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Solemnly, his fingertips traced the curve of my cheek. "How many of what, vackra?"
"Women...children. Both?" I needed to know the truth, even though I knew I wouldn't like it.
"Between 30-40 women and children. Kian was vague with his record keeping in the beginning. After the 1820's his journaling improved vastly."
Neither of us spoke. Not only was my mind trying to process the information Stefan had provided me with, and I was struggling to keep my anger at bay. My eyes slid closed, inhaling and exhaling deep breaths. Feeling marginally stronger, I opened my eyes.
"Is this the worst of what's inside of it?" I bored holes in the worn book. I wanted to rip it apart, page by page. That wouldn't accomplish anything except destroy evidence of his misdeeds.
This might be the very evidence we might need down the road.
"No. He was quite detailed with his descriptions," Stefan advised. He pushed the journal away. "I had each page copied. I must return this to Nigel before it is missed."
His long hands massaged my thighs, his blue eyes searching my face. I could sense his concern for me in the magical blood that coursed through me, his influence making us almost one entity. We shared everything: body, soul, heart and blood.
Sliding off the chair, I fell into his waiting arms. He'd anticipated my need for him and his long, strong arms snaked around me, pulling me against his chest as we sat on the floor in his office. His hand stroked through my hair, a deep, calming hum rumbling in his chest. It was soothing, comforting me to the point where I'd almost slipped into a meditative state. I let myself sink into it, knowing Stefan would be there to hold me yet again.
Secure in his tender embrace, I lost track of time. Enveloped in his arms, I felt safe. His earthy, woody scent wrapped around me, as soothing as his physical touch. I'd never be alone, not as long as this man was at my side.
"I will never leave you. We are together for an eternity." His mental voice was soft and reassuring. His love spilled out into our shared connection. My heart swelled, and I pushed my love back to him. I felt him inhale sharply, his hold on me tightening. He stilled, his thoughts racing.
"What did you do?"
"Nothing. I just thought about how much I love you," I stammered into his chest.
Relinquishing his grip, he held me back by my shoulders. His eyes penetrated mine and the sudden severity of his beautiful face frightened me. He had that unguarded expression again, round eyes, slack lips. I'd managed to unhinge him in some way, to shock him to the point of making him feel helpless, weak...he was comparing it feeling human.
"I felt it. I could feel your love. It was staggering." His voice was quiet. "I have not felt a presence like that since my human life. You have once again astounded me."
The sound of the locks sliding open on the front door interrupted us. Lukas and Anna's voices spilled out into the apartment, breaking the solitude of our moment. They were bickering about something, Anna's loud voice easily overpowering Lukas. The sound became almost deafening as they approached Stefan's office, quickly silencing as they entered the room and took in our place on the floor. They looked bewildered as they took in our embrace.
"Do I even want to know why you're on the floor?" Lukas asked. He rolled his eyes skyward and sighed dramatically.
"Lukas!" Anna hissed, elbowing him sharply. She shook her head at him in exasperation, slapping him in the back of the head. “You need to learn that there’s a time to shut up. This is one of them.”
I glanced at them both. With their dark hair and pale skin, they could almost pass as siblings. In the short amount of time since Anna’s change, they’d argued enough to be brother and sister.
"It's just weird, Anna. We have to deal with an eternity of this mushy shit," Lukas whined. "If they aren't putting dents in the walls they're doing this weird shit."
Focusing on Lukas, I concentrated on him for a moment. I wanted to see if Lukas could be influenced by my emotions as well. I flooded him with calm, wrapping tranquility around him like a blanket. His shoulders suddenly sagged, his lips relaxing from his typical purse into a sweet smile.
It had worked as efficiently as my shield to immobilize him.
"Lukas?" Stefan questioned. He immediately noticed the change in his behavior. His gaze shifted between us, his mouth gaping. "Josephine?"
I nodded in assent. Stefan continued to stare at me with a combination of fear, adoration and pride flashing across his handsome face. I withdrew my influence and Lukas was visibly shaken as he regained his former prissiness.
Lukas pointed an accusatory finger at me. His eyes were furious as he glared at me. "First you froze me and now you’ve influenced me. I find neither funny and you need to stop fucking with me, Josie. What the hell are you anyway?"
Grinning widely, I didn't move from Stefan's lap. "That's the million dollar question."
“Enough," Stefan spoke harshly. "Anna and Lukas, we will meet you in the living room. We have many things to discuss."
They both lowered their eyes to the floor in submission, slightly inclining their heads and filing out of the room silently. We were left alone, still wrapped up in each other’s arms.
"We need to explain what has transpired and what will happen next," he murmured against my ear. "They need to know our plans."
"What exactly are our plans?" I hugged him tightly to me, snaking my arms under his shirt. My fingers slid over the satin of his skin and the hard muscles of his back. He shivered under the touch of my hands on his body, moaning in soft timbres.
