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“No, I can’t imagine she would be.” I let out a giggle. I glance at the door. “How are things out there?”
Rayne lets out a sigh and sits on the bed. “Loukas told the kids about Antonia, and I admitted to the part I played.”
I suck in a breath. “How did that go?”
“Better than I expected, but I do think Zach is going to need an outlet. He is conflicted. On one side he’s happy that he’s free and doesn’t need to worry about her hurting them ever again. On the other hand—which he doesn’t want to admit to yet—he’s sad because she was…”
“His mother,” I finish with a nod.
“Exactly. And I know how he feels, I felt the same about my father when he died. To me, he was cold and distant but made sure I was happy, safe, and healthy. At the same time, he was able to do horrible things to Drusilla and then to River. It washard to come to terms that I was allowed to mourn who my father was to me and hate the monster he showed the world.”
“So, they don’t hate me?”
“Hate you? Why would they hate you?”
“Because I stood there and watched as you killed them,” I tell her, and now that I have a little clearer head, I can see how that might seem a silly thing to say.
“If they were going to hate anyone, it would be me. And as for right now, I think they feel more relief than anything. Come on. Come see for yourself,” she says, standing up and reaching for my hand.
The two of us walk out of the bedroom, finding a house full of our friends and families. There’s a moment where I look for Breanne, Matt, and the kids, not seeing them anywhere, and feel a little hurt. I wonder if they’re afraid of me now until I register that the sun is out. I find Loukas’ eyes and see the relief in them at seeing me standing here.
“Pearl,” Amelia’s little voice calls out moments before I’m tackled by a little blur with chestnut hair.
“Hi, sweetheart. Are you okay?” I ask, crouching down and wiping the tears from her cheeks.
She nods but says, “My mommy’s dead.”
“I know, sweet pea, and I’m sorry,” I tell her, brushing her hair off of her face.
“Zachy says we’re safe now, that her being dead means she’s not a threat to us anymore.” The words coming out of her little mouth shock me, but she’s not done. “But then Rayne said it’s okay to still be sad because she was my mommy.”
“I never thought I’d say this,” I mutter under my breath looking up at the sassy vampire who smirks at me. “But Rayne is right. It’s okay for you to be sad. And even though I never want to see you cry, I will give you all the hugs and snuggles you need until all your tears dry up.”
She wraps her arms around me, snuggling into my neck and I hug her back tightly, closing my eyes.
“Pearl?” Zach’s voice says softly from behind Amelia, and I straighten up.
“Mmmhm?”
“Come on, munchkin, I think your dad could use some help with those pancakes,” Rayne says to Amelia, reaching out a hand and leading her back to the kitchen.
“I just wanted to say thank you for going back for my dad.” My mouth drops open in shock at his words, not realizing they told him the entire story. “Rayne said…”
“Of course, she did,” I mutter under my breath once more, glaring at the vampire, making sure to soften my gaze as I look back at Zach.
“Rayne said that my mom…Antonia was trying to take my dad and that you made sure she didn’t.”
“It was a little more complicated than that,” I tell him.
“Still, because of you,”
“And Rayne,” I supply, and he nods.
“And Rayne, my dad is here with us, and we are safe. We don’t need to run or worry that she’s going to find us tomorrow or next week.”
“She never would have gotten you guys back. I wouldn’t let her have you,” I declare, my strength coming back to me easier in defense of these beautiful children.
“I know you wouldn’t. Still, I wanted to thank you.”
