The Change

by C V Leigh

  “Massachusetts?”

  “Boston. Or Salem,” he clarified. “It’s where CAPA’s headquarters are. I’ll be visiting the New York office as well.”

  “That makes sense.” She took a sip of her tea and swallowed it down quickly.

  “Massa…” Ben rolled the word around in his mouth. “Chew… Sets… When will you be back, Uncle Jacob?”

  “I don’t know, I’m afraid,” Jacob said, his expression softening as he contemplated his young nephew. “I have a few things to do over there. Your dad has put me in charge of the office in New York if you’d believe it.”

  Ben laughed. “You’ll be good at that.” He growled, baring his teeth and lifting his hands with hooked fingers, pretending they were wolf-claws.

  Jacob growled back.

  Tess watched their interaction. Jacob had always been good with the children.

  Zane walked in, and for a moment the two brothers locked eyes on each other. The air between them was more than tense; it was frozen rigid. Tess hated that Zane blamed his brother more than he did her. She shivered, and Zane went to her immediately. “Are you okay?” he asked, rubbing at her arms.

  “I’m fine, just cold. Stop fussing.”

  “Aunty Tess isn’t feeling very well,” Ben explained.

  “You’re still in shock.” Zane swept hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear. “You’ve never had to do anything like that before. I should have been a better boyfriend.” He kissed her forehead. “I should have married you a long time ago.”

  Jacob tutted and left the room. Ben slid off his seat and followed.

  “This isn’t the right time,” Tess said. “Jacob says he’s going to America.”

  “Yes. It will do us all good to have some space and time to recover.”

  “It’s never going to be the same though, is it?” She looked up at him and saw the worry etched into his beautiful face.

  “Perhaps that’s not such a bad thing. Drink your tea.” He paused. “We’re going to have Nicholas’ funeral tomorrow. Then we’ll get away from this place as soon as possible. How do you feel about spending Christmas, just us?”

  “I’d actually quite like that,” she admitted.

  “We’re going to use the Merc to take us all to Edinburgh.”

  “Us all?”

  “We’re dropping Jacob at the airport. He’s flying straight to America.”

  “Is that a good idea? You two sharing a car?”

  Zane shrugged. “He could always walk.” He laughed. “And when we get back, Alistair needs you to take over in Nicholas’ position.”

  “What? But I’m not a lawyer.”

  “No, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be the manager of the Edinburgh offices. He’d have told you himself, but he’s been a bit tied up. I said I’d give you the good news.”

  “Thanks,” she said, unsure whether to smile or frown.

  “I’ll arrange a midwife to come and stay here until the baby’s been born. The BPC has made a few suggestions. I was going to ask if you’d help with the interviews if you’re up to it? If you’d rather not, I understand.”

  “Of course. Anything to help Megan.” She sighed. “I wish I was as strong as you,” she said softly, then finished the last of her tea before pushing her mug away. “I wish I was as strong as Megan. She seems to take it all in her stride. How has she been since…”

  “Okay. She’s learning how to control it. Nathan’s presence exasperated her condition, and now that he’s gone… There’s a lot to be said for maternal instinct. But she’s just as frightened as you are.” He took her hands and clasped them tightly. “Don’t ever think you’re on your own.” He kissed her knuckles, lingering over the little scar on her thumb. “I’m going to pack our bags, so we’re ready to leave as soon as possible.”

  Tess nodded and sighed. Zane left her alone with her thoughts. She listened to the rain splatter against the windows. She closed her eyes in a long, slow blink. She wanted to leave. She wanted to go home, but the dread that her actions would follow her tied her down. She would forever be joined to the Kincaids.

  And forever joined to Nathan Trevell.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Rain hit the umbrella clutched in Megan’s hand and spilled down the sides to clink on the concrete steps below. She watched as the four brothers lifted Nicholas’ wrapped body onto their shoulders and walked to the clearing in the forest. Her boys, still babies and naïve, dressed in black suits, followed close behind. Megan took Tess’s hand before following them. Her sadness was tinged with relief. She couldn’t help but feel glad it was Nicholas who’d died, and not her husband, or one of his brothers. Or Tess. Or, God forbid, one of her children.

