by S. C. Storm
“That is beside the point, Arthur. This is your life,” Ryder told him, barely able to hide his anger. “The lives of our entire race.”
“And when all of you found out, you would have done what was needed,” Arthur told them.
“Yes, and you would have been gone, and we would have been to blame,” Rian countered.
Arthur laughed lightly. “Rian, no one would have been to blame. It is what happens.”
“Either way, we are here now, and we plan to ascend as we should,” Ryden said as he took the seat in front of Arthur. “Will it help you?”
“That I do not know. This is new ground, my friend, so I honestly do not know if this will reverse, or if this is a permanent thing. I wish I did. I honestly do,” the old man told them.
“Either way, you know we will do what we can for our people, Arthur,” Ryden said, getting to his feet.
“I never doubted you would,” he said with a shake of his head. “The three of you must understand, however, I refused to allow anyone to pressure any of you.”
“You always have.” Rian sighed as he made his way over to the window Arthur had vacated.
“What has the council had to say about all of this?” Ryder asked and watched Arthur fidget in his seat. Seeing Arthurs reaction, he shook his head. “They were not pushing for us to ascend, were they?”
“They were not going to stop you, but they were not going to go in search of you either,” Arthur explained. “I must admit, something is up with the council.”
“Oh, is there?” a voice called out from the doorway.
Everyone in the room glanced over, seeing the figure who walked into the room.
“Richard,” Arthur said. “What brings you here?”
“I came to see what was happening here on the islands as far as the ascension, and look what I arrive to find. The prodigal sons have returned to save the day,” he said sarcastically as he stepped farther inside. Behind him, a mane of long, flowing red hair filled the room, quickly followed by an imposing form at her side. “All of you remember my children, Tessa and Deacon.”
“Of course, we do,” Arthur said, eyeing the Athertons to gauge their reactions. The three of them were staring at Richard with menace in their eyes. “Dear Tessa, come to me.” He smiled as Richard’s beautiful daughter made her way over. “How are you, my dear?”
“I am quite well, dear Arthur.” She smiled as she kissed his cheek. Turning, she smiled at the others in the room. “Hello boys,” she said, stepping over to Rian to kiss his cheek.
“Hello, Tessa,” he said, smiling down at her. “It’s good to see you.”
“It is good to see you too,” she said, then stepped over to the twins. “And there is trouble,” she teased as she kissed their cheeks. “Where have the two of you been hiding?”
“Here and there.” Ryder smiled down at her. “You are looking as beautiful as always, Tessa.”
“Thank you, dear, and you two look wonderful. It has been so long,” she said, glancing up at Ryden, who was still staring at her father.
Catching the stare, Richard turned and met his gaze. “I see the two of you have finally decided to ascend as you were meant to. I suppose we are to thank you for saving the vampire race.” Richard sneered at Ryden.
“We expect nothing from you,” Ryden growled as Arthur stepped over to them. “As a matter of a fact, I do not think you are needed here on the islands.”
“Probably not, but as a member of the council, I do have a vested interest in the ascension and what happens with our race,” Richard told him as he sat down in the nearest chair. “Where is Raymond? He should be bringing refreshments.”
“This is not your home, Richard, tis mine. He will do as I ask, not anyone else,” Arthur told him as Deacon made his way over to stand by his father’s side. “Deacon, I hope you are well?”
“I am.” He nodded his sandy blond hair as he glanced over at the Athertons once more. Knowing better than to say much, he nodded his head in their direction, then turned his head. “I hope you are improving, Arthur.”
“A bit. The islands seem to be doing that,” Arthur told him as he leveled his gaze back on Richard. “What brings you barging into my house today?”
“No particular reason. I thought you would want to know I was here. I also wanted to check to see if you went against the council’s orders. We had said we did not want the Athertons sought out.” Richard almost growled.
“We were not sought out,” Ryden countered. “We decided it was time. Nothing more. Nothing less.”
“Ah, well, that is good. I had hoped we would not have to punish Arthur, or anyone else for that matter, for disobeying the council.” He never took his eyes off Arthur in the seat across from him. The old man revealed nothing. “Very well then, I suppose the three of us will make haste to our home. They have been preparing things for our return,” he added, standing. “I’m sure we will be in touch once again.” He vanished, and Deacon followed.
“Be careful, dear Arthur,” Tessa said, rushing over and kissing his cheek once again. “He had hoped to catch you in a lie. You know he will be watching closely while he is here.” She looked at the others. “Be well. All of you,” she added before she vanished.
Looking at the others, Arthur sighed. “That was unexpected.”
“Not really. I assumed the bastard would show up here,” Ryden said, fuming.
“No matter. There is nothing he can do to stop the ascension.” Arthur smiled confidently.
“No, there is not, but to be frank, my question is why would he in the first place?” Ryden pondered, seeing the others looking at him. The question in their eyes told him he was not the only one with the same thought. “They must be watched. Closely.”
“You are right. Something does not seem right with this situation. The three of you should be on your guard,” Arthur told them.
“As should you, old friend,” Ryder told him.
“I will. Do not worry yourself about me,” Arthur assured them.
