Page 10 of I Am the Storm

“Hurry up in there,” yells Sebastian. “We need you in the study. Moira Van Helsing is here.”

* * *

Derek leaves the bathroom first.Even after I’m dried and dressed in a cream tunic and dark linen pants, my body still feels swollen with need. But then I recall my recent make-out session with Liam, and I’m not sure how I feel. I want Derek. I want Liam. I want both. So what do I do?

It's not like poly relationships are unheard of, even in my world, but I've never been in a relationship with more than one guy at a time and I don't quite know the rules. And well…I don’t really have time to figure them out. Not if Moira's here. Not if Liam is hell-bent on making the Van Helsings pay. This could go south fast.

I pull my wet hair into a bun then head to the library. When I arrive, Elijah offers me a brandy, chocolate covered strawberries, and a plate full of food. I take the silver tray gratefully and sit on the love seat in front of the large hearth, letting the flames pull the chill from my body. Castles are glamorized in modern media, but no one ever tells you how cold they get. The hanging tapestries and rugs aren't just for decor, but for some semblance of insulation.

I notice my plate is piled high with foods rich in iron—beef, beans, dried apricot, and a baked potato—and I glance at Elijah who gives me a slightly rueful smile as he takes a seat next to me.

"If you're going to continue sharing your blood, you need to keep your iron levels up," he says in explanation, slipping his arm around me in protective manner.

At the moment, we’re the only ones here, and I take comfort in his presence. Elijah is a quiet man. Thoughtful and careful with his words. A quality I appreciate about him, particularly since it's something I lack in myself.

“Thank you,” I say, trying the potato. I don’t think I’m hungry, but the moment I start eating I discover I'm ravenous, and I clean my plate in record time. Elijah squeezes my shoulder and nods his head approvingly.

When Derek and Sebastian arrive, Matilda escorts Moira into the study. She's wearing an impeccably tailored dark suit and a crisp blue shirt. Her long blond hair is pulled up in a bun and, as usual, not a hair seems out of place. Despite her outward appearance, one look in her eyes shows how unsettled she is.

Liam is nowhere to be seen. He must still be helping Lily. Good. His presence would only complicate things right now.

Moira looks around nervously, clutching a piece of parchment in her hand.

Sebastian faces her, his face hard. "Did you come to confess?" he asks harshly.

She blanches at his tone. "Confess? Whatever for?"

"For trying to kill us in that explosion!" he says, and I realize though he and Liam butt heads all the time, they’re more alike than they want to admit. It actually warms my heart to see Sebastian taking his brother's side, even if it is escalating the situation.

“We didn’t try to kill you,” says Moira. “We didn’t set the fire. Why would we?”

"Let’s see…" Elijah says. "Your family hates us, even more so since the death of your despicable brother." His hand tightens around my shoulder with his words, and I shift towards him.

Moira pales. "That's actually why I'm here. Because…" she fidgets with the paper in her hands. "I'm here because we found the letter Jerry received. The one asking him to go to Dracula's house. I…I wanted to show it to you. To prove he wasn't the murderer."

It's my turn to lose all the blood in my face. I already know Jerry wasn't guilty of the murders, but the Night brothers do not. They don’t know about Adam. And it sickens me to my stomach.

Derek approaches Moira and takes the letter, scanning it quickly. "How do we know it's not fake?"

"You can keep it," she says quickly. "Have it analyzed. Whatever you want to do. It doesn't change anything, I know. But I just…" she stumbles on her words, then turns to me. "I just wanted someone to know that though Jerry could be an asshole, he wasn't a killer. I don't know who murdered Mary and her child, but it wasn't my brother."

Derek scoffs. "This only proves he wasn't lying about the letter. It doesn't mean he didn't kill them."

There are tears in her eyes, and despite everything, I feel for her. I stand and take the letter from Derek, reading it over. When I'm done, I hand it back to Moira. "I believe you," I say quietly.

Everyone looks surprised.

Especially the Van Helsing. "You…you do?" she asks.

"Yes. If Derek wants to have the letter examined that's fine, but I don't need to. I believe you." Because I know the truth. And because I know how important it is to believe that your own brother, your own flesh and blood, isn't all evil. And though I can't stand Moira, and she put me through hell on the stand during Dracula's trial, I can't let her believe a lie.

She's trying very hard not to cry as she clears her throat. "Thank you, Eve. I…I wasn't expecting that."

I don't know what to say, so I just nod.

She glances down at her shoes, then back up at me again. "I…I know Jerry hurt you. I know he…" she swallows before continuing. "I know he abused you. You weren't the first and probably wouldn't have been the last. We've been covering up his behavior for too long. I'm…I'm so sorry. You didn't deserve that."

Now I'm the one fighting tears. I thought I’d processed my shit with Jerry. With the abuse. With his death. But this kind of healing happens in layers, and there’s a shit ton of layers to work through. Just when I think I've got it covered, another wave of emotion hits me. I wonder if I'll ever be rid of that asshole or if he'll always haunt my soul in some way.