LanceFaint rays of morning sunshine peeked through the windows the following morning as I turned over and kissed Leilaâs shoulder, causing her to wake.âLance?â She smiled, her eyes half-mast.âYes, itâs me, love.â I rolled over and kissed her lips. âGo back to sleep. Iâm going to take a shower.âShe turned over and smiled, curling up on her pillowâan angel sent down from Heaven just for me. What a wonderful sight to wake up to.I slipped on some sleeping shorts in case the children woke and headed out to the kitchen. After making the coffee, I threw two blood bags into the microwave, took them out when they were ready, and headed to the door to get the paper. When I opened it, Channing and Javier were standing outside.âGood morning, sir.â Channing nodded, smiling as he handed me the newspaper.âThank you.â After taking the paper, I gave them the blood bags. âHere you go, gentlemen.ââThank you, sir.â Javier smiled as he drank down his and then handed the empty pouch back to me.âWh
LanceI walked around the car and placed my hand on the small of her back. Her cream-colored dress looked exquisite and showed off her womanly curves in all the right places. The back had a diamond cutout, and she wore cream strappy heels. I was surprised that she dressed up today just to come to the hospital. But since she was no longer working here, it didnât really matter. She could wear anything she wanted, and I loved the way she dressed.âWould you like me to go upstairs with you?â I asked when we stopped at the private elevator.She shook her head, smiling. âNo, Iâll be fine. You go ahead. Just come and get me when youâre ready.âI nodded, giving her one last sweet kiss. âI will. If you need me, just call.âI waited with her until she was safely in the elevator, and she wiggled her fingers goodbye, leaving me to feel like the luckiest man in the world.âThere you are!â Drake said behind me. I turned around, and my blood turned cold. âLance, Iâd like you to meet our newest patro
LeilaâDid you see her here at the hospital?â If Selestra was running around and she approached him, I needed to know.Lance nodded, his hands clenched into fists at his sides, but said nothing.âLance! Tell me!â I shouted. âI have to know!He shook his head as he looked into my eyes. âTrust me. You donât want to know.âIn the back of the limo, I placed my hand on his cheek to calm him as I looked into his eyes. âLance, please. I have to know.âHe let out a deep breath as he pulled me to his side. âAs soon as we got there, Drake introduced me to a new patron of the hospital, Silvia Gold.â He let out a deep breath, shaking his head. âThen, when I looked up, it was Selestra.ââOh my God!â I gasped. âWhat did you do?âHe shrugged. âI grabbed her by the throat and took her to a room along with Drake.â He shook his head. âThen I told her if she ever came near you, the children, or me again, I would kill her.ââSo, where is she now?â Selestra was lucky that Lance hadnât ripped her heart out
LeilaâFerdinand, I want the castle secure,â Lance ordered as soon as we walked in. âThere was a breach here last night.âFerdinand nodded once. âYes, sir. Weâll check everyone who enters and leaves.ââAnd I want every exit secured,â Lance ordered as we headed toward the elevator. âI donât care if you have to deadbolt them from the inside.âThe doors opened on the top floor a moment later, and two guards were standing outside our door.âHas anyone entered or left since weâve been gone?â Lance asked as I opened the door.âNo, sir,â they both said in unison.Lance continued barking orders as I rushed into the penthouse, and down the hallway to the family room. Jase was sitting on a chair with his leg slung over the armrest, reading a book, while Sirena played with her doll on the floor.Addie was on her feet immediately. âIs everything okay?âI nodded, my eyes darting to the children, and she nodded once, understanding.âMom?â Jase looked up from his book and sat up, putting his foot do
