The Prophecy Of Hope

by Kelly Hall

  Jarreth walked over and gave her a pat on the back. “I’ll go up and see him later when he’s rested.”

  “He’d love that. I’m afraid I’m wearing on him. He just doesn’t want me to worry, and there’s no way I can’t.” She tried to remember her task. “Rebekah asked me to tell you all to meet her in the courtyard. She’ll be down soon, and she has an update.”

  “She spoke with Kayne?” asked Delilah. “I hope we’re doing the right thing.”

  “We’re not,” said Jarreth. “But it’s happening. If she got in touch with him.” He looked to Frankie as if she might know the answer.

  Frankie wish she knew. “It was hard to read her anger, but I think she did.” She wasn’t sure how she felt about it either. Giving Liam over to the vampire made sense in many ways, but it still seemed like a bad idea. She had taken the boy under her wing, and it was now as if she was handing her child over to a lethal stranger. Even though she could do nothing to heal him, it just felt wrong.

  “Let’s hope,” said Delilah.

  About that time, Canter and Katie came down the stairs, hand in hand, both smiling at the other. Delilah liked seeing Canter happy, and while at times she still couldn’t believe it was because of Katie Kelly, she had to admit the girl had come a long way since the days she couldn’t stand her enough to grapple with her. They were actually friends now. Funny how things change, she thought.

  “Meeting on the lawn,” said Jarreth, earning a glance from Canter.

  “On the lawn? What, is Lulu tired of feeding us?” He had gotten used to snack time around the dining table.

  “There are cookies in the kitchen,” said Jarreth. “I left you some, so you’re welcome.”

  “Only because Lulu said you’d better,” said Delilah with a pointed look.

  Canter and Delilah exchanged a laugh.

  “If you could go on out, I’ll get the others,” said Frankie, heading down the hall.

  “I guess we should get out there,” said Delilah, squeezing Jarreth’s hand. They walked to the door, and Canter and Katie followed. They sat down on the nearest bench, and Delilah looked out over the rose garden.

  Mace joined them a few minutes later, with a blade and whetstone in her hand, working on a sharper edge. “How long is this going to take? I have another project, and I don’t want to waste my time standing around out here in the sun, only to be told that Liam is going to be taken by bloodsuckers.” She wasn’t taking it well, and the situation had already inspired another invention, one she hoped she’d never have to use on Liam.

  “I’m not sure,” said Canter. But about that time, Rebekah joined them, looking like she’d just been slapped in the face.

  Rebekah had been sick to her stomach since making the deal with Kayne. It was stupid and reckless on her part, but she truly believed that he was the only one who could help Liam. Kayne would have been content to let him die if she hadn’t agreed to be with him, and she felt the bile rise in her throat just thinking about it again. She’d been forced into things before, and Kayne knew that. She would make sure he knew that he was no better than the very monsters he’d saved her from.

  She stood in front of her hunters who all fell into line, including Mace, who had more of the hunter’s instincts by her birthright than she’d ever cared to admit. “I’ve been to see Kayne. He will come and take Liam. He sends his warning, though. No one is to try to interfere. If anyone does, it’s going to be an act of war. So, I suggest you leave him to his task. The sooner he’s gone, the quicker we can all go back to being bitter enemies.”

  “We’re still bitter enemies, and I will owe him nothing,” said Jarreth.

  “But you will honor the agreement I made, per my orders. Or I can make sure you’re sent back to your father’s camp.”

  “I will honor it. For you and for Delilah. Because even though I think she’ll one day regret it, I love her enough to give her what she wants. And she wants Liam to live whatever life he’s able.”

  “I appreciate that,” said Rebekah, giving him a withering look.

  “But let me make something clear. I will kill Liam if he turns into an abomination and comes after us. I’m still hoping that he dies in the change. I don’t want to be the one to kill him.”

  Aziel walked out to join them. “Sorry I’m late.”

  “Where have you been?”

  “More like what’s he been up to?” mumbled Jarreth.

  “Any reason you say that?” asked Rebekah.

