Anathema (Causal Enchantment #1)(85)

Sofie smiled sadly. Very slowly, very hesitantly, her hand slid over to pat mine. It stayed like that, resting on top of mine, almost holding but not quite.

I didn’t pull away, finding the gesture oddly comforting. “So they should kill humans again, whether they want to or not, because it’ll be safer for everyone in the long run,” I said flatly. I breathed in deeply and exhaled, waiting for myself to truly comprehend this, to feel the revulsion and heartache.

It didn’t come. Something else was there. It felt like … acceptance? Was that it? Was I so quick to accept the idea of feeding off humans because I cared about these vampires, because I was in love with one of them?

I heard footsteps and looked over to see Viggo strolling down the path, arm–in–arm with Valentina. Sofie’s hand instantly slid away from mine.

“Lovely evening, isn’t it, ladies?” he called with his typical false charm. “I’m just showing dear Valentina here the grounds.”

Valentina giggled in response, unable to peel her eyes off of Viggo’s face long enough to acknowledge our presence. I couldn’t blame the silly girl for being completely enamored with him. I had been that stupid fawn and bought the Academy award–winning act not long ago.

“See you later! Well, maybe …” Viggo winked knowingly at Sofie before leading Valentina away.

Sofie muttered something under her breath before saying, “That is Valentina Forero. She’s—”

“Part of Viggo and Mortimer’s beard family. I know,” I finished.

My knowledge caught Sofie by surprise. “How do you—oh yes, of course,” she muttered, glancing at Max. “You have a tour guide.”

Max snorted. Hola!

“Yes, it’s nice not to be left in the dark sometimes,” I said sardonically.

“I didn’t think it was worth mentioning,” Sofie retorted. “But if you’re eager to know, Viggo and Mortimer imported Carlos and Camila from Columbia about twenty–five years ago. They come from old money—lots of it—so it wasn’t too difficult to convince people they could afford a square block in Manhattan. Mortimer has been using them as a cover, but they’ve outlived their purpose.”

I frowned. “So what happens with them now?”

Her eyes flashed toward me, the look revealing. “Dinner … or perhaps breakfast. Or several snacks. Whenever the mood strikes them next, I would suspect. Oh, don’t feel too sorry for them,” Sofie added when she saw the horror on my face. “Dear Mr. Forero comes from a long line of Columbian drug lords—what a stereotype, right?” She chuckled wryly. “He wouldn’t think twice about having you disposed of because you glanced at him disrespectfully.”

I pictured the arrogant man who had strolled past me earlier. Okay, but …”Well, what about his wife and his children?”

“They’re not much better. Camila has a stake in a diamond mining operation—a family inheritance—that employs children as young as eight. Viggo said the working conditions are atrocious, at best.”

“Maybe she doesn’t know?” I offered.

“Oh, Evangeline …” Sofie chuckled. “She visits the mines regularly.”

“Well, his kids can’t be that bad. They’re still young enough, right?”

“Julian is twenty–one and Valentina is your age,” she confirmed. “I suppose I wouldn’t call them evil yet. Julian hasn’t done anything too horrendous. They may have had a chance if they’d been separated from their parents, but look at their role models! As close–minded as it may sound, they’re doomed to go down the same path as their parents. It’s too bad, though. Julian is handsome.”

I had to agree, recalling the young man’s Latin good looks, his thick, dark hair and ebony eyes. He was ordinary next to Caden, but still definitely handsome by human standards.

“Well. Can’t they kill the parents and set the kids free? Give them that chance?” I wondered.

Sofie turned to stare at me in surprise. “They could—but they won’t.”

“Well, can’t you say something?”

A noncommittal shrug, then a contemplative expression flitted across Sofie’s face.

I glanced at my watch. Getting close … Excitement stirred in my stomach; I’d see Caden again soon! But that was followed by the sickly dread that my time with him—with all of them—could be drawing to an end.

“Evangeline,” Sofie said, suddenly serious, “what if you can’t have everything you want, all at once?”

“What do you mean?”

She hesitated, her eyes darting to the balcony windows. When she spoke again, her voice was barely audible. “What if getting Caden and your friends here means you couldn’t see them for awhile because it’s not safe … for a long while. Would it still be worth it?”

“Of course. Yes. Absolutely. Without a doubt,” I answered with grim resolution, though the idea of being away from Caden for any length of time tore at my insides. But at least they’d be on the same planet and this curse would be over.

“You should think about that for a moment before you answer, Evangeline,” Sofie warned.

“No. I’m certain. Things can’t be much worse than they are right now. He’s living in another universe. If I can get him here, everything will work out. But you’re working on that talisman, right?”