He cleared his throat and let go of a sigh. "However, if my granddaughter has told me anything since she's been here, it's that she is her own person. So while I hope she will listen to my counsel on this, I'm aware that the decision will be hers. I have lost too much family in this life and I care too much about herto push her away by trying to hold on too tight."
Tears stung Kylie's eyes again. She reached over and touched her grandfather's hands. He turned his palm over and held her hand. His gaze found hers. "Stay here, Kylie. Stay and continue to learn who you are and where you belong." His touch, so much like that of her father's, sent warmth through her.
And a part of her wanted to give in. But at what cost?
Chapter Four
Before Kylie spoke, she saw in her grandfather's expression that he already knew her decision. And she saw the pain she was causing him. She felt it, too. His pain.
"You won't lose me. Where I live won't change anything. I'll always be your granddaughter. But I think Burnett has made some good points. I need to go back." It was, she thought, the only choice she could make.
Shadow Falls was her home, but that was only half the reason for her decision. Deep down she knew that Burnett was right. As gifted as her grandfather and his compound of chameleons were, they had spent the majority of their lives avoiding confrontation, not preparing for it. They were no match for Mario and his murdering kind.
Problem was, Kylie wasn't sure Shadow Falls could take on Mario, either. And if they did, how many more like Helen would be hurt, or worse, killed? It wasn't as if it hadn't happened before.
* * *
As she matched Burnett's steps to the front gate, they remained quiet. Night was encroaching on them. Part of the western sky, with shades of pink, hinted at the sun's departure. When they arrived at the gate, he looked at her. "I'll call your grandfather to set up a time to pick you up tomorrow."
Kylie nodded; she had insisted she have time to say good-bye to her grandfather. But now her heart didn't want to see Burnett leave. They hadn't really gotten to talk. That last fifteen minutes had been her grandfather asking how Burnett had found them. Burnett explained that it had been through the real estate office. When her grandfather had sold his house, Burnett was able to find out who had handled the sale, and through sales records he'd discovered another property her grandfather had owned.
Now with good-bye on her lips, she wasn't ready. "Promise me that Helen's really okay."
"It is as I told you. She will heal."
"And things with Della's mission are going okay? She's not in any danger?"
"My last communication with her confirmed everything is well."
Kylie nodded. "And Holiday's okay?"
"She's worried. But she's always worried about you guys. It's her natural state of being."
"But things between you two are ... good?"
He smiled. "Yes. Very good."
Burnett's smiles were few, so she could guess how good it was.
"And Miranda?" Kylie asked.
"Lonely," he said. "With both her roommates gone, she's feeling rather out of sorts. She, as well as many others, will be happy to hear you are returning.""Right. With no one there with evolving patterns to check out, I guess it's pretty boring."
Burnett shrugged. "I think you would be amazed how many people have inquired about you. You aren't nearly as unaccepted as you perceive, Kylie."
"I miss everyone, too," she admitted. "Can I hug you good-bye?"
He arched a brow in disapproval, and Kylie immediately knew why. Burnett wasn't one to completely let someone off the hook.
"I didn't think I warranted a good-bye hug," he said, reminding Kylie that she hadn't said good-bye to him when leaving the camp.
"I was wrong," she said, accepting she deserved this comeuppance. "I just knew that you would argue with me. It would have made leaving even harder."
"I would have argued. I would have insisted it was wrong," he said. "And I would have been right."
"Maybe not all right. I have learned some things. Plus, he's my grandfather and she's my great-aunt. My time here hasn't been a complete mistake."
"I understand your need to learn about yourself and I agree, there is a time to reunite with family, but not when your life is in danger."
Kylie looked at him. "So one's welfare is more important than ... family. Like Holiday's your family?"
She knew she had him.
He didn't even try to bullshit his way through that one. "I concede."
"Wow, this is a rarity." She smiled.
"Well, enjoy it," Burnett said. "Then again, you knew my one weakness and used it against me."
"Loving someone isn't a weakness," Kylie said. And then concern chased the levity of the moment away. "How certain are you that Mario did this to Helen?"
"Enough that I'm here," he said. "And enough that I will have guards monitoring this place tonight.
Mario has seen your power, Kylie. You threaten his existence."
And yet, she felt powerless against him. She looked past the front gate and saw two figures. Two figures she recognized as Lucas and Derek. They stood a good fifty feet apart as if they weren't even together. Or as if ... they were stationed to ... Were they going to serve as guards? The idea that Lucas might be the one watching out for her, when he'd been the one to hurt her so deeply, sent another wave of pain to her chest.
"Not Lucas," she muttered.
"Not Lucas what?" Burnett asked.
Kylie felt a little childish for feeling the way she did, and even more for voicing it, but she didn't want to have to think about him being this close tonight. She'd have to deal with him being close tomorrow when she returned to Shadow Falls, but not tonight. "I don't want Lucas guarding me."
Burnett opened his mouth to say something, then shut it as if he thought better of it. Then, with a frown, he nodded.
Kylie ignored the look of disapproval and went in to collect her hug.
Burnett's embrace, even cold because of his vampire core body temperature, sent a warm feeling right to her chest. Knowing that tomorrow she would go home made letting go easier, but knowing that she would be forced to be in Lucas's presence made thoughts of her homecoming bittersweet.
* * *Kylie started back to the house, but as she drew closer she grew leery of the conversation that would no doubt take place inside. Needing a few minutes to come up with a way to help her grandfather and aunt understand, she passed the house and started toward the gazebo. The sky glowed a hot pink and the setting sun bathed the scene before her in a golden hue. As she moved between the live oak trees, her gaze caught on the Spanish moss swaying ever so gently in the breeze.