LanceI quickly hit the elevator button and was on the first floor within minutes. As soon as the doors opened, I looked across the casino, and Raven was there, wearing a long, green velvet cloak, attracting the attention of the humans in the casino. But I didnât care. Over the years, she had helped me more times than I could count. And now, she was helping Leila and the children, too. She was like family.âRaven, itâs so good of you to come!â I placed my hands on her shoulders and kissed both of her cheeks. âBut I wish I would have known you were coming.âShe gave me a small smile, her eyes filled with concern. âIâm sorry to drop in on you like this, but I assure you. Itâs important.ââOf course.â I offered her my arm. âShall we?âShe brought down the hood of her cloak and took my arm as her bodyguards followed. I went with her in the elevator while her men took the stairs, leaving us alone.âIs something wrong?â I asked, my eyes filled with concern.A smile lit her lips. âLetâs wait
Leila âAbsolutely not!â Leila shook her head but quickly calmed herself. âWe can protect them here.â I nodded, a crease forming between my eyes. âI agree. We would give our lives to keep our children safe.â Raven nodded. âYes, I know, but it wonât be enough.â âWhy?â I sat on the club chair closest to Leila, leaning forward as I listened, the wine forgotten. âThere are people after your children. And if they come with me to my coven, they can begin their training.â Raven let out a deep breath. âThey can undergo their training at my Compound. And when theyâre old enough, they can go to Mayfield Manor for Magical Misfits.â âMagical Misfits?â I scrunched up my nose. âMy children are not misfits.â Raven shrugged. âThey are in society with the humans. Hence, the name. As witch-vampire hybrids, they need special training. With me or at the school, they can hone their skills while cultivating their understanding of other species. Also, they will have the opportunity to make friends like
LanceâWould you like me to show you to your room?â I asked Raven. We had just finished our meal, and she still made no move to leave, which was rare. Usually, she visited long enough to give us the news she had, and then she left. But today, she was hanging out as if waiting for something.âIs something about to happen?â I asked, keeping my voice low.Leilaâs head snapped up, her eyes filled with concern. Since she became a vampire, her hearing was just as good as mine. There was no keeping anything from her anymore, not that I did before, but still....Raven stared into my eyes and smiled. âIâll stay with Leila and the children for a while to visit, if thatâs alright.ââYes, of course.âIndirectly, she had answered my question. I would be called away, and she would stay here with Leila and the children.Raven nodded, having read my thoughts.Just then, my cell phone rang, and I quickly looked down to check the caller ID. âItâs Drake.ââDrake, whatâs wrong?â I quickly walked into the
LanceSuddenly, Selestra walked out from behind Raif and draped her arm over his shoulder, then he turned and grabbed her hair roughly, yanking it back as he sank his mouth down onto hers, giving her a brutal kiss. Then he pulled back and wiped the corner of his lips. âAs you can see, she was never yours.ââI donât want her!â I yelled back. âBut sheâs tricking you now! Sheâs playing you! Canât you see that?ââThe only thing I see is a man that will pay for his sins!â Raif yelled, taking a step forward. âYou took away everything that I held dear. And now, I will do the same to you.ââStay away from my family!â I yelled. âIf I see you near them, Iâll rip out your heart myself!âHe burst out laughing. âYou can try.âI unbuttoned my shirt and threw it down onto the ground. âThen letâs do this now! This is between us! Letâs not involve any more innocents!âRaif shook his head. âNo, not yet. When you least expect it, I will come for you, your children, and your wife.âA deep, guttural growl
