And Then There Were Four (Lilith Carrie)

Ivy.

Burning fires, distant roars, signs of blood, and many more.

These were things that filled my mind every time I closed my eyes, and though I sought comfort and love that I had for my children, I felt incredibly vulnerable.

It had been three days since I'd had the children and three days since I had even touched Damien. He was still not home, and my heart broke every moment he was away.

Some might think I was being selfish because I had three more mates here that doted on me endlessly and wanted my attention, but the problem was, it was hard when part of you was missing.

I wasn't trying to be complicated.

I wasn't trying to ruin the relationships that I had. Everybody seemed to think I should just be okay, but nobody knows what it's like to have a piece of you torn away.

To have someone you love taken from you, and not knowing whether they are alive or dead. That feeling was incredibly raw.

One moment you're trying to pretend you're okay, and the next you're sobbing.

"Hey, you," Kate said, knocking on my door. I hadn't seen her since the day the babies were born. She was full of life, but when we found out that Damian was taken, she headed back home in search of answers. "You're back," I said with a small smile as I stood from where I sat and wrapped my arms around her, embracing her and her hug I feared would end.

"I told you I'd be back now. Where are my little babies at?"

With a small giggle, she strolled over to the crib and looked down at the two sleeping babies within. They were beautiful in every way, and I was still amazed every day at how lucky I was to have them.

"Castor is the sleeping beauty, as always. But her brother Pollux does not enjoy sleeping for more than three hours."

Kate smiled down at them but then turned to me, wrinkling her nose. "I still cannot believe that those are the two names that you chose. Castor is such a boy's name, and Pollux, are you trying to have the poor kid picked on?" Laughter erupted from my lips for the first time in days, and as it did, I watched James pop his head around the corner, staring at me with surprise.

"Holy shit, how did you make her laugh? I've literally been trying to do that for the past few days."

Wide-eyed and brows raised, she stared at him, absolutely dumbfounded by his outburst. "I asked her why she picked those baby names."

Realization dawned on him, and as he looked at the children, he shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "I've literally tried to talk her out of picking those names and sticking with them, but she is adamant that those are the children's names and so, therefore, I will not argue with her."

"They're not that bad. Castor can be shortened to Cassie, which I'm sure that she will go by, and Pollux is a strong, sturdy name, and if he really wanted to shorten, he could shorten it to Polly, which is unisex."

Kate stared at me in disbelief, absolutely speechless, as James sighed at my response.

"Yes, but that is not the only reason you named them that," Mom called from the other side of the nursery where she was folding baby clothes. "Why don't you tell them the other part of the reason why you name them that?"

Shaking my head, I had breathed out heavily and took a seat back in the small rocking chair I had near their crib. My eyes fell onto my sleeping children.

"It was a dream that I had. They were the first set of twins born in Gemini. Their bloodlines are strong and if you pay close attention, you can feel their power within them...I can't explain it."

"So they're Gemini twins?" Kate muttered, scrunching her brows as in confusion. "That's impossible. There haven't been Gemini twins in what-"

"In the last one hundred years," Priscilla said as she walked through the door with a cup of hot tea. "Sorry it took me so long, my dear Hale had a few questions to ask me."

Taking the teacup from her, I smiled and gave her a silent thank you. The steam from the piping hot liquid filled my nostrils, and I closed my eyes, sighed in satisfaction. "This smells absolutely delicious."

"Oh, it is, and the herbs infused in the tea will help to loosen you up and clear your minds so that you can sleep."

I knew Priscilla was right, but the problem was every time I closed my eyes, I saw Damian dying. I knew it was my mind tormenting me because I was so concerned, but to picture him on a boulder as a sacrificial lamb being slaughtered, it was a horrible sight to behold. "I will try to get some sleep. The problem is whether Pollux will allow me to get some sleep."

Everybody in the room chuckled, and my mother smiled, standing to her feet as she walked towards me. "Did you express milk today like I told you to do with the pump?"