David's Dilemma

by Sydney Addae

  “I always said David was cool unless you messed with someone he loved. Then he would unload on you. Rone is like that, too,” Danielle said.

  Rose agreed.

  “Calm down, Sarita,” Renee said. “Or David’s going to come in here.”

  Sarita shook her head to dislodge the images and accompanying emotions. “That’s intense,” she said.

  “Still waters run deep, I’m telling you,” Danielle said. “I’d bet on you and David any day over that bitch. I’d never get on David’s bad side. I call him Silas, Jr.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  DURING DINNER, NO ONE spoke of the upcoming battle and made light-hearted conversation mostly about pups, school and the vacation the twins had taken with Lilly and Cameron recently.

  David and Sarita sat next to each other listening to the others. “I want to go on a cruise, maybe to the island one day,” she told him.

  “We can go after Renee’s wedding,” David promised her. Leaning back, she looked at him, staring into his eyes and kissed him.

  “I can’t wait. Maybe Adam and Jackie too?” she whispered.

  “What? I’m not enough for you?” he asked.

  “None of us are having weddings like Renee but we can all have the honeymoons.” She winked at him.

  “Good point.” He paused. “Are you sure you don’t want a wedding? Renee claims all females really want to have that big day when her man sweeps her off her feet.”

  “We’re mated, which is much stronger than marriage,” she told him. “You can sweep me off my feet on our honeymoon.”

  He hugged her close and whispered all the things he planned to do her on their honeymoon. Foreheads touching, she traced his lip. “Are you okay with me training with Isodora?”

  He closed his eyes for a brief second and then looked at her. “If that’s what it takes for you to feel more confident about all this, I’m okay. I just don’t want you to doubt yourself, or us.”

  She hugged him close and pressed a kiss to his lips. “Thanks, I appreciate you trusting me with this. Walk with me.” They stood holding hands and walked out the building toward their cabin.

  “Isodora, we need help with training. I’m asking to bring my mate along with me,” Sarita called hoping the Priestess agreed to allow David’s presence.

  One moment they were walking toward the cabin, the next they were swept up in a whirlwind and landed just outside Salah’s temple.

  David looked around and then at her. “You didn’t tell me I was coming.”

  Sarita shrugged. “I wasn’t sure she would agree. Now you can work with me.”

  He nodded.

  “Shall we enter?” Sarita asked the Priestess.

  “Someone will come for you.”

  Sarita nodded and leaned against David, the top of her head resting just beneath his chin. “What do you think?”

  “It’s beautiful, where are we?”

  She shrugged. “I have no idea. It’s huge, or maybe it just seems that way. I haven’t done a lot of looking around. Mostly just training, eating and sleeping.”

  He cupped her cheek and stared at her. “I’m happy you found a part of your past. It’s good to know.”

  She nodded. “Yeah, it is. I wish it resonated more with me, then maybe I would be better prepared.”

  “You will.” He spoke with so much confidence she believed him.

  The door opened. Kim stood at the top, stared at them. “Come on.” She turned and walked further inside.

  David and Sarita followed. He looked at the translucent walls and floors, vibrant foliage and flowers. Incense flowed through the rooms as they walked down a hall Sarita didn’t remember. Kim entered a room and left the door open for them.

  Inhaling deeply, they entered the dimly lit room and stopped. Isodora sat in a chair in front of a large white casket. Kim sat next to her and bowed her head.

  “What do you think is going on?” Sarita asked David.

  “Funeral?”

  They sat in the back row, holding hands and looking around as the door closed.

  For several minutes no one said anything.

  Isodora stood, walked to the casket, placed her hands on it and took a deep breath. Turning she walked toward the door and looked at them. “This will be over soon.”

  Unsure what the Priestess meant, Sarita nodded. Kim remained near the casket and touched it with her forehead for several moments. When she turned to leave her eyes held tears. Sarita looked at the casket and stood. “We should go.” She looked at David.

  “Do you want to go up there?”

  “Why would I?” She frowned.

