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Nigel took a deep, unnecessary breath. His heavy Australian accent was hypnotizing to listen to. "I met your mother 40 years ago. She was barely 16 and was newly married to your father. I was captivated by her gentleness and beauty. I admired her from afar. "
"What was her name?" I questioned, my voice coming out as a high-pitched squeak.
His face went blank as he lost himself further in his memories. "Her name was Armes. She had long brown hair that hung in waves. Her eyes were the deepest blue I'd ever seen. She was very much in love with Kian then. . . "
Stefan's fingers twitched against my back as he interrupted Nigel. "Armes. Prophetess in Welsh. Did she have any abilities?"
"Yes. She could see the future and read minds. "
Gasping, I covered my mouth with my hand. No wonder Kian had watched me from afar for so many years. I had the same ability as my mother and would be a valuable asset to him. Stefan patted my leg and gestured for Nigel to continue.
"Kian coveted her abilities. It only took 10 years for Armes to tire of him and his manipulations and games. He flaunted others in front of her," Nigel swallowed, his Adams's apple bobbing in his throat. "One day she came to me and I will admit that didn't refuse her advances. I loved her and had been in love her for many years. We made plans t
o disappear and she confronted Kian. I never saw her again after that day. "
You could have heard a pin drop in the room. I didn't breathe until Nigel began talking again.
"Kian informed all of the Council that Armes had left him and abandoned her family. You were just a baby, Josephine. He thought it best if you were raised by a human family. He claimed he wanted you to have a chance at a normal life. "
"Where do you think my mother is, Nigel?" I whispered hoarsely.
"I do not know. I continue to look for her. I hold on to the hope that she's alive and content, even if that happiness comes from a man other than me. "
"Do you truly think she left Kian on her own and disappeared?" Stefan questioned.
"At first, I was in shock. I didn't want to believe she'd leave without saying goodbye. Now I'm unsure, Stefan. " Nigel folded his hands in his lap. "She may have wanted to leave the world of vampires behind. I could understand why she would. "
"Do you know anything else about her?" I was desperate for information. I wanted to know everything I could find out about her.
"Nothing else that will be helpful at this junction. I wish I could tell you more. " Nigel stood up and made his way to the door. He turned and looked back at us, a wistful look on his face.
"I meant what I said the other day. Your mother was almost as beautiful as you. " He looked at the floor before looking at us both. "Cherish every moment you have with her, Stefan. Take nothing for granted. "
Inclining his head, he slipped out the door, pulling it closed quietly behind him. I sat unmoving on Stefan's lap, focusing on his fingers running up and down my back.
"What do you think, Stefan?"
He sighed heavily. "Are you sure you want to know what I am thinking?"
"Of course. You know more about this vampire stuff than I do. "
"I think your father is much more dangerous than I originally thought. We must be on our guard at all times. He will view you as a valuable tool in his arsenal. " Stefan's face hardened as he spoke. "Do not meet him alone. Ever. "
"What are we going to do?"
Stefan wrapped his arms around me, pulling me against the coolness of his hard chest. "We go about our lives as normal. We are heading back to Indonesia in two days to prepare to come back here to live. I can better keep my eye on what he is planning if I am closer to the Council members. "
I had unwittingly dragged him deeper into the 'vampire bullshit' he despised so much. How much more was it going to take until he said enough was enough and left?
"I will never leave you, Josephine. These are minor details, remember?" I pulled back slightly and observed his face. I could see his mind moving quickly, making calculations and playing out scenarios in his mind. He was planning strategy, engaging in a complicated game of mental Chess. I wouldn't want to be a pawn in a game that he played.
He toyed with the necklace he had given me for a moment before meeting my eyes. A roguish smile softened his face. "You would never be a pawn. You would be my Queen. "
"Sweet talker. Don't try to seduce me with your sexy talk. " I slapped at his chest playfully.
"I speak only the truth. " He kissed me softly before gently moving me off of his lap. "I need to talk to Lukas. "
He stalked across the room and pulled open the door, the muscles in his back stretching as he moved.
