Destiny Calls

by Lydia Michaels

  Isaiah had been called some forty years before Cain was born. When he didn’t return with his mate, the elders formed a party to search for him. They found him in the woods surrounded by such carnage it was clear they waited too long. Isaiah was far past mad. It was Cain’s grandfather Ezekiel, Isaiah’s brother, who had taken the responsibility of putting him down. But Isaiah was so strong from the consumption of human blood that he practically killed Ezekiel and managed to escape the other elders who had hunted him. It was a story widely known by the members of The Order, but something that still pained Cain’s grandfather to speak of, a memory he tended not to elaborate on.

  When Cain had been called to Anna, he had suffered the pull of madness, yet that all faded once she bonded with his brother. Or perhaps it was the blood they had exchanged. He had become incensed when he realized he was not the only male dreaming of her.

  Although dreams were sometimes insightful clues that helped an immortal track his mate, they were also sometimes shared between mates. He and Anna continued to share dreams even after her transition. Adam, on the other hand, hadn’t continued to share this gift with his wife. A selfish part of Cain liked that that part of Annalise was his and his alone.

  Adam had come to accept this bond Cain and Anna shared even after his own dreams with Anna began to fade. He tolerated what he had no control over, and Anna, that sassy little piece of fluff, held no guilt about what she, too, considered a gift.

  Their dreams were indeed an asset in many ways. After Cain accepted that he would live his life without a true mate, he was drawn to leave the farm for a time. The dreams allowed him to stay abreast of family business through Anna. They often joked and laughed as she updated him on the health of his parents and sisters while he teased her about getting fat with his nephew in her belly. It troubled him greatly that he had not dreamt of her last night. He prayed something terrible hadn’t happened.

  His thoughts were interrupted as Destiny stumbled beside him. He quickly caught her by the arm to steady her, but her legs gave out beneath her. Her body twisted, and he carefully lowered her to the ground. She didn’t look well.

  Her face was flushed, and her heart rate accelerated. She was shaking, and her eyes were unfocused. Cain knelt down in front of her on the soggy ground, tipped up her face, and looked into her eyes. She listlessly tugged her chin out of his hands and looked away muttering something in a language he didn’t know.

  “Look at me, Destiny.”

  Was she choosing to stubbornly ignore his command or did she not hear him? He tilted her jaw toward him again. Her eyelids were closing over her tired eyes and her head seemed too heavy to hold up. They had only traveled about four miles. He took her cold hands into his and tried to warm them.

  Cain sighed. “Destiny, do you think if we rested a bit you would be ready to continue farther in a bit?” He had no idea how to gauge the tolerance of a mortal.

  She moaned and whispered, “Cansado.”

  Cain didn’t know what cansado meant. Destiny spoke a different language, but he wasn’t sure which. “I do not know what you speak, Destiny.”

  “Eu tenho fome. I need to eat.”

  He pressed his lips together. Her body slumped in his arms, but she was still awake. Carefully, he pulled her to his chest and onto his lap. Cain cupped her cheek, and she sighed. Her hair smelled sweet and reminded him of jasmine. “Relax, Destiny. I will carry you.”

  “Too heavy,” she mumbled, barely opening her lips, yet somehow finding the strength to nudge him away.

  He shook his head. She weighed nothing at all. “Shh. Shut your eyes and just relax. Rest.”

  Her weakness slowly overpowered her stubborn will. Trying his best not to aggravate her headache, Cain carefully took the opportunity to press into her mind. As soon as that strange barrier between them gave way, he forced in the compulsion to sleep, and her body immediately went limp in his arms. He sighed in relief. Now he would be able to travel quickly and make it home in less than an hour.

  He slowly stood and cradled her slack body to his chest, letting his natural warmth penetrate her chill. Holding her tightly to him, he shifted his sack and began to run.

  Chapter 4

  The door to his parents’ home opened before he could even reach for the handle. His youngest sister, Gracie, stepped aside as he passed into the kitchen holding a still-sleeping Destiny. Gracie, her sharp blue eyes shadowed under two dark, angled brows, didn’t look happy and Cain was growing tired of women scowling at him.

