Fate Forgotten

by J. L. Sheppard

  “And you need groceries,” Ashley added.

  “I have food, here, and—”

  “Yes, but kids like mac and cheese and yogurt, Jake,” Ashley pointed out, again softly.

  He sighed, feeling as clueless as he’d ever felt.

  As if sensing his thoughts, Jenna quickly added, “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to stress you out. A lot goes into raising a child, a lot none of us knows, but you’ll learn. And we’ll all help you along the way.”

  He appreciated it. None of them had experience with children. And of all of them, he was the least suited to raise a child. They all knew it, and still, they offered their full support.

  “I’ll handle the clothes and get you some groceries. We’ll do the rest as it comes.”

  “I’ll help Jenna,” Ashley added.

  “No, Ash,” he said, bluntly. He didn’t want to hurt her feelings, never wanted that, but he had to put his foot down. “You let Jenna deal with this and go back to your honeymoon.”

  She parted her mouth to argue.

  He cut her off. “It’s going to take me a while, Ash. Annie isn’t going to heal overnight. She’s in a new place. I think the best thing for her now is getting used to me, getting used to us, me and her, us. Give us a week. Get back to your honeymoon; we’ll be here when you get back. Jenna can help me with whatever I need, okay?”

  Finally, she agreed, but begrudgingly and with tears in her eyes. One less thing to worry about. Maybe, just maybe, Ash could forget him and have some fun.

  As he watched them go, he shook his head, knowing in his gut that wouldn’t happen. Not one of them would forget about Annie, about him. Despite the fact he was a bitter, angry, pain-in-everyone’s-ass all of the time, they cared, more than he wanted to admit. He never let himself think about it before, but now, it was impossible to deny.

  ****

  A piercing wail jolted Jacob awake. One thought prevailed. Pulse racing, he jumped out of bed.

  “Annie!”

  Materializing in the spare room where he’d laid her to sleep, he found her sitting up in bed; tears marred her rosy cheeks. Her emotions hit him—fear, dread, and panic.

  His chest squeezed. He sat on the bed beside her, his hand pushing her hair from her face. “Pupa, what’s wrong?” His voice soft and shaky.

  “Uncle Jake!” she shrieked, extending her arms toward him.

  He pulled in a breath. She was safe, and still his own fear wouldn’t release him. Immediately, he embraced her, rubbing her back softly. “What’s wrong, Annie?”

  She met his gaze, rubbing her tear-streaked face. “I didn’t…know where…I was…” She sobbed. “It’s dark…I didn’t know…”

  “Shh…I’m here, pupa,” he soothed her, cursing himself for not thinking she’d be afraid to find herself in an unfamiliar room. “I’m sorry. It’s my fault.”

  Pulling away from him, her sobs quieted, and her eyes widened. “It’s okay, Uncle Jake. It’s not your fault.”

  He heard her stomach rumble and chuckled. “You hungry?”

  She nodded. He picked her up and headed into the kitchen. Nearly three a.m., way past her bedtime, but she missed dinner, and he didn’t have the heart to force her back to bed hungry.

  “What would you like?”

  “Ice cream.”

  “Would your…” Not wanting to remind Annie her mother was gone, his voice trailed off. Before he thought better of it, he found himself saying, “Sure.”

  Opening the freezer, he spotted a gallon of ice cream and silently thanked Jenna. She’d kept her promise and bought clothes for Annie and groceries, then put them away.

  “Chocolate?”

  Annie’s eyes widened. She nodded, smiling.

  If only he knew of a way to keep that smile on her face. That smile, he could live off.

  Chapter 2

  “Val.”

  Valerie’s gaze darted to the threshold leading into the living room and met Glen’s stare. A soft smile spread across her lips. He closed the distance between them, leaned down, and placed a peck on them.

  “Hey you. Where have you been?”

  “You know…running errands.” He plopped down beside her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Want to catch a movie tonight?”

  “Sure. Do you have anything in mind?”

  “Why don’t we play it by ear?”

  She nodded and bit her tongue. She didn’t need foresight, the ability to see glimpses of the future, a rare gift some witches were blessed with, to know she’d stay in tonight.

