by C. B. Haight
He would have been content to find a judge and marry her that minute, but Cynda, Rederrick’s wise wife, insisted on a proper wedding. Cynda, Rederrick, and Jenny helped put together a small, but beautiful, wedding in less than a week.
Cade knew he would never forget how special those extra touches had made that day for both them. Cynda’s insistence was all well worth it when he watched Collett enter the room. His bride looked flawless, and the image of her standing with him, making vows to each other, would remain with him no matter how many centuries he lived. Not even a week had passed yet, and he sometimes wondered if he would wake and find it was all a dream.
Cade thought nothing would ever destroy the happiness he felt that day. Then, that night, Jeffery, the sorcerer, showed up, and he knew he’d been wrong.
Cade reached into his pocket and pulled out the folded, worn letter that Jeffery delivered to him. He kept it with him every day. He’d read it at least twenty times, and he still remained unsure about what to do. He opened it once more and read the manly script.
Cade,
Once again you’ve gotten yourself mixed up in another lost cause. Thanks for dragging me along for the ride. Hope to see you in another hundred years. I hope your friends can handle what’s coming. This will only get worse. Just a heads up—your woman is in the center of it, but I don’t know why. They want her dead. Keep her close and figure it out, then you may even live to make puppies.
Don’t be an idiot and come looking for me. You‘ve got bigger problems. Besides, that ship has sailed. Don’t bother looking for that kid you kept around either, he’s not what you thought. Use Jeffery if you can or get rid of him, makes no difference to me.
Jarrett
After reading the letter again, Cade let out an exasperated breath. He was worried about Jarrett. He didn’t say it specifically in the letter, but Cade knew Jarrett was on the run. Cade could read between the lines, and what’s more, he knew how The Faction operated. Jarrett would be on the run because he had let Collett live. It hadn’t been Cade’s interference that changed his mind, either. Before Cade had even arrived to save Collett, Jarrett had made the choice keep her alive, a fact Cade missed until it was almost too late.
Cade could picture his brother gasping for breath when he’d almost killed him out of anger. No, not anger, rage. His feelings in that encounter had been unbridled rage. He’d never experienced the like of it before. If not for Collett’s interference, his brother’s blood would have forstained his hands, a possible outcome he was not proud of.
Cade wondered what had stayed Jarrett’s hand that night. He wasn’t a compassionate person, and the last Cade knew, Jarrett had a respected position within The Faction. Jarrett was angry and vicious, and the whole incident still made little sense to him. Even after endlessly pestering Collett about it, she remained closed-mouthed regarding Jarrett’s thoughts. She insisted Jarrett deserved privacy, and none of the flashes she’d seen related to their current problems. She only gave him cryptic comments like, “He is hurting, Cade,” or, “I don’t really understand it all myself.”
It didn’t matter really. Regardless of the why, Jarrett still failed to do the job, and failure was not an acceptable outcome when employed by The Faction. Even though Cade already knew that, Jeffery clarified the situation when he explained how Jarrett saved his mother.
Jarrett not only failed The Faction—he betrayed them.
When Jeffery first showed up on his wedding day, Cade felt murderous thoughts leap to the forefront of his mind. He wanted, with every fiber of his being, to do nothing more than repay the wicked sorcerer for all he did to Cynda and Collett shortly before coming to them. He almost killed Cynda in his pursuit to capture Collett for The Faction. If not for Selena’s quiet interference, Jeffery would most likely be dead and lying at the bottom of the river where the attack was initiated, instead of bunking with a watchful Nate downstairs.
The fact that Jeffery still refrained from disappearing, when they all knew he could, and his eagerness to please them all, currently kept him alive. Well, that and the part where that Collett delved into him and read his thoughts and emotions. She reassured them all of his new intentions. Cade was skeptical of Jeffery’s loyalties. He knew how a desperate person could turn when faced with life or death. When it came to Collett’s safety, he would continue to be cautious no matter what. So far though, Jeffery continued to comply with all of the restrictions they gave him.
