Page 33 of Valley of the Shadow
Baojia turned to Lucien. “You didn’t overreact when I turned Makeda.” He glanced at Makeda, who was reading in the corner of the library. “You were completely calm. Clinical even.”
“Different,” Makeda murmured. “Totally different.”
“Agreed.” Lucien exchanged a look with his mate. “Though I had feelings for Makeda from the beginning, I wasn’t in love with her. I didn’t have eight years together and two children, Baojia. It’s not the same thing.”
Giovanni said, “When Beatrice turned, I was incredibly angry that she hadn’t allowed me to be with her. In hindsight, I know it was for the best.” He leaned forward. “Think. Your instincts are going to tell you that Lucien is killing her. Do you want to lose control when doing so could have such horrendous consequences?”
“I don’t want to fight you off when I need to be taking care of Natalie,” Lucien said. “You need to think of her.”
Makeda spoke quietly. “She won’t want you there.”
Baojia blinked. “What?”
Makeda had been quiet throughout the discussion in the library. Beatrice, Lucien, Giovanni, and Baojia were discussing the mechanics of the change, and Makeda had been sitting quietly in the corner, reading her book and sipping a glass of wine.
“She won’t want you there.” Makeda set her book to the side. “But she won’t tell you to stay away because she loves you. She’s your wife, but she is an independent person. This change is her choice. It is her body. Lucien will be her sire. Fundamentally, this is not about you. I imagine she would rather you stay with Sarah and Jake, not with her.”
Baojia sat back and let Makeda’s words sink in. Though he was Makeda’s sire, he had never considered her a child, even in the vampire sense. She was too mature. Too wise. He had an enormous amount of affection for her, but she was more like a sister than a child.
“Do you truly think so?”
“I do.”
Baojia took a deep breath and felt a little bit of his heart break off. He knew Makeda was right. This was Natalie’s decision. Natalie’s future. Her future was entwined with his, but it did not belong to him. “I’ll stay with Sarah and Jake.”
Lucien put a hand on his shoulder. “Trust me.”
“I do.”
“And be there when she wakes,” Giovanni said. “That’s the most disorienting time. That’s when she’ll need you the most.”
He looked at Lucien. “Tell me what to expect.”
“Do you dislike being dirty?”
“As in…?”
“Actually being in dirt. Having dirt on your skin.”
“I don’t know that Ilikeit, but it doesn’t particularly bother me.”
“Good.” Lucien smiled. “That is very good news.”
Natalie watchedthe sunrise with Jake and Sarah by her side. “You guys understand what’s going to happen tonight, right?”
Sarah leaned against her, bundled up in blankets and snuggling under Natalie’s arm. “You’re gonna be like Daddy, and we won’t get to see you during the day anymore.”
“No, you won’t,” Natalie said. “Does that make you sad?”
“If you’re sleeping and Baba’s sleeping, who’s gonna take care of us?” Sarah said. “Ariel and Miss Olivia aren’t here!”
“Well, right now they’re taking care of everything back at home. But they may be coming soon, and while we’re here, Beatrice will help take care of you. And Dema—”
“I like Dema!” Sarah bounced up. “Can Dema come to our house?”
“Don’t be stupid,” Jake said. “Who would take care of Sadia?”
“Hey.” Natalie pinched his arm. “Don’t say stupid.”
