by G. K. DeRosa
Noticing the wistful expression on Celeste’s face, Roman leaned in and wrapped his arm around her waist, drawing her close to him. He kissed her on the cheek and began whispering in her ear, sending tingles down her back. “I love you more and more each day and we are going to have the most incredible life together.”
“I love you too, Roman.”
Epilogue
For the first time in my life I can finally say that I am truly happy. Holding my baby boy in my arms and knowing that he is safe is a feeling like no other. As I rock him gently back and forth in my arms, I stare out the sliding glass doors to the peaceful pond in our backyard. He’s nearly asleep and lets out a big yawn, opening his eyes for just a second to make sure I’m still there before drifting into a deep sleep. Though only a few weeks old, I can already tell he’s going to have his father’s beautiful sapphire blue eyes. There’s almost an unearthly glow about them. For nine long months I had hoped that he wouldn’t be stuck with my boring hazel ones. It’s funny how when you’re not fighting to survive, you can focus on the most mundane things in life.
I glance down at the new love of my life to confirm that he is sound asleep and ever so carefully stand up to take him to the nursery. I tiptoe silently to the second floor of our new house, still not quite used to the immensity of it. It’s easily the size of Stellan’s home but with a decidedly more modern flare. When Dante gifted it to us nine months ago, when we first moved to Astor, he had sent over an interior designer so that we could choose all of the finishings. It had seemed so unreal.
After a long walk through the bright corridor, I finally reach the cheerful nursery. The designer had decorated all of the rooms in the house except for this one. I wanted to have that privilege. Above the crib was an adorable mural, hand- painted by Marie and depicting a colorful forest filled with cute woodland creatures and the name Kristof stenciled in big blue lettering. We named our son Kristof Luka after both of our fathers, and now that we live in Astor my dad is able to appear to us on occasion to visit his new grandson. He is absolutely over the moon in love with him, and I am thrilled to be able to see my dad—and not just in my dreams.
I gently lay Kristof down in his navy and white crib and as I do he lets out a soft sigh. I rub his little belly and he clenches a tiny fist at his side. That is definitely a mannerism he picked up from his father. As much as I try, I can’t seem to tear myself away from watching him sleep. I know that he’s safe here and I repeat that fact to myself nearly everyday, but after being a Guardian for almost a decade, living in constant fear for your life and your loved ones’ lives is a hard habit to break.
I hear footsteps coming down the hall and for a brief moment I panic. I desperately search the room for something I can use as a weapon, then a familiar figure appears in the doorway and I let out a huge sigh of relief.
“Roman.” I exhale sharply as he walks toward the baby and me.
“He’s sleeping already?” he asks with a look of disappointment.
I nod and take his hand to lead him out of the nursery, switching on the baby monitor before we go. We don’t go far, though, since our room is just across the hall. I still can’t manage being more than a few yards away from Kristof yet. Roman has been the most incredible father in the past few weeks. After spending the majority of his life as a vampire and thinking he would never be able to have a family, he has made it his mission to be the best father in the world. Those first months after being turned human were extremely difficult for him. It was nearly impossible for him to sit out on the sidelines while I contended with the evil supernatural world. Luckily, a lot of his fighting prowess stuck even as a human and before long he was back to battling right beside me, where he belonged. Nico, too, found his place in the human world, but that’s another long story.
Roman pulls me to the sunny balcony in our bedroom, which overlooks the tranquil pond below. It reminded me so much of the one at his and Nico’s apartment in Oak Bluffs. Perhaps that was why I had immediately fallen in love with this house. He puts an arm around my waist and kisses me on the cheek, his warm breath lingering by my ear. Even after all these years, it still sends a pleasant chill down my spine.
“Are you ready for everyone to meet Kristof tonight?” His smoldering blue eyes are practically glowing in the background of the setting sun.
