Page 38 of Exes, Hexes, and Strategy
“As for your father’s territory, that area is now forfeit.” Kane’s face turned sympathetic. “I’m sorry, but even if you attempted to claim it under the current circumstances, the Court of Elders would never allow someone as young as you to hold it. A piece of it under your father’s guidance would be one thing, but not the whole territory, not at your age. Nor will they allow someone to hold it for you until you’re of suitable age.”
Rafe’s breath caught, and he blinked rapidly at a blow he hadn’t been expecting. Hewastoo young, he knew that, and currently, he had no interest in holding territory,but he’d always assumed that when he was older, had traveled and lived for a bit… Clearing his throat in an attempt to dislodge the lump that had suddenly formed there, he shook his head. He honestly had no idea what to say.
Kane’s hand landed on Rafe’s shoulder and squeezed while Morgan’s hand was warm on the back of Rafe’s. “I’m sorry,” she said sincerely. “We’ll make sure you’re given time to go home, get whatever you need.”
That’s right. Once a new Born took command of the territory, Rafe wouldn’t be allowed there unless he had permission – permission he might very well be denied. He almost laughed despite there being nothing humorous about this situation. New Jersey was the only home he’d ever known, and he’d have to say goodbye to it.
“You’ll always have a home with the Hunters,” Morgan told him.
“Take some time,” Kane added. “Process, be with your woman. I’m here if you need me.”
Rafe stood as if he was an automaton, his brain not quite firing on all cylinders. Nina. He needed to be with Nina right now. The rest, he could worry about later. Nodding, he turned and left without a word.
He was halfway to the infirmary when he decided to change course. When Nina woke, she’d want to get cleaned up and she’d probably want her own toiletries. She’d also want clean clothes, something colorful from her own wardrobe to replace that drab hospital gown they’d put her in.
Making his way to her room, he knocked though he was pretty sure Mel was still out on the hunt. Opening the door, he peeked in just to be sure. Empty. Pushing the door open all the way, he strode in only to be brought up short by the arrangement of flowers he spied on her nightstand. Narrowing his eyes, he approached and slipped the envelope out from amid the tangle of greenery.
His lip lifted in a snarl. That’s how his father had gotten to her, by pretending to be Rafe – the bastard. Oh, he hadn’t gone so far as to sign Rafe’s name to it, but he’d played on Nina’s assumptions. With a roar of renewed rage, he picked up the vase and hurled it across the room.
A short, surprised scream had him jerking around. Mel had just entered, was currently tucked into a corner, hands up around her face and one knee bent up in front of her for protection.
Taking a deep breath to calm his temper, Rafe shot her a sheepish smile. “Sorry,” he said, then quickly added, “Are you all right? You didn’t get hit, did you?”
He didn’t smell blood, but the vase had shattered quite violently against the wall, and the shards had flown wildly about. Mel could have been hit.
Dropping her arms, she brought her hands to her chest as if to calm her racing heart. She shook her head. “I’m fine, but man, I think you gave me a heart attack.”
Eyeing the mess he’d made, her mouth opened in a little oval of surprise. “Why would you do that?” she asked, dumbfounded. “They were beautiful. You must have spent a lot of money on them.”
“They were from my father,” Rafe bit out between gritted teeth.
Mel’s eyes snapped to his and widened before her gaze went to Nina’s empty bed. “Where’s Nina?” She took a step closer, her hand reaching out, her voice edged with panic. “Where is she, Rafe?”
Rafe took her hand. “She’s all right,” he quickly assured her before her mind could leap to the worst-case scenario. “But she was injured, Mel. Badly.”
Pushing her to sit on her bed so she didn’t collapse when he told her the next part, he kept hold of her hand as he said, “They had to Turn her to save her.”
Mel just stared into space with a dazed look on her face and he wondered if she had heard what he said. Finally, she nodded. “But she’s going to be all right.”
It wasn’t a question, may not have even been aimed at him, but Rafe answered it all the same. “She’s going to be fine.”
Another nod before Mel finally turned to look at him. “She always wanted forever with you.” Her eyes lost focus as if she was recalling a memory. “She always said one lifetime with you wouldn’t be enough.” Quietly, she added, “She’ll have you forever now.” Her gaze cleared and she shook her head, a small smile touching her lips. “This is a good thing.” Patting his hand, she added, “She loves you so much.”
“And I love her. More than anything.” More than any physical place on a map or any structure. Nina was his home, he realized, and as long as they were together, he had everything he needed.
Almost as if a spell had been broken, Mel jumped up from the bed, seemingly back to her usual, exuberant self. “My best friend is going to be a kickass, water-wielding, vampire. She’s definitely going to need a superhero name now.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
With Mel’s help, Rafe gathered some things for Nina for when she woke, and then the two of them went to the infirmary together. “Not that I don’t believe you,” Mel had quickly stated after she announced her intention to join him, in case he took offense. “But some things you need to see for yourself.”
She stayed only for a few minutes, holding Nina’s hand, and whispering something in her friend’s ear before she’d kissed Nina’s forehead and moved away from the bed. “I need a shower, and some sleep,” she told Rafe. “But I’ll come back by later, okay?”
He nodded, and then recalling the hunt Mel had been on, asked, “How did it go tonight?”
The woman gave a sad shake of her head.
“Next time,” Rafe told her.
