson. Meanwhile, Angus and Emma returned from Nebraska, along with Robby and Olivia.
Connor spent some time in the MacKay security office, describing the progress he was making with Marielle. Angus was eager for a final showdown with the Malcontents. The dead bodies in Nebraska had indeed been Casimirs victims. Shannas father, Sean Whelan, had given them the tip about the bodies, and now, in return, he was demanding to be included in their battle.
The man is crazy if he thinks he can fight a vampire, Robby muttered.
Angus shrugged. I told him as much, but he insists. He claims he can weaken them with silver bullets before they ever get close to him.
Connor snorted. All it takes is one Malcontent to teleport behind his back and snap his neck. Hed never see it coming. He glanced at Robbys wife. As a former FBI psychologist, shed received some training in self-defense, but he didnt think it was enough. As far as he was concerned, no mortal who was susceptible to mind control should ever attempt to fight a vampire. I hope yere no allowing the mortal women to take part in the battle.
Im discouraging it, Angus said. Ians wife can defend herself well, but now that shes expecting, shes agreed to stay out of it.
Emma smiled. Lots of babies on the way. Caitlyns twins are due in June. Tonis baby in September. And Darcys having her second one in October.
Connor sat back. He hadnt known Darcy was pregnant again. He stayed out of her life now that she was married to Austin Erickson. In truth, she had never welcomed his interference, but at least he knew now that she no longer hated him. She and Austin had named their son Matthew Connor. After the babys birth, nearly two years ago, shed sent him a note saying shed never be alive to have a child if he hadnt saved her.
Olivia reached over to take her husbands hand. Shall we break the news?
Robby grinned. Sure. Go ahead.
She grinned back. Were expecting.
What? Angus jumped to his feet.
Emma leaped to her feet with a squeal. Youre pregnant?
After Olivia nodded, Emma squealed again and lunged toward her for a big hug.
Hot damn! Phineas gave Robby a high five, then slapped him on the back. You da man!
Emma bounced over to Angus and threw her arms around him. Were going to have a grand-baby!
Angus patted her on the back with a stunned expression. Im going to be a great-great grandfather?
Connor suspected he was missing a few greats. Congratulations. He shook hands with Angus and Robby, then sat down and waited for the celebration to end.
The laughter and hugging went on for a good five minutes, then the questioning began. How was Olivia feeling? When was the baby due?
Connor shifted in his seat. First all the Vamp men were getting married. Now they were having children. It was damned depressing.
