Destiny Redeemed

by Gabrielle Bisset

  He’d always told himself that he was different from the people in Nil. He’d done his time and was no longer like them. He was better. He’d convinced himself of that point.

  He was better.

  “Mr. Jansen, I didn’t expect to see you so soon or so alone.”

  Ryu trained his eyes on the head councilman and the displeasure on the man’s face registered in Ryu’s mind just as his tone had. A feeling of irritation spiked in him, and he silently complained about the man’s impatience, not caring whether or not he possessed the power that would allow him to know his thoughts.

  He struggled to calm himself so his tone didn’t betray all his thoughts. “You can be confident I’ll bring Kalins in.”

  “I have no doubt, Mr. Jansen. What can we do for you now?”

  “Two things. First, he’s with a girl. I need to know who she is and what she is to him.”

  “Give us her name and we’ll gather the information you seek.”

  “I don’t have a name. All I have is an address.”

  “Very well. What is the address?”

  Ryu finished giving Thea’s address and a page scurried off to find out what he needed to know.

  “While we wait for that, tell us what you’ve done so far to complete your assignment.”

  “I met with the Council of New York,” Ryu said flatly, remembering the experience with distaste.

  “And I’m sure you found them eminently helpful.”

  Ryu was unsure of how to interpret the councilman’s tone, so he said nothing. His experience with the Council system as a bounty hunter had shown him that they tended to protect their own, even if the council members for New York didn’t.

  “I understand from your silence that your experience with that particular council wasn’t entirely successful.”

  Carefully measuring his words, Ryu said, “Perhaps it was because of my accent.”

  The councilman laughed loudly. “I doubt that was the problem, Mr. Jansen. I’m afraid you were forced to deal with a council that harbors ill will toward the one seated in front of you.”

  And obviously you don’t intend on helping me with that.

  Ryu’s anger rose at the bureaucratic nonsense that more and more seemed to be a large part of the bounty hunter’s job.

  Territorial divas.

  “What else have you done to apprehend Kalins?”

  “I tracked him to his house in New York. That’s where I found the girl. As I arrived, she was running from the house, so I followed her.”

  “Why didn’t you simply capture your man instead of running after some girl?”

  “He’s got some kind of magick working so no one can get near the house.”

  “So you aren’t even certain he was there?”

  Ryu knew by the tone of the questions that the head of the Council wasn’t appreciating how he’d done his job so far, and he didn’t give a damn.

  Between the goddamned Council of New York and whatever fucking magick Kalins has working for him, you should be pleased as fucking punch I’ve seen him at all.

  “Be careful, Mr. Jansen.”

  “You recalled me for this job because I’m good at what I do. Let me do my job then.”

  “So have you seen Kalins?”

  Ryu knew he had to control his anger. No matter how much they needed him, he had to admit he needed them more.

  “Yes.”

  “Tell us about that.”

  “As I said, I followed the girl to her house and waited to see if he’d come after her. A few hours later, he showed up with the Sidhe and the other guy—the magickian.”

  The page returned and handed the councilman a file. “Please continue, Mr. Jansen.”

  “Well, Kalins went inside as they remained outside and only once did they go inside, but then they came back out. Right after that, they spotted me.”

  “How could they know who you are or why you were there?”

  “That’s what I wondered too. My guess is you’ve got Soren spies in the Directorate.”

  Suddenly, the chamber grew quiet. The fear of spies in the Directorate was a constant concern, but proof was always elusive. The Soren was good at what it did when it came to helping its own, and the men and women it sent in to do its spying were professionals.

  A female council member spoke up, her voice full of fear. “Are you sure, Mr. Jansen? It couldn’t be something you misunderstood?”

  “I don’t think so, ma’am. As soon as they spotted me, they reentered the house and then by the time I made it to the front door, they were gone with the girl and only Kalins remained. I don’t think it’s a coincidence. He’s got a magickian from that group working for him, so I’m betting the Soren is supplying him with information about your sending me from their spies in the Directorate.”

