“But why not get in touch with me?” Fiona asked.

  “Being what we are and what you are, they felt they needed to see you in person to explain everything or you might not believe them,” Shelly asked.

  “Do you know anything about the curse I have?” Fiona asked.

  “It’s not a curse,” Shelly said. “It’s a beautiful ability. No, we don’t know that much about it, but your dad does, and he plans to explain it all to you. That’s what he says it is. Something that is wondrous, not a curse.”

  “Do you know if her parents want her to be a vampire or remain a hunter?” Arman realized just how much he didn’t want to lose her if she decided to continue to be a huntress.

  “That’s totally up to Fiona,” Michail said. “Your parents will talk to you about it though, Fiona.”

  “We are in agreement that you would be safer, Fiona, to have our abilities. Our kind can be ruthless, and you haven’t been trained as a hunter. But ultimately, it’s your choice,” Shelly said.

  “Does my brother know that you are vampires?” Fiona asked.

  “No. You are a huntress, and the vampires couldn’t control you, so no one could wipe your thoughts and tell you what they wanted you to believe. With a human, it’s easy to do. He has no idea about what we are. We’re just friends of your family and trying to make sure he has a good time in Scotland. It’s up to you if you want to tell him what all of us are, you included,” Shelly said.

  “When are my parents coming to Scotland?” Fiona asked.

  Arman realized she didn’t even know them, but maybe through her dreams she might have had with her father, she would feel some connection when she was reunited with him. Arman just hoped her father wouldn’t want to send her away to be with other hunters once the blood moon passed.

  “They didn’t tell us exactly when they would arrive, but they said they were on their way,” Shelly said.

  “I guess you couldn’t have taken me in when I was a baby,” Fiona said.

  “We have always been vampires. We didn’t know anything about raising a hunter child. Besides, we didn’t learn about their circumstances until you were already placed with your foster parents,” Michail said.

  Wait. Didn’t they say they had helped her parents find humans to raise Fiona?

  14

  Fiona couldn’t believe that these vampires knew her own parents, or that her brother was still alive. She wanted to shout for joy. But she wanted to see her brother first, to know he really was safe. And her parents? That was going to be awkward. She didn’t really know them. Her mother not at all. Her dad only through dreams, if indeed the blond-haired guy was her dad.

  “Do you still have visions of me and the future?” Fiona asked Arman.

  “Not once you were with me. I’ve never had visions before that.”

  “We…we met before. When I spilled my soda all over you.”

  Arman smiled. “I figured you were just trying to meet me in a different kind of way.”

  Fiona laughed. “Right. If I had known you were a vampire, I probably would have run the other way.”

  Arman sighed. “I’m one of the good guys.”

  “I had never known a vampire before.”

  He raised his brows.

  “Well, I hadn’t known Regina and Tobias or Clarissa were vampires. I might have even met others in passing that I didn’t realize were vampires either. If most vampires telepathically communicate with each other, they must do it with each other and no one else can listen in.”

  “That’s a good bet,” Levka said. “We never know who could hear us.”

  “Like with us,” Michail said. “Which was done on purpose to clue you in.”

  “Do you have pictures of my parents?” Fiona asked Michail and his sister, Shelly.

  “Uh, no. Sorry,” Michail said.

  Fiona thought then she would be able to connect the man in her visions with her father. She was disappointed that she couldn’t. She couldn’t wait until she could see her real parents and hoped they could become a family. Though she realized now that she probably wasn’t going to college in Dallas any longer. She wanted to be near her brother, but he wasn’t going to be there.

  Then the chauffeur drove the limo onto a long drive and parked in front of a virtual mansion, that was akin to a castle of its own. The gardens were gorgeous, fountains out front, flowers everywhere but some of the trees were sporting beautiful fall colors too—from greens to oranges, golds, yellows, purples, and reds.

  Fiona was so eager to see her brother, she threw open the limo door before the chauffeur could get it for her. Arman hurried after her. Everyone quickly exited the car and Levka said, “We have some friends who are here.”

