Law and the code of honor within vampire circles of their kind was that warm bloods were off limits. They were to be protected. That’s why his kind was here in the first place, as protectors of mankind. There had been unions in days and years past of the different races such as vampires, the Fallen Ones and the Fae. Fairies had come to his father for extra protection during the times of the invasion of Mil. That was when he had first laid eyes on Katherine.
The brothers, Odin and Thor, now followed Sally around like big goofy puppies. But puppies they were not, they would defend and protect her and her brothers to the very end.
He had explained to Kat about their kind and how mates were chosen. The warriors may fall hard for one female, whether it was of their own kind, or from the warm bloods, but it had to be the females choosing or it never happened. Those two brothers would stand by and protect Sally and wait for her to signal who she had decided on. Until then, she had the best bodyguards. Better then Secret Service Agents by far.
He smiled as he listened to Travis and Katherine pull baking pans out of cupboards. He would go spend time with his parents to give Katherine this chance to become more comfortable.
* * * * * * *
Colum was sitting with his parents when one of their servants came in with a message.
Cormac looked at it and handed it to Colum.
Colum read it and smiled a grim smile. “I don’t think this is going to make any difference with them. They don’t care. They will keep finding martyrs for this jihad they have declared on Katherine. Once she was put on the list, only death will take her off.”
Cormac looked at his son. “We have that one who doesn’t care if he goes back. He just asked that we get his family out somehow.”
Colum got up and pushed the chair away from the table. He walked to the fireplace. “He is a smart man. Also a nice touch in the film is making the leader of that cell think we killed him also. We can use him in our ranks. It will give us that edge to know what they are thinking.”
“Well, let’s hope that after they see the video, more of them will have second thoughts.”
* * * * * * *
Some where in the North Africa
“What is this?” The leader took the DVD that was offered to him. He walked to the TV and DVD player and inserted it, then waited for the recording to come on.
The other man stood nervously, wanting to be anywhere but where he was at this moment. His stomach still felt the effects of losing his whole supper earlier after viewing the DVD. He had seen it, not knowing what awaited him. He hadn’t had the sense to turn away. Still, despite the graphic nature he wasn’t sure what he had seen, but if this was what they were up against, then he didn’t want anything to do with it. It was one thing working against flesh and blood but these were jinn, demons he was sure. They looked like humans but the fed on human blood. He had only heard of whisperings of creatures like this, had only seen it in the movies and shows that came from America.
That was where all this evil spawned from, but the man who spoke didn’t sound American. He sounded like he was from somewhere near England. Same difference. They were all godless. It certainly showed that, if they were harboring creatures such as these. He heard the rise and fall of the first voice and then he heard the creature stop talking. Then their comrade in arms came on. He couldn’t look, he didn’t need to. It was burned in his memory. He covered his ears.
The leader saw the other man cover his ears. What could make a battle hardened man act like such a woman? He watched as first one man talked, and then the camera moved to the second. This man, his third cousin looked like he had been beaten. The other man had no visible marks on his face. Both sounded scared.
His cousin looked straight into the camera. “You have never seen anything like this. They are... ”
Then the giant came back onto the screen. He was taller than any one he had ever seen before, with long black hair. His body looking like it was carved out of a rock. Both men cowered. “Speak English, I know you can... ”
“I have seen the Devil himself and those who work with him... ”
The leader of the terrorist cell lit a cigarette, sitting and waiting on a chair in front of the TV. It couldn’t be all that bad. He watched the TV screen. He saw his other cousin’s reaction.
“They are not like anything we have ever seen. I don’t know if they are jinn or aliens from space. All I know is they are not normal. I don’t think I will ever see my family again but please tell them, my parents and wife, that I died a martyr’s death, if I do die.”
The screen shot back to the first man. He was tied, hands above his head like the other. The leader watched as his eyes got big and then the screen was turned back to the other, his cousin. Then it turned to the giant.
A voice like thunder came out of this man. “Let me warn you, you have attracted the attention of Katherine’s family. She is to be my wife and with that comes protection. Should you be so determined to continue on the path you are on, each one of you will suffer the same fate that is to happen, right here and right now. No one will get near my beloved without suffering.”
The screen shot back to the leader’s cousin.
What happened, indeed it happened so quickly, he wasn’t sure it did. He heard the scream from the other, and then from his cousin as the giant moved in a flash. Then he saw his cousin’s body thrash back and forth and blood spraying everywhere. The other man was still screaming but nothing came from his cousin, not a sound as the giant was poised over his neck. Finally the giant moved away from the still hanging body of his cousin and the leader saw his legs still twitching. The giant turned. He saw his eyes blood red, blood dripped from his mouth and teeth, like a lion or feral dog, the monster smiled at him.
The giant spoke after wiping his mouth. “Let it be known the same thing will happen to anyone who comes and gets near my family. Katherine and her children, everyone from her family, are under my protection. You will be dispatched the same way... no mercy... ”
The other man still screamed. It showed him struggling to free himself as he swung widely back and forth. As the giant went towards that man, the leader heard that man’s screams before the film was stopped.
