by Morgan Rice
“We will always be together,” Caitlin repeated, “but at the same time, sometimes Mommy and Daddy might need to go away for a few days. That doesn’t mean we won’t come back. We will always come back. But now is one of those times. We do need to go for just a few days—and then, I promise, we will be back.”
“NO!” Scarlet screamed, bursting into tears as she hugged Caitlin. “I KNEW you would say that! You can’t go! It’s just like my dream. And now you’re never going to come back!” Scarlet was hysterical, inconsolable, as she sobbed in Caitlin’s arms.
Caitlin turned and exchanged a look with Caleb. It was almost enough to give Caitlin pause, to make her wonder if they should change their plan, and bring Scarlet with them.
But Caleb, reading her mind, slowly shook his head, and she knew that he was right. They could not bring her with them. It would endanger them all. Caitlin sensed that wherever it was they were going, danger would not be far. After all, it was the final key they were after. The final key that would lead them to her father, the final key that would lead them to the ancient vampire shield. Who knew what adversaries might be awaiting them? It was hardly a mission suitable for a child.
Caitlin leaned back and looked Scarlet in the eyes, trying to get her to focus on her.
“I promise you, Scarlet,” Caitlin said, over her cries, “that nothing bad will ever happen to you.
Or to us. We will be back in just a few days. And then after that, we’ll be with you all the time. You have to trust me. Do you trust me?”
Scarlet blinked, wiping away her tears, and finally, reluctantly, she nodded.
Scarlet seemed to calm a bit. But Caitlin, on the other hand, was feeling increasing foreboding.
Indeed, for the first time in as long as she could remember, Caitlin wondered if they would, truly, make it back alive.
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
Sera awoke in the King’s chamber at the crack of dawn. She threw open her eyes, immediately remembering the night before, and turned and stared at McCleod, naked, in bed beside her.
The two of them lay under the covers, she in his arms, and he sound asleep. That did not surprise her. She had seen this before: when people were first turned, they often slept long and late—sometimes for days. And this had been an epic turning. They had been together all night long, and she had never met a more willing human victim.
Sera jumped out of bed in a single bound, needing to clear her head from the night before. The body warmth from the sheets immediately evaporated, leaving her cool in the November morning, and she grabbed a silk robe and put it on as she made her way to the windowsill. She looked out at the first crack of dawn, the blood red sun on the horizon, and felt it was a good omen. She contemplated her next move.
So far, all had gone according to plan: soon McCleod would be one of hers, of her kind, and he would be putty in her hands. He had vowed to do as she wished, and she would call in the vow.
Then, finally, they could execute their plan. Kyle and Rynd had been smart to come up with this: the vampires here would never expect an attack from within their own island, a human attack from within their own ranks. What she would demand of McCleod would be the ultimate treachery: he would rally his human warriors, with all their silver-tip weapons, surround Aiden’s people, and catch them by surprise. If all went as planned, Aiden’s entire coven would be wiped out by nightfall.
Along, of course, with Caitlin and Caleb.
McCleod would provide a crucial attack on one front. And Kyle and Rynd, at the same time, would attack on another, using their own treachery. With this two-front war, there was no way any of them could escape.
Sera smiled at the thought of it. Finally, she would have vengeance. She would spend hours torturing Caitlin. And then she would make Caleb be hers again—right before she killed him. No one crossed her.
“Leaving so soon?” came a dark voice.
Sera wheeled, startled.
She was shocked. Standing just inches away was McCleod. He was awake. Already. And judging from the vicious look in his now-red eyes, he was fully turned. Somehow, he had managed to cross the room without making a single noise.
Sera had underestimated him. His recovery was quicker than she could have imagined, and he was more nimble on his feet than she would have guessed. She had created a far more powerful vampire than she could have ever predicted. She was at a loss for words.
He smiled back. “You did your job well,” he said.
He lifted his arm and stared at it in awe, slowly squeezing open and shut his fist, admiring his newfound power.
“I’ve never felt such power in my life. Despite years of training, years of sparring. I’ve never felt this quick, this nimble. I feel a thousand times the strength I’ve ever had.” He looked around. “In this room, even in this dim light, I can see so much better. Sharper.” He turned and faced her, his eyes darkening as they locked onto hers.
“I vowed something last night. I owe you something. What is it?” he demanded. “Tell me now, so I can move on with my life. I have wars to wage, kingdoms to conquer.” Sera smiled back, admiring his pugnaciousness.
“But you can’t conquer anything until you first give me what I want,” she reminded, enjoying having him in her power.
He frowned back.
“And what if I don’t? You can’t stop me. I am a vampire now, as powerful as you.”
“Perhaps you are,” Sera retorted, “but I can summon an army of vampires to destroy you in an instant. You can’t run or hide from all of us.”
He stared back at her, and slowly, he seemed to soften, to become slightly less arrogant.
“Then I ask again: what is it you want?”
Sera smiled, relishing the moment. Now she had him exactly where she wanted him.
