Riley Hayes | A Vampire Novel | Book 2

Chapter 21 - reading your mind like an open book

Leuca's POV

"Althea, it is nice to see you again." I kissed her on the cheek as a greeting as usual and complimented her outfit.

A few witches accompanied her as expected, I instantly recognized the two twins May and Lee. But this time I also saw a girl which was younger by quite a few years. She seemed around the age of twelve and looked like Althea. Another daughter? How many did this woman have?

"Lord, thank you for your invitation. You're looking great as usual." Her green eyes still looked beautiful, nothing compared to Riley's but her red hair flattered the greenery.

"Don't be so formal..." I chuckled.

"Back to you, Leuca."

I invited her to come in and guided her toward the dining hall so we could have dinner together. Damian should already be sitting there. I expected him to be there as I opened the door and...

Nothing.

My stubborn child wasn't fucking there. I let out a deep sigh which Althea noted, "What's wrong?" She asked as we went to the table to sit.

"I wanted to introduce you to someone." Though she always pursued me, somehow I still liked her presence.

Her eyes widened, "oh no... Don't tell me you have met the one?" She stood up and leaned in close, "are you leaving me?"

I laughed and also leaned in, "We never were together darling." I whispered in her ear.

She pulled back with a gasp, "is she beautiful?"

I saw her playfulness, she always knew I wouldn't sway to a marriage like she wanted to. We were more... As the youth calls it, friends with benefits, and don't get me wrong... The sex with her was great. "I wanted to introduce you to my son, Althea..."

Now she gasped even louder, "You? Do you have a son? Who's the lucky girl?" She looked around, "where is he then?"

"Yeah, I'd like to know!" I raised my voice so Damian would hear as well. I don't know what's going on in his head, he can't act like this when we have an important guest over.

She giggled, "Then let me introduce you to a child of mine as well, my daughter Rayna." She looked behind her and then confusedly around the room. Then she looked at the twins, "where is she?"

"The girl looking like you?" I interrupted, chuckling. "She ran away before even entering the house." The anger on her face amused me. "Guess we both have rebelling children."

"That girl... Such a waste of talent her personality is." She sighed and held her forehead as if she was in pain.

As if she felt pain. The strongest witch shouldn't get headaches. "Althea? What's wrong?" I reached out and held her hand.

"Look at you, now you get concerned?" She smiled so delicately at me. After the rejection, Althea still was able to smile at me. "I'm still human Leuca, I don't live eternally. I'm long overdue. But I wanted you to meet Rayna. Her magical affinity is better than mine, though I hate to admit that... I'd hoped you continue our relationship in the future with her..." She was rambling so quickly that I barely understood.

She even started to get teary-eyed, "Hey," I tried shushing her and asked her to slow down. "I mean you're way overdue, you're what four hundred years old? But you still looking great?" The thought of her dying somehow never occurred to me. She had become more than just an ally over the years. We had quite intimate conversations after our nights spent together.

I still didn't see her as my partner though.

"Three hundred and seventy-eight." She corrected me. "It's taking almost all my magic power to keep this appearance Leuca... But my daughter... Is quite stubborn as mentioned." She paused, "I may have been too strict during her upbringing, but she doesn't like me at all...