  “Then from this point on,” she said to the head of the Council, “I think we should be very careful with the information we file concerning Mr. Kalins’ case.”

  The head councilman agreed. “And we need to investigate any recent inquiries regarding Kalins.”

  Ryu watched in amusement as the Council laid plans to protect itself and foil the efforts of the Soren. He knew the bad guys always had better resources, more ways to get around the law than the good guys had to enforce the laws they made. It was just the way of the world. He didn’t believe the fight was a pointless one because good had to triumph over evil if there was to be any order in the world, but he knew that more bureaucratic arm flailing wasn’t what was going to help the good guys win. It was up to the feet on the ground, people like him, to make sure good won out.

  “Well, Mr. Jansen, it seems an interesting wrinkle has been added to Kalins’ case. The girl you saw with him is a healer. I suspect if I asked you to describe his physical well-being, you’d say he appeared in the pink of good health, would you not?”

  Ryu nodded. No doubt he’d had help procuring the services of a healer from the Soren. “If I may ask, what is known about her? Is it likely she’s working for the Soren?”

  The councilman studied the pages of Thea’s file for some time and lifted his head. “It doesn’t appear that she is. Her record shows a long history of forty-five lifetimes as a healer, and there’s never been any issue with her following the Council’s orders.”

  “That would explain why she ran from Kalins’ house. She was there against her will.”

  “That might very well be true, Mr. Jansen, but I wouldn’t count on her assistance in capturing your man.”

  Ryu looked up at the Council confused. “Why not? It’s a tactic any good bounty hunter would use. If she’s being held against her wishes, she’s a perfect pawn to use against Kalins. Women don’t like being held hostage, and in my experience, they’ll turn on their captors just as soon as look at them.”

  “Not if they’re destined ones,” the councilman said in a hollow voice that immediately silenced the chamber.

  “What?”

  “Kalins’ healer is his destined one. I don’t foresee any assistance from Miss Althea Forester.”

  Ryu quickly added up the things Amon Kalins had going for him. Ancient and powerful, possibly with even more powers than the already impressive ones he and the Council knew about. The aid of a Sidhe who had helped him escape from the supposedly impenetrable Nil. The support of the Soren, a group dedicated to working against the laws of their people. A magickian of no small talents. And now his own personal healer.

  “I’ll need to know everything about this healer if I’m to return him to Nil.”

  The female council member from just a few minutes earlier spoke up again. “You know we can’t do that, Mr. Jansen. Just as with every other Aeveren, you are not permitted to know of her past lives.”

  Before Ryu could protest that knowledge of her past may be just what he could use to capture Kalins, the head of the Council of Nil gestured to a page to come toward him and said, “Your request is granted, Mr. Jansen.”

  Several council members gasped at the
extraordinary breach of Aeveren laws and ethical principles. The female council member exclaimed, “I protest this action! The right to privacy concerning former lifetimes is one of the most sacred rights in our world. It is long held to be inviolable. No matter what Amon Kalins has done to deserve his sentence in Nil, the ends do not justify the means!”

  “Your protest is noted,” the head councilman said coolly. Turning to Ryu, he continued, “Mr. Jansen, now you have what you need. Bring Kalins back to Nil.”

  Ryu stood stunned at the scene he’d just witnessed and barely muttered the words “thank you” as the page handed him a folder containing details of Thea’s history. He watched as several members of the Council stormed out of the chamber ahead of the head councilman and those who supported his decision that was sure to be controversial.

  *

  Amon awoke from his short nap and found Thea still sleeping on top of him. Her warm breath heated the skin on his neck, and he reveled at how wonderful she felt next to him. Long blond waves fanned out across her back and fell onto his shoulder, and he lifted a handful of hair up to his nose to smell the sweet fragrance of the shampoo she used. The softness of the strands caressed his lips as he inhaled the scent that would be only hers in his mind from that point on.

  Thea began to stir and turned her sleepy face toward his. “I must have fallen asleep as you were talking,” she said shyly. “I’m sorry.”

