Second Chances (The Extinct Race Series) (4 page)

But this cry was full of heartbreak and sorrow.
She howled and screamed and tore at her father. All Zoe kept saying was that she was sorry for killing her. Justine ran to her side and both men sort of looked at her funny. They were holding Justine’s sister, best friend and savior. There was no way she was going to be left out of this circle and not be allowed to comfort Zoe.

Justine gave Kaiden a stern look and he loosened his hold a little on one side.
Marcus though was not going to let her go. So Justine just did what she had to do and angled herself to the side Kaiden gave some room on. She squeezed one arm under Kaiden and around Zoe and the other arm she wrapped around Marcus. She looked up to Marcus’s confused face and told him. “This girl here is my sister she has saved me in my times of need and kept me safe. I have been with her since she was nine years old and I was eleven. If you think for one second that I am going to stand over there and not comfort her you are mistaken. Listen to her. She thinks she killed her mother.”

That got his attention
and Marcus jerked back and held Zoe at arm’s length. Kaiden and Justine were still wrapped around her and Zoe just hung her head down. Snot and tears were running down her red splotchy face. When she looked up at her father’s face she was taken aback and afraid that he was going to confirm her worst fear. He just looked with a shocked expression on his face, but his eyes screamed a confused anger.

“Zoe Mechelle Devonshire
! Do you honestly think you killed your mother?”

“
Iiiiiffff iiiittt wasn’t for meeeeee she would ssstill be aaaaalive.” Zoe sobbed

“Listen young lady.
We planned you, we tried for years to get pregnant and finally we did. When we found out you were going to be a girl and that your soul mate was going to be born around the same time, we knew you were special. We would have given our lives for you anytime and any day. You did not kill her baby, those bastards that held me captive did. You are not to blame in this war, you are just a victim of it and so are the rest of us. We, my sweet baby girl, are going to stop it, and if I have to die so that you can live, then I will do just that.” Marcus spoke with pride and determination in his voice.

“Oh Daddy
I am sorry. I just ….this is so new to me. All my life I thought you guys didn’t want me and then I find out that you guys are dead. Then just the other day I found out that you are alive. I just, I need a shower and food, and then yes we are going to go to war and kill that bastard that killed my mother and tortured my father.” Zoe wiped her face hugged Justine back and stood proud and tall. Determination was coursing through her veins. “Kaiden, could you please take us upstairs? I think I need to clean up.” She smiled shyly at him.

Kaiden nodded and took her into his arms
to carrying her inside. The huge wooden doors opened to a massive open floor plan. The floors were all hardwood and some of the walls were too. There was a huge fire pit in the center of the room with large couches and overstuffed chairs set in a circle around the pit. Off to the right was a huge dining table that could probably fir close to thirty people and a huge open kitchen to the left of the dining area. Then on the left side of the house she noticed a huge TV screen and some more of those overstuffed couches and chairs. They looked like you could just melt in them.

There
were also a couple of pool tables and then a hallway on either side leading to closed doors. There was also a massive set of stairs on either side of the circle of couches that led up to a loft area. They took the stairs to the right and walked up to the loft. Justine left them there and ran down a hallway to the left of them and was gone. Kaiden walked right up to the wall at the back of the loft and that is when Zoe noticed an elevator.

“This goes directly to our suite.
There are two other elevators at each end of the halls and stairs to each and every floor at the back of the house on either side. The house was built to be full of people. We can house at least thirty couples. As there are five bedrooms on our floor, four bedrooms on the fourth, third and second floors then down each hall on the first floor there are six large suites on both sides down the halls. Right now we have the women who are single and help within the house stay in those bedrooms. They are nicer than the barracks. Once we are all settled and safe we will have homes built for the families. We had a small sect and so all of us lived in the house. I would like a large family and I would like these walls to be full. I would also have homes built and for the land to be full of people.” Kaiden told Marcus and Zoe and gestured to the elevator. He pushed the button and it opened right up. They stepped inside and within a second the doors were opening again and they were stepping into their private floor within the home.

