“I didn’t realize you had a child,” Obsidian prompted as theheurospmade their way through the room, delivering plates of food and glasses of water, juice, and coffee.
“I didn’t realize you werewithchild,” Kaj countered, his gaze darting to Penelope.
“We are expecting,” Obsidian acknowledged with an enormous grin.
Kaj’s expression sobered. “Bijou showed up on my doorstep about a year ago. Introduced herself.”
“How old is she?” Penelope inquired. “If you don’t mind me asking.”
“Not at all.” Kaj smiled. “Twenty-seven.”
“I take it she’s a vampire like you.”
Kaj’s green gaze held hers. “We can reproduce only with our own kind.”
Penelope blushed. “Forgive me. It’s been all I can do to catch up on angel life.”
“Good news, vampires are similar in many ways,” Kaj noted.
That was definitely true. At times, Eclipse often wondered what Michael had been thinking when he’d created Obsidian, then molded the rest of them after him. Considering Michael’s original warrior had technically come before vampires, it could be said that vampires were similar to angels, just without the wings. Chicken, egg, yada, yada.
“Where’s Bijou’s mother?” Obsidian asked.
“Dead.”
“I’m sorry.”
Phillip approached the table, carrying a tray with a silver-domed plate on top.
Obsidian glanced over his shoulder. “Thank you, Phillip,” he told theheurospas he set Penelope’s plate in front of her.
“You’re very welcome, sire,” the male replied, bowing as he removed the silver dome and carried it away.
“And the rest of your clan?” Eclipse prompted, curious as to what really brought the vampire to their doorstep. Congratulations were all good and fine, but he sensed there was another reason.
“Which one? They’re all mine now,” he muttered, his tone somber as he glanced between Eclipse and Obsidian. “I’ve had to go to ground in recent months. The shadow beasts have been wreaking havoc on my race for going on a year and a half now. They’ve taken out a number of our females, including Bijou’s mother.”
“Shadow beasts?” Penelope’s golden eyes were locked on Kaj.
“Essentially a demon, although these are part human, part dog,” Kaj answered easily.
Curiosity glittered in Penelope’s eyes. “Like a werewolf?”
Eclipse glanced at Obsidian, grinned, and earned one in return. Penelope had shocked them all when she’d come to the mansion roughly three months ago. Thanks to the demons seeking theamsouelots, Obsidian hadn’t had much choice in bringing her here before he’d had a chance to give her the deets on their true identities. Though they’d all expected the then human to freak out being immersed in a world full of what she’d been taught were merely fiction, she’d surprised them all with her acceptance. And become one herself, in fact.
“More apt would be a hellhound,” Kaj told her. “Only this species can shift at will, and they can walk in the sun. Thanks, my good man,” Kaj told Phillip when he placed a plate before him.
“I don’t mean to sound callous, Kaj, but how exactly did you find me?” Obsidian asked.
Eclipse offered a thanks to Phillip, but kept his attention on Kaj, eager for the answer.
Kaj smiled. “Remember the last time you offered me refuge?”
“Two years ago.” Obsidian looked at Penelope. “He’d sustained a mortal wound and I brought him here, healed him myself.”
Yes, Eclipse remembered that. The vampire had nearly died, but thanks to Obsidian’s quick thinking, not to mention Acadia’s blood, he’d bounced back. Had taken six months, but the vampire eventually walked out of the mansion under his own steam.
Kaj nodded. “If it hadn’t been for you and Acadia, I wouldn’t be here today.”