  Like her, Glen was an immortal, a warlock from an all-male coven in Jersey. Handsome, tall, and lean with dark eyes, he often made plans he couldn’t or wouldn’t keep. She’d known it from the first time she laid eyes on him without her other esteemed gift of psyche-sight, the ability to discern key elements of a person’s character at first glance.

  To the rest of her coven, her family, her sisters—eleven witches who often teased her for her inexperience and inactive love life, she and Glen made the perfect pair. They repeatedly advised her she needed to loosen up, enjoy life for all it had to offer, especially and most importantly, the opposite sex.

  When Glen asked her to dinner, she hesitated at first, told him she had to think about it. Her biggest fear, one she’d never admitted to anyone: falling for a man who wasn’t hers. Her sisters found out he asked her out and bugged her until she gave in and began dating the handsome warlock. The first date turned into two and three and four. Still, she didn’t see him as more than a friend, and she realized his feelings for her were superficial. He made it clear she wasn’t his mate—the one woman destined for him, the woman immortal men spent their lives waiting for—their perfect match. She didn’t see the point of a relationship with a man not destined for her. What if he found his mate? What if she did? But her sisters told her with time she’d grow fond of him and fully enjoy the perks of being attached. A part of her hoped they were right. A bigger part of her hoped they were wrong.

  Six months later, she hadn’t fallen for Glen. Maybe he irritated her with his broken promises. More than likely, knowing she wasn’t his, that deep-seated fear wouldn’t let her.

  Besides, she wanted a man that captivated her at first glance, as it was said immortal men felt when they first laid eyes on their fated mate. She supposed she had to agree with her coven: the reaction she expected wasn’t reasonable.

  By immortal standards, she was young and knew little of the world. But one thing she knew, irrational fear or not, she didn’t belong with Glen. Still, she couldn’t find a way to end the stagnant relationship. Broken promises aside, he was sweet and good to her, and she didn’t want to hurt him.

  “You okay?” His voice drew her away from her dreary thoughts.

  “Yeah,” she lied.

  They sat together for several moments. He glanced at his watch as he often did, a sure sign, he wanted to leave. Not five minutes later, he told her he had to meet with his brother and left.

  Hours later after the sun set, Glen called and broke their date. Something had come up. It always did.

  “Let me guess. That was Glen breaking yet another date?”

  Glad for the company, she turned from her position on the couch and spotted Shari, her adoptive mother. She didn’t look like a mother. Like most immortals, Shari stopped aging at twenty-five, though she was more than four hundred years old. Tall, thin, and beautiful, all her sisters were in their own way.

  “How’d you guess?” Her voice laced with sarcasm.

  “Don’t need foresight to guess. It’s routine by now.” Shari sat beside her. “You know, you can just break things off with him…”

  Val bit the side of her lip. “I have to. I mean it’s obvious I’m not his.”

  “That’s not why I think you should break it off.”

  She smirked. She knew what would come next, but played dumb. “Why else?”

  Shari chuckled. “You’re a hopeless romantic. It’s one of the things I love about y
ou.”

  No use denying the truth. “I know,” she muttered under her breath.

  “I don’t think you’ve yet realized, but you can have valuable and meaningful relationships with men who aren’t fated to you. We live very long lifetimes… Do you want to live that long alone?”

  “Not alone. I have you and the rest of the coven. You’re my family—the only family I’ve ever known.”

  Shari smiled. “And that’s the way it’s supposed to be, but we’re talking about male companionship here. You can fall in love with someone who isn’t fated to you. I have…” She winked. “Many times.”

  “Yeah, but what if—”

  Shari’s gaze softened. “What if he finds his mate, and you’re in love with him?”

  Valerie nodded.

  Shari grabbed her hand and squeezed. “What if he’s in love with you, and you find your mate?” She shrugged. “Love is a gamble. Life is a gamble.”

  Val nodded.

  Shari tilted her head slightly, her knowing gaze pierced hers. “Don’t live afraid, Val. Take chances. Live, fully and completely. And love…You’ll never regret it.”

