Page 120 of Nearly Dead

“You too,” I reply.“Both of you.”

I watch them walk down the hallway to the elevator, Diana’s chatter fades as the doors close.Another chapter of my life, ending.But this time, it’s a gentle closing, not a violent tearing.

I sense Costin before I see him, standing in the doorway behind me.

“You good?”he asks simply.

I nod, surprised to find it’s true.“Yeah.”

“How can I help?”

“I cost them so much.I uprooted their lives.He lost his business.They have to move.”I sigh.

I know he can feel my guilt, just as I feel his concern.

“I want to buy his house above asking, enough to matter but not draw suspicion.Anonymously,” I decide.That will give them help in the immediate future.“And I want to set up a trust fund for Diana.I never want her to have to worry.It’s the least I owe them.”

Costin doesn’t even blink.“I’ll call the lawyers.It will be done.”

His arms enfold me, and I lean into his strength, grateful for his comfort.I feel our bond wrapping around us and we stand in silence for a long moment.He understands that some moments don’t need words.

“Lorelai will be here soon,” he reminds me after a while.

I sigh, sensing my mother’s arrival.“Another goodbye.”

“It doesn’t have to be,” he says.“California isn’t that far.”

“Are you saying you want to move to the golden state?Can’t get enough sunshine here?”I tease, but I know what he means.Unlike Paul and Diana, my separation from Lorelai doesn’t need to be permanent.She’s part of the supernatural world, whether she wanted to be or not.It happened the second she had her affair with my father.

The doorbell rings again.This time, it’s my birth mother who stands there.Her bohemian skirts swirl around her ankles, and her bracelets jingle on her wrists.

“Butterfly,” she says, embracing me without hesitation.She smells of incense and essential oils.

I hug her back, careful of my strength.“Thanks for coming.”

Costin excuses himself discreetly, giving us privacy.Lorelai moves into the apartment, her gaze taking in everything with the artist’s eye.

“So this is where vampires live these days,” she muses.“Much nicer than crypts and dungeons, I imagine.”

I laugh.“Costin has those too.And apparently a place in the mountains.But this is more practical for New York.”

She settles on the couch, patting the spot beside her.I join her, feeling a strange mix of comfort and awkwardness.Our relationship is still new, still finding its shape.

“The council has been in touch,” she says without preamble.

I stiffen.“What?Why?”

“Apparently having a daughter who’s about to join the supernatural high council makes me a person of interest.”She smiles wryly.“They offered protection.”

“Protection or surveillance?”I’m immediately suspicious.

“Both, probably.”She shrugs.“I have to admit, I was surprised.”

“Astrid’s already making arrangements for my appointment,” I say, half amused, half exasperated.“She’s calling in favors I didn’t know she had.”

Lorelai chuckles.“That woman could outmaneuver a fae queen with one eyebrow raise.”

“What did you say?”I ask.

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