CHAPTER 21
VALEN
We’ve only beenin the car for five minutes, and I’m questioning whether this or being held captive is worse.
“Zavier.” I turn toward the overcaffeinated vampire who bounces in his seat. “For the love of every god out there, shut the fuck up.” I hiss and turn back around in the passenger seat.
Ava laughs at my side. “I love that the current English language is finally rubbing off on you.”
“Mom!” Zavier turns in his seat toward Celine. “He cussed at me.” Zavier pouts.
“I hope you don’t call her Mommy in bed,” Ava snarks.
Celine groans.
“Everyone, please stop.” I close my eyes and melt into the headrest behind me.
I know Ava was being kind by inviting Celine and Zavier to spend the actual Thanksgiving holiday with us since they ended up seeing her father yesterday instead, but I’m regrettingletting them tag along. Zavier’s chaotic energy has me feeling drained before we’ve even arrived.
“Linda and Larry are going to love me. I just know it,” Zavier says with utmost certainty. “I hope Midnight and Pom Pom can get along while we’re out. They made big strides the other night.”
We thought about bringing the two familiars but decided the car was already full enough and they might not get along with Ava’s family cat.
“I’m sure they’ll be fine. You made sure they had a mountain of food.” I see Celine run a hand through her dark hair in the rearview mirror. “Even though I told you it wasn’t necessary since Midnight has an automatic feeder.”
“What if we die tragically in an accident and they starve? I had to make sure the babies were prepared,” Zav defends himself.
Celine’s sigh is loud enough to shake the car.
“Thanks for putting that energy out there,” Ava scolds. “I’m the one driving here, so let’s send out positive vibes that we arrive safely. I don’t need your weird vampire mojo jinxing me.”
The remaining forty minutes drag on with much of the same banter. I drown out most of what’s around me since it’s the only way I can cope in the close quarters, and occasionally I feel Ava brush her hand against my thigh in a reassuring gesture.
Finally, we reach the house, and she turns into the driveway. We file out of the car with our side dishes to find her parents waiting at the door for us with cheery smile.
“Look at this group of hungry kiddos to feed, Larry.” Linda hugs all of us, and I scoff at being called a “kiddo.” I’m centuries older than everyone here. “Good to see you again, Celine. Who is this handsome young man?” She motions toward Zavier, and I roll my eyes, knowing what’s coming.
“Zavier Lockwood at your service.” He bows and gives her a kiss on the hand like some chivalrous knight. If he were around back when I was an angel, he surely would’ve been a resident of the hellish variety. Linda blushes at the treatment, and I make my way into the kitchen before he says something else idiotic.
“Doing okay?” Ava hugs me around the middle from behind, and I rub her forearm.
“Good. Thank you for checking in on me.” I look at the array of dishes spread across the counter in wonder. “What is all of this?” Zavier and I downed a few blood bags before we left but will still eat some of the human food to be polite, but this seems like enough food to feed hundreds.
“Of course. This is your first Thanksgiving.” She points to various dishes, all of muted orange, brown, and green tones, and explains what they are. Personally, it sounds very odd to me, but I’ll indulge in the human holiday for Ava, since it obviously makes her happy.
“I’m so glad you got to spend the holiday with your father too, Celine,” Linda says as the two of them join us in the kitchen. She drags Celine over to the counter near the refrigerator, and they get to work assembling drinks for everyone. “It’s so sad what you’ve had to go through with your father. Alzheimer’s is a horrible disease. At least you have Zavier now to help lighten the load.” She winks at him as he enters the kitchen, and he sends a slightly fanged smile her way. It’s not enough to notice something is off, but I shoot him a glare anyway.
“Thank you for acknowledging how great I am, Linda.” Zavier puffs out his chest.
Linda sends him a funny look, but he’s looking at Celine’s butt, so he does not notice.Doesn’tmy brain corrects as I hear Ava’s voice in my head. She is extremely fond of the things she calls contractions.
Tabby appears in the doorway and winds her way through all of our legs. She rubs against Celine, who picks her up and coos at her.
“This kitty likes me, don’t you?” When Zavier tries to pet her head, she hisses at him, and his mouth drops open in shocked offense. “Hmm, a taste of your own medicine perhaps?” Celine chuckles and sets the cat back down so she can grab a plate. He mumbles behind her, something about needing his emotional support pussy.
“Everyone take a plate and fill it up. Let’s get eating. You don’t want it to get cold!” Linda corrals everyone to the food, and I try to pick the least offensive-smelling dishes. Zavier doesn’t seem to have a problem and piles his plate high. Celine’s and Ava’s look much the same, so I end up adding more. I don’t want to insult Linda by taking too little.
We settle at the dinner table, and I have to admit this feels nice—having family, even one as mismatched as ours. A deep ache settles inside me, one I normally ignore, for my sister.
