“I do,” she says and pinches my left cheek. “Think of the positives here. Since you left so early, I don’t have much to share,” she explains as she pours the liquid into the mugs. The scent of blood hits me, and my nose wrinkles from the scent.
“What are you preparing?”
“A cocktail for the Vampire and an Iron Cocktail for the other gentleman,” she admits as she mixes the drinks.
“So you just have blood lying around in the fridge?” I ask, a little weary. Her laughter sets me at ease as she gives me a look full of love. “I’ve missed you so much, little one.” She turns back to the drinks as she continues to talk. “We’re in Hell. Just in case you missed that little tidbit, sweetie.” She winks at me. “And we can’t leave this location, so the fridge acts like a closet does in Purgatory and gives us what we need,” she explains as we walk back to my friends.
It takes me a moment to digest what she just said, and then horror hits me. “Wait. What do you mean you can’t leave?” I ask but pause momentarily as I hear a slight scuffle coming from the sitting room I left my friends in.
Mom simply gives me a slow, sad smile before walking to the waiting room. “It’s not every day that a Vampire can experience pure angel blood, I suspect,” she says to the room but gasps, stopping in her tracks. Knox and Ryker are wrestling with a feral Zeke. Spittle flies from Zeke as he tries to break free and reach for Rez’s dazed body on the sofa.How did it get this way in such a short amount of time?
“What happened?” I ask, torn between helping hold back Zeke and helping Rez even though Moni and Chester are with her.
“Rez tried to ease him off of her, saying she was getting weak, and Zeke snapped and demanded more. So, we had to manually assist,” Levi tersely explains as he helps JP sit up straighter in his chair.
“Here, open his mouth so I can get some of this down him. It will help bring him out of bloodlust,” my mother informs Knox, making my decision easy. Going to Zeke, I help the guys open the walking, talking, rabid blood sucker’s mouth while Mom pours some of the liquid in, making sure not to spill any.
Zeke’s eyes dilate briefly before grasping the cup and taking a heaping gulp.Whatever herbs Mother used are apparentlydoing something.It’s safe to say he’s completely engrossed as he forgets about Rez and sits down between Ryker and Knox to drink.
Mother quickly walks to JP in his chair and hands Levi the mug. “Here. This will help with the blood loss. He can use the closet for clothes, and there’s a full bath behind that door.” She looks over our crew and notices we’re all filthy from the tunnels. “How about all of you take some time and clean up while I check on your friend? Afterward, I’ll give you a quick tour and let you settle in.” She gives us a warm smile before approaching Rez. “Are you okay, dear? Would you like a tonic?”
“Thanks, but I’m okay. Do you mind if I come to check up on Knots? I need to reapply his shield,” Rez explains as I reach down and take her hand into mine.
I’ve got to hand it to my mom. She doesn’t bat an eye or question what Rez means but nods and motions for her to join us.
“Of course. This will give me a chance to get to know you,” Mom states, and my throat goes dry.
Shit! My mother is meeting my mate for the first time. I am NOT prepared for this.
CHAPTER 3
The In-Laws
Rez
Ishake off the chills from the encounter with Zeke. I know he wasn’t in his right mind, and it just shows how everyone needs to take care of their needs, especially Zeke. My poor vamp can’t be starving himself.
“So you’re the lucky lady that has stolen my son’s heart,” Sierra teases as she leads the way down the hallway, pulling me out of my thoughts.
My cheeks heat, and I’m lost for words for the moment.
“Mom!” Lynx chastises while Sierra laughs.
“I’m only teasing, sweetie,” she says, winking in our direction.
‘Sorry,’Lynx apologizes, and I can’t help but smile. I finally get to see the shoe put on the other foot. It’s his turn to be embarrassed by a parent.
‘It’s okay. I love seeing you be the target now.’I wiggle my eyebrows in hopes of being devious, but I probably look like a spaz. Either way, I get the desired effect because Lynx laughs and squeezes my hand.
We follow Sierra down the short hallway and into an open-concept living room, but before I can take in the decor, we turn to our immediate right. With my stint of medical needs recently, I easily recognize the hospital setting. The all-white walls with cabinets and shelves fill the room. I catch Lynx scrunching his nose at the smell of the cleaning supplies, but it’s the table in the middle of the room that my eyes focus on. Laying on the table is Knots with his blue wings stretched out to his sides, and Lynx’s dad leaned over him.
“Is he okay?” I asked, rushing to Knot’s side and dragging Lynx with me.
“Relax,” Lynx’s dad says calmly. “I’m stitching up his head. For some reason, his powers aren’t doing it for him down here. Is there something you two need to tell me?” he asks, taking a moment to peer over at us before continuing his work.
I swallow around the dry lump in my throat as I think of where to even begin. Then I decide to leave it up to Lynx because I’m too exhausted to think straight and he looks up to it.
“Just the fact that he’s dying, and we need to get him out of Hell ASAP,” he rattles off and shrugs.
