An older woman with lighter hair than the rest approached and Kris quivered, knowing Derrick wouldn’t be able to protect her. “It’s okay, Kristina.” The woman wrapped her arms around her shoulders. Her warm chocolate eyes instantly soothed Kris, making her feel as though she were gazing into Derrick’s eyes. Her features were soft and round, nothing like the other women now gawking at the commotion she’d caused. “Welcome to the family, honey. Vic will get over it; she doesn’t have a choice and she knows it.”
Kris gazed up into the kind woman’s eyes, noticing there was something different about her. Though Derrick had said there was no way to tell, every one of the persons around her looked as though they were related to one another, other than this woman. “You’re human, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I’m Sabrina. Derrick’s mother.”
Chapter Eleven
“What is wrong with you, Vic?” Derrick roared, wondering if it was safe to release his grip on her arm. “Was that you last night? Huh? You think you can scare her away?”
Victoria lifted her head, ignoring his question. Tears trailed down her cheeks. “I loved you, Derrick. How could you?”
He closed his eyes to break off the pain of her declaration. He’d always known that she loved him, and he loved her too, but they’d never be anything more than friends. Well, maybe not anymore, which made his heart hurt for her. She’d always be his confidant; he’d hate to lose her friendship. “You know I tried. We both tried. I’ve been trying for fourteen years. It wasn’t ever going to happen, Vic. You know that.”
She dropped her head to her hands, and Michael patted her shoulder. Sometimes Derrick wished she would just leave. He had a feeling that if he could have fallen for her, she would have instantly reciprocated. It was his hang-up, he knew; his love for Kristina wouldn’t allow it to happen.
“I’ll stay with her,” Michael said. “Go take care of your woman. She’s probably scared to death.”
Derrick stared at his brother in disbelief. Again, Michael’s actions baffled him. Even though they had a human mother, he’d never hidden his distaste for humans. Even their mother knew how Michael felt. Michael knew if the military ever found out about the creatus, especially him and Derrick, they’d use them as guinea pigs. He and Derrick were an anomaly among the group, but no one dared mess with them. As strong as the creatus were, they were stronger. For some reason, a human and a creatus didn’t make a half-anything. Derrick and Michael were twice as strong as their full-bred cousins were. Neither his grandfather nor his father could explain or come up with any rational explanation, even with their combined medical expertise.
Derrick glanced at Victoria, feeling horrible, but he had no choice. He was in love with Kristina, and he finally understood that he’d been in love with her for the last few years, the reason he could never fall for another woman.
As if she’d read his mind, Vic’s eyes smoldered with hatred. “How could you? You’re supposed to protect us. As the overseer, you’re supposed to keep the humans away, not bring them inside.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Careful, Victoria. My mother happens to be one of those humans.”
“Your mother’s not a drunk!”
Derrick sprang across the barn floor, landing in front of her, fuming. “Back off.”
Michael bounded between them, both hands held at arm’s length. He turned to address Victoria, “Vic, he’s fallen. End of story. Nothing you can say or do will change that. You need to set your sights on someone else for once.”
“You’re right, Michael. But the only other man I had an interest in left. Maybe I’ll hunt down Jonas.”
“Vic,” Derrick cautioned. “You know better than that.”
She glared at him. “Really? Why shouldn’t I, Derrick? You don’t like anyone around who questions your rules.”
“They’re not my rules—” Derrick shook his head, not wanting to revisit this same argument. A woman scorned was a woman scorned; it didn’t matter if she was a human or creatus evidently. “Do what you want, Vic. Just stay away from Kristina. She’s one of us now.”
“She’ll never be one of us,” she sneered.
Derrick decided he’d better leave before he did anything he’d regret. “We’ll discuss this, along with your appearance last night, at the meeting. He charged toward the door, needing to get as far away from her as possible. He’d always cared deeply for Victoria, but the moment she’d threatened Kristina, he felt as if he could kill her without a second thought. As he’d told Kristina repeatedly, nothing could ever come between them after they’ve fallen. Not even a lifelong friend.
He stepped outside again to get away from her and his brother.
The moment he saw his mother’s arm draped around Kristina’s shoulder, introducing her to everyone, his irritation moved to the recesses of his mind. Kristina did the obligatory nodding and smiling, but he could tell it was forced. She was rightly nervous. All of his assurances that she was safe and she’d nearly been attacked within seconds after their arrival.
He darted to the other side of her, kissing her cheek. “Hi. Sorry about that.”
Kristina turned her head, glaring at him. “You should have told me,” she hissed in a low whisper.
He didn’t want to embarrass her, but he had to remind her. “Um, Kristina, just so you know… Everyone heard you. There’s no such thing as whispering in my world.”
Kristina’s eyes widened. As she looked around the property, her eyes filled with tears, but she lifted her head to restrain them. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. It’s a lot to take in, I know. And you’re right; I should have told you. We’ll talk about it later though, okay?” He wiped away a tear. Knowing Victoria could hear him, he stated clearly, “Vic won’t bother you again, I promise.”
He heard Victoria harrumph from inside the barn, but suppressed a snarl in front of Kristina, since she obviously couldn’t hear her. He never imagined that Vic would turn violent. Upset, yes, he assumed that. But if Michael hadn’t restrained her when he did and she’d launched across the lawn, she could have killed Kristina with one blow, and then his life would be over. Creatus didn’t recover after losing a partner. They usually ended up moving away from the family, wishing for death. Suicide wasn’t common, but they begged death to take them.
Kristina nodded and attempted a smile. “Your mom has been introducing me to everyone. How come you didn’t tell me?”
“I didn’t want to influence your decision in any way.” He picked up his mother’s hand. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to introduce you properly. Mom, this is Kristina Heskin.”
His mother released an airy laugh, squeezing her arms around Kristina’s shoulder. “Sabrina Ashton, as you already know.”
“Actually…” Kristina laughed, pink tinting her cheeks. “I didn’t know your last name was Ashton. I like that.”
“Oops.” Derrick shrugged as his mother glared at him. As a distraction, he glanced over his shoulder for his father, who stepped toward him immediately, a smile on his face. He didn’t think his father would be upset once he saw Kristina. Their only concern was her drinking, but he assured them she’d want to clean up. Derrick knew she wasn’t an alcoholic; she’d just been looking for a means of escape. And if she hadn’t said anything about him all these years, why would she start now? “And my father Lynford Ashton, but everyone calls him Lyn.”