  After a brief moment of silence, Shari said, “Besides, the probabilities of you finding your mate or him finding his are slim to none. Think about it… Casey is six hundred, and she’s never found her fated.”

  Casey claimed she didn’t want to find her fated. Valerie couldn’t understand why, but knew Casey felt that way. “I suppose…but…”

  The front door opened, and three others from their coven waltzed in: Dianne, Hanna, and Casey.

  “Speaking of the devil,” Shari said loudly, grinning broadly.

  “Are you talking shit again?” Dianne glared, playfully. “Always running your mouth.”

  “If you’re referring to shit as the truth, then yes,” Shari snapped quickly. “But it wasn’t about you. I promise.” She raised her hand in scout’s honor, then laughed.

  The three dropped their shopping bags on the floor and took seats around them. Dianne in a blue and green armchair she’d picked out that everyone else hated. Casey on the arm of the love seat, and Hanna sat Indian style on the coffee table.

  “What were you talking about?” Hanna asked.

  Casey analyzed her freshly manicured nails. “Glen, of course. She always has that frumpy, depressed look when he’s mentioned.”

  Dianne placed her feet on the coffee table beside Hanna. “Break it off yet?”

  Valerie shook her head.

  “What are you waiting for? The guy’s obviously not interested.”

  Hanna reached over and kicked Dianne’s feet off the table.

  “Ouch! I didn’t mean it in a bad way.”

  Her words stung, but Valerie didn’t take it to heart. One of the reasons she loved Dianne: she could always depend on her to spit out the truth without sugarcoating it.

  Shari cleared her throat. “Then perhaps you should rephrase.”

  Dianne’s charcoal gaze darted toward Valerie. “I’m sorry. What I meant was he…ignores you and…you shouldn’t be ignored.” She glanced at Shari, then Hanna as if asking whether she’d come across less harsh.

  “I thought you guys thought we made the perfect pair.”

  Casey smiled. “He’s a warlock. You’re a witch. He’s handsome. You’re gorgeous—”

  “You have similar backgrounds, and you make a cute couple, but if he doesn’t treat you right, then what’s the use in wasting your time?” Hanna explained.

  “I thought you guys wanted me to gain experience with men and…”

  Dianne shrugged. “You should test the waters, explore, but if the guy doesn’t rock your boat, throw him out on his ass.”

  “Date several guys at a time, not just one,” Casey added nonchalantly.

  Hanna sighed and waved her hand in dismissal. “What they mean to say is if the guy doesn’t give you the attention you deserve, like if he cancels plans on a whim, let him go. You deserve better.”

  She nodded, then mouthed, “Right.”

  “Let’s have some drinks and watch a movie,” Shari said. “Get your mind off that warlock.”

  Dianne jumped off her seat. “Oh, I’ll order pizza. I’m starved! What will it be, ladies?”

  “When aren’t you?” Casey flipped her long blonde hair. “And why do you ask if you’ll only get what you want anyway?”

  “Cheese and pepperoni it is then.” Dianne grinned and fished her phone out of her pocket.

  Valerie couldn’t help but smile. She was glad Glen had cancelled. On a Friday night, there was nowhere else she’d rather be.

  After the movie, everyone scattered, heading for bed. Valerie couldn’t sleep, not just yet. Since talking with her coven, she knew she had to end things with Glen, but her nerves were already getting the best of her.

  Sighing heavily, she promised herself she’d have a talk with Glen soon. To get her mind off it, she picked up a book and read until she drifted to sleep.

  ****

  An explosion shattered the windows of the coven’s home in New Jersey, the impact shooting shards of glass throughout, piercing Valerie’s skin and jarring her awake. She screamed. Her instincts forcing her to move, ducking behind the couch, she gasped when pain radiated through her leg.

  Oh God, her sisters. Her pulse raced. Fear clogged her throat. Frantic, she scanned the room filling quickly with smoke. Debris lay scattered around her.

  “Shari! Hanna!” Her voice shrill. “Maggie!”

  She coughed, then on shaky hands, she tried to slide away from the scattered fires. Pain radiating up and down her leg, she glanced down, noticing a large piece of glass protruding from her thigh. Pulling it out quickly, she flinched and muffled a groan.