“You were right Kaiden.”
Zoe said in amazement as she gazed around the floor. When they stepped off the elevator they were in a little alcove of the hallway. Straight ahead was a large living room, but not too big. The living room was full of cream colored overstuffed couches and soft brown curtains over the windows. The floor was light hardwood and all the colors blended well together. Kaiden had told her when she found her parents’ home that his mother had decorated similar. She walked through the living room and there was a decent size kitchen and a table that would fit twelve comfortably. There was also a small office tucked off behind the living room as well as another room that to her looked perfect for a music room. She then left the living room and walked down the hall, she opened each door. The first bedroom was bare, with just a bed and the essentials. The size of the room shocked her it was larger than she expected. There was also a decent size bathroom off to the side of the room. Zoe opened the next door and gasped in surprise.

“Daddy, I think this is your room.”
Zoe smiled and let him pass her to go inside the room.

“It was all still at the house?
The house is still there?”

“Mom thought of everything I guess.
The lawyer said there was a cleaning crew sent to clean the house once a week and to keep the groceries to a bare minimum, nothing that could spoil. She also left a will and the house is now in my name and well so is all the money, but you can have all that back. I had the house packed up and moved here before I found out you were alive. I didn’t want to throw anything away and I knew the house was not safe.”

“Were you in danger while you were there?”
Marcus asked appalled

“We
ll they were watching the house I guess they knew I would come back. That is where we found Blake and where three of them came to take me. Thankfully I had Kaiden and Gabe. Gabe killed the other two.” Zoe looked down as she told him

“I am glad you are safe baby girl.
I am also glad my clothes are here, hopefully they still fit and are not too out of date.” Marcus laughed and went to the closet. He sucked in a breath when he noticed the closet.

Zoe was curious so she went to the closet and sucked in her breath too.
Kaiden knew what they were shocked about and when she looked over at him he let a guilty grin spread across his face. "I kind of took pictures of the bedroom and closet. I sent them over for everything to be set up how it was, including all your mothers’ things. I knew that you would want them and now I think that it is up to your father on what to do with them.”

“Thank you Kaiden.”
Marcus and Zoe both whispered together

Zoe left her father standing there and followed Kaiden out of the roo
m. She continued her search of opening doors. The room on the same wall as her father’s was full of her nursery things. It brought tears to her eyes to see it all again and she looked at Kaiden. “I thought you might like to use it for our future babies or for a memento.” He said guilty.

“Thank you
, I love both ideas.” Zoe whispered to him. She then crossed the hall. There were two doors and one a little farther down she had missed. Kaiden chuckled when she opened the door and saw that it was just a large linen closet. She closed the door to the closet and walked to the last door along the wall. As soon as she opened the door she knew this was Kaiden’s room. Well his room before he left. It was full of maps on the walls and typical teen stuff from about seven years prior. It was cleaned obviously, because the bed was made and there were no dirty clothes on the floor. In fact there were no clothes at all. She looked at him quizzically. “No clothes?” she asked.

“Nope I told Charles to give them all to the smaller boys.
I would not fit into anything that I had then. I will have to send the guys to town to buy all of us clothes or we will have to order some online. I already had all your clothes from your apartment and Justine’s things shipped here. Your landlord was a little peeved two gorgeous girls were moving out.”

Her jaw went slack and her mouth popped open. “You have just thought of everything haven’t you?”

“Well I had to
. Otherwise you would be screaming for your things in a couple weeks and then would want to go get them. So your clothes are all in the closet and the rest of your stuff is in storage. I would also like you to get new things. Not that I don’t want you to have your things, I just thought we could get new things together.” He stammered that last part out. “Now see this door right here at the end of this hall. That is our bedroom and I know my mother had a huge tub installed in her bathroom and I personally have never gotten to take a dip in it. Right now I am dying to get you naked and in that tub with me.”