Realistically, Cade knew the problems wouldn’t end just because Jarrett had a change of heart. But to have it thrown in his face, on his wedding day no less, still aggravated him. A growl of frustration rumbled past his lips. He roughly crumpled the letter and moved to throw it in the trash. Balling up his fist tightly, he thought about his brother.
Jarrett’s right, I do have bigger problems. I don’t have time to worry about him, Cade thought. Besides, how is it my fault he got involved? It’s not! It’s Jarrett’s fault. He shouldn’t have mixed with The Faction in the first place.
“It’s your own fault,” he muttered aloud to himself, his voice sounding odd in the silent room. His grip relaxed, and looking down at his hand, he lifted the crumpled paper. He didn’t understand why, but he pulled it open again, carefully refolded it, and put his only connection to his twin back in his pocket.
He felt a sudden need to vent his frustrations. If Jarrett was there, Cade probably would have been beating him to a pulp. As it was, he would have to settle for a run. He stomped out of the house, stripped his clothes, and contorted his body. Bones cracked, and his skin tingled as long black fur sprouted over it. He changed into a large black wolf—far larger than any in the forest. Leaving his clothes behind on the front porch, he took off.
It was extremely aggravating to him that he couldn’t let loose and really run. He wanted so badly to feel the rush of wind through his fur as he darted in and out of trees or to hear small animals scatter as he rushed by their homes. No, he couldn’t even have that. He was stuck racing across the grounds close by, over and over again, like some sort of caged animal. The confinement wore on him almost as much as his inner conflict.
He couldn’t risk going too far in case someone from The Faction made a surprise appearance in their ongoing search for Collett. He would never risk Collett’s life because of selfish desires. For the very same reason, he couldn’t go and help Jarrett or find Cody. He was only one man, and he couldn't be everywhere at once. It remained an impossible situation, and Cade was left running circles.
After a long time, he gave up on trying to exert himself into exhaustion. It likely wouldn’t work anyway. Taking one more sweep of the grounds, making sure all was quiet, he passed by the area where Jarrett had, such a short time ago, lit the fire to draw him away from Collett.
Snow covered the charred ground, but Cade could still smell the smoky scent of burnt earth and wood. Even with the element of surprise, Jarrett hadn’t killed him that night. Sparing his life was not something Cade had figured Jarrett would do. When they had separated all those years before, Cade had expected them to forever be enemies. He reflected on that day so long ago when he learned about Jarrett’s allegiance to The Faction.
“I cannot be like you, Cade. I refuse to help these people. I won’t sacrifice myself for their idiotic causes. I do what I think is best and damn them. These people you want to save are the very same people that would gladly watch you burn, throwing kindling on the fire, if they ever found out about the real you. Think about if they ever learn your secret.”
“You can’t do this! It’s not right, and you know it. You do not have to be like them. You are better than they are. Come with me. We can leave this place. We don’t have to be a part of it,” Cade pled.
“You’re right. I am better. We are better than every one of them! Don’t you see that? This is not our fight. I will not subjugate myself to any ruler, not even this one and his ideals. Eventually, this will end like it always does, and I intend to profit from it in the meantime.
Their laws don’t have to apply to us. Why is it you cannot see the possibilities?”
With a broken heart, Cade replied somberly, “Because I cannot be like you either.” With conviction in his voice, he continued, “I believe in laws and justice. I believe in mankind! I believe in their capacity for good. I believe in this war, and I believe in hope for a better way.”
“Then you are a fool,” Jarrett snapped.
“Better a fool than a monster.”
Jarrett’s expression changed so quickly, it startled Cade. His eyes filled with hate. “We are to be enemies then.”
“I can’t let you do this.”
“When next we meet, it will be in battle.”
“So be it,” Cade uttered as he dejectedly turned his back and walked away, knowing things would never be the same between them.
Cade stared absently at the spot for a long time as the memory came to him. Then shaking his animal head to push the memory away, and feeling defeated, he trudged back to the house.
