“How did you get this dagger?” Another question popping out of her mouth.
“Dante's right, you do have a thirst for information,” he smiled. “The brothers fled home that night. When they returned the next day to destroy the evidence, her body had just vanished but the dagger remained.”
Tammy placed her hand on her forehead and bit down on her lip. “What exactly do I have to do?”
“You have to reverse the curse, Tammy. You need to mix mortal blood with hers using the same dagger. Exactly the same way she did.” He reached out for Tammy's hand and with a fingertip drew an invisible line down her palm and copied on his own hand. His hand then locked with Tammy's hand. “See very simple,” he smiled again. “Can you do that?” Tammy nodded, speechless. “Good, they will come soon for your daughter and you must be ready.”
“The dagger is taped to the back of Angus's portrait” her grandmother said. “I placed it there the day I left Ashville manor.” Once again she reached out to Tammy and hugged her hard. “I believe you, Tammy. Remember all of this. You're the one to break this curse.” Her lips pressed a kiss on Tammy's cheek. “Remember!”
The three held hands and began to walk away in the direction they had come from. “No!” Tammy cried out. “No... Don't go... Don't leave me.” She tried to run after them, but her legs didn't move. She had lost her grandmother again and the grief once again took over. “No!” She screamed.
***
Dante's head rested on the side of Tammy's hospital bed, his hand still remained locked with Tammy's. He looked up at her, she looked tiny but at least she was still here. The tubes from the machines looked scary and the beeping noise was giving him a headache. His jaw clenched tight as he remembered how useless he had been in the whole thing.
He almost lost her and the thought was still haunting him, even though she was safe now and on the mend. He just wished she would wake up. For three days now she had remained peacefully asleep.
“She's getting colour in her cheeks now, Dante” his eyes looked up at Tammy's mother sitting on the other side of the bed. She had remained at the hospital just like Dante. She stood up and leaned over to brush some of Tammy's hair away from her face. “I would love to know what she is dreaming about...”
“No!” Tammy screamed as her eyes opened wide. The light was too bright and she had to close them again. “No,” she cried.
“Tammy?” She heard Dante call out. Tammy's eyes opened again, both her mother's and Dante's faces were staring down at her. She was no longer in the countryside, but lying down in some room. She tried to think why she was here. Her hand slowly slid down to her stomach, it now felt empty.
The terror filled her face and her eyes darted to Dante. Was she too late? Her baby, where was her baby. “Dante?” Her face was pitiful and weak. “Where is...”
“Shh” Dante calmly replied, his fingertips running through her hair. “Maybe you should go and tell a nurse, she has woken up.”
“Of course” her mum replied, she leaned over and gave Tammy a quick kiss before leaving.
Now there were alone, it was safe for Tammy to ask her question. “Have they taken the baby?”
Dante narrowed his eyes and took in a deep breath. “No,” he simply answered. “Our baby is safe. She is in the special-care unit and will be for some time.” He sat down on the edge of the bed and his eyes didn't leave his wife. His hand gripped hers and he pulled it up to his lips. “She is beautiful, just like you” he whispered before placing a single kiss on her soft skin.
“At last,” said a voice, Tammy turned her head as a plump woman was entering the room quickly followed by her mother. She started looking at the machines. “You gave everyone a scare, young lady,” she had a full blown northern accent. “Everything looks good... We can rid of these.” She started to switch the machines off. “Once you have refreshed, maybe daddy could take you to Baby” she smiled.
Tammy and Dante's eyes locked. “Yes please,” she replied.
***
Jenna dashed into the maternity ward and was glad to see Dante grabbing some coffee from the machine. He turned round and when he saw Jenna he froze.
“What are you doing here?” He snarled, taking long strides. His fist clenched around the coffee cup, he stopped when he felt the hot coffee spill over. His eyes glared at Jenna, who did she think she was turning up here?
Jenna looked down at her feet. What was she accepting a welcome comity, she knew Dante hated her and why. “I... err... I” her voice was small and weak. She felt uncomfortable under Dante's glare. This was new. She had never been scared of him before. Then, before she had never willingly taking his side. Although, he didn't know that, did he?