Zoe didn’t waste any time she opened that door and gasped at the space.
This room was twice the size of the other rooms and had a sitting room and office to one side and bathroom and closet on the other. The bed was larger than any bed she has ever seen and the fact that it had four large posts on the corners and a canopy of creamy gossamer running over and down the top and sides made her melt. She tore off her clothing and ran to the bathroom.

As they both laid in the tub Kaiden wanted to explain to her about the half-blood babies. “Angel you remember flying over the families tonight? I felt your confusion and wanted to explain that part to you. You see since a half-blood is only half Dragon, when they choose not to turn and have a family their babies are also half Dragon since both parents are, but it is so diluted that they will never be able to be changed.”

“That explains why their pull was even dimmer than their parents. I guess I have a lot to learn still about us.”  Zoe confessed as Kaiden rubbed her back with soap.

Chapter 4

Family Dinner

Once they were all clean and in fresh clothing the whole group was one by one coming downstairs to the great room. Rain had started to fall when the sun had begun to set and a fire was built in the huge open pit. Justine and Gabe sat cuddled in one of the smaller couches with Ben squeezed in beside them. Tia and John were sitting in one of the chairs with Vivi and Christian on the chair next to them. Monica and Rosa were in the center of a larger couch with Brad and Michael next to them. Both couples were staring at their children and how they were interacting with each other. Camilla and Sebastian were settled into one of the smaller couches in sight of their daughter and John. Mateo sat lounged in chair staring at the fire and Marcus was sitting in the chair beside him also staring into the fire. There was little chatter here and there but generally everyone was just looking at each other and enjoying the quiet. Zoe and Kaiden were the last to come down and everyone looked up when they entered the room. Justine was the first to break the silence.

“You really thought of everything huh Kaiden?
You must have known this girl forgot to pack her all-time favorite jeans before and then poof they are magically hanging in my closet. And I swear, how did you know that our parents were going to give us the master bedroom and take the smaller rooms?” She asked looking to her parents and Gabe’s.

“Because you are meant to be in this sect and meant to have that room.
The other rooms are meant for your future children. They know that, they have been around a long time to know how the main house operates. Plus it was a little bit of intuition on the ladies of the house. They placed everything. By the way Ben, did you like your room?”

“I love it, but Gabe had to show me how to work the game system.
I never had one and don’t know what to do with it. But I know I will like it when I have people to play with me. And thank you for the clothes. I really like those. And that bed is so comfortable. I just want to sleep.” Ben smiled up at Kaiden. “Thank you.”

“You are definitely welcome and anytime you need someone to play I am sure you could ask any of us.
Actually I am pretty sure most of us guys are going to be in your room a lot.” Kaiden joked

“What he got a game system
, which one?” John asked

“Well all of them.
I didn’t know which one to settle on and pretty much got him every game ever made.” Kaiden told him.

“And the kid gets all the fun stuff.”
John pouted to Tia

“
Awe poor baby, but then again I guess you didn’t go over there” she nodded to the other side of the house with the big screen “and you didn’t see all the movies and game systems over there with just as many games as he is talking about now did you?” Tia teased back.

“Really?”
John was off the chair in a heartbeat dumping Tia on the cushion and running across the house to the area Tia mentioned. All you could hear was his grunts and an occasional “Hell Yes!” followed by the “Oh and Ahh’s.” Tia just giggled adjusting herself in the chair.

“
Parent’s please feel free to stay in the home however long you need to. There are plenty of rooms for all of us, plus the ones we need to find. Once everyone is found and safe here at our home I will have houses built for you guys and any other couples that have survived. My plan is to keep us all safe within the border and just live safe and happy.” Kaiden told them all.

