Part 33 (1/2)

Epilogue.

Deoctra stood in the Dodge House guesthouse facing the small, dark Dumont family matriarch. Once she had considered the other fem a friend, mentor and future mother-in-law. More, Palea Dumont had almost taken the place of her own lost mother. Their once-close relations.h.i.+p had been lost in all that had happened between them in the last few years.

”Why have you come here, Diniti?”

”I know I've done things to endanger those you love, but I thought I had... ” She touched her stomach. ”I have a new life growing inside me and two younger siblings to consider. I need my child to be able to grow without fear of reprisal. Is that possible?”

Palea Walker-Dumont bared her incisors and grabbed her by the throat. ”You have committed acts that I find unforgivable. Time and again you have endangered my children, who I love far more than my own life. Because of you, Mikhel nearly had his masculinity stripped from him. You tried to kill my Kattia. You endangered Mikhel's true bloodl.u.s.t. You connived with your protege Diana to kidnap Serge. Now you come asking for forgiveness?”

Palea lifted her in the air and flung her across the room. Deoctra scrambled to her feet, her heart racing. Coming here alone in an effort to make peace had been a mistake. But she tried again. ”Please. Forgive me.”

”No!” Palea flashed across the room and backhanded her. As she fell, Palea gripped her by her neck and lifted her off her feet again, squeezing her throat so tightly Deoctra barely had the strength to attempt to pry her fingers loose. ”Now, you die for all your sins.”

”Mother! No.”

Palea released her throat, allowing her to drop to her knees, gasping for breath.

Deoctra lifted her head and saw Mikhel striding across the room to them.

Palea shook her head. ”Do not interfere, Mikhel.”

”I gave her my word she had nothing further to fear from us, Mother.”

Deoctra crawled on her knees and pressed her back against the wall. She longed to call out to Falcone. But even if she knew where he was and if he managed to come to her defense, she feared Palea would kill him in a rage. As dangerous as her present situation was, she wouldn't risk Falcone's life.

She would have to depend on Mikhel to convince his mother to allow her to leave- alive.

”I gave no such word, Mikhel, and I have already forgiven far too many of her transgressions. She is not leaving here alive.”

Mikhel stepped in front of her. ”I gave her my word, Mother. All her transgressions have been the result of feeling betrayed by me. I bear her no ill will.”

”You nearly died because of her!”

”She made a mistake, Mother.”

”She has made too many of those involving my children. Stand aside.”

”No, Mother.”

”You would challenge me?”