Her Vampire & Her Werewolf

Chapter Eighteen

"What's on your mind, beautiful?" Tony asked as we were sitting on the front swing, watching the sunset.

"Thinking about Darious, I guess what you said the very first time about him and I you were correct."

"That he is your protector" Tony asked as he sipped on his iced tea.

"Ya, I never thought he would agree to it, but he also knows I have to figure out my aunt's code" I said thinking back on that box that sat on my table until last night when I finally opened it.

"Your aunt was a woman with some mysteries about her, she knew you were a woman who was rare and only one in every one billion, could hold the genes that could sustain vampire and werewolf venom and become a hybrid."

I sat there thinking about everything that has gone on in the past week. With Darious deciding that he would rather be my friend and protector than be mated with me, that was a hard one to swallow.

To learn everything about Tony when we exchanged blood for the first time. Having four hundred years flash by in your mind is an experience I never wanted again. But I saw why in the realms they considered him the boogeyman.

He was ruthless when he went hunting for his target, there was no stopping him. I also found that throughout his lifetimes, he has only cared for a couple of women but never loved them nor did he ever turn any. I was the only one he truly loved in all his lifetime.

Our bond deepened beyond what I could have ever thought it would, during those days where he was taking care of me, we learned everything about each other. And our love for each other was immense.

I also found out that Devon was killed for the crimes he committed. It was a death sentence to turn another without their permission, and he knew this but chose to take a gamble.

I didn't feel any remorse when I found that out. How could I? He had taken away my life and my choices because he was pissed off that he wasn't getting his way.

The council gave Tony two weeks to be with me, making sure I knew the laws and the rules that were in place. Also to give us time for each other before he had to go back to work.

At least this way through our bond, we were able to feel each other's emotions and be connected even with the distance that would be there because of his work.

I pulled the letter out of my pocket that I found in the box that was delivered a while back. It contained a locked box that was about a foot in size all the way around.

"Do you want me to leave you alone?" Tony asked, as he looked at me.

"No, I never want you to leave me alone" I said, smiling at him, that comment that I just said had him smiling from ear to ear.

"I will never leave you, my wife," he said with a wink. We talked about it and planned on getting married next spring here at the house.

With shaky hands I broke my aunt's seal and opened the letter.

"My dear Tori,

By now I'm sure you have a million questions, unfortunately I'm not there to answer any of them. But Darious will be able to answer most of them hopefully.

There is another one that I must talk to you about, his name is Tony. He is a powerful elder my dear girl, and knowing you when you met him you will end up falling head over heels in love with him. Just a feeling I have, but there is something else you must know, he is a killing machine. He takes care of those who do not follow the vampire laws, so just be careful not to get on his bad side.

As I'm sure by now you have found out that I worked for the vampire council on finding and storing the collection. But there is another box that is sealed with this letter. It cannot get out, for it contains a secret to all of the realms. I found it deep in the jungles where most do not dare to go. Darious wasn't with me that time, as I went on my own. I was surprised I made it out alive, to be honest.

There is a key for it but it has been hidden in the house, and I will not tell you where it is. For I do not want to see you in harm's way my child. The council knows of such a box but they fear what is inside of it. I never opened the box when it was given to me.

I'm sorry to burden you with such a thing, but I know you and you will keep it safe and locked away for all eternity.

I love you my dear Tori, unfortunately this will be the last letter that I have written for you in the case that I am no longer around.

Be at peace with your decisions, trust Tony and yes give yourself permission to fall in love with him, to be one with him. I might be wrong on a few things, but I'm not with him. I have seen your life my sweet child, and I'm sorry for all the wrongs that have happened. But your union with him if you choose it, will bring you peace, love, and loyalty like no other. He will become your other half if you let him.

The choice to live or die will belong to you when the time comes, only you can make that choice. I just hope you make the right one. All of my love, aunt Landy."

I read it out loud to Tony as the tears were streaming down my face. Tony's fingers were brushing away the tears. I leaned my face into his hand, as he pulled me closer to him.

He knew as soon as he heard this was the last letter I would be getting; it would reopen that old wound that I had worked on to heal. He just held me as I said my goodbyes to her quietly in my mind. Even though they were just letters, to me it was more than that, it was a way of keeping her spirit alive for that time.

"So that little box somehow holds all the secrets of the realms in it" I said looking up at Tony.

"I guess so," he said quietly.

We both agreed we wouldn't ever open the box and I was going to store it somewhere in the house that no one would know about.

Just in case someone decided to come snooping, they wouldn't ever find it.

"Are you going back to work tomorrow?" I asked him as I dried my face.

"Unfortunately I have to, the council has a few things that I need to take care of, but I will be back in a couple of days" he said as he kissed the top of my head.

"What are you going to do while I'm gone?"

"I was thinking of having Darious start painting the house, while I work on the barns. I want to get things going so in the fall I can bring the horses here" I said as I got up.

Tony followed me inside as I went to the kitchen to get more iced tea. The box was still sitting on the kitchen table.

I knew where I was going to hide it, but I was going to wait till Tony was gone. Darious still planned on helping me with the collections, which I was grateful for.

I needed to get a hold on some of my abilities as my aunt wanted, I didn't want to follow in her footsteps, even though the council was hoping I would. They weren't too happy that I turned them down, but Tony stood there and informed them that if I chose not to, it was my right. As it was my aunt's choice to work for them as well.

"I think that's a perfect idea, it will be nice seeing horses around here" he said as he walked over to me. I put my glass down as he picked me up and carried me to the bedroom.

We spent the rest of the night making love to each other, since I won't be able to be with him for the next few days.

I made breakfast as an old habit, even though food didn't really do anything for me anymore, I still enjoyed the taste of it.

Tony and I sat there eating and just enjoying each other before he had to leave.

After Tony left I stood there looking at my house, the poor girl did need a new paint job desperately.

"What are you looking at?" Darious said from behind me.

"Just looking at what you are going to be doing" I said with a smirk as I turned and looked at him. He slumped his shoulders but a smile formed on his lips.

"What color are we painting her?" he asked as we walked towards the house.

"I was thinking a soft yellow, nothing too bright, but soft and welcoming with white shutters possibly" I said as we walked into the house.