LeilaJase started toward me, but Selestra held up her hand, stopping him. âWait!ââSelestra,â Lance growled, his eyes flaring a brilliant green. âIf you do not release the children now, I will personally tear you to pieces.ââAs a show of good faith, Iâm giving you back the children,â she replied. âBut Raif is crazed with vengeance. I couldnât take his abuse anymore, and I left him and took your children with me.ââItâs a lie!ââLance, wait!â I held my hand up, stopping her. âWhat if sheâs telling the truth?â Then I turned to Selestra. âSo, give us the children. Once theyâre safe, then weâll talk.âSelestra nodded. âAgreed.â She motioned for Jase and Addie to go to us, and they both rushed toward me and hugged me.âSheâs alone,â Addie whispered, keeping her voice so low only I could hear.I nodded once. âJase, Sirena, go home with Raven. weâll talk when we get there.âJase looked between us and said, âBe safe.âLance pulled them both in for a quick hug, making it look good. But he ki
LeilaâI spoke with Kellen,â Lance said, quickly crossing the room. âHeâs called an emergency and is locking down the castle as we speak. Heâs also agreed to stay with Sirena and Emma, too.â He let out a deep breath, placing his hands on his hips. âIt may be overkill, but I donât care. Sirena needs all the protection we can give her.âA moment later, there was a knock on the door.Lance held up his hand to me and quickly crossed the room. He looked through the peephole, opened the door, and extended his hand to Emma. âThanks for this. Iâm so sorry we had to phone you on such short notice.ââNot a problem. Iâm glad to help.â She walked in dressed in a pair of jeans, a floral shirt, and boots, similar to what I was wearing. I was sure she had come prepared to fight, too.âThank you so much for this.â I pulled her in for a quick hug. âAfter Kellen locks down the castle, heâll come stay with you.âEmma nodded. âThatâs fine.â She pointed down the hallway. âIs Sirena in the family room?âI
LeilaâWhat do you mean âtheyâre missing?ââ Lance demanded, taking a step closer.Raven took a deep breath, the most flustered Iâd ever seen her. âAfter dinner, they were dismissed and were in their common rooms. One of the other students said that Jase got a call... from you.â Her head snapped up toward me. âSo, he stepped out into the hallway with Addie and never came back in.ââFrom me?â I asked in disbelief, shaking my head. âIt wasnât me.ââWell, the student said your number popped up on his phone.â Raven shook her head. âIâm so sorryâââWho was the student?â I asked.Raven let out a deep breath. âKian Medine. The Medine family is important in the witch community and very trustworthy.âI nodded. âCan you do a locator spell on him like you did last time?ââThatâs what I planned to do.â She looked into Lanceâs eyes. âI knew you would want to be present.âLance nodded. âThank you.â He gritted his teeth. âIf Raif and Selestra have them, there will be no place they can hide. Iâll tear
LeilaI nodded. âI know you will.â I rose to my feet and pulled her in for a hug. âMy husband and I will discuss this and will get back to you. Thank you for coming.ââWould you like to meet our daughter before you go?â Lance asked.Emma nodded. âYes, please.â Her eyes brightened. It was clear that she loved children.I nodded. Whether or not we hired her, what harm could it do to introduce Emma to Sirena? âRight this way.âI walked down the hallway, and Emma walked beside me as Lance followed behind. When we entered the family room, Sirena was playing Chess alone, switching seats at each turn. It was the funniest thing Iâd ever seen. Then guilt filled my chest for not having anyone her age to occupy her. âSirena, honey, Iâd like you to meet someone.âSirena looked up and smiled, her game forgotten as she crossed the room purposefully toward Emma and thrust out her hand. âHello. My name is Sirena. Whatâs your name?ââMy name is Emma.â She tilted her head to the side, smiling. So, you
LeilaEmma sat on the edge of her seat and smiled, folding her arms on her lap. âMy name is Emma Fitzroy.â She had the type of British accent that I could listen to all day.Lanceâs head snapped up, a crease between his eyes. âFitzroy? As in âthe bastard son of a king?âââLance!â I scoffed, unable to believe what he had just said.âPlease, pardon me, both of you.â Lance looked over at me and smiled. âThe word was more commonly used in our time. Please, forgive me.âI nodded cautiously. âItâs okay.âBut Emma smiled, unaffected. âItâs okay. I used to hear it all the time years ago. But not many people know the meaning or connotation today.âLance nodded. âSo, who was your father?âShe let out a deep breath. âMy father was King Henry I, and I am one of his illegitimate children.âMy eyes nearly bugged out of my head, but miraculously, I maintained my composure. âCould you explain that to us? I mean, how did you come to be in our coven?âShe nodded. âI was born the twenty-sixth of June, i
