Page 16 of Silverproof Damsel

A smile stretched over her generous mouth. “You grew up on me, Remi. Wisdom and beauty are a rare combination. Both look good on you.” Offering her a sad smile, I felt my cheeks heating. “There is the issue of the connection you share with Van Helsing.”

“I’m not even sure what the connection entails. Honestly, I’ve not felt much of anything from him or the link we share from it,” I admitted hesitantly.

I’d been too afraid to explore the bond.

If I strummed my fingers over it, I felt warmth.

If I prodded it, I felt revulsion.

When I reached for it, I felt an icy chill rushing down my spine. As if it were a warning to cease and desist attempting to explore the connection.

After a couple of times of being encased in loathing malice with an acidic tang of hatred burning the back of my throat, I’d abandoned it altogether. If those were his feelings I’d sampled, I’d rather ignore them.

“We’ve searched the lore unsuccessfully. There’s nothing saying what happens when a Silversmith gifts a Van Helsing their silver. It’s never happened before. I’m afraid you’re the first to try it, Remington,” Daisy muttered.

“Whatever happens, it doesn’t change that you’re our sister,” Beretta said without hesitation. “It merely means we must tread carefully with what is said around you for now.” Beretta’s words were met with agreement from the others.

“If we must fight to protect you, know that we will not hesitate. You need to understand the gravity of that, Remi. Rhys Van Helsing made it clear you mean nothing to him before every immortal present on the grounds of his estate. He wanted them to know you were no longer underneath his protection.” Winchester’s voice shook as she spoke.

“I don’t know why he did what he did. It couldn’t have been easy to see your ex-lover back from the grave, or learn you’ve been banging her daughter.” My stomach threatened to empty as I’d stated what had bothered me most about discovering my mother was Roslyn.

“Ouch,” Daisy said while wincing dramatically. “Point taken. However, what Winchester stated is a fact, not a question. We will fight to protect you, sister.”

We moved farther up the driveway in silence. Luckily, the location they’d chosen to build on was still within the county lines, but far enough away to discourage most townsfolk from trying to burn it down while they slept. It was the farthest I could ever escape from Rhys.

Chapter Seven

Themomentwerolledto a stop before the chateau, exhaustion sank deeply into my bones. One after the other, my sisters piled out of the vehicle with infectious smiles spreading over their mouths. Their energy was contagious.

The outside of the chateau was incredible. The stone façade covered the exterior in gentle, muted shades of gray. Wide, far-reaching, arched decorative windows dominated the entire front of the home. Several lofty, sharply slanted rooftops shot upward, standing proudly in the darkening skies like sentinels against the darkness.

On the second story, a Juliet style balcony was covered in greenery. It spread around the home, reaching toward the back. Vibrantly colored flora threaded through the ivy-like vines twisting around the silver-coated railing. Light from within the house bathed the cobblestone pathway in a soft glow.

“We’ve been rather busy with fixing this place up,” Savage stated, her eyes sparkling with pride. “I heard you are fixing up the house you purchased?”

A snort burst from my lips before I could prevent it from escaping. “I wouldn’t say fixing it, exactly. You, on the other hand, have done a breathtaking job with this place.” Our house was one step up from a shack, no matter how much I’d convinced myself otherwise. “This is truly amazing, Winnie.”

Narrowing my stare, I felt a sensation of uneasiness crawling over my flesh. Sliding out of my seat, I eyed the large intricately designed double doors that swung open.

“Wait until you see inside,” she offered as she guided me through the doors.

My jaw dropped the moment I entered the chateau. The outside was lovely, but the inside was exquisite. The soaring barrel-vaulted ceiling sparkled with crystals embedded throughout dazzling glasswork pieces. Dangling throughout were large, lavish chandeliers with the finest hematite crystals I’d ever seen.

Past the lofty column, a wall of glass offered a view of fires lit outside beside a large turquoise pool of water. The entrance opened right into a lavish hallway. It housed a split staircase that followed both sides of the walls, then split into different wings of the mansion.

Pictures lined the walls, each of our portraits painted by an artist, capturing a much more innocent image than we currently have. Silver was threaded throughout the entire house. It called me like a siren, begging to be summoned and wielded.

Winchester had built a masterpiece here, but she’d also added an arsenal of silver to wield against anyone who thought to trespass against our bloodline. It was everywhere. The frames, the ceiling, the walls, and the floors. Below our feet sat enough silver to slaughter the entire township should we need it.

A shiver rushed down my spine, spreading through my abdomen. Protectively, I placed a hand over my womb. My sistercame here to protect me. She’d do so no matter who or what thought to harm me.

“You can feel it,” Winchester whispered, turning to look at me over her shoulder. “The silver we brought with us?”

“Yes,” I uttered softly, my mouth salivating with the need to summon it to my fingertips. “You’re intending to fight a war?” I didn’t need her to confirm it for me. The amount of silver within this place exposed the truth.

“No, but I’m not intending to lose should we be forced to fight one, Remington. We lost to them once. It wouldn’t be wise to underestimate them a second time.”

“Rhys cannot hurt me. I’m his silver. If he could hurt me, he would’ve done so already. He isn’t who we need to be wary of. Whoever is hunting me, that’s who we need to worry about.”

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