The Evolved (The New Era Saga Book 1)

by KT Webb

  “You’re only partially right, child,” Silas said with a sneer.

  “Let me tell you a story about your mother, Malcolm,” Absalom began.

  Malcolm’s interest was instantly piqued. He had never heard Abe talk about his parents, let alone tell him a story.

  “Your mother was a quiet woman. She worked at a restaurant in a small town in Michigan. I’d been watching her for months. There was something about her that I couldn’t place, but I was very curious,” Absalom said the words with a hint of nostalgia.

  “She had short dark hair and her eyes were each a different color—one green, one brown. It was a strange sight to see. She was smart, and she was a single woman living in a small town with few options for mates. But she wouldn’t settle for just anyone. She had many men show interest, but she never showed them the time of day.” Absalom paused momentarily.

  From the way Absalom spoke about Malcolm’s mother, he got the impression that he actually cared about her. It made Malcolm lean forward, waiting for more information. He wondered if Absalom would tell him about his father too.

  “I had not met anyone like her before in my entire existence. Sure I’d taken wives before and produced children, but this was entirely different. I hadn’t felt anything for those mortals. But your mother was different.” Absalom glanced at Malcolm with a gleam in his eye. “I went in to the diner a few times. Each time asking myself what I was doing there, but never being able to take my eyes off that woman.”

  Malcolm began to feel a thought creeping in to his mind, but he didn’t want to entertain it at all. He pushed it aside and waited silently for Absalom to continue.

  “One night there were no other customers for her to wait on and she was there, talking to me. I ordered more food than I ever could have eaten just to see her. Eventually I asked her to sit down and join me. When she did, she laughed easily and smiled at me. I was completely taken with her. I asked her to see me outside of the diner, and she agreed.” Absalom’s voice was getting more strained the further he went in to the story.

  Malcolm finally allowed the nagging thought to break through as he realized where this story was heading. Absalom had actually loved someone, and that someone was his mother.

  “As time passed, I became so consumed by your mother that I nearly forgot my mission in life. I still had duties to fulfill in order to stop the other Old Immortals from realizing the ridiculous prophecies the Creator had given them. But instead of taking care of business, I found myself lying with your mother in her room. I was completely obsessed with her. The way she made me feel was like nothing I had ever expected. I rolled over to face her and asked her to be my wife.” Absalom sounded so sincere that Malcolm almost forgot who he was talking to.

  “No. This doesn’t make sense.” Malcolm began to protest. “If you married my mother and she hadn’t been with anyone else, that would make you my . . . ”

  “Father,” Absalom finished the thought for him. “You are correct, Malcolm. You were never part of the plan. I knew that if your mother were to have my child she would die. I had been very careful, trying to keep that from happening. Cassandra was a very passionate woman and she loved me beyond anything I ever thought possible. As I said, I was completely consumed by our love and despite being together for five years without creating a child, something terrible happened.”

  Malcolm was reeling from this new revelation. And it made him sick to think about it. Absalom had spent all these years hating him and blaming him for the death of his mother. He didn’t know what to think about any of this. When he finally spoke again it took Absalom completely by surprise.

  “My mother’s name was Cassandra?” he asked quietly.

  “Yes,” Absalom responded simply as though he didn’t know what else to say.

  “So you said something terrible happened. I suppose you mean me,” Malcolm said numbly.

  “Yes.” He nodded. “Don’t act so hurt, boy. I remember it like it was yesterday. Your mother came to me with one of those stupid sticks and showed me that two lines meant we were going to be parents. I was angry. Not at her, but at myself. I couldn’t believe I had done this to her. I’d seen my other wives suffer through their pregnancies and wasn’t bothered by it. They were only a means to an end. But Cassandra was different. I was heartbroken, and I couldn’t pretend my feelings matched hers. I left.”

  “You left her? Just like that? What did she do? Was she alone, did she die alone?” Malcolm felt his face growing hot as he thought of how selfish Absalom had to be to leave the woman he loved to suffer and die alone.

