Page 46 of Redeeming the Angel

The table was so crowded that I didn’t think we would have fit if Sylvis’s parents had remained.Aside from the Lees, there was Silas and Akasha, Xochitl and Zareth, Sylvis and Gabriel—who were definitely having a blooming romance—Aurora and Anthony, Beau and Artavian, Razvan and Jayden, Radu and Lillian, and even Nik and Del.

I sneaked a glance at Lucian and hid a smile of amusement at how overwhelmed he looked.

Razvan plopped down in a chair beside him and proceeded to talk his ear off.Lucian could only manage cheerful grunts as he devoured his meal like he’d been starved for days.Did they have anything like Thanksgiving or Harvest Feast in Luminista?

I didn’t think so, because even though the various clan territories had different climates, there was no such thing as one consistent growing season and one equal harvesting season.Seasonal foods weren’t even a concept there when one could either create any food they wanted or easily acquire it from another clan.

Wine, dessert, and conversation flowed and I basked in the wonderful feeling of being with a happy family.My own family’s meals and gatherings had never been this cozy and boisterous.From Lucian’s bewildered cheer, it appeared that his hadn’t been either.I remembered how quiet his father was.

I also noticed my daughter studying Lucian between bites of pumpkin pie.Instead of the usual suspicious and often hostile glint in her amber eyes, there was only curiosity.Was she possibly warming up to him?I wasn’t sure that was the best idea.On one hand, as the war intensified, she would need to be able to trust him; we all would.On the other hand, maybe Xochitl should know what Lucian did to her…to us.But that meant I’d have to tell her, and I wasn’t ready for that.

When we were so stuffed with good food that it was difficult to move, the Lees departed with warm embraces and Akasha ushered us all downstairs to watch movies.I made sure to find a place on the couch beside Xochitl, but Lucian selected a bean bag chair right below me.To my surprise, they’d chosen theTwilightmovies even though I remembered Xochitl and her friends hating them way back when, which had confused me because they usuallylovedvampire books and movies.

“What caused the change of heart?”I asked.

“It’s hard to explain,” Xochitl said.“But tonight is Aurora’s fault.When she was visiting the New Orleans, the witch coven planned to torture the Lord Vampire of the city with them, but it backfired because he loves them.When she was telling us about it, we found out that Silas hadn’t seen them.Neither has Zareth.Plus, they’re PG enough that Kiara can watch them.”

At first, it was a lot of fun, with everyone laughing and shouting out some of the lines like they did withRocky Horror Picture Show.But the second movie made Silas incredibly distressed.

“What the hell happened to‘you are my life now?’” he said as he scooped Akasha into his lap.“Is he really leaving her in the woods?If he hadn’t thrown her into a table, she wouldn’t have been in danger!And, what about the redheaded vampire that’s after her?”

“Silas,” Akasha squeaked in his tight embrace.“I can’t breathe.”

“I’m sorry, lass.”He loosened his grip and kissed the top of her head.“It’s just that I know what it’s like to have waited centuries to find my true love and thisdoaty dobberis throwing it all away.And, unlike you, his woman is daftyandfragile.”

Anthony shook his head.“I’m still trying to wrap my head around why they go to high school.And why they’d live in a small town where they’d be so conspicuous.”

“It’s the ice-cold skin for me,” Jayden nuzzled Razvan.“I’m so glad you’re warm.”

“For me, it’s the not-sleeping thing,” Delgarias said.“That sounds like torture.Iloveto sleep and dream.”

“Me too,” Radu said, making everyone laugh because he’d only recently emerged from a seven-hundred-year hibernation.“And I would not mind sparkling if it meant I could be in the sun.”

Lucian was paying more attention to the vampires’ reactions than to the movie.But I couldn’t blame him.Except, whenever his head turned to look at whoever was making snarky remarks, his hair brushed across my legs.I shouldn’t have been able to feel it through my thick velvet dress and wool stockings, but I did.

After the film ended with Edward reuniting with Bella, and Silas grumping about how he should have groveled more, everyone made plans to watch the other three tomorrow.

“That’s perfect,” Lucian bounced on his heels with exuberance.“Kerainne is going to take me to see the parade and lighting ceremony tomorrow.”

Xochitl’s gaze whipped to mine.“Oh, she is, is she?”

My face heated.“I said we’ll see.”

My daughter smirked.“With you, ‘we’ll see’ always means yes.”

Silas chuckled at our exchange before turning to me.“Are you and Lucian staying the night?”

I ignored Lucian’s hopeful look.“He can, but I don’t think that’s a good idea for me to leave the tower unguarded for too long.”

Zareth gave me an odd smile.“The tower guards itself.”

“All the same, I’d rather be in my own bed.I’ll see you tomorrow.”Maybe Lucian would stay behind.

No such luck.He rose and joined me in saying farewells.

I transported us back to the portal by the lake, cursing Earth’s stationary portals.By the time we stepped through and appeared in front of Lucian’s guesthouse, my magic was weakened from the cold and I couldn’t stop shivering.

“Come inside with me,” Lucian said softly.“I’ll get a fire going and make some hot tea.”

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