Charles walked in the front door then.
He looked around and smiled at everyone. He then frowned seeing Tia sitting alone until a huge “WHOOT” filled the room and John came running back with both hands full of movies and games. Charles just shook his head and smiled at John. “I see you found the entertainment section of the home?” he asked John.

“Dude
, can we have like movie night every night? There are so many movies you have that I have never seen and some I have been dying to see.” John said voice full of hope.

“One day at a time right now.
I am sure we can squeeze a movie in after dinner tonight and then the days to follow. That is if you are awake enough to watch one. I don’t plan to take it easy on you Fury’s.” Charles told John

“
Are you trying to scare us with a little fighting?” Tia asked her eyes alight with the prospect.

“Settle down little bull dog.
Training yes, fighting, well we are going to save all that for Aldrich and his children.” Charles said

Vivi cringed and shook her head in shame.
“Some of them are good and are worth saving. Not all of us follow his orders.” She said to the room.

“Vivi I didn’t mean it that way.
But your father has to be stopped and the ones that stand in our way, well we won’t be able to save them all.” Charles told her.

“Dinner!”
Mary called from the table

They all got up and walked casually to the table which was filled with all different kinds of food.
The table was set for everyone and some extra. The head of the table was set on both ends. Zoe grabbed the setting at one end and moved in to the side. Kaiden felt her intent and did the same with the other place setting at the head of the table. The women all sat and their men were gentlemen and slid their seats in for them and then took the seat next to them. Little Ben’s eyes seemed to be bigger than his stomach and he was just piling food on his plate. Everyone else was piling food onto their plates when Marcus stood.

“I want to thank you all
for risking your lives and saving me, for saving my daughter and for bringing us all together. When I had my Sect it was small and the Dragons that were in it didn’t like to live all together like this. They liked their peace and I gave it to them. That was a mistake on my part for I missed out on times like this. I have always just had my Elizabeth and friends that I either had to check on or wanted to. It feels so good to have my baby girl here with me and her family with her. You guys are a mixed bunch, but the love I feel pouring off of you I want to be around for the rest of my days.” Marcus bowed to Kaiden and kissed Zoe’s hand and sat back down next to her.

“Amen.”
Everyone roared.

Vivi stood and brought Christian up with her. “I know we are the odd ones out here and that it is my father’s fault you are all here.
But in his evil he did bring together a true family. I found Christian on the streets in Peru. He was homeless and hitching rides from country to country. He was mainly left alone because of his eyes. But he has a knack like I do. A lie spoken is painful for me and intent to harm is painful for him. I know that when we turn our touch is either deadly or healing. Christian, I already know will only be able to heal the wounded and only one that means no harm to me or the ones I love and he loves. I have trust in you guys and I want so badly to belong here, because Christian is not in pain here. He is shy-“

“What she is trying to say is that you all here at this table and in this area are all good people with good intent to do right.
I have never been this at ease in a large group and I thank you all for that. I also think that both I and Vivi will be assets to this Family, this Sect. She can read a lie spoken and I can read the intentions of a person even before they walk into a room. For example Vivi was in pain at your home in Wyoming for the lies her brother was speaking. I was in pain as we drove up the drive way. It’s why I was so quite. And Vivi didn’t even know about my skill then. But the intent her brother had towards all of you was so evil I couldn’t speak. I told her about my skill when we landed and were alone in our room. I do not want to leave here. My soul is at peace here. Even though we have not done the deed and I am not yet a Dragon, I know we belong here.” Christian said and looked at the faces just staring at him.

“It is
very nice to meet you Christian and welcome to the Family.” Zoe smiled at him

Vivi and Christian sat down and began to eat.
You could feel the tension they had been holding loosen and they began to chat and smile at the ones seated around them. Dinner went smoothly and they all enjoyed the food and the small talk. When Mary was done she just did what she always did and started clearing plates. A young lady that looked a little younger than Zoe brought in three bottles of wine and set them about the table. She glanced at Zoe and smiled.

