Chapter 104

Everyone boarded the plane and found their seats, settling in for the journey ahead. Kathy glanced at her phone just as it buzzed with a new message from her mom, a gentle reminder of home and the love waiting for her return.

As Kathy glanced down at her phone, she saw a message from her mom: “Please be safe, we will be waiting for you when you return home.” The warmth of the words offered her a brief moment of comfort amid the mounting tension.

“Your mom must worry about you,” said fire fae.

“Yes, she is. One day I will spend more time with her and my vampire step-father King Seth,” Kathy replied softly, imagining a future where family ties could be strengthened despite all the chaos. The thought brought a bittersweet smile to her face, as she wondered what it would be like to truly connect with both her mother and the enigmatic king.

“Wait, you say King Seth?” Fire Fae’s eyes widened in surprise, her voice barely above a whisper as she processed the revelation. The mention of the vampire king seemed to ripple through the group, adding another layer of intrigue to Kathy’s already complicated family story.

“Yes, why?” Kathy replied, her curiosity piqued by Fire Fea’s sudden intensity. She could sense that Fire Fea’s question was more than casual, and the rest of the group seemed to lean in, eager for answers. Kathy hesitated for a moment, wondering just how much she should reveal about her unusual family history.

“Rumors go around that he liked men because nobody never sees him with a woman, always around men. Until he met this mermaid named Grace,” Fire Fea murmured, her tone both speculative and intrigued. The words hung in the air, drawing a few raised eyebrows from the others as they digested the unexpected piece of gossip. Kathy felt a mixture of embarrassment and amusement, realizing just how many stories had circulated about her family—even ones she had never heard before.

Kathy let out a small laugh, shaking her head at the lingering rumors. “Fire Fea, you can’t believe that rumor—and anyway, that mermaid named Grace is my mom, so you can see that Seth is my mother’s mate. And also, my grandfather is Lord Theo. Weird, I know—I still can’t believe it myself,” she admitted, glancing around at the stunned faces. The mixture of disbelief and fascination in the group was almost palpable, and for a moment, Kathy felt the weight of her unusual lineage settle more heavily on her shoulders.

“Wait, that makes you a half-mermaid and your grandfather is Lord Theo,” Fire Fea exclaimed, her voice carrying a mix of astonishment and admiration. The realization seemed to deepen the group's curiosity, and a few passengers nearby could be seen exchanging incredulous glances as they processed Kathy's remarkable lineage. Kathy nodded, feeling the familiar blend of pride and disbelief that always accompanied talk of her family origins.

What was even crazier was that everyone on the plane had heard Kathy’s admission, and a stunned silence fell over the cabin as the truth settled in. Passengers who moments ago had been preoccupied with their own affairs now stared in disbelief, shocked to discover that Kathy was the daughter of Grace—a mermaid princess—mate to the vampire king, and the granddaughter of Lord Theo. Whispers of awe and surprise rippled through the rows, making Kathy feel, for a moment, like all eyes were on her remarkable heritage.

“That make you royal,”

“Look here, I don’t see myself as royal. I’m just a normal person who likes to help people, and I want to be seen for who I am, not for any titles or lineage,” Kathy said, her voice steady but gentle. She glanced around, hoping her words would bridge the gap between her extraordinary heritage and her desire for a simple, genuine connection with others. The group listened quietly, sensing the sincerity in her tone.

What Kathy kept to herself, however, was a crucial secret: she actually owned a secluded home in Switzerland, a safe haven where the group could regroup, rest, and recover before embarking on the perilous mission to rescue Anthony and Miles. She hadn’t shared this information with anyone yet, preferring to wait for the right moment to reveal the existence of this sanctuary, knowing it might provide the solace and comfort everyone would desperately need in the days ahead. Kathy lean back into her chair and closed her eyes, not knowing that Kathy trying to use her power to enter Anthony mind the connection might be weak, but she needs to try.

\-Inside her mind, Kathy reached out with all her focus, silently pleading, “Max or Anthony please answer me. I am on my way to save you. Please give me a sign that you are okay.” She concentrated, sending out the message into the hazy distance of her psychic connection, hoping for even the faintest response from either of them. The silence pressed around her, but she refused to give up, clinging to the hope that one of them would sense her call and let her know they were still holding on.

As Kathy reached out with her mind, trying to connect with Anthony, a sudden image flashed before her—a glowing red thread stretching before her like a pathway through darkness. She instinctively followed it, only to find that the thread wasn’t just a guide but a barrier, pulsing with an energy that felt both protective and ominous. Cautiously, Kathy placed her hand against the invisible wall, feeling its resistance thrum beneath her fingertips.

Suddenly, in the dim haze of her psychic reach, an image flickered to life behind Kathy’s closed eyelids. She saw Anthony laying on the ground, his form curled as if trying to shield himself from something unseen. Shadows flickered around him, but she could just make out the slow rise and fall of his chest—he was alive, but clearly exhausted and vulnerable. Relief flooded her even as worry gnawed at her, and she tried to push more warmth and reassurance through the tenuous psychic link.

Kathy focused all her energy on sending comfort and strength across the psychic link, hoping Anthony could sense not only her words but the depth of her determination to reach him. She pictured him feeling less alone, drawing courage from the knowledge that help was coming soon. “Anthony it’s me please wait little bit longer. We are on our way,”

Kathy felt someone gently rubbing her cheek, and as she slowly opened her eyes, she saw Sarah hovering close, concern etched across her features. The sensation of dampness startled Kathy, and she realized her cheek was wet—tears she hadn't noticed had slipped down while she reached out for Anthony. Sarah’s worried gaze softened as Kathy blinked in confusion, the emotional weight of her psychic connection still lingering.

“Kathy, are you alright?” asked Sarah

“Yes.” Said Kathy

Sarah hesitated for a moment, then gently said, “You are crying, Kathy.” Her voice was soft, filled with empathy, as she reached out a comforting hand. Kathy managed a small, reassuring smile, brushing away the tears.

Kathy took a shaky breath and, voice barely above a whisper, confided, “Anthony is still alive but is very weak. I saw him—he’s holding on, but he needs us soon.” Her words hung in the air, full of hope and urgency, as the group absorbed the gravity of the situation.

Sarah sighed, sat down, and rubbed her back while Kathy wiped her tears and got out wipes. Kathy then intensely wanted Samuel dead.