Chapter 21

A Toddler's Influence.

Clarissa.

I have contemplated bringing Cisca, my daughter, to work for a while now. Maybe the presence of a cheerful toddler would soften Grandma Carter's heart and make her less hostile toward me. With a mix of hope and fear, I prepared Cisca for her first visit to Grandma Carter's house.

"Nolle, do you think it's a good idea? Will she be okay here?" I asked nervously, adjusting Cisca's tiny dress.

I had told Nolle about Cisca, and she accepted her immediately. She loved the little child, and I enjoyed watching them stumble around the house.

Nolle smiled reassuringly. "I think it's worth a try, Clarissa. Cisca has such a radiant personality; maybe she can bring some light into Grandma Carter's world."

I nodded, taking a deep breath. "Let's hope so."

As we entered Grandma Carter's house, her scowl deepened upon seeing us. But when she caught sight of Cisca, her expression softened momentarily, replaced by a slight smile.

"Well, well, what do we have here? Is this your child, Clarissa?" Grandma Carter asked, her voice laced with feigned interest.

"Yes, Grandma, this is Cisca. She's my daughter," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

Grandma Carter crouched down to Cisca's level and extended a wrinkled hand. Surprisingly, Cisca reached out and grasped it, a wide smile spreading across her face. It was as if she knew exactly how to win people over.

"You've got a cute one there, Clarissa. She takes after you," Grandma Carter said, her tone less harsh than usual.

I felt a glimmer of hope, thinking that maybe things were about to change for the better. But just as quickly as Grandma Carter had softened, her expression hardened again.

"Don't think this changes anything. You're still here to work, not play with your child," Grandma Carter snapped, withdrawing her hand.

My heart sank, realizing that her momentary kindness had been just that—a fleeting moment. Cisca seemed unaffected, giggling and tugging on Grandma Carter's hand as if urging her to join in her joy.

"I'll take Cisca to the nursery now, Grandma. She'll stay there while I continue with my duties," I said, fighting back the disappointment.

Grandma Carter waved us off dismissively. "Do what you must; just don't cause any trouble."

Nolle.

I watched as Clarissa reluctantly left Cisca in the nursery, her heart heavy with disappointment. It was clear that Grandma Carter's heart was resistant to any positive change.

As we made our way back to the living room, I couldn't help but feel anger building within me. How could Grandma Carter be so heartless? It made me even more determined to find a way to free Clarissa from this cruel situation.

Later that evening, after a long day of work, I joined Clarissa in the nursery. Cisca was fast asleep, her tiny chest rising and falling peacefully. Clarissa's eyes were filled with both exhaustion and adoration as she gazed at her daughter.

"I can't believe how quickly she's growing," Clarissa whispered, brushing a lock of hair away from Cisca's forehead.

"She's truly a beautiful child, Clarissa," I said softly, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You've done an incredible job taking care of her, despite everything."

Clarissa sighed, her gaze never leaving Cisca. "It hasn't been easy, Nolle. But she's the reason I keep going. She gives me strength."

Clarissa.

"You're an amazing mother, Clarissa. Cisca is lucky to have you," Nolle said, her voice filled with admiration.

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips. "Thank you, Nolle. Your words mean a lot to me."

Nolle leaned in closer, her eyes filled with curiosity. "Can you tell me about your journey, Clarissa? I want to know how you managed to protect and care for Cisca all this time."

I took a deep breath, ready to share my story with my dear friend. "It hasn't been easy, Nolle. When I found out I was pregnant, I was terrified. Clyde drove me out with my pregnancy and would never accept Cisca. So, I sought refuge with a group of supernaturals who understood our struggles."

"I had to keep moving, Nolle, always staying one step ahead of those who sought to harm us. But through it all, Cisca was my guiding light. She gave me the strength to keep going, even in the darkest moments," I said, my voice filled with both pride and vulnerability.

Nolle reached out and took my hand, offering me comfort. "You're so strong, Clarissa. I can't imagine how difficult it must have been for you. But look at Cisca now; she's thriving, and it's all because of you."

Tears welled up in my eyes as I squeezed Nolle's hand. "Thank you for saying that, Nolle. It means the world to me. I wish you could have been there with me through it all."

Nolle's expression softened, and she pulled me into a warm embrace. "I wish I could have too, Clarissa. But I'm here now, and I promise to support you in any way I can."

Nolle.

The night was thick with tension as I found myself wandering the streets, unable to sleep. I couldn't shake off the feeling that something terrible was about to happen.

Just as the unease reached its peak, I heard the sound of a struggle. My instincts kicked in, and I followed the noise to a dimly lit alley. There, I saw Jericho, bloodied and outnumbered, fending off a group of vampires.

Without hesitation, I transformed and ran to protect him. My strength had been tested before, and I had confirmed that I could fight against vampires. I was scared, but I could not let Jericho die. He was the first friend I had in this terrifying city.

I leaped forward, my body moving with an otherworldly speed. I tackled the vampire, knocking him away from Jericho just in time. The force of our collision sent us both crashing into a nearby stack of crates, the wood splintering under the impact.

The vampire hissed, regaining his footing, but I didn't give him a chance to recover. Channeling my rage and determination, I unleashed a series of quick and precise strikes, landing blow after blow on the vampire's vulnerable points. With each punch and kick, I could feel my strength increasing, fueled by the protective instinct surging through me.

"I can't go home to Nova this way; she'll definitely know there's something wrong. I might have to crash with you guys tonight so my wounds will have healed when she next sees me." Jericho said, and I nodded and gave him my shoulder to lean on as he was still limping in pain.

As we made our way back to Clarissa's house, I recounted the events of the night to Jericho, including my worries about the escalating tensions between the vampires and werewolves.

"If not for anything, we have to make this place safe enough for Cisca to grow in." I stated that my brow was creased with worry.