"You mean you guys didn't talk the whole time?" I asked.

"I just got here," said Ralph. "The compound has temporary housing, and we were a.s.signed one of the bungalows. The boys were hungry and needed a bath." He looked at me. "And I needed to keep myself busy. When you didn't come back right away-"

I nodded, feeling myself tear up again.

"Daddy, play blocks," said Michael.

Stephen nodded.

"Okay," said Ralph. "But don't throw them at your brother."

Giggling, the toddlers took off to a pile of big plastic cubes.

"The vampire queen is fascinating," said Mom. "And she has the most extraordinary vocabulary."

"She means that Patsy has a keen ability to use a certain word as an adjective, verb, noun, and once even managed an adverb,"

said Dad. "A commendable feat."

"C'mon," said Mom. "You look exhausted."

She led us to a cozy sitting area near where the twins were playing. Mom and Dad each took a chair. I took off my coat, draping it across the table in front of me, and then sat down. Ralph sat partially on the armrest and put his arm over my shoulder while I leaned against him.

I knew my parents were probably wondering what was going on with me and Ralph. It's not something I wanted to explain, especially since I didn't really understand it myself. Love seemed such a simple thing in books and movies. Two people were meant to be together. Every obstacle was climbed, torn down, or blown up-and, ta-da, happily-ever-after.

But love was so much more than just moon-eyed looks and tearing off each other's clothes. Love was terrifying. It was falling off a cliff. It was stepping into shark-filled waters. It was sacrificing to a pagan G.o.ddess who demanded blood.

And I had done all those things. Gladly.

I told my parents everything that had happened since I set foot in Broken Heart. With a few Ralph-sized omissions. Ahem. Well, I only told them everything up until the part where I fried Lia, and her demon dragon crushed the rest of Ralph's house. "Aren't you surprised about Archie? Well, Stanley," I asked my mother. I couldn't quite work up the nerve to talk about Lia yet.

Though from the looks we were getting from those on the other side of the room, I knew Lorcan had told them an earful. s.h.i.t.

"Oh, you can't hold his nature against him," Mom said softly. "He's a curious man with a wonderful intellect. I'm sure he meant you no harm when he took you for testing."

My mother believed everyone was good-hearted. It was one of the reasons Theodora Monroe didn't feel the slings and arrows of cynics and sn.o.bs. She regularly befriended people who didn't always have the best intentions. And if they stole from her or conned her or insulted her, she treated them just the same as if they'd been kind to her. I had never mastered this way of dealing with people.

"What about the fact that he faked his death?"

"Well," she said, her eyebrows drawing down. "I suppose we should've appreciated him more."

"Oh, Mom. Jeez." I rolled my eyes. But really, Stanley was the least of my problems now. I fiddled with the sleeve of my sweater.

"Okay, look. I sorta accidentally killed Lia, who's one of the seven Ancient vampires. And the dragon is really a demon, but I didn't find that out until I scooped out its drool."

Mom, Dad, and Ralph all stared at me. Then Ralph said, "You killed Lia?"

"She was trying to kill everyone else." I sounded defensive. I inhaled a steadying breath. "I somehow made this ball of sunlight, and then I threw it at the dragon. Well, the demon. Lia turned to ash. Ruadan said destroying an Ancient might destroy her whole line."

"We know it's not true," he said. "I'm from her Family and I'm still here."

"I believe in the sacredness of life, Ralph. I'm a vegan because I hate the idea of something dying so that I can live. And yet, I created that . . . that weapon and threw it at two living creatures."

"To save your life and the lives of others."

"I still don't feel good about it."

"Nor should you. But it's done now, Libby. All you can do is move forward."

"He's right, Liberty," said my mother gently. "Your guilt will not help the one who pa.s.sed from this world. You were brave and strong."

"We're proud of you," said Dad.

I felt as though boulders had been lifted from my shoulders. The people I loved forgave me. They understood. And even though I wasn't too keen on what I had done, I could live with it. Especially because it meant those sweet little boys would be safe.

At least from Lia.

Synd . . . not so much. He was a bigger problem. One that needed to be solved or we'd all pay the price-with our lives.

Chapter 24

"Libby?" I looked up and saw Lorcan standing nearby. "The queen would like to talk to you." His arm was around a teenaged girl who was dressed in black. She had black-rimmed eyes and an eyebrow ring. Her hair was as shiny and dark as a raven's wing, except for two cherry-red stripes on either side of her face. "This is Tamara. She'll watch the boys."

"She will?" I asked.

Her eyebrows went up, giving emphasis to the silver ring.

"She's a great babysitter," said Ralph.

"Yeah," said Tamara. "I do all my Satanic rituals after the kids are asleep."

"What?"

Lorcan laughed. "She's teasing, Libby."

"Thanks for watching the boys, Tamara," said Ralph in a choked voice.

Suspicious, I looked at Ralph. Yep. He was laughing, too. He got up and helped me to my feet. I looked over my shoulder and saw Tamara sit down next to the boys. She caught my gaze and waved. It didn't make me feel any better. I felt very protective of Stephen and Michael.

We all traipsed over to the other side of the room. Mom and Dad squeezed in next to Lorcan and Eva on a yellow couch. Ralph and I took a blue, puffy chair. Once again, I sat down and he leaned on the armrest.

Ruadan and Ash had joined us and there, hiding behind Damian, was Stan. He was such a chicken-s.h.i.t. I saw Zerina, too, and a few others I didn't recognize. This was quite the get-together.

Everyone quieted and looked at Patsy, who sat on the center couch with her husband, Gabriel. She opened her mouth.

"I'm so pleased to meet all of you," burst out Mom. She turned solicitously to the queen. "How are you feeling, dear?"

