by G. K. DeRosa
***
Celeste knocked softly on the door of her old bedroom at Stellan’s. It was nearly midnight and she was exhausted, but she hadn’t wanted to disturb Roman. He and Nico had retreated hours ago into separate bedrooms as Stellan made arrangements for the consecration and burial of Lilliana’s body. The Albsurori coven had a very specific ritual that had to be followed, and he had immediately taken her to the compound to initiate preparations with Marja.
“Come in,” came a rough voice from inside.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t want to bother you,” she said as she laid eyes on Roman who was stretched across the bed staring blankly at the ceiling. “I wanted to see how you were doing and grab my toothbrush from my duffel bag.”
“Sure,” he muttered.
She walked in and headed toward the closet, but the look of agony on Roman’s face was just too much for her to ignore. She turned on her heel and sat down on the bed beside him. She was silent for a while not knowing how to put her feelings into words. She knew perfectly well what it felt like to lose a parent, but not the same one twice. And since Lilliana had given her life to save him and Nico, Celeste couldn’t imagine how much guilt must come along with that realization. Words just didn’t seem to cut it, so she decided instead to cuddle up next to him. Placing her head in the crook of his shoulder and chest, she stretched her arm across his body and held him close. He didn’t say a word, but a silent tear rolled down his cheek and he closed his eyes, his breathing calm and steady.
The following morning Celeste awoke in the exact same position that she had fallen asleep in. Roman was still asleep and an almost serene expression covered his face. She watched him for a few minutes, noting the steady rise and fall of his chest and the way his lips moved ever so slightly as the air went in and out of his mouth. His black t-shirt had scrunched up in his sleep to reveal his abdomen and a small scar from where the shards of the glass vial had punctured his previously perfect skin. With everything that had happened, she hadn’t had time to really get her head around the fact that Roman was human now. He would no longer have super strength, vamp-speed or superhuman hearing and he wouldn’t be able to heal himself either. As all of these thoughts ran through her mind, she heard footsteps out in the corridor. She didn’t want whoever it was to wake Roman so she quietly got out of bed and tiptoed to the door. Finding Alek on the other side of it was a complete surprise.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I came back because there’s something you need to know,” he replied. He looked to be in a much worse state than Roman. His eyes were bloodshot with dark bags encircling them and his face was swollen, red and splotchy. She doubted that Alek had ever cried a day in his life and perhaps he had made up for it all in one night.
Celeste stepped through the doorway and shut it quietly behind her. She walked with Alek through the corridor and down the spiral staircase to the living room. “What did you want to tell me?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest in a defensive stance.
“It’s about Dante…and others,” he muttered. Celeste’s eyes perked up, her interest piqued. “I promised my mother I wouldn’t ever try to hurt my brothers again, and I vow to uphold that. I thought you should know that there are others who are more than willing to take up where I left off.”
Celeste’s throat tightened. “Dante wants to kill them?” she forced out of her mouth.
He shook his head. “No, but his best friend Gianpaolo Caccia does. He’s been whispering in his ear for awhile now on my behalf.”
“Why?” she asked, not willing to believe what he was saying. She knew Marco’s dad was sneaky, but to be working with Alek? That was much more devious than she had ever expected.
“It’s because of you, of course. He wants them out of the way so that you’ll marry his son without any interference.”
“Does Marco know?” she asked, her head reeling with the news.
“No, he has no idea about any of this.”
Celeste let out a sigh of relief and then she tensed again. “You said there were others?”
“Dalla was no friend of my mother’s,” he said with a sigh. “She may have been at one time, but I’m afraid my father, Fabian, corrupted her with all of his threats and intimidation. She led them right to the Constantins the day he cursed them all those years ago.”
“She was the one who betrayed them?”
Alek nodded grimly.
“And she was the one working with you to unlock your Negrusurori power?”
“Yes,” he admitted. “She’s willing to do anything to get that ring of yours and to then become the new leader of the Albsurori.”
Celeste twisted the antique sapphire around her finger and clenched her jaw. “I’m not going to let that happen.”
“I didn’t think you would,” he said with a sneer. He turned around heading for the door, but stopped suddenly when she spoke.
“Thank you, Alek. You didn’t have to tell me any of this, but you did. Lilliana would be really proud.”
He snorted and turned away again. Right before he stepped across the threshold, he pivoted back around. “I don’t think my former allies will be too pleased with me when they discover I betrayed them, so I will be gone for awhile—perhaps a nice vacation in Tahiti or Bora Bora. You can tell my half-brothers they won’t have to worry about seeing me anytime soon.”
“I will,” said Celeste. “And Alek, there’s still hope for you. You can become the man that your mother would have raised you to be.”
Alek nodded and disappeared out the door without another look back.
“Was that Alek?” asked Roman as he appeared rounding the staircase.
“Yeah,” she answered. “He’s gone, Roman. He’s never going to bother us ever again.” He glanced skeptically at her. “I really think he means it. Something changed in his eyes yesterday. I think your mom really got to him.”