“The Michaels always had wine after a large meal with Family.” Zoe smiled back and nodded her head in approval.
Kaiden grabbed a bottle and poured Zoe a drink and then poured one for him. He then passed the bottle to Marcus. The bottles made their way around the table as the dinner was taken away and three more ladies arrived with desserts in hand. They began to place them in front of everyone in silence and went back to the kitchen. Mary sat back down and poured herself a glass of wine and dug her spoon into the sundae she had made herself. “Couldn’t pass up the desserts that you have in that kitchen, beside I know Gabe loves his sweets.”

“You know me well Mary and I am thankful you do.
I don’t think I have been this stuffed since I left Wyoming the first time.” He grinned at Mary.

“Movie time?”
John asked

“Not yet
, I think we all need to talk a little and come up with a plan to help get the lost ones here or to go out and find them.” Kaiden answered.

“Well I think a call into your friend and then some of us hitting up the
internet might help. We need to look up lost and missing photos and we also need to find a hacker and hack into adoption records or bribe some workers.” Charles said

“I already plan a call to Mr. Steinman and the internet is not a bad idea.
Also I was thinking we need regular patrols around the border. The older men know the area well and I know we have some families that live on the edge of the border and they need to be informed to call the house if any one shows up. I am expecting now that because most of the Blood half-bloods are with their father that more survivors will start showing up here. So we need to make them aware of that and we need to be ready ourselves. Send some men into town for provisions and clothing. Also bring the most trusted and well sneaky half-bloods we have here to meet with me and not that I don’t trust them, but I will have Christian nearby. I want to send those men on the jet and I want to send them with a lot of cash to maybe sweet talk some information out of adoption places.” Kaiden was brainstorming

“Is there anyway Justine and I could go to town and get some clothes?
Maybe take Vivi and Tia with us for you know girl time?” Zoe asked

“Sorry Angel
, but I would not risk you or them. You can make a list of everything you need and give it to the guys going into town or we can send a woman with them so you don’t get embarrassed.”

“No it’s not that
, I just wanted to get to know the girls a little bit better, but I guess we could do that here while you guys game or whatever you boys do.” Zoe stammered

“Angel I am not trying
to keep you hostage, it’s just well I know it is safe within the border, but outside the border anything could happen.”

“He is right Zoe.
Some of my brothers are sneaky bastards with nothing but evil on their minds. They don’t care who is around, they just know they need a Pearl to change them and anyone else they just kill.” Vivi said

Zoe looked a little defeated so
Kaiden thought of the best idea he could. “Angel there is a house that is close to town on the border. Humans can see it and the woman that lives there has human visitors often. There is a designer in town that my mom used to use all the time. How about I have her meet you all there tomorrow and you guys can make her year and have whatever you want ordered and shipped to the house?” Kaiden smiled huge “you can even use my card.” he said as he handed his card over to Zoe. Justine jumped up and snagged it. “Thanks.” Justine squealed and sat back down.

“Well I guess that’s a plan then
, you girls want to come right? Kaiden is buying.” Zoe asked

“New clothes
that will be handmade to fit just me? Hell yeah!” Tai said

“I would love it too
. Gosh you all are going to spoil me.” Vivi said with the biggest smile on her face.

“Tell me about it
, a girl could get used to all this. Going from nothing to whatever I want and my man just throws money around.” Zoe joked and kissed Kaiden on the cheek.

“Do you mind if I join you ladies tomorrow?
Just for a short time. My clothes are kind of twenty years out of style and I don’t even know what is in style, so I could use a females help.” Marcus asked. He wanted to spend as much time with Zoe as possible. “I will use my own money of course, well as long as Zoe hands her card over.” He laughed.

“Oh Daddy of course you can come I would love to help dress you and I know Justine would too.
And that is your money you made it, you earned it and it is yours I will have the bank transfer it all into an account in your name as soon as I get my hands on a computer.” Zoe was flustered and her cheeks flamed red.