  “I believe that’s Hanna, your mam. She died saving you and Kim,” he reminded her.

  Uncertainty stirred in her chest as she spoke honestly. “I don’t know her,” she said afraid.

  He stood, took her hand and walked toward the front. “Don’t be afraid. She loved you, there’s no fear in that.”

  Moving slowly, they reached the front. David placed his hand on the casket. “Thank you for your sacrifice, I promise to spend my life making her happy and caring for your precious one.”

  Sarita looked at him, placed her forehead against his chest and inhaled. “That was... I love you so much.”

  Rubbing her back, he placed a kiss on the top of her head.

  She reached out and touched the casket. “I’m sorry I don’t remember you but thank you for your sacrifice. They sent me to my dad, Hawke and his mate, Asia. They’ve taken great care of me. I’m mated to a good man who I love with all my heart. I wish we had more time together, be well.” She didn’t know what else to say and looked at David.

  He brushed a kiss against her forehead and walked out with her. In the hall, Isodora stood talking softly to Kim. When they saw Sarita, Isodora stopped talking.

  Kim walked off without looking back.

  Isodora extended her hand to Sarita.

  She took it. “Is everything alright? What’s wrong with Kim?”

  Isodora exhaled. “She refuses to wait for the challenge. Any of you can make the challenge, afterward the battle must commence within 36 hours allowing time for training. Kim wants it done now, she believes she’s waited long enough.” Her gaze flicked between David and Sarita. “She’s not ready. There’s too much anger and hatred in her heart, she can’t see clearly and Nadira will use it against her.”

  “What does that mean?” Sarita asked.

  “Nadira will kill her and come after you. You will be the only person standing between her and freedom.”

  “Kill Kim?” For some reason, those words stuck in her mind. Kim had been her close friend the past five years. They shared quiet moments, secrets, and became family while everyone else was so far away. It seemed inconceivable that Kim would die over this.

  “Something’s wrong,” Sarita said.

  “What?” the Priestess asked.

  “You said Kim and I saw Hanna. I have no recollection of that. Maybe that’s driving Kim and should be driving me as well.” She shook her head. “But I have no memories at all. Nothing.” She tightened her grip on David’s hand.

  “Where do your memories begin?” Isodora asked.

  “On a floor, in a room with the door closed, hungry, always hungry and mad. Then in a Liege classroom with others. Angry. Disobedient.” She shook her head. “Nothing before that. Kim has memories, I don’t.”

  “Plus, you never realized she was your litter-mate,” Isodora said softly.

  “No. Never did. I should’ve sensed that connection. I’ve lived with litter-mates most of my life, so I know how it goes.” Had the Liege done something to her? Tampered with her memories? Goddess she hoped not. What other explanation could there be?

  “Would you like me to scan you?” Isodora offered.

  “What do you think?” Sarita asked David. “She may see some of your memories.”

  “I’ll take care of that. It’s better to know, right?” he said.

  “Yes. You’re right.
” She nodded to Isodora.

  Isodora placed her palms on the side of Sarita’s head and closed her eyes. A curious warmth filled Sarita. Heat moved through her head with soft feathery strokes.

  “Ah...I see.” Isodora stopped and stepped back.

  Sarita and David looked at her. “What is it?” Sarita asked stepping closer to David.

  “There is a seal.”

  Sarita frowned. “What?”

  “At some point, someone sealed your memories. The depth and care tell me it wasn’t the Liege.”

  “Who else?” Sarita asked confused.

  “Hanna, or Salah perhaps. I can’t tell, it’s best not to tamper with it,” Isodora said stunning Sarita. “At least not right now.”

  “What?” She looked at David. “What does that mean, don’t tamper with it?”

  “There was something horrible no one wanted you to remember, baby. It’s hidden to allow you to function and go forward.” He cupped her cheek while staring at her.

  “But what is it?”

  “No one knows.”

  Sarita looked at Isodora. “What if it’s information that’ll help defeat Nadira? Maybe I knew Nadira or she’s actually mam? Who knows?”

