Steven lifted Courtney’s lifeless body from the bed and cradled her against his chest before turning his glowing coyote eyes to Savannah.
“Steven?” Tatiana asked gently. “What are you doing?”
“I’m taking my wife to have a proper Amoveo burial.” He leveled a deadly glare at Savannah. “Savannah—you will come nowhere near me or my son ever again.” His voice cracked with emotion. “Courtney’s son.”
Steven growled the ancient language, and in an eruption of static electricity, they were gone. Savannah broke into hysterical sobs and dropped to her knees on the floor, weeping uncontrollably. Tatiana looked at Dominic before crossing to Savannah, squatting down next to her, and wrapping her arms around her.
“It’s not your fault, Savannah.” She pulled Savannah to her feet and looked at Dominic as she comforted the inconsolable girl. “You are as much a victim of your father’s actions as the rest.”
“It doesn’t matter.” Savannah pushed Tatiana away as her eyes glowed yellow, the eyes of her clan, with hurt and frustration edging each word. “Everything I did to protect Courtney and the baby, to keep Steven happy—it failed. Now, the woman he loves is dead.” Her voice dropped to a ragged whisper. “And I’ll never see my son… but then again, I don’t deserve him, do I?”
Savannah put the puppy on the floor.
“I don’t deserve you either.”
Dominic edged closer to Tatiana, clearly unnerved by Savannah’s outburst, and held his weapon at the ready. Tatiana made a face and pushed the end of the gun toward the floor.
“Can you blame Dominic for being cautious, Tatiana?” Savannah asked through a slightly hysterical laugh. “I no longer have a place among the Amoveo. I am, and always will be, the daughter of Dr. Moravian.” Her shoulders sagged, and a complete air of defeat washed over her. “Tell my son, and Steven, that I love them… and… I’m sorry.”
Savannah uttered the ancient language, and in a violent rush of static, she vanished.
Standing alone with Tatiana, Dominic wrapped her in his arms. She buried her face in his chest as the tears continued to fall. He stroked the back of her hair and murmured to her softly as he kissed her head.
“I knew something wasn’t right,” Tatiana said through a sniffle. She rested her cheek against his chest and took a shuddering breath as the beat of his heart thrummed strong and steady beneath his chest. “That’s why Courtney jumped in between me and that Purist. She wanted to die. I should have known—after all the crazy things she was saying. I should’ve known.”
“Tatiana,” he whispered gruffly and squeezed her tighter. “How could you possibly have known any of this?”
“I don’t know. All I do know is that I feel responsible.” She wiped her tears and pulled back, looking him in the face. “Courtney’s dead because she tried to save me, and Matt’s dead because of me too.”
“Don’t say that.” His eyes glowed brightly, and the line between his brows deepened. “That’s not true, Tatiana. Courtney chose to step in the middle of that battle. No one made her do it or asked her to. She put her life and the life of the baby at risk, not you. And you didn’t kill Matt—Eric did.”
“Maybe,” she said slowly, “but he wouldn’t have been there if it weren’t for me. Matt’s dead, all because I brought him to that ranch, just to try and keep all of the Amoveo in line. Not to mention, trying to keep you away from me.” Her voice caught in her throat as shame washed over her. “I used him, and now, he’s dead. It was all for nothing because we’re together anyway. Aren’t we?”
Tatiana’s voice rose with anger, and her eyes snapped to their clan form as her grief, frustration, and helplessness boiled over.
“Fate stepped in,” she shouted, “taking all choices away. It moved us around like pawns on a chessboard, doing its bidding, and making us dance like puppets.”
Dominic’s face fell, and it looked as though she’d smacked him. He dropped his hands as a wounded expression came over him and stepped back, increasing the distance between them.
“I see.” His voice was barely audible, and his jaw set. “Well, you can have your life and your choices back, Tatiana. As soon as we’ve eliminated Eric and the immediate threat, I will leave you to whatever fate you choose. I wouldn’t want to think you were with me against your will.”
Tatiana’s head spun as she watched him walk out of the room, and as he left, his energy signature severed from hers. The door slammed behind him, and she was left in an empty room with a gut-wrenching void. Dominic left her truly alone, and she didn’t blame him one damn bit.
Crumpling onto the edge of the bed, she put her face in her hands and wept. In a matter of seconds, Tatiana had managed to alienate and insult the only man she’d ever loved. Confusion, frustration, and fear clawed at her from the inside, scraping at everything she thought was real.
Tatiana cried until she didn’t have anything left. She shed tears for everything and everyone they’d lost. She wept for the loss of her friends and the undeniable forfeiture of stability or safety. And no matter how many puppy licks Casanova doled out, nothing could make it better.
This time, she couldn’t blame the Purists, Eric, the Amoveo, or the almighty hand of fate for the loss she suffered. They weren’t the ones who said impulsive, hurtful things to Dominic. Just as no one had made Courtney sacrifice herself, no one had made Tatiana utter such thoughtless words to someone who’d only tried to take care of her.
This time, the only person Tatiana had to blame was herself.
Chapter 16
Night seemed longer than usual. Tatiana sat at the picture window sipping a cup of coffee as she looked out over the moonlit woods the way she had so many times through the years. She wasn’t alone in her home, but she’d never been this lonely in her life. Casanova snuggled with her, doing his best to make her feel better. Dominic hadn’t said a word to her since he left her in the bedroom, and the only telepathing he’d done was when he spoke with them collectively.
The man was pissed, and he had every right to be. Tatiana wanted to apologize and vow to set it straight as soon as he’d speak to her. She only hoped it would be sooner rather than later.
William, Dominic, and Richard patrolled outside. It was well after midnight, and so far, there was no sign of Eric or anyone else. Occasionally, she would catch a glimpse of Dominic’s glowing eyes as he slipped in and out of the tree line, but only for a moment. She crushed him and had absolutely no idea how to fix it. Somehow, saying I’m sorry simply didn’t seem like enough.
We’re picking up human energy patterns on the outskirts of the property. Richard’s voice touched their collective minds. I suggest we shift. We’ll cover more ground faster in our clan forms.
Seems rather late for humans to be wandering in the woods. William’s typically stuffy tone chimed in curtly.
People do camp in the reserve behind my property, Tatiana added. So that’s probably all it is.
Confirmed. Dominic’s voice cut in briefly. Back here in ten.
As his voice touched her mind, even for that brief moment, Tatiana was filled with an overwhelming sense of calm, and for an instant, the void was filled. Yet when he closed off communication, the darkness returned with a vengeance.
Tatiana squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head as if she could somehow clear her confusion about her own feelings. There had been no word from Steven since they’d left, and she doubted there would be anytime soon. Savannah hadn’t been in touch since her hasty exit, and Tatiana couldn’t help but worry about her. The girl didn’t seem to have a friend in the world.