“I'm human.”
Her mother’s eyes glowed red under her hood. “You don't have to be. You could join me. Be with your Cat forever. He could protect you from Olorin.”
“I don't need protection. Maybe you haven't figured it out, but I'm a badass.”
Isabella smiled. “I'm a badder ass.”
Disgust made Mar's voice come out on a shriek. Her stomach clenched at the thought of becoming like her mother. Of being the kind of woman who could abuse her own child. “I'm still trying to figure it out. Why the Vampires. Why let them take me?”
Isabella's shoulders slumped in resignation. “I thought I was doing the right thing. Was given bad advice by someone I trusted. I realized too late I'd have to obey my maker in every way. I messed up. I couldn't defy Jason. The only thing I could do was manipulate things to keep you safe and try to keep my mind intact.”
“You broke my wrist a week ago.”
Isabella took an involuntary step back and stumbled on protruding roots. “That was a mistake. You know it's true. I was confused . . . It happens sometimes.”
Mar knew what came next. Her mother would ramble for a time. Falling in and out of lucidity. She'd blame Mar for how things were. Then she'd apologize. They'd never get around to the end of it. Mar had places to be. She put her hand up to stop her mother from speaking further.
“I don't care anymore. Somehow you manipulated my re-entrance to this realm. I'm assuming we're at least still in Vancouver?”
Her mother nodded.
“Stanley Park?”
She nodded again.
“Okay, well Neeren is probably freaking out by now. Hand me your cell so I can text him.”
“Cell?”
“Don't play stupid. I need to call him.”
“Maria, I'm going to need your help soon. I can't hold him back much longer.”
“I don't owe you my help.” Mar flicked her finger. “Hand me the phone.”
“For goddess’s sake listen to me.”
Magpies flew out of the trees, startled by Isabella's high-pitched demand. The sound startled Mar. For a minute her mother sounded lucid. But she knew better. Mar sipped the mint tea. It soothed her throat. To some extent it soothed her anger. Seeing her mother like this reminded her of why she studied as hard as she did. Mar would never be at anyone's mercy again.
The deep red of her mother's lipstick brought back a flash of the night Jason had attempted to drain her blood. Mar had watched her life leak from her arm into the tube. But Neeren had come. She didn't give two shits if her mom had secretly been on her side. Isabella would always look out for Isabella. Period.
“No. I'm not listening to you anymore. We're done—forever. Olorin? The Vamp Pack? They're your problem.”
“Maria . . .”
“No. Not another word. And you can keep your stupid phone. I'll borrow one off a nice, non-psycho tourist.”
Mar spun on her heels and walked away from her mom into the light. She refused to feel guilty. Refused to acknowledge the small pebble of doubt sitting heavier on her chest with every step.
~ ~ ~
Thirty-five minutes later Mar reached Collum's apartment building. She'd tried calling Neeren but his phone was either dead or off and she couldn't remember Alex or Collum's numbers.
After leaving her mom in the park she’d found her way to the sea wall. From there it had been easy to simply walk back to Collum's apartment rather than hire a cab. She'd asked a few locals for directions and found her way. Standing on the front stoop, she buzzed the main building number and waited for someone to let her in.
When she saw Alex step off the elevator through the glass doors Mar almost broke down. Alex rushed to the door, unlocked it, and pulled Mar in for a bear hug of the finest order.
“Don't you ever disappear again,” Alex sobbed into her neck.
Mar sobbed right back. “I won't. I swear.”
“I was so worried about you.” Alex pulled back. Looked Mar over.
Warmth tingled over her entire body. Mar felt real, true love for her friend. If she could've picked a sister, she'd pick her inquisitive, mothering, judgmental, Alex. Every damn time.
Mar kissed her cheek. “I'm okay. I promise. Had a little unexpected pit stop on re-entry but nothing I couldn't handle.”
“We've all been worried. Neeren re-entered over two hours ago and had a meltdown after discovering you weren't here.”
Mar cringed. Part of her loved hearing how much he cared. The other part felt sick that once again her mother's machinations caused someone she cared about pain.
Alex grabbed her hand, dragging her to the elevator. “C’mon. Everyone is waiting upstairs. I told them I needed a minute with you and kyboshed them coming down.”
Mar laughed. “Thanks, friend.”
Alex winked. “I've got your back.”
Instinctively Mar hugged her again. “You're the best friend I ever had.”
As Alex squeezed her, Mar felt love all the way to her toes.
“Same here.”
The two women held on to each other for a few minutes soaking in the bond of sisterhood. Finally, Mar pulled back. “Where's Neeren now?”
“We had to knock him out. He went a little nuts. He's sleeping it off in his room.”
Mar nodded. “How nuts?”
“I don't really know. One minute Idris was holding him down. The next Idris heard Neeren's voice in his head and his brain felt like it was going to explode.” Alex sighed. “His physical body didn't react well to being held in stasis for so long. We're worried it might have caused temporary neurological damage.”
Mar grimaced. She couldn't tell Alex the truth until Neeren woke. Wouldn't betray his trust. Not even to her bestie. Besides they both had truths to tell. They'd be stronger together.
