Absolution of Fate (Fate Series Book 3)

by S. Simone Chavous

  “And then what?” Cami pressed.

  “When Boston personnel are up to speed, I want you to meet with the ranking officers from the other compounds who are onsite and fill them in as well. Let them handle telling their own people.”

  “There are going to be a lot of questions,” Cami replied, shifting in her seat uneasily.

  “Then we’ll keep the men focused on their duties instead of standing around gossiping. We need all of our resources working together to get the new soldiers settled in, and I want everyone divided into groups running training drills around the clock. Work with the other officers to determine tactical teams. Research has developed some new rounds,” Claesson said pulling a bullet from his pocket, “the tips are filled with silver nitrate,” he continued, shaking it to show the shimmery liquid. “Our solid silver rounds keep the infected from healing, but those can easily be removed. With these, the silver enters the bloodstream so our targets get a lot bigger. Hitting them anywhere is damn near as good as a shot to the head.”

  Claesson tossed the round in the air and Cami easily grabbed it. She smiled as she spun it between her fingers. “We’ve got three thousand rounds ready to go. After everyone’s up to speed and divided up, get them distributed.”

  Cami nodded her understanding. “Okay, you know what to do, get to it,” Claesson said, dismissing the group. “Jester, we need you to hang back,” he added, grabbing the young vampire’s shoulder before he made it to the door.

  Commander Claesson gestured to the closest chair, encouraging Jester to sit. The High Commander followed suit, pulling his seat up to him while Claesson remained standing.

  “I wanted to speak with you privately for a few moments, Jester,” William began. “Commander Claesson and I have discussed it, but before I take it to the rest of the Agency, I wanted to get your input on the human integration protocols. You’ve shown yourself to be well-versed in the current technologies and human culture and, while I’m confident in our experts, I’d like a fresh pair of eyes to take a look. Once it’s done, it cannot be undone and the future of our race depends on its success.”

  The High Commander placed a thick folder labeled ‘Confidential: Agency Eyes Only’ on the table. “It goes without saying that you are not to breathe a word of this to anyone else, under any circumstances. I fear we’ll have to make an announcement soon enough, but until then the utmost secrecy is vital.”

  “Of course, my lord,” Jester replied, feeling honored by the level of trust being placed in him by one of the most powerful and important vampires in the world.

  ✧

  “Is everything all set up?” William asked, looking at his reflection in the glass while he adjusted his lavender tie and smoothed the collar of his charcoal shirt.

  “Yes, my lord,” Jester replied as William slipped his black suit jacket up his arms. “I’ve swept the room for transmitters again and implemented a temporary lockdown of the corridor so we will have complete privacy for the videoconference, as requested. All of the attendants have responded and will be joining in on time.”

  “Excellent. Thank you, Jester. I appreciate all of your hard work on this. With all you’ve done on this, in addition to your other duties on the compound, I know you can’t have gotten any sleep over the last two days. Why don’t you go get some rest?”

  “If it’s all the same to you, my lord, I’d like to stay just in case you run into any technical problems with the connection equipment or the presentation material I prepared.”

  “Of course; if you feel up to it. Thank you for your dedication,” William replied.

  “I’ll agree to that, on one condition,” Commander Claesson interjected. “You can stay if you feed; we’ve got about ten minutes yet,” he said, tossing a bag of blood over the table to Jester’s waiting hands. “You’re pale enough to make some of the myths about us seem true,” he teased.

  “Thank you, sir,” Jester replied gratefully before tearing through the bag with his fangs. Despite the Commander’s constant comments over the week, he had, in fact, forgotten to feed.

  “You know, Alek, I’m beginning to think our suspicions of a traitor may have been misguided,” William said as Jester started on a second bag of blood and they waited for the meeting to begin. “I’ve been diligent in my, let’s call them, investigations,” he said, tapping his temple. “I’ve spoken to all personnel who possess a high level of clearance and I’ve listened in on everyone else I’ve come in contact with. So far there hasn’t been anything that would indicate treason.”

  “Perhaps, but it’s still not worth the risk; and if everything goes as planned we’ll find out soon enough. I hate to think of what would happen if Lucias gets wind of our plans before we get everything in place,” Commander Claesson replied.

  “Yes; we’re only going to get one shot at this so we have to be certain we don’t tip our hand too soon. Even with the element of surprise, we remain at a disadvantage against Lucias’s army of infected.”

  “My lord, it’s time,” Jester said as images of Agency members and other leaders from around the world began popping up on the screen.

  “Good morning, friends,” William began, immediately switching into High Commander mode. “Thank you for joining us. I warn you in advance, this is going to be a long process so please try to be patient. After all, we’re only about to change the course of history.”

