16. The Songbird

Leland. Still reeling from Oz’s attention, I don’t know how to react. I am nervous, and this is basically Oz’s father. What if he doesn’t like me? What if he doesn’t want me in the coven?

In walks a man who appears to be in his mid to late forties. His face seems jovial but has the weathered look of a man who’s seen his fair share of trouble. He is from Oz’s time, or before. I haven’t quite gotten to that part of coven history in the archive. No, I am particularly drawn to a specific coven member and focusing my research there.

I watch as Leland hugs each of his children. His ashy blond hair is pulled back into a low ponytail. A few wisps have escaped, and he tucks them carefully behind his ears. One falls forward as he hugs Rolando. He looks up and locks eyes with me.

The sensation of being this nervous without a racing heart is strange. Instead, I feel a strange pit in my stomach. His brown eyes stare for half a second before he smiles wide and strides over to Oz and me. I watch as he takes Oz’s head in his hands, and they both lean forward, foreheads touching.

“Gone and got yourself a bride, dear boy,” he claps Oz on the shoulders in a fatherly gesture. Leland’s voice is warm, with a crackle of gravel behind it. Wafting off of him are scents like smoke and something metallic I can’t place. His presence is dominating, and I can see why it is easy for him to command a coven. He exudes confidence and oozes charisma, so as he turns and regards me, my breath hitches.

“My dear,” he beams, reaching out and taking my hands. “What a pleasure it is to meet you finally. Come with me. We have much to discuss, you and I.” He gives a gentle tug and leads me away, Oz following closely behind. We reach Leland’s study, which is currently in chaos from Rolando’s work. He is almost done digitizing the archive, but boxes of journals that still need transcribing litter the floor. Hundreds more line the shelves, their information meticulously recorded and saved forever.

“Oz,” Leland says paternally, turning and blocking the entrance to the study. I peek over his shoulder and see that Oz seems surprised. “I must ask that you remain out here. Leave me to tend to your lovely mate for a spell. You and I will catch up shortly.” Why can’t Oz come in with us? What is happening? It doesn’t make sense, and my nerves aren’t settling.

“Of course, Leland,” Oz accepts. I can see he is as confused as I am, but he does as he is bid by his coven leader, creator, and mentor… His father. Leland pushes the French doors shut, the blinds are already drawn over the glass.

“Please, my dear, have a seat,” Leland gestures to a chair by the fireplace. Nodding, I do as he requests and sit down, still nervous and tugging at my fingers. I watch as Leland points a remote at the fireplace, causing a fire to roar to life before my eyes and immediately casting me in warmth. “Oh, come now,” he says, looking like he’s laughing at me. Sitting in the chair beside me, he adds, “I’m not that frightening, Wren.”

I gulp, wishing I could be a little bit invisible. I force a smile. “Just nerves, I guess.”

He looks at me with a hint of understanding but a teasing smile just the same. “I, for one, drink when my nerves begin to act up. Would you care for a glass?” He indicates a well-stocked bar cart beside his chair.

“Please,” I nod. “I’d like gin, neat.”

Pouring the clear liquid into a crystal glass, Leland hands it to me before fixing himself a bourbon. Turning back to me, he raises his glass in a toast, I do the same, and they clink together. “To new friends and family,” he declares before tossing back a third of his drink.

Deciding I need to get my shit together, I down the whole damn thing. His brows raise, but he extends the bottle, pouring me another without asking. I’m grateful and sip on this one. “Wren, I can’t tell you how glad I am that you’re here.”

“Oh?”

“Yes. My Oz has never looked happier, and from what Rolando tells me, you helped pull the stick out of his ass.” I almost spit out my drink, sputtering just a bit as Leland laughs. It reminds me of the laugh a Santa Claus actor would give. Full of belly.

“He was wound a little tight?” I muse, picturing the man who jumped into a lake to save me. I can see it. He is always so careful, and so attentive. What did he do before he met me?

Eyes wide and mouth in a straight line, he tells me, “Tighter than a fresh pressed spring. When I left, he would brood everywhere. I think the last couple of centuries have been hard on him.” Leland stares into the fire, the flames dancing around the gas log. “I thought he would go off alone for a while, but then I realized he didn’t know where to go or what to do. It was like he had no purpose, like he was waiting for one,” Leland looks directly at me.

“You’re his mate, I understand, as in he heard you in his mind while you were human and continues to hear you still.” nodding, I continue sipping my drink. “You hear him as well?”

“Yes, but I didn’t hear him until after the turning.”

A grimace flies across his face. “Ah, yes, your turning. A gruesome thing to have to be pulled back from the brink of death and wake completely different. I am truly sorry you had to experience your new life that way. There’s usually a bit more... ceremony.” I know most vampires are turned, knowing what they will become—knowing that they will wake with thirst, with strength, with all their memories intact.

