Chapter 18 #2
"I hate that I am like this," Marcella admitted. "It was so long ago, and..."
"It's still trauma, tesoro. Don't make yourself feel guilty because it still hurts.
Try to remember you're not alone this time.
You were strong enough before without all of us to help you.
You are a survivor, and we are here to back you up when you need it.
" Cosimo brushed his thumbs over her cheeks, swiping away the few tears that had escaped.
"They can't keep you here, you know why? "
Marcella shook her head, too mesmerized by his warm voice to answer him. Cosimo leaned in until their noses almost touched. His eyes shone with inner fire.
"Because you are mine, that's why," he said, and heat burst inside of her chest. "And dragons cherish our treasures. We don't toss them away."
Marcella was still stunned as he moved back and helped her out of the car. The rest of the Greatdrakes were all chatting and laughing in front of the hotel, none of them aware of the interaction that had just happened.
Marcella touched the charms hanging around her neck for strength and fixed a smile on her face.
"Let's get inside," she said, clapping her hands to hurry them. She needed to get a locked door between her and Cosimo before she tried to figure out whatever that was. Apollo had tried to warn her that he would be intense, but she hadn't understood what he really meant by it. Now, she did.
When she tried to take her bag, Cosimo was there to carry it, and she didn't bother arguing about it.
Marcella walked into the small but beautifully decorated lobby and approached the counter. A tall man, who had turned gray in her absence, looked up from his computer and swore.
"Mio Dio, Marcella! What... I thought..." he began.
"Hello, Adamo. It has been a long time," she said, and her old friend came around the counter to hug her.
"Why are you back? You shouldn't be here, amica," he said urgently.
"We had to. We need to find someone, and Renata has information. She wouldn't give it to us unless it was in person," Marcella said.
"This is your new family?" Adamo asked, looking them over.
Marcella blushed and started to say no when all the Greatdrakes nodded.
"She sure is, and we are keeping her!" Yelena piped up with a smile that was so wide, it was a threat.
"Adamo and his family helped me escape Forli the first time. He is a good friend," Marcella said, and the Greatdrakes seemed to relax. "They are overprotective of me."
"Good, because Renata and Carlo have gotten worse in your absence," Adamo said, his eyes troubled. "I will keep you booked under the fake name. You have the entire second floor to yourselves because there are so many of you."
There was a creak of a door opening behind the counter, and a woman's face appeared. "Papa? I don't feel…"
"Juliette, you shouldn't be up," Adamo said, hurrying to her side.
Marcella couldn't hide her gasp when she saw Adamo's daughter. She would have only been twenty, but her skin was sallow, dark circles around her eyes, and her hair was so fine that Marcella could see her scalp.
"What the fuck is wrong with you, Adamo! I don't need any water and wine to confirm she is cursed," she said, hurrying toward the girl.
"I know she is, but it can't be removed," Adamo said, his eyes clouding with anger and sadness. "Renata put the maledizione on her. No one in the city is powerful enough to break it, and we can't leave. The congrega watches us."
"She found out that you helped me, didn't she?" Marcella said, anger rolling through her. Adamo nodded. "I can remove it. Come into the kitchen."
"No. She will know, and it will be worse for us!" Adamo snapped.
Marcella glared at him. "You can't let this stand. How many more are like this?"
Adamo didn't answer, and that told her enough.
"Let me help," she begged.
"Not until you get what you need from Renata. She won't give you a thing if you start messing with her spells. You know that."
Adamo took out a pile of key cards and pushed them into her hand. "These are for your rooms. I need to take Juliette back to bed."
Marcella gripped his arm tightly. "I promise you that this will be over by the time I leave. I can't let this stand."
Adamo only nodded and helped his daughter back through the door.
"I can help her so Renata can't feel your magic," Charlotte offered. "I can put a healing patch on her and…"
"No. It won't work. Renata is draining her energy. You put your magic on Julitte, and it will give Renata a way to drain you too," Marcella said. She wasn't afraid anymore. Now she was furious, and fury was a better emotion to hang onto.
Cosimo rested his hand on her lower back as they all moved toward the elevator.
"We will fix it," he said. "We won't let her suffer."
Marcella lifted her chin. "No. I will fix it. This is my city. My blood and bones are in its stones. Hurting me, I could understand, but I won't let her do it to others."
Cosimo's warm breath sent tingles down Marcella's body as he leaned down and whispered, "That's my girl."