  She slammed the door. “I could hear you coming from almost a mile away. You won’t want to stay here.”

  He should have known Gracie would sense him. His mind hadn’t stopped. For the rest of his journey he tortured himself with worrisome thoughts of Anna and the baby and Destiny and what to do about everything she had seen if there was no way to cover her memories. Gracie, who had been telepathic since her birth twenty-two years ago, would have easily overheard his weighted thoughts. He quickly threw up a wall, blocking her from his mind.

  “I need some broth.”

  She shook her head, crossed her arms and tapped her bare foot on the braided rug. “Who is she, Cain? And just so you know, Larissa is here.”

  He flinched. Damn it. His older sister, although one of his best friends, was now mated to their bishop. He had hoped to get Destiny on the farm without the immediate notice of the elders. Although he was concerned for the girl, his first priority was Annalise and the baby. If Larissa saw him she would tell Bishop King of his return and no doubt mention Destiny’s presence on the farm.

  “Where is she? And why are you scowling at me, runt?”

  His baby sister, who never really showed signs of anger except when speaking to him, puffed with hostility. “Why? Perhaps because you keep showing up with mortal guests and leaving. You are not leaving this one here, I can tell you that much. If Larissa doesn’t tell Eleazar, then I will.”

  “Grace—”

  She cut him off. “But why I’m truly disgusted by your presence has nothing to do with whomever you carry, but with what Anna carries.”

  “The baby. Is Anna okay?”

  “No, thanks to you!”

  The barb hit its mark. Guilt for what Anna must have gone through, what he unintentionally put her through, lanced through him. Luckily she was here on the farm where Adam or another family member would have come right to her aid. He shut his eyes as the weight of his culpability and relief gripped him. “I didn’t mean to—”

  “You never mean to! Everything you do is followed by an excuse. She could have lost the baby, Cain! How could you be so selfish and stupid?”

  He ignored his urge to mention he had been protecting an innocent from one of their own and thereby endangering himself for the entire Order. Selfish was not how he would describe his recent actions.

  “I didn’t do it on purpose!” he shouted back at her. He unfairly used his size to try and intimidate her, but little Gracie was undeterred.

  “I hope Adam breaks your neck!”

  The room filled with deathly silence. The cruelty of her statement didn’t go unnoticed. Whether they were dedicated to their traditions or merely living as Amish to protect their kind, they were all raised Christian.

  They were a gentle and passive community. Violence wasn’t tolerated, and forgiveness was always encouraged, except in the instance of stopping a rogue vampyre in order to prevent the slaughter of innocents. Gracie’s words, no matter how often the two of them bickered, were stated with such venom and sincerity that they cut deeper than they ever had in the past.

  Cain pressed his lips together and refused to show how much her comment hurt. Transforming his emotions to anger he snapped, “To the devil with you, runt. Let me by to find a bed and I will make my own damn broth. She’s ill and needs sustenance.”

  “You are not leaving another stray here just to leave again for more of your silly escapades!”

  He ignored her and carried Destiny into his bedroom. She
didn’t move when he placed her on the bed. He touched her head, and her warm skin burned his fingertips. Cain hoped she hadn’t sustained an infection from her scrape in the woods. Perhaps it was only her lack of food that was causing her slight fever.

  “Cain?” His older sister’s soft voice, accompanied by a soft tap on the door had him quickly pulling his hand away from Destiny’s face. He turned.

  “Larissa,” he greeted her.

  She quietly stepped into the room and shut the door. “Who is she?”

  “The reporter I told you about.”

  “Is she hurt?” Leave it to Larissa to have the patience of a saint with him when he had done nothing to deserve it.

  “She hasn’t had more than water and a few sips of soup in the past four days. She was attacked in the woods and given quite a scare by our dear old uncle.”

  “You saw him?” she asked, her long fingers nervously going to her heart.

