Redemption of Fate (Fate Series Book 2)
Page 1
Contents
Copyright
Disclaimer
Dedication
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1 - Losing Friends
Chapter 2 - The Witches' Home
Chapter 3 - Dreams & Death
Chapter 4 - Journey to Boston
Chapter 5 - Spells Renewed
Chapter 6 - Chloe's Surprise
Chapter 7 - Waking Up
Chapter 8 - Molly's Hunt
Chapter 9 - Training Time
Chapter 10 - A Glimmer of Hope
Chapter 11 - Deadly Discovery
Chapter 12 - Coming Home
Chapter 13 - Giving In
Chapter 14 - Blood Runners
Chapter 15 - Hope Renewed
Chapter 16 - A Mother Returned
Chapter 17 - Love Expressed
Chapter 18 - Comrades Lost
Chapter 19 - Finding Cami
Chapter 20 - Jared's Help
Chapter 21 - A Sudden Change
Chapter 22 - Sean Taylor's House
Chapter 23 - What the Mirror Reveals
Chapter 24 - A Bond Challenged
Chapter 25 - An Old Friend
Chapter 26 - Chloe's Sacrifice
The Fate Series - Amazon
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Redemption of Fate
✧
S. Simone Chavous
Copyright © 2013 S. Simone Chavous
Cover design by S. Simone Chavous
Proofreading by Kimberly Huther of Wordsmith Proofreading
eISBN: 978-0-9895701-2-1
ISBN: 978-0-9895701-3-8
Visit my website: http://www.ssimonechavous.com
Like me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ssimonechavous
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Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the author.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media and events are either a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, events or locales, is entirely coincidental. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
To Brian, for giving me the opportunity to pursue a dream.
Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1 - Losing Friends
Chapter 2 - The Witches' Home
Chapter 3 - Dreams & Death
Chapter 4 - Journey to Boston
Chapter 5 - Spells Renewed
Chapter 6 - Chloe's Surprise
Chapter 7 - Waking Up
Chapter 8 - Molly's Hunt
Chapter 9 - Training Time
Chapter 10 - A Glimmer of Hope
Chapter 11 - Deadly Discovery
Chapter 12 - Coming Home
Chapter 13 - Giving In
Chapter 14 - Blood Runners
Chapter 15 - Hope Renewed
Chapter 16 - A Mother Returned
Chapter 17 - Love Expressed
Chapter 18 - Comrades Lost
Chapter 19 - Finding Cami
Chapter 20 - Jared's Help
Chapter 21 - A Sudden Change
Chapter 22 - Sean Taylor's House
Chapter 23 - What the Mirror Reveals
Chapter 24 - A Bond Challenged
Chapter 25 - An Old Friend
Chapter 26 - Chloe's Sacrifice
Prologue
October 25, 1911
“I am to meet the High Commander tomorrow. Perhaps it is unwise for me to proceed. I am told he can read the thoughts of even the most powerful among us. How can I be expected to face him without exposing everything?” the anxious vampire asked; turning away from the one he’d sworn his loyalty to so many years before. “Even if I manage to control the direction of my thoughts in his presence this time, what of the future?”
“My dear Christopher, you do worry so. Have you no faith in me, in my plans?” Lucias asked; approaching the other vampire slowly.
Christopher swallowed hard and shifted nervously on his feet.
“Of course I have faith in you, my lord.”
“Christopher, how many times must I tell you? To you, only to you, I am simply Lucias,” he responded; gently placing his hands on the man’s shoulders as he stepped closer to his back.
“What would you have me do?” Christopher asked; turning towards Lucias.
“You will proceed as planned. Go to him tomorrow. He will be as impressed with you as I was when we first met,” Lucias replied with a mischievous smile; as he leaned closer and inhaled deeply. He closed his eyes, carefully savoring the rich scent; knowing their time together was limited.
“And what of his telepathy?”
“Ah, yes; that little inconvenience. I believe I can assist you with that,” Lucias said; running his fingertip slowly up the side of Christopher’s neck as his fangs elongated. Without another word, Lucias struck hard and fast, pulling roughly on the surprised vampire’s vein as he clutched Lucias’s body desperately, partly out of shock but mostly due to the overwhelming pleasure the harsh bite evoked.
Lucias slid his fangs from the fresh wounds and gazed into Christopher’s desire-filled eyes. He brought his wrist up to his mouth and sliced into the tender flesh, offering his blood.
“Lucias, no, we must not; we cannot, it is forbidden. No mate bond is allowed without approval from The Agency, and never like this, between two men.” While his words protested, his eyes and body told another story. His arousal was a tangible force filling the space around them and his eyes hungrily followed the flow of blood down the other vampire’s arm while his fangs punched eagerly through his gums.