LeilaLance let out a deep breath. âAfter hearing everything, the Council agreed with my reasoning. They couldnât believe all the threats Raif had leveled against you and the children, and they agreed that if he defeated me, he would also take over the Council, the vampire world, and the rest of the supernatural creatures. When I told them he wanted to be king, they agreed that we canât let that happen.ââWell, letâs eat, and then you can take a shower before Emma gets here.â I made a sandwich out of a biscuit, an egg, and a slice of bacon.Lance laughed. âWhat are you doing?ââI used to do this all the time when I was human.â I picked it up and took a bite. âYou should try it! Itâs good!ââCan I have some?â Sirena asked, looking at my biscuit sandwich with curiosity.âSure!â I slid her onto my lap and made her a sandwich with the other biscuit, egg, and bacon. Lance got up and made another one for me and warmed up a bag of blood for her.âHere you go!â I handed her the biscuit sandw
LeilaLance raised up and kissed my shoulder, smiling as he laced his fingers through my hair. âWhy donât you shower, and Iâll fix the coffee?â He traced lazy circles over my body, raising my nipples to peaks and sending chills over my body. âI would take a shower with you, but Sirena will be up in a few minutes, and her seeing her mommy and daddy naked may cause unnecessary trauma.â He chuckled. âItâll cost me a fortune in therapy for the rest of her life.âI laughed, running my fingers through his dark brown wavy hair. âWe really need to find her a nanny.âHe laughed. âYes, we do.â Then his lips descended upon mine in a passionate kiss as my tongue swiped over his, all heat and desire. He pulled back a moment later and gave me one last sweet kiss. Then he slid out of bed and slipped into his sleeping shorts and a white T-shirt.âAhh,â I moaned, reaching for him. âCome back to bed.âHe chuckled, one corner of his lips curling into a sexy smile. âYou donât know how tempting that is.â
LanceI nodded. âSo, what say you? I will poll each of you. An answer of Yay will be in favor of banning together to fight. An answer of Nay will be against.â I looked around the room. âXander.ââYay.âI nodded. âDrake.ââYay.ââAnnette.ââIf he would go so far as to threaten you and your family and then take over the Council, then my answer is Yay,â she replied.I nodded. âFelicia.âShe let out a deep breath, a crease forming between her eyes. It was clear that she was not making her decision lightly. âYay.ââSo, itâs unanimous. We will stand and fight. I appreciate your support.â I placed my hands on the table as I leaned forward. âIâll coordinate with you and will let you know when we plan to attack. But as of this moment, we are at war with Raif Cavanaugh, Leader of the East Coven.â I let out a deep breath. âI asked Chef Faustino to prepare a special buffet for you. So, please. Enjoy.â I motioned toward the buffet lined up against the wall, filled with all sorts of delicacies incl
LanceLeila and I went through several applicants for Sirenaâs nanny but didnât find anyone suitable. The successful applicant needed to be a vampire with fighting skills, capable of protecting Sirena during a crisis. He or she would also have to have good nanny and child nurturing skills. Not an easy combination to find in one person.âSo, did you have any luck finding a nanny for Sirena?â A smile spread across Kellenâs face as we headed toward the main conference room for the meeting with the Supernatural Council, consisting of the heads of all the covens and packs in Las Vegas.I scoffed. âNo. Not yet. Itâs proving to be as difficult as it was to find a nanny and protector for Jase.âKellen nodded, stopping just outside the door. âI think I may have a solution for you.ââOh?â My eyebrows shot up.âI know a young woman that reminds me a lot of Addie, but she was a little older when she was turned.ââHow old was she?ââEighteen,â he replied. âI think Addie was sixteen when she was tu