“So, do you think it’s all right if I start right away?” Cain asked eagerly. “I know you have a schedule for me, but some seeds that Theo left should have been planted last week, but I think it’ll be okay since there’s still enough time for them to grow.”
Smiling, Sofia said, “Of course, we can head down there in a moment…the schedule can be changed, but taking on the garden seems to be a lot for you to do by yourself.”
“That’s why I wanted to get started as soon as possible.”
Tapping her chin with her finger, Sofia thought for a moment, then said, “Lucius, David’s friend, might help you. His mate is Brady, who has the most beautiful rose garden I’ve ever seen. Would it be okay with you if I ask him?”
Cain’s brow furrowed for a moment before asking, “Is he a shifter?”
“No, sweetie,” Sofia said. “He was once human like us, but then a terrible vampire bit him and changed him. He’s still trying to figure out his life, and my David has been a good friend to him.”
Cain’s eyes widened as he whispered, “A real vampire? Will he change me into one? I don’t think I want that.”
Smiling, Sofia shook her head. “No, dear boy, Lucius would never do that. However, he remembers what it’s like to be human, so I think you would get along with him quite well…and besides, he loves flowers, which he has in common with you.”
“What about his mate? Will he be angry if I spend time with Lucius?” asked Cain. “Would he bite me?”
“Brady? Heavens no,” Sofia said. “He’s not a vampire.”
Cain sighed in relief at that news. He certainly didn’t want to become a vampire because he couldn’t see himself bitinganother human, or for that matter, drinking their blood.Ugh!Just the thought of doing that sent a shiver up his spine, so it was a good thing Lucius’ mate wasn’t a vampire, but then he wondered, “Is he a shifter?”
“No, dear, he’s a magic user,” Sofia replied, and then, seeing the fear on Cain’s face, quickly added, “However, he can’t use his magic.”
Intrigued, Cain asked, “Why not? Was it his punishment for doing something bad?”
Chuckling, Sofia said, “Absolutely not. He got very sick as a child and nearly died. He was lucky to recover, but his ability to use magic was gone.”
Cain thought about that for a moment before concluding he was safe from Lucius’ mate, but he was still nervous about being bitten. “Are you sure David likes Lucius?”
“Very sure, sweetie. They’re very good friends, which makes me quite happy since my David didn’t have any friends growing up.”
“And Lucius won’t care that I’m human?”
Shaking her head, Sofia said, “I’m positive. Do you want to meet him? I can ask David to bring him up here without telling him anything about helping you in Theo’s garden. That way, if after meeting him, you decide you'd rather do it by yourself, no one will know other than you and me.”
Cain sat there, thinking about what he should do. He hated making decisions, especially ones that could have dire consequences for him. It was something he learned growing up in foster homes, and he had continued it into his adulthood—where it was much harder to do, especially with Sarge. His friend insisted on giving him choices. And it was one of those choiceshe picked that ended up getting Sarge killed. Then he went to prison and found it made everything easier for him since all he had to do was to follow whatever the guards told him to do. But now, Sofia was asking him to make a choice, and the fear of picking the wrong one filled him once again.
Watching Cain closely, Sofia could see him retreating into that shell she was so desperate to get him out of. Without waiting for an answer, she said, “Meeting Lucius can wait for the moment. Instead, why don’t we head down to Theo’s garden and you can show me what needs to be done?”
Grateful for the reprieve, Cain nodded. “I’d like that.”
“Good, then let’s go.”
Chapter 39
“Is this the room you’re choosing for your parents?” asked Smokey, watching his mate remake the bed with new sheets. “Or for Ollie and Mac?”
Pausing for a moment, Theo looked at his mate, grinning. “For my parents…I think they should be close to us…”
“But not too close,” Smokey muttered, shoving the pillows into their fresh cases while thinking about how loud their fucking could get. “Where are you putting Ollie and Mac?”
“In the other wing,” Theo said, his eyes sparkling with mirth.
Frowning, Smokey asked, “Do you think that’s wise? What if you need Mac…how will he know?”
Theo stopped and stared at his mate in disbelief, then shook his head and resumed tucking in the top sheet.
Confused at his mate’s behavior, Smokey asked, “What was that for?”