by Kelly Hall
“To the bogs?” It seemed to Canter like a horrible place to think.
“It’s a long story.” Rebekah didn’t feel like explaining Ignis’s past to him. As a yawn broke from her mouth, she noticed Canter shifting on his feet, hesitating to go like there was something else on his mind. “Anything else?”
“Sorry, I’m just thinking too much, I suppose. What are we going to do about the Church’s orders? They wanted you to prove yourself. Won’t the commanders and the other hunters who aren’t in the loop want to see something? I mean, it’s not like this little exchange with Liam can ever get out.”
“As you can see, being a hunter isn’t easy, and our paths are everchanging with the hunt. Besides being a fool’s errand, what am I supposed to do? There’s only one option that doesn’t start a war.”
“What is it?” he asked.
“Nothing good.” She shook her head, refusing to tell him.
“You can tell me your troubles, Rebekah. I’ll be here for you when you need a friend.” He wondered just how long her friendship with the mage could last and how much it could endure.
“Anything I can help you with? You said you have a lot on your mind, and I’m guessing it’s not all about Kayne and the stigmata.” She hated not to return the offer, but part of her was hoping his life crisis could wait until morning.
He wasn’t going to push her for answers. “Just me and Katie.” He waved his hand like it wasn’t any big deal as he continued. “Can I ask you a personal question?”
Rebekah turned around to face him. “Sure.”
“Have you ever been married?”
Rebekah had a sinking feeling in her gut, thinking of Ethan and Atticus. “Technically, no. I was betrothed to Atticus, who passed away, and Ethan didn’t count. We had no binding ceremony of any kind.”
“There was never anyone else?”
“No one of great importance, no. Though I have had a few proposals.” She smiled, thinking of the handful of hunters who had enough courage to bend a knee for something more than a salute.
“Why did you turn them down?” Canter felt a bit of hopelessness. He wasn’t afraid of Katie doing the same, but the possibility existed. “Did they blow the proposal?”
Rebekah smiled. “You’re going to ask Katie to marry you?” She figured he had realized he’d wanted to because of what had happened while they were away.
“I think so. That is, with your blessing and if I can manage to get away from here long enough to buy a ring.”
“My blessing, you have. Though in the case of love, it’s quite useless. Now, if a ring is all you need, look no further, my friend.” She walked over to the wall behind her desk where a portrait hung of a young maiden on a horse, and she pulled it away from the wall like a door. Behind it there was a safe, and Canter politely turned away as she punched in the combination and a beep sounded from it before the door popped open.
“I happen to have a large collection of jewels. I’ve never understood why the men in my life think I should have all of this fancy stuff, but I’ve never worn any of it.” The diamonds Ignis had given her were the only jewels she never went without. “You are welcome to see if there is something you like.”
“I can’t just take something of yours.” He was pretty certain going into debt over the ring was part of the ritual, and he didn’t want to feel like he owed anyone anything. Rebekah dug into the back of the safe and pulled out a black marble box with gold leaf design and placed it on her desk.
“Of course, you can. I’d be offended if you didn’t, and I already know the perfect one.” She opened the box to reveal a tray of rings, all nestled into the red velvet inside. A variety of colorful stones—some large, some small, but all very lavish—glittered in the light.
“Oh wow. Those have to be worth a fortune.” Canter had never seen anything like it.
“They are worth millions. Most are probably priceless. Some came from kings and other royalty. I’ve donated a few of the more extravagant pieces to museums, but these, I’ve kept up with through the years.”
Canter realized in that moment, just how much she must trust and admire him. “I couldn’t possibly—”
“Look, these things sit a box, never to be seen or appreciated but for once in a while, and I can’t tell you the last time I looked at them.”
“It’s just all too much.”
“And Katie’s worth the very best, is she not? I will not take no for an answer.”
“I will pay you. I was planning on spending some of my savings. At least let me give that to you?”
“Do you see any you like?”
“All of them are stunning. Part of me just feels like I should give her a knife or something. Something of use.” He shrugged as Rebekah giggled.
“You’re too much like Atticus, and you don’t even know it,” she mumbled. “You can’t propose with a blade. Trust me.”
“I like this one.” He gestured to a simple ring with a gold band and a half-carat diamond. “It’s not too flashy, and she could probably still hunt with that one on.”
“It’s a lovely choice. A young prince gave it to me back many years ago. He was smitten with me after meeting me at his father’s house. He was a sweet young man.”
“Why did you turn him down?”
“He was only twelve at the time,” she said with a laugh. “And I do believe his father gave me this one.” She pointed to a large topaz ring. “Needless to say, I had no desire to be queen or mother.”
“You’ve lived a crazy life.”
“I have, and I insist you take this as payment of your services rendered. A good spy is hard to come by. Especially one who can translate Vulgar Latin.”
Canter hated to keep arguing, knowing he wouldn’t win. “Fine, but I’m not done with my research. I know there has to be more. Perhaps in some other journal. They are very well cared for, and I’m not sure how some have lasted the centuries.”
“Ignis uses preservation magic on them. He’s done the same with Luna, to keep it just as nice as Stella, which didn’t need any other magic properties.”