  CHAPTER 3 - New Friends

  “I’ve been patient with her, but I will not wait much longer,” Lucias stated as he paced across his office. “You assured me with your last vision that she will come around on her own,” he continued, pointing at Asana who sat nervously in front of his desk. She was used to Lucias’s temper and impatience; being so valuable to him had always kept her safe, but now that he was so close to obtaining so much power, she was afraid. Afraid for herself, and for Anna, the daughter Lucias had been holding prisoner for many years. He used Anna to ensure Asana’s complete cooperation since he could not infect her with his virus. Shortly after its development, Lucias captured and infected a vampire who could manipulate fire. Once his transformation was complete, the ability completely disappeared, rendering him no more useful than any other infected vampire in the army.

  “I cannot control my visions, Sire, but I have seen her standing with you in battle against The Elite with a great army under your command; an army far larger than the one you currently possess and I sense that she is content. Beyond that, I cannot yet see, but despite her power, she is a gentle soul and so very young. It would be unwise to push her. ”

  “Yes, perhaps you are right,” Lucias conceded, satisfied with the expectation of gaining Chloe’s allegiance; for the time being. He visited her daily, doing all he could to control his baser urges in her presence. While in truth, her innocence and gentility turned him off, he craved the power the mate bond would give him over her. He felt himself growing hard just thinking of dominating such a woman as Chloe. Though he would never admit it to anyone, he was actually afraid of her, which made her all the more enticing to a man like him.

  “Return to your quarters and continue your work. I want you focused on her future night and day, and you are to alert me the moment you see anything new,” Lucias commanded before exiting the office, intent on finding some release.

  Molly was always close by and had proven quite useful in helping him remain restrained with Chloe. Unfortunately, though she should have known better than to question him, she was growing increasingly bold and constantly inquired about his intentions to turn her into a vampire. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to. In his way, he almost loved her, but despite the notions of popular fiction, turning a human into one of his kind was impossible. He could have forced her to obey him, like so many others who came before her, but somehow she was different; he craved her twisted affection like a drug and he suspected that, once she knew she was destined to live out her life as a human, the spell would be broken.

  “No matter,” Lucias mumbled to himself as he
made his way to the playroom, where he often enjoyed the rough pleasure of Molly’s company. He would make use of her for as long as she continued to please him, and when she didn’t, he would simply dispose of her.

  ✧

  Kaleb lay on his bed, the door to his quarters left slightly ajar as he remained completely still with his eyes closed, barely breathing as he listened. Since Chloe’s arrival, he’d done little beyond that; only getting up to eat or, when he was certain his father was sufficiently occupied, sit in the corridor just beyond Chloe’s quarters. He wouldn’t even have bothered much with eating if he wasn’t so concerned about keeping up his strength, but he knew what he was going to have to do. He would have to find a way to kill his father, because there was no way he was going to let such a foul man touch the beautiful creature who’d stolen his heart with a single glance.

  His lips turned up just slightly at the thought of her.

  You should get some sleep.

  He heard her sweet voice whisper in his mind.

  I need to protect you. He sent back with determination.

  He’s not going to hurt me, but he’ll kill you, or worse, if you give him a reason. Don’t worry about me. Chloe replied.

  How can you know; have you seen it with certainty? Do you know what will happen? Kaleb asked. Chloe’s silence told him she didn’t know.

  He hadn’t seen or physically spoken to Chloe since the day his father took her from The Elite compound, yet he felt closer to her than he’d been to another person since before his brother died. It was such a strange and unsettling thing at first, hearing another voice in his head, but he’d known it was her immediately.

  Concerned that he’d pushed her too far, Kaleb tried to change the subject. I wonder if you really sound the way you do in my head. I was so entranced the first time I saw you, I’m not sure I ever heard you speak.

  It’s been my experience that people sound exactly the same in their own minds as they do when they speak, so I’m guessing this is how you will hear me when we’re finally together.

  Kaleb’s heart began to pound at the thought. He’d never wanted anything more in his long life. His mind raced with images of his fingers stroking her cheek, his lips pressed to hers and he suddenly found it hard to catch his breath.

  You’re making me blush, Chloe sent with a giggle.

  I’m sorry, Kaleb replied, sitting up and opening his eyes.

  Please, don’t apologize, I was only teasing. You know, I like it when you think about me that way.

  She did love it. She loved him and she knew he loved her, even if they’d never actually talked to or touched one another. They’d spent the better part of the past week exploring each other’s minds, or at least, she had explored his and told him what was in hers. There was an openness in him that surprised her. He never tried to block her from his thoughts, even those which were most dark, so she literally knew everything there was to know about him.

  I have to go, we’ll talk later. And don’t worry, it’s not him. Chloe sent and was gone.

