“You are not that dangerous, Bitch. Stop flattering yourself. I on the other hand…”
My lips twitched at that, the humor extending to my bodyguards, who chuckled all around me.
Star’s banter was nothing more than an attempt to lessen the tension, especially because the pain that had stirred inside the fog at the mention of the boathouse, was haunting our consciousness.
It didn’t matter how many times it stirred, it was being restrained by the darkness. Even if it weren’t, I’d sooner be caught dead than cry in front of these people. Or whatever that stupid pain wanted me to do.
I wasn’t just any Vampir, I was a Vampiress, and wedid notdo feelings.
My needy gaze returned to sexy Hannes, and I took my time admiring every inch of his powerful back muscles, narrow waist, hard ass, and massive thighs. Yes, he was covered in fur, but holy hell. His Beastform was magnificent.
“Mother, may I?”
“I’m so glad to see you up and well, Lady Natasha,” the gentleman standing by the double doors immediately expressed with a smile when we turned the corner.
“It’s Natalia. But thank you…”
“Frederick,” he reminded, seeming confused by my response. His unsure gaze went to André who offered him a small smile.
“Natasha is suffering from?—”
“I’m not suff?—"
“She’s not suffering from anything,” Hannes’s growl corrected, interrupting my own protest.
“Oh, Vampire boy wants to die…”Star growled.
André paused, assessing our glares and hearing Star through our shadow link. “Going through. She’s going through something called afractured soul,where the three parts that make her who she is have become their own entity. This is Natalia, her Vampiri side,” he carefully explained. “Then there is Star, her Wolf Shifter side, and then there is Natasha… her human side, I suppose.”
Dante nodded reassuringly, as though that was as close to making sense as the explanation would ever get. “At this moment, Natalia is the one consciously with us.”
My gaze shifted to him briefly, finding the way he’d phrased it particularly curious. I was “consciously” with them; did that mean Natasha was unconscious inside me? That was not how it felt for me before, when Natasha was steering the ship.
I was always here, present, alert, I just felt trapped somehow, unable to reach her or Star… until she got drunk, sort of. It wasthe reason I went crazy with André once I finally got a chance to get free.
Wherever Natasha was right now, I hoped she didn’t feel trapped. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
“I know you’ve technically already met me, but it’s a pleasure to meet you, Friedrich.”
The man returned my smile, though questions still colored his expression—most likely because he finally noticed the change in my gaze. With a swift bow of his head, he opened the doors to the dining room, motioning for us to enter.
As soon as we walked inside it, the chatter stopped, and everyone stood from their seats.
“Natasha!” Isis rushed to my side, her arms swiftly embracing me before I could say anything.
I knew Isis. I’ve felt her hugs and love through Natasha many, many times, so I didn’t tense in her hold, but that uncomfortable feeling returned, wanting me to hug her fiercely. Awkward.
“I’m sorry, Isis. I’m not her. I’m Natalia,” I whispered in her ear, not wanting to make her feel bad for her reaction.
Pulling back, she cradled my face and looked at me, finally noticing the red eyes. I expected her to gasp in horror, to glance at my mates, or demand an explanation like the one that had confounded Friedrich.
After assessing me for a few seconds Isis smiled appreciatively. “You may look different, be different now, but you are still and will always be my sweet baby girl. You are just growing into the woman you are meant to be. No more, no less.”
The soft stroke of her thumb on my cheek accompanied her reassuring words, and she pulled me in again. My arms wrapped around her this time, returning the hug as warmth coursed through me, making us feel safe.
“I love Isis, Bitch.”
“Yeah. I know.”