  They walked along a narrow path through the trees until they came to the clearing, to the ornate tomb at its centre. They walked to the entrance, and the brothers took Nicholas down the steps to be laid to rest, while Megan remained outside with Tess and the boys. Each one of them was silent in their own thoughts.

  The brothers exited the tomb, then Alistair closed the heavy stone door and twisted the black, iron key in the old lock. Lycanthropes were supposed to live longer than humans. Yet every single member of the Kincaid family seemed to die within normal human age ranges, if not earlier. Just not of natural causes. Instinctively, she placed a protective hand over her stomach. It fluttered, as though filled with butterflies, responding to her touch. Megan closed her eyes and concentrated on her breathing for a few seconds. She listened to the others walk ahead.

  “Are you okay?” Tess’s voice came through the darkness.

  Megan opened her eyes and smiled. “Yes. I’m fine. It’s been a stressful time.” She rubbed Tess’ arm. “For all of us. Are you looking forward to going back to Edinburgh? And to your new position in the office?” The two women left the clearing. Pine trees stood, resolute, watching over the spot. It was the perfect place for the Kincaid mausoleum–hidden away from the roads and the house, surrounded by the spectacular beauty the Scottish Highlands had to offer. In the summer, the heathland would be filled with a myriad of bees and butterflies, attracted to the purple heather. And, in a few days, Alistair would bring Michael here to begin his training.

  “Yes, but…”

  “But?”

  Tess shrugged. “I don’t know. I feel bad Jacob is being sent to America. It wasn’t entirely his fault. I’m as much to blame.”

  “He’s not going forever. Think of it as an extended business trip. He’ll be back before we know it.”

  “I don’t know why you’re all still being so nice to me. I’m an awful person and an even worse wolf. What kind of person kisses their boyfriend’s brother? What kind of wolf betrays their pack like that? Who—”

  “Protects their pack at all costs, risking their own life, even if means killing someone?” Megan pulled Tess into a hug. “We all make mistakes. I know that as much as anyone else. Jacob has to take responsibility for his actions too. You were angry with Zane. You wanted to hurt him and were put in a difficult, if not impossible, situation. I can’t imagine how I would have reacted if I’d seen that for the first time—” A sharp pain seared her stomach. Megan gripped her belly, doubling over as her guts twisted and turned.

  “Megan? Alistair!”

  “I’ll be okay,” she forced out through the fire burning in her throat. She snatched a breath. “I’m okay. It’s passed.” Megan straightened and shook it off. “See? I’m good. I’m good!” she called, as Alistair jogged towards them.

  His face was a mask of concern as he approached them. “What happened?”

  “Nothing. Stomach cramps. I’m fine. Go back to your brothers. Honestly, I’m fine. Everything’s stretching, that’s all,” she said, gesturing at her stomach. “It’s probably tendons and ligaments moving into place. Braxton Hicks. Remember how bad they were with Ben?”

  “Would that happen so early on, though?” Alistair asked. “Maybe we should get you back to the house, get Zane to check you over
.”

  “No. It’s nothing. It wasn’t like that. I haven’t felt anything since…” She glanced at Tess. “Since Nathan.”

  “If you’re sure.”

  “I’m positive. Go back to the boys. I promise, if anything like that happens again, you will be the first one to know. Okay? Go find the children. They need their father right now.”

  Alistair didn’t look convinced, but he did as Megan asked and returned to his brothers and sons.

  Tess chewed on her bottom lip and waited until Alistair was further ahead. She took Megan’s arm, forcing her to stop in her stride. “Has anything else changed, since Nathan died? If the connection’s been lost, perhaps your memory—”

  “I don’t remember,” she said, shaking her head. “I remember Nathan. I remember feeling the heat on my skin, his teeth sinking into my arm, but nothing else. Nothing tangible.” She rubbed at the spot that should have been marked, scarred by his bite.

