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“No. Shhh. You did nothing of the sort.” Mom was shorter than me, but she held me tightly, my head on her shoulder, while she rubbed my back. “I spelled you not to move, love. If that damn door hadn’t popped open, you never would have seen that. I’m sorry you did. No one should ever have to see something like that. I’m the one who’s sorry I had to leave you so soon.”

I could feel her, smell her. She was really here. “You hid me as long as you could and when that didn’t work anymore, you gave me the tools to protect myself.” I lifted my head, turning to the father I couldn’t remember. “Wolf and wicche, you left me with gifts that gave me a fighting chance.”

Heart breaking, I whispered, “I’ve missed you so much.”

“And I’ve missed you, my darling.” She moved her hands up to either side of my face and leaned back. “I want to see my beautiful girl. Look at you.” She shook her head, her eyes filling with ghostly tears. “All grown up. You’ve endured so much and look at you, standing tall, strong, helping someone else in need. I couldn’t be more proud.”

I choked on a sob.

“And so smart. You found my family all on your own. My aunt Martha, my uncle Bracken. You even met my sister Sybil and her girl Arwyn.” She hugged me tightly again. “Please give them my love and tell them how sorry I am that I had to stay away for so long. I miss them all.”

Shaking my head, I stepped back and wiped the tears from my face. “If it weren’t for me, you’d never have had to leave them.”

“Hush.” She kissed my cheek. “You’re not responsible for the decisions Michael and I made.” Her thumb brushed under my eye, capturing fresh tears. “No more recriminations. I want you to meet your father.”

Her hand ran down the Declan look-alike’s arm. “This is our Samantha.”

He hadn’t moved, but tears were welling in his eyes too. He cleared his throat and gave me a hesitant smile. “Hello, little one. I didn’t think I’d ever get to see you again. You were so small when I went away.”

He held his arms out and then dropped them. “Is it—can I hug you?”

I nodded and walked into his arms. He crushed me against his chest, and I felt whole and safe in a way I never had before I met Clive. I rested my head on his silent heart and tried to soak up twenty-five years of having a dad in the few minutes I had with him. I didn’t know when Athena would pull the plug, but I wanted to hold onto and remember every moment of this for the rest of my life.

My dad. I was hugging my dad. I couldn’t wrap my head around it. I tried to think of every question I’d ever had for him, but my mind went blank. “Wait,” I said and pushed back from him. “I got married.” I braced for outrage. “To a vampire.” I rushed on. “He’s incredibly kind and considerate, though, and I love him very much.”

“Oh, I know about the bloodsucker.” He rolled his eyes. “Your mother and her matchmaking.”

I stepped back and turned to Mom. “What? How?” And why did that news make my heart sink? Was Clive pushed at me? Did he not actually want me? I thought about how he’d fought against himself in the beginning. Had that been all Mom?

Chapter 18

WICCHES HAVE A REPUTATION FOR A REASON

“Look at that face,” Mom said. “Even as a child, every emotion has always been written all over your face. Whatever you’re thinking is not what happened.”

She reached out and took my hand in hers, squeezing. “I tried to keep an eye on you—as much as I could. We haven’t been haunting you, but we check in as often as we’re allowed. I noticed Clive right away. He was always in the periphery, making sure you were okay and had what you needed. It was sweet in a way I hadn’t expected from an ancient vampire. I could see, over the years, how he’d fallen in love with you. He’d never have pursued you, though. He felt himself deeply unworthy of you.”

Dad nodded. “He is.”

Mom elbowed him. “He loves our daughter body and soul. Stop that.” She turned back to me. “Matchmaking, as your dad calls it, was just me whispering in his ear that he should try.” She grinned. “His man Russell had been subtly doing the same. Let’s face it, darling; I’m a ghost and he’s a vampire. Chances are, he never heard a thing I said, but I gave him my blessings anyway.”

“Oh.” I guessed that was okay then.

“We got to see your wedding,” she continued. “It was so beautiful.” She shook her head. “There were so many people there. For you. They were there for you. I’d kept you isolated most of your life. Just you and me in a car on the road, your nose in a book. Now, you have a home, a career, and a family of friends who love you.”

She glanced around us. “Uncle Bracken is tickled pink to be here. The other two, though, only came to make sure you returned alive.” She cupped my face again. “My little girl is loved. You have good friends because you are a good friend. I’m so proud of the woman you’ve become.”

Dad squeezed my shoulder. “Yes,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.

I stared back at him, blinking back tears. I was talking to my mom and dad. “Wait. Did you know I could…?” I lifted a hand and unsheathed my claws.

He chuckled. “I did. You’re a Quinn, after all.”

My parents, a Corey and a Quinn. What were the chances of them ever meeting and falling in love? Of my even being here?

I turned back to Mom. “I can’t do magic like you can. I’m like your Aunt Martha. I’m a necromancer.”

She nodded. “I know. You’ve always been special.”