“I do believe all of us have something to worry about now,” Ryden said as he started for the door. “We will be back soon. If you hear anything, please let us know.”
“Of course. You know I will. You do the same,” he told them as they said good-bye. Hearing the door close, he let out a sigh. “Be careful, boys,” he said to himself, wondering what Richard had up his sleeve.
***
Bloodstone Island, Winthrop House
Appearing in his house, Richard Winthrop turned and awaited his children. Deacon appeared almost instantly. Tessa did not. “Dammit, I knew it,” he mumbled just as she appeared. “What did you say to them?”
“Nothing, Father, I just bid them farewell. That was all,” she answered as she turned away.
Grabbing her arm, he pulled her toward him. “I will not tolerate your lack of discipline any longer. You have been warned. Stay away from them all, and do as you are told.”
“Yes, Father, of course,” she told him, avoiding the dark look in his eyes.
“You will remain in this house, Tessa. You have no need to be out until the ascension, and you will not engage anyone in conversation at the event unless it is absolutely necessary. Do you understand me?” He growled.
“Father, she understands. She knows better than to disrupt any of your plans.” Deacon opened the library door, hoping Tessa could escape to her room.
“Deacon, you must stop defending her.” Richard scoffed, releasing Tessa’s arm. Once she was free, she hurried up the stairs. Paying her no mind, Richard made his way to the bar. “If you are to be part of my plans, you must realize nothing or no one can get in our way. Your spoiled sister falls into those categories.”
“She is also your daughter,” Deacon replied, seeing the look his father gave him. “It is true. If keeping up appearances is so important, the way you treat her should be as well. No one should think there is a problem at home.”
With a smirk, Richard shook his head. “That was quit
e smooth, son⸻killing two birds with one stone and protecting your sister as well as stroking my ego.”
With a smile and a nod, Deacon followed his father into his office. “Shall I make your calls, or would you like to speak with them personally?”
“I do believe I shall handle this on my own. You are dismissed,” Richard told him with a wave of his hand. Waiting for his son to take his leave, Richard sat his drink down on his desk and pulled the phone closer. He dialed the number he had been given and waited until he heard a familiar voice on the other end. “They are here. The information we were given is true. The Athertons have decided to ascend.”
“Of course they have,” the voice on the other end answered. “Arthur has most likely pulled out all the stops to ensure his continued survival.”
“I am sure he has. I knew when the council gave the order, he would proceed on his own. That is nothing unexpected. We had assumed they would arrive eventually,” Richard said as he sat back and put his feet up on the desk. “Nothing changes, however?”
“No, nothing changes. We will still succeed in our plans. There is no doubt in my mind. Until it is time to make our move, you are to keep an eye on everything. If an Atherton so much as crosses the street, I want to know all about it.”
“You will. There is no problem on this end,” Richard assured.
“Good, see to it things stay that way,” the caller finished, and the line went dead.
Hanging up the phone, Richard got to his feet and began to pace. The last thing he had expected when he began this was the Athertons deciding to ascend. Still, things were in motion. In the end, he would have all the power, and that was the way he liked it.
Chapter 11
Tourmaline Island
Watching Draven and Giana leave the room, Rayne bit her lip, hoping they would be all right. They had listened to everything she said in silence, then asked the questions she had been dreading since she made the decision not to contact Ryden when they were born. Surprisingly, they said they understood why she had kept his identity from them. She supposed, knowing what guardian’s roles were to the goddess, it made them realize how she feared the danger of their being one too. Her heart had stopped when Draven asked if they could meet him. “What more could I say but yes?” she whispered to herself as she got up and went through the open patio doors. Walking a bit, she stopped at the altar she had erected in her garden. Running her fingers over the smooth stone, she felt a calm drift over her.
“You did the right thing,” a voice behind her said.
“Did I?” Rayne asked. “I am not so sure.” She turned her head. There stood the translucent form of her mother, Celeste.
“Search your heart, and you will find your answer,” Celeste told her.
Rayne smiled. “What my heart tells me and what my head does are two different things, especially when it comes to Draven and Giana.”
“And therein lies your answer, my daughter. You would do anything to protect your children, even withholding the truth of their father from them, at least until the time was right.” Celeste watched her daughter as she thought over what she had just said. She slowly went toward Rayne. “This should not come as too much of a shock to you, Rayne. You saw this before they were born.”
Rayne slowly nodded. “I know, but even knowing this would come to pass did not prepare me for the mixed feelings I am having.”
Celeste stood in front of her daughter. Her body became corporeal as she took Rayne’s hands. “Do these feelings have anything to do with Ryden or are they from Draven and Giana?”
“Perhaps both. I could tell the children were upset, but there is still the question of how angry Ryden will be when he finds out he is a father, and that I kept the knowledge of my pregnancy from him.” Rayne looked up at her mother. “He will hate me.”
“Ryden will be angry and hurt, but he will not hate you,” Celeste told her.
“If only I was as sure as you are,” Rayne said quietly.
Celeste placed her hand on Rayne’s cheek. “Fear not, my daughter. Everything will be all right. For now, your focus must be on the ascension and the decisions you and your sister must make.”
