Bitten (Book 1 - Book 4) novel Chapter 68

Natalia felt relieved to get home. The laneway was cleared of all debris and cement. The limo was now the only vehicle in the laneway.

“Looks like Uri moved cars,” Zena said.

“Let’s hope we get a good nights sleep and then a relaxing day at the lake tomorrow.”

“I hope so, too,” Zena said.

The house was quiet. Uri stepped out of his office when they came in. Zena headed for the kitchen.

“Done for the day?” she said to him.

“Yep. Tunnel is through the garage. We’ll pour the new pad on Monday.”

“A different cement truck, I presume?”

He nodded and laughed, then leaned in to kiss Victoria’s cheek.

“How’s my girl?”

“Wonderful. Quiet when nothing’s going on, she’s not hungry or needs a diaper change.”

“How’s Corean?”

“Regretting the fact that she didn’t get with Grazie. Otherwise, fine. Alaina looks just like Grace.”

“I told you. When Grazie took over Sherri’s children, he’d become the man that every woman desires.”

“Not every woman,” she said with a yawn. “I’m tired.”

“Early bed,” he said.

“Are you on watch tonight?” she said, yawning again.

“Yes, but there’s enough of us so we can get some sleep.”

“If nothing happens.”

“If nothing happens,” he said with a nod.

After dinner, Natalia was more than ready to surrender Victoria to Mag. She could hardly keep her eyes open. After a quick shower, she slipped into bed. It felt odd that it was still light out, but she was so tired it didn’t keep her from falling asleep.

Natalia bolted upright. The sun was full up.

“What?” Uri said, hardly looking to be awake.

“It’s morning.”

“U huh.”

“Victoria slept through the night?”

“No, I brought her to nurse twice.”

“Oh, I don’t remember.”

“Milk bar works whether you’re awake or not,” he mumbled.

She settled down beside him, but knew he was already back to sleep. Now she felt it was too light out to sleep. With care, she slid out of bed and went in with Victoria.

‘You’re awake, little girl.’

Victoria blinked. Natalia picked her up and settled into the rocking chair.

‘Such blue eyes.’

Mag stepped in.

“Oh, you’re awake.”

“I didn’t have to stand watch and apparently slept through the feedings.”

“Quiet night, thankfully. Let me check her diaper.”

Natalia handed her over.

The morning progressed peacefully. There weren’t any workers. The only activity was Mag, Zena, and Kate moving furniture back into the other house. The cleaning crew were there, finishing up cleaning the main floor and the basement. Natalia was amazed at the transformation when she went over to look. Uri was glad to find nice hardwood floors under the carpet.

“We don’t have to do much but give them a polish,” he said.

“We?”

“Not top priority just yet. Painting first.”

“We?”

Uri smiled and kissed her on the cheek.

“Yes, the ladies will get it done. I’ve authorized Mag to get whatever help she needs.”

“Good.”

“Are we packed for the lake?”

“I am, but I intend to lounge on the deck with Victoria and Francie. You river rats can boat and swim. So, are you packed?”

“Lake, not river. Yes, I’m packed.”

“Water. Same thing,” she said.

There was some excitement in the air. Natalia found herself looking forward to going as well. She realized how much everyone else was looking forward to it when promptly at eleven-thirty, Mag herded everyone toward the limo. There was little need for herding. Everyone was ready to go.

“Let’s go. I’m not being late,” Mag said.

“There’s no being late,” Natalia said when she settled into the limo.

Uri strapped Victoria into the car seat. She fussed a little, but he let her hold his finger, which seemed to sooth her.

“Noon sharp,” Mag said.

“Need to maximize our time in the sun,” Zena said.

There were no check points, but traffic was heavy.

“Everyone is out,” Natalia said.

“Beautiful day,” Uri said.

At exactly noon, Bonnie pulled the limo up to Moralis’s house. They weren’t the only ones arriving.

“Tia and Grazie,” Natalia said. “I see they are still using two cars.”

“Out,” Uri said. “Bonnie has to move the limo to make room for all the cars.”

“Hi, girls,” she said when she was out of the car.

“Hi,” the children said in quick greetings.

They immediately headed around the house toward the dock. Francie stood at the door waiting for everyone else.

“You look ready to explode, Francie.”

“So nice of you to notice, Uri,” she said with a laugh. “Come on in. Moralis is down by the boats.”

Natalia followed Francie out to the deck which proved to be a good vantage point to see everything.

A maid stepped out to set out a pitcher of iced tea and cups.

“This is Stacia. My savior since I can’t do too much. This is Nattie and her daughter Victoria. She’s only a few days old,” Francie said.

“Oh, my word,” Stacia said.

Her demeanor changed from friendly to terrified. She stepped away.

“Stacia,” Mag said in a stern voice. “She’s just a baby.”

“Yes, maam,” but she left the deck, retreating back into the house.

Natalia looked quizzically at Mag and Francie. Mag rolled her eyes.

“Stupid beliefs,” Francie said. “Just ignore her.”

“What’s the problem?” Natalia said.

“Stacia, come out here,” Mag said, going in after her. “Come see.”

“No,” came a frighten voice from the house. “It’s a Specter. Can’t you see?”

Her voice quivered.

“What exactly is a Specter? I’ve heard this a few times,” Natalia said.

“It’s just a stupid belief,” Francie said.

“What’s with Stacia?” Bonnie said when she arrived.

“Specter,” Francie said.

“Oh, my word. Stacia. Don’t be an idiot,” Bonnie said.

Mag appeared dragging Stacia with her.

“Just touch her,” Mag said.

“Are you out of your mind?” Stacia said, pulling back.

Mag reached out and touched Victoria.

“I touched her. I’ve changed her diapers. I’ve bathed her. Am I dead? Am I cold? I’m holding your hand. Is it cold?”

“N-no.”

Stacia looked cautious.

Francie stepped up.

“May I?”

“Sure,” Natalia said, handing over Victoria.

“Oh, no, Miss Francie,” Stacia said with horror.

“She has lovely coloring, just like her mother.”

“Thanks,” Natalia said.

She explained the blonde genes from both sides.

“Bound to happen,” Francie said.

“Touch her,” Mag said.

Francie stepped over close to Stacia who was held firmly in place by Mag.

“Grow up,” Mag said. “Specters are just a story.”

Stacia tentatively reached out to touch Victoria through her blanket.

“Sh-she’s warm,” Stacia said.

She moved her hand and touched Victoria’s cheek.

Victoria pursed her lips.

“She’s a baby. A Viperian baby,” Mag said.

“What exactly is a Specter?” Natalia said again.

Francie handed Victoria over to Stacia, who look somewhat startled, but reflexively took her.

“Here. You need some practice,” she said.

“Oh, my word,” Stacia said. “She’s alive.”

Natalia looked at the others with confusion.

Mag gave her a look that said to wait.

“Of course, she’s warm and alive,” Francie said.

Mag stayed close to Stacia.

“Have a seat, Nattie,” Francie said.

There were umbrellas set up to create shade. Francie sat looking tired.

“I can see why families want boys,” Natalia said, taking a seat in a lounge chair. “They’re done sooner.”

Francie chuckled.

Stacia now seemed entranced with Victoria. Bonnie took over the duties of pouring iced tea. After some time had passed, Mag gently took Victoria from her and sat beside Natalia.

“In Viperian households,” Mag said, “stories are told to keep children in line. Stories are used to help children understand and control their emotions.”

“Specters are bad,” Stacia said, sitting with them.

“When children reach about two years of age, they get full of themselves and they don’t quite know how to control their emotions.”

“We call it the terrible twos,” Natalia said.

Mag nodded.