VISITORS

  Isabel appeared in the middle of her living room and sighed deeply. She had just met her mate, and a sharp pain echoed in her heart. She khere was nothing she could do until the mate bond was mated.

  "For a powerful warrior demon, you should be more aware of your surroundings," a voice said from the shadows.

  Isabel smirked and turned her head slightly. "I knew you were there the moment I appeared, Mother. And I also knew you weren't a threat."

  "Is that so?" Lilith replied, uncloaking herself. She stepped forward and hugged her daughter tightly. "How have you been, child?"

  "I'm doing well," Isabel replied softly, returning the hug. She had missed her mother dearly.

  After a moment, Lilith pulled bad gently lifted Isabel's , studying her face. "Hmm, there's something different about you."

  Isabel arched a brow. "Well, I did wash and curl my hair this m."

  Lilith sighed and smiled knowingly. "You found your mate. After only a week here, no less. You wasted no time, did you?"

  Isabel shrugged and brushed off imaginary dust from her shoulder. "That's how I roll."

  Lilith ughed, pride shining in her eyes. "Tell me about her."

  Isabel hesitated. "How did you know it's a her?"

  Lilith smirked. "You're my daughter. I've known you liked women since you were five."

  "Five? Mother, how could you possibly know that when I was so young?"

  "Never mind that," Lilith said with a wave of her hand. "Tell me about her."

  Isabel sighed. "Her name is Rosalie Hale. She's a vampire—a vegetarian, if you believe it. She feeds on animals. She loves cars, and hiking, just like me."

  "Wait." Lilith raised a hand, her eyes narrowing. "She's a vampire? And she feeds on animals?"

  "Yes, and yes. I've already told her that her diet will eventually kill her."

  "And?"

  "She said she'll think about it," Isabel replied with a shrug.

  Lilith took Isabel's hand, squeezing it affeately. "You must vince her, dear. If she dies, you know what will happen."

  "I do, Mother. Don't worry. She's smart; she'll make the right choice."

  Lilith sighed in relief but added, "I talk to her if—"

  "No, no, no," Isabel interrupted, raising a hand. "Your talks always involve 'showing' things, and they never end well."

  Lilith smirked. "It's the only way to ensure you don't fet my lessons."

  "Trust me, Mother," Isabel said, shuddering slightly. "I will never fet."

  "Good." Lilith smiled. "But please, let me know if she needs help."

  "I will." Isabel said. "And don't tell anyone about her."

  "Not even father."

  "Especially him," Isabel said darkly.

  Lilith nodded. "I promise. He loves you, you know."

  "Really? I must've missed that when he sent an army to kill me for saving an i human."

  Lilith sighed. "You're right. No one will hear about Rosalie from me."

  Isabel eyed her mother suspiciously. "From you. Does anyone else know I'm here?"

  "No, child. I made sure of that."

  "Good. Because if I see any of my brothers, I will kill them."

  "Lilith sighed again. "I know. But…"

  "But what?"

  "Andell is looking for you."

  Isabel smirked. "Oh? How's his hand? Did it grow back?"

  Lilith shook her head. "It's still growing."

  "Damnit!"

  "Isabel!"

  "He deserved it."

  "Damned fool, doesn't know how to pick his battle or to win one" Isabel muttered.

  Lilith let out a heavy sigh.

  "I have s," Isabel said with a shrug.

  Lilith turo the window, watg the trees sway gently in the breeze. "I just wish all of you could get along," she murmured.

  Isabel sighed. "Mother, I think you're fetting—we're demons."

  Lilith chuckled. "So true. But you get along with Amelia."

  "Well, yes," Isabel admitted. "My sister is something, isn't she?"

  Lilith turned back to face Isabel, a fond smile on her lips. "Yes, she is. I miss her."

  "I missed her too, " Isabel smiled.

  "Do you know where she is?"

  Before Lilith could reply, Isabel suddenly uhed her sword and blocked an attack aimed at her head. With a swift kick, she sent the assaint flying through the door, shattering it into splinters.

  Lilith drew her own sword but stopped short when she saw who it was. "Andell," she said, exasperated, resheathing her on as she followed Isabel outside.

  Isabel pressed her swainst Andell's throat. "You owe me a new door, brother. Why bother trying? I'm the best fighter."

  "No, you're not!" Andell snapped, his fangs bared in frustration. "I would've won if you hadn't y arm!" He gestured to his slowly regeing limb, his red skin glistening in the sunlight. His long bck horns pointed skyward as he shook his head in anger.

  "That's no excuse. You're a demon. You're supposed to be able to fight until your st breath." Isabel pressed her bde harder against his throat, pierg his skin slightly.

  "Isabel, don't kill your brother," Lilith said with a weary sigh.

  "He's not my brother," Isabel retorted coldly. "I'm beginning to think I'm not part of this family at all."

  "You are right about that." Andell sneered.

  "Andell," Lilith said firmly, "go home."

  "I'm not leaving until she pays for what she's done!" Andell growled, retrieving his fallen sword.

  "She'll kill you if you persist," Lilith warned.

  "I will not lose to an halfling," Andell sneered.

  "What?"

  "That's what you are—a halfling. Why do you think none of us, except Amelia, stand you?"

  Isabel turo Lilith, her eyes narrowing. "What is he talking about, Mother?"

  "I will—"

  Andell seized the distra and attacked again. But Isabel was ready, sidestepping his strike and severing his other hand with a sweep of her bde.

  "You bitch!" Andell roared, bck blood spurting from his wound.

  "Now You have two hands to grow back." Isabel smiled evily.

  "I'm going to kill you." Aoook a stepped towards Isabel.

  "With what?" Isabel raise a brow.

  "Go home, Andell. This fight is over," Lilith said, her voice sharp with annoyance.

  "You love her more than us!" Andell shouted. "Mark my words, Mother. I will find a way to kill your favorite child." With that, he disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

  Isabel resheathed her sword. "Now that the nuisance is gone, what did he mean by 'halfling'?"

  Lilith cursed under her breath, relut to reveal the truth. Finally, she stepped closer and took Isabel's hands, squeezing them gently. "Victor isn't your father."

  "What?" Isabel asked, stunned.

  "In fact," Lilith tinued hesitantly, "you don't have a father."

  "What?" Isabel's fusion deepened.

  "You have another mother."

  "Well, damn," Isabel said, her shock giving way to bemusement. "I Didn't see that ing."