Revisited (Redemption Series) (15 page)

Lily found the unused music room and began to search for something to calm her. She noticed the headstock of the guitar as it stuck out from underneath a dusty sheet.

“There you are, old friend.” She grasped the guitar and brought it into her arms. A quick strum and a few adjustments to the tuning keys had her playing as if just a day had passed since she had caressed the strings.

An hour or so later, she heard her daughter’s footsteps stop in the doorway. Lily continued to play a soft folk tune. “Come on in.”

“I was just getting back from my walk and heard the music. It’s been years since I’ve heard you play. I’ve missed it.” Becca sat on the small loveseat across from Lily.

“I haven’t played since Ian—” She wasn’t sure how to begin the discussion after the strain of their last conversation.

“Before he came into the kitchen, I know you were giving me advice you think I needed.”

Lily stopped playing and looked up.

“No, it’s good advice. I really need to figure things out between Abe and Ian. But you’re right about all the chemical changes in my body. When both of them were in the same room, I felt as if I was on fire, like pieces of me were ripping apart and gravitating between the two of them.”

“I admit that having Ian here has set me on edge as well, but it’s not a tenth of what you’re feeling.”

Becca grasped the end of her ponytail and twisted a bit of hair around her finger. “I was so sure I could never forgive Abe. Then just seeing him and looking in his eyes, I feel it’s all still there.”

Lily put her guitar down and moved to sit beside Becca. She placed her arm around her daughter, and Becca rested her head on Lily’s shoulder. “The two of you had a great love. I was so happy when you and Abe got together, but I had my jealousies as well.” 

Becca stayed silent. She knew how lonely Lily had always been. 

“But you and Ian, going through what you did in a dangerous situation, is not the best way to start a relationship.”

“I know. I’ve been to more than my share of lectures about on the job relationships. You do remember the sexual harassment lawsuit I filed against that sleaze ball, Barry, a few years ago?”

“Yeah, Barry.” Lily shook her head.

“Thanks for that, by the way. Your little talk with Marla got him transferred to some small town in Texas. I’m sure his pasty skin is loving the southern sun.”

Lily laughed and tightened her embrace. “Nobody messes with my baby and gets away with it.”

“Thanks.” Becca closed her eyes.

“Knock, knock,” Ryan called from the doorway.

“Hey.” Becca moved from Lily’s arms.

Lily stood and gave him a soft kiss. “You guys get anything worked out?”

“Did I miss something?” Becca’s eyes moved between the two of them.

“I didn’t have the chance to tell you yet.” Lily sat back down and took Becca’s hand as Ryan took a seat on the arm of the loveseat.

“What?” Becca became somewhat panicked as Ryan began to rub Lily’s shoulders.

“Nathaniel had a vision of Liam.”

Becca’s breath caught in her throat.

“It’s a bit good and a little bad. It looks like he’s just a pawn and wants out. He knows Lily is alive and wants to join us,” Ryan said.

“If he’s the pawn, then who’s the king?” Becca saw the pain in Lily’s eyes.

“It seems to be . . .” Lily swallowed hard. “Debir.”

“Oh, hell no!” Becca stood and stomped her foot like a child. “That man would die for you. He loves you like . . . like . . . well, I don’t know, but he would never do anything to hurt you. Now Filipp, he’s a different story.”

Lily stood and took Becca by the shoulders to get her to calm down. “Nathaniel saw Debir, not Filipp. We know they’re in Bucharest, so we’re checking it out.”

Becca’s brow creased in anger. “Checking it out? Who’s checking it out?”

Lily stepped back from Becca and stood firmly against Ryan’s chest. “Abe took Nathaniel to Bucharest. They’ve narrowed it down to a hotel, but there is another one of those spells cast on the place. He had a vision of a woman. We think she might be one of the Pavel witches. She also seems to be involved with Liam. We believe she’s carrying his child.”

“Oh, hell.” Becca collapsed back on the loveseat.

“I know the two of them will figure this out and come back to us,” Lily said. 

“Sam and I have discussed our plans for Italy. He still wants us to go ahead with the cure. We can leave for Italy tomorrow, and the three donors will be flying into Genoa to meet with Sam,” Ryan said.

“To use it on Debir?” Becca asked.