I nod as a big smile spreads across my face. Having my mom, Stellan and the rest of the gang come to Astor was a big deal. The Council had given special permission so that Nico, Brian, Marie and even Brennan could pass through without setting off the wards. After almost ten years of battling against the forces of evil with them at our side, they had all become family. I can only pray that one day when our son becomes the Guardian that he too will have the love and support that each and every one of them gave to me. Because if I had never met Roman, Nico and Stellan, I don’t think I would have ever survived.
The spin-off to The Guardian Series is here! Keep reading for a sneak peek of Magic Bound.
Sneak Peek of Magic Bound
A sharp hiss assaulted my eardrums. I started and blinked. Coming out of my stupor, I quickly turned the dial on the espresso machine. A ruddy-faced, middle-aged man in a fancy suit stood in front of me. He drummed his fingers on the counter, nostrils flaring.
“Are you even listening to me?” he barked. “I said I’ll take a double espresso and a chocolate biscotti to go.”
“Got it,” I answered as I quickly tapped keys on the register.
Ricky caught my eye from across the bar, behind the industrial coffee machine. He perked up one dark eyebrow and mouthed, “What’s wrong with you?”
Shaking my head, I ignored him and took the $10 bill the man impatiently waved in front of me.
Once the irate customer left, Scott came up behind me and poked me in the side. “Can you run in the back and grab some more of the Columbian roast? We’re almost out.”
I nodded, more than happy to get away from the line of customers jonesing for their morning caffeine high. I slid out from under the counter and pushed through the swinging doors to the back of the café. The narrow corridor was dark. Cheap-o Scott was probably trying to save money on the electric bill.
Reaching out for the wall, I fumbled in search of the light switch. My fingers blindly moved across the cold surface as I cursed myself for leaving my phone with the built-in flashlight in my locker. The sudden creak of a door opening sent my heart rate into overdrive. “Who’s there?” No answer. Forgetting about the light switch, I spun toward the sound. The employee locker room door was open a crack. I took a step, and the door swung wide open. A guy burst out and bulldozed by me, shoving me against the wall. He raced toward the emergency exit as I stood frozen. Just then, the back door whipped open from the outside and a tall figure blotted out the doorway. The sunlight was so bright behind him that all I could make out was a dark shadow. He grabbed the runner by the shoulders and yanked him outside. What the hell?
My feet thawed, my curiosity urging them back to life, and I ran toward the back door and pushed it open to peer outside. It took a second for my eyes to adjust, blinded by the intense light of day after the black hallway. I glanced up and down the alley, but it was empty. A faint scent of laundry detergent lingered in the air. A thief with fresh smelling clothes? So weird.
I trudged back to the front of the café, my heart still thudding against my chest.
“Where’s the coffee?” asked Scott.
“You can go get it.” I planted my feet and threw my hands on my hips. “You need to invest in a better security system. I was almost attacked by some guy back there.”
A few of the customers turned toward us, putting down their coffees to stare. “Ricky, cover the register please.” Scott put his hands on my shoulders and led me back to his office.
Later the police came and questioned me, but I wasn’t much help. I hadn’t seen anything clearly in the darkness. To be honest, the whole thing sounded crazy when I said it out loud. Scott filed a report,
but after a thorough search, nothing came up missing.
The rest of the morning didn’t go much better. Just when I thought the day would never end, I felt a tap on my shoulder.
“Come on, it’s 3:05. Let’s get outta here.” Ricky grabbed the bright blue apron and pulled it over my head before I could say a word. Taking my arm, he yanked me out of Thanks-A-Latte and onto the bustling sidewalk of Columbus Circle.
Outside, enveloped by the noises of the city I knew and loved so well, my dark mood dissipated. I was probably the only person in the world who found blaring horns, screeching brakes and shouting taxi drivers soothing.
“Aria, what’s going on with you today?” Ricky repeated.
I shrugged and kept walking. I wasn’t trying to be evasive; I just couldn’t put my finger on it. I hadn’t felt like myself for days.
“I know what’ll make you feel better—a night out.” His eyes held a mischievous twinkle.
“I can’t. I got my fake ID taken away last month at Space, remember?”