The leader sat still. His cigarette still in his hand but his hand violently shook. He heard his other cousin vomiting. He couldn’t move as he heard the door open and close. He was still sitting there an hour later where his father found him. Then the nightmare started all over again when the DVD was turned back on.
Chapter 12
Katherine pulled out the pastry shells from the oven. Travis watched her as she put four more in the oven.
“We will fill them as soon as they cool,” she said.
Travis nodded. “Thank you, Katherine, for allowing me to be part of your planning. I know this must not be easy for you but I think we can work together fine. I am open to learning all the modern ways of cookery.”
Katherine took a sip of her tea, smiling ruefully. “It’s not easy being waited on hand and foot and the constantly having someone watching over me and following me. I know some day I will not mind or may even get used to it.” She put her mug down and turned the timer on.
“It’s just I’ve been so independent all my life, that it’s hard to stop now.”
Travis moved to the wine rack. He needed a glass of wine. Uncorking the bottle he looked at the year and saw it was one of those rare vintages that Colum had just brought up from the cellar. He knew it was from Colum and Katherine’s home when she was alive the last time. Both he and Katherine turned to the sound of footsteps and laughter.
Katherine smiled as Sally came running in, rosy cheeked, behind her were her shadows, Odin and Thor. She hadn’t thought that was their real names until Travis confirmed it was so. They had changed their names after they were created. They too had fallen at the Battle of Clontarf. He had watched them fall just before himself. He was glad to have real family with him now, though. Now, he watched as his two nephews dote
d on Katherine’s daughter, Sally. It was going to be so hard when she came of age. He saw them now, it was friendly competition but they both would fight the other for her to be his mate.
Sally came up, let her backpack fall at her feet and she plopped down on the stool.
“Mom, today was such a good day. I got an A+ in Spanish, my portfolio was taken to the state capital to be exhibited, Thor and Odin said we could go on Saturday to see it and my horse arrived at noon. How cool is that?” Sally jumped up and opened up the cookie jar. She fished out a cookie and then grabbed two more. Handing one to each of the young men, she didn’t see the utter devotion they both displayed. Their eyes never leaving her as she flitted from one place to the other.
Katherine reached for a cookie herself. “Why aren’t you out with your horse?”
Sally rolled her eyes but still smiled. “Because they,” motioning towards the brothers, “told me to get a snack first. They are so bossy... ”
Sally’s kitten came into the kitchen meowing. Sally scooped it up. “Thor said he has made a box in the barn for the mama cat that we found on the road. She is about to have kittens. We will have a nice barn cat Mom.”
Katherine smiled as she pulled the light brown pastry shells out of the oven. She was glad Sally was adjusting. She saw the attachment that had formed between the brothers and her daughter. Colum said he had spoken to them and had made it clear they were not to touch her. Colum had told Katherine how wounded they had both looked.
Katherine heard a slight noise then felt arms go around her. Then she felt herself being pulled in. “Hello to you too, darling... ”
Travis bowed and left the room Sally came up and hugged her mom and Colum before running off with the brothers in tow.
Katherine turned so she faced Colum. “How are things going?”
Colum kissed Katherine’s forehead, then her nose and caught her lips. “What things my dearest? If you mean preparations for guests arriving tomorrow, everything is fine and on schedule. If you mean the other situation... well, we will see.”
Katherine felt herself pulled being in closer, Colum’s hand capturing her ass, holding her tight. “Your scent mixes perfect with the scents of baking... maybe we could... ”
Katherine laughed against Colum’s lips. “Not here, someone will see.”
Colum smiled and nipped her lips. “No one will see, that will all be taken care of... ”
He flipped open his phone and hit one number. Then he had Katherine scooped up and on the counter quick. “I’m going to show you real cooking, my dearest.”
* * * * * * *
Travis watched the security camera posted on the road at the gate. He had to hand it to these men who were now after Katherine, they didn’t give up. Nor did there seem to be a shortage of them. He watched the car go down the road and then turn around. Cormac came in and scanned the screen. He hit a button to zoom the camera lens.
Travis scanned the make and model. “They must be leasing at the airport. What would you like to do, Sir?” He saw Cormac’s look, and he smiled.
Cormac watched as the car pulled over and parked. They watched as the man lit up a cigarette, then sat.
Cormac stood and took a deep breath. “What are your nephews doing right now?”
Travis typed into the computer and brought up the surveillance screen for the new barn area. The King and Travis watched as the brothers and Sally worked with the new horse. The horse was a Morgan mare that the brothers had bought as an early Christmas gift for Sally. Travis turned on the sound and the two men listened for a minute. Cormac tuned to the phone that lay on the desk. “I’ll send out some of the other men. We don’t want Sally unattended, either. Where are Katherine’s sons?”
Travis looked at his watch. “Playing basketball with friends... two men are with them also.”