Lucias tossed his head back with laughter before reaching up and taking Christopher’s head in his hands, his ancient blood trickling down the inside of his forearm. “You mistake me for someone else, dear Christopher. The Agency has no authority here; not in my house. Their rules mean nothing; they mean nothing. By their doing, our people hide in the shadows, bowing to an inferior species. It is utterly ridiculous; a shepherd does not fear his sheep, nor should we fear the humans.”
He stroked a stray piece of Christopher’s straw-colored hair from his forehead. “But it is of no consequence. No one can know of our union, not yet. One day, I will raise our people to their rightful place with you by my side. To accomplish that, you must do this,” he said shifting his eyes to the blood still flowing down over his skin. “It is the only way I can help you face him. You must take my blood; forge the bond.”
Christopher lifted his hand and ran his thumb over Lucias’s bottom lip, smearing his own blood as he did.
“Is this not what you desire most in your heart, Christopher? Why should you not have it?” Lucias asked; once again offering his wrist. With a sigh of acquiescence, Christopher gave in and licked at the trail of blood that flowed down Lucias’s arm before latching on to his wrist. The strength of the blood hit him immediately, sending an overwhelming flare of lust through his body. Lucias groaned his approval and resumed his position at Christopher’s neck as he moved them back towards the bed.
CHAPTER 1 - Losing Friends
Present day
Elijah and
Barb sat silently in his BMW across the street from his former clinic, talking of the future and watching carefully as the day wore on.
“I will certainly miss this place,” Elijah said wistfully; as he looked to the building which had housed his pediatric medical practice for more than a decade.. “Especially the children. At the rate she’s going, Chloe will be a grown woman in a matter of weeks, and I do not see any more grandchildren in the foreseeable future. Perhaps when all of this is over, Ethan and Alexa will consider expanding the family. God knows, the chances of Cami ever settling down are dismal.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that one,” Barb responded with a laugh. “That Ryan boy seems to have had quite an effect on her though, Lord knows, she’ll fight it tooth and nail.”
“You noticed that as well? Nothing gets by you, does it my old friend?” Elijah asked with an amused smile. “Even if by some miracle she were to fall in love, I cannot see her giving up her place with The Elite. No mother has ever been a part of that group.”
“Don’t you go counting her out just yet. She’s a strong one, our Cami. She was the first woman to join them, so who’s to say she won’t be the first mother? I’ll leave the future-seeing to your wife, but I have a feeling that girl will surprise us all,” Barb responded, her voice full of hope.
“It would be a very difficult path to take, but you are right; if anyone could manage it, it’s Cami.”
“Well, there goes the last patient of the day,” Barb said, as they watched a young couple pass through the front door of the brick building. They continued observing as the mother loaded her infant son into the backseat of the car and the vehicle drove out of view.
Elijah closed his eyes and focused on their surroundings, listening for the unmistakably slow thump of any nearby vampire hearts. Satisfied that the area was clear, he nodded to Barb and they simultaneously pulled their door handles, stepping out of the car onto the dark asphalt of the parking lot.
As they approached the building, Elijah turned to her. “I did not realize how sad I would feel leaving this place behind.”
“Don’t you worry; Dr. Jameson is one of the best pediatricians in the country. You’re leaving your patients in good hands, and you’ve got all the time in the world. Nothing’s stopping you from coming back, or maybe even opening a new practice after things settle down.”
“I can only hope. It does give me something to look forward to, something to fight for; working side by side with you again,” he said with a smile.
“Ha, you’ve got a hell of a lot more to fight for than dealing with my pesky self, day in and day out!” she replied, smacking his arm. “Besides, you know that when this is over, it’ll be time for me to move on so don’t you go trying to charm me out of it.”
Elijah let out a heavy sigh, knowing she was serious. Two hundred and fifty years was an exhaustingly long time for any human, even a witch, to live. “You cannot fault me for trying.”
“I can’t say I’ve ever been able to fault you for much of anything, Elijah. You’re a good man, as good as they come and you just need to trust in that. All of this is going to work out just fine; I feel it in my bones,” she said; taking his hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. “The storm is coming, but there’ll be a beautiful spring waiting on the other side of the rain.”
Elijah swallowed hard, pushing down the knot that was forming in his throat as he fought back the tears which were dampening his lashes, and reached for the door.
The pair was met with an ear-piercing squeal when the receptionist, Wendy, jumped up from her chair behind the front desk and ran to greet them at the door. Wrapping her skinny arms around them both, she squeezed a little harder than was necessary.