“Spit it out, hag” his voice could have easily turned water into ice. His dark eyebrows almost meeting in the middle and his eyes narrowed.
How could Tammy live with that? Jenna thought. She quickly dismissed the idea. She had to learn to somehow not to hate him. Everything she had been told had to be erased, she had to learn to accept him and be his friend.
“How is Tammy?”
“None of your business” Dante quickly replied back. “Don't even ask about my baby?”
“Is the baby okay?”
Dante's mouth twisted with anger and he leaned a little closer towards Jenna. “I am not telling you anything. Go back to your pack of bitches and tell them you know nothing.” He turned to walk off.
“Wait!” Jenna yelled after him. “Please, give me a second... Dante!”
Slowly Dante turned round and just shrugged his shoulders. Jenna took a deep breath and hurried to stand in front of him. She took in a deep breath. Once she had said this out loud she wouldn't be able to take it back. After this she had crossed into the enemy's line.
Her hand slowly moved up to her throat, it still ached from the bruising. She no longer wanted to be like Glandis, she was a cold hearted murderer. Her eyes looked back at Dante. He was actually waiting patiently for her to speak.
Jenna swallowed hard, she had to do this and she had to do this now. “I've come to tell you I am on your side,” she gave a faint smile and her voice was friendly. “I'll do whatever it takes to help you and Tammy run away with the baby.”
Dante gave a little chuckle and shook his head. Did she think he was that stupid to believe her? At the end of the day she was nothing but one of them. He wouldn't even spit on her if she was on fire.
“Go away,” he coldly said.
“I'll tell Tammy everything she needs to know, Dante. This isn't a trick, I meant everything I said. I don't want to hurt my friend, I couldn't dream of taking her baby away.” She let out a little air from her mouth and ran a hand through her hair. He wasn't buying any of this and of course he wouldn't. “Give me a chance, please,” she begged.
No flicker of emotion crossed his face. Jenna waited, but yet he didn't say anything. He just stood still with that look across his face. He was making her feel small. She squared her shoulders in aim to gain some height. He was intimidating her and he knew it.
“Please,” she whispered. “Trust me.”
Dante sighed; he couldn't believe he'd actually fallen for it. There was something in her words that cried out that she was telling the truth. He rolled his eyes and tilted his head towards Tammy's room. He was going to keep a good eye on Jenna and if at any time he thought she was lying, she would know about.
Dante turned on his heel and walked back to Tammy with Jenna following behind. He opened the door and strolled in. “Hey, you have a visitor.”
Jenna stepped in and was surprised to see Tammy sat up in bed smiling. She looked around the room. There was no baby in sight. Surely Tammy should have been distressed, but the smile on her face was massive and there was no hint of sadness anywhere in the room.
“Jenna” Tammy beamed. “You came,” she held out her arms and immediately Jenna raced over and hugged her best friend. “I am really glad you are here.”
Jenna pulled away. She began to feel
awkward as she knew Dante was glaring at her from the other side of the room. She straightened out her shoulders and some how a smile appeared on her face. “Where is your baby, Tammy?”
“Being very well looked after” Tammy said, she pulled something out of her dressing gown pocket and placed it Jenna's hands. “We are calling her Hope.”
Jenna's eyes swept across the picture of the tiny baby, she had Tammy's pale skin, green eyes but everything about her was Dante. Jenna let out a sigh of relief, their baby was perfect. Just looking at this picture reinforced Jenna she was doing the right thing. This perfect little creature deserved to stay with her parents. It was unfair that Hope should pay the price for something she had no idea about.
“She is beautiful” Jenna could feel her eyes welling up. “She is really beautiful, Tammy. You are going to make a wonderful mother.” She quickly leaned over and kissed Tammy on the cheek.
Chapter Nineteen
Dante carried Tammy in the house and up the stairs towards her room. Tammy had finally been allowed to leave hospital, however Hope would have to stay a little longer. Tammy had been pleased about that, at least they wouldn't be coming any time to take her away.