  As the angel pegged Jarreth with a hard stare, Jarreth raised his hands in defense. “Don’t mind me,” he said. “I’m just bitter.” He was ready to learn what the angel had been up to. He had been keeping secrets for far too long, and Jarreth hoped it would all come back to bite him in the ass soon. He had only kept it from Rebekah to keep Michael and the other angels off of his ass, but not because he was afraid of any of them.

  Aziel wished he could tell them his purpose, but they would learn soon enough. He had to let things play out just as they were going to and hoped that the Huntress would understand his sacrifice. “What did I miss?”

  “Just that Liam is going with Kayne. And we’re not to intervene.”

  “Got it,” said Aziel.

  “Oh, you got it,” said Jarreth. He couldn’t believe the angel was so nonchalant about it. “Good thing.”

  Aziel ignored his remarks.

  “Enough of that. I want everyone on guard.”

  “When is he coming?” asked Jarreth.

  “He didn’t say. But it will be soon.” She wished she could give them a time, but Kayne never did anything on a schedule.

  “So, we just sit and wait for him to pop in, and we’re supposed to not be on guard?” Jarreth thought it was the most ridiculous thing he’d ever heard. He wasn’t going to sit by and let the asshole come in and take Liam without him standing guard to make sure nothing got out of hand.

  Rebekah sympathized with their instincts to do the opposite of what she asked. “I know. I get it, okay? But being predictable makes one vulnerable, and this is the only way he operates. I had to let him make some of the rules.”

  “Yeah, I guess we should be thankful he met with you at all. And that he’s taking Liam.” Delilah didn’t know how the Huntress was able to meet with Kayne on a whim and thought she must have a pretty strong connection to the man. She tried not to judge, but she just couldn’t help it. Rebekah’s relationship with the vampire was what had gotten them into this mess in the first place.

  Jarreth clenched his teeth. “This seems like an opportunity wasted. We’re supposed to be figuring out a way to trap Kayne to prove your loyalty to the Church, and we’ll have him here, on our turf, and if we want Liam to survive, we can’t touch him.”

  “Do you have a better plan?” asked Rebekah. “Because if it’s trying to go after Kayne, which is an impossible task, he’ll kill you, so if you’re hellbent on making a statement, I’d advise against it.”

  “I’m just saying it sucks.”

  “Yeah, and I haven’t thought of one way to take him in, so it’s best let go.”

  “But you told me you had thought of an idea. What is it?”

  “I didn’t think of one, actually. Talia did. And it’s not a good time for it.” She didn’t think there was ever going to be a good time to ask Kayne for another favor. The cost was much too great. Heat bloomed in her body as she thought of their recent agreement.

  “I wish you’d just tell us, Rebekah. Maybe we could help.”

  “It’s stupid. And Kayne will not go for another favor.”

  “A favor?” Delilah narrowed her eyes. “You mean, you’d ask him to help you instead of going after him?”

  “It was Talia’s idea. She thought we could come to an agreement with Kayne. He cannot be killed, or trapped for that matter. So if I could convince Kayne to appear captured to get my pardon from the Church, which would keep my Fellowship intact, then he could escape.”

  Jarreth shook his head. “That’s
her big plan? Ask for another favor and expect Kayne to roll over and look weak for a bunch of people he’d rather light on fire than eat? Good luck with that.”

  “I agree,” said Rebekah. “I can’t just ask him something like that. We are still enemies.”

  Delilah’s eyes narrowed. “If you’re such big enemies, then how did you get him to help you with Liam in the first place?”

  Her face burned with anger and embarrassment. She wasn’t about to tell Delilah and the others what she’d bargained for Liam. “It’s complicated. And I’m done talking about it.”

  “You are always content to leave us in the dark,” said Mace. “And you wonder why I don’t wish to be a hunter. How can I swear my vows to you when you can’t even tell me the truth?”

  “Liam will have a chance. That’s all you cared about before, so what difference does it make?” With that, she turned and walked back toward the house. “Be ready. I’m going to wait with Liam. I’ll let you know when it’s done.”