  As an elder, Isaiah had disappeared long before their time. His story was told to place the fear of God in the youths of The Order. Actually setting eyes on such a legend would be like having seen a ghost or the devil himself.

  “Oh yes. We had quite a tussle. He was trying to mark her and would have killed her if I hadn’t intervened. God only knows what kind of evil he would have done to her before he ended her life. His age and diet has made him a fierce opponent. Although I did sustain some injuries, I tried my best to protect myself and Anna, but I’m sure no one really wants to hear my excuses at this point.”

  She looked away, and the fact that she couldn’t meet his eyes spoke volumes. “It was really bad, Cain,” she whispered. “I fear for what Adam will do to you when he sees you. I’ve never seen Adam so angry.”

  “He cannot harm me without harming his wife.”

  “He’s aware of that. Please try to be as repentant as possible. I know you do not like to answer for your sins, but this time…this time was different. We were all there, and there was so much blood.”

  His stomach churned with bile. “The baby?”

  “The baby is stable. The healer had to be brought in. We all had to supply Annalise with blood to keep her heart beating. However, father and Eleazar wouldn’t allow me or mother to do so.”

  Larissa’s hand gently touched her flat stomach. Hesitantly, he took a step closer to her and placed his hand over hers. She looked at him with sad eyes and wanly smiled.

  Voice filled with awe, he asked, “You are with child?”

  Her cheeks grew pink. “I am.”

  Cain’s heart swelled with joy for his sweet sister. Although he had never been too fond of the old bishop, Eleazar seemed to treat his sister well and care for her greatly. That was more than her first husband had ever done for her.

  He worried that she would have complications with child bearing. His mother had had several miscarriages over the years and, as Larissa had been married for quite some time without conceiving, he worried she could not conceive. Yet here she stood before him, glowing with maternal joy. It seemed as if everyone in their family was suddenly breeding.

  “I am so happy for you, sister.”

  “Thank you.”

  They let the emotion-laden moment play for a few seconds longer and then he stepped away. “Will you tell your husband about my presence?”

  “I will not lie to my mate,” she said with unapologetic conviction.

  “You lied to Silus all the time.”

  “He was merely my spouse. There is no comparison.”

  He sighed. “I need to check on Anna. I would like to do so while Adam is working.”

  “Adam has not worked since Anna was hurt. He’s terrified to leave her side.”

  What a mess. “I cannot let his ego keep me from my duty. I must check on her, apologize, and see for myself that she and the babe are well.”

  “It isn’t his ego that keeps you away, brother. It’s his love for his mate. You cannot understand how consuming such a bond is.”

  And he never would.

  Cain pulled a quilt from the foot of the bed and gently covered Destiny. “Can I impose on you to see to her for a bit? I need to speak with Annalise and Adam. I suppose I should also visit the bishop and inform him that I’ve brought a mortal onto the farm. That should save you some angst.”

  “Eleazar doesn’t frighten me,” Larissa said calmly.

  Cain raised his eyebrows at her statement. Larissa was strong, gifted with tolerance, but she had also spent a good part of her life paralyzed with fear of her first husband. Bishop Eleazar King was one of the most intimidating immortals he had ever come across.

  The male was well over five centuries old and possessed gifts far beyond Cain’s comprehension. In a million years he wouldn’t have paired his sister with such a male, but God had chosen well in their case.

  “Be that as it may, I do not look forward to his wrath. He did not react pleasantly when I informed him of Dane and Cybil’s presence. I expect this will be over the line. I need to explain what has happened so that he understands what this means to The Order, but that will have to wait until after I check on Annalise. Will you tend to Destiny?”

  She nodded. “I will make her something light to eat that won’t disturb her empty stomach too much. Is she under compulsion to sleep?”

  “Yes, but don’t awaken her until you’re sure and ready to deal with her. The only reason I could put her to sleep is because she was so weak and run-down. Otherwise, she’s almost impossible to control.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. I’ve no idea how she does it, but every time I press into her mind, she somehow kicks me out. It is as if my orders are falling on deaf ears. Have you ever heard of something so peculiar?”