Cormac got on the phone and called two men down from his house. “We have an uninvited guest near the gate to Colum’s... get rid of him.”
* * * * * * *
The man sat, earphones in his ears, smoking, wishing he was anywhere but here. He didn’t like being here. He had heard the rumors of the last two, though he hadn’t seen the footage. He really would like to disappear but with his family at home, they needed the money. He had ignored the warnings of his wife and mother, and had taken the job. Now as he sat, he felt not so safe or brave. Why was he here anyway but to watch and wait and hope that woman came out on her own, and he could get her. But then what? He had been told, “If you can get her, get away as far as you can and then we will tell you what to do and you will be richly rewarded.”
He doubted any such thing. He figured he would either just go back after his week here or get killed. Either way his family would benefit, but if he could catch her... that would be his ticket out.
He saw the gate open and a woman in a jogging suit came running out. She had sunglasses on, a winter hat and gloves. The man moved further down in his seat and crunched out his cigarette in the ashtray. He watched as the gate closed and she stood there. He wondered what she was waiting for. She seemed to match the description, tall with reddish hair. Maybe a bit taller than he had originally thought but he figured here was his big chance.
The woman took off at a slow jog, headed toward the town. He waited till she was out of sight then turned the ignition on. He put the car in drive and slowly followed. He got to an area where there were no houses on the right... here was his chance. He was getting ready to pull up along side her when he saw her fall. This was going to be so easy...
He pulled up along side and put the car in park. Getting out he tried to sound as American as he could so as to not alert her.
“Are you OK? Can I help you?”
He heard her whimper and saw her holding her ankle. Heard her say, “ I think it’s broken.”
He came up alongside the woman. He couldn’t see her face but heard the muffled cry as she tried to stand. “Please help me.”
He came up and thought this was going to be too easy.
“Yes, let me lift you and we will get you in my car...”
He bent over and was about to lift the woman, when he was caught up and thrown against a tree. He felt and heard bones snap as he slid to the ground. He tried to move as the woman advanced on him from the top of the hill. How did this happen? She had been hurt. How did she lift him and throw him?
The man tried in vain to move but couldn’t feel his legs. His brain didn’t feel like it was working either. He tried to talk but nothing came out. Then, as the woman got down the hill through the leaves and snow, he saw something that knew sealed his fate. The woman took off her sunglasses and hat which was attached a wig. The woman with red hair wasn’t a woman... she was a man. And a big man at that.
He knew he was a goner. He started to pray as his body was lifted like a ragdoll and braced against the tree he had fallen against. The last thing he saw was a smile, red eyes and teeth that seemed to grow.
* * * * * * *
Sally and her horse stood perfectly still. Had she heard a scream? She looked at Odin and Thor. “What was that?”
Odin let his hand reach out to calm the horse but he really wanted to calm Sally. He had been warned however, never to touch her, until the time when she said who it was she wanted. That would be years yet, but he was good at waiting. He’d had many years of practice, and he knew she was his. Now to just get his stubborn brother a mate so they didn’t have to fight. He loved his brother. But he loved Sally more.
“Don’t worry, it’s probably just an eagle or osprey... ”
Sally looked at Odin. “It sounded human. Don’t lie to me, Odin. I’m not stupid. Men are looking for Mom, maybe it was one of them.”
Odin looked at his brother who, for some reason, had moved away like he was allowing him the chance. He turned his attention to Sally. She was a miniature of her mother. At just sixteen she was still a girl but fast approaching womanhood. In four to six years she could say who she wanted.
“Maybe
it was... I just didn’t want you to be scared.”
Sally smiled up at Odin. “Silly, like I would be scared with you two around. The only time you two aren’t with me is when I’m in the house and asleep.” She was shocked by the brothers’ laughter and by what they said next.
“You are wrong... we sit outside your door at night. We are always near,” Thor said with a smile.
Sally couldn’t believe it. “Really?”
The brothers nodded in unison.
“Sweet... ”
* * * * * * *
Colum watched as Katherine checked each of the rooms one last time.
“Everything will be fine.”
Katherine came out of the third guest room, ready to run downstairs to the big game room to have the boys bring in firewood. “I know everything is done, that we have servants galore to do anything I ask, but I like to make sure.” She heard Sally.
“Mom, Thor said the cars are at the gate. They’re here!”
Katherine ran to the security screen. Sure enough she could see her mother’s smiling face, and she was waving. Her Mom knew full well she was being watched. Katherine hit a talk button. “Hi Mom, come on in.” She hit another button and the gate could be seen opening up.
She turned to Colum who stood beside her. He pulled her in close. “You know I think you look beautiful... ”
Katherine laid her head on his chest. “Are you ready for the invasion?”
Colum smiled as he kissed the top of her head. Then hooking his finger under her chin he brought her face in view. “Yes, dearest... I’m going to talk to your father tonight after dinner.”
Katherine laid her ear next to his heart. “I mean, are you ready?”
One Thousand Years to Forever Page 12