  Kaleb found himself completely alone again. He strained to hear across the building to Chloe’s quarters, but was only met with the residual noise of the building.

  It must be Asana, he thought, feeling grateful to Chloe for reassuring him that it wasn’t his father who was disrupting her. He spent all of his time worrying about what that evil man might do before he had the chance to stop him. Lucias visited Chloe every day, and every day Kaleb sat poised, his body drawn like a bowstring ready to let loose at the slighted indication of distress from Chloe. Though, what would he really be able to do? His father was older and stronger, not to mention that he had the advantage of control through the sire bond. One resonant command and he could put Kaleb on his knees. No, Kaleb knew that when the time came, he would have to act quickly and strike before his father knew he was coming.

  Lucias was an evil man, there was no doubting that, but still somehow, Kaleb struggled with the thought of patricide. Lucias was the only family he had in the world. Though he loved Chloe, in his heart, he knew her family would never give their blessing to a union with a man such as him. Especially her father. Still, he dared to hope.

  ✧

  He’s growing impatient. I don’t know how much longer I can hold him at bay. Asana sent sitting cross-legged on the floor pretending to meditate. Chloe, are you there?

  It was several moments before Chloe finally responded.

  Yes, I’m here.

  You were talking to him again weren’t you? You must be careful with him, he is his father’s son. It could be a trick.

  No, Asana, you’re wrong about him. He is nothing like Lucias. He’s kind and sweet and yes, I realize how ridiculously crazy it is, but I love him.

  I won’t question your judgment, as your abilities are far beyond my own; perhaps you can see things that elude me, but I just want you to be careful. Do not reveal too much to him.

  Don’t worry about me; I know what I’m doing. Chloe replied. Before Asana could even ask, Chloe answered the question that was burning in her mind. I’m sorry, but I cannot see Anna either, even with the necklace.

  Chloe looked down as she smoothed her fingers over the sterling silver locket. Asana had taken a great risk sneaking it to Chloe, in the hopes that having something that once belonged to her daughter would help focus her foresight.

  It must be a spell. I have always had difficulty seeing anything about my own life no matter how hard I tried, but you are much stronger than any seer I have ever met. If you cannot find her, he has found a witch to block her from me, or it is as I have always feared.

  Chloe didn’t need to ask what she meant; the grief in Asana’s next thought like a physical presence floating between them.

  It had been decades since Lucias had allowed her to visit with her daughter, so long that she wondered if he had long ago had her killed. But it was too much of a risk to ask him. When Lucias first captured her she rebelled against him, refusing to use her ability to help him. That was until he abducted and imprisoned her only daughter as leverage. For many years he used threats against Anna to control her, then one day when he came to her there was no mention of Anna. Though it pained her, Asana did not ask about her daughter after that day, instead choosing to feign loyalty to the man she despised above all others, biding her time. Over the years, as she continued to give her visions freely, Lucias began to trust her more and more. Her prison was exchanged for a suite, her tattered rags for the finest of garments. He even allowed her some access to Chloe to aid with her visions, but only if he accompanied her, a privilege afforded to her alone. No one else was allowed to see or talk to Chloe, not even his own son or his favored pet Molly.

  In those precious moments with Chloe, Asana found a kindred spirit, someone who could understand her in a way few others could. Like Asana, Chloe was merely a tool to Lucias, a means to the end he desired so greatly. To Asana, Chloe was the only friend she’d had in over two centuries, and she was Chloe’s only way out.

  Chloe’s ability to listen to and read thoughts provided a unique opportunity. Lucias had placed cameras and recording devices in Chloe’s room, preventing Asana from speaking freely about her plans and visions. But that first day, when Asana stepped through the door, Chloe read her mind. Being the brilliant girl she was, Chloe let Asana know they could talk, really talk, without being heard, while appearing to be engaged in meaningless small talk. In that moment, Asana felt a sense of hope and relief that she hadn’t known for two-hundred years. That first night, she shared her long struggle with Chloe, telling her about Anna and the terrible things Lucias forced her to help him do. They spoke of Chloe’s family and how Asana had truly been trying to protect them all along, always holding back information whenever she could in order to give them time to escape.

  It was impossible to hold her visions back entirely for, like Chloe’s grandmother, Josephine, Asana’s visions took a physical toll, often causing her to faint or even fall into a coma and Lucias w
as always watching. After learning all of that, Chloe began guiding Asana so that she could tap into her future stream, a feat which had even eluded her powerful grandmother, Josephine. In practicing her ability, Chloe had learned how to open her own future to the sight of others, so long as she removed the charmed necklace that still hung around her neck. In return, Asana swore to never reveal anything to Lucias that could hurt Chloe or the ones she loved.