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"Blessing and a curse." I smoothly cut him off. I walked to stand on the opposite side of the doorway so only inches separated us. "I can’t answer those questions for you. Kian loved my mother. For a while, she kept him entertained. But she grew tired of his power struggles and infidelities. She fell in love with another vampire and was going to leave him. I was only a baby when Kian killed her, so I have no memory of her. My brother…our brother was told she ran away. He knew better though. Nigel…the vampire that loved my mother took care of Nikolaus and Kian left me with Garrett and Meredith."
Fletcher listened intently, his eyes never leaving my face. I took a deep breath and kept going. "I can't begin to understand what you've gone through and I think I know you well enough to know you don't want my pity...at least if you're anything like me. In fact, I admire you. But I can offer you a safe place if you want it. You have a family if you want it, Fletcher. I know what it feels like to not fit in anywhere. But since I've been with Stefan, I found my place. I have a family…now I have people that would lay down their life to assure the safety of any one of us."
He frowned and picked at his nails again. "I don’t feel like a survivor. I hid for years. That’s not to be admired. I trusted Liev, and he betrayed me. He knew you were my sister. He kept that a secret from me and you were on your own for years. So you gotta understand why I'm having trouble believing anybody."
Nodding, I put my hand over his. His hand stilled and he looked up at me with a mixture of sadness and curiosity. "There’s so much you don’t know. I was a recluse and I ran from place to place after Garrett died. Liev thought he was doing what was right. I can't say I'm happy with him or the way he handled things, but he was protecting you. I can’t blame him for that. In fact, I owe him a thank you. He saved you, Fletcher. “
We were both quiet. Fletcher chewed absently at his thumbnail and would shoot an anxious look up at the ceiling every few minutes.
“So, you gonna fill me in on what happened in the woods? You were glowing.”
Pursing my lips, I averted my gaze from his and admired his smooth subject change. “I think it has to do with our bond and what I am. Or was.”
He looked puzzled, his already narrow eyes becoming slits. “What were you? You were like me and I sure as hell don’t glow.”
“Before that…I was a Eudaemon. Stefan and I were together when he was still human.” I tossed my hair over my shoulder and resumed talking. “Once he became a vampire, our tie was severed. For some reason, the time was right for us to be reunited and I was reborn.”
Fletcher stood and simply fixed his piercing green eyes on mine. “Go on.”
Chuckling at the matter of fact way he handled himself, I continued. “Out in the woods, I said some sort of incantation and we both started glowing. My mind was flooded with memories of things I haven’t even been able to process. And Stefan…well, you saw what happened to him.”
“You still love him though?” Fletcher asked, switching to nibbling on his fingernail.
I gave my brother a soft smile. “There aren’t words to describe how I feel about Stefan. Love…love isn’t a strong enough word. It doesn’t come close.”
No sooner than I’d spoken those words, I heard the familiar tread of Stefan's feet coming down the stairs. He was moving slower than usual, his footsteps sounding uneven and loud. When he wandered into the living room, he looked sleepy and rumpled, his blond hair sticking up in tufts all over his head.
“I only came to retrieve my wife. You are welcome to stay with us, Fletcher. For however long you need,” Stefan said, inclining his head. He beckoned to me and draped a heavy arm around my shoulders. “We can continue our talk tomorrow, yes?”
I nodded and smiled at Fletcher. “There are blankets in the closet. It’s not much, but the sofa is yours.”
“It’ll do. Night, Josie.”
I watched him for a moment as he ran his fingers through his shaggy hair. It wasn’t until I felt the gentle tug of Stefan’s arm that I left the room, leaving my brother to his own devices for the night.
Chapter 9 - Some Unholy War
The early morning light filtered in through the curtains. I'd considered curling up against the comfort of Stefan's body, but the soft chime of my cell phone interrupted my plans.
Inching off the bed, I found my phone in my bag. I was surprised to see the sender of the message.
Liev: "Please. Meet me in the clearing. I promise to explain everything.
I read his text with a roll of my eyes. I typed out a quick response. There is nothing to discuss, Liev. This is up to Fletcher now. He said he's moving on.
Liev: There is more at stake. Josie, I beg you.
Biting my lip, I peeked over at Stefan's prone body. I should wake him...but surely, I could handle myself against Liev, right? My shield had held him before; it could hold him again. Tapping out a reply, I huffed loudly. “Fine. I’ll be there soon.”
I grabbed my jeans, a Henley shirt and my boots. Dressing silently, I crept down the stairs and tiptoed past Fletcher who was sprawled across the sofa, sound asleep. Grabbing a piece of paper, I scrawled out a note. ‘Out to meet Liev in the clearing. Be back soon.’
Without a sound, I opened the French doors and hurried across the yard, breaking into a full speed run, streaking through the woods at breakneck speed. I made it to the clearing in no time and I anxiously watched for Liev to appear.
I didn't have to wait long. He stepped into the field with heavy feet, his face a mask of contrition. It was clear I'd make a huge mistake. I'd wandered into a trap, like a lamb to the slaughter.
Liev's eyes were glazed over in fear and regret. "I had no choice. Forgive me."
Alarm bells sounded in my head and I started to back away. "You bastard! What have you done?"
