by Lynn Landes
“Yes.” Vorn grins, “A little much don’t you think?” She turns to take in the secluded twenty-acre forest that surrounds the property and can’t help but grin back at him.
It is charming and she can feel the history of the country house. Vorn can sense her nerves as he pulls her to the door. To Anya’s surprise, he doesn’t knock he just enters the house like it is his own. Standing in the enormous entrance hall Anya is stunned by the simple elegance. Solid wood floors with an Oriental rug and paintings on every wall. Voices flow from a room down the hall. Anya knows that voice, tears fill her eyes and she runs.
She moves before Vorn can stop her. One second, she’s beside him and the next she is standing in a drawing room looking at the stunned faces of her two fathers.
“Da?” She calls and, in her voice, he hears her fear.
“There’s my girl!” Keane rushes to her and wraps her in a bear hug. His familiar scent comforts and encourages her.
“I’m so sorry, Da…” she tries to say, but Keane stops her.
“There will be none of that Anya. You’re here and safe, that’s all that matters.”
Vorn steps inside the room and watches. Sebastian is standing near the fireplace, drinking in the sight of her. Keane takes Anya’s hand and pulls her across the large room towards Sebastian.
“Sebastian, I would like ta present your daughter, Anya, to you.” Anya grips his hand tightly and stares up at her birth father. The resemblance is shocking. Both are tall, lean and beautiful, but Sebastian looks and sees her mother.
“You have your Mother’s eyes,” he professes.
“The color is all yours.” Keane asserts.
At that moment Anya struggles with the urge to take his immortality. She glances to Vorn and moves to him and away from her father’s. Vorn meets her halfway and takes her hand in his. “Control it, place a memory in your mind that brings you peace. It will help,” he prompts.
Anya nods and desperately runs through her memories, afraid to pull from her childhood, she instead stares into Vorn’s emerald eyes. ‘You,’ her soul professes to his. Humbled, he takes her other hand.
‘We shall have to give you more to draw on,’ he promises.
Sebastian growls at the familiar way he touches Anya and starts to step forward, but Keane stops him. “Not now,” he murmurs.
“Thank you,” she says to Vorn and turns to stare at the Vampire.
“How did you meet my mother?” She demands, and Keane clears his throat.
“Daughter, I would remind you that he is the injured party here. He had no knowledge that you existed. If you must be angry, turn it to me.” His shames beats at her and Anya sighs.
“You know I can’t stay mad at you, Da. I know you meant the best,” she murmurs turning back to Sebastian, “Forgive me, please,” she asks Sebastian. He gives a nod and turns away to compose himself and hide the hurt he feels.
“I will give you some privacy. This old man needs a shower and bed.” Keane offers and Anya glances at him.
“You’re staying here?”
“It seemed the best solution. You are all welcome, even the Drow, to stay as long as you need. The house has ten bedrooms and plenty of privacy.” Sebastian quips.
“I will see you in the morning, Da.” Anya kisses him quickly on the cheek and watches as he leaves.
Sebastian looks pointedly at Vorn and waits for him to leave. “Anya?” Vorn asks, ignoring his new friend.
“I will be okay, Vorn. You should rest while you can,” she insists.
Vorn bows and turns to leave, stopping briefly at the door when he hears Sebastian call his name. “Vorn, thank you for bringing my daughter home.”
“You’re welcome.” With that, he seeks out the housekeeper who guides him to his room.
The two stare at each other in silence for a moment, neither moving. Afraid to break the moment Sebastian waits.
“How did you meet my mother?” Anya demands again.
Sebastian stares at her and smiles softly, “I brokered a deal with Lailah on behalf of the vampires. The council sent me to discuss terms because they felt a war was inevitable. Caius had crossed a line when he attacked the Fae years ago. He had enough followers that the Angels were threatening to end our species.” He glances away, lost in thought for a moment.
“She was exquisite.” He walks to one of two large windows to look outside. “I am eight hundred years old, Anya. I have seen every manner of creation on this earth, but nothing prepared me for meeting Lailah.” She moves so quickly he has no time to prepare or defend himself.