“I turned Oz very similarly. I found him on the side of the road, and he lay dying in his own blood. But he still knew what was coming.” He finishes the rest of his drink and pours himself another. “Oz called me while you were changing and told me everything. The crash, drowning, resuscitation, and then turning you ultimately to save your life. The mind bonding while you were human. So curious,” he looks at me with eyes that are searching.

“We sort of assume it happened because I was in danger,” I explain. “I was heading to a nearby cabin, and we think if we hadn’t met in the store, Oz would’ve likely sensed me there that weekend.”

Leland nods. “Oh, very likely. He loves brooding about by the cabins.”

I snort, picturing Oz being sullen and withdrawn. It’s an Oz I’ve never known. I feel at ease around my coven leader and slowly drink the rest of my glass, declining a third.

“I also heard about what happened with that man from your past.” I can sense myself growing distant immediately, wanting to disassociate from anything to do with Spencer. Leland’s hand rests on my forearm, and I stare into his soulful brown eyes. “All of my children have killed more than one human on accident, Wren. I can see your pain about it, your pain about leaving your life behind. I truly wish I could go back and make sure you were given a choice.”

A sigh escapes his lips, and he places his other hand on his first. “Unable to fulfill that wish, however, the best I can offer is comfort and companionship from our coven. We are here to support you, and I hope you find peace here.” A tear escapes my eye, and I quickly wipe it away. Leland is kind enough to pretend not to notice.

“I hate to get deeper into the pit of despair,” He pulls his hands back from me and reaches into his pocket for something. It is small, a folded piece of paper, and he extends it to me. A newspaper clipping? I take it from him and carefully unfold it, only to see myself staring back at me. “We need to decide what to do about your death.” My face is listed as a missing person, and the article that goes with it speculates that I survived the crash. Due to “missing personal effects.”

Fuck.

My wallet.

My duffel.

My phone.

I could kick myself.

“Do I need to let them find my things?” I ask, unsure what he means by deciding what to do about my death.

“Oh no, not at all. No, my dear, I mean, if you would like to return to your parents I can make that happen. We can easily develop a cover story if you wish.” I take a deep breath. Oz’s apple didn’t fall far from Leland’s tree.

“I’ve decided to remain hidden and let them assume I didn’t survive.” My throat clenches and hurts as pain constricts my chest. It is so hard to say out loud.

Leland nods and reaches his hand back to my arm. He gives it a quick rub and fatherly pat. I like him, he is kind. I can see why he has everyone’s respect and loyalty.

“Why did you make Oz stay outside?” I whisper, still confused about that matter.

A loud, boisterous laugh thunders from his belly. “He hovers.” He smiles at the fire and adds, “I wanted to meet you without the pretenses. Get to know the real you, and not the girl enthralled by the bond.”

I am briefly offended, but then I feel the truth of his words.

He isn’t wrong.

We have been all over each other and around each other. We’ve had very few separate moments since I first woke up in Oz”s room. It is like we can’t help it. I need to be near him, and when I’m near him…

“Is it normal?” I wonder, unsure if Leland will know the answer.

“The obsessive compulsion the two of you share?” Throwing me a knowing look. I nod, embarrassed. “Entirely.”

A massive sigh of relief.

“When vampires find their mate, they are drawn to one another. Eventually, you will be able to stand being apart as long as you need to be, but when it’s new, all couples I’ve met go through a period where they might as well be glued to one another.” He smirks. “I imagine it’s worse in your case?”

“Why’s that?” I ask, confused. Then it dawns on me.

“He hovers,” we speak in unison, both laughing.

“So the more we practice distance, the more we can control the pull we both feel?” I am so incredibly relaxed. The drink has done me good. That, and Leland is just enjoyable to be around. I find it hard to imagine now that I had been afraid of him before.

“Bingo.” He gestures towards the door. “Eventually, the bond pull settles. You’ll still be enamored with one another, certainly. But you won’t feel like it’s something else driving you anymore.”

I smile, pleased that I wouldn’t lose these feelings that have grown, but also glad we will find a better balance.

“What about my other self,” I ask, biting my lip. “We didn’t merge.”

His face takes on a serious expression. “That is something I am unfamiliar with as well. I agree with the others that it was due to your memory loss upon turning. It can be corrected, but not until you learn to trust her. She is also you, you know.”

I frown. “She’s killed two people and wants to kill more.

Leland pats my arm again. “She won’t be able to control herself without you. And you won’t realize your full potential without her. No rush, it seems like you’ve got a handle on things for now, but it’s something to think about, Wren.”

So it is my fear of her that is causing the barrier to continue. Of fucking course it is. It doesn’t help that she is legitimately terrifying. Maybe I can find a way of communicating with her more directly.

It’s unspoken, but we both know our meeting is all but complete. Rising together, Leland embraces me and, when he lets go, he holds my head to his as he had with Oz. “I am pleased to call you daughter. Welcome to your new family Wren.”

Family…

They are exactly that, a family.

It looks different, but it feels the same, if not better.

Because they are mine.