  “Don’t get ahead of yourself. I left her for two days. I was so terrified of what would happen that I couldn’t bear to look at her. When I returned, she was elated and told me she had been so terrified that I wouldn’t come back to her,” Absalom said sadly. “It pained me to cause her such grief. I stayed with her through her pregnancy and cherished every moment with her until her heart stopped beating. I was going to kill you. I couldn’t afford to have my own child become my downfall if you were to become one of the Evolved. I had a rock in my hand, ready to dash your brain out when you looked at me. You opened your eyes and I saw the man your mother loved reflected there. I had to get away. I left you with Silas and Caprice after your mother died.”

  Malcolm was so shocked. He should be dead. His own father was going to smash his skull in with a rock. But Absalom seemed to have truly loved his mother; he had cared enough about Cassandra to leave her son with someone he trusted.

  “I left and sought out one of the Evolved. I was gone for a few months, looking for Thatcher. I found his family and realized that he came from two of the descendants of the Old Immortals. His father came from me; I could see the resemblance. But his mother came from Dorian,” Absalom said. “I watched through the window as his parents sang to him on his birthday, and I felt anger well up inside of me. I had never in my life felt jealous of someone else, but I knew in that moment that I was really angry because I would never share those moments with Cassandra. Our child would not have both of us, and that was my fault.”

  Malcolm was confused. He had always been told Thatcher killed his parents. He never knew Absalom had seen it happen. It made him sick thinking about the conflict in what his father was telling him. He was so angry and hurt that he wouldn’t get to be part of a happy family, so he just let that family die? He was really so jealous of his descendant and how happy he was that he just stood there? Malcolm was beginning to feel nauseated as he sat completely enraptured by the story of his parents.

  “My anger filled me with hatred. Deeper hatred than I’d ever felt before. When Thatcher began to play with the flame and lit the plate on fire, I laughed. I laughed and used my abilities to encourage the flames. Soon, the whole house was engulfed in an inferno. The boy escaped and his mother did as well, but I couldn’t let her live. I grabbed her by the neck and threw her back in to the flames,” Absalom said with a self-satisfied grin.

  Malcolm couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Not only was Thatcher right about Absalom being a murderer, but he was also right about him being psychotic. His interest in the story of his mother had quickly changed to disgust upon hearing about what he did to Thatcher’s parents, and ultimately to Thatcher.

  “You are a monster,” Malcolm spat out.

  “Careful, boy, he didn’t kill you when he was grieving your mother, but he could kill you now. Or I could,” Silas said menacingly.

  “No, Silas, let the boy get it out,” Absalom replied.

  “You were going to kill a baby. Not just any baby, your own baby. When you couldn’t kill me you ran off and killed someone else. Thatcher has lived this whole time thinking it was all his fault, but really it was you. He was right. I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t be helping you. You are disgusting and I won’t help you anymore. I don’t care if you kill me.” Malcolm’s voice rose to a shout.

  In a flash, Absalom was in his face. Malcolm could see murder in his eyes. How had he never
seen it there before? He had been so focused on getting revenge for the death of his parents that he believed every lie Silas and Absalom told him. After everything he read at Dorians house, he knew he was in fact dealing with the devil. He didn’t have to wait long to see what would happen to him as he began to feel his body temperature rise. The pain intensified and he doubled over, smoke coming from his mouth. It ended as quickly as it began, and he found himself on the floor.

  “Never forget who you’re dealing with, boy. If you are certain you will not help your father, your own flesh and blood, with the plans he has for you, then you will suffer. I will make sure you suffer good and long,” Absalom hissed in his ear.

  Chapter Twenty-Two:

  Whitley

  She woke in the morning to the sound of someone rapping on her door.

  “Come in,” she said groggily.

  Hadley came in and shut the door behind her. The look on her face told Whitley she had something juicy to share.

  “What’s up?” Whitley asked with a yawn and a stretch.