  “I can assure you Nadira is not your mam, Hanna birthed you, I was there,” Isodora said decisively. “After the battle against Nadira, if you want it removed I will seek Salah on your behalf.”

  “After?” Sarita’s gaze followed the Priestess as she moved down the hall. David squeezed her hand and they trailed a short distance behind.

  “Yes. Distractions of any kind at this point could be fatal. Come, we’ve much work to do.” Isodora walked into a large room Sarita hadn’t seen before.

  Kim fought a really tall, muscular guy in the middle of the room and pinned him to the ground. Sarita’s heart dropped as she watched her litter-mate execute flawless moves and landed another blow against her opponent that knocked him to the mat.

  He stood and applauded Kim’s abilities.

  Kim glanced at Sarita and then ignored her.

  Isodora spoke to someone at the opposite end of the room, leaving Sarita and David alone.

  “I don’t like this,” she said to David.

  “You wanted to train here,” he said.

  “Not that. Why can’t I sense Kim? Even now. I had no idea she was in here until I saw her and even now, with my back to her, there’s no sense of recognition. Nothing.”

  “That’s unusual,” he agreed, glancing over her shoulder and back at her. “How will the two of you work together against Nadira?”

  Antsy, Sarita kept looking around. “Maybe we’re not. Maybe I’ll be on my own.” She caught herself. “I mean we’ll be on our own.”

  Relieved he didn’t say anything she scratched her chest and continued searching the room. Something bothered her, but she wasn’t sure what. The lines on her skin itched more than usual.

  Spinning, she leaped and kicked. Her foot connected with someone she couldn’t see. When she dropped to the ground, she crouched, searching for what attacked her. The lines on her skin burned. Without thought she kicked out, fell to the floor in a split, rolled forward and punched upward, once again connecting with someone.

  She jumped up and moved slowly in a semi-circle, sensing the unseen threat. One second, she walked counter-clockwise, the next she was in the air delivering blow after blow to an enemy. She dropped softly to the ground, pulled energy from her core and waited. For several seconds she searched the area, bypassing the surprised stares of everyone until her skin burned. Leaning left, she released the energy to the right. It hit hard, breaking the shield of the tall, warrior marked with Salah’s symbol on his forehead and chest.

  He stood, bowed and walked off.

  Stunned, Sarita watched him leave. As the adrenaline eased, she realized what just happened and turned to find David standing next to Isodora, watching her.

  “Did you see that?” she asked David while watching the retreating back of the guy who’d been fighting her.

  “I did. You were great,” he said with a easy grin.

  She jerked and looked at him. “What?”

  His smile disappeared as he watched her. “You were fighting him a minute ago with laser focus. I’ve never seen you flow like that.”

  “It was strange, me but not me,” she told him and then looked at Isodora. “What happened?” she explained her skin itching and burning, the instinctual need to lash out.

  Isodora smiled. “It’s a gift for Salah’s descendants. Not everyone here has that ability.”

  “What ability?” Sarita asked, looking at the others in the room.

  “Your vines are sensitive and warn you if someone is close, as well as their intentions, in advance. Fight becomes instinctual. All of your senses are on high alert, allowing you to battle effectively.” Isodora smiled and placed her hand on Sarita’s shoulder. “When we met, I sensed more untapped abilities in you but wasn’t sure what they were. That’s why I staged this test. Knowing if someone means you good or evil is important because people lie constantly.”

  “So when someone’s trying to kill me, the vines will heat, no burn... and what? Release a warning? Kick in a killer instinct?” Sarita looked at Isodora. “I didn’t even think about any of that. It just... happened.”

  “Yes, Salah’s descendants are extremely difficult to destroy. It’s because of what they’re called to do.” Isodora looked at David. “It’s good you’re here so that you have a better understanding of your mate’s heritage and responsibilities. One day when you’re Alpha, her gifts and standing will be a tremendous asset to your pack.”