  Knowing Kayne would come right to her wherever she was, she wanted to get away from the others as to not put them in harm’s way. With any luck, he’d come in and take him without much ado, and she could go back to loathing him, secure in the fact that Liam had a chance.

  Chapter 26

  She sat watching Liam writhe in pain as the change took its toll, and she couldn’t help but think about the deal Kayne had made with her. Why would he bargain for something that she had never given him freely? He had to know that by forcing her hand, he wasn’t making her life any better. But that was Kayne. He had to live up to his despicable reputation.

  Unless he knows that deep down, it’s your heart’s desire, said a voice from deep inside her. Don’t deny that you want him as much as he wants you.

  “But not for the same reasons,” she said, hating that it was true. The sound of her own voice surprised her as she spoke out loud. She wished she had someone, anyone, who she could talk to about the situation with Kayne. Was it normal to feel this way about someone so reprehensible as he was? Did she really see something in him that was redeemable? Or was it just the fact that she was physically attracted to the man? She had been attracted to Ethan as well, and yet, when his personality became less than desirable, she had found him repulsive. But while Ethan had abandoned her, Kayne had come to save her, despite her being his enemy. She had never really questioned Ignis why, but she wondered what price he had paid for Kayne’s help.

  She wished she could talk to Ignis. But he was probably long gone, back to Talia’s, or still hiding in the south tower, blowing off steam and burning pages of his books.

  All of the fighting had given her mixed emotions, and just when she closed her eyes and let out a breath, she heard Liam gasping for breath. Rebekah leaned forward, watching the boy struggle, wondering if Kayne was ever going to show. She hoped he wasn’t playing some kind of game with her.

  But suddenly, from the dark corner of the dungeon came a strong voice. “This is who you’re willing to bargain for?” Kayne stepped into the light and looked down on the boy, who suddenly responded to his presence like he longed for his help.

  “What kind of monster would I be if I did not care about him?” She breathed a sigh of relief that he was there to fulfill their agreement, every instinct in her humming with his presence.

  “You’d be me.” He turned his eyes to meet hers. “But a deal’s a deal.”

  She recoiled at his smile. “About that.”

  Kayne lifted his hand. “Ah, no turning back now, Rebekah. You promised. Besides, it’s not too late to put this changeling out of his misery if you change your mind. I mean, it would put me in the foulest of moods.”

  “Please, Kayne. Just hear me out. I want to propose another deal.”

  “Careful, Rebekah. Don’t insult me by asking another favor.”

  “I could be rid of the Church once and for all. I—”

  He frowned at her desperation. “That’s your problem, Rebekah. You care too much about what the Church and your men want. I’ve seen the little family you have made for yourself here. It’s very telling of where you came from. You need to start showing them what a tough bitch you are and stop trying to please everyone, or they’ll continue to walk all over you. You have to show them and the Church who has the upper hand.”

  “Like you? Everyone knows you don’t have fuck all to do with your kind. You leave everything to your own councils. My hunters want a leader.”

  “Then stop being their mother!” He grabbed her by the arm and pulled her closer, his strong hands gripping her wrist until she thought it might snap off. “You want me to help this child because you show pity. It’s pathetic and weak.”

  “Just like your bargain. You know it’s the only way to get me into your bed!” He’d tried for centuries, and now he wanted to force the issue.

  “I did you a favor. You know you want it as much as I do, and this way, I can still be the big, bad boogeyman, and you can keep lying to yourself about your feelings for me. But humor me now, and tell me what you were going to ask of me.”

  “Talia made a suggestion. She said that you might be willing to help me because she said you’re in love with me.”

  Kayne laughed. “I have no heart, My Immortal. I do not know love, only lust.” Rebekah shrank away from him, but he gripped her wrist tighter and pulled her close. “Quench my curiosity.”

  “It doesn’t matter.” She jerked her arm free, certain that he could have broken it if he’d wanted. Thankfully, she was a quick healer too.

  Liam made a gurgling sound, and Rebekah turned her attention to the young man. “Help him. Please.”

