Chapter 4
Zaos
Last night had gone far better than I’d expected, and I didn’t think I’d ever been so relieved.
Relieved that Hugo hadn’t minded the taste.
Relieved that he’d drunk it without my begging.
And so fucking relieved that he now had vampire blood coursing through his veins.
It would keep him safe, at least a little. The more vampire blood he consumed, the more it’d do for him. It’d help him heal quickly. It’d slow down his aging.
It could be the thing that saved him if he was ever in a car accident or something like that.
That was something I didn’t want to think about. Especially when I was headed to my summer class and taking a test today. Summer classes were so intense since they had to squeeze everything into a few weeks instead of a few months, and I sort of regretted scheduling this class.
I thought it’d be good to get one out of the way so I could take one less class in the fall—my last semester—and make more time to spend with Hugo.
I was going to start an internship next semester, which meant I’d be even busier than I already was since I didn’t want to give up working at the hospital—although I might have to—and I didn’t want Hugo to feel neglected.
Honestly, I didn’t want to be away from him that much.
I wanted to be around him all the time, whether we were hanging out together, eating, running errands, or simply sitting on the couch, watching TV. The fact that I’d have a lot less time to do those things come fall was depressing and making me anxious.
Hugo wasn’t used to people caring about him, and I was doing my best to show him it was okay to accept affection and open himself up to others.
But what was going to happen if I wasn’t around enough?
Would he start questioning my intentions again, thinking that maybe we really weren’t viramores again? Would he feel like I was choosing work and school over him? Would he be angry when I had little time to spend with him or if I was tired, as I was sure I’d be?
I took a deep breath and pushed those thoughts away.
Playing the what-if game was stupid and only made me feel worse.
And thinking all these things about Hugo and our relationship made it seem like I didn’t trust in us.
I did trust in us. I really did.
I had no doubt we’d be together for the rest of our lives.
But I was so happy with how far we’d come already that I was afraid of taking even one step back. I didn’t want to go backward. I wanted to go forward. I wanted to keep growing together.
I decided to check on the construction work outside before I left, so I grabbed my school bag and walked out the back door, ensuring everything was locked up tight. Not that I didn’t trust the workers—I did, honestly—but I knew my grandparents would lecture me if they realized I’d left it unlocked.
After the supervisor said he was good to go, I walked over to my grandparents and said, “I’m headed out for class. Hugo’s already at work, but we’ll both be home around dinnertime.”
Granddad pulled me into a hug, saying, “Stay safe, kiddo.”
“I will.”
When he released me, Grandpa gave me a hug too. “Love you.”
“Love you too,” I said as he let go.
Granddad asked, “How are you getting to school?”
“Walking.”
He made a face. “Why aren’t you driving?”
“Hugo has the car.”
He paused for a moment, then blew out a breath. “I suppose that makes sense since his work is farther than your school.”
“Wow,” Grandpa said. “A reasonable reaction from you. That’s a first.”
“Shut it, Seb.” His words sounded mean, but he was clearly fighting a smile, and Grandpa laughed at him. To me, Granddad said, “Why don’t you take our car?”
When they’d first come up a few weeks ago, they’d decided to drive here instead of flying on their Bonded Ones so they’d have a car since they were staying for a few weeks—possibly a few months.
At least they were staying in a house they’d rented across the street instead of at my house.
It would’ve been way too crowded without the use of the addition.
Hopefully, once the addition was finished, they’d go home, although I was nervous that they’d want to test it out and stay with us then. Sigh. Hugo would not be happy about that.
Well, it wasn’t that he’d be unhappy. It was that he’d be uncomfortable. He was getting along with Grandpa really well now, but he was definitely still very nervous around Granddad.
I couldn’t really blame him with how Ailin Ellwood came off, but I wished he realized how kind Granddad really was and how much he liked him. Granddad would never do anything to hurt Hugo, and if he realized he was making my viramore uncomfortable, he’d do something about it.
“I’m fine with walking. It takes less than five minutes.”
He made a grouchy face, but for once in his life, he didn’t argue, so I got out of there as fast as I could.
After crossing the barrier around my house, I pulled out my phone and dialed my brother, Kian.
“Hey, big bro, what’s up?” he asked as soon as he answered.
“Nothing much. Just thought I’d give you a call while I walked to school. Get this, Granddad and Grandpa let me walk.”
