King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

Sephie

We had made plans to return to the city the following morning. Vitaliy had agreed to come back with us, but he was going to come up a couple days behind us. He said he needed to take care of a few things in Panama before leaving.

I had quietly snuck off to the bedroom to take my contacts out for a few minutes. I told Adrik where I was going and what I was doing, so he wouldn’t worry about me. I knew he was going to worry about me anyway. I didn’t want to interrupt his conversation, but my eyes were itching so bad that I couldn’t take it. I needed some relief for at least a few minutes. Contacts were highly overrated.

I sat down on the end of the bed, rubbing my eyes, finally getting some relief. I felt a slight breeze, so I opened my eyes. I didn’t remember a door or window being open. When I looked up, there was a woman standing in front of me. At first, I was startled, but she looked familiar somehow. She smiled sweetly at me, then asked, “you can see me?”

I nodded my head, wondering why she would ask that question as I could see her standing plain as day in front of me. She caught on to my confusion. “You’re the only one who’s been able to see me. Or hear me. You really are special,” she said.

I gasped. “You’re Vitaliy’s wife. Adrik’s mother. You’re Lena. How can I see you right now?” Her smile widened. She took a step closer to me and I saw her eyes. The same eyes that I adored on her son. “This has never happened before,” I said, completely taken aback.

“I wanted to thank you,” she said. “I keep an eye on Vitaliy, but I don’t always stay with him. I have other responsibilities. That’s how I met your father. He told me I could make this happen.”

“He always talks to me in my dreams. Never when I’m awake. Except that one time when he swooped in, but even then, I didn’t see him. Did he show you his swooping?” I asked, grinning at her.

She laughed. “You’re very much like him.” She walked closer to me, sitting on the bed beside me. I felt the bed dip as she sat down, like she was completely real. I could see that Adrik got her smile, along with her eyes. The softness in his face came from her as well. He favored his father, but she made his father’s harsh good looks softer.

I said as I was taking

used to say he could get lost in my eyes. Seeing the same eyes on his son just reminded him of his loss.”

in love with

the same as the Jove you have for my son. It’s not an average relationship. It’s…” she paused like

“Eternal,” I said.

Adrik’s touch. “Sephie, I want to thank you. I knew you were coming for my son, but

done anything. I don’t think there’s anything

my face, just like Adrik does almost constantly. “Sweet girl. You’ve already set it in motion. You just have no idea. You’ve already brought them closer than they’ve ever been and this is just the beginning. Part of what makes you unique is your ability to know what the people you care about need, even before they do. Even without you being aware of it. I know you’ve heard stories about my husband and what a cold man he’s been. It’s because most of his light

That’s all,” I said, grinning at her. Curiosity

Vifaliy. Just like yours comes from your father. But much like you, I accepted Vitaliy for who he was completely. There is much to be said for being someone’s safe harbor. Vitaliy, much like Adrik, has a giant heart for those

was a cheeseball in there,” I said, chewing on my bottom lip.

you’ll tell him that. I can’t wait to hear him

I will tell him. And I have a feeling you’re more special that you think. You calmed Vitaliy’s storms. That’s no small feat,” I said. She smiled sweetly at me, brushing another curl back from my face as we both studied each

back. They’re worried about you. Adrik worries about you the way Vitaliy used to worry about me. Ivan is almost as bad. Those men are good men, Sephie. All of them. I know you

be worried about me? It’s only been

to apologize. Tell them I promise not to do this again. They’re going to be angry,” she said,