  “Jacob’s going to America to find this memory magic, isn’t he? I heard Alistair and Zane talking about it. They said something about witchcraft and your mother. This potion Nathan had—”

  “What are you talking about? Memory magic and potions?” Megan said, a laugh edging her words. “Jacob’s going to meet with CAPA to make an allegiance with them. After the trouble with Nathan, we need to stick together and be aware of our enemies’ movements, wherever they are.”

  “Oh,” Tess said and started to walk ahead.

  Megan hurried to catch her up. “Tess, what aren’t you telling me?”

  “It’s nothing, just…” Tess glanced away. “Nathan seemed pretty convinced that you were a witch and murdered your parents.” She shook her head. “I shouldn’t eavesdrop.”

  “You can’t believe anything Nathan said. If I was a witch, I’d know about it, wouldn’t I? I’d be able to cast spells, and…” She wriggled her fingers out in front of her. “See? Nothing.” She dropped her hands to her sides. “I didn’t kill my family, Tess. I’m not the psychopath. That was Nathan. I know I don’t remember much from that time, but…” She took a deep breath. “The Council told me it was Nathan who killed them. They wouldn’t have any reason to lie. If they thought I was a hybrid, I’d have been locked up. They’d have done all kinds of experiments and tests on me.”

  “I shouldn’t eavesdrop,” Tess repeated. “You never hear anything nice that way. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause more problems.”

  “You’re not!”

  “It’s all I seem to do in this family,” she said on a sob. “I’m sorry.”

  “Hey, don’t worry about it. We’ll get it all sorted. But, please, don’t believe everything you hear. Nathan was manipulative. Look at the number he pulled on Michael.”

  “Poor kid.” Tess smiled.

  “He’ll be okay. We all will. We’re lycanthropes, but more than that, we’re Kincaids.”

  “I’m not, though, am I?”

  “Of course you are.” She nudged Tess with her elbow. “The moment Zane turned you, you became one of us. You don’t need the name to be considered part of the pack, or part of the family.”

  “I guess.”

  “Look. Stop worrying. Alistair and Drake will clean up here. The police are already backing down. The Council has given them a lead they can’t ignore, which has taken them away from here. Once Jacob is out of the country, it will give you and Zane the chance to rekindle what you once had.”

  “I hope I haven’t ruined it.”

  “The connection between you two is strong. Trust me, I know an unbreakable bond when I see one.”

  “Are you sad?” Tess asked after a while. “About Nathan, I mean.”

  Megan sighed. “A part of me is, yes. I can’t deny that. He made me what I am. But Alistair… he made me who I am. And it’s the who, not the what that’s important. Don’t ever forget that.”

  “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “Being semi-normal.”

  Megan laughed. “I don’t think I’m close to being normal, but I’m still here for you.”

  Tess walked ahead once more, pushing leaves and twigs out of her way. Megan watched her sister-in-law tread through the bracken, following the path back to the main house, where the four brothers and two boys waited for them. The butterflies returned, floating around in her stomach and chest. Megan stroked her belly, glancing down at the slight bulge. She blew out a small breath and smiled. A sensation she hadn’t felt in a long time blossomed through her.

  One of hope.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Zane and Jacob dumped the suitcases in the boot of the black Mercedes-Benz.

  “We should have hired a minibus,” Jacob muttered as Tess added yet another bag to the pile.

  “You should be grateful I’m not coming then,” Megan said, raising her eyebrows.

  Tess returned to the house.

  Zane smirked. “Is the tea helping?”

  “Yes. Thank you. Whatever it is, it’s doing wonders. No nausea, no headaches, no breast tenderness. Nothing that I got with the boys.”

  “I’ve left enough to get you through the next couple of weeks. Hopefully, by then, I’ll have more news and advice. I can send more with the midwife, though, when we finally hire one.”

  “And if you don’t?”

  “The main ingredients are chamomile and lavender. There’s still plenty left in the pantry. They’re safe in pregnancy and natural sedatives. If you run out, that’s what you use. I’ll email you the recipe. Make sure you stay in contact. I wish you were coming with us. We’ve already seen the power go out and lost the phone lines once. If that happens and you have another episode…” He blew out a breath.

