His second chance

Ch. 11 (Revised)

*William's POV*

       As I was crouching, I was surprised to see a little human. I think that I was even more surprised that it was alive and giggling, and currently reaching out towards me. Leaning back, I quickly scanned the empty hallway, hoping to find another human to take responsibility for the child.

       It's heartbreaking that the child may not be aware of the potential danger her innocent heartbeat could attract. It's also concerning for her caretakers who may have fallen victim to the gothic-like group.

       My thoughts were broken by another one of her soft coos, making me release a deep sigh and turn back to the little lady with a grim smile. It is unacceptable for anyone to even consider making her their snack. She has a bright future ahead of her and will leave here alive.

       "Come to William, Hun," I ordered softly as I reached my arms out.

       She let out a high-pitched giggle and clumsily clapped her tiny hand before falling forward to land in a crawling position and shuffling her way over to me. I'm surprised no vampire has discovered and feasted on her so far.

       As soon as she was safely in my arms, I stood up with a small grunt and proceeded to the large doors. Is there a reason why everything was so big here? There is almost a sense that they are compensating for something.

       Before I could even touch the doors, the small girl began to get fussy and wiggled around. I won't lie and say I fixed the problem quickly and smoothly; I almost dropped her in surprise, thus leading to me having a minor heart attack in worry.

       I wasn't sure if the vampires could hear us, so I took a step back from the doors before attempting to help her.

       "Hey, hey! What's wrong Hun?"

       Despite my attempts, she continued to be fussy and the fear of her exploding in a fit of screams and tears was growing within me. There would be no way of the vampires not hearing her then.

       With quick thinking, I seated her on the plush desk seat, stripped off my jacket, and wrapped it around her instead. Struggling against her flailing arms, I eventually managed to loosely swaddle her.

       In an attempt to make her fall asleep, I gently rocked her while humming a soft random tune. Fortunately, she has not screamed or cried loudly, so I know I am doing something right.

       "Shh, go to sleep, little lady." She eventually stopped struggling, but she was still wide awake and her eyes were still teary.

       As I approached the vacant desk, my eyes locked on the swirly chair, and soon found myself sitting down, still clutching her tightly. Giving her a name would only make me feel attached - something I cannot afford in a castle inhabited by vampires.

       "The evil it spread like a fever ahead, it was night when you died, my firefly." Her whimpers quieted down to minor sniffles as she looked up at me curiously.

       I looked down at her and continued to sing the song, a small smile appearing on my lips. "What could I have said to raise you from the dead?" She was now smiling back up at me.

       "Oh, could I be the sky on the Fourth of July?" As I sang this verse, I lifted her high, eliciting yet another delightful giggle from her.

       "Well, you do enough talk, my little hawk, why do you cry?" I wiped away the last of her tears before I continued rocking her gently.

       I observed with tenderness as she resisted the slumber that was slowly overtaking her. "Tell me what did you learn from the Tillamook burn? Or the Fourth of July?"

       As her head slumped backward, her eyes closed and her body went still, I halted my singing, taking a moment to let the silence settle around us. With a deep breath, I rose to my feet, feeling a slight heaviness in my chest. The memory of my deal with the vamp mafia flooded my mind, and I knew that I would have to uphold my end of the bargain.

       Holding the child in one arm, I quietly knocked on the hardwood, waiting as one of the guards opened one of the doors for us and slipped into the room before walking over to the thrones. I carefully avoided the piercing gazes of the room and silently took my seat right in front of Marcus, the tension filling the air.

*Narrator's POV*

       As soon as William exited the throne room, the atmosphere shifted and the vampires began conversing with each other without restraint. However, if a human were to hear them, it would sound more like muttering rather than casual conversing.

       Alec, who had pulled out a seat from nowhere alongside his twin and was now sitting, gazed up at his mentor/adoptive father with a glimmer of optimism reflecting in his eyes. He has high hopes for the human man just based on the elder's interest in him.

       "Could that be the person you've been eagerly anticipating, Father?"

       The boy's sudden question easily caught the attention of the other two kings who glanced at each other before turning back to whomever they were speaking with before. Make no mistake that they weren't paying attention to their silent brother's answer.

       With a hint of amusement, Marcus peered down at Alec and gave him a subtle nod of approval.

       The boy's eyes sparkled with delight as he glanced over to his twin with a grin and swayed back and forth on his feet in anticipation. He was about to finally have not just one, but two loving parents!

       As Jane stood beside her father, Caius, listening in on a conversation, she caught the gaze of the blonde man. Their eyes locked, and they were both taken aback by the news they had just overheard. Despite the shock, they couldn't help but feel happy for Marcus, whose situation had just taken an unexpected turn.

       After spending what seemed like an eternity alone, they were glad that it was high time their family member found a new partner to share his immortal life with. Until a few centuries ago when Caius found and married his mate, Aro was the only king who had a wife.

       With the arrival of this unexpected man, their family of seven has now become a family of eight! They were excited to personally meet him, although Caius would never admit this out loud.

       Meanwhile, Marcus joyfully watched as the chains and ropes, representing his bonds, shone and grew brighter. He felt truly blessed to be surrounded by friends and family, making his coven a home.

       A melodic sound grabbed the attention of everyone in the room, prompting them to quickly hush and listen. The king felt a warmth in his heart as he heard William singing from behind the doors of the throne room, the rhythm of his heartbeat combining with that of the infant to create a soothing melody that only the vampires could truly appreciate.

       The love-sick look on Marcus's face would have made Caius if it weren't for his mate, who had been attracted by the unusual silence alongside Aro's wife. His spouse showed enough calm/happy emotions for the both of them.

       Aro however was holding his wife's hand that had landed on his shoulder and she was the one who looked the happiest out of them all. She hadn't even seen the human, yet she was already thankful for his existence!