“Just one small favor, one tiny task. In fact, it is amazing how small it is, given what I just did for you. It will take you but a day, and then you’ll be out of my debt forever.” He stared back impatiently.
“You are going to summon your army of human warriors,” Sera continued. “Everyone in your kingdom, all your best warriors, all who carry silver-tip weapons. All those who are closest to Aiden’s people.”
“And?” he snapped, impatient. “And then what?”
Sera smiled.
“You will order them to attack and kill all of Aiden’s men.” McCleod gasped, speechless. His frown turned into a scowl.
“I would never do such a thing,” he said, outraged. “Aiden trusts me. And I him. We are brothers, warriors-in-arms. They have always been good to me, and I to them. I would never harm them, would never break the warrior code. I will not do it. But ask for something else, and that you shall have.”
Now it was Sera’s turn to scowl.
“I only ask once—and I shall have whatever that thing is. You vowed. You cannot go back.” McCleod suddenly turned and stormed away, heading for the door.
Sera felt all the fury rise through her, the fury and strength not only of her, but also of Kyle, his blood now coursing through her veins. She felt stronger and more powerful than she ever had—and in a deeper rage than she knew possible.
In a single leap, she crossed the room, grabbed McCleod from behind, and slammed him down to the floor, pinning him in a deadly lock.
He squirmed beneath her, but he was unable to move an inch. Clearly, Sera, was far more powerful.
“You’ve been a vampire for a day,” Sera scowled, “while I have been one for millennia. In the vampire world, strength does not go by gender. It goes by age. And I’m far, far stronger than you will ever be.”
He finally stopped struggling, clearly defeated, broken.
“You will do what I wish of you.”
“I will,” he answered, barely getting the words out.
“You will kill Aiden’s people. Repeat it after me.”
“I will kill Aiden’s people,” he repeated, grunting, struggling to breath.
Sera smiled. Finally, she would have her revenge.
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CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
Caitlin and Caleb flew through the early morning over the Isle of Skye, heading east for the mainland of Scotland, right into the sun. As they flew, Caitlin looked down, and took in the extraordinary beauty of the Isle of Skye. It was one of the most magical places she had ever seen.
The ever-present mist hung over everything, and beneath it, she could see the hills and valleys, the green moss covering everything, the thousands of small lakes interspersing the landscape. All along the island’s perimeter were high, sharp cliffs, dropping hundreds of feet down to the ocean, and the beautiful foam of the waves crashing against the shore. The island was so remote, untouched, with no roads to speak of. It was truly a place for the brave.
Caitlin’s thoughts turned to Scarlet’s dream, her premonition that she would not return. Despite herself, Caitlin could not help feeling herself that Scarlet was right, that she would not return to this place. She knew it was crazy, but she took one long look at the island as if it would be her last. She had a persistent sense of foreboding and dread that she’d been unable to shake.
Leaving Scarlet behind had been hard. She had woken Polly, had deposited Scarlet and Ruth with them, and had made them promise to guard them with their lives. They had, and that had set Caitlin somewhat at ease. Caitlin knew there was nothing she should be worried about: surely Sam and Polly would never leave Scarlet unprotected—especially after they had messed up in England.
Not to mention, Scarlet was also in the safety of the castle, with Aiden’s men, and the King’s men, all around to protect her. Caitlin could not understand why she was so concerned.
As they flew over the strip of ocean separating the Isle of Skye from the mainland of Scotland, Caitlin, holding Caleb’s hand, reflected on the day and night before. Her wedding. The ceremony.
The reception. Her night with Caleb. Her dream. This morning….So much had happened so quickly.
As it was the morning after her wedding, she realized that this would be the traditional time for their honeymoon. And in a way, oddly, it was: the two of them were leaving, traveling, going on an adventure, just the two of them. And surely, wherever they went, they would be romantic places, a castle or a church, or some other ancient site. So in a way, this was an odd sort of honeymoon.
But in another way, their mission now had a much more serious and urgent feel to it. Ever since her dream, Caitlin felt the ticking of time, felt an urgency to find the fourth key, and to return to Scarlet. Caitlin’s heart pounded at the thought of what she might find. Would her father be there, waiting in Eilean Donan? Would the mission finally be finished? And if so, would it change her life forever? Would she be sent back to the future? Or back further into the past?
The morning sun rose high in the sky as they flew and flew. Eventually, they were over land again. Caitlin looked down and saw that the land here, in the Highlands of Scotland, was just as beautiful as it had been in Skye. Caleb held her hand and dived lower, and in the distance, Caitlin could already see the outline of where they were going.
It was impossible to miss. Eilean Donan. Even from here, from this great distance, Caitlin could see it was one of them most romantic and beautiful castles she had ever seen.
Caitlin reached down and felt her pocket and clutched the clue, the ancient, torn page that McCleod had given her, now rolled up in a scroll. As they approach the castle, she felt it throbbing in her hand, and she wondered if this place would yield the answer, provide the second half of the clue that could lead to the final key.
“Eilean Donan is a very sacred place,” Caleb said over the wind, as they dove lower, circling it.
