“I’m not sure,” Lucius replied, “but it was a while because I spent a lot of years assigned to keep the sea dragons under control.”
“Do you know, Oracle?” asked Brady.
“It has been close to fifty years…”
“Fifty years?” Lucius whispered. Shaking his head, he was sure she was wrong. “That can’t be…look at me…I don’t look like I’m near seventy. I know it’s been a while since I became a vampire but fifty years…no way.”
“Leelan…when a human becomes a vampire, the ageing process slows down considerably,” Brady said, softly. “It will take a very long time before you’ll notice any visible signs.”
“Fifty years…” Lucius murmured. “That would make my mother…oh, no!” His anguished face reflected his sudden realization that his mother had probably died.
“Lucius,” Oracle said softly, “your mother is still alive and living in a nursing home. And while you can visit her, you cannot reveal to her who you are.”
Lucius’ eyes brightened. Turning to his mate, he asked, “Can we go there soon? I’ll have to figure out a story to tell her, but even if you don’t want to meet her, I’d be happy just seeing her to make sure she’s okay.”
Cupping his mate’s face, Brady leaned in, giving Lucius a tender kiss. “We willleelan…I promise.”
~/~/~/~/~
Henri’s body was rigid with tension as he watched Edna enter his son’s name in the search field. He wasn’t sure if he’d made the right choice, but at least he’d know for certain, a small consolation for his broken heart. Not wanting to see the results, Henri closed his eyes, knowing his tears would not be stopped if his son’s name appeared.
“Hmm…” Edna mused while punching a few more keys, “ Good news, Henri…there isn’t a death certificate on file for your son.”
His eyes snapped open, scanning the computer screen. “Did you search all the records…even the dragons’?”
“Everyone I could access,” Edna said. “Of course, there are some restrictive records requiring a court order to view but those don’t include death certificates.”
A renewed sense of purposed filled Henri.My son is alive!Turning to Edna, he said, “Thank you…very much. This is the best news I’ve had in a long time.”
Smiling at his joy, Edna said, “It’s time for my break…would you like to join me at the café for a coffee and pastry to celebrate?”
Glancing at his phone, Henri noted there was still enough time before the plane’s arrival. Returning her smile, he said, “I would be delighted to join you but only if you allow me to pay.”
“I knew you were a gentleman,” Edna replied, getting up from her chair. “I have to sign out first so I’ll meet you in the lobby.”
Quickly rising, Henri agreed, following her until he reached the door he’d entered through. “I’ll be waiting.” Opening it, he smiled as he left the research room, walking with a new spring in his step. Once again, he was eager to resume his search, vowing not to lose hope since, in his mind now, it was just a matter of perseverance on his part. Feeling a hand on his arm, Henri glanced at the person it belonged to, grinning when he found Edna. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yes…it’s right around the corner.”
Resting his hand on the small of her back, Henri escorted her out of the building into the sunshine. “It’s a beautiful day…perfect for eating outside.”
“It most certainly is,” Edna replied, turning left. “Perfect for a celebration.”