Anya is beside him in a flash and grabs his face with her hands, taking his mind, she sees her mother as he does. Through his eyes, she sees the respect that grows into love. The passion, the honesty and the love.
“I would have fought to protect you both.” He opens his mind and heart fully to his daughter. “I would have given my life to save yours.” She feels the rejection he felt when she left, the pain and the anger.
“You see, I understood why she left. It was to protect my species, or so I thought.”
Anya releases him and puts her hand on his shoulder.
“But you loved her.” She spins and walks away to warm up by the fireplace. “What if I do not wish to be this, Herald, everyone talks about. What if all I want is to go back to being normal? Would you condemn me for my choice?”
Sebastian stares at his daughter and is shocked to hear the insecurity behind the question. In an instant, he stands before her. “Know this, Anya, whatever choice you make I will stand by you. As I suspect, will Keane. Even this Drow seems to have a protective streak when it comes to you.” Sebastian smiles and his fangs glint.
“You would fight the Fae, the Angels even your own kind, for me? Why? Are you so ready to die?” Anya feels it is her duty to test his loyalty.
Anger boils for a moment and a red flame flickers behind his eyes. “I was not given a choice twenty years ago, Anya. I would fight every species on this planet and any other if they dare touch you.”
‘Your mother’s death will not be in vain,’ she hears the unspoken words and is touched. Unshed tears fill her eyes and she moves into his open arms. “Thank you, Dad.”
The words are like a salve to his injured spirit. It soothes the pain and loss filling an empty space in both of their souls. “You’re welcome,” he whispers and presses a kiss to her forehead. Anya pulls away and walks to the window to look out on his gardens.
“It is time for a change. Love should not come with restrictions. The Angels did not create the imbalance that was all Caius’s doing.”
The sight of her standing in his home staggers him. The family resemblance is remarkable. “You sound like your Aunt Magdalene.”
Anya turns to him. “Caius said something about my Aunt. It sounded like she was in trouble.”
Concern has his brow furrowing. “I will call her.” He flips out his phone and checks for messages and finds he has missed multiple calls from her. “No new messages left. I will call her in the morning.”
“I look forward to meeting her. I’m so tired. Is that weird? Do we get tired?” Anya scrubs at her eyes. “Everything I thought I knew is all an illusion.” Wrapping her arms around herself she thinks about sleep.
“Sleep is a requirement, even for Vampires, though not nearly as long as humans. Nourishment is also vital to avoid a blood lust for newborns.” He moves to a hidden panel and punches in a code. “This will help.” Sebastian removes a vial of dark blood and pours two glasses.
Anya stares at him in shock. “You keep blood in your office?”
“Not just any blood. This is the blood of an ancient. We provide blood to each other. It strengthens our abilities and allows us to feed less often. The bond is strong between the council members and this is a way to maintain it.”
“So, you just drain each other? I don’t know what to say about that.”
“Not quite. We take turns. For instance, this is Council member Faygin’s.
Once every six months, we go in and donate. On average we can provide up to two pints at a time. The power in the blood allows us to regenerate faster and go longer between feedings.” He drinks his and watches as she smells the air.
“That scent, is amazing.” Anya moves closer and her eyes shift to the amber color.
“Anya?” he asks with concern in his voice.
“I’m okay,” she says with a hoarse voice. “It’s just so strong.” Her fangs lengthen and she lifts the glass to her lips and sips. The rich warm liquid flows into her system, rushing through her body it heals and empowers Anya. A second sip is bigger than the first and the third has her finishing her glass.
He watches with understanding when she looks at the glass with disappointment. “Is there more?” she murmurs and looks at the glass he is holding.
“Of course,” he pours her a second shot and tries not to smile. “This will last you…” his voice fades from her ears as a memory strikes her hard.