“It has been home to vampires for thousands of years. The last I heard, it was home to the Red Coven. A very powerful and deadly coven, often inhospitable to outsiders—and rumored to be the guardians of a deep secret.”
They dove lower, and Caitlin took in the site of the castle from all sides. It was even more impressive up close. Built on a small island in the middle of a lake, Eilean Donan castle was accessible only by a long, stone footbridge, suspended over three small arches. The castle was set against green, rolling hills on every side, mountains in the distance, and the vast expanse of the lake surrounding it. It was a dramatic and romantic landscape, and the castle, already looking ancient, with parapets on multiple levels, blended perfectly into the countryside. A gentle mist hung over the lake, lit up in the sun, adding to the romance of it. Caitlin could already sense that it was a mysterious place, and that it held ancient secrets.
They circled again and again, debating where to land. Caitlin spotted dozens of vampire guards stationed, all dressed in long, blood-red cloaks. She wondered if they would have to battle them, but wanted to avoid a confrontation if they could.
“Let’s let them know we’re friendly,” Caitlin called out. “Let’s land by the main gate.”
“But if they confront us, better to land on the roof,” Caleb responded.
“I don’t feel that they will confront us,” Caitlin said. “If they are guardians of the vampire secret, I think they will appreciate why we are here. They might even be expecting us.” Caleb looked skeptical, but he agreed, and together they dove down, right for the main gate.
Moments later, they were standing at the end of the footbridge, before the main castle gate, in a wide open plaza guarded by dozens of vampires.
The vampires, dressed in red, scowled back, and Caitlin hoped that she had made the right decision.
As she took several steps forward, towards the entrance, suddenly, the main castle gate opened, the heavy iron spikes slowly rising. A single vampire approached, standing out from the others as he was the only one dressed in all white. He had a long beard spilling out from under it, and as he approached, he pulled back his hood and stared at them both with an intense stare. He was followed by a dozen guards, and Caitlin briefly wondered if they were about to attack.
But then she saw the lead vampire break into a smile, and finally, she felt at ease.
“Caitlin and Caleb,” he said slowly, shaking his head. “I’ve heard a lot about you two. I am honored you’ve come to our remote corner of the world.”
With that, he suddenly turned and walked into the castle.
Caitlin and Caleb looked at each other, and figured there was only one thing to do: to follow him.
*
“Most vampires who come here, come looking for the Grail,” the lead vampire said, as they walked through an ancient stone corridor. He turned to them and smiled. “But I can tell that you two are different. You are looking for something else, something much more sacred.”
“I’m looking for my father,” Caitlin replied.
“Yes, I know you are,” the vampire responded. He stopped and faced her. “I knew him well. He was an amazing man.”
Caitlin’s heart raced.
“Is he here?” she asked, excitedly.
He laughed, a short, little sound. “I wish he was. No, I’m afraid he hasn’t been here for centuries. But he left a very important legacy here. And he prepared us for your arrival. Centuries ago.”
The man turned, opened a small, medieval door, and they all headed down a new corridor, twisting and turning.
“What did he prepare?” Caitlin asked, burning with curiosity.
The man stopped before another door. “There was something he wanted you to have. You and only you.”
He opened another small door, and Caitlin had to duck as she walked through the opening.
This door opened into a grand room, lit by dozens of torches, with high arched ceilings, and stained-glass. It looked like a chapel, and at the end was a large, shining gold altar, guarded by two vampire soldiers, dressed in red, who stood at attention. Caitlin wondered what could be so valuable and precious that two guards would have to stand watch over it at all times. She wondered if it was the second half of the torn page.
As they approached it, her turned to her, “Your clue?” the vampire prodded.
Caitlin wondered for a moment what he was asking for, then realized it must have been the torn page. She reached in and extracted it.
He slowly shook his head.
“That is not for this place,” he said. “Your necklace,” he corrected.
Caitlin momentarily forgot what he was referring to; then she reached down and removed her small antique cross, grateful once again that she still wore it.
The man gestured towards an ancient, bejeweled chest, and Caitlin knelt down, and inserted her cross with the click. She turned it, and it slowly opened.
She could not believe what she saw.
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
Polly awoke from a night of exquisite dreams, happier than she had ever been. She had been riding on cloud nine ever since Sam had proposed to her the night before. She had been secretly, deep down, hoping that he would, especially on Caitlin and Caleb’s wedding night. She knew that she had no real reason to expect this, given that they had barely been together a few days—and yet somehow, deep down, she still hoped for it anyway. She had never loved anyone as much as Sam, and she’d wanted him to propose to her more than anything.
Polly had gone to bed ecstatic and had dreamt all night long that she and Sam had been walking through a field of white flowers, white rose petals showering all around them, as the sun never seemed to set. She saw the two of them walking into the white light, and she awoke with the most peaceful feeling of her life, feeling so relaxed and content. She’d had the strangest, fleeting thought, that, given how happy and content she was, she’d be perfectly happy to die right now, on this day.
After all, there was nothing more she could ever want from the world.