“It’s very intriguing. And thank you. I think I know just the spot to take her.” He might not be able to have her meddle in Ignis’s books, but he could blindfold her and bring her to the south tower’s upper level.
“You’re very welcome. I’m happy for you.” As Rebekah put away the box and locked the safe, she couldn’t help be jealous that he’d been able to find a love he wanted to share the rest of his life with. “Now, I need to get back to bed. I’ll call Ignis before I go to sleep. With any luck, he’s come back from where he’s been, and I can rest a little easier. I really don’t want to have to call Talia.” She let out a breath of frustration and walked to the door, with Canter on her heels, staring at the ring. “Good night.”
With that, she went on ahead as he slowly picked up the rear.
Holy shit, he thought. I guess I have to go through with it now.
Chapter 24
Hours later, by morning light, Rebekah carefully walked along the rocky shore of the sea, feeling the breeze blow through her hair like the touch of a lover’s hand. She closed her eyes and held out her arms, letting the wind bathe her.
“Does it feel good?” asked a voice, taking her by surprise.
“Yes,” she said, giving Kayne a narrowed glare. “I’ve always loved the sea.”
Kayne figured it had to be the human part of her shining through and wondered what kind of traits she’d gotten from Rogan’s side as he studied her closely. “What did you want with me this time?”
His tone took Rebekah off guard. “Don’t sound so happy to hear from me.”
“You’re supposed to be hunting me, Rebekah. How should I respond to you calling me?”
“How should I respond to the fact that it didn’t take blood to summon you this time?”
He looked away from her and smiled with a guilty look, knowing he’d told her that it would take blood and pain to summon him in th
e past. “Isn’t it nice to know we can still learn something new about one another after all these years?”
“You’re an asshole. You do know that I still feel pain, right? That if I slice my hand, it still hurts?” She had sliced her palm to call to him and hadn’t needed to.
“Sorry. I figured the more complicated it was, the less you’d call me. I am a very busy man.” Especially these days. He tried not to look her in the eye.
“I’m sorry to bother you.”
“You should be,” he mumbled, turning toward the water.
“Excuse me? You once said that I could call on you anytime, and now you’re going to renege on that promise?”
“I guess after so many years, one can grow tired of being sent away without. Perhaps if you better convinced me how much you need my assistance, I’d warm up to the idea.” He moved closer, leaning in to smell her hair.
“Did you just sniff me like a dog?”
“Speaking of dogs, have you ever met Rogan?” He knew that Rogan had nothing to do with her capture, but that didn’t mean the two hadn’t been otherwise acquainted.
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I have. Is that important?”
“Do you find him attractive?” He wondered just how far she’d gone with him, and the images in his head made him angry.
“Rogan? You mean like romantically?” She felt a wave of nausea. “Are you insane? He’s my bitter enemy.”
“The same argument could be said for me.” His jaw tensed. “But that wasn’t my question.”
Although it seemed to come from left field, she thought somehow that Kayne was jealous of her and Rogan. “I don’t know what has been said about our meeting, but I did speak with him. Our discussion ended in a truce.” She wasn’t about to tell him that she had a strange feeling around him or let her mind dwell on it too long. She was pretty sure Kayne saw himself as the only Alpha in the universe.
He wondered how she and Rogan were connected, or if they had a special way of communicating, or if she’d been able to call on him any time she wanted. He didn’t know what kind of special bond they had, but he’d always been able to sense her because of his blood in her system. Maybe Rogan had the same advantage? He glanced her way and felt the anger in him subside, but only for a moment. “Why did you call me here?”
“Some of your children came into my home and attacked my guests. They were looking for me. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”
The words sent his anger to a new level, but he had to keep it inside. He didn’t want her to think it bothered him, which it didn’t. “And what do you want me to do about it?”
She narrowed her eyes. “You’re not yourself.” She wrapped her arms around her waist and stared across the water. “I’m not sure I want to tell you.”
“I know exactly who I am. Can you say the same for yourself?”
“I know I’m a fool. I trusted you all these years. This fucking act of yours like you were in love with me.” She felt her face turn red and suddenly felt as naïve as she had with Ethan those first few days on the hunt.
“As if you ever believed it,” he said, giving her a sideward glance.
Her expression held him a moment, and he looked away knowing she had finally begun to believe him, just when he was sure it was best to push her away. “Stop wasting my time, and tell me what you want, Rebekah.”
“I wouldn’t have at all unless it was important. And since it was the fault of your—” She took a breath to hold her tongue, calling them fiends would not go over well, and she still needed his help. “One of your vampires infected one of my men.”
“That’s not possible. You’re immune. I know. I tried turning your kind against you and Ethan long ago.” He had been so fascinated with them that he’d tried to infect them to create a super army, only to find that they were unable. He imagined his blood in her gave them just enough of the virus to build an immunity.
“Why are you being so nasty to me? I’m trying to tell you that I have a young man who is unmarked and in the middle of change locked up in my basement!” She closed her eyes. “He’s on his third day. He’s only got hours. I need you to take him. Try to save him, give him a life, any life to replace the one you’ve stolen from him.”
