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“Our daughter was taken when she was a child. We...we haven’t been able to find her, and my mate hasn’t been able to get over her loss, so we haven’t tried for another. We’ve taken in many strays over the years. Our village is quite large, which is how I knew there was a stranger in our midst.” Zaid looked over his shoulder.

“Have you sent out feelers across the globe? If you give me a scent, I’ll let you know if I’ve come across her. I have quite a reach.”

Zaid tilted his head. He stood nearly as tall as Severin, with salt-and-pepper hair, tanned skin, and midnight-dark eyes. Unlike Severin’s eyes, which normally glowed red, Zaid’s remained a steady dark brown, almost black. The male appeared to be studying him, but Severin wasn’t foolish enough to think Zaid wasn’t powerful.

“My female says we can trust you. Have you found those who held you here?” Zaid asked.

“We have been working on it.” He wouldn’t tell this male any more than that. Not because he didn’t think Zaid deserved to know, but because he didn’t know him well enough to share more. There was a big difference.

Zaid nodded. “If you would like to follow me, my female has a few jars of other jams she says your friend would enjoy as well, since she is craving these berries.”

Severin looked toward the bottom of the mountain, where dense fog lay, then back at Zaid. “Lead the way.”

After following the other vampire down the mountain, he memorized the route and marked anything he considered suspicious.

“You gonna stare a hole in my head the whole way down?”

“I’m also burning holes in the trees,” Severin said, refusing to deny the truth.

Zaid’s laughter floated back to him as they moved. Ahead, the forest shimmered, and then a stone-faced mansion appeared in a clearing. A stunning female with red hair braided over her shoulder stood at the top of the stairs, holding a mug in one hand.

“That is my female. Genesis, this is Severin. He was the male we sensed all those years ago. He came to gather berries for his friend’s female, who craves them. You females and your strange pregnancy needs.” Zaid flashed beside Genesis and wrapped her in his arms.

“Severin, it’s nice to meet you. I apologize that we didn’t help you back then.” Genesis rested her hand on her stomach.

“The shadow that haunts us across several lifetimes shouldn’t be the burden you carry forever, Genesis. Do not tremble at the trauma and damage you didn’t cause. Let light burn away the shadows. We are the architects of our own salvation.” Severin didn’t want her or anyone else to bear the weight of what had been done to him. Those who’d held him captive for weeks hadn’t left him with lasting damage.

“You’re too good. Many would be pointing fingers or coming at us with bowed heads, saying we owe them loyalty.”

A lump formed in his throat. This female wasn’t a broken being who wanted others to suffer as she had. “Many would disagree. I’d love to return with my female another time.”

Genesis bent and lifted a basket from beside her feet. “I’d like to offer these to your friend. When any of our females are pregnant, we crave them.”

Severin didn’t reach for the goods, knowing that males of their kind tended to be very territorial. He waited for Zaid to hand him the goods, but was shocked when Genesis held out her arms. He looked to her male first, then took the basket from Genesis.

“Thank you. Aurora will be very grateful for these.”

Genesis nodded. “We females need to stick together. Please tell her that if she wants more, we have stock in our pantries. Here is our number. Just give me a call.”

“I asked Zaid if you had anything with your child’s scent. I’ve been around the world many times and have many contacts. If you want to share anything with me, I’ll do what I can to help search for her.”

Genesis sucked in a breath. Her tear-filled gaze flicked to Zaid, then back to Severin. She covered her mouth with one hand. “We’ve never felt the bond between her and⁠—”

“Dragostea mea, don’t. You are my world.” His confession came out in a gruff voice.

She lifted a trembling hand to Zaid’s cheek. “As you are mine, Iubita mea.”

Severin listened to Zaid and Genesis calling each other endearments, but all he wanted was to get back to Thana.

“Give me a moment.” Genesis stepped away from Zaid and went back through the large entrance doors. Severin knew he could’ve been invited inside, but he’d already spent too much time away from Thana for his peace of mind.

Genesis returned in a flurry of wisps and smoke. She clutched a baby blanket in one hand. “We have several of these with her scent preserved on them. Do you think you can use it?”

Severin brought the fabric to his nose and inhaled the sweet scent of blooming lilacs and the twilight aroma of vine flowers. A similar scent clung to Genesis, but she also carried a hint of lavender.

“Yes. This will be very helpful. I’ve never come across anyone with this particular combination.” A small, nagging memory surfaced in his subconscious. He tried to recall where he’d smelled something similar, but felt Thana’s touch on his mind.

“I’ll be in touch.” He flicked the paper, then put it in the backpack with the new fruit preserves Genesis had given him.