Michael laughed. “The feeling is mutual. Such greatness in such a small package.”
“It’s in the blood,” I acknowledged.
“Yes, I guess it is,” he smiled. “If you like, I could send someone to help you through your transformation.”
“No. I think I’ll be alright.”
He nodded with a proud smile. “If you change your mind, just speak the words. I have someone who is highly skilled to aid in the transition and will help you cope afterward.”
“Okay. I’ll consider it,” I said. Maybe having someone with me who knew what to expect would be good for me.
“Good,” he said, hugging me again. “I must leave, but you have a lot of people surrounding you who love you unconditionally. So don’t fail to ask if you ever need help.”
“I won’t,” I said. “Thank you for coming. You’ve helped me more than you know.”
“I knew it was time. I’m glad you called out,” he said, leaning over and kissing the top of my forehead. “Goodbye, Emma.”
“Goodbye, Grandfather.”
He turned and winked at me before stepping through the doorway and disappearing into a burst of light.
I fell backward onto my bed.
“Oh my God,” I said out loud. I couldn’t believe everything that had just happened. It was all like a dream. I never, in my wildest dreams, thought I would meet Kade’s parents. They were the most amazing, caring beings I had ever met. They understood his motives and accepted his actions. I guess that’s how they could cope with his passing so easily.
Being touched by all of them eased some of the pain.
I took in another deep breath, taking in their sweet scents before they faded away.
In a few hours, I would be transforming into who knows what. I would become immortal, but didn’t know what gifts I would be given. Would I have invisibility, or something else?
The ache in my heart was a reminder that as an immortal, I would be spending the rest of eternity alone.
I still had the choice to become mortal. All I needed to do was go and see Ephraim. I guess I would have to see how it worked out. Even with the sleeper, I was still exhausted, and Raphael’s healing touch made my body relax.
My eyelids were heavy, so I closed them and tried to rest.
THERE WAS A KNOCK AT the door, and Alaine entered with a tray of food and handed it to me.
“You need to eat,” she said. You’ll need your strength.”
My stomach growled as soon as the aroma hit my nose.
“Thank you,” I said, lifting the cover. It was a bowl of steaming beef stew, and a hot buttered roll. I immediately took it to the bed and started eating. The meat was tender, like biting into soft butter.
“Will it be alright if Thomas and Dom come to see you?” she asked. “They’ve been very worried.”
I nodded. “Sure. How’s Alex doing?”
“He’s stable. We will have to wait another day or two to be sure he’s out of danger, but he’s holding on. Luckily, Lucian missed his heart, but the immortal blade did a lot of damage.”
I nodded sadly.
“I’ll let the others know they can come up in a bit. You finish your dinner.” She gave me a small smile and closed the door on her way out.
I was happy I would get to see them, but knew my heart would be battered again, not seeing James or Malachi.
I fought the tears. “No. Not now.” I quickly focused back on my meal, trying to block everything else out, but it took a lot out of me.
When I finally finished and set the tray aside, there was another knock.
“Come in,” I said, standing, waiting for them to enter.
I tried to paint on a smile, but as soon as Dom walked through the door, and I saw the look of pain in his eyes, I lost it.
“Emma,” he said, holding his arms open to me. I ran to him and hugged him tightly.
“I’m sorry, Dom. I know how much you loved them,” I sobbed.
“Yeah, I miss that big ol’ grumpy brute,” he said, trying to make light of it, but the look in his eyes said how much he truly hurt. “And Kade,” he continued, placing his hands on my shoulders, tears filling his eyes. “Kade was my best friend. He taught me that there is so much more to life than simply existing. That if we take time to look at all of the beautiful things around us, it is easy to see how much we really have to live for.
“I know what it’s like to lose someone whose heart has been connected to yours. It feels like your heart has been ripped out, bashed, and stabbed repeatedly, with no hope of the pain ever stopping. It kills your will to live. But you can and will live, just by waking up each morning, breathing, and making it through the day. Every single day will be hard, like taking your first steps, but as you keep at it, it will start to get a little easier. Then one day, you will realize you are running on your own.” He looked into my eyes with sincerity. “You will live again, Emma.”