“Okay, Mom.” She headed to the door.
“Caitlin!” Mom’s tone was sharp.
She turned from where she’d been about to exit. “Yeah?”
Mom held out her arms. “Get over here!”
Caitlin returned, and giving a sad smile, she slipped her arms around Mom and sank into her embrace.
“I love you, my darling daughter. I know you are strong, but take care of yourself. I’m more worried about you and Finn ripping each other apart than I am about the vampires.”
Caitlin let out a strangled laugh. “Yeah, they don’t know what’s about to hit them.” She gave another squeeze and then stepped away. “I love you, Mom. See you soon.”
When she’d left, Mom turned to me.
I sat beside her on the bed, and she closed her hand over mine. “I’m not sure I’m strong enough for this, Mom. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
She smiled tenderly. “I’m not sure either,mijo.” She wiped away her tears, cleared her throat, and straightened up as much as she could from her position on the hospital bed. “Go and speak to the nymphs before you leave. They may be able to provide some clarity.”
I nodded.
She smiled sadly. “Come back to me.”
“I will, Mom.”
“I don’t just mean your body.” Her eyes held on to mine. “You’ve been gone from us the past several months already. I cannot imagine what you will face in Costa Rica. Do not let it destroy what makes you who you are. I want my son to return to me.”
I nodded. “I’ll do my best, Mom. I love you.”
She pulled me into her and wrapped her arms around my neck. “I love you too, Finn. I’ll be praying. Remember, you’re so much stronger than you know.”
Epilogue
SONIA LIU
Shehalted in the entryway of the Royal Chamber, barely catching herself before she gasped and announced her presence. Whipping around, Sonia pressed her back against the wall in an effort to disappear. Realizing how she must look, she glanced around the passageways. No one. Good. The last thing she needed was the vampires to see the king’s new obsession cowering in fear, with the master just a few feet away.
It seemed impossible that he would be within the same walls as she. She was in another country, in a completely different existence than before. Yet here he was, his red hair just as dirty and unkempt as ever. It seemed even meeting with the king of the vampires wasn’t reason enough to make himself presentable.
Still unable to force herself to move, she tilted her head toward the doorway. Even though her vampire hearing needed no such assistance, some human habits still existed. Typically, when Sonia realized she’d acted in such a weak manner, she berated herself and adjusted, making a mental note to never repeat the offense. It was a testament to the vampire’s effect on her that she didn’t even notice.
“I’ve done as you asked. The witch is here and unharmed.” The vampire’s voice sent chills through Sonia, followed by a flash of fury at her weakness.
Gwala’s birdlike voice carried across the cavernous expanse. “I can see that, servant. Watch the eagerness in your tone. You will have the reward that I promised.”
Again, Sonia glanced down the passageways. Still alone. Only moonlight filtered through the openings of Cathedral’s ceiling. The shadow of some bird passed over her, and Sonia looked up. The edge of the moon peered from between the branches of the ancient trees that filled the rainforest. Whatever had flown overhead disturbed other members of the jungle’s residents, setting off a loud cacophony of monkey chatter.
The eerie sound of the animals distracted her enough that Sonia was able to get a better rein on her emotions. She reminded herself that she was no longer the human that the vampire had tortured. Indeed, she was no longer even the vampire she’d been just a few weeks ago. If she said the word, Gwala would destroy the redhead for no other reason than to please her.
With that thought in mind, Sonia steadied herself and peered into the royal chamber. The king remained seated on his massive throne. Light from the sconces on the wall flickered over his ebony skin. Despite his small stature, which should have seemed minuscule in the vast space, Gwala appeared larger than life, his presence dwarfing the taller vampire that stood in front of him.
The king didn’t notice Sonia as she observed the exchange. She followed his gaze to the woman draped over the redhead’s arms. The vampire’s back obscured most of the woman from view, but her long mahogany hair fell in a sheet and pooled on the cold stone floor.
In an uncommon rush of empathy, Sonia identified with the woman, and wondered if the witch had suffered at the vampire’s hand like she had so many months ago.
Gwala rose off the throne and took a few steps toward the vampire. Stretching out his hand, he lifted a lock of the girl’s hair and inspected it. “She is beautiful.” His ancient gaze flashed toward the redhead. “She is untouched by your hand?”
The vampire nodded wordlessly.
