Riley Hayes | A Vampire Novel | Book 2

Chapter 5-

"Pass me the chocolate, please, Mom," Damian eagerly reached out for the chocolate cake Anthony had baked just for him.

Knowing Damian's sweet tooth, Anthony always went the extra mile during dinner, delighting him with scrumptious sweets and desserts. I couldn't help but chuckle as I handed the cake to Damian.

Leia and Zera were sipping on blood, seated next to their aunts, Abigail and Bailey. Over time, our mutual respect had deepened, and Abigail and Bailey had become a wonderful part of our lives, particularly in how they cared for my children. Initially, Leuca's sisters had tormented me endlessly, except for Lazarus, who had been somewhat kind.

Now, we had established a harmonious dynamic. Abigail and Bailey not only assisted the twins with their meals but also played with them, tended to their hair, and engaged in various activities. The bond between us had grown strong, and everyone adored each other. Even though Damian was a bit reserved, we all managed to get along well.

The dinner table had once felt sparse with just Leuca, Lazarus, Abby, Bailey, and Amalia. But now, with Rayna, Damian, and the twins filling it, it was vibrant and full of life.

The doors opened, and my mother walked in, apologizing for the interruption as she had a shift that night. Damian's face lit up at the sight of his grandmother, and she couldn't help but kiss his cheek and ruffle his hair.

Leuca groaned inwardly, disapproving of such public displays of affection. His heir shouldn't be seen swooning over his grandmother. But to me, my mother still saw Damian as the six-year-old child he was, despite his adult-like appearance.

"You could join us for dinner, Anne," Leuca said warmly, gesturing to an empty chair at the elaborately set table.

My mother, with a gentle smile, thanked him for the offer. However, duty called, and she explained she had urgent work, showing a letter with a broken white envelope and a distinctive red seal.

Rayna's sharp intake of breath revealed her recognition of the seal – her mother's coven's seal. "It's addressed to you, my Lord," she said, handing the letter to Leuca.

Leuca, having long abandoned the practice of correcting her formal address, accepted the letter with a nod. Though he was her son-in-law, she maintained the formality, a tradition that persisted despite their familial ties. The room fell silent, the weight of the sealed letter hinting at potential significance.

We had been waiting for a letter from Althea for so long, and now it had finally arrived. Rayna was beaming, eager for Leuca to open it.

Leuca, aware of Rayna's anxiety, opened the letter immediately. He usually would have done it in his office, but he understood how much this meant to Rayna and did it right there. I admired his thoughtfulness.

Even though Rayna wasn't our biological child, Leuca treated her with the utmost respect. He never corrected me when I referred to her as one of my children, nor did he question Rayna calling me "mom." He accepted her as part of our family, always supporting her as if she were his own.

Leuca read the letter swiftly, thanks to his vampire speed, and handed it to Rayna, saying she could read it too since it was addressed to her as well.

Rayna's eyes sparkled as she used her magic to make the letter float into her hands. She scanned it, taking a bit longer to read it. The rest of us waited quietly for her to finish.

Once done, she looked at Leuca and asked, "Are we going?"

"Whatever you decide, Rayna. It's your birthplace. This is your home now; you choose," Leuca replied.