She looked up at her strong, handsome husband. She hadn't dared tell him about her dream. Although, she thought it was too real to be a dream. She had spoken to them face to face, even now when she closed her eyes, she could see Angus's face and hear his words. She was desperate to find out if they held any truth or if she was just plain crazy.
Dante placed her down onto the soft cream carpet. She had to admit it felt great to be home. Even though they did have to stay in Ashville Manor and not their cottage. Tammy looked around. It looked exactly the same as when she first arrived over a year ago.
“Go and lay down” Dante softly whispered in her ear.
Tammy spun round slowly to face him, her hands resting on his forearms. “I need to read that book, Dante”.
Dante's lips twitched with disapproval, she had just got home from the hospital “No” he hissed. “You need to rest.” He walked over to the bed and pulled back the covers. “You had a very traumatic and serious operation. You need to sleep and get stronger from when Hope comes home.”
Tammy folded her arms. He was doing that thing again. A little smile came to her lips when she realized she wouldn't have him any other way. She made her way over to the bed and crawled in.
Dante raised an eyebrow. “Good,” he nodded.
“Now can I have the book?” She her best girly smile and watched the cold look evaporate from Dante's face. “Please,” she added softly.
A little laugh escaped Dante's lips. How could he ever refuse her when she looked at him like that? Dante grabbed the book off the dresser and sat back down beside her.
Tammy started to quickly flick through the pages as Dante looked at her fascinated. She was deep in thought, her teeth biting down on her bottom lip. Dante wondered what it was she was looking for. He knew she had read the book a million times.
He rested his head against the head broad and sighed. There was never any escape from this curse, it followed them to the hospital and was here waiting when they got home. With Hope in the hospital, he could relax a little and focus on Tammy. However, this was just the calm before the storm.
The thought that he could end up like Angus sent fear through his body. His eyes looked over at Tammy's perfect tiny face, her big green eyes scanning the pages. The idea of her living without him was a horrid thought.
He suddenly found himself relying on Jenna to keep him and girls together forever. How life had changed quickly... He was now a father and husband and he still had to endure the horror of being a vampire.
“Oh my god” Tammy squealed in delight. Dante watched as her fingertips traced an outline of a picture. Her eye swept over and locked with his. She looked like she had just won the lottery, what was good about a picture in that book? Dante hated it, the thought that his ancestors had spent time writing down their discomfort made his skin crawl.
“Do you know what this is, Dante?” Tammy huskily said her eyes full of delight. If she had any strength in her, she would be jumping up and down on the bed in excitement. How could she of missed this? Although there were no words. Just a beautiful drawing of a dagger. She wasn't mad or crazy... Angus's words were true. She had seen and spoken to her Gran.
For the first time in weeks she felt at peace knowing her grandmother was happy. She could feel the tears springing up in her eyes and she took in a deep breath.
“What is it?” Dante asked as he wiped a single tear from Tammy's cheek. “You can tell me...”
Tammy opened her mouth and then quickly closed it. She would show him and see for sure if the words were true. “Take me to Angus's portrait and I will show you.”
Dante carried her and placed her in front of Angus's portrait. He watched as her eyes lit up with amusement. He wished she would share and not leave him in the dark. In fact, she had been acting weirdly since waking up. Dante had been ready to console and comfort her, but she had remained cheerful. She was the complete opposite before Hope was born. Her own words ' they were doomed'. What was with the change of attitude?
“Tammy” Dante said, his voice shaking in places. “What is going on? You're actually starting to freak me out?”
Tammy gave a little laugh, she was freaking Dante out? There was a first for everything. Would he believe if she told him? She looked over at her beautiful husband; his mouth tight and his dark eyes urging her on. Maybe he would, after all this was much to do with him as much as her. She grabbed hold of his hand and held it tightly, they were in this together.
“Tammy!” Dante demanded, now becoming very awkward in her silence and staring. “Now, please!”
