Lanie


    I


    | was a little surprised when my grandfather took both my hands in his. He peered deeply into my eyes. wondered if he was


    going to try topel me. It didn’t feel like that was his n, but | prepared for it anyway.


    Instead, his expression softened, and he touched my cheek before letting me go and taking a couple of steps back.


    m so happy you''re here, granddaughter. There have been times when | was certain you and | would never have the privilege


    of getting to know one another.”


    “| can’t say | exactly felt the same,” | said honestly. “Seeing as how | didn’t even know you existed until fairly recently. But | am


    d to have the chance now.”


    His lips quirked on one side. “You’ve grown up so much, even in the short time sincest we saw one


    another.”


    “Short time?” | let out a rough chuckle. “It feels like an eternity has passed.”


    “When you live for an eternity, anything other than a century feels like a short time.” My grandfather pointed to the big leather


    couch. “Sit with me?”


    | was happy to. The many hours in the car should have made me eager to be up and moving, but my entire body ached from all


    the tension. Sinking into thefortable leather was a relief, and | sighed out loud. Hisst words reminded me of what


    Charlotte had told me.


    “| guess I''m going to find that out for myself,” | said.


    He


    gave me an amused look. “What’s that?”


    “Eternal life. Charlotte told me that she’s more than a couple of hundred years old, and that it’s likely I''ll be the same, since we’re


    both vampire-wolf hybrids. I''ll be honest, Mchi, | can’t really imagine it.”


    “You don’t have to, at least not right now. And, perhaps you will get lucky and die at the end of what would be considered a


    normal lifespan for wolf-kind.” He quirked an eyebrow at me.


    “Is that supposed to make me feel better?” |ughed, rxing into the couch c ushions. “I guess that’s better than dying in a war


    or something else as bad.”


    His expression sobered “I didn’t mean to make light.


    “Mama?”


    We both turned to see Ste in the doorway to the children’s room. Gabri was behind her, tugging at the sleeve of her dress,


    but Ste was pulling away with uncharacteristic stubbornness.


    “Need to talk to Marnal”


    “It’s all right. She cane to me. Are you all right with the twins?”


    “Of course.” Gabri gavana Mchi cach a nod. “Call me if you need me.”


    She shut the door behind her and Steita ran across the room to throw herself against me. | hugged liner, nning my hand over her


    handicappoond te face so ficould look into her eyes.


    “What''s wrong, little love


    “| wanted you.” She leaned adais pressing her face into the front of ray shirt


    “Sometimes, that is all a child needs het intothe Mchi said.


    Ste peered at him from under my anHallo, You re the strange man who’s going to help my rama.


    “Ste” | chided embarrassed at her bits, stiut Mchi onlyughed.


    He held out his arms and to my surprise, Steelia went right to him. She settled herself on my grandfathers. pas easily as if they''d


    known each other former bases warmed by the sight, and, not so surprisingly, a little iddened. How different my life, all of our


    lives eighths have been, if I''d been a little girl who could sit on her


    andpa’sp.


    “This is Mchi, Ste. He’s your


    She giggled, cutting me off. “I know him t’member air nitrotrons foefore Mama? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    He and | shared a look


    You were a very little girl then, my grandfather said paganefeetings wouldn’t be hurt if you didn’t member me.”


    n: not telling a story, Ste protested, clearly offendeded


    No. of course you''re not,” he soothed quickly. With another giant at the cold. What did you mean hen you said that your mother


    needed my help?


    Ste frowned. 1 Mamma needs your help because...because shes evamere and she co


    at Snes having trouble, and she needs you to help her


    ww how to


    Mchi nited has head studying hier is that so?!


    and she thinks about it a lot like a bunch of buzzing bees, all in heral


    taopped


    161 the spot between fer e


    Lave never denyttang ke that to you


    Adamit i cantar your thoughts.”


    Startles i ut t ang noi lo show at a teding | wasing to discover wismon amen tynaudunter


    grogatotion | can hear ad of your