Pretty When They Collide (Pretty When She Dies 0.5)(17)

Galina finished her notes and underlined a few words, her brow scrunched. “I also put down a reminder that you were only gone for two days. I don’t know why I got so worried.”

“Because you’re my mother.” Cassandra nudged her with her elbow before leaning her head on her mother’s shoulder.

“I was dreaming about your father and he was trying to find you,” Galina said, changing the subject abruptly.

“He doesn’t know about me,” Cassandra reminded her. “And he’s far away in Austin. Dr. Summerfield told me just last week that Cian’s dating some cute little blond human girl now and trying very hard to be human.”

Galina’s eyes filled with tears and she tugged at the sash of her bathrobe. “He’s forgotten me.”

“Mom,” Cassandra said in a gentle voice. “It’s just thirty years ago since he killed the cabal and sent you away. That’s like a blink of an eye for a vampire. I’m sure he remembers you.” Silently cursing herself for her insensitivity, she embraced her mother. “He loved you. He sent you away to keep you safe.”

“But now he’s dating someone else.” Galina covered her face with her hands.

“Mom, you were with him a very long time ago.” Cassandra struggled to think of a way to comfort her mother. Galina was still madly in love with Cian Lynch, Cassandra’s vampire father. She would probably love him until her last breath. A few times Galina had attempted to go to Austin to find Cian, but had been stopped in time. Vampire fathers killed their dhamphir offspring and it was the only solid argument that kept Galina from risking everything to find the vampire.

“It was a very long time ago. Look at you, all grown up and looking so much like him.”

“I look like you,” Cassandra said gently. She had no idea what her father looked like and wasn’t sure she wanted to. Dr. Summerfield and her mother both claimed she looked like her father, but when she looked in the mirror she saw her mother’s genes stamped into her features.

“You do look like me,” Galina said with delight. “But much more beautiful.”

“Oh, no! You’re much more beautiful than I will ever be!” Cassandra kissed her mother’s cheek and snuggled into her side. She felt her mother tense and peered into her face. “Mom?”

“Something’s wrong, isn’t it?” Galina rubbed her brow. “You’re keeping something from me.”

“Mom, it was a simple job. Nothing dangerous.”

“I should have taken Cian’s money. Then you wouldn’t have to do these things.”

“Mom, it’s fine. I’m fine.” Gripping her mother’s hand tightly, she said, “I’ll always be fine. I’m too smart and too much of a bad ass to not be okay.”

“You sound like him when you talk like that,” Galina said with a pout.

“The only weird thing about the trip was this girl I saw.”

“You met a girl?” Her mother looked keenly interested.

“I literally ran into a girl. When she touched me I felt...” Cassandra stared at her hand. “I felt magic.”

“Did you get her number?”

“Not that kind of magic. Real magic. Or at least I think it was.”

Galina cocked her head, her expression thoughtful. “So you didn’t get her number?”

“It’s not like that,” Cassandra said swiftly. “It was just odd. To feel that.”

Narrowing her eyes, Galina studied her daughter intently. “You liked her.”

“Mom! I don’t even think we spoke to each other!”

“You have this little glow though,” Galina insisted. “I can see it.”

Biting her bottom lip, Cassandra stared at the hand that the mysterious woman had touched. Though the sensation was faint now, she could still feel the slight tingle. “Honestly, Mom, I’m not sure what to think about what happened. It’s not like I’m ever going to see her again.” To her surprise, her words elicited a small pang of regret inside her.

Galina picked up her notepad and started a new notation. “Oh, maybe you will. If it is meant to be, it will work out. Maybe you will get a chance at the love I never had.”

“Mom, don’t say things like that,” Cassandra protested.

“No, no. I mean it. Maybe you’ll have good luck to even out all my bad luck.” Galina smiled at Cassandra lovingly. “A mother can hope, can’t she?”

“Of course.” Cassandra knew better than to argue with her mother. Besides she didn’t want to upset her. A certain spark had come to life in her mother’s eyes when Cassandra had mentioned magic. It had been a long time since she had seen her mother look so enthralled.

“Besides, a little magic might be exactly what you need.” Galina made stars around several words and underlined them. “I like magic. I wish I had some. I would wave my hand and make your life perfect.”

“Mom, it’s perfect. Right now, right here, it’s perfect.” Cassandra scooted down on the sofa and laid her head on her mother’s lap. Her mother’s gentle touch was soothing as Galina stroked her daughter’s hair. “As long as you’re happy, everything is fine.”

“Oh, I don’t like Felicity?” her mother said reading her latest notation, sounding mystified. “Why is that?”