  About thirty men and women came out of the mansion. Fiona felt a little panicked that they were going to be in a fight, but Levka assured her, “They’re friends, making sure we’re all right and we have more of a security force if Tobias or his friends show up here.”

  Fiona sighed with relief, but she still needed to see her brother. “Where’s Justin?”

  One of the vampires smiled at her. “Swimming in the pool. He’s in heaven.”

  Fiona was so glad for it.

  Caitlin said, “But we’re all going to have to get some sleep to deal with jetlag.”

  Oh, yeah, the adrenaline had been flooding Fiona’s bloodstream and she hadn’t felt tired, but now that she was meeting up with her brother, she felt relieved, and exhausted.

  Arman led her through the house, Levka and their little group following them until they reached the pool. She knew they wanted to meet him just as much as she wanted to see him.

  As soon as she saw her brother, she called out to him, “Justin!” She was crying and ran to the edge of the pool, slipping a little, but Arman caught her arm before she fell in. That would have been so lame.

  Justin smiled broadly at her and swam to the edge of the pool and pulled himself out of the water, then gave her a big wet hug. “Hey, sis.”

  “Omigod,” Justin. She hugged him, weeping happy tears. He was alive. And she loved him. She was so glad that when the vampires had changed his memories, they hadn’t wiped the memories of her from his mind.

  But now she had some hard choices to make. He was a human. She was a huntress. Her parents were vampires. What was she to do? Tell him? Keep it all a secret?

  Where was Justin going to go once they had eliminated the threat? Back to Dallas? She couldn’t think of him going back there. Not when he had no other family than her and she wouldn’t be with him to protect him in the event anyone targeted him. She would have to think about it once she had some sleep and just chilled for a few days.

  “How come you are here?” Justin asked. “Did you win a trip here also? No, that would be too weird.”

  “I know, right? I’ve got to sleep, and I’ll see you in a few hours?” She was soaking wet after he hugged her. But she didn’t care. She was just so glad to see her brother was there and safe.

  Justin smiled. “Sure.” He glanced at Arman. “Who’s he?” Now he was acting like a protective big brother?

  “Arman. Everyone will—” She was going to say make introductions later.

  Arman shook his hand. “I’m Fiona’s boyfriend.”

  Fiona couldn’t believe he would say that. Well, she guessed he was, after coming to her rescue and after all the visions she had shared with him. Though he was a vampire, and she was a huntress. Wasn’t that kind of like mixing oil with water?

  The other vampires were talking to Levka, and they seemed to be taking their direction from him. It was fascinating to see the dynamics between vampires. She wondered if it had to do with Levka and the other guys who were so close to him all being princes. But that was in Wales. Since this was Scotland, she wouldn’t think they would owe any kind of allegiance to him.

  Caitlin said to Fiona, “He’s often in charge, though we all fought to help the Scots overthrow their League rulers. So they gave us this estate and they are here to watch out for you. We’re glad we have some additional support if we need it.”

  “Do you think Regina and Tobias would send people for me?” Fiona asked.

  “If what you can do is as important as they seem to think it is, yes.”

  “What if someone else wants to control that power? Someone here already? I don’t mean at the estate, but in Scotland, if the vampires here learn of it?” Fiona wouldn’t be surprised if there were rogue vampires here who would crave additional power.

  “That too. So where would you like to sleep? I’m staying with Levka, of course. Jasmine is with Stasio. Arman and Ruric have their own rooms. We have plenty more for you to choose from. They’re all beautiful, but…”

  “You want to make sure I’m being watched,” Fiona said.

  “Protected.”

  “Tomorrow, first thing I want to start sword fighting training.”

  “I don’t blame you. I’m going to do it with you,” Caitlin said, all smiles.

  “Oh, that would be great.” Fiona was really glad she wasn’t the only one who needed training. Doing it with Caitlin would make it a lot more fun.