Lailah is sitting on a rock, soaking up the last rays of the sun. Her pink wings are illuminated and when she hears the others coming, she sighs. She stands and turns to greet her executioners. Heavy with child, Lailah places a hand over her child and her eyes flash with determination. When they land before her the voice sends a ripple of shock through her soul.
“You have been judged, Lailah.”
“You would betray your own kind?” Rage has Lailah drawing a blazing sword in her fisted hand.
“No…” Anya murmurs and the glass in her hand drops to the desk, shattering.
Lailah’s wings flash as she spins to fight the vampires who have come to slaughter her. When Caius steps into view from behind her, Anya screams a warning.
Sebastian is at her side in an instant. Ancients are immune to the memories stored in the blood, but Anya is a newborn. He seizes her mind and watches with her as the woman he loves fights for her life. His heart drops when Caius and members from the council leap at her, tearing and ripping at Lailah’s beautiful body.
Anya jerks and feels every blow and every scratch. Her screams have turned to sobs as she watches the life drain out of her mother’s body. Sebastian takes Anya mind and surrounds her with memories of her mother laughing and singing. He replaces the horrible images of death with his favorite ones of her and draws her out of the vision.
Trembling, he holds his daughter in his arms while red blood tears flow unchecked down his cheeks. Betrayal flames to life behind his eyes. His own roar of outrage echoes through the halls and all the undead tremble at the sound. Vorn runs back into the room with Keane hot on his heels and they are stunned by the sight of Sebastian holding his daughter in his arms. Both are weeping and Sebastian falls to the ground with her and rocks her in his arms. “Who were they?”
“The Council members,” he replies in a hoarse voice.
“I’m going to hunt them down,” Anya declares.
“Yes, we will,” he promises.
Chapter 27
The wind symbolizes life because it can be as powerful as a cyclone or a gentle as a whisper. It can give life, or it can take life away. In the last moments of Katie’s life, a great wind surrounds her, impressed by the selfless act to save the one she loves, it surrounds them both and lifts them from the immense pain, blowing away the agony, silencing her screams.
Morgan’s soul screams for mercy, begging his maker to protect the human he has come to love. He does not ask for leniency for his sins, only that she be spared.
“Peace brother,” comes a strong voice. A cold wind blows over them, washing away all the pain. Morgan and Katie find they are on their knees facing each other.
“Morgan?” Katie whispers, just as he crushes her to his body in a hug.
“Kathleen,” Reese laughs and steps forward with Arianna.
“Easy, Morgan. I didn’t save her so you could crush her. Humans are fragile,” he laughs.
“Not this human,” Morgan declares with pride pulling Katie to her feet. Katie sobs and runs to the Shadow King.
“Reese!” He catches her in a hug and sighs with relief.
Arianna smiles at him, she wasn’t sure until the last moment that he could save them.
Reese looks at her and grins. “You shouldn’t doubt me, wife.”
“All is well now. You are safe with us.” Arianna watches as Katie hurries back to Morgan desperate to touch him. She knows her husband has a special place in his heart for this human. As she watches Katie wrap her arms around Morgan again, she wonders to herself, ‘It will be interesting to see how you feel about being immortal now?’
“How did this happen?” Morgan asks.
“We have much to discuss. Let’s get you inside and get you cleaned up first,” Arianna suggests.
“Morgan, we need to talk.” Katie insists holding his arm to keep him from following them.
“I agree, but we are together for now. We will discuss your actions later,” he snaps and turns away from her.
Katie’s fear of losing him has her leaping in front of him. “You’re right about one thing, Morgan. We will discuss your actions later…but first…” she steps into his space and scans his face with her beautiful eyes. Gentle hands reach up and she cups his cheeks in her hands. “Say it again,” she pleads.
His eyes close at the ecstasy of her touch. “I can’t…” he whispers his shame.
Firmer this time, “Say it, Morgan!”
His eyes whip open. “I can’t give you a promise…” when he tries to turn away from her, he is surprised by the steel in her grip.
“Morgan, I didn’t take you for a coward,” she states as her eyes search his face.
Fury, confusion, fear, love, all wage war inside his soul, he turns his face away again, but she will not release him.