  “I’m sure we’ll be fine. Drake’s here, and I haven’t had an episode since Nathan died. The connection has broken. I'm not tied to him anymore.” She chuckled. “Please, don’t worry about me.” She looked up at the sky and narrowed her eyes against the sun’s glare. “You wouldn’t even know any of it had happened. I sometimes wonder if we’re living in the Twilight Zone up here.”

  “I’ve checked the roads,” Jacob put in. “They’re open from here to Tay Forest. As long as we stick to the main roads, everything should be fine. We’ll stop in Taedmorden to refuel.”

  Tess came out of the house, lifting her handbag onto her shoulder. She tugged at the earflaps of her woollen hat.

  Zane snorted a laugh. “You’re not going to need that in Edinburgh,” he said, picking up the last bag and adding it to the ones already loaded.

  “But I do here. I’m cold,” she mumbled, sliding into the back seat.

  Jacob climbed into the passenger side and glanced at his brother as he got in behind the steering wheel. Zane reached back and squeezed Tess’ knee. Tess smiled and leaned against the leather seats, closing her eyes. She took a deep breath and blew it out again.

  Jacob turned away and stared out of the front window, down the gravel driveway. The atmosphere was as tense as his muscles. A vein in his neck pulsated like a ticking clock, counting down the seconds until he was exiled from the pack. From his family.

  Of course, Alistair had insisted that wasn’t what was happening–he was still a Kincaid. He was being sent to Massachusetts in order to find this memory magic and the witches who could cast it so they could help Megan. He felt like he was being sent to his death, though. He had to align himself with the Council of American Paranormal Activity, infiltrate a coven of witches, and find out what he could about memory magic.

  He swallowed down the lump that had built in his throat, pressing against his Adam’s apple.

  The rest of the family came out of the house to say goodbye.

  Alistair smacked the roof of the car and leaned down to the window. Drake stood on the other side, with the two boys waiting with their mother at Faol Hall’s front door. Alistair smiled. “Everyone ready? Okay. Drive safe, and make sure you let me know when you’ve arrived.”

  “Will do,” Jacob said.

  Tess
waved at the boys standing on the steps next to Megan. Zane twisted the key in the ignition. The engine purred into life. Jacob cleared his throat as they pulled away from the house. He kept his eyes on the wing mirror, watching as Faol Hall, the only home he’d ever known, grew smaller and smaller, vanishing along with his family. His pack.

  * * *

  Edinburgh Airport, Edinburgh

  The roar and whistle of jet engines filled the grey sky. The rumble of trolleys clattered across the floor as people moved back and forth like cattle in a market. Tess took off her hat and shoved it into her handbag. She fluffed her hair, then scraped her fingers through the golden strands to remove any knots and tangles.

  “You’re worried.” Zane wrapped his fingers around hers, watching as Jacob stood at the check-in desk.

  “I’m worried about you,” she admitted. “We don’t have to wait. We can go.”

  “I promised Alistair I’d at least try to make amends before he leaves.” He shrugged. “We’ll get over it. With some time and space.”

  “What if he doesn’t find the witches? What if something goes wrong and they kill him? What if he kills them and starts a war?”

  “You’re overthinking this,” Zane said, squeezing her hand. “Jacob uses his head as much as his fists. He’s not stupid.”

  “You’re acting like nothing happened.” She took a deep breath to calm her nerves. “I don’t know how you do it. I’m a wreck. I can’t sleep, I can’t eat, I feel sick all the time…”

  “Are you sure you’re not pregnant?” Zane raised an eyebrow.

  “Definitely not. I don’t think I am, anyway. Oh, God. You don’t think…? What if?”

  “No, I don’t. I was teasing you.” His mobile phone sang from the depths of his coat pocket. He retrieved it and glanced at the screen. “It’s Drake.” He lifted the device to his ear and walked to a quieter spot of the airport. Tess waited, chewing on her lip, and watching Jacob.

  Finished at the check-in desk, he made his way back to her. “Where’s Zane?”