The government had taken everything from Rosalie. Confiscated even his legitimate assets and left her destitute. The Squires had given her a job, and after a few years, they had sent in suitable beaux to date his wife and one of them had finally married her.
While Harris had lived, he had sent Gallagher updated photos and news about Gallagher's son and grandchildren. The Squire's Council had ensured the safety and well-being of his family while he had gone
about his business of hunting and killing Daimons.
Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) Ash had warned him how hard it would be.
"So long as you have direct descendants still living, it will haunt you. But it does get easier… in time."
Other Hunters had told him the same thing, but right now with his great-granddaughter standing before him, he didn't believe it. God, it was so unfair.
Or maybe this was his atonement for living the violent life he had chosen.
Always an outsider. A part of the world, but not in it. He winced at the truth.
Weary and hurt, he excused himself from the girls and made his way out of the hospital. The street outside was virtually empty. The late hour had sent everyone home seeking warmth. Comfort.
He doubted if he would ever feel either again.
When he pulled into the private garage that was across the street from Sanctuary, Elizar Peltier came out of the back door and stopped. The man's long, curly blond hair was pulled back from his face. He wore a pair of black chinos and a baggy black sweater.
"Jamie Gallagher," he said slowly. "I'll be damned." He turned and called into the open door, "Kyle, go tellMaman to put on a plate of corned beef and cabbage. We have a Dark-Hunter in need of food."
Gallagher nodded his thanks. "Hi Zar, it's been awhile."
"About thirty or so years, I think, since we last had the pleasure of your company."
Time was truly fleeting to an immortal. "Yet you still remember my favorite food."
Zar shrugged. "I never forget a friend."
Neither did Gallagher. They were too few and far between.
Zar led him to the building next door to the Sanctuary bar. Built at the turn of the century, Peltier House was the home of the Katagaria family and their hodgepodge group of refugees. The house connected to the bar through a downstairs door that was guarded at all times by one of the eleven Peltier sons.
In the Hunter world, they were legendary because they greeted everyone as friends: Were-Hunters, Dream-Hunters, Dark-Hunters or others. It mattered not. So long as you minded your manners and kept your weapons concealed, they let you enter and leave in peace. Those who broke the one house rule of
"No Spill Blood" quickly found themselves leaving in pieces.
The elegant Victorian mansion was quiet now except for the muffled sound of the Howlers playing on the stage next door in the bar. It was furnished in expensive turn-of-the-century antiques that had been in the house since they were new. The bear clan didn't like change. Gallagher was glad for that. It felt strangely like coming home again.
"How long are you staying?" Zar asked as he led him up the hand-carved mahogany stairs.
"Until the New Year.
"
Zar nodded. "Mamanwill be glad to hear that." He showed Gallagher to a room at the end of the
Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) hallway.
Gallagher stepped inside and found a warm, cozy bedroom. The windows were well-shuttered and covered by heavy drapes that would keep the daylight from reaching him.
"Here's a cable modem for your laptop if you brought one.
"
The corner of Gallagher's mouth lifted. "All the comforts of home.
"
"We try. I remember well the days of running and hiding, and never having a single comfort. Take a few minutes to get settled in and join us when you're ready.
"
Gallagher watched Zar leave while feelings and memories went through him. He appreciated the bears'
courtesy, but he would trade all his money and immortality for one single night spent with his wife and son.
One single Christmas with them, watching Rosalie's face light up as she opened a gift.
The pain of his loss racked him. He didn't want to hurt and wish for things he could no longer have. He sat on the bed and stared at the wall. He saw his great-granddaughter's face and wondered if she would go home at Christmas to be with her family.
For that matter, he wondered if he should go home himself. At leastChicago was familiar to him. Weary and heartsick, he lay down on the bed to just rest for a second. He only wanted to escape for an instant into memories of a time when he had been human.
Gallagher woke up to find that three days had passed while he slept. He didn't remember anything about his dreams.
"Why did you let me sleep so long?" he asked Mama Peltier as soon as he left his room and found her in the downstairs parlor on the right.
In human form, she was an elegant, tall blonde woman who most often wore a stylish suit. Though she looked no older than forty, she was in fact close to eight hundred years in age.
"Acheron said you needed to rest and I agreed."
"But three days?"