Page 150 of Vameer

“Yes…” Mom says again.

Dread nods and hands the phone back to me.

I look to Vameer and raise my brows.

He smirks. “Go big or go home?”

I grin. “My thoughts exactly.”

“Is that him?” Dad’s voice is loud, like he’s leaning close to the phone.

“Yeah, that’s my guy.” Vameer tightens his hold on me, and I press a quick kiss to his cheek. “We only have a few minutes. But go to the backyard, and you can meet him.”

“Wait, what do you⁠—”

I hang up on my mom.

Vameer kisses my forehead, then lowers me to the ground. “Probably shouldn’t be carrying you for this one.”

“Probably.” I slide my phone into my pocket and shake out my shoulders. “Let’s do this before I overthink it.” Worried that might have come off wrong, I grab Vameer’s hand. “They’ll adore you. And they’ll be happy for me. But it’s still a lot.”

Vameer squeezes my fingers. “You and I are one. I am not worried.”

I start to sigh, swooning over his words, but a purr starts in my chest again. “Dammit!”

A portal pops into existence six inches from my side.

I yelp and step away.

“You’re welcome,” Dread deadpans. And I realize my purring has stopped again. “I will reopen the portal in four minutes. Walk back through when it does. Do not touch the sides.”

I know that druids and their magic are still unknown to the world. And I love my parents, but I’m not about to tell them such a huge secret.

During the Battle of Versailles, Volik made it seem like he was the one who created the wormhole that transported the shifters. And having his brother with me will just reinforce that idea.

I smile up at Vameer. “See you on the other side.”

My anxiety is trying to climb, but my vampire is keeping our heartbeat steady. And if I don’t give myself time to think, I don’t have time to overthink.

I let go of Vameer’s hand. Turn. Take one step. Close my eyes. Take another. And open them in time to see the back door on my parents’ small two-story home start to open.

Tall trees circle the house and the patch of backyard, blocking the view from any neighbors and giving us privacy.

Vameer steps through the portal and bumps into me.

“Sorry,” I whisper and move forward.

He stands pressed against my back, resting his large hands on my shoulders.

The door opens all the way just as the portal disappears with a magical crackle.

My mom rushes out first. “Rune? How did you—” She lifts her gaze to the vampire standing at my back, stumbles to a stop, and slaps her hands over her mouth.

“Holy shit,” Dad chokes out as he stops beside Mom, wide eyes locked on Vameer.

“Mom, Dad, this is Vameer. My mate.” Their gazes shift to meet mine, and I see the moment they register my eyes.

Tears instantly fill Mom’s eyes. “Oh… Honey…” She lowers her hands so I can see her smile. “When…” She blinks, and tears roll down her cheeks.