Zone Zero: Vengeance (Book 3 of 3)

Chapter 24

Annerly twitches sweetly in my arms as her dreams bring a smile to her face. Her eyes flutter but I am quick to pat her back and hum into her ear making her drift back off to sleep.

Her cherub like face brings a smile to my lips as I press them gingerly to the top of her head.

"Shh, sleep well sweet angel," I whisper to her as she snuggles deeper into my hold.

We are sitting inside a safe house in St Petersberg. Alex and I decided that it was best if we kept Annerly separate from the rest of the vampires at a time like this.

There is still much uncertainty as we await word from the humans. Alex made his demands after he killed Max and even though we left freely, we are still unsure if the rest of the vampires trapped inside the zone will be given the same treatment.

The door to the bedroom I am in opens and Alex stands in the doorway, unsure if he should fully enter and impose on my alone time with Annerly.

I smile at him and motion with my head for him to join me by sitting on the bed just as I am.

He makes his way over to us and climbs to sit beside me, resting his back against the headboard and extending his arm out for me. I adjust Annerly and myself so we are nestled into Alex warm embrace.

"She looks so peaceful." He says just above a whisper.

"She smiles in her sleep. I think she must be having good dreams." I look down at Annerly once more and smile even wider. "She is so beautiful."

"She must take after her aunty." Alex states before pressing his lips to my forehead.

I examine her face for the millionth time since Alex mentioned that she looks like me and try to see it for myself. I already know that she has the same emerald green eyes and hair colour but that's where it ends for me. I cant see any more of myself.

Alex chuckles as he listens in on me contemplating if Annerly really does look like me causing me to chuckle as well.

"She has your lips as well. And your nose."

"Well considering that they are the same as Logans I guess that was a given." I nudge him as I speak but inwardly my heart breaks a little.

Annerly will grow up without her father and mother all because of me. She will never know them like I knew them. She will never feel Jade's warm embrace or hear Logans dopey laugh and it's all my fault.

"You can't blame yourself forever. You have to let go and move past it. She needs you to be there for her now."

I nod at Alex's words knowing he is right. I need to forgive myself and move past what my actions caused. But not today. Not right now.

"Any word from inside the zone yet?" I ask to change the subject.

"Not yet. The last I heard was that a meeting has been proposed."

"Hopefully the meeting goes ahead and we can begin to move past this war completely. I don't think I can handle seeing any more fatalities from either side."

Alex agrees with me silently, his eyes fixated on my sleeping niece.

"No matter what happens Evie, I will keep both of you safe. Especially her. No one will ever touch her. I promise you."

I lean over to Alex and press my lips to his and nod.

"I know you will."

Alex's phone begins to vibrate in his pocket and he stands from the bed as he answers it.

"Yeah? Ok. Set it up. I will be there."

My eyes widen as I watch him end the short call and turn to face me. I wait patiently for him to tell me who the call was from or what is happening but he doesn't do so fast enough for my liking.

"So? What's happened?"

"The humans want to set up a meeting for this evening. I said I would be there."

I sigh audibly. Maybe now we can end this war without any more violence.

"Good. Do you want me to go with you?" I ask hoping the answer is no. I don't want to leave Annerly but I also want to be by Alex's side if he needs me.

"No. You stay here with Annerly. I'll take Gable and Imani with me." He says coming closer towards the bed and dropping down beside me once more.

"Ok. Just promise me one thing."

"Anything for you, love." He says as he kisses the base of my neck.

I wait until he pulls away and lock eyes with him.

"Find a way to end this war. Whatever it takes, just end it."

"That's what I intend to do."

His lips turn up into a lopsided grin and it melts my heart. How can someone so perfect even exist?

Alex slowly leans closer into me and presses his lips gently to mine with a sweet touch. They linger there longer than expected but it's not like I would ever complain about that. When he pulls away I note the look of uncertainty in his eyes that is gone as quickly as it appears.

"You're worried," I state already knowing the answer.

"I want this war over because it is the only way to ensure you both stay safe but," he pauses and looks down at Annerly before continuing. "What if this is a trap?"

I must admit that I was wondering the same thing myself.

"Be prepared for anything and if it is a trap, just know that I won't stop until you are by my side once more."

The absolute sincerity and honesty in my voice are coming out in spades. I mean it when I say I will stop at nothing because it is true. I would move the mountains, drain the rivers and go through every single human and vampire alive if it meant that Alex would be safe and by my side.

"What did I ever do to deserve you?" He asks and I can't hide my smile.

"I ask myself that same question every day."

I lean closer to Alex and lay another gentle kiss on his lips.

"One more thing." I say as our lips part.

Alex let's out a chuckle and raises his brows.

"Come back to me."