He reached the front porch, changed back to a man, and dressed. Making his way to the security room hidden just off the den, he accessed the entrance behind a goofy picture of Rederrick holding a fish. He listened for the click permitting his entrance and went inside.
“Not your watch,” he heard Rederrick say before he was fully inside.
“Couldn’t sleep,” Cade replied.
“How would you know? You haven’t tried,” Rederrick said with a slight chuckle.
Cade ignored him and changed the subject, “Any news?”
“Nothing, but I’ve spread the word,” Rederrick said more seriously. “I’ve also left a message for Rory to look into it. He’ll make contact with us if he can.”
Cade nodded and swung one of the black and chrome chairs around to straddle it. He watched Rederrick shuffle through stacks of paperwork from his law office.
“Something else you wanted?” Rederrick inquired knowingly after a suitable amount of time passed.
“What would you do?” Cade asked. Knowing what Cade was referring to, Rederrick leaned back in his chair and carefully considered the question.
“I can’t tell you what to do, Cade.”
“I’m not asking you to. I want to know what you would do if it was your brother.”
Rederrick gave a slight nod of assent and replied, “If it were me, I guess I would first decide who I thought was in the most danger. Then I would figure out if my help could tip the scales. I know for sure I would never leave Cynda unprotected and vulnerable.”
“That’s what I keep telling her,” Cade asserted, relieved that Rederrick understood.
“But is she?” Rederrick probed.
Narrowing his eyes and tilting his head in confusion, Cade responded, “Is she what?”
“Unprotected. Look around, Cade. Do you honestly believe Collett is vulnerable or unprotected?” He held up his hand to stop Cade from answering and stated, “For that matter, if you do, it’s not like we couldn’t call in some help—for either job. Although, my guess is that Jarrett would probably kill anyone but you.”
Cade rested his chin on his folded arms that lay across the back of the chair and contemplated Rederrick’s advice. His words were reasonable, but it still left Cade conflicted.
The room fell quiet again for a time, and Rederrick continued to shuffle papers while glimpsing back to the camera feeds periodically. He knew Cade needed to weigh things in his head. “I do know one thing I wouldn’t be doing if I were you,” he offered after a few minutes.
Cade lifted his head, “What’s that?”
“I wouldn’t be down here brooding, in the company of a surly old man, if I knew my new wife was in bed upstairs waiting for me to join her.”
Cade smiled for the first time in hours and replied, “Trying to get rid of me?”
“No, simply telling you what I would do if I were you.”
“Then I guess I’ll just have to take your advice and be on my way,” Cade replied. Standing, he pushed the chair back to the table smoothly. “Goodnight old man.”
Rederrick glared at him because of the old man remark, but they both knew it was meaningless. As Cade made it to the door, Rederrick said, “No matter what happens, we’ll support your decision.”
“I know,” he replied over his shoulder. It was something he never doubted. No matter what, as his family, they would have his back.
Hours later, Cade lay in his darkened room on his back with Collett snuggled against him. Her head rested on his bare chest, and her golden hair fanned out against his skin. He absently stroked her soft locks as she slept peacefully, and he continued thinking about his options.
It was well past four in the morning. He knew dawn would not be far off, but he still couldn’t shut his troubled thoughts away long enough to find the comfort of sleep. Rederrick’s suggestion to call in help wasn’t a bad one, but he couldn’t bear to leave Collett. The very idea of being away and the possibility of something happening tightened his gut and burned through him. He wondered if he could send someone to find Jarrett and make sure he was okay, but the errant thought vanished before it fully formed when he realized Rederrick was right. Jarrett would more than likely kill anyone he didn’t know on a regular day, let alone when he was on the run.
Realizing he would have to be the one to go, Cade wondered about Collett’s safety. He didn’t want her near his twin. Though he worried about Jarrett’s predicament, their relationship was definitely not one of trust. Jarrett could change his mind at any time and take Collett to The Faction.
More than a 100 years ago when the brothers were together for a short time, Cade learned that Jarrett was a volatile creature. His temper was swift, his rampages deadly. That was not a situation he dared to put Collett in. Plus, taking her along would make her visible to any Faction members looking for Jarrett. He knew there would still be a significant number of them searching for her. He didn‘t need to gift wrap her for them. Since Thanksgiving, things here had been fairly quiet. There was no need to invite trouble.