“I hope you’re right,” he said. “You and my mother are so similar, the way you always think the best of people. She never gave up on him just like you never give up on me.”
Celeste wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned her head into his chest. She wasn’t sure if she was just imagining things, but he seemed warmer than normal and his heart beat with more fervor.
As if he had read her thoughts, he said, “I know, it’s weird right? It sounds louder to me too.”
“You’re human,” she said, peering up at him with a big smile. “Do you know what that means?”
“That I’m only going to live about another sixty years or so and I’m going to start losing my devilishly good looks,” he quipped.
“And there’s no reason why we can’t be together now.”
“I know,” he said. The biggest smile she had ever seen spread across his face as he bent down to kiss her.
***
Celeste and Marco stood in front of the Council as all eyes peered expectantly down at them. She had requested a special meeting to discuss the events at the Fae royal palace and all were eager to hear the tale.
“It is clear that you both did what had to be done to stop the Queen,” said Dante when they had finished recounting the series of events.
The rest of the Council nodded and muttered in agreement.
“The Queen has been deviating a bit, going over the line some over the past decades,” said Balthazar. “It is time that a new royal is chosen to lead the Fae, and you can be sure that my diplomatic envoy will see to it that the right person is selected.”
“I’m relieved to hear that,” said Celeste.
“You and your actions,” began Dante, “though you strayed from protocol, have removed a dangerous person from power. Elsbetta and Astrid have now paid for their sins against the supernatural community with their lives and you should both be very proud of what you accomplished.”
“Thank you,” said Celeste and Marco in unison.
Celeste then interjected. “There’s more I need to tell you, and I’m sorry t
o say you’re not going to like it. There are people we’ve worked with side by side who have been secretly plotting against us all along.”
Dalla’s eyes widened as Celeste glared at her. “Dalla has been conspiring with Alek to kill the Constantins and steal the Albsurori ring. She was also the one who, almost a century ago, betrayed them to Fabian.”
Gasps of shock echoed through the circular chamber as all eyes turned to Dalla. “Guards!” shouted Dante and two men appeared on either side of her to take a firm hold of her arms.
“She’s lying!” cried Dalla.
“She’s not,” said Marco. “All of this can be confirmed by my father. He too has been scheming with Alek for some time now.”
Dante’s eyes shot open as he stared at Marco in shock. “What do you mean?” he asked.
A somber look crossed Marco’s typically lively features as he clasped his hands in front of him to steady them. “In a misguided attempt to secure my future with Celeste, he collaborated with Alek to put an end to the Constantins.”
“It can’t be,” said Dante, shaking his head.
“He’s been manipulating you all along,” explained Marco. “Believe me, no one is more shocked than I. In fact, I confronted my father about it and he admitted it all.”
“That’s treason against the Council,” said Seraphina. “Does he know what the punishment is?”
“Yes,” said Marco, turning his gaze toward the floor. “He’s very aware that he will be stripped of his guardian powers and spend the rest of his life in the Astor prison.” Celeste reached over and squeezed Marco’s hand in a show of support. She knew how difficult this must be for him. Marco looked up at the Council again and continued, “He is settling his affairs in Rome as we speak, and he will turn himself in at the end of the day.”
“And what about Dalla?” asked Celeste, turning toward the Council. The guardians had fitted her with special restraints to bind her magic and ensure that she couldn’t escape. She was glaring at Celeste.
“I will speak to Marja and I am confident that we will come to an agreement as to her punishment,” said Dante.
“Good,” Celeste replied.
“Celeste, what you have accomplished in the past few days far supersedes what most guardians do in their entire lifetime,” said Dante.
“Yes, you have been truly incredible,” echoed Sierra. “We are so proud of you.”
Dante looked at Celeste with a glimmer of pride in his eyes. “It is generally our practice that once a Guardian has completed a certain number of successful missions, she is retired. You are well on your way to achieving that in a single year.”
“And generally we grant highly effective guardians with their choice of territory to patrol,” said Seraphina. “Take some time to think about it and get back to us with your selection.”
Celeste nodded as a smile flitted across her face.
“Is there anything else you need to tell us today?” asked Dante.
“Yes, there is actually,” she paused and took a deep breath. “I’ve decided I want to go to NYU like I had always planned and like my dad did. If I can pick my territory, I choose there.”
Dante let out a long sigh as he raked his hand through his thick black hair. “Celeste, that is a large territory and a big responsibility in addition to attending classes full-time at a formidable university.”
“I’ll help her,” said Marco. “I can’t go back to Rome now, not after everything that has happened with my father.” He turned to Celeste with a rueful smile. “She deserves to be happy and to have the life she wants, with whomever she wants.”
“Are you sure, Marco?” Celeste asked, incredulous.
“Absolutely. I’ll stay in Oak Bluffs and make sure the territory is covered until the Council finds your replacement. Once they do, I’ll move to New York City and split the territory with you. You don’t have to do it all.”
“Is that okay, Dante?” she asked, unable to keep the hopeful ring out of her tone.