"Fine," said Patsy. She looked flummoxed. Well, Mom did that to people a lot.

"I'm so glad to hear it. And just think, if my daughter hadn't saved your life, you wouldn't be sitting here now." Mom tsk-tsked.

"Not to mention what might've happened to your poor babies!"

Did Mom know how to give a warning tucked into warm fuzzies or what? I bit my lip to keep from grinning. Mom was probably the only human around who wouldn't be instantly cowed by vampires and werewolves. And dragons. "Libby kicked a.s.s," said Patsy. She glanced at my mother. "Would you like me to high-five her?"

"Maybe later," said Mom.

Gabriel snorted a laugh, which earned him a pinch on the leg from his wife.

"It's getting close to dawn, so let's just get down to bra.s.s tacks. Libby killed Lia. I ain't too sorry about it. I've wanted to blow that b.i.t.c.h up since the day I met her." She waved off the various reactions, which ranged from gasps to chuckles. "Lorcan and Eva used their ubergeek powers to ferret some info. I'm the new chief of the bloodsuckers and the wolfies. So, even if killing an Ancient once meant the end of a Family, it doesn't anymore."

"And if someone kills you?" asked Dad.

"We'll just make sure that doesn't happen." Patsy rubbed her belly. "So, wanna tell me why you all can't be glamoured?"

"Why do you need to know?" asked my mother.

Patsy gave her an are-you-serious look, and Mom responded with a d.a.m.n-right-I-am look.

"Fine. Do us all a favor and ask your invisible A-Team to come out and play nice."

"Nope. They're our insurance," said Dad pleasantly. "You keep us safe, and you stay safe."

His p.r.o.nouncement had the same effect as if he'd said, "We think you eat babies."

"Wait just a d.a.m.ned minute. We don't go around killing decent folks," said Patsy. Her voice vibrated with indignation.

"Um, h.e.l.lo? Didn't you tell me I couldn't leave Broken Heart?" I asked. "And then you threw me in vampire jail."

Patsy had the grace to look uncomfortable. "You blew up my living room. And you can't control your dragonfire."

"Now, now," said Mom. "We don't need to rehash the past. Queen Patricia, we do understand the nature of your citizens. We know that you need secrecy to survive. We have no intention of telling anyone else about Broken Heart."

"You'll forgive us if we seem skeptical," said Gabriel.

"I've gone toe-to-toe with Michael Shermer," Mom responded. "I can handle the skepticism of a loup de sang."

"Here's the thing," said Patsy. "I don't like the idea of your guys running around my town. n.o.body's safe as long as Synd is still alive. So call them in, and we'll figure out a plan together."

Mom and Dad looked at each other, then at me. Mom shook her head. "Like you said, it's getting close to dawn. Let's all get some rest, and discuss it in the morning. Er, evening."

"It would be better to strike at Synd now," said Ash. "He's vulnerable. With a day's rest, he'll be at full strength." She pointed at me. "She's not a vamp."

"No, she's your bait," said Ralph, his arm going around me protectively. "She's exhausted, and I'll be d.a.m.ned if I let her out of my sight again."

The independent woman in me protested his high-handed territorial behavior. But the girly-girl in me told the independent me to shut the h.e.l.l up. I snuggled closer to Ralph.

Everyone looked at us. Patsy's gaze stayed on us the longest. Finally she said, "Is there something we should know?"

"Yes," said Ralph. He cupped the back of my neck and said, "I claim you, Liberty Monroe."

I felt heat spiderweb up my neck. I looked up at Ralph. What had he just done? Well, other than tell everyone here that we were a couple.

"Liberty," said Mom. "Have you mated with him?"

"I . . . uh . . . that is . . ." I swallowed the knot in my throat, blushing furiously. "Yeah. Well, sorta."

"You two did the nasty?" demanded Ash.

Ralph and I stared at her. I couldn't answer, but Ralph did.

"That's none of your business."

"You did." She put her hands on her hips and laughed. "Oh, Jesus. Do you have tattoos? A circle with two slanted lines?"

"How did you know that?" asked Ralph.

"Because I'm the leading authority on dragons in this room. You've bonded."

"You did the vampire hitch?" asked Patsy. Her eyes goggled at Ralph. "Holy s.h.i.t."

"There was no hitching," I said. My gaze flew to Ash as my heart started to pound. "W-what does that mark mean?"

"Two souls become one," explained Ash. "Although since you both have some of Sybina's soul, it's more like two half souls reuniting." She shook her head. "I've never come across this situation, but whatever. You two are married."

"Married?" I squeaked. My heart tripled its beat as a lead weight settled in my stomach. I couldn't look at Ralph. I didn't want to see his expression. What if he was in for the nookie, but not up for a very long-term relationship? I was, though. I didn't care how insane, irrational, or illogical it sounded. I wanted to be with Ralph and the boys. And forever suited me just fine.

"How do you unbond?" asked Patsy. "Or is there a time limit? Vampires are only bound for a hundred years."

Ash snorted. "Dragons don't unbond. They mate for life."

A wave of horror washed over me. "I bonded." I swallowed hard. "With Ralph. But I'm a human."

"Your dragon half is stronger," said Ash. "You've got strength, fire magic, and you're d.a.m.ned near immortal. You can't fly or shift, but h.e.l.l, that part's no fun anyway."

"But we didn't . . . I mean not-you know, all the way." "Doesn't matter," said Ash. "It's the heart of a dragon that chooses his mate. FYI, you can't poison Ralph."

"Poison?" I asked faintly. I was still sh.e.l.l-shocked. And what about poor Ralph? I got up the courage and slanted a glance at him.