  “I kissed Thatcher,” Hadley gushed.

  “You what?! When?” Whitley asked, now wide awake.

  “Last night. When we got back from the ruins he took Malcolm off to talk to him and I hung back to listen while everyone else went upstairs. Malcolm said some really harsh things and left. Thatcher opened the door of the pantry to find me standing there. I told him Malcolm was wrong about him and . . . ” Hadley stopped and bit her lip.

  “And what? Don’t just leave me hanging like that, Had!” Whitley squealed.

  “It happened so quickly. He just grabbed me and kissed me. It was pretty incredible, actually. Really intense.” She shivered at the memory. “Then he walked me to my room and I went to sleep.”

  Whitley smiled at her twin. She seemed really pleased with this development. Hadley had never been the type of girl to throw herself at a guy, but the way she’d been eyeing Thatcher was nothing short of obvious.

  “Wait, Malcolm left?” Whitley asked suddenly.

  “Yes. He was mad at Thatcher for setting him straight about Absalom. Apparently Malcolm was raised by that creep. He calls him Uncle Abe,” Hadley told her.

  “Wow. That’s insane. Why would he raise him if he’s been trying to kill all of us?” Whitley mused.

  “I don’t know. I don’t have a very good feeling about it though. It’s a bit ominous. Anyway, I was thinking about going into town to grab some coffee today. We could meet dad there and bring him back here to talk everything over. I think it would be better if we show him we’re free to come and go as we please, since he’s already apprehensive about all this,” Hadley said.

  Whitley had forgotten all about their father coming home. He was probably already home and wondering where they were. When they spoke with him the day before, they agreed to meet up with him as soon as he returned home. She blanched at the thought of him sending out a search party and dove for her cell phone. To her dismay, she had seven missed calls from their father.

  “Hadley, have you checked your phone? I missed seven calls and ten text messages from dad,” Whitley said nervously.

  “I’ll go check.” Hadley left the room quickly.

  Whitley got up and quickly braided her hair. It wasn’t perfect, but it would have to do until she got home to shower and change. She hadn’t brought anything with her, aside from her phone and her sister, so she was ready to go when Hadley returned.

  “I have eight missed calls and six text messages. We should probably call him and just head to the house,” Hadley said.

  The girls had arranged to borrow Dorian’s lime green car for the errand. Their mother was a little nervous about them leaving, especially after everyone knew about Malcolm, so she decided to tag along. As they pulled out of the driveway, Whitley could see the tension creep into her mother. This was definitely going to be an awkward reunion.

  “Mom, don’t worry, I’m sure he’ll be relieved we’re alright. He probably won’t even notice you,” Hadley said, trying to sound convincing.

  “Gee, Had, that was helpful. Why don’t you tell her you ran over her dog too?” Whitley retorted.

  “I feel like a teenager going on a first date. I don’t even know what will happen. Will he be mad? Will he be happy to see me? Will he even care?” Tahlia asked nervously.

  Neither girl knew what to say, so they just stayed quiet. Whitley secretly hoped the appearance of their mother would lessen their father’s irritation with them for taking off with a stranger.

  As she drove through the country on the way back to Benton, she was surrounded by corn fields and cows. Whitley remembered their first few days in this small town. She’d never seen so much corn in her life, and she’d never been so close to a cow that hadn’t become a steak. The people of Benton were proud of their farming community, which often led the twins to feel out of place in conversations.

  Soon, the silos gave way to civilization as she entered city limits. She drove down Maple Street, one of the main roads that crossed through Benton, on her way to the other side of the train tracks. Their large ranch was a little way out of town, near the lake. She knew their father would be pacing in his study waiting for them. He had been beyond irritated when she called him almost half an hour ago. Whitley conveniently neglected to tell him that they were bringing a surprise home with them.

  Eric Callaghan was sitting on the front porch waiting when they pulled into the driveway. He stood up and strode to the car, ready to give them a firm talking to. He stopped short as Tahlia stepped out of the car.

