Chapter 22 - Ameera
22
AMEERA
I close my eyes and smile at Amber’s heartfelt words. My zem?r finally has a piece of his former life back and I couldn’t be happier for him. Anson needed this so much. I long to rush over to his side and revel in his success with him, but just because his sister accepted him, doesn’t mean she’ll be alright with me showing up at her door. My smile fades as I tune out their murmuring voices and turn to walk back to the car so I can give the siblings the privacy they need to catch up.
“Ameera?” Anson calls out before I can get far.
I turn back to see him holding a beckoning hand out to me from the top step of the deck. I glance past him to study his sister, who’s frowning at me through the open window. She doesn’t look thrilled to see me, but at least she doesn’t seem afraid. I guess that attests to how much she trusts Anson and his opinion of me.
I make my way through the gate and across the yard, then up the steps and onto the deck. I keep my movements deliberate so I don’t spook his sister as I come up next to Anson, who takes my hand and squeezes it tight.
“This is Ameera Fatali,” Anson says to his sister with a huge grin on his handsome face. “The love of my life.”
His words make my heart flutter in the very best way as I study his sister for a moment. There’s no missing the large pink scars that mar her face, courtesy of one of my kind. They stretch across her right cheek, distorting that side of her nose and lips. Despite all that, she’s as beautiful as her brother is handsome, with the same high cheekbones and a softer, more feminine version of his defined jawline. Her honey brown hair and dark eyes set her apart from her brother though, and I wonder if she resembles the mother both of them lost as children. She’s tall like me, but her figure is far more voluptuous than mine and would definitely turn heads if she ever ventured into the outside world.
“It’s an honor to meet you,” I say, inclining my head. “Anson speaks highly of you.”
Her eyes drift everywhere but at mine as she clutches the little white cat in her arms. The cat looks at me and begins struggling in Amber’s arms, and my heart sinks as she sets the animal on the floor. But instead of fleeing from my presence, the cat moves forward and rises onto his back feet, then places his left paw on the low windowsill and taps against the screen with the stump of his right front leg. He looks right at me and lets out a loud, demanding meow. I gape at the cat as he continues to solicit my attention.
Anson chuckles next to me. “Are you gonna leave him hanging or what?”
I glance at his smiling face, then at his sister’s startled expression. I look at the cat again, who’s still trying to get my attention, his meows getting louder by the second. I shake my head in wonder and move closer, then reach a hand out toward the cat, and I’m astounded when he licks at my fingertip through the screen, his purrs unbelievably loud to my keen hearing.
Anson laughs again, and this time his sister joins him. I straighten and look at Amber again to see an open, friendly expression on her face.
“I guess Gimpy has spoken,” she says to me. “I’m Amber.” Her gaze flicks toward the nearby door with uncertainty. “Would you… um… like to come in?”
“We don’t have to if you’re not comfortable with it,” Anson says. “We can just talk here.”
It’s not ideal to have this discussion out here where someone might overhear. But I’ll do whatever it takes to put Anson’s sister at ease with our presence.
Amber takes a shuddering breath and glances between Anson and me with a frown. Her expression hardens, then she nods and says, “I invite both of you into my home.”
Anson and Amber gape at each other for a long moment, both stunned at his sister’s display of bravery. I can only imagine how much courage it’s taking for this woman to invite us in after the hell she’s been through. Then, with a fortifying breath, she turns and walks toward the nearby door, unlocking it before swinging it open.
Anson and I share a look, and I’m elated at the joy shining in his eyes. I smile back and take his hand, then we move toward the door. Amber reaches through the doorway for her brother with a tentative hand and he takes it. Then she pulls him inside and, by extension, me, since he’s still clasping my hand. I can feel the slight tingling of the ward along my skin as I follow Anson into the house. I’m glad it’s still functional since Anson would want his sister to feel secure in her own home. I imagine it’s still working because their father reinforced it at some point since Anson was turned. And to add insult to injury, he must’ve made sure his son couldn’t cross it anymore, either.
We sweep past Amber into a homey little kitchen that makes mine look downright austere. I like it and it makes me think some redecorating might be in order now that my house is Anson’s too. I want him to feel comfortable and at home there like he did here.
Amber closes the door behind us and stands in the center of the room, ringing her hands and glancing between Anson and me with wide eyes and a pale face. The fearless little white cat isn’t hesitant at all though and comes right over to me, rubbing against my legs and meowing up at me in a loud and demanding way.
Anson grins at me. “He wants you to pick him up.”
I shake my head at the animal’s antics and lean down to scoop him into my arms. I straighten and the cat bumps his head against my chin over and over again as he purrs like mad.
“Gimpy never does that with strangers,” Amber says with an awed expression.
