Illusion(6)

Eyeing my father briefly, I wasn’t surprised that he had chosen to divert my question. I abruptly changed the subject. “Since I’m his mate, I’m going need to change to be with him. I can't let him go,” I whispered. The thought of losing him was suddenly excruciating.

“You are half-vampire, Josephine. You are immortal with some human frailties. You can still die a human death, however you are more indestructible. You will no longer age and you can stay by his side while still appearing human. It is your choice now if you want to have him change you or remain as you are.”

Stunned into silence, I could only stare at him. What do you say when you find out you’re immortal and would always look 28? My mind flooded with questions that my father couldn’t answer, leaving my head spinning. What did this mean for Stefan and me? Would he still want to change me? How am I going to explain this to Georgia and Anna? My stomach clenched as I thought of losing the only two friends I had, only to gain the love of what I’d just discovered to be my immortal life.

My father picked up a cell phone and typed a message into the keypad. He placed the phone back on the table beside of him and smiled at me again. “You have many things to consider, Josephine. Do not worry yourself with the fine print. Look at all you have gained.” His eyes flickered to the doorway behind me, nodding. “Come in, Stefan. My daughter is ready to leave. I assume you have accommodations?”

Stefan blurred to my side, kneeling at my feet. I couldn't refrain from running my fingers through his golden hair and caressing his stubbled cheek, finally rubbing my thumb across his lower lip. He smiled the first genuine smile since I awoke, his face glowing as if lit from within. “Yes.”

“Good.” His eyes flickered from Stefan to focus on me. “We will talk soon. It was a pleasure to speak with you, my dear.”

We were being dismissed. I stood and reached for Stefan’s hand, linking our fingers together. I had only taken a few steps when I turned to face my father again. He sat motionless, his eyes somberly watching us.

“Before I go, I have one more question, Kian. My mother. Who is she? And where is she?” I asked, my words coming out in a rush. My eyes searched my father’s face, surprised when his expression reflected the shock of my unexpected question.

“Your mother is gone. She left me 28 years ago,” Kian replied. His eyes drifted to his hands in his lap before meeting mine again. “She chose to leave us, Josephine. She chose to abandon her child and the husband she swore she loved above all others. I do not wish to speak of her.”

I swallowed roughly, glancing up at Stefan. His face was unreadable, his jaw clenching and unclenching as he considered Kian’s words. His right eyebrow quirked, confirming my suspicions. He knew something wasn’t right with my father’s story.

“I deserve to know her name, Kian. You owe me that much,” I retorted quietly.

His hands squeezed the arms of the chair and his lips became a thin line. Anger lined his expressive face and his sparkling green eyes flashed with rage. “I will not speak her name. Do not ask me again. We will talk soon.”

Stefan lightly squeezed my hand, giving me a non-verbal queue that it was time to leave. I stared at my father for another few seconds before letting Stefan tug me towards the elevator. Stepping inside, I met my father’s gaze as the doors closed. His face was an unyielding mask as the door separated us.

“That was unwise, Josephine. I understand that you are new to this world and the protocol that goes along with it. Angering a Board member can have unpleasant ramifications.” Stefan’s mental voice brushed softly into my thoughts as the elevator began its descent.

“You sound like you’re reciting a passage from a rule book, Stefan. I deserve to know who my mother is, Stefan. He owes me that much, don’t you think?”

“What I think and what Kian thinks are very likely two different things, vackra. He makes the rules and it is my job to enforce them. He is not a human that can easily be manipulated and controlled, Josephine. He has ordered the deaths of many of my kind without a second thought or a moment of remorse.” Stefan turned slightly to face me. He ran the back of his fingers across my cheekbone and looked at me with regret. “You have questions that need answers. We will find them. Together.”

The elevator doors opened into the garage area, effectively ending our non-verbal conversation. Walking side by side, we headed through the room to a large door. Stefan paused and pulled his sunglasses from his pocket and swiftly placed them on, covering his eyes. He opened the door and we were met by brisk air, sunshine and traffic. The air was filled with the smells of the city: car exhaust, asphalt and the aroma of different foods, spilling out from neighboring restaurants.