Strigoi Boyfriend: Briareos 3 (special preview)

Thanks in part to her newest book of poetry, based on the images she had drawn of Briareos, Irini had been able to attract new members to your little monster preservation society. A joke name in the beginning, but now it was becoming a little more official. A young scientist named Victor had come in order to study and learn under you. Another young author named Mary ran away from home to be a protege under Irini. More and more were arriving each day as word about you spread.

Briareos wasn’t the only supernatural entity in the house anymore either. There now was Brom, a werewolf who had reached out to Dr. Navaro. There was also Elisa, a dullahan who had been attracted to Irini’s poetry. The two of them had managed to live among mortals, but were now eager to show themselves as they really were.

You were also growing unmistakably pregnant, which was causing Briareos to into a sort of crazed and over protective nesting period. “Once our baby is born, we will return to the Saliscouche Mountains where he will be met by his kin.”

“They will be a baby, do you think it will be safe to take them into the mountains so young?” You’re trying to walk about and take care of things, but Briareos has been following you like a lost puppy. “Sit down, I have business to attend to. Things to sign. Papers to write.” You sit down behind your desk and take up a quill. “No need to pace.”

“I cannot help it.” He walks back and forth in front of your desk. “I always get protective during this time. All I want is to assure the safety of this child.”

You smile up at him. “And they will be safe, you’re overreacting.”

“The mountains are where this baby belongs. Strigoi children are born strong and with a need for their homeland.” Briareos leans over the desk to look you in the eye. “Our baby will not stop crying until it touches the soil of the mountains.”

You give him a harsh look back. “You’re worried about the safety of the baby here, in my home, but you think we should scale mountains with them?”

Briareos eyes narrow.

“We will discuss it later, my mate.” You continue your paperwork when you notice some mail stacked to the corner. You begin opening it while Briareos stands before the fireplace. One letter is postmarked several times and the handwriting looks strangely familiar.

The letter begins in a startling fashion. “My dearest cousin, I know it has been ages since we last spoke. In fact, you may recall the funeral that was held for me when we were both in our youth.”

You have to set the paper down a second from shock. “Sure,” you whisper. “That’s fine.” You take a breath and pick up the letter again to read.

“This may be shocking and a bit strange, but after all this time, I have found the courage to reach out to you again. I have heard word of your family’s passing, and I wanted you to know you are not alone in this world. I will come to see you soon. Warm regards, Cousin Abraham.”

You set the paper down again and furrow your brow.

“What is it?” Strigoi asks.

“Not sure.” You stand up from behind the desk. “Just a very odd letter.” You walk over to Briareos, placing your hand on his arm to feel a sense of balance. You squeeze his arm gently then rub your palm up and down.

“Your cousin died years ago,” Briareos whispers in the back of your mind. “How would he survive such a thing?”

“His body was never found, just his hand.” You look into his eyes and frown. “I don’t know if I should take this a joke. Perhaps as someone trying to take advantage of me and try to steal a small fortune for their gain.”

“I know what else you are thinking, my mate.” Briareos taps the middle of your forehead. “What if he is one of the undead?”

“That’s couldn’t-” Your voice catches in the back of your throat and you take a deep breath. Briareos gently lays his hands around your shoulders. “It frightens me to think that, even though I have been working so hard to help creatures like that.”