“Oh, my God! I’m so happy to see you two!” she exclaimed, stepping back to look at them both. “We didn’t know if you were going to be coming back to see us before you left. Shoot, I wish you would’ve called; everyone’s already gone home except me, Dr. Jameson, and one of the nurses. Now, what’s with you just stealing off into the night?” she asked; putting her hands on her hips and glaring sternly at Elijah.
“You must forgive me, Wendy. It has been a rough few weeks and I wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye. I’m afraid this may very well be my last visit, considering the long, hard fight ahead.”
Wendy’s eyes grew sad. “Oh, God; I’m so sorry, Doctor. I almost forgot. To see you I would say you’ve never looked healthier, but I guess that’s sometimes the way it is in the beginning. I’m sure they’re going to take excellent care of you over there in, where was it again, Sweden?”
Elijah nodded his affirmation as Wendy stepped closer and took his hand. “Just know that we’ll all be praying for you here, and when you beat that damn cancer, you come back to us, okay?” she said, pulling him into another hug as a tear slid down her freckled cheek. Elijah hugged her back, his heart squeezing tight with guilt from the lie, though he knew it was necessary to protect the people he’d grown so fond of over the years. He knew if Lucias got his way, life for the humans would never be the same, so he was willing to do whatever he could to keep them from the enduring that harsh reality.
“Elijah, so good to see you,” Dr. Jameson said; stepping out into the waiting room, a big smile lighting his face as he walked over to Elijah with his hand extended. “I wasn’t sure if you would be making it back for a visit before you left the country.”
The two doctors moved towards the door, easily falling into a discussion about current patients and the treatment plan for Elijah’s non-existent cancer; while Barb stayed behind, chatting casually with Wendy.
Suddenly feeling uneasy, Barb glanced back towards the front door. “Has anyone been in here asking questions or looking for the doctor since he’s been gone?” she asked; turning back to Wendy.
“Well, of course; all his patients have been curious, but we’ve just been saying he’s taking a leave of absence for personal reasons. Other than that, it’s just been business as usual. Now tell me, Barb,” Wendy said; lowering her voice to a whisper, “how bad is it really? You know we all think it’s so sweet that you’re taking time off to care for him while he goes through all of this. I lost my mother to breast cancer a few years back and it is such a hard thing to witness. If you ever need anything, you don’t hesitate to call me, all right? I know there’s not much I can do with you traveling so far away, but if you ever need to talk, or if you need any help keeping things in order over here with your house, I’m here.”
Just as Barb opened her mouth to express her gratitude, the large window at the front of the lobby shattered, sending shards of glass flying into the room. The small metal object that burst through came down on the floor with a thud and rolled under a plastic yellow chair in the children’s play area.
Wendy screamed, startled by the sudden noise, but her voice was drowned out by the explosion which followed, sending her and Barb flying backwards into the wall behind the welcome desk.
For Elijah, the event seemed to pass in slow motion as he tried to run to the women, knowing full well what was coming as the quiet ticking of the device pounded in his vampire ears like a jackhammer. He made it half the distance to them before being thrown back by the force of the explosion as the device detonated. Dr. Jameson, who’d been standing in the open doorway, was thrown down the hallway, away from the deadly heat of the lobby.
With ears ringing and searing burns covering the left side of his body, Elijah jumped up and covered the rest of the distance to his dearest friend as she lay lifeless against the wall, the right side of her face and most of her body burned beyond recognition.
Not wanting to leave her there to disappear in the fire that was spreading rapidly throughout the building, he scooped Barb up and flung her limp body over his shoulder, despite the pain her weight inflicted on his already-healing burns. The smell of burnt flesh filled his nostrils, as his eyes cut to Wendy whose neck was twisted at an odd angle, her mouth still agape in a silent scream. As he reached for her, gun
shots rang out from the back of the building, followed by Dr. Jameson stumbling back into the lobby, gripping his chest as he fell onto a row of burning chairs.
Realizing it was too late for Dr. Jameson and the unfortunate nurse Wendy had mentioned, who’d made the deadly mistake of working late that night, Elijah leapt through the blown out window and sped towards his car. Before his preternatural speed had carried him more than a few feet, another shot rang out. With a roar of pain, Elijah fell forward, the force of his speed sending Barb’s body flying on to the grass as a bullet cut through his calf. He rolled on to his back, his eyes scanning the area for the source of the attack and landing on two figures clad in black combat gear. Elijah locked eyes with one of the men, his unusually calm face smeared with camouflage paint, while he and his companion climbed through the window. With guns drawn, the pair approached Elijah as a third man rounded the building. Based on the relative slowness of their movement, Elijah knew they were human, a stroke of luck which was the sole reason he would survive.