Page 22 of Fallen Star

The cab speeds away as Dean and I face my house.

The prince whistles. "No wonder you weren't that impressed by my castle. You've got one of your very own."

He turns to admire the view of the ocean and mountains and then follows me to the front door. I don't have my key, but I had a thumbprint system installed just for these occasions.

As we enter, a familiar voice greets me in a deep British accent. "Good evening, Alex, you've been gone longer than expected. I modified your food delivery and cleaning service accordingly."

Dean startles, looking around. "Is someone here?"

I chuckle. "No, I had Smart House Technology installed a year ago. It's the house talking to us."

He shakes his head. "My brother, Ace, would love this place."

I grin. "He's welcome anytime." And I'm stunned at how fast I've come to accept Dean and his family of vampire brothers into my life. It's incredible how fast things can change.

I give him a quick tour of the place, showing off the dining room, kitchen, entertainment room and game room. We skip the many guest bedrooms, and I'm showing him the master bedroom that I sleep in when my house speaks again, and my heart stops cold. "Alex, you have a guest in the living room. She claims she is your mother."

"She's here," I say to Dean, stating the total obvious.

"I guess it's time I meet your mother properly," he says, holding out his hand.

I take it, and we make our way downstairs.

My mother is standing in front of the fireplace staring into the flames. She turns when we approach. "Darling, I've missed you so much."

She comes towards me, arms open, and I let go of Dean's hand to approach her. "Is it really you?"

"It is. I'm so sorry. For everything. I had no idea you were involved in this. I came here to explain."

She reaches for my hand and I let her. I don't feel the energy of the Star pieces on her, and don't see them anywhere. My eyes burn with unshed tears, too many emotions warring within me.

"You've become everything I imagined you would. Your father would be so proud of you," she says, her voice catching on emotion.

"So he's… he's really dead?" I know he is, but I need to hear her say it.

She nods. "I was saved that night, but he was too far gone."

"Why… why didn't you come back for me?" I search her eyes for lies, for truth, for understanding, something.

"It's complicated. At first, I couldn't control my thirst and didn't want to put you in danger. And I didn't think you would want me after I was turned into a monster. I thought you'd be better off without that in your life. Without me in your life." Her eyes spill over with tears and she lets them fall as she holds eye contact with me.

My heart breaks in that moment, and I pull her into a hug. "I needed you. I needed my mother."

All the pain and grief I felt for her for fifteen years swells up in me and breaks through my carefully manufactured walls. I pull back, looking at her again, not wanting to break contact, not wanting to lose her again, despite what I know of her, despite the truth that is gnawing away at the back of my mind. I know I shouldn't trust her. That she's murdered to get the Fallen Star of Nirandel and will do so again, but it's painfully difficult to align that knowledge with the fact that the mother I remember is right here, holding me. "I never thought I'd see you again."

She smiles through her tears. "We can be together now. Forever, if you want. We can be a real family."

My heart thumps in my chest. Because I know what's coming next, and I can't face it. It's too tempting. Too torturous. The Mirror of Idis showed me what might have been. But because of the power of the Star, it inadvertently showed me what still could be as well. If I'm willing to pay the price.

"I just need your piece of the Star, honey. Once we find the fourth piece, I can bring your father back, and everything can be as it should be."

I step away from her, and she frowns. "Darling, it's okay. I'm not going to hurt you. This star was brought into our lives for a reason. I can fix what happened to our family that night. I just need your help. With your powers, we can find the last piece and set right all we lost."

"Do you know what you're asking?" I take another step back, afraid I will be sucked into her desires, to her wants, to her needs, and that I will lose my sense of right. "Do you know what price the Star demands for use of its power?"

I want to believe she doesn't. That when she discovers the horror of the cost, of the lives that would be sacrificed, she will realize we could never use its power, not even to bring my father back. But I see on her face the truth. She already knows. And she doesn't care. She's willing to sacrifice innocent lives for her own selfish gain.

"I can't do what you're asking. I won't tell you where my piece is or help you find the final piece."