He chuckled and flashed me his killer smile. “I met a guy, and he’s the bouncer at this new underground club in Brooklyn. He can get us in, no problem.”
Maybe a night out was all I needed. Plus I didn’t have the heart to say no to Ricky when he looked so excited. “Okay, I’m in.”
Ricky grabbed my hand and spun me in a circle, nearly plowing me into a lady with a stroller. I laughed as he maneuvered me out of the way just in the nick of time. We ducked down into the subway and jumped on the number 3 train to head home. It was packed as usual even though it wasn’t even rush hour. I wedged myself in between the door and a large man who smelled like French fries. Luckily it was a short ride to 103rd Street and the Frederick Douglass Houses that Ricky and I called home. I never called it the projects; it made me feel ghetto. We liked to call it our urban retreat.
As we climbed the stairs to our fourth floor apartment, I thought about all the places I’d lived in my sixteen years. Some were better and a lot were worse, but at least this place was mine—well, Ricky’s and mine. We met a little over a year ago when I got the job at Thanks-A-Latte, and we immediately became best friends. He’s the closest thing to family I’ve ever had.
Ricky turned to me as he inserted the key into the lock. “Please let me do your hair tonight, and can I pick out your ensemble too?”
I arched a skeptical brow. “Only if I approve of it.”
“Fine,” he said with a huff as he dug through his pockets. “I bought this on my lunch break today.” He waved a small mascara-looking tube with a hot pink cap on it. “I was thinking we could put some pink highlights in that cute little blonde bob you’ve been sporting.”
“Sure, as long as I can put some in yours too.” I jumped to my tiptoes and mussed up his perfectly gelled black hair.
“Oh no, honey, I know you didn’t just mess with my do! Do you know how long it takes to get it to look like this?” He ran his hand through his hair and held the door open for me.
“Relax, it still looks perfect.” I turned toward my room. “I’m taking a nap if we’re going out tonight. I need my beauty rest.”
Ricky laughed and disappeared into the kitchenette as I shut the bedroom door behind me.
The booming bass reverberated through the blown-out windows of the old meat-processing factory as we walked to the entrance of Eclipse. A huge mural of a smiling cow hovered above the line of people already amassed outside the dimly lit brick building. Hipsters and trendy Manhattanites, along with the bridge and tunnel crew, littered the streets clamoring to get into the new hot spot. As we sauntered up, I wondered if anyone else found the smiling cow as creepy as I did.
Ricky took one look at the line and with his head held high and hips swinging to the beat, made his way directly to the front. I hurried to keep up with his long stride and not get swallowed into the crowd. Blocking the black-draped entrance was a strapping giant of a man with slicked back blonde hair and bulging biceps. I guessed this was the Swede Ricky had been so excited about. His tough guy bouncer persona immediately morphed when he saw Ricky and me approaching. A shy smile crossed his hard-angled face.
“Heyyy,” said Ricky with a flirtatious grin and a brief caress to the bouncer’s exposed bicep.
After a quick smile back, the Swede slipped his enforcer mask back on and answered gruffly, “Glad you could make it.”
Ricky ticked his head toward me and introduced us. I couldn’t help but look up in awe at the guy towering over me, despite my three-inch heels. “Hi, I’m Aria.”
He gave me a brief nod and turned his eyes back to crowd control. No name so I guess “the Swede” it is. Without a second glance at us, he reached across to the red velvet rope and unlocked it, allowing us entry.
“Sorry, he’s kind of shy,” shouted Ricky. We made our way through the dark entrance as the thumping music kicked up a notch. After passing the vacant coat check, the long, narrow corridor finally opened into an enormous four-story circular room. Looking up, I could just make out an upper level above the floating DJ booth. Neon laser lights and white smoke blasted my senses as I stared at the wall of rainbow lights on the ceiling. The place was incredible.
“No worries,” I yelled back distractedly, but my best friend was already three deep at the bar trying to flag down the bartender.
