Chapter 19

Tatina POV

I can’t believe I was able to sleep through the night after everything I was told last night by Glenn. Jayne seems worried about me. I will be fine. I was almost auctioned into being someone's breeder. How close I came to a life of hell. Now I have to find a way to help the vampire authority stop it. The same people took me and auctioned me off to pay my father’s debts. How is Craig doing any worse than what they do?

This entire situation is overwhelming. I will find a way to help. What if Craig is innocent? What if it is all Lila? I have to know. I will look him in the eye and ask him.

“Craig is coming to meet us today?” Jayne says.

I continue brushing my hair. Brushing my hair reminds me of when I was little before everything went bad. My mom would brush my hair and braid it for me. I loved her so much. How could she agree to sell me?

“You okay, Tatina?” Jayne asks me.

I stop brushing. I set the brush down.

“ I think so. I was thinking about my mother. I have thought a lot this morning about Craig. He is so kind. How could he hurt all of those women?” I say.

Jayne picks up the brush and pulls out a chair. “Sit,” she says.

Jayne begins to brush my hair. “My mother would do this for me. I do not know why I was thinking about her today,” I say.

“My mother did too. I know you love your family. I know you are worried but everything will be fine. I promise you,” Jayne says.

I lean my head back with every brush stroke. “Thank you for being here with me,” I say.

“Tatina I will be here for you for as long as you need me,” she says.

Jayne’s phone buzzes.

“Probably Craig wanting to know where we are meeting him,” she says.

She walks over to her phone. “It is Craig. What time do you want to meet him?” she asks.

“Soon. I need to look him in the eye and see if it is true,” I say.

“Me too,” she says.

“Have him come within the hour. Is he coming to the hotel or meeting us?” I ask.

Jayne thinks for a moment. She finally starts texting him. “I told him to meet us in an hour at the Royale,” she says.

“Good. That gives me time to finish getting ready,” I say.

“Any ideas about things you want to do today?” she asks.

“I want to walk around it that is okay. Maybe shop. Definitely eat a lot. Maybe get a drink. Will we see Glenn again?” I say.

“Glenn is probably around. He will stay close until this is settled,” she says.

“Tell me about Glenn. You seem to know him well,” I say.

Jayne sits down on the bed. I can tell she is searching for her memories. She smiles slightly.

“I have known Glenn longer than I have worked for the authority. Glenn and I are about the same age, to be honest. He knew my family well,” she says.

“Oh. So you are friends?” I ask.

Jayne shifts her body. I hit a nerve. “We were very close at one point. He and Julie were very close. Fairies and Vampires have always had a special relationship as you know. They need us to procreate,” she says.

“I do not understand how we can have a baby for a vampire,” I say.

“It is our light. Our light can connect with what is left of their human side. We connect with and can give them a child,” she says.

“I have never released my light. I do not think I even know how to release it,” I say.

“You will. Your mom should’ve helped you develop your light. That is something I can help you with when you are ready,” she says.

“Since I don’t know anything about my light, how would they have bred me?” I ask.

“You do not want to know,” Jayne says.

“Actually, I do. I want to know what he has done to women who do not know how to release their light,” I say.

“Pain. He would cause you great pain either through torture or rape or both,” she says.

“Pain? I do not understand,” I say.

“It is our defense mechanism. We release light when we are in danger,” Jayne says.

“What if the girls he has now don’t know how to release their light?” I ask.

“Then he will rape them and torture them until they do and give the vampires the child they want. I have no idea what they are doing with the girls after. Kill them or make them slaves. It is important we find out,” Jayne says.

“Hell yes, it is. We cannot let this keep going on,” I say.

“You know you cannot just ask him. You are going to have to handle him with care. I think he will tell the truth but it will have to be on his terms,” Jayne says.

I pin up my hair and check my makeup. I grab something to wear out of my suitcase. I slip into my shoes. “I am ready,” I say.

“Well then. Let us get to it. Remember be easy with him. We need him to tell us everything,” Jayne says.

“What if he is innocent?” I ask.

“Then we will help him clear his name,” Jayne says.

“Jayne, I slept with him. He was very gentle,” I say.

“Oh, my dear. I know this will be difficult for you. Let’s just see what happens today, okay,” Jayne says.

“Okay,” I say.

I open the door to our room and wait for her in the hall. She grabs her phone and joins me quickly. We begin our walk to the hotel lobby on a mission to find out the truth.

As we walk through the lobby I see Glenn in the hotel bar. I do not point him out to Jayne. She probably knows he is there. He will be watching the three of us today. I just want the truth. Whatever the truth is I will accept it.