  “Hello, Eric,” she said shyly.

  “Lia,” Eric said breathlessly.

  He looked as though he’d been punched in the stomach. It was almost painful to see the expressions that crossed his face as he stared at Tahlia. Whitley thought this moment would be tense and uncomfortable, but it was actually almost beautiful. Her father went from irate to speechless in only a few moments. She could see in the way he stood staring at Tahlia that he still loved her after all these years. Whitley and Hadley exchanged a meaningful look and stood to the side to watch their parents.

  “Hi,” Eric managed to say. He looked like a shy teenager.

  “I’ve missed you,” Tahlia said.

  “I’m sorry I let you leave,” Eric said. “I was scared. Then I thought the girls could live a normal life if you weren’t there, so I didn’t call you.”

  “You told them I abandoned them. How could you do that? I tried to see you all so many times,” Tahlia replied.

  “I don’t know. I’m not proud of the choices I made. I thought I was protecting the girls.” His words were sincere and he was almost pleading with her to understand.

  “I know. I forgave you a long time ago. I won’t apologize for being who I am, but I am sorry I didn’t tell you sooner,” Tahlia told him.

  “I would never ask you to be anyone else,” Eric said with a sad smile.

  “Awww!” Hadley gushed, ruining the moment.

  Their parents turned to face them both. Eric looked embarrassed and Tahlia looked relieved. Both girls smiled and hugged their parents fiercely. It was a moment they never would have expected, but it was a moment they all needed in order to put the past to rest. The four of them went into the large blue ranch house. The front door opened directly in to the kitchen. The open floor plan continued onto a large living room with a stone fireplace. Their parents took a seat on the large sectional that wrapped around the room. The girls excused themselves to take showers and change their clothes, leaving their parents to speak privately.

  They went down the hall past the kitchen and took the stairs to the basement. Both girls were preoccupied with their thoughts as they headed into their bedrooms. Whitley smiled as she entered her bedroom. They weren’t in trouble, and their parents were talking.

  She felt like things were going their way as she stripped down in front of the bathroom mirror. Releasing her long blond hair from the braid, she examined her naked body. She didn�
�t look any different than she had the morning before. She felt different, powerful, stronger, and complete. She was slim and had only slight muscle tone. Neither girl was athletic, but they were still small. Standing at about five and a half feet tall, she always viewed herself as average. She turned the shower on and stepped in as soon as it was warm enough. She felt the water soak into her hair and run down her back. She turned the water temperature a little higher and stood under the shower head massaging the shampoo and conditioner through her long thick hair. Once she finished washing her body, she turned off the shower and tied her hair up in a towel.

  Whitley dried herself off, then chose some clothes from her walk-in closet and packed them in her large purple duffel bag. She grabbed some jeans and a gray hooded sweatshirt and got dressed. She pulled her hair into a messy bun. Once she finished packing the essentials, she headed out.

  “Are you ready, Hadley?” Whitley called out to her twin.

  “Yeah, just finishing packing. I can’t decide what all I should bring with me. I guess we can always come back and grab more if we need to,” Hadley said as she came out of her room wearing jeans and a pink sweater. She had done her hair in an intricate French braid that started on either side of her head and came together at the nape of her neck.

  “Let’s go see how it’s going upstairs,” Whitley said with a smile.

  Chapter Twenty-Three:

  Nora

  Nora was alone in the sitting room, trying to get some quiet time. She wasn’t sure what to think of Malcolm leaving. Thatcher had recounted the story to them over the breakfast table. His disappearance was troubling, but she knew it meant he hadn’t done whatever it was that Absalom wanted.

  Nora lay down on the deep window seat and closed her eyes. She hadn’t slept well the night before, tossing and turning through countless nightmares. They were all different, but ended the same way, with her standing over Dorian’s dead body. The door opened and someone came in. She took a peek under her arm and saw Kerr approaching the window.