“This human means something to you? Family?”
“Yes, he’s like family to me. I saved him once already from your kind. I brought him in and nurtured him. I was just shy of marking him.”
“Where he would have no doubt slaughtered my kind for revenge.” He couldn’t see this ending well no matter what. “You know, Rebekah, sometimes you have to let things go.” He had told himself that, and while he was unsure he could stop coming around, he was certain he couldn’t turn off his feelings for her. Not when he looked into her eyes and saw everything he’d ever wanted in a woman. Not only was she gorgeous, but she was strong, fiercely made and one of a kind. He turned away, but she reached out and grabbed his arm.
“Stop.” She pulled him back, and he spun around, his eyes the darkest obsidian, his fangs bared. She wasn’t about to flinch away from him. “Stop being an asshole.”
As soon as she unhanded him, he moved forward, backing her into a large rock where the waves crashed so hard and high they sprayed her with a fine mist. “I’ll bargain with you.”
“What?” She shook her head. “Another low for you.” She pushed against his chest, but he moved in closer. “Give me what I’ve always wanted, and I’ll take in your poor little human and make sure that he has a wonderful life by my side.”
“I don’t want him to be a slave to you.”
“You have a pretty tall order for someone who desperately needs me. Tell me, just how much of me do you need?” Kayne stepped away and began to pace the wet sand, which impressed with each step, leaving tiny, shallow puddles from his boots.
She couldn’t believe that he was going to use it against her. “You’re not serious.”
Kayne shrugged. “I’ve waited centuries for what’s between those long, sexy legs of yours, and I think it’s time you give it up.”
After being used by Ethan for centuries, she had grown tired of men feeling entitled to her. “No way.” She looked down at her shoes.
“Am I that bad? Come on, you try to deny that you want the same thing.”
“I’ve never wanted blackmail, you bastard.” She couldn’t believe that he had stooped to this level, knowing what it meant to her.
He gave a sinister smirk. “I think that they call me a mean bastard. But think of it this way. You’ll be doing it to help a friend in need. You should hurry up and decide. I know that he’s probably getting close to the critical point.”
“You’re not bending me over a rock and taking me like some animal,” she spat.
“You’d probably like that a hell of a lot more than you think,” he mumbled. “No, if you agree, we’ll make a date, and I’ll even be slow and tender if you want. But I warn you. If you break your vow, I’ll rip out your little friend’s heart and eat it right in front of you.”
“You’re disgusting.” She spat at his feet.
Despite her gesture, he still wanted her. “And you don’t have a choice, do you? You went through a lot bringing me your burden, and while I could fix things out of generosity, I figure I might as well get something out of it.”
She didn’t have a whole lot of options. Time was running out, and she had to save Liam. “I want your word also that you’ll call off your fangs. I don’t want any more visits to my house.”
“They knew you were coming for me.” He let out a chuckle. “You will be, too. In a whole different way.”
“Enough!” she snapped. She didn’t think she could hate him more than she did in that moment.
The sly smile she thought she’d earn didn’t come. Instead, Kayne leaned in close. “I’ll come for the boy soon. Warn your hunters not to try and stop me. And if this is some kind of trap, I’ll kill them all.”
She stepped away, and then, no
t sure what else to say, she left.
Kayne watched her go, thinking that he’d use his bought time with her to his best advantage. If she had the same kinship with Rogan, he’d find out. Besides, it was time to see if there was any truth in what Ignis had promised him.
Chapter 25
Sister Frankie walked through the castle, hoping to gather everyone for Rebekah. The Huntress had returned minutes earlier, looking like she wanted to stab someone in the throat and calling for everyone to meet her in the courtyard.
As she passed the sitting room, she saw something move out of the corner of her eye. She looked up, expecting to find Delilah or Katie to tell them about the gathering, but froze in fear as she saw it was neither.
“May I help you?” she asked the woman, realizing suddenly that she was the same lady depicted in the nearby portrait. Chills crept up her spine, and she placed a protective hand on her stomach. She waited for the woman to respond, but instead, she faded away as if spooked.
Frankie blinked. She had not just seen a ghost. Ghosts didn’t exist, did they? But while she tried to convince herself otherwise, she knew better. They were as real as vampires and shifters, or even naiads. The ghost had been that of Rebekah’s mother, and while the woman hadn’t been alive for centuries, she had looked young and as real as Frankie. Shaken, she focused on her task, trying to put it out of her mind.
As Delilah came down the stairs with Jarreth in tow, she looked down and noticed Frankie looked visibly shaken. “Are you okay, Sister?”
She rubbed her belly and looked up to the stairs as they descended. “Yes, I thought I saw—you know, never mind. I’m tired, and it’s been a long week.” She waved her hand dismissively. Even if there were shifters and vampires, the two hunters would look at her as if she were crazy if she said she saw Rebekah’s mother.
“Yeah, it sure has,” said Delilah. “How is Father Timms?”
“He’s doing a bit better. I’m not sure if he’ll get the use of his arm back, but he’s healing and still without infection, so that’s all we could hope for.” She had seen his improvement, but he wouldn’t be back to his old self in a while.