  “So, uhm, anyway, if you don’t want to stay with one of the guys, I can stay with you, or Jasmine can, though I probably shouldn’t speak for her. I’m sure she would be fine with it.”

  “Can I look at the unoccupied rooms?”

  “Sure.” Caitlin showed her one of the rooms. “This one is right next door to Arman’s room. Justin’s is across the hall from your room.”

  “I’ll take it. The guys can protect me if I scream.”

  Caitlin shook her head. “Vampires can appear places, you know.”

  “Aren’t there any safeguards?”

  “Well, Levka and the others will make sure everyone on the staff—they’re human—and the vampires here know what Regina and Tobias look like, if they should show up.”

  “But humans can be convinced to let them in.”

  “True. But some vampires will remain on guard until they’re not needed any longer,” Caitlin assured her.

  “Okay, well, I’m going to get some sleep.”

  “All right. Me too. Jetlag isn’t any fun.” Then Caitlin gave her a hug. “I’m glad we saved you in time.”

  “Thanks. I am too.” Fiona went into the bedroom and shut the door. She wondered if she would dream of Arman or maybe even her father. But for now, she just wanted to sleep.

  As soon as she climbed into bed, she closed her eyes, but then there was a rapping at her door. “Yes?”

  The door opened a crack. Arman peeked in. “Caitlin said you took the room next to mine.”

  “Yes. I’ll just scream if anyone comes for me.”

  “If someone can reach you, you won’t have time to call out.”

  “So, what? Do you think you should join me on this big king size bed…to protect me?”

  “Yeah, that’s exactly what I am thinking.”

  She laughed and pulled aside the covers. “For this afternoon. But tonight? We’ll play it by ear.”

  “Alright.” Arman looked relieved, took off his shoes, and climbed onto the bed.

  “Okay, no more talking. I have to sleep.”

  Arman said, “Yeah, me too.”

  Both of them closed their eyes, but before she fell sleep, she felt Arman move closer to her and then pull her into his embrace.

  “Is this a necessary part of protecting me?” she asked.

  He was so cute.

  “Yeah.” He kissed her ear. “If anyone grabs you, I’ll know it right away.”

  She took a deep breath, let it out, and enjoyed being here with Arman, and with the others whom she now called friends. She couldn’t believe how much her life had changed in an instant. She hoped that everyone here was being truthful about everything, but she realized she had nowhere else to go and no one else she could trust. Not when humans wouldn’t believe that vampires and hunters and, well, even witches existed.

  “Dream of me chasing you this time,” Arman sleepily said against her hair.

  “I’m going to sleep and not get into anyone’s dreams at all.” At least she hoped not. She really needed to be well-rested if she was going to practice sword fighting tomorrow. Or maybe even after she woke from her nap. But this was so nice being with Arman. After all the craziness in her life, she finally felt safe and cared for.

  Arman was glad Fiona had allowed him to stay with her because he had planned on sleeping in the chair nearby, anything, to make sure she stayed safe. He just wanted to make sure no one came for her without them being aware of it, not since they had managed to save her from Regina and Tobias. He wanted to make sure she stayed safe.

  Levka spoke to him then. “Are you staying with Fiona? Caitlin said Fiona wouldn’t willingly stay with anyone, but one of us needs to always be with her.”

  “I’m with her.”

  “Good. Talk to you when we wake.”

  This was so nice, like Arman’s dreams, but even better. He still felt she should be one of them, but he understood her reluctance to be turned. It was more than a life-changing event. If they could get through the night of the blood moon without anyone taking control of her, she would be safer, and she probably wouldn’t need to be turned at that point. But could she make it past that event without any further trouble?

  Then he drifted off to sleep. Fog surrounded Arman on a cold night as the blood moon hung high in the sky, mists of clouds drifting over it and past it. Arman couldn’t figure out why he was standing outside on the estate’s property surrounded by forest and gardens. He had a sinking feeling that Fiona was out there. Why else would he have left her alone? But how had he let her out of his sight? He was sweating despite the chilliness in the air.

