His response to Avery is different than the one he had for Chansey. Again, I’m struck by the notion that this means more.
“Avery. You are my daughter because of the relationship I shared with your mother. You are the living, physical proof of our love.”
Avery is bewildered by his words. “Are you saying my dad wasn’t my biological father?”
“He wasn’t. I am.” Anteros takes Avery’s hands. “The blood of a god courses through your veins and there are those that would harm you for that reason. That’s why I chose Solomon as your protector. He’s strong. Valiant. He’ll protect you and he’ll keep your children safe but there’s something you should know about them.”
I feel Avery’s growing fear and it causes mine to multiply. It’s terrifying to hear there’s something we don’t know about our newborn daughters.
“This involves all four infants.” Anteros moves to stand between us and the Brennans. “There’s a prophesy. A great battle will ensue among the vampire race. There will be a false leader to rise and she will attempt to lay claim as sovereign but there will be a group of six to lead a revolt against this diabolical fiend. Your four children are destined to save the entire vampire race from believing her deceit.”
Our hearts sink because no parent wants to hear that his children–especially daughters–are destined to go to battle. This isn’t what I would choose for them.
“They have the best of three worlds. Human blood gives them compassion. Some immortals consider this a weakness but it’s the complete opposite. Empathy is powerful. Their bodies are half vampire so this makes them fast and resilient which they’ll need for battle. But it’s the blood of a god that will make them more powerful than any enemy rising against them.”
The numbers don’t add up. Is he including future children in the count? “You said a group of six would lead the revolt.”
“Your children and two other male babes–also twins–are the only ones on earth with that genetic make up.” I’m surprised to hear that there are two more agape/vampire children out there. Three sets of twins. Three males. Three females. I’m a father of daughters so I don’t like the direction this conversation is going.
Anteros addresses Chansey and Curry, “Your son will take one of Avery and Solomon’s daughters as a mate and your daughter will pair off with one of the males born outside of this coven.” He turns to us and I can predict what he is about to say. “Your other daughter will be a mate to the other male twin.”
Anteros motions toward the entry from the foyer and a couple enters the living room, each holding an infant. “This is Abel and Jenna Bennett. And these are their sons, Judd and York. They are joining Landra and will be living with you at the compound. The children must be raised together so they can train side by side to become invincible if they are to conquer Marsala Delphine.”
Curry’s entire body jerks in a rigor when he hears her name. “Marsala is dead.”
“No. She used black magic to make you believe she is dead but she’s biding her time.” Curry rubs his chin with his hand as he always does when he’s stressed. “Something happened to Marsala when you thought you were running that stake through her heart. Her once obsession turned to something different. Something darker.”
He’s clearly shaken by the news that Marsala is still alive. “Darker? I didn’t think that was possible.”
“It is. She’s gone mad and wants to rule the vampire species so she may eradicate all agápes.” He’s speaking to all of us now. “She wants Curry to suffer the pain of losing Chansey and his children if she can’t have him. Marsala is powerful and determined. That’s two very dangerous characteristics so she’s the reason the three of you can’t remain agápes. You must be able to protect yourselves in case she gets through your mates. Once the babies are old enough, you will all need to be changed.”
Curry isn’t disturbed by this the way I am. He was planning to turn Chansey anyway but this isn’t what I want for Avery. “No. I refuse to do it.” Do I have the right to refuse Anteros?
“Solomon, I know what happened with your betrothed but it wasn’t your fault.”
How was it not my fault? I’d love to believe I wasn’t the cause of Lisette’s wrongful death. “I tried to turn her and she died. I killed her.” End of story.
“Avery wasn’t born during that time but once you were changed into a vampire, she was destined to become your intended. That means there could never be another for you. That’s why Lisette didn’t survive. Your blood couldn’t supply her body with the things she needed to transition so it wasn’t your fault.”
I feel numb. “I’ve spent the last two hundred and seventy-five years believing she died because I made a stupid mistake.”
“There was no wrong done on your part. It just wasn’t meant to be.” I wish I had known because neither of us would have chosen that fate for her. She loved life and deserved to live.
Sebastian steps forward. “There’s one last bit of news.” He appears happy–probably the happiest I’ve seen him. “Anteros has the ability to reunite me with Ella in a parallel world–much like the one where you join your agápe when you share your special connection. It’s what I want but joining her means leaving all of you behind and I’ll never return again.”
Ella is Sebastian’s heart so he deserves nothing less than our full support. “We’ve had a great run, my friend. You’ve taught us well and your work will continue to be done here but it’s time for you to be reunited with your beloved.” I hug my teacher. My confidant. My friend. “You will be missed greatly.”
We say our goodbyes but I’m not sad about Sebastian’s departure. I’m happy for him because the vampire mate within me understands. He must go to his agápe.
And in the blink of an eye, he is no longer with us. Vanished–gone to be reunited with his beloved.
But Anteros remains. “Curry and Solomon, you will train Abel in the ways of the Landra. The fighting techniques you use to apprehend and tame out of control vampires will become vital if you are to defeat Marsala and the army she is building.”
“And our agápes?” Curry asks.
“They will be turned and trained after your children are weaned.”