As I surveyed the scene, a movement from above caught my eye. I stared skyward. A man stood on the upper level, no more than a shadow at that distance, but when his gaze focused on me, his silver eyes glowed against the dark background. Startled, my heart thumped wildly against my chest. I lowered my gaze and wrapped my arms around my bare shoulders to stop the sudden eruption of goose bumps.
Someone grabbed my shoulder from behind, and I nearly jumped out of my skin. “Hey, you okay?” Just Ricky.
I turned my sights upward again, but the guy and his weird eyes were gone. “Yeah, I’m fine. Did you get me a drink or what?” He handed me a plastic cup filled with amber liquid and ice. I took an eager sip and then grimaced. “What is this crap?”
“Diet Coke.”
“What am I, twelve?” I gave him my best evil eye.
“I promised the Swede we wouldn’t drink if he got us in. He just got this job and doesn’t want to lose it.”
I rolled my eyes and took a swig of my soda. “Unbelievable.”
“Forget it. Come on, let’s go dance.” Ricky grabbed my hand and dragged me through the crowd and onto the dance floor.
After a few minutes, I was back in my element. My body took over, and I was no longer in control, moving and twisting to the electric sounds the DJ concocted. Ricky spun me around and began grinding his butt up against mine, his natural Latin rhythm no contest to my sad white girl moves. Before long we had a crowd around us, and Ricky was showing off all his best stuff. I tried to keep up for as long as I could, but once he started busting out his old-school break dancing, I was out for the count. I signaled to him that I was going to the bar. He winked without missing a beat.
Laughing and out of breath, I made my way to the circular bar below the DJ’s booth. Ricky had been right: this was exactly what I needed to get out of my funk. The truth was that it was my birthday tomorrow, and it was a day I pretty much hated. It brought back too many bad memories I’d rather never think about.
“Can I get you a drink?”
I whirled around, searching for the owner of the deep voice. I turned to the left but felt a tap to my right. I spun back around. A guy with jet-black hair and a wry grin stood just inches away.
“Whoa there, buddy. Have you ever heard of personal space?”
“Sorry.” He took a step back. “It’s a little tight in here.”
He was right. He was shoulder-to-shoulder between two other guys while a drunk girl pushed up against his back trying to get to the bar. There was something disarming about his smile, so I decided not to give him my feisty routine. Plus he was totally hot. “Fine, I’ll give you a pass this one time.”
“
So how about that drink?” He smirked as he extended his hand. “I’m Damian.”
“Aria.” I scanned him from top to bottom to figure out how old he was. Definitely at least twenty-one. “I’ll have a Cosmo.”
Now it was his turn to look me up and down. He arched his dark eyebrow, assessing me, then when he seemed satisfied he signaled to the bartender. The tall blonde practically sprinted to get to him. Now I was impressed.
She returned seconds later with my Cosmo and his bourbon on the rocks. Smiling, he handed me the drink. “It matches your hair.”
“Very perceptive.” I twirled one of the hot pink streaks that Ricky had added. “It’s my favorite color.”
“It’s a good one for you.” He raised his cocktail and clinked it against my martini glass.
As I took a sip of the fruity drink, I peered over my glass and snuck a quick look at his eyes. They were amazing—a smoky steel gray with tiny flecks of aqua. They were like none I’d ever seen before. His lip curled up in a grin as he caught me staring. I had to laugh. “Your eyes are pretty cool.”
“Thanks. Yours are beautiful, like the translucent aqua of the Caribbean.” He paused and took a swig of his bourbon, never dropping eye contact. “So do you come here often?”
“Wow, I haven’t heard that one in awhile.” I bit my lower lip to stop myself from laughing. “Does that line really work with the ladies?”
“It’s not a line.” He took a step back, his hands raised. “I’ve been here a few times and never seen you. It was an innocent question, I swear.”
“Umhmm…” I decided to let the cheesy line pass since his eyes were making my insides melt. “This is my first time. My best friend Ricky dragged me here tonight. ” I got on my tiptoes to see over the crowd to find him, but it was no use. Even with my heels, I was way too short, and the crowd was way too thick.