Rayne closed her eyes, savoring the feel of her mother’s hand on her cheek. “Choosing who will ascend and who will not, Destiny and I have been doing just that.” Opening her eyes, she smiled. “Six weeks before the ascension, we will gather all the guardians together and decide who is ready. Those who are will be told what to expect, as it has always been since the choosing of the first guardians who would ascend,” she told Celeste. “I will do as you say.”
“Good. Now I must leave you,” Celeste said. “Trust in the goddess, my child. She will ensure that everything will be as it should.”
“I will, Mother, thank you.” Rayne watched as Celeste became transparent, then completely disappeared. She turned and looked out over the island. She knew her mother was back in the Nexxus. She always appeared to Rayne or Destiny when they needed her. Rayne took a deep breath and then walked back to the house. After speaking to her mother, she felt she would be able to handle it when she eventually spoke to Ryden. As she walked, her mind was already focusing on when she and Destiny would choose who was ready to ascend and on the ceremony they would perform.
***
Tempest Island
After being dismissed from her home and told to explore, Mileena found herself back on the main island. On her initial arrival to Tempest, she had noticed all the cute shops and attractions centered around the resort. Her worry for her grandfather and the importance of what she had been sent to do kept her from enjoying them. Now, however, she was reaping the whirlwind. She had found quite a bit to spruce up her new island home. Although she loved the house, she had to admit it needed a complete face-lift. Hopefully, her grandfather, and especially Raymond, would not suffer a coronary from her decision to do so.
Leaving a small boutique, where she had bought a few things for herself, Mileena almost ran over another vampire who strode down the sidewalk. “Oh, forgive me.” She smiled.
“No problem,” the vampire said and then turned to walk away.
Taking the initiative, Mileena stepped forward. “Excuse me. Are you from the islands?”
“I am. Do you need help finding something?” the girl asked.
“Actually, I wondered if you could tell me a bit about Tourmaline Island? I recently found out my family is of guardian descent, and I would like to see where it all takes place,” Mileena explained.
“Well, Tourmaline is accessible by us like all the other islands, but it’s the home of the priestesses, so most everyone tries not to disturb them too much.”
“Ah, so it would probably be rude of me to just go look around,” Mileena said.
“Oh no, not at all. I mean we just don’t party there or anything,” the vampire told her. “What’s your name?”
“Mileena Langford,” she answered as she reached out her less used hand.
“Hi, Autumn Prescott, fellow guardian. It’s nice to meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you as well,” Mileena told her. “I’m new to all this, so I’m trying to learn as much as I am able to,” she said, taking in just how lovely the vampire was. Her dark eyes and dark hair seemed to fit her perfectly.
“How about I take you for a visit of Tourmaline? After that I have to get home to get back to my training, or my brother will have my ass.” Autumn laughed.
“I’ve been told I need to start training now that I know what I am, but my grandfather is unable to teach me himself.” Mileena sighed.
“You can always come over to my place. My brother, Zane, wouldn’t mind you joining us. He’s a great teacher.” She beamed.
“Wonderful,” Mileena beamed as she hurried to her car. Once her bags were stowed inside, she and Autumn slipped away and vanished on their sightseeing quest.
***
Obsidian Island, Atherton Estate
Rayne appeared on the doorstep of the big man
sion. Ringing the doorbell, she looked at the house as she waited. Elaborate carvings adorned the entryway and what she could see around the rest of the outside of the house. The glass inset of the double doors reflected the rays of the sun, making colorful patterns on the marble floor. Hearing footsteps, she pasted a smile on her face, and the door opened.
“May I help you?” the vampire who answered the door asked.
“Yes, I would like to speak to Ryden Atherton please,” Rayne told him.
“Are you expected?”
“No, I am not. Is he home please?” Rayne answered.
“He is, madam. Please come in, and I will announce you. May I have your name?” he said, holding the door open for her.
Rayne stepped into the foyer, hearing the door close. “Just tell him Selena’s priestess is here to speak to him.”
The butler looked at her for a moment, then bowed. “Very well, please follow me.” He led the way into a room. “Would you like anything, madam?”
“No thank you,” Rayne told him.
The butler bowed again and left the room, closing the door behind him.
Rayne looked around the room. Sturdy, comfortable looking furniture dotted the room, but the main focus was the built-in bookshelves lining every wall. One section caught her eye, and she wandered over to it. Rayne ran her finger over the title. “Atherton,” she read out loud as she took the book in her hand. Opening the cover, she realized it was the Atherton family history. Rayne turned the page and started reading.
Ryden came down the stairs. “I heard the doorbell, Rafael, is someone here?”
Rafael turned. “Yes, my lord, the priestess is here. She asked to speak to you.”
“Ah, that must mean the Gathering is near,” Ryden said, going toward the library. “Thanks, Rafael.” He opened the door and walked in. There stood a dark-haired woman, absorbed in the book she held. He couldn’t see her face. “Hello, I’m Ryden Atherton, how can I help…” His voice trailed off as she turned. Deep green eyes that he remembered stared back at him. “How, what are you doing here?” he asked.