Therefore, he concluded again that to help Jarrett he would have to leave Collett, and the mere thought of it pressed against his heart. Why does everything have to be so difficult? he wondered to himself. After all this deliberation, Cade’s eyes began to drift closed. As his mind finally began to float on the edge of sleep, he heard Collett moan slightly and stir next to him.
She often dreamed these days. So much so, that lately she rarely slept without shifting and making odd noises. Without even opening his eyes he knew she was only dreaming again. Cade absently brushed her hair, trying to soothe her back into a deeper sleep. She quit stirring and snuggled into him more, and he relaxed once again. Then she said something that caused his eyes to pop wide open, bringing him back to full alertness.
“Jarrett,” she murmured. Cade pulled away in a knee jerk reaction. The shock of hearing his brother’s name while she snuggled up to him radiated through him. It felt like a vicious punch to the gut. Then, her elbow suddenly shot out, literally punching his gut as she reached for something invisible. “Wake up!” she pled.
Cade put an arm on her shoulder and tried to turn her to him. “I am awake,” he insisted firmly with annoyance lacing his tone.
As if she couldn’t hear him, Collett rolled and smacked him again, this time connecting with his jaw. “He is coming! Jarrett, you have to wake up.” Her words were urgent, agitated.
Still a little confused, Cade sat up and pulled Collett with him. He looked at her, seeing her eyes were open, but he knew right away she couldn’t see him. She was in trance-like state, seeing images far way. A tingling of fear, for her and for his brother, worked its way up his spine. He could see the desperation in her expression.
“Jarrett, he is at the door. You have to wake up—please!” she begged, more quietly this time, but her fear was compelling.
Helpless, Cade could only listen and watch her frantic actions. He didn’t understand exactly what was happening, but was f
amiliar enough with supernatural events such as this. He tried to remain calm. Still, his heart was pounding as he felt the warning in her voice pull at him.
She looked back as if looking for an enemy. “Good, now move! Hurry, the window!” she commanded as she put a hand on Cade’s cheek as if trying to turn his head to see the window in question. Then, suddenly, her body jumped, as if in fear. Collett grabbing her side, and crying out, her eyes fluttered a few times before she opened them. Tears welled in those blue depths, and Cade knew she was no longer staring at his unseen brother.
“Oh no!” she whispered, and sobbing, she fell into his arms.
Chapter 5
“Jarrett, he is at the door! You have to wake up—please!”
Jarrett heard the desperate, pleading words in his head and opened his eyes, but he felt drugged, heavy. Cursing, he knew the infection was spreading too fast and fought against the feeling. He sensed the flutter of something against his cheeks and, through his haze, heard the urgent whispering of a woman’s voice, “Good, now move! The window!”
He wasn’t quick enough. The door slammed open with a crashing sound, and the hinges gave way under the force. The battered wood thudded to the floor.
Startled, Jarrett jerked up and felt the burning pain in his side as the wound stretched. He didn’t have the time or the inclination to bother with it. Grimacing, he pushed past the pain and grabbed the dagger on the bed as he jumped up. His condition caused slower movements than normal. A large demon lumbered in, connecting a lunging fist on Jarrett’s injured side before he could move out of the way.
While half-demons were common enough, full greater-demons such as the one he currently faced must be summoned with magic and often proved difficult to defeat. They possessed impossible strength, and there were limited methods to destroy them.
Pain lanced through him, and he doubled over, missing the blow coming for his head. Coarse, clammy hands wrapped around his neck and lifted him from the ground. The skin felt like wet sandpaper scraping against him. The creature pulled him toward its lumpy, bald head and pock-marked face. Looking at Jarrett with sickly jaundiced eyes, it bellowed loudly. The pungent smell, much like decayed meat, poured over Jarrett. He choked on the acrid scent and coughed out, “What the hell do you eat?”