  “It actually isn’t as uncommon as you may think. I can block Eleazar, and he’s much more powerful than I.”

  “Honestly?” That surprised him. He had been the recipient of the old bishop’s strength a time or two before. It wasn’t a memory he relished. “Well, nevertheless, you’re immortal. She’s nothing but a weak little mortal.”

  “Fear not, Cain. I shall take good care of her. I can see you care for her.”

  “I care only for protecting my people. Her mind needs to be wiped. That’s the only reason I’ve brought her here. One of the elders will have to attempt it. After that, I care not what becomes of her.”

  Chapter 5

  Cain knocked on his brother’s door and steeled himself for the inevitable. The door opened, and he stared into a face so much like his own, but strained with barely leashed rage and a weariness Cain had no doubt caused.

  “What do you want?” his brother whispered ominously.

  “I came to see Anna—”

  “My wife,” he sneered between clenched teeth, “is no longer your concern. You are not welcome here.”

  Cain shoved his foot forward, halting the door from closing in his face. “Adam,” Cain pleaded. “You cannot just shut me out. I need to speak with her. I haven’t dreamt of her.”

  The door opened, and his brother’s rage railed at Cain’s senses. “You have not dreamt of her because she hasn’t slept, you selfish animal. Do you have any idea what you could have done?”

  Guilt choked him. “I know.”

  “This is all so that you could what? Prove yourself to the elders?”

  “It isn’t about proving myself. People are dying.”

  “My mate almost died!”

  Cain was speechless. He had never heard his level-headed twin so irate before. He had to believe Cain would never intentionally endanger Annalise. In his own way, he loved her. Cain lowered his head and whispered, “She’s my mate, too.”

  Adam growled, and the next thing Cain knew he was being thrown back. The meager strength of the porch rail whined under his weight.

  Adam had his fists knotted in Cain’s shirt as he snarled, “She will never be your mate! You are too conceited to put anyone before yourself. Do you know what it is like to watch the female you love practically ble
ed out and not understand why? To be rendered impotent in the grips of an enemy I cannot see? I know, Cain. When these things happen to my mate I know the enemy who has its claws in her is you, my brother, and I despise you all the more for being so single-minded. Your carelessness puts me in a hateful position I want no part of. Because of your stupidity I could have lost my son and my mate! You are my brother! Does that not mean anything to you? You have never loved anyone but yourself, so you couldn’t possibly know what that kind of fear feels like!”

  “You’re right.” He didn’t fight back. He didn’t argue. Adam was right. He had been so foolish to take up this campaign to stop Isaiah when his actions could hurt Anna. And as far as love, Adam was correct. Cain had no idea what that level of selfless love felt like.

  “Adam.” The sharp whip of Annalise’s voice came from just inside the house. Adam looked into Cain’s eyes, delivering a message that needed no words to clarify. Cain wasn’t welcome there.

  He released him and stepped back. Annalise stood just inside the door, cloaked by the shade of the house. She wore a plain black apron over a black shift. Her copper hair hung rebelliously loose over her shoulders and her small hands held her large, rounded belly protectively. With a growl of frustration Adam turned and, without another word, walked past his wife and disappeared into the house.

  “He’s angry,” she admitted, without quite meeting Cain’s eyes.

  Cain remained at the edge of the porch, not wanting to get too close. “So are you.”

  “Yes. I’m angry.” She met his gaze. “I nearly lost my baby. I could feel his soul being pulled from my womb.” Cain could see what Annalise’s confession was costing her. Her normally pink lips were white as she forced the words past. She fought dearly to hold onto her composure.

  “How could you have done such a thing, Cain? If I lost…If anything happens to my child because of your carelessness, I’ll never forgive you. Do you understand what I’m telling you? Never.”

  He did, and hearing her make such a declaration was like having a hot blade cauterize the half of his soul she had left intact. He had given up his destiny for Annalise and Adam. His bleak future held no promise in terms of love. Cain struggled to accept that he had, for once, taken the difficult path in order to do what was right.