Chapter 66
W e parked outside the cemetery, and I opened the door.
Matteo grabbed my arm. “Be careful,” he warned. I caught the scent and heartbeat of a human. “It’s Lilith. She’s alone, but be careful. I’ll be watching.”
He waited in his car as I walked through the cemetery, looking for the newest grave.
‘ Mia Wallace, beloved daughter, and sister. Gone too soon. 1995-2024 ’
A bass guitar was engraved in the plaque.
I lay a daffodil at the foot of the headstone. “I’m sorry. Mia,” I murmured. “You didn’t deserve that.” I shook my head. “Life certainly took a strange turn, didn’t it?”
It was only a number of months since Matteo had come into my life, and yet it felt forever ago that I’d sat with Mia and Lilith over coffee, laughing. They’d helped me through the worst times of my life, losing Niamh, and pulling myself together again after Steven. Vampires hadn’t existed, and neither had sirens.
“I’m sorry you lost her, Quinnie,” Niamh said from beside me.
“I killed her,” I said. “She shouldn’t have been there; this shouldn’t have happened.”
“Oh, Quinn,” my sister’s voice was filled with sympathy.
Footsteps approached from behind me.
“I was wondering when you’d show up,” Lilith said.
I spun around, and she held her hands up, one arm still in a sling.
“I’ll take this as a cue to leave you two,” Niamh said. “I’m going to watch over Luke for a while. I’ll see you in Venice.” She disappeared.
“I came alone. No weapons,” Lilith said. “Two people grieving over the same person. A temporary truce. I won’t fight you over her grave.”
I didn’t quite relax, watching her carefully. She pointed to a nearby seat, and we sat down. Minutes of silence passed. Her heartbeat pounded in my ears as she stared at the ground.
“I’m sorry,” I said again. “I really am. I’d just woken up, I had nothing but my hunger and vampire instinct. I didn’t know who she was.”
I could feel Matteo focusing on me, paying attention, ready to step in if he needed to. ‘ I’m okay. ’ I told him.
‘ I’ll be watching, ’ he repeated. ‘ We have to go soon . You have five minutes. ’
“You seem more like yourself,” she said finally.
“Mostly,” I said. “But I’m not really me anymore. A lot has changed.”
“There’s a memorial for you tomorrow. Everyone thinks you’re dead.” Her eyes narrowed.
“I know, I heard. Your press conference certainly didn’t help,” I grumbled.
It would probably make leaving the country difficult. Matteo was already prepared to compel the airport staff. Carlos had requested a passport made up for me, for which I’d worn a black wig. Andreas apparently was skilled in technology and creating fake passports.
“How could you do this to your Mum and Dad? After Niamh?” Lilith accused.
I sighed. “They know.”
She stared at her feet again.
“I’m leaving,” I told her. “We’re leaving. We’re going to find a new home.”
She met my eyes. “I think it’s best that you do go. You can’t stay here. I would hate to have to kill you. But you did kill the love of my life.”
“You killed me first,” I reminded her.
Tears welled up in her eyes. “Damnit Quinn, I know, and I have to live with that for the rest of my life. That I’m the reason you’re a goddamn vampire. Every time I close my eyes, I see that arrow hitting you in the chest.”
“Are you expecting anger from me? Or hurt?” I asked. “I am what I am and have accepted my new existence. Your guilt cannot change what happened. Not that I’d want to. I chose this. I asked him to turn me, even before the arrow. ”
“The Quinn I know would never want that.” She passed a photo across to me. One of me, her and Mia, arm in arm. We were in the Brisbane stadium, cheering at the top of our lungs, wild joy in our faces. “When you chose him, this is what you gave up. You destroyed your own dream, and mine, and you took Mia’s from her.”
I knew she was deliberately trying to hurt me. In a way, her words did sink in, but I had forever to find my dream again.
“The Quinn you know is dead.” I stood. “I’m glad I got to say goodbye to you. All I ask is that you don’t come after us.” I left the photo on the seat.
I returned to the car, feeling her eyes on me. Matteo kissed my forehead.
“That went better than I thought it would,” I said as he drove towards the airport. “I’m going to miss them both.”
I stared out the window, mentally farewelling Melbourne. “Is Carlos okay?” I asked.
“His pride is wounded.” Matteo confirmed. “She caught him by surprise, and as a new King, he knows he should have been more prepared. It will be on me as his second to ensure he follows my advice next time. There may be those who challenge him. I haven’t returned to Venice since I left with Gabriela. For all we know, it may be territory already claimed. I can only hope that isn’t the case, for we will fight to claim it if we have to.”