  “The bargain stands. If you want to amend anything, we can take it up when I come to collect.” He walked over to Liam’s bedside and looked down at the boy. “As for you, let’s hope we can get you through your transition. I’d like you and my immortal one to meet again.”

  Rebekah had always reacted inside when hearing him use the endearment. “Why do you call me that? I’m not your immortal.”

  He laughed. “Oh, but you are, Rebekah. And maybe when Ignis gets back, he’ll finally have the guts to tell you just how much of me you really are. And perhaps how much of Rogan and Ethan too.”

  Quick as a flash, he was gone, and Liam with him. Rebekah ran over to the boy’s bed and held her heart. He had taken him just as quickly as he’d taken her, and now she only had to wonder if he’d make it through. She sank down to his bed and sat there shaken. What had he meant? How could she be a part of him, much less a part of Rogan.

  “Is it done?” asked a frail voice. “I wouldn’t come down knowing he was here.” Frankie stepped from the shadows. “He took Liam?” She had fat tears in her eyes, her voice choking on them.

  “Yes. He will do what he can to save him.”

  “I suppose all there is to do now is pray.” She held her rosary tight in her fist and brought it to her lips.

  “Yes, Frankie. Pray for him.” Rebekah didn’t know what else to say.

  “I feel like he’s died. But then, I guess he did.” She closed her eyes.

  “Indeed.” Rebekah wondered how much she had heard, if anything, while lingering at the door.

  “Rebekah, there is something I need to tell you.”

  “Whatever you heard, just forget you heard it, Frankie.”

  Frankie’s face turned red. “No, Huntress, I wasn’t going to ask you about that.”

  “But you heard, didn’t you?” She needed to know.

  “Who am I to judge unconventional relationships with older men?” She looked away. “But actually, it’s about your mother.”

  “My mother?”

  Frankie nodded. “I mean no disrespect, and I’m sure your mother more than earned the respect of her peers from her station in life, but, it’s just that—”

  “Spill it, Frankie. I’m sure you’re not going to say anything to offend my mother’s memory. I’m aware that her situation is much like yours and Randall’s. I just d
idn’t know much about it.”

  “No, Rebekah. I appreciate that.” She took a deep breath. “But I saw your mother earlier. In the front room, near her portrait.”

  “My mother? When you saw her? You mean—”

  “Her ghost.”

  Rebekah couldn’t believe her ears. Had her mother come back from the dead to warn her about Kayne or the prophecy?

  Before she had a chance to respond, Frankie shook her head. “I’m sorry. I am just going a little mad. I’m sure it wasn’t a ghost. I’m sure it was just a figment of my mind. Her portrait was there—it’s just been bothering me. I shouldn’t have mentioned it.”

  “I’m thankful you did. It would be nice if my mother were around again. Maybe then, I could get to know her better. She wasn’t around much during my childhood, for obvious reasons.”

  “That must have been hard.”

  Rebekah thought of her Ignis. It wasn’t nearly as hard as the two of them fighting. She needed to reach out to him, but Frankie had other ideas.

  “We should tell the others that Liam is gone.”

  “Anything else that was said,” Rebekah said with a warning tone.

  “No worries, Huntress. Your privacy is safe. I’ll consider what I heard a matter of confidence. And while I respect your decisions, might I just say that sometimes, people just can’t be saved. Remember that.”

  Rebekah gave a nod. “Thank you, Frankie.” Then the two walked to the stairs.

  They went up and headed to the living room to tell the others about Liam. “Is he gone?” asked Mace. “Can I go back down and get to work now?”

  “Yes, Kayne took Liam. You can go back to work after lunch, and I want us all together for dinner.” She had a lot of strategy to plan. If Kayne wasn’t going to help her with the Church, then she would have to be just as ruthless as he said to be. But that was going to take a lot of planning.

  Mace shook her head. “I’m not hungry.” She walked away, heading toward the basement.

  Delilah looked up from where she sat with Jarreth. “Did he say anything about his condition? Did things look promising?”