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I looked into his kind eyes. "What do I do?"
He turned, walking into the growing shadow. "You do whatever it takes to protect your family. You avoided death with immortality, but eternity is a long time to carry regret and grief."
Our time was over. He was slipping away. "I know."
Garrett advanced into the black flames of the darkness as I was pushed towards the light. Just before I braced myself, I heard him speak again. "Now for my sage advice. Let the guilt go and regret nothing you do if it means you live to see another day. One day soon, you'll pass those words on to one that you love. Goodbye, Josie. I love you."
I awoke with a gasp. It was early morning and I was up long before the sun. Stefan was asleep, his legs tangled in the sheets.
Brushing my hand over his hair, I stretched and climbed from the bed. Grabbing jeans and a faded t-shirt, I headed down the hallway without making a sound. As I entered the kitchen, I made short work of preparing my breakfast. A month ago, I'd be brewing coffee. This morning I was drinking bagged blood.
Potato, potahtoe.
I was draining the glass when a loud knock brought me back to the present. My mind scanned through the people that knew we were here. Lukas, Anna, Nikolaus, the caretaker of the house...who would be dropping by for an early morning visit?
Dragging the back of my hand over my mouth, I rinsed out the glass and set it in the sink. By the time I was heading towards the door, a rumpled Stefan had met me in the hallway.
His mental voice hit me; at the same time, his beautiful smile lightened his handsome face. "It's Liev. He wants to know our decision. And he has information for us."
“You know this for sure?” I asked, watching as he strode towards the door, bare chested in low-slung jeans.
“When someone is this definite in their decision, it is crystal clear.”
Stefan yanked open the door and I saw Liev standing on the front porch. His austere face was gloomy and melancholy.
"Good morning. I know the reason for your visit, Liev. We have not decided." Stefan blocked the doorway with his large, imposing frame. "We advised you we would contact you."
"I know. Give me ten minutes to explain why you need to know." Liev paced the porch nervously like a caged animal. “I’m only asking for ten minutes.”
I walked to stand behind Stefan. I placed my hand on his bicep, squeezing it lovingly. "He can't hurt us by talking. Let him in."
Stefan sighed heavily. "Against my better judgment, come in. You have five minutes."
He stepped aside and let Liev pass. Liev nodded to me in greeting and followed me to the living room. His eyes took in the barren room as Stefan protectively stepped between us.
"This...this is temporary. I thought you might stay after all," Liev murmured. His fingers combed through his black curls. "I have information that might help you make a decision."
"You knew we'd be leaving soon. And it couldn't wait until afternoon? What information do you have that can help? We have things under control," I replied tartly. I crossed my arms defensively and felt Stefan's apprehension in the bond.
He shook his head. His face was grim. "Not if you want to win."
"Win?" I repeated. I widened my stance and locked my knees, narrowing my eyes.
Stefan's shoulders tensed as he approached the much smaller vampire. "Enough with the cryptic banter. Explain what you are hiding."
I could feel Stefan's barely concealed fury. He was wary of outsiders by nature, and the fact that Liev was a witch made him even more of an untrustworthy adversary in his eyes.
"You both need to let me help you remember the past you shared. Josephine has already started to have memories and if you both remember, it will make you stronger. It will help Josephine handle her gifts better if she knows why she has them." Liev continued to pace the room. He was a blur, zipping from one side to the other in a blink of an eye.
He'd started to make yet another pass when Stefan moved to grab his arm. He held it tightly, his long fingers wrapping around it and squeezing it with increasing force. Those hands could be loving and sweet. They could also be deadly if necessary.
"No one spoke to you of any powers. Whom are you working with?" Stefan asked. A deep growl reverberated in his chest as he searched Liev's face. His eyes glazed over as he searched Liev's future. "Who are you protecting?"
If possible, his pale face blanched even more. His dark eyes stood out in sharp contrast to his pale skin. He swallowed tightly and his shoulders slumped. "Protecting is a strong word."
"You are wasting time. Your life means nothing to me. The runes have been translated. You have become a threat to me and my mate." Stefan's eyes darkened and he pulled Liev closer until he loomed over him menacingly.
"Let him go." I thought to Stefan. Stefan released his grip and I let my shield wrap around him in the place of his hands. Striding across the room, I smiled at my uncle's friend.