There was a brief pause, then a chuckle. “I bet you have a tail.”
I glanced behind myself. “I don’t see anyone.”
He snorted. “That doesn’t mean anything. Look up. They probably have Sera and Zamm following you.”
Tilting my head back, I turned and scanned the sky, then let out a loud sigh. “Shit. You’re right. Those asshats.”
He laughed. “Does it really surprise you?”
“No, it really doesn’t.” I shook my head, resigned to my fate—their overprotectiveness came from a place of love, so I couldn’t fault them too much—then changed the subject. “How’s it going with Idophia?”
Key had started dating a nymph woman a few months ago, and I swore he was half in love with her, if not fully there already.
It was kind of sweet. I didn’t know her very well yet since Hugo and I had only met her when we went to coven land for visits, but I kept telling my brother to come up here for a weekend.
I wanted to get to know her. Maybe he’d bring her around once the addition was ready, although I was hoping he’d come sooner. I missed my little brother.
“It’s really great. We’ve been having a great time together. I… I really like her, bro.” I could hear it in his voice, and it made me smile.
Kian drove me nuts, as little brothers did, but he was one of the best people I knew.
He deserved to be happy. “That’s great to hear, Key.
Why don’t you bring her up here this weekend?
Granddad and Grandpa are going back to coven land for a few days since the construction workers have off, so you could bring her up for a night or two.
And we have the portal now, so it’s even easier. We have a queen bed in the guest room.”
“Yeah, that sounds really great. Let me talk to her, and I’ll let you know.”
That made me smile. “Sounds good. Text me later.”
“Will do. Love ya.”
“Love you too. Bye.”
“See ya.”
I hung up the phone just as I walked onto campus, then I headed for my building, grumbling in my head about the upcoming test.
By the time Friday came around, I was exhausted from school and having construction going on all day long, so I was happy when the crew left for the weekend. Hugo was happy about it too—I could feel it through our bond.
We both needed a break from all the noise and from having strangers in our space.
The two of us walked outside with Granddad and Grandpa, and I watched Grandpa pull Hugo into a huge hug. Granddad smiled at them, even though neither of them were looking at us as they whispered, and then Granddad pulled me into a tight hug.
“We’ll see you on Monday, kiddo.”
“Okay. Thanks for your help with all of this.”
“No need to thank me.” He kissed my temple and switched places with Grandpa.
Granddad pulled Hugo into a hug, and Grandpa did the same to me, saying, “Your viramore is so sweet.”
I smiled. “He really is.”
“I love you, Zay. We’ll see you in a couple of days.” He released me and held my shoulders, meeting my gaze. “It’s been really nice seeing you so much lately. We’ve missed you at home.”
My heart twinged a little at that. Coven land would always be my home, even if I had a second one right here. “I’ve missed being home too, but…”
“But you love it here, I know.” He smiled. “I’m happy for you, and I’m glad you’re making this place into a real home for you and Hugo.”
I gave him a nod, and he pulled me back into a hug. “Call if you need us… even if it’s just to get Kian and Idophia out of your hair.” That was… not a Grandpa kind of thing to say…
When he released me, my brow furrowed. “You don’t like her?”
He lifted a shoulder. “I don’t dislike her. She’s just… I don’t know, I have a feeling she’s more into Kian’s last name than she is into Kian himself.”
I cringed. We’d all come across our fair share of Ellwood fans that only wanted to be our friends or partners because of our last name. It was why I used a different name at school. Some people knew who I truly was, but most didn’t, and I was totally okay with that.
Plus, there were some people who hated my family and might come after one of us, so that was another good reason for the fake name. The school knew my real name, so my diploma would say Ellwood, but they’d sworn oaths not to share the information with anyone else without my family’s permission.
I blew out a breath. “That’s not good. Every time I talk to him, he sounds more and more in love with her.”
Grandpa grimaced. “I know. I think… I think he’s going to end up hurt. But he wouldn’t listen to anyone about her when he first brought her around, so there’s really nothing we can do.”
“You guys tried to talk to him?”
He nodded and ran a hand over his face. “Your sister and dads did, and I’m pretty sure a handful of your cousins even said something. Unfortunately, the more people said things, the more he doubled down on being with her. So… here we are. I… I’m a little worried.”