“Okay, I'll go check in on him right away. But, any chance I can take a hot shower and change before I meet the gang?”
Alex gave her a sideways look but said nothing. Mar knew she must sound flippant, but she wasn't going to risk Neeren's story coming out until he was awake to defend himself.
“Sure. I'll take you up to your room and you can shower and change. I'll let you know as soon as Neeren wakes up. It shouldn't be long.”
Mar touched her friends arm. “Thank you. I know we have a lot to talk about. I need a minute to breathe first. Okay?”
The elevator dinged and opened its doors and they stepped into it together.
“I understand. I'm here when you're ready. You need a minute. You get a minute.”
~ ~ ~
Mar wiped the steam off the mirror, giving her reflection the once over. She refused to acknowledge how her hands shook.
How powerful was her mother? Sure, Mar blew off their interaction with bravado, but the truth was when she'd woken up in the park, with Mom standing in the shadows, she'd been terrified. It meant her mother was strong enough to manipulate the ancestors magic. If mommy dearest was strong enough to find Mar anywhere, then Mar's attempts at hiding from her all these years had truly been a joke.
Either that or Isabella had a powerful ally none of them knew about. Mar smacked her hands on the sink counter before walking into her room to dress. Anxiety cut off her air. She gulped in patches of oxygen as she sat on the edge of the bed. Could she trust her mom? How many times would she be played for a fool?
True, Isabella helped her in the catacombs, but she'd put her in the cage to begin with. She'd become a vamp to protect them both from a dark sorcerer. Then gotten Mar away from the vampires as a child. But she was the one who claimed Mar was the prophesied child to entice Jason to turn her. And now her mom, never a stellar witch, could make portals and interrupt the ancestors spell?
What the hell had the picnic basket been abou
t? Did Isabella think they were going to sit down like a regular family? Mar in the light, her mother in the shadow. That they’d eat cheese, drink wine, and talk about the weather? Goddess her head hurt. She really needed a drink. Maybe a foot rub. Definitely retail therapy.
A quiet knocking on the door reminded Mar where she was and who she was here for. Neeren stood on the other side of the door. She knew it as she knew her own breath.
“Enter, kitten,” she joked.
He did. Pushed the door open, stepped into the room, and closed it firmly behind him.
She gasped. He looked ill and wan. She jumped from the bed, still only half clothed, and rushed to his side.
“What happened to you?”
He embraced her. His long arms enclosing her fully. “Nothing to worry about, little witch. I was dead for five days. It will take my body a few days to recover.”
Mar smacked his chest and pulled back. “You big jerk. You didn't tell me we had to worry about your physical body while we were in the other realm. I thought you were safe?”
“I was safe.” He sighed before pulling her back into his arms. “I was watched over both here and there.”
He petted her hair. Forgive her feminist heart, she loved it.
“I'm not leaving you, ever,” he vowed.
The deep timber of his voice vibrated to the base of her groin. But also in her heart. She snuggled further into his chest and inhaled his masculine scent. Every moment they'd spent together in the other realm had been perfect. His presence, once so overwhelming and intrusive, had become her island. He'd never once interfered in her training. Never once lorded over her. He remained near enough she always knew where he was. His nose in a book and his bare feet up on a lounge. Or talking to one of her aunts about his ridiculous dog.
Each night he'd kiss her. Touch her. Love her until she whimpered in his arms, begging for more. Until she screamed her release. Then he'd wrap her in a blanket and kiss her quietly goodnight. Mar sighed. Remaining angry with Neeren was going to prove difficult. She totally needed to gain the upper hand and knock him down a peg or two. Just to keep things real.
“Where were you?” he asked.
“Let's sit down.”
“Sounds ominous.”
“Well it isn't. Now sit down.”
He raised an eyebrow but did as she told him.
“Alex tells me you lost your shit on Idris.”
He growled. “I wish she did not tell you.”
“She's my best friend and she's worried about you. What happened?”
He shoved hands through his hair before speaking. Sensing how difficult it was for him she gripped one of his hands.
“When I re-entered this realm, I was disoriented, cold, looking for you. It's no excuse . . . I was confused, being held down by a mountain of a man, trying to find you, but you weren't here.”
He paused, and she wrapped both arms around his chest.
“My base instincts took over. I wanted him to let go. He refused. Forgive me. For the smallest fraction of a moment I thought, if only he'd die then I would be free to search for you.”
“Idris watched over my body while I was with you. I owe him kindness. Instead I almost took his life.” Neeren bowed his head. “Collum stopped me in time. I will be forever in his debt.”
“I'm sorry I wasn't here when you woke up.”
He gripped her chin. Forced her to look into his hypnotizing eyes. Their deep mix of green, black, and yellow soothed her.
“This is my fault, Maria. Not yours. You will never blame yourself for my failings. Do you understand?”
She smiled and nodded. “I understand, lover.”
“Good. Now that we have this settled, tell me where you were.”
She kissed him briefly and began. “I was with Isabella, in Stanley Park, enjoying her version of a family picnic.”
