Free Set To Start (Morningstars) by Sam Destiny

matter in the end. One way or the other, the news would find their way back to her and maybe this was like a Band-Aid, better pulled off quickly instead of the slow, burning pain.
    “I will tell you, but I’d prefer to discuss this family’s matters first. Your father and I want you to move back in. You were a warrior’s girl and people know that stuff. No matter how much you think you blend in, they’ll find you. There is something different about you because you’ve been directly touched by fate ten years ago. You leaving us had been what you wanted, but let’s face it – you can’t get out of this life. I want you to come back and help me with social work for our race. Move back in, Ciarda, and be our daughter again,” her mother pleaded, for the first time ever looking truly broken. Even when they had realized that Cia no longer was a vampire, she had been strong for her. Now, her mother obviously no longer was.
    “I…”
    “What is left for you out in their world?” Cia was about to correct them, telling her that it was her world, too, but her mother was right. Her view had shifted. She didn’t want a house and a child any longer. In fact, she didn’t want anything but to go back to bed and sleep forever. Maybe then she wouldn’t hurt as much. Yet, maybe staying at her parent’s house, going back to being a Morningstar even if she wasn’t going to live on blood, would make her broken heart heal easier. Social work was her calling after all, which she had realized at the daycare center and she wouldn’t be alone any longer.
    The longer she considered that, the more she actually liked the idea.
    “Well, I will have to get my stuff back though,” she explained, turning back to her mother. As expected, her mother grinned sheepishly.
    “Your father may or may not have already arranged for a moving business to go there and get your things. Your keys were in your bag,” she explained and Cia closed her eyes.
    “Mom, just because I’m moving back, I will not be pushed around. You need to ask me before making decisions that concern me,” she snapped, thinking about all those rather embarrassing things the movers could find. Her nightstand was filled with … she shook her head, figuring it was too late anyways.
    “They have order to tape your things and not take anything out, so your closet and everything else will be carried over exactly the way it was in your apartment,” her mother promised, not even asking what things Cia could be hiding, and she was glad about that. “We know, child, that you are no longer the impressionable little daughter we had. You have grown up to be an amazing woman, independent and sweet. Trust me, we don’t want to change you back in what you used to be, but we want to make this life –”
    “Mom, I won’t die today or tomorrow, so stop acting as if that would happen,” Cia snapped and her mother looked hurt. “I’m sorry,” she instantly said and then knelt in front of her mom, bracing herself for the next topic. Resting her head in her mother’s lap, she took a deep breath.
    “So, break my heart, mom, before we start making me whole again.”
    “Colbin, the leader of the warriors, is looking for a mansion. Something big. Something really big,” her mother said, her voice foreboding. Unfortunately, Cia had no idea what exactly that meant.
    “Oh … wow,” she said and the irony obviously didn’t get lost on her mom.
    “Oh sweetie, there’s so much you and your generation need to learn,” her mom sighed, going through her hair. “I don’t know for sure, but your father and I agree on one thing. Your story about your warrior and his brother, and the fact that Colbin needs a house that’s huge can mean only one thing: They found the Queen.”
    Shock knocked the breath out of Cia. “How sure are you?” she wanted to know. Kaden wouldn’t leave his brother’s side if the girl were not only Jaden’s Origin, but the damn Morningstar Queen.
    “He never