The Dark Prince (The Dark Light Series)(32)

We step into my parents’ home, and I announce our arrival. Donna comes rushing to the door, alarmed and flustered.

“Oh thank goodness! Did you hear about Tammy?” she shrieks, embracing me fiercely. Then she takes in the sight of Dorian and her mouth drops. “Dorian? How did you get in here?”

“Hello, Donna. I told you, I do not wish to hurt her. I love her. If I didn’t than I couldn’t penetrate the wards.”

“And how long have you been able to get past them?” she asks tentatively.

Dorian looks down at me and smiles. “For a while now.”

“Where’s Dad?” I ask, struggling to pull my eyes from Dorian’s beauty.

“He went to the hospital to sit with the boys. Did you go see them?”

“We were just there. Mom, something strange is going on.” I gesture for us to take a seat in the living room. “Jared said her eyes were wide open but she can’t move or talk or anything.”

Donna nods slowly then looks at Dorian. “She’s been petrified.”

“Yes,” Dorian replies.

“Any indication of who could have done it?”

Dorian shakes his head gravely. “I’m going back tonight. I have someone watching Jared and his family. They will be safe. In the meantime, I have placed wards around Gabriella’s apartment. She will be safe as well.”

“I should hope so,” Donna mutters. She looks up at both of us with glossy eyes. “She’s part of your world now, Dorian. Please take care of her. We tried the best we could. She deserved a shot at having a normal life.”

Dorian takes my hand in his and nods. “I know. And I will; I’ll protect her with everything I have. You and Chris did well. Alex and Natalia would be proud,” he says with a reassuring smile.

The mention of my parents causes a tear to roll down Donna’s cheek. A sob escapes her lips and she tries to plaster on a smile. I can feel my own throat tighten with emotion. “I know you love her. I just hope it survives.”

“It will, Donna.”

Dorian looks at my adopted mother intently, as if he’s trying to communicate something to her. For what seems like several seconds, they stare at each other, sharing an unspoken secret. My eyes dart between them; surely they know I’m sitting right here, confusion etched in my face.

“Um, hello,” I finally say with a hint of agitation. “We came to get some of my things. We should hurry so we can get back to the hospital.”

I stand and retreat to my childhood bedroom, Dorian right on my heels. “What was that about?” I ask as soon as we’re alone. I don’t like being left in the dark.

Dorian shakes his head, trying to dispel my suspicions. “She’s just worried about you. She wants to make sure I’ll be there for you no matter what happens.”

I look at him questioningly. “Well…will you?”

Dorian looks to me as if the answer is obvious. “Of course.” He walks over to pick up the small framed photo Jared gave me for my last birthday on my nightstand. “Maybe I should be asking you that question,” he remarks, his gaze locked on the picture.

“A little too late to be asking, being that I am linked to you for life,” I retort with a hand on my hip.

Dorian tosses the photo into a box, and looks at me quizzically. “Do you want to undo the link?”

Oh crap. “I don’t know. I didn’t think it was something that could be undone. And I honestly have no plans to be without you.” I walk over to him and place my hands on his chest. “Do you want to undo it? Can you?”

Dorian shakes his head then leans down to plant a tender kiss on my lips. “No, I don’t. And no, I can’t. But I know someone who can.”

“You do?” I ask a bit too eagerly. Dorian raises an eyebrow in surprise and maybe a little disappointment. “Not that I want to. I’m just curious. Someone can break the link?”

Dorian nods and runs his hands down my back. He gazes down at me lovingly yet there’s a hint of sadness in his eyes. “Yes,” he nods solemnly. “My father.”

I try to retain Dorian’s lightheartedness by smiling brightly. “Too bad we won’t be needing his services.”

My melancholy lover gives me a sexy half-smile. “Go spend some time with Donna. She will miss you. I’ll take care of these boxes and meet you outside.”

“But won’t you need some help?”

Dorian rolls his eyes before shooing me out my childhood bedroom. Donna will be glad to know that it will stay intact for the most part now that Dorian has completely furnished my new room at the apartment. Somehow I think he knew she’d need to have a reminder of her once normal adopted child. I find her in the kitchen, furiously preparing sandwiches and snacks for, I’m assuming, Jared and James.