“Though it’s not generally what we do—”
“Yes, that’s just fine,” interjected Sierra, cutting Dante off mid-sentence.
Celeste threw her a grateful smile and turned to face each and every one of the Council members. “Thank you so much for this.”
Then she turned to Marco and wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you! You are the best.”
“Okay, okay,” said Dante, “if I’m not mistaken you still have a few more months before classes start in the fall. I expect you to be on full-time duty until then.”
“Of course!” said Celeste with a huge smile stretching from ear to ear.
Chapter 27
The familiar sound of the jingling bells hanging over the doorway at Ralph’s brought a smile to Celeste’s face as she and Roman walked in. It was the end of summer and it looked like everyone was out enjoying their last days of freedom before classes started. From a distance, she caught sight of her mother running around by a table in the far corner of the restaurant. Roman took her hand and led her toward the back with a beaming smile on his face.
The big wrap-around corner booth had been decorated with NYU violet and white balloons, and a huge blow-up bobcat, the university’s official mascot, sat in the center of the table. Mrs. Wilder waved as they approached, then she chased after a poodle-skirted waitress who was ignoring her as she tried to confirm the drink and food order as all the guests began to arrive.
“Your mom is becoming quite the party planner,” said Roman with a smirk.
“I know,” she laughed. “I told her not to go crazy, but she insisted it wasn’t everyday that her only daughter went off to college.”
“Hi sweetie!” said her mom as she gave her a quick hug. “Sit, sit. I just saw Brian pulling up and they’re going to bring out the food in a second.”
“Mom, relax, you should sit down. I’m sure they have everything under control.”
“I will. I’ll be right back after I check on the cake.”
“Cake?” asked Celeste, but her mom was already gone.
“Just enjoy it,” said Roman. “She won’t be able to spoil you when you’re so far away.”
“So that’ll be your job then,” she said with a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
“I’ll try my best, but I’ll warn you now that I don’t clean, and if I’m doing all the cooking then you have to do the dishes, roomie.”
“Deal!” Celeste planted a quick kiss on Roman’s lips and looked up to see Brian, Marie and her roommate, Aria, walking into the diner.
“Hey Cel!” said Brian as he pulled her into a bear hug.
“I’m so glad you could tear yourself away from basketball practice to make it,” she said teasing.
“Hey, I gotta practice since I’m going to be starting next season. And after the season we had, I’m pretty sure I’ll get a scholarship to one of the Big Ten schools next year.”
“That’s awesome, Brian! I’m so happy for you.”
“All right, no more basketball talk. This party is for Celeste, not you,” said Marie as she inched her way in between them to get a hug. She pulled Aria along with her and Celeste greeted her politely. She still felt guilty for being so nasty the last time she saw her at the end of the year dance.
“I’m so jealous that you’re going to NYU,” said Aria, her pink streaked hair bobbing around her cute round face.
There it is again! Celeste felt a slight blip of her evil radar as soon as Aria approached her. With everything else that had happened over the past few months, she had completely forgotten about it. She would make a point to ask Stellan about it as soon as he arrived. “Yeah, it’s going to be really fun,” said Celeste finally, when Aria kept staring at her and she realized she hadn’t yet responded.
“Maybe Aria and I will come up and visit you one weekend and we can have a girls’ night out,” said Marie.
“Yeah, that would be amazing!”
“Why can’t I come?” asked Brian.
“I guess yo
u could,” said Celeste. “You could keep Roman company in our new apartment while we go out.”
Brian rolled his eyes at her. “Whatever.”
“Oh look, Brennan and Marco are here,” said Celeste peering over Brian’s shoulder. “You guys go sit. The food’s coming out soon.”
“Ciao bella,” said Marco with his trademark irrepressible smile as he kissed Celeste on both cheeks.
She gave him a big hug and suddenly realized how she missed not having him around much over the summer. Marco had spent the last few months with Brennan and his pack. It was all part of the new commitment to bettering supernatural community relations, and it seemed to be working. He and Brennan had become best friends and the Werewolf Alliance and the Guardian Council had begun to work more closely on common supernatural concerns.
Behind Brennan were two cute werewolf girls whom Celeste didn’t recognize. She glanced over at them and waited for an introduction.
“Sorry,” said Brennan, “this is Kaley and this is Jenn. They’re from my pack. I hope you don’t mind that I brought them.” The two girls stared at Celeste with a mixture of awe and curiosity.
“No, of course not,” she answered with a smile. “Grab a seat.” She motioned toward the table and the four of them took their places.
Roman came up behind her and put his arm around her waist. “Are you having fun playing hostess?”
“Of course I am,” she said with a smile. “You know, I love you being human, but sometimes I miss some of the vampire perks.”
“Oh really?” he asked furrowing his dark brows.
Celeste laughed. “It’s nothing major, I just still can’t figure out what the deal is with Aria.”
Roman looked relieved. Transitioning from immortal vampire to normal human had been a big adjustment for him, especially the part about not being able to protect Celeste as he once could. But she had convinced him that he was now giving her so much more.