  Levka suddenly ran across the gardens to join him. “Where is she? None of us can find her! Where is she? It’s time. If we don’t find her, we’re⁠—”

  Swords suddenly clanked off in the distance—someone was fighting with someone else near the edge of the woods. If Fiona was fighting someone on her own after so few sword-fighting lessons, she would be at an extreme disadvantage. Levka vanished and Arman did the same thing. But they didn’t go immediately to the woods. Both had to retrieve their swords.

  He wanted to save Fiona. He had to rescue her. But then…

  Something clicked. His eyes shot open. Fiona was gone. The click he’d heard was the sound of the door closing on her departure from the bedroom, he thought. He hurried out of bed and put on his shoes. And then he yanked the door open and rushed out the door. He caught up to her heading downstairs and she smiled at him.

  “You were sound asleep, and I didn’t want to wake you.”

  “I had a bad dream. Or vision.”

  Her smile slipped. “What happened?”

  “It was the night of the blood moon, and you were gone. Levka joined me and we heard sword fighting and both of us went to grab our swords, but then you woke me.”

  She frowned at him. “Oh, great. I wish I hadn’t woken you.” She paused at the base of the stairs. “Do you think it was me fighting with someone?”

  “That’s what we worried about. Did you have any dreams or visions?”

  “No. Not at all. I was so tired, I think I just slept.”

  “Okay, well, damn. I wish I had seen what happened next.” Then Arman heard Levka downstairs, and they smelled chicken. “Time to eat.”

  “I’m sorry. I wish there was a way you could tell me you were in the middle of a dream or a vision and I could join you or at the very least, not disturb you while you’re in the middle of it.”

  “Maybe it will come to me again tonight when we go to sleep and I’ll see more of the dream or vision.” As soon as they walked into the dining room, Arman asked Levka, “Did you have a dream?”

  “Not that I recall. Oh, yeah, Caitlin and I were making gingerbread cookies. I have no idea why. I don’t like gingerbread and I’ve never made cookies in my life.”

  Arman laughed. He couldn’t imagine Levka baking cookies.

  But Caitlin said, “Why? Did you have a dream about Levka?” She wasn’t smiling, appearing more worried than anything.

  “Yeah. We were looking for Fiona. I’m sure we were all trying to find her. Then we heard sword fighting.”

  “And then?” Caitlin asked.

  “Sorry. It’s my fault. I accidentally woke him, and he didn’t see any more. I mean, it could be just a dream, not a premonition of things to come.” Fiona took a seat at the table next to Arman.

  Ruric entered the dining room. “In the dream, when did it occur and where?”

  “Here at the estate, outside, during the night of the blood moon. It’s foggy out and partly cloudy,” Arman said.

  Jasmine and Stasio joined them, and Jasmine said, “Now what?”

  Arman explained what he had dreamed or seen, and Jasmine shook her head. “Okay, after lunch, we work on sword fighting. I thought it could wait until tomorrow, but time is of the essence. If Fiona has to fight a vampire, she needs as much training as she can get.”

  “Oh, I agree,” Fiona said. “I want to get started right away.”

  “Me too,” Caitlin said. “I need lots more practice.”

  Michail and Shelly joined them too, and soon Justin did also.

  Justin smiled. “The food is so great here. It’s like fine dining all the time. I keep thinking I’ll wake up from the dream.”

  “I’m just so glad to see you,” Fiona said. “How much do you know about what happened to our mom and dad?”

  Arman wondered too about what he had been told.

  “Michail told me that they had died in a car accident. I figured it would be coming because of the way dad drank. I wasn’t surprised to learn it at all. I was sorry to hear it though. Mom deserved a better life. The first thing I wanted to know though was where you were and why no one had told me that they had died.”

  “I sent letters to you. But…I guess you didn’t get any of them,” Fiona said. “I just figured you were too busy to write back or call me. I could never get ahold of you, and I couldn’t leave any messages on your voicemail.”