Betrayal (71 page)

He didn’t laugh along with me as I had expected. Instead, he looked confused, and then his eyes shined bright with what I believed was hope. “You’re not residing with the Capius’ anymore?”

“No, I’m not.” I knew what he was pondering, and I needed to clarify. “I just want to get the house prepared for my parents’ return. They’ll be coming home soon, and when they do, Evan and I will move into our own home.” Gerald nodded, tried to smile, but didn’t utter a sound. It wasn’t a lie. I knew that I would find my parents soon, and I knew that Evan and I would marry shortly after.

“I should be going.” Gerald followed me down the stairs. As I walked through the foyer, we passed Rutherford. His eyes widened when he saw me and widened even more when he saw Gerald.

“Miss Tieron! How did you get in here? Master Gerald… you’ve awakened.” Ruthorford nearly fell backward. “What are you doing… out of bed?”

I stopped abruptly, and Gerald almost careened into me. I walked over to Ruthorford and stared at the wiry old man just long enough and said, “Thank you.” Then I turned to Gerald and stared him in the eyes. It was done. Neither of them would remember a thing.

“Gerald, is that you?” I heard Mrs. Bergnum’s scratchy voice wail from the parlor, “How could this… be? Ruthorford, my chair.” She demanded.

“Gerald… Gerald?” I didn’t bother to Glamour Mrs. Bergnum. I didn’t care if both Gerald and Ruthorford thought the old woman was going insane with the ridiculous idea of Gerald being in a coma. She would start doubting herself soon enough.

Gerald grimaced in the direction of the parlor and yelled over his shoulder. “I’ll be with you in a moment Grandmother.” He was already thinking of purchasing his train ticket to New York.

As I stepped out onto the porch, the sun was shadowed by my Stetson. I turned to Gerald and said, “Good –” But Gerald placed his finger on my lips, and held it there for a second before pulling it away.

“No good – bye’s.” I nodded in agreement, and made an about face. I followed the wide path bordered by fragrant gardenias blooming all over the front garden, and turned to wave at Gerald. He waved back, and then his mind shifted to New York and all that the new city promised. He would finally be free of this vine encrusted prison with the elderly and watchful warden. I would miss him more than he could imagine.

As I crossed the abundant garden, and was nearly out of the gates, I paused with the sensation of someone beckoning me from the east side of the Bergnum’s sprawling estate. It was the only person that could make my heart skip a beat and cause me to fumble a little in my step. Evan hesitated mid

step as he was about to enter his home. He faced me, standing confidently, beautiful. Evan’s acute sense of my presence was intensifying.

I basked in Evan’s ocean blue eyes, as he smiled at me, summoning from a distance. Instantaneously, I smiled back, overjoyed to see him. Strangely, I couldn’t ignore the tall figure moving like molasses in my peripheral, directly across from the Bergnum mansion. I slowly turned away from Evan’s gaze to stare the elongated figure head on. It was Victor. He leaned his muscular frame against one of the columns on my porch. He looked devilishly gorgeous, arms crossed against his chest, but relaxed. Our eyes met and locked. He appeared to be waiting for me. They both waited for me, anticipating my next destination as the smoldering shadows approached, boundless, waiting as well.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mayandree Michel is the author of Betrayal, the first in the exciting series: The Descendants. Mayandree grew up in Brooklyn, and now lives in Queens, New York with her husband and two adorable sons. When she's not writing, she's playing with her boys, reading, or sketching. To learn more about Mayandree, visit:

www.mayandreemichel.blogspot.com,

and

betrayalthedescendants.blogspot.com.