“Do you believe in afterlife?” Dante's eyebrows rose and looked bewildered. Tammy smiled and bit down on her lip, it was a very rare moment to find Dante speechless. She had only managed it once, well twice if you counted now. “I do” her eyes turned back to the portrait as if she was locked in a magical spell.
Dante shook his head, she was crazy. He reached out and placed his hand on her forehead. “You are a little hot... Do you think you have a fever?”
She pushed Dante's hands away and frowned. “No!” She stepped a little closer to the portrait, once again Angus had somehow managed to hypnotize her. “They came to me,” she finally said in a breathless whisper.
Dante was now behind her, his hand resting on her shoulders. His own eyes fixated on his uncle. “What do you mean?”
“I saw them, Dante. Just like you stand there now,” a smile twitched on her lips and for the first time she felt superior. The strength ran through her body. “Angus told me... I am the one.”
Dante suddenly remembered what his father said. “Tell me now,” he growled. His arms released Tammy's shoulder and his dark eyes stared down at her. “Please,” he whimpered at that the woman he loved.
Tammy shook her head and pressed her fingertips against her temples. “You don't know about the dagger?” Tammy hesitated. She didn't feel very superior now. Dante looked confused, his mouth tight and his eyes wide.
Tammy hated that look. She knew he liked to be in control. He liked everything his way and now she had one over him. Her eyes snapped back at the portrait. What if it was a dream? What if there was no end? What if someone was actually going to take her baby?
For some unknown reason Tammy felt her c-section wound stab with pain and she fell onto the floor. She let out a little murmur of pain, no she couldn't be wrong. After all her Gran said she was the one. The same image haunted her.....
They had followed the coffin into the church or what Tammy thought was a church. The hymns or the readings didn't make Tammy feel any better. She knew that within minutes her Gran was going to be pushed into those flames. Her body burned.
Tammy took in a deep breath and listened as her mother cried in front. It wasn't fair... Her grandmother was never going to meet Tammy's baby. Altho
ugh, Tammy didn't know how long she would actually get with her child. What had happened? Why had her grandmother been taken away without any warning? She had seemed fine the day before she passed.
Now her own tears began to fall and she found herself lost in her own grief. Dante's strong arms wrapped round her and she rested her tearful face on his shoulder and wept quietly. Why was life unfair?
She looked through her wet eyelashes. The coffin filled with her grandmother peaceful body began to move through some doors. It was time to say her finally good-bye. It slowly disappeared and red curtains shut out what was happening....
“Tammy?” Dante was now by her side. “What is this all about?” Her behaviour was beginning to upset him. His hands reached out and cupped her face. Her big green eyes staring up at him filled to the brim with tears. This was heart wrenching not knowing what was going on in her mind. Then it clicked what she had said before she had fallen onto the ground.’ They came to see her?'
Who? Dante quickly moved his hands away from her face and pushed himself back on his feet. Jenna was tricking him. How? How did they get into the hospital room without him noticing?
He began to pace in front of Tammy, his fingers locked in his dark hair. He finally stopped and slowly looked down at Tammy. “When did these monsters see you?” His voice full of anger and slightly growling.
“Monsters?” Tammy barked back. “No monsters came to visit me! Angus and Gran came to me in my sleep. Angus told me what has to be done to end this.”
Dante let out a deep sigh of relief, for a split second he had been tempted to find Jenna and destroy the witch. Then realization set in, she believed someone had visited her. The stress was seriously affecting her more than he'd assumed.
Once again, he dropped to his knees and cupped her face. “My dear Tammy” he breathed. “It was just a dream. It probably didn't mean anything.”
Her little face screwed up and her lips pouted. “I knew you would say that” she snapped as she pushed his hands away. “You think I’m crazy, admit it!”
Dante sat back on his heels. “No, I just know you've had a lot to deal with at the moment.” his hands rubbed his face. He was beginning to feel drained. Life was certainly being a challenge at the moment and the worse was yet to come. Dante took in a sharp breath, maybe he should just amuse her to avoid her getting worked up. He thought things were weird, but this won hands down.