  David nodded and pulled Sarita close. “I look forward to learning as much as possible so that I can assist her in any way she needs. Right now, my main focus is helping her step into the shoes she was born to wear.”

  “A very wise man,” Isodora said in an approving tone. “We will talk and then practice.”

  SARITA SURPRISED DAVID when she decided to remain in the training room while he and Isodora stepped away to talk. “She’s told me a lot of stuff already, maybe you’ll understand it better. I want to learn a few things from the women over there.” She pointed to her previous sparring partners. “We’ll talk about it later.” Sarita walked off, leaving him alone with the Priestess.

  David followed Isodora to what he later learned was their temple. She went through the history of Salah, answered a few questions he had and then explained their mission to save pups, which equated to ensuring the longevity of the Pack.

  While he agreed more could and should be done, the idea of Sarita operating as an agent, stepping from one plane to another, didn’t sit right with him. Diplomatically trained, he didn’t agree or disagree with the High Priestess’ explanation or request for his assistance.

  When he didn’t immediately respond, Isodora stood. “Being newly mated, I am aware this isn’t what you want to hear. However, it’s best for you to understand this isn’t something we sign up for, it’s coded in our DNA. When the time comes, she’ll go and do what’s necessary without thinking twice. Soon, it’ll become like breathing, second nature.”

  That pronouncement alarmed him. “Why now? She wasn’t like this before.”

  “No. Once she arrived here, was exposed to her heritage and tacitly agreed, destiny stepped in. Her vines, although unseen to all but you and us, are activated. That only happens with the Blessed.”

  David was sure Sarita didn’t know any of this. “If she’s so difficult to destroy, why are you worried about her fighting Nadira?”

  “Because Nadira is also a descendant. Although she turned dark, she’s good at the art of warfare. This is a deathmatch, she understands what’s at stake. Tell me, young Alpha, how hard would you fight to remain alive if you knew eternal torment awaited you?”

  David agreed with her. Nadira would be desperate. “Will Kim and Sarita fight as a team?”

  “It’s up to them,” she said in a sad voice.

  “I’
m part of a quad,” he said. “I can sense my litter-mates even if they’re miles away. Why can’t Sarita sense Kim? Even now, she’s nose blind to her sister?”

  When Isodora didn’t respond, David pushed. “Are you sure they’re litter-mates? You were there right?”

  Isodora nodded, looked aside and took a deep breath. Just as she was about to speak, David turned and watched his grandfather walk up the aisle. His long white hair, brushed against the black tunic he wore, making a striking contrast. Piercing green eyes flicked over David, silently offering a greeting and a word of caution.

  “High Priestess Isodora it is an honor and joy to see you again,” Grandfather said as he offered a courtly bow.

  “Indeed,” she said with a raised brow. “Your arrival is impeccably timed as I was discussing a sensitive matter with the young Alpha.”

  Grandfather smiled, displaying even white teeth and two sharp canines. “My apologies for interrupting. Please continue, I’ll wait outside.” He pointed to the side door David had entered minutes ago.

  “I’m sure you didn’t come this distance to stand outside. I’ll leave you two alone.” She smiled at David, nodded and left.

  Grandfather stared at her until the door closed behind her. “Very pretty. If I were a few centuries younger...” Grandfather eyed David and sat next to him. “How’ve you been?”

  “No complaints.” He paused. “Why are you here? Is something wrong?”

  Grandfather frowned. “Wrong? Why would you think that?”

  “Normally it’s the only time you show up,” David said dryly. “Just curious. But if everything’s good.” He shrugged. “My bad.”

  Grandfather rubbed his chin, glanced at David and then leaned back in his chair. “Okay, there’s just a wee-bit of caution to watch what you say while here. There’s no reason to tell everything.”

  David’s brow rose. He had said very little. “Can you be more specific, please?”

  “Wanting to know things about your mate, that’s within your rights. But lines are crossed when you ask questions about others.”

  “Kim? You’re talking about Kim?” David watched Grandfather closely.