Vampire Mine - Kerrelyn Sparks [67]
“He loved you greatly from the moment you were born,” Marielle said quietly. “He cried and pleaded for you until my heart could no longer bear it. So I healed you.”
“You saved his life,” Shanna whispered, tears glimmering in her eyes.
Roman rested his brow against his forearm. “When my father left me, the monks gave him a sack of flour. I thought he had sold me for food.”
Shanna rushed toward him and hugged him from behind. “It was probably a gift since they knew how poor your family was.”
“I’m sure that’s all it was,” Father Andrew agreed. “But as an abandoned child in pain, Roman misinterpreted it.”
“Were ye punished for healing him?” Connor asked her.
“I was reprimanded.” She sighed. “But I didn’t learn my lesson very well. I still have trouble following orders.”
“Well, thank God you disobeyed.” Shanna turned toward her. “I wouldn’t have Roman now if you had let him die. Or my children.”
“I wouldna be here, either,” Connor said. “Neither would Angus or Jean-Luc or Gregori or any of the others who were sired by Roman.”
Roman turned and wrapped an arm around his wife’s shoulders. His eyes glinted with unshed tears. “I can’t help but wonder why I was supposed to die. Ever since I was transformed by Casimir, I have believed it was my destiny to bring about his defeat.”
“You’ve done a lot to protect mortals and encourage Vamps to live in a good way,” Shanna told him. “I’ve always been proud of you.”
He smiled and kissed her brow. Then he looked at Marielle. “Do you really consider me a mistake?”
She shook her head. “The mistake was mine, but I cannot regret it. You have led a good and noble life. I have always been grateful that there are good vampires who are willing to fight the evil ones. And I am thankful that I can offer you my assistance.”
“The Lord works in mysterious ways.” Father Andrew smiled at her. “I believe your destiny has long been linked to these Vamps.”
She took a deep breath. Could it be true? Could she somehow be exactly where she was supposed to be?
She glanced at Connor and found him watching her intently. Her heart lurched with a burst of emotion. No, this couldn’t be what the Father intended. An angel didn’t succumb to human emotions like desire and longing.
No angel was supposed to fall in love.
It was over an hour later before Connor was able to teleport Marielle back to the cabin. Shanna insisted on fixing her a meal in the cafeteria, which turned into a cooking lesson. Meanwhile, Angus and Emma returned from Nebraska, along with Robby and Olivia.
Connor spent some time in the MacKay security office, describing the progress he was making with Marielle. Angus was eager for a final showdown with the Malcontents. The dead bodies in Nebraska had indeed been Casimir’s victims. Shanna’s father, Sean Whelan, had given them the tip about the bodies, and now, in return, he was demanding to be included in their battle.
“The man is crazy if he thinks he can fight a vampire,” Robby muttered.
Angus shrugged. “I told him as much, but he insists. He claims he can weaken them with silver bullets before they ever get close to him.”
Connor snorted. “All it takes is one Malcontent to teleport behind his back and snap his neck. He’d never see it coming.” He glanced at Robby’s wife. As a former FBI psychologist, she’d received some training in self-defense, but he didn’t think it was enough. As far as he was concerned, no mortal who was susceptible to mind control should ever attempt to fight a vampire. “I hope ye’re no’ allowing the mortal women to take part in the battle.”
“I’m discouraging it,” Angus said. “Ian’s wife can defend herself well, but now that she’s expecting, she’s agreed to stay out of it.”
Emma smiled. “Lots of babies on the way. Caitlyn’s twins are due in June. Toni’s baby in September. And Darcy’s having her second one in October.”
Connor sat back. He hadn’t known Darcy was pregnant again. He stayed out of her life now that she was married to Austin Erickson. In truth, she had never welcomed his interference, but at least he knew now that she no longer hated him.