Reese takes Arianna’s hand and the pixies in the forest surrounding their home all step forward waiting for the moment he accepts his fate.
“Say It!” The tear in the corner of her eye is his undoing. When it breaks free, he captures it in his hand, declaring for all to hear. He opens his hand and a single twisted diamond band glistens in the moonlight.
“I love you, Kathleen O ‘Haley. You are mine now. I will never let you go.” He lifts her left hand and slides it on her ring finger.
Her beautiful smile rivals all the stars in heaven and washes away any doubt. “I love you, Morgan, you are mine now and I will be yours for eternity.”
His mouth takes hers and they are illuminated by a brilliant light.
The pixies watching swirl around them rushing the embracing couple and lifting them into the night sky. All their wounds are healed as stardust is rained down upon them.
Reese and Arianna sigh with the beauty of the moment. The Shadow King and Shadow Queen welcome the newest members of their family.
Chapter 28
Brody drives for the coast, he glances with concern at Magdalene. Her respiration has increased, and her body is shivering uncontrollably. The thought of ditching the car with her inside of it crosses his mind again. His large fists wrap tightly around the steering wheel, “You weren’t part of the plan,” he growls pulling into a gas station.
“Brody?” she whispers and rolls over towards him. The sound of his name in her husky voice has his skin itching to shift. She doesn’t wake up, which worries him even more. Her skin is so pale, it is almost blue.
“Gas and phone, Brody,” He reminds himself and steps from the truck, fuels up, and moves inside the empty gas station.
“First aid kit, water bottles, and gas. I need oil for my car. Could you help me with that?” The old man mumbles and stomps off looking for the oil Brody asks for. Brody waits until he disappears in the back and snags the cellphone he left sitting on the counter. When the man returns, he pays and grabs his supplies and runs out. Jumping into the idling truck, he accelerates back out onto the highway. After he checks his mirror for any pursuit, he dials a number on the stolen phone.
“I’m headed your way.” He checks his mirror
again. “I know!” he listens for a minute and then snarls into the phone, “Listen to me, bring Eric, and blood. Lots of blood, enough to do a transfusion. I will be there in two hours,” he growls and crushes the phone, tossing it from the window.
Magdalene opens her eyes and looks at him as the truck swerves a bit to miss a blown truck tire in the road “Brody…if I… you have to find Sebastian and warn him.” Tears fill her hazel eyes. “He has lost so much already, don’t let them kill him,” she pleads reaching out for his hand.
“I won’t let them kill him, Magdalene, or you,” he says holding her small hand in his. In his mind, he hears her words about freedom and knows he has found a kindred spirit. Her demand for freedom matches his own soul’s demand for his people. He pushes the truck harder burying the speedometer as the road opens up in front of them, checking his mirrors again, he settles in for a fast run to the coast.
The docks at the Blue Sky harbor are dark when he slowly pulls in and parks. Brody can smell the fish in the air and fresh salt water of the ocean. He feels the pressure of unseen eyes watching him. He opens the door and slides from the vehicle, his eyes scanning the area for threats. As gentle as he can he pulls Magdalene’s body from the truck cab and heads through the harbor buildings towards the docks on the other side.
Brody glances and sniffs the air around him as he walks the darkened docks. His people are here, and they know how to protect their own. The four Shifters flank him, two on each side to provide cover, or help if needed.
A sigh of relief almost escapes him when he sees the gentle glow of lights beckoning him in the cabin of the boat. “Almost there, Magdalene. Hold on, now.” He smiles when sees the men on the deck of the thirty foot speed boat and hears the motor rumble to life.
The truck explodes behind them sending a fireball into the dark sky.
In the glow from the fire, Brody sees a wolf shaped creature running at them from the parking area. “Damn, that was quick!” All that matters now is escaping. He runs, holding on to Magdalene as tightly as he can. The men on the boat begin shooting at his pursuer. Bullets pass by him, hitting the creature while chewing up the buildings and dock around it.