“No,” she replied emphatically. “I know you don’t believe that, but I promise you, Jack didn’t know what Rianne and Noah were up to. Layla, if you find Noah and Rianne, I need you to promise me that Sam won’t kill my son.”
“Aunt Tab, I wish I could, but I can’t. But what I can tell you is that the vampires here don’t go out of their way to take a human’s life. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell Jack, but he won’t listen. The vampire military is not your enemy. But if Jack or Ray are out to hunt Sam or any others on his team, then all bets are off. If Noah tries to string up Sam again, hewilldefend himself.”
A light tap on the door snapped my spine straight. “Layla,” Jo said. “Are you okay?”
“I’ll be right out.”
“I’ve made some tea that should help the nausea,” Jo said before her footsteps faded.
“Aunt Tab, I have to go. We’ll talk soon.” Then I clicked off before she begged me again. I had my own problems, and they were more important than worrying about Noah.
I walked into the kitchen, where sunlight pinged off the copper pots and pans hanging over the stovetop built into the white marble island. I blinked several times to adjust to the blinding light.
Jo was pouring hot water into three cups. “Layla, this is Alia Costner.”
My gaze swung to a pretty blond woman with sky-blue eyes who was sitting on a barstool.
“It’s nice to meet you, Layla. Come. Sit.” Alia pulled out a stool next to her.
Jo slid a cup of tea to her. “Alia tutored Sam and me. Now, she tutors Abbey. I thought it would be good for you to meet her. She might be of more help with your quest to learn about your mom. She knows our history better than me, and she can get access to vampire records.”
Jo gave me my cup. “It’s ginger, which should help with your nausea.”
I loved ginger, but at the moment, I wasn’t sure if I could keep anything down. It had been a while since I’d had blood, and whether it was my taste buds or the baby, I wouldn’t mind switching out tea for blood. But Sam wasn’t there, and my parents had taught me to be polite when I was a guest in someone’s home.
I slid onto a stool next to Alia. “Are you a vampire?”
Alia sipped her tea. “I carry the gene, but I chose not to turn because I wanted kids. Now, I have a wonderful son.” She smiled, but it seemed forced.
I brought my cup to my mouth and blew before I took a sip. “Is he a vampire?”
“He is,” she said despairingly. “So, Layla, tell me about you.” It was clear she didn’t want to talk about her son. “Growing up, my father told me stories about hunters. Your family is one of the legends in our history.” She practically gushed with excitement, as though I was a celebrity.
“Legends, huh?” I imagined history books teaching the children of vampires about the dangers of hunters. More than that, I would have to warn my own child about the Aberdeen clan. He could never step foot on the ranch, play with his cousins, or do anything with my family. A bolt of sadness stung my chest as I swayed to one side.
Alia caught me. “I think you need to lie down. You look pale all of a sudden.”
Jo rushed over. “You can rest in the guest room. I’ll call Sam too. I think you need blood.”
Tears threatened as the women guided me down a hall that seemed never-ending. I couldn’t have the baby. I just couldn’t.
31
SAM
Istormed into Jo’s place. “Where is she? Is she okay?” I padded across the carpeted living room, anxious to see Layla. “What happened?”
Jo blocked me from turning the corner toward the bedrooms. “Sit down, Sam.” She stabbed a finger toward one of the chairs. “Layla’s fine. She’s resting.”
“I thought you said she needed blood.” The minute I’d gotten off the phone with Jo, I ran over to my sister’s like a crazy motherfucker.
She pinned me with the sisterly look she always used to boss me around. “A minute more won’t hurt.”
Oh, how the tables had turned since she’d become a vampire. When we were human, I’d been the one in charge of our sibling relationship. And I wasn’t one to back down, but it was evident she had something important to tell me.
I skirted past her and went into the kitchen. “What is it, then?” I opened the fridge, looking for something to drink.
“Layla is freaking out, and it’s my fault. My intentions weren’t to upset her, but I should’ve known to tread lightly. Anyway, our conversation led to why the baby required blood.”
