VA 2 - Blood Jewel by Georgia Cates Read Free Book Online

with the exception of Chansey’s. Each
and every one of my family members simultaneously lifted their
faces to me for an explanation of my comment.
    Before Chansey was able to
formulate a suspicion about my family’s actions, Sebastian quickly
answered, “Yes, Curry will be your Landra.” This brought a
beautiful smile to her face, and I was glad to have dodged another
argument concerning her future as one of us.
    Solomon took a drink from his
goblet and smiled. “Curry can’t wait to be your Landra,” before he
shot me his well-known smart ass grin.
    My eyes shot daggers in Solomon’s
direction, the wooden kind, and he laughed under his breath as I
replied in my lowest tone to prevent Chansey from hearing, “Please,
do not encourage her.”
    Our conversation continued, unknown
to Chansey. “Come on, I’m just having a little fun since you seem
to be the funny guy tonight.”
    Solomon continued to laugh under
his breath and Chansey was unaware she was the topic of a near
silent conversation playing out right before her. If it came to be,
then it just did, but it wouldn’t happen with any help from
me.

4 Buffoon
    We sat with the family at the table
talking into the morning. Chansey didn’t want to give in to her
fatigue, but I encouraged her to go to bed because she looked like
she couldn’t hold her head up another minute.
    Solomon overheard our debate and
said, “There’s no way you’re going to bed. It’s still early.”
Solomon pleaded. “We have lots of embarrassing stories we could
tell you about Curry if you’ll stay.”
    Lairah spoke up in Chansey’s
defense. “Don’t harass her, you jackass. In case you’ve forgotten,
she still keeps daylight hours.”
    I walked behind Chansey and pulled
her chair out as she stood and said, “Thank you for including me
tonight. You made me feel so welcomed.”
    “We enjoyed having you. Please,
join us again.” Gia invited.
    “I would love that and I will be
taking you up on the invitation.”
    After we told my family goodnight,
I escorted Chansey toward my quarters. She looped her arm through
mine and said, “That was fun.”
    I stopped in the hallway to look at
her. “You never cease to amaze me.”
    “What do you mean?” she
asked.
    “You sat at a table full of
vampires as they drank human blood and you never appeared the least
bit uncomfortable,” I said in awe of this beautiful woman about to
become my wife.
    She reached for my face. “Why would
I be uncomfortable? I was born to accept you and your family as you
are.”
    I leaned forward to put my forehead
against hers. “I know, but I couldn’t help but fear the human part
of you would be frightened or sickened by what we do to
survive.”
    “I could never reject what is
natural to you. Don't’ forget...it is what I have chosen for
myself, as well.”
    There were times when I was glad
Chansey was so accepting of me and what I was, but her easy
acceptance was always a reminder of her desire to become one of us
and our conversation always steered toward the topic of changing
her. I was becoming a master at changing the topic and I
demonstrated my expertise well by saying, “We only have one more
day before we go back to Pascagoula, so I want to take you into the
city tomorrow night. Would you like that?”
    She had not mentioned the
significance of tomorrow. I wondered if it slipped her mind because
of the crazy events during the last few days or if she was testing
me to see if I would remember. Regardless, I held my tongue and did
not mention her birthday.
    She smiled mischievously and I knew
the date had not slipped her mind. “That sounds like fun. What do
you want to do?”
    This was a test and I intended on
passing with flying colors, so I decided I needed the help of my
sisters to make this a birthday she’d never forget. “I haven’t
decided yet. It’s been a while since I went into New Orleans. Do
you have anything you’d like to do?”
    “I’m up for anything,”