Well, fuck. I’d been really looking forward to getting to know Kian’s girlfriend this weekend, and now, I was worried I was going to hate her.
Grandpa sighed. “I’m sorry, Zay. I shouldn’t have said anything. You’re worried now.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I am, but I’m glad you told me.”
He grimaced. “Sorry. Try to have a good time. Maybe you’ll see something different.”
“I sure hope so.”
He grabbed my upper arms. “Seriously, please don’t let this ruin your fun. I’m sorry. I should’ve waited to say something.”
“No, I’m glad you didn’t.”
“You okay?”
“Yep. I’ll be fine.”
Grandpa gave me yet another hug and a head kiss before he released me, grabbed Granddad’s hand, waved at us, and the two of them disappeared into my new shed and through the portal.
I stepped up to my viramore and lifted an arm in invitation. Hugo smiled softly as he moved into my side, and I squeezed him close, kissing the top of his head.
“You okay?”
He nodded and wrapped his arms around me. “I’m good.”
“Seems like you’re getting along with Grandpa well.”
“Sebastian’s great. He’s been really… nice.”
I could tell that meant a lot to him, although I wasn’t quite sure why when everyone in my family had been nice to him.
But clearly, my grandfather had said something that made Hugo appreciate him.
And really, Grandpa was great and definitely a wonderful person to have on your side, so I was pleased by this.
I asked, “You ready to hang out with Key?”
“Yep.”
“You sure? I know it’s been a lot with people here all the time for the past few weeks. I can tell Key to wait until we’ve had a little time—”
“No, Zay, I’m good. I like your brother, and I know you miss him.”
That made me frown. “Sure, but I was asking about you, not me.”
He smiled up at me and rolled his eyes. “I’m looking forward to hanging out with him again. Key’s fun.”
I snorted. “That’s an understatement.” After debating for a few seconds, I decided it would be safer to have the rest of this conversation through our bond, just in case Kian came through the portal while we talked. “Grandpa doesn’t seem to like Idophia much, which doesn’t bode well.”
Hugo scrunched up his nose. “But he likes everyone.”
I snorted. “Exactly.”
“Well, that sucks,” he said out loud, just as the shed door opened.
Both of us stopped talking as we watched Kian and Idophia walk through the door and into our backyard.
“Zay!” Key yelled and practically ran toward me. He threw his arms around me in a huge but quick hug before he turned to Hugo and grabbed him up into a hug too. “Hugo! It’s great to see you.”
“You… too… can’t breathe… tiger strength.”
“Oh shit. Right. Human strength.”
Hugo laughed as Kian released him.
My brother was all smiles when he looked us both over.
“I’m so happy to be here.” He turned back toward his girlfriend and held his hand out.
After a brief hesitation, she put her hand in his.
“I know you guys have met a few times, but never with it just being us. So… Idophia, this is Zay and Hugo. Guys, this is Phia. You can call her Phia too.”
“Hello,” I said. “Nice to see you again.”
Hugo gave a small wave. “Hey.”
“You too,” she said with a small smile. “Thank you for having us. We’ve been looking forward to coming over.”
She seemed pleasant enough so far, so I was going to give her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe Grandpa was just being overprotective of Key or something.
Maybe it was simply because Phia wasn’t Key’s viramore. Maybe he was worried Key would find his or she’d find hers, and both of them would wind up hurt.
“Do you guys wanna go inside?” Hugo asked. “We have pizza coming and already have some snacks and stuff out. Oh, and we have a few board games we can play, if you want?”
Kian rubbed his hands together. “Oh, I want… I’m ready to kick all your asses.”
Hugo laughed and patted Key’s shoulder mockingly. “Okay, big guy… maybe I’ll let you win a game or two.”
Kian stared at my viramore for a beat before he burst into laughter and threw his arm around Hugo’s shoulders, walking toward the back door. “This is why I like you.”
A small growl came out of my throat before I could stop it, but they both ignored me, which kind of annoyed me. Although I pushed that away as best I could since I was the one acting like an ass.
I glanced at Idophia, and she was staring at me with a strange expression I couldn’t interpret on her face. I had no idea what to say, so I waved her toward the door. “After you, m’ lady.”
She held that look, staring at me, for a few more seconds before she walked into the house without a word.
Hm. Weird.