Page 45 of The Rebirth
“Roman knows Abbey will be the first female vampire able to procreate.” I stared at Webb. “Matthew told him. This knowledge has only enhanced Roman’s desire for Abbey. The asshole doesn’t want to sell her or her DNA to the highest bidder. He wants her. He wants to have kids.”
Webb picked up a chair and hauled it across the room. “Motherfucker in hell.”
Silence ensued after the explosive sound of the chair hitting the wall.
My dad shoved his hands through his hair. “All of us are under quite a bit of stress. If Roman made it, he’s a problem, but he’s not the only one right now. Adam is our priority. Webb, we have three of Roman’s men whom we captured in the Catskills. Head over to the council admin building and interrogate them. Take Jo with you to read their minds. They might have information on Adam as well as know a place Roman would hide.”
Webb seemed to perk up at the idea. “Copy that.”
“I’ll have Sawyer question Carly about Fred.” Tripp packed up his laptop.
I was on my feet when my father held up his hand. “Wait, son. You and I aren’t finished discussing the TV interview.”
Here I thought I could escape going on national television. Then again, I wouldn’t—or couldn’t—say no to my father or my team. If my appearance helped in any way, I was all for it.
After Tripp and Webb left, I said, “I’ll do the interview, but let’s not make it a habit, please.”
“That’s not my intention,” he said as he circled the table and came up to me. “I plan to ask Layla to be my liaison between us and the humans. But right now, considering Jordyn’s condition, she needs to be with her sister.”
I grinned so hard my lips hurt. “That’s fantastic. She would love that.”
“Good. I’m glad that’s settled.” He started for the door. “Walk with me. It’s time I break the news to Alia about her father. But I want you to do something for me.”
I didn’t envy him on that front. My deepest sympathies went out to her. Losing her son and father in a span of a few days was soul crushing.
I snagged Dane’s phone and left his ripped clothes behind before I met my dad in the hallway.
“When Dane returns, I would like for you to talk to him about joining us,” my father said. “My plan moving forward is to have leaders from different packs and also witches from covens work with us as we navigate our way into blending in with humans. It’s only a matter of time before humans learn of shifters and witches.”
“Why don’t you ask him? You’re building your new organization. You’re the man in charge.”
“Because, son, I already asked him, and he said no. I believe you can convince him.”
“I’ll try, but I don’t believe Dane likes working with anyone,” I said.
Whether Dane did or didn’t adapt to the new path we were on, no amount of effort to build a relationship with humans would work until Adam Emery was out of the picture.
18
LAYLA
The pews were packed with people as I followed a woman down the aisle while others around me swiveled their heads as I passed. Whispers droned, and I could hear someone say, “She doesn’t belong here.”
I tapped the lady on the shoulder in front of me. “Ma’am, whose funeral is this?” I was assuming someone had died, since the sea of parishioners was decked out in black suits and dresses.
The lady turned and lifted the veil off her face.
My gasp echoed through the church, bouncing off the stone walls and high ceilings painted with religious figures. “Mom?”
She quickly glanced over her shoulder with a perplexed look as if I were a stranger.
Organ music began playing, and the occupants in the pews rose, their clothes rustling together.
My mom slipped into an open seat several rows from the altar, then caught my arm. “My child, darkness is coming. You must prepare. You are their light.”
My eyebrows knitted as the organ music grew louder. “What do you mean?”
As if someone had magically transported me toward the altar, I was kneeling in front of the priest. I searched for my mother behind me, but the faces of the parishioners were blank—no eyes, noses, or mouths.
