Page 85 of A Second Chance for the Beta
“Killing an infant is a huge thing,” Marcellus says. “Even for those who feel loyal to Aloysius, it might cross a line.”
“I just can’t believe that Candy didn’t make sure that we would know of the danger surrounding Charlie,” I point out. “It makes no sense that she made sure that Charlie was hidden somewhere safely, but she wouldn’t leave any more hints.”
“Maybe she thought any hint would be dangerous?” Raffy asks.
“That’s a possibility. She must have been completely paranoid at that point—rightfully so—but still, she left nothing for Charlie.”
“Did she though?” Annie asks. “Are we sure she really didn’t leave anything? Just think about your parents. No one thought they had left you something, but they did. Secretly so. Did she really have no allies?”
I tilt my head, frowning when I remember how Dante and I went to look for Charlie. “Lorenzo,” I mutter. “He was the only one she accepted help from. He knew our dad.”
“Time to get in touch with him then,” Silas says. “Luna Annalise is right. If Candance left something for Charlie, we need to find it soon. There is no way she didn’t know who the father of her child was.”
“How can we protect Charlie for now?” Annie asks Silas. “What can we do?”
“Is there a spell to protect her?” I ask.
“Momentarily, yes, but we need to find something that will protect her for real,” Silas says.
“Like make Aloysius believe she isn’t his daughter?” I ask.
“That’s going to be difficult,” Silas mutters. “We need a plan for that.”
“We will think of something,” Annie says with finality in her voice. “There is no way I will let a crazy vampire harm my pack. Charlie is one of us now, and no one takes her anywhere.”
“I’m sorry my brother gives you such a headache, Luna,” Silas says.
“It’s hardly your fault,” she says.
“What else can you tell us about him?” I want to know.
“He is intelligent, sly, hard to trick,” Silas says. “Just like I am. But his polite exterior is just a pretense. He will not hesitate to kill someone in his way.”
“How come we don’t know more about that?” Jun asks. “If he is so violent, he must have already attacked other packs or covens.”
“I think you misunderstood me,” Silas says. “And him. Aloysius is ruthless, but he is not stupid, and he doesn’t care for anyone but his own kind,” Silas says. “Everything he does is controlled and with intent. Randomly attacking packs wouldn’t be controlled.”
“But if he hates us so much, why doesn’t he try to wipe us from the planet?” Raffy asks.
“That’s a very human thing to ask.” Silas chuckles. “Aloysius likes the comfort, he likes the blood, he likes the luxury. If he kills everyone who isn’t a vampire, the world would collapse. He has no interest in that. He wants the humans and the other species to exist so he can leech off them. He likes to toy with them like he does with the women he beds. I think he might even care for one or another person outside our species… in his own twisted way. Aloysius is all about keeping the pretense. Even if his actions sound crazy to you, they aren’t. He isn’t insane. He wouldn’t just kill Charlie for no reason. After all, every murder might make him a target too. But if she is his daughter, it’s reason enough for him.”
“Wow, what a charming fellow,” Jun mutters.
“I wish I could say I hate him,” Silas says. “I hate what he has become and what he did. But he was my brother for many centuries. A part of me still has empathy for him.”
“That’s just normal,” Marcellus says. “Empathy is what makes you a good person.”
“But I wouldn’t hesitate to off him if I could,” Silas clarifies. “I cannot forgive him.”
“Say, you mentioned blood.” I look at him thoughtfully. “Is blood something Charlie needs?”
“As a hybrid, no,” he says. “You will want to have some blood transfusions prepared for while she is still growing. She might suffer from bleedings and blood loss occasionally. With vampires it’s different than with other hybrids,” he explains. “With hybrids the vampire side is always weaker. This is why my brother is so obsessed with not having any offspring that is not a full-blooded vampire.”
“So, her wolf side will be dominant?” I ask.
“Yes.” Silas smiles. “Don’t worry. She will be a strong werewolf. I hope you allow me to meet her?”
“Of course,” I say. “It will be good for her to have someone to talk to concerning her vampire side.”