  Another explosion sounded, nearly shattering her eardrums. Debris flew around her. More flames sparked to life. Smoke thickened around her, quickly filling the room anew until she could barely see. With each passing second, her heart pounded harder, faster. Adrenaline coursed through her.

  “Dianne! Amy!” She coughed, attempting to drag herself farther inside the home.

  Nothing. No voices. No sounds but those of the raging fire.

  Then another explosion rocked the house, louder and much more powerful than the last. The force of it threw her against the fireplace. Her back and head slammed against the stones. The air in her lungs whooshed out. Pain exploded, every inch of her in agony. Too much to bear.

  “Save them.” She meant to scream it, but her voice came out muffled and hoarse.

  She couldn’t fight it anymore, the pain, so much of it, overwhelming her. Her eyes drifted closed.

  Chapter 3

  Valerie stirred hours later, groggy and aching. The events of hours before hit her in a rush, making her lose her breath. Her eyes snapped open. She shot to a sitting position in an unfamiliar bed. Breathing deeply, still she smelled the stench of smoke. Coughing, she warily scanned her surroundings.

  The room was large and impeccably decorated. The walls a lovely pale violet matching the comforter draped over her and the curtains.

  A thin brunette appeared at the threshold of the room. Valerie tensed. When their eyes met, a sympathetic expression flashed across her face.

  “I’m Ashley. I’m an Elemental.”

  A figure appeared behind her, a male with dark disheveled hair and piercing blue eyes. “I’m Clyde, a warrior angel. You’ve met my soulmate, Ashley. You’ve heard of the Guardians?”

  She had overheard her sisters speaking of them before. Not just of the Guardians, a league of immortal warriors who battled Malum Inmortalis, rogue immortals, but of the war brewing between the Malums, immortal breeds, and mankind. Wanting to know more, she’d asked, but her sisters refused to answer, telling her she was too young to worry.

  Valerie tried to speak, but couldn’t. Her throat on fire, instead, she nodded.

  “We are part of that league. We hunt rogue immortals, Malum Inmortalis. The Malums attacked your coven last night. We found you and brou
ght you to New York.”

  The Malums? The rogues her sisters told her she shouldn’t concern herself with had done this? “W-where—” she croaked.

  Ashley neared. “Try to save your voice. We’ll explain everything we can. First, just know you’re safe at the demon compound, the home of the demon king who founded the Guardian league centuries ago.”

  Her chest tightened. “My c-coven—”

  The male shook his head. “I’m sorry. You are the lone survivor.”

  For some reason, she glanced at the brunette whose eyes welled with tears.

  An ache filled Valerie even as she tried to deny what she felt inside as true. She no longer sensed the magical presence of her sisters.

  “N-no.” She shook her head. Denial yet, instantly, tears welled in her eyes and fell.

  “I’m so sorry,” Ashley whispered, her voice broke.

  “No!” she tried to scream, but her throat hurt so much it sounded like a growl.

  They couldn’t be gone. She couldn’t lose her family, the ones who’d raised and sheltered her for more than twenty years after her parents abandoned her.

  Tears fell, streaming like a river down her face. “Shari and Hanna and Dianne…a-all of them?”

  Ashley nodded. “I’m so sorry.” Her own tears spilled over. Quickly, she wiped them away. The male wrapped his arm around her.

  Valerie’s ache deepened, searing a hole in her chest. “But they were just with me! I couldn’t be the only one. I…I have to see them. I have to make s-sure!” Her voice rose and broke, sounding hysterical. “Take me back, please!”

  “You know they’re gone. You feel their magic inside you.”

  The angel was right, and yet she didn’t want to believe. She stilled, placing her hand over her chest. Like a flicker, the magic of her sisters welled and pulsed inside her where their presence had once been. So much magic and yet she felt hollow. Grief slicing through her, her breaths grew shallow.

  She knew then, despite her attempts at denial.

  Her sisters were gone. She lost everyone she’d ever cared for in a split second.

  She cried out, hating the magic running through her veins.

  “I am terribly sorry for your loss.” The angel’s compassionate eyes held hers. “There was nothing you could’ve done to save them—nothing at all.”