“Yes, if it comes to that. Where’s Ian?” Ryan asked.

“I left him resting before I went out for a walk. I guess I better go check on him.” Becca kissed Lily on the cheek before she left.

“I just can’t believe Debir is behind this. He’s saved me too many times. He was the one who kept me from drinking the blood at The Blood Feast.” Lily placed her head in her hands while Ryan pulled her to him.

“Maybe Becca was right to think Filipp might have something to do with this. What do we know about him?” Ryan ran his hands up and down her back.

“Filipp was turned in the seventeen hundreds, though I’m not sure by whom. He and his sister were both turned Ahbmonites. Other than that, I don’t know much before I met him in the 1930s.”

“I think it’s time we found out, my sweet.” Ryan pulled her in closer and pressed his lips against her forehead.

Nathaniel was slightly distracted by the golden hued stripes on the hotel room walls. The room was unlike anything he had ever been in before: regal, elegant, and extremely clean. “I think they must have some sort of dust-eating bacteria in here. Nothing is this spotless.” He swiped his fingertip across the solid wood bureau and was surprised to see it was as clean as before he had touched it.

    “Stop with your OCD shit. I know it’s not the dark hole you were expecting for this stakeout, but just live with it. Now come help me finish setting this up.” Abe continued to plug in different cords on a computer monitor.

Nathaniel joined in, setting up all the surveillance equipment awaiting them when they arrived at their hotel in Bucharest. “I still can’t believe Marla got this all so quickly.” He moved to a table filled with equipment and turned on one of the video monitors.

“That woman can do anything. She has connections you can’t even imagine.” Abe was grateful for the aid of the United States Federal Government at that moment, since the agents were able to access Liam’s hotel when he could not because of the spell surrounding it. The agents had placed several cameras just where they needed them and had given them the opportunity to play with some new technology only the government had access to.

“Thanks to whoever for that. This is some high-end stuff.” Nathaniel saw the monitor had uploaded the signals coming from each camera positioned in Liam’s hotel. “Look at this.”

Abe came over to gaze at the monitor. One camera focused on the door to the suite Liam was in, one in the main living area, as well as one in each of the bedrooms. They could see Liam and the woman from Nathaniel’s vision lying on the bed. They appeared to be sleeping. The more interesting spot on the monitor was where Debir stood while Filipp ranted from the couch.

“We have audio on this?” Nathaniel asked impatiently.

“Of course.” Abe messed with a few switches and knobs until he found the correct setting that brought forth the conversation.

“
What the fuck do you expect me to do about it now?” Debir shook his head and crossed his arms across his chest. “We just go with the original plan until we find reason to do otherwise. It’s not like we won’t find out if something changes.”

“I know.” Filipp grunted in exasperation. “I don’t trust that demon; I never have, but if he can get rid of that bitch for good, it’s worth it.”

“I know you have never favored Lily, and I understand why you want her gone. She would never go along with your plan. I just need to know where this deep-seated hate comes from.” Debir poured a drink and drank it down in one gulp.

“She was supposed to die the day of the Blood Feast, remember? You and I could have so easily taken over Manchester back then. Now, with all the resources they have, we have to be diligent with our plan. I can’t see it working out any other way.” Filipp let his head fall back against the back of the couch.

Abe froze. He knew the story of the Blood Feast. He knew everything, including it was Debir who had saved Lily from drinking the tainted blood that night. He wondered if it was possible Debir had kept Filipp at bay for decades to save Lily’s existence.

“You’re thinking the same thing I am,” Nathaniel stated with a hard edge to his voice.

“Debir isn’t the mastermind, but he has been pulling someone’s strings. Let’s hope that will work for us.” Abe turned his attention back to the monitor.

“Valentina’s very focused, but I can tell the magic is taking its toll on her. We can’t put her child in any more danger,” Debir said.

“Then we will move forward. I was hoping to give Liam a bit more time to control his instincts. We can’t have him killing any of our subjects. The restraint he’s shown with Valentina, and while out on his own, has shown me that he’s ready much sooner than I anticipated. I believe we can start the transformations tomorrow evening.”

Debir looked worried for less than a split second before a grin replaced the grimace. “I will make sure everything is ready. I’ll head back to the facility for a bit. Call me if there are any changes.”

Filipp nodded and Debir was out the door.