A Clash of Storms (A Shade of Vampire #50)(77)

“I missed you both,” my mom cried, sinking her face in my hair, while Phoenix kissed her temple. “I am so sorry. We are so sorry… We didn’t know…”

It was the first time I’d seen my father so emotional, his dark, teary eyes moving between Phoenix and me as he caressed our faces, his knuckles brushing against my cheek and filling me with an affection I hadn’t felt in weeks.

“Stop saying sorry, Mom. We’re okay!” I said. “Both in one piece and stronger than ever!”

“There is definitely something different about you two.” She squinted, trying to read us.

Phoenix and I looked at one another, grins stretching our faces from ear to ear. We nodded and agreed to let Mom and Dad in. I felt them tickling my soul as I opened up, and watched my mom’s eyes widen with surprise. She stared at me for a few seconds before she looked at Draven, then back at me, and smiled.

“You’re in love,” she gasped. “You’re… You’re together. You two have consummated your union; your souls are forever connected…”

I nodded and pulled Draven closer, his hand clutching mine and holding it tight. He was nervous and excited at the same time, and I needed to assure him that there was nothing for him to worry about.

“Mom, Dad,” I said. “This is Draven, Master Druid of Calliope. He’s also my soulmate.”

Dad straightened his back, while Phoenix slowly and quietly brought Viola closer to our little family group. Draven cleared his throat and held his chin up. He’d recognized my father’s leadership nature and responded with dignity, making me fall even deeper in love with him.

“I’m Tejus, and this is Hazel,” Dad said. “I can see your souls have connected, but you haven’t become a sentry, like us.”

“I’m a Druid. Our lineage is very strong and defined by magic,” Draven replied politely. “We don’t know yet if I’ll ever develop any sentry abilities, but rest assured that I will always keep my heart open for you all. If I do become a sentry, it will only further fortify the bond between Serena and me.”

“You obviously love her; otherwise your connection would have never worked,” Dad mused, his eyes glimmering as a half-smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “At least we both know you’re genuine. I trust you’ll make sure she’s safe from now on.”

“I will.” Draven nodded with a pained expression. “I’m sorry I took your children away from you. I’m sorry for the grief, but I had no other choice. Once their powers were ignited on the night of the fae ball, Azazel could sense them. I had to keep them safe.”

“I know.” My mom sighed. “Doesn’t mean we like it, but we understand. We’re only grateful that you’ve kept your word and kept them safe…”

“Well, it’s not like we were completely defenseless ourselves.” Phoenix raised an eyebrow, holding Viola close and prompting Mom and Dad to stare at them for a moment.

“You got yourself abducted just yesterday,” I groaned, rolling my eyes.

“You nearly got yourself killed a couple of hours ago, so that makes us even!” Phoenix shot back with a smirk.

Our parents were baffled, watching the exchange while Draven and Viola stifled their grins, until Mom finally snapped.

“Clearly, you two have a lot of explaining to do,” she gently chided us. “However, we’re not done with the news here. Phoenix, is there anything you wish to tell us?”

“It’s a rhetorical question, in case you didn’t catch on, Son.” Dad gave him a playful wink.

Phoenix blinked several times before he glanced at Viola.

“Yeah, so… I’m in love. Go ahead. Yuck it up. You never thought you’d see this day, I know, but it happened. This is Viola. She’s a Daughter of Eritopia and one of the reasons I’m still alive.”

Viola nodded politely, her cheeks flushing. My mother gave her the warmest smile, gently touching her cheek with her knuckles.

“You two have a different kind of connection,” Mom said slowly. “How is it possible?”

“We don’t really know how to explain it,” Viola replied in a soft voice, then looked at Phoenix. “From the moment we were close to one another, a bond just came to be. Our lives are forever intertwined.”

“What one experiences, so does the other,” Phoenix explained. “If I get hurt, she gets hurt. If I bleed, she bleeds. If I die… Well…”

“That’s not happening.” Dad was quick to dismiss the scenario. “Not on our watch.”

“As scary as it sounds,” Mom mused, “it’s also incredibly fascinating. I wonder what will happen when you two get intimate—”

“Mom!” Phoenix and I both exclaimed at the same time, our faces red with embarrassment. Leave it to the parents to make us blush in front of our baes.

Our mother laughed lightly, unable to take her eyes off us.

“Mom?” I said, noticing a young woman standing several feet behind her. “Who’s that?”

She looked a lot like me. An awful lot. Almost the spitting image of me, in fact, except for a few of Dad’s sharper features. The long black hair, the bluish green eyes, the endless legs—it was all there. My heart started racing as I immediately put two and two together.