Unveiled: The Cursed Trilogy, Book Three by Betty Legend (i love reading .TXT) 📕

hand on her shoulder—“this is my boyfriend, Phoenix. He’s a vampire.”

“It’s great to meet you.” Rachel shakes the hand he extends.

“Likewise. Selene has had many wonderful things to say about the two of you.”

Sliding under Phoenix’s arm, I put mine around his back. Leaning over, he kisses my head, and Rachel’s attention lingers on his mouth. I’m sure she got a glimpse of his fangs.

My mom sets a plate of chocolate chip cookies on the counter.

“I apologize, Phoenix. I run my own bakery, and I’m used to baking for guests, but I wasn’t sure what to prepare for you.”

“It’s all right, Claire. I had dinner before we came.”

Rachel grimaces, and I laugh.

“Vampires don’t have to drink from humans,” I tell her.

Sitting on one of the stools, she pulls a cookie off the plate.

“What happens when you do, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“It’s fine,” Phoenix assures her. “It can be quick, leaving the human with little to no memory of what happened.”

“Do you put them in a trance?”

“Something like that.”

Grabbing the plate of cookies, my mom points to the living room.

“Let’s move in there, so we can be comfortable while we get to know one another.”

Leading the way, she sets the cookies on the baby blue coffee table before she takes a seat in one of the chairs. Sitting on the couch, I snuggle close to Phoenix.

Pulling the blanket off the back of the other sitting chair, Rachel settles into it.

“Where are the rest of the guys?”

Phoenix stays quiet, allowing me to share how much or little I want.

“Cyrus and Griffin are working on a complicated project, and Killian is helping Emeric with a security job.”

My mom lifts a cookie off the plate. “It’s great they’re working so well together. What is it you do, Phoenix?”

“I’m the next-in-line to become the patriarch of the Artino vampire family.” Mom’s and Rachel’s eyes widen. “The Artino family dabbles in several industries: resorts, real estate, art dealing, and more. I personally am a fan of art collecting and dealing. I have numerous works from an extraordinarily talented painter by the name of Selene Delavore.” Putting an arm around me, he winks above a gorgeous smile. Leaning toward him, I give him a quick kiss.

“He bought an entire collection of mine and has a painting hanging in every one of his homes, including our home on Mordeeves Island.”

My mother closes her eyes and takes a breath. “The Artino family?”

“Yes,” Phoenix confirms.

Rachel and I catch my mother’s tightened mouth.

“What is significant about your family?” Rachels asks. “I apologize for not knowing. I’m new to the supernatural world and magic.”

Phoenix offers a small smile. “It’s quite all right.”

My mom fidgets with her hands. “Their bloodline comes from original vampires. They are born, not turned into vampires.”

Rachel’s mouth turns upward with her brightened eyes. “You’re born a vampire? How fascinating!”

“Yes.” Phoenix smiles at her enthusiasm. “As an Artino vampire, we’re forbidden to turn any humans into vampires. Our bloodline must remain pure.”

“Wow. How many Artino vampires are there?” She takes a bite of her cookie, and a few crumbs fall on her swollen belly. Wiping them away, she returns her focused attention to the conversation.

“Many. We have covens all over the world. It’s not uncommon for an Artino vampire to have more than one companion and several children in their lifetime.”

My mom glances at me with worry. Rachel, never one to hide her curiosity, continues her questions.

“Do you have any vampire children?”

Phoenix rubs my shoulder. “Not yet.”

Caressing Phoenix’s leg, I steal his attention. He knowingly looks at me and gives an encouraging nod.

“That’s something I want to discuss with the two of you.”

Rachel stalls her hand on the way to her mouth.

“You’re pregnant!”

My mother’s eyes widen so large, I see the white of her eyes. Rachel is grinning, waiting with excited anticipation.

“I am pregnant, but we don’t know who the father is yet.”

Squealing with joy, Rachel leaves her chair and waits for me to stand to hug her.

“Our babies are going to be close in age! I want them to be close like we are.”

“I do too.” Wiping a loose tear, I smile at her rosy cheeks and excited grin. “I know it’s a boy.”

Rachel takes my hands and wiggles. “I’m having a boy too!”

We hug again, and my mom leaves her chair, a combination of joy and apprehension in her eyes. Motioning her hands, she beckons me, and I embrace her in a hug. She doesn’t let go.

“My baby girl is going to be a mother. I’m going to be a grandmother.” Her voice catches, and I hear the beginning of tears. I pull back, and she’s smiling at me, but I can still see the worry as tears pool in her eyes.

“It’s sooner than I wanted to have a child, but it doesn’t matter. I’m excited to meet my baby.”

Phoenix stands, putting his hands on my shoulders and massages.

“We’re all thrilled she’s pregnant. Every one of us wants to be a father. We’ve promised her we’ll be happy for the father, whoever he is.”

My mom meets his gaze, her stance confident. “Four of you are going to be disappointed, while she and the father will be overjoyed. Don’t lie to yourselves. It’s going to be difficult and a strain on your relationships.”

“I’m aware.” Phoenix rubs my back, soothing the blow of my mother’s words. “Even if the child isn’t mine, I’m not going anywhere. I want a life with Selene. We want a child and family together.”

My mom exhales and looks off, her hand rubbing down the side of her face, then returns her gaze to Phoenix, her mouth tight.

“All of you want a child with her?”

“Yes.”

“So, you all expect her to bear five or more children?”

Phoenix doesn’t miss a beat.

“Only if Selene wants to have five or more children. The choice is hers, not ours.”

“I don’t know. Is it?” My mother’s head tilts. “When one or all of you is disappointed the child isn’t yours, will she be guilted into having more children?”

“Mom! This