Chuckling, he pulled her onto his lap. “Tell me everything from the beginning.”
~ ~ ~
It was late by the time Mar and Neeren made their way to Collum's dining room. Glenn stopped by her room earlier, and after hugging her, told her they had fifteen minutes to get their butts to the dining room. As he put it, the family has waited long enough.
Mar dreaded the coming conversation. It meant she'd finally have to come clean about everything. Her entire messed up life. She'd been hiding from everyone for so long. The thought of her friends faces changing when they heard the truth haunted her. Like it had her entire life. It's why she was such a loner. I mean how do you tell people your mom is a psychopath vampire? With all the other revelations from the past week she felt ready to disown herself.
The stress bubbling out her throat almost choked her. She ended up gagging. Neeren looked down with a raised eyebrow.
“What was that noise?”
“Hysteria?” she offered flippantly.
“Right there with you, darling,” he replied.
She burst out laughing. Grabbed him for a quick kiss. “I adore you, kitten.”
“I adore you, little witch. Now, shall we meet our fate with heads held high?”
“It is the only way one meets fate,” she countered with a wink.
Still smiling Mar pushed the door open and came face to face with Quinn and Gray Taleisin demanding immediate access to Neeren. She stepped back involuntarily. Bumped into Neeren's solid chest.
“Courage,” he whispered as he kissed the top of her head.
“Mother. Aunt Quinn,” he said, bringing the attention of the room to the two of them.
Mar groaned as the women rushed to Neeren. She moved aside until she found herself standing beside Alex.
“Why are they here?” she asked her friend.
“Sorry. Collum called them. I told him he was stupid. But he wouldn't listen.”
“Ugh. He's such a frickin’ dragon.”
“Tell me about it,” Alex replied. “I've been holding them off for the past hour. I finally had to send Glenn after you two or they would've broken down your bedroom door.”
For the first time, Mar noticed dinner laid out on the table. The scent of fresh baked corn bread and spicy chili tickled her nostrils. It felt like ages since she'd eaten. There'd been food in the other realm, but after re-entering this realm she felt exhausted and twitchy. She couldn't imagine what Neeren must be feeling.
“Should we eat?” she asked Alex.
“Don't see why not. They're going to fawn over him a while and he'll let them. Collum is hiding in the corner. He has no idea how to handle an irate mother. You should have seen him when they first arrived.”
Mar laughed out loud but cut it short when Gray's narrowed eyes flicked to her. “Hurry up and get me some booze. I'm not gonna be able to handle this sober.”
Alex grabbed her arm. Dragged her across the room. “Come on. We’ll fortify and then deal with the parents.”
Chapter 28
Neeren let his mother hug and berate him in equal measures. He smiled softly. She smelled of love and home. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Collum leaning against the far wall looking decidedly uncomfortable. Neeren knew that as a dragon Collum would have received little to no affection as a child. Overbearing mother’s and aunts would be new to him. Glenn stood near him. Likely talking about something mundane like Netflix or hockey. The bond between the two was something special to watch.
Neeren grinned as Quinn playfully smacked his shoulders and gave him hell for worrying them, while forcing food into his hand.
“You look weakened,” Gray said while plucking at his shirt.
“I'm fine, Mother. You worry for no reason.”
“Alex said you had an episode.”
He glared at Alex. She stuck her tongue out at him. Maria pointedly ignored the entire
situation. He'd have to remember that just like the dragon, his lover wouldn't know how to deal with normal mothering.
“I did not have an episode. I assure you I am well. My journey was safe.”
“Yes. Your journey. Would you care to tell me more? How did you come to volunteer for this task?” She glowered at Mar.
He bit his lip to keep from laughing as the little witch took an instant interest in the floorboards.
“I wasn't volunteered. I chose to go.” He stroked the side of Gray's face. “Please understand, Mother. I have found my mate and she needed me. I could do no more than go to her.”
Neeren paused as his mother and aunt gasped. Mar choked in the corner. Alex smacked her back to dislodge whatever blocked her windpipe.
He continued, “As you would have gone to father.”
Gray stuttered. Neeren let her find her way. “Your . . . Mate?”
“Yes.” He said nothing else. Simply let the room settle into acceptance of what was meant to be.
Finally, his mother replied, “I see. And you both are fine now?”
“We are both fine now. We do need to talk about all that has transpired in the past week. Would you and Aunt Quinn like to be a part of the discussion?”
He didn't ask Collum in advance if the dragon would approve of their presence. There had been enough secrecy between them all.
His mother, bless her, recovered like the true warrior he knew she was.
“Yes. It is time we all spoke about what is next.” She dismissed him. Neeren smiled again as she turned her attention to Collum. “Dragon,” she commanded. “It is time we lay all cards on the table. Pour wine and let us begin.
Neeren's estimation of the King of Dragons rose again as the man straightened from his spot on the wall and nodded to Gray before saying. “Of course. As you wish.”
Neeren watched with barely concealed delight as everyone in the room rushed to do his mother’s bidding. She directed Collum's staff to start the meal. Even Glenn let her guide the distribution of plates and cups.
Magic Born Page 20