“He usually hates everyone but Amber and me,” Anson says, his grin widening.
I smile as I run my hand along the cat’s downy white coat. “I guess he has good taste.”
“If you want to have a seat,” Amber says as she waves a hand toward the nearby kitchen table. “I can get you something to eat or drink…” She stiffens and trails off as she realizes she’s offering food and beverages to vampires. “I… I… uh…”
“We’re good,” Anson says with a smirk that sets his sister at ease.
He and I approach the table, and he pulls a chair out for me since I have my hands full with a pushy cat in my arms. We take a seat and Anson tells Amber everything that’s happened since the night his human life ended. He even tells her about his attempt to greet the sun after the last time he came here, sparing no details about his state of mind at the time. I think it’s cathartic for him to talk about it, but it upsets his sister. Her horrified reaction is hard to watch, and when she apologizes with tears streaming down her scarred face, thinking she’s somehow at fault, I’m reminded of the guilt that’s been eating at me ever since I turned him.
“Don’t you dare feel guilty,” Anson says. “What I tried to do is on me and I don’t want anyone else to blame themselves for it.” He glances at me. “I don’t want anybody feeling guilty because of me,” he demands, as if saying it can banish how she and I feel. If only that were true.
“That’s easier said than done,” I say as I share a glance with Amber.
She nods. “I don’t want anyone feeling guilty because of me either,” she says. “Yet you haven’t let go of your guilt over the last seven years since my attack, have you?”
He frowns for a long moment, then changes the subject and continues describing the events of the last few days until he gets to the point of our visit.
“We need your help,” he says to his sister. “Without my magic, Ameera and I stand little chance of defeating the Executor, and without Dad’s help, I have no chance of getting it back.”
Amber raises her brows. “You want me to convince Dad to do the spell?” She makes a scoffing noise. “He’s not gonna listen to me anymore than you on this. You know how much he hates vampires.”
“Ameera has an idea about that,” he says and glances at me.
“His caretaker, Wai Lin,” I say, absently stroking the cat, who’s now asleep in my lap. “I got the sense that she isn’t as unyielding about Anson as your father is. In fact, I think there’s more to their relationship that could help her influence his opinion of Anson.”
“And I think that’s bullshit,” Anson adds with a deep frown. “They’ve always been just friends.”
Amber and I share a knowing look, and I nod in silent agreement at what she’s telling me without words. Men can be so oblivious sometimes.
She purses her lips, her brows furrowing as she looks at her brother. “It’s not that far-fetched. The woman did give up the last few years of her life to care for him.”
“Which I paid her to do,” Anson says.
“True,” Amber says. “But I noticed they were pretty chummy before his mind started slipping. It’s not too much of a stretch to think they might continue where they left off and become more than just friends.”
“And we can use that to our advantage,” I say, ignoring Anson’s scowl. “Wai Lin may be able to help convince your father that Anson is still himself and needs his help.”
Anson’s nostrils flare and he sets his jaw in that stubborn way I’m all too familiar with, and I arch a brow for whatever contrary words he’s going to say next.
“Seriously?” Amber says with an arched brow of her own. “This is what gets your panties in a wad? The possibility of Wai Lin and Dad being in a relationship?” She rolls her eyes. “You’ve been like this every time Dad has shown any interest in a woman. And why? Because of some misguided loyalty to our mother?” She shakes her head. “I never knew Mom, but I can’t imagine she would want Dad to spend the rest of his life alone. I know I don’t. And what better match than someone we already know is a good person?”
One corner of my mouth lifts into a smirk. I really, really like this woman. Her tirade shuts down whatever argument Anson had at the ready, and he purses his lips and glances over at me. I shrug. If he’s looking for backup, he won’t be getting it from me.
“Regardless of the status of their relationship,” I say, “arguing over it is just a waste of time. All that matters right now is that this woman is close enough to your father to help you get through to him.”
“I like her,” Amber says with a smile. “She’s the sensible one in your relationship. Maybe you’ll listen to her better than you do me.”
“Fine,” he says with his hands up. “I’m wrong, and you’re right. Is that what you want to hear?”
“Finally,” Amber says to me as she waves a hand toward her brother. “I’ve been waiting for that for thirty years.”
“Don’t get used to it,” Anson says with a grin. Then he looks at me with a more serious expression. “So what’s the plan?”
“We keep it simple,” I say. “Amber asks Wai Lin and your father to meet her here.” I glance at Amber. “If you’re willing to do that.”
She nods. “Whatever it takes.”
“And then we do our best to convince your father to help us.”
“And if we can’t?” Amber asks.
Anson meets my gaze, his turbulent eyes darkening with emotion as he answers the question I can’t even bring myself to contemplate. “Then we’re screwed.”