We ate quietly for a while. I wanted to let the information sink in for Dennis. The rest of it was going to be difficult in a different way. I hoped having that connection would help him come to the right decision.
“She loved me? No matter how many times I asked her out, she always said no. I felt like there was something, but I thought it was my mind playing tricks on me. Sometimes I worried I was turning into Nathan.” He snorted.
“That would be pretty much impossible. You are a very beautiful man, he’s a cave troll compared to you. Not that I’ve met many cave trolls, but I’ve heard they aren’t pretty….” I chuckled.
[Madison]When we finished, we went outside. Anders was leaning against his car, looking agitated. I guess it had been a rather long lunch. I walked Denny to his car and he gave me a little gift wrapped box.“For your birthday.” He said softly.“Thank you, Denny.” I grinned and opened it.The box inside the wrapping was a jewelry box. I opened it to find an oval shaped silver locket. When I looked inside, there was a picture of Indie on one side and Serena on the other. Tears filled my eyes and
[Aria]I looked at the people surrounding me. I was nervous. There were so many people and I was unprotected. Celia approached me and I got more nervous. I was afraid they would still blame me for what I had to do.They couldn’t understand. Caleb may have cared about me, but my punishments for disobedience were terrible. He would experiment. It wasn’t as bad as some of the things I watched him do to others, but it was painful. I was the only succubus he could cut up. I was the only siren he’d ever seen.
[Madison]They all started getting ready. Trista and Landry accepted the offer to come with us. I put on a flowy emerald green shirt and black leggings after putting away my wings and tail. We packed up water, snacks, and blankets, then headed out to the clearing that was now one of our favorite places.I held Aria’s hand as we walked. We talked about all the things I would show her and how excited I was to introduce her to all of my other friends later. I knew that Serena would be thrilled to find out she had a little sister. She wanted family she could really connect with, another siren would be wonderful.W
[3rd person]The girls reached each other and squealed as they hugged. Madison was thrilled to see her best friend again. It was a wonderful present Ford had arranged. She got to see both of her sister’s mates, both of her friends. People she shared her heart with.When Aria was about ten feet away she froze. The man, standing near the woman Maddie hugged, was beautiful. She’d never seen someone as perfect as him, until she met Maddie. Aria’s world spun in the same way it had when she looked up in Caleb’s office and saw her standing there.
[Trista]The walk back to the house was as depressing as it normally was. Landry and I weren’t as concerned about the camp thing, because Madison wasn’t worried.I loved her and wanted her safe, but a demon queen is a warrior queen. The shapeshifters didn’t understand. She was everything a queen should be.When we got inside, we found Drayce and Anders in the kitchen with Poppy and Gail. They were smiling like they had a secret. That made me more nervous than Madison going to any number of camps.
“I’m Madison. The Vasilia.” I said calmly. “Why did you want to see me?”“I want to know what the woman who will bear my grandchildren looks like. Concubae are supposed to be among the most beautiful women in the world. Even more than succubae. Though, I must say, you are rather… short.” He snorted. “I thought you’d be more like Poppy. Statuesque, regal. She’s more of a queen than you.”“Okay.” I shrugged.I’d dealt with bullies in school and jerks who did that whole ‘negging’ thing. He was just
[Madison]A shuddering sigh pulled me from my thoughts. I opened my eyes and looked at Drayce and Anders. Drayce was clinging to Anders tightly. The Vasili was rubbing circles into his mate’s back and cooing tenderly to him.“Are you okay, Drayce?” I asked softly, walking toward them.“I thought he was going to kill you, Maddie. How were you able to look him in the eye and laugh? No one can do that. How can you be okay with going to Nettleston’s care, knowing our father will be there?” Drayce said breathily.
[Madison]When I got down to the girls’ room, Landry and Trista were by the closed bathroom door, pleading. Poppy was waiting near the stairs, and Gail was reading a magazine on their bed. I couldn’t see Aria, but I knew where she was.“Come out, please. He won’t get you. Madison won’t let him, Aria. Trust us.” Trista begged softly.I went to the door and put my hands gently on Trista and Landry’s shoulders. They moved aside to let me near the door. I needed to get my a