  “No need to be. You were tired from your exciting day and healing me again,” he whispered before planting a small kiss on her forehead.

  She furrowed her brow. “Amon, I need to call my sister. She’s going to worry if she tries to get in touch with me and I’m gone.”

  “Of course. I’ll leave so you can have some privacy.”

  As he moved to place her on the bed, Thea pushed against him. “In a little while. I want to stay like this for a while longer,” she purred.

  Thea found his mouth and kissed him passionately. She felt so good next to him, her body soft in all the right places where his was hard.

  Amon buried his hands in her hair and tugged gently as he moaned against her mouth. “We have someplace we have to go, but I promise after that we’ll have all the time in the world to do anything and everything we want.”

  As he sat up to sit on the edge of the bed, he silently called Gethen and instructed him to bring Markku also. In seconds, there was a knock at the door and then all four stood in Amon’s bedroom.

  “Markku, it’s about time I visited my friends in the Soren. I want you to arrange a meeting for tonight.”

  “Sounds good. They’ll be happy to see you.”

  “Take Gethen with you, and he’ll let me know when everything’s set.”

  Amon turned to Gethen and simply smiled. With a nod of his head, Gethen left behind Markku and once again Amon and Thea were alone.

  “What did you tell Gethen?” Thea asked as she wrapped her arms around his neck and looked up into his face.

  Lifting one eyebrow in mock surprise, he smiled. “What makes you think I told him anything? I didn’t say a word.”

  “I know you can communicate with him without speaking, so you don’t have to pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about.”

  Amon ran his hands down the side of Thea’s body and let them come to rest on her waist. “Thea, where we’re going is unlike anywhere I believe you’ve ever been. The group Markku works with is full of people who are like I used to be. Do you remember when I told you I’d done some bad things in my forty-seven lifetimes? These people are like that.”

  Thea ran her fingers over the skin of Amon’s neck and shoulders. “Why do we have to go to see these people if you’re not like that anymore?” she asked innocently.

  “Because if I’m going to stay out of Nil and keep you safe, I’m going to need their help.”

  Amon hugged her tightly and rested his chin on the top of her head. “I need you to remember something, Thea.”

  Backing away from him, she looked up with concern on her face and squeezed his hands in hers. “What’s wrong, Amon?”

  Stroking her cheek gently as he spoke, he whispered softly. “I just need you to remember that the person who loves you, your destined one, is the man I am now. The person you’re going to see in a little while is the person I have to be with them. And I need you to keep your emotions under control. I can’t let them see me weakened because you’re unhappy.”

  “I promise I’ll remember. They won’t hurt me, will they?”

  Rage at the thought of anyone hurting her spiked inside him. “Thea, I would never let anyone hurt you. I’ll kill anyone who makes the mistake of even thinking of harming you. I told you before. You’re safe as long as you’re with me.”

  “Okay,” she said with a sweet smile. “But you never told me what you said to Gethen.”

  “You certainly are a tenacious one, Althea. All I told him was to make sure it’s safe before calling me.”

  Satisfied, she smiled. “I see.” However, a moment later, she asked, “But why did you just call me Althea?”

  Amon realized his verbal slip up but decided not to choose that moment to explain his ability to see into other people’s minds.

  “That’s your given name, isn’t it?” he said with a wink.

  “Yes, but it just sounded odd coming out of your mouth since I never told you my full name and I rarely use it.”

  “Well, then Thea it is from now on unless you instruct me otherwise,” he said lazily as he nuzzled her neck. “Are you ready, love? Gethen tells me it’s safe.”

  Thea nodded and wrapped her arms around Amon’s back. Holding her tightly to him, he focused on Gethen’s location and in seconds, they disappeared from his bedroom on their way to Soren headquarters near London.

  *

  Moments later, the couple reappeared just outside the doors to a large meeting room. Upon seeing them, Gethen and Markku began to make their way across the large open vestibule.

  Thea immediately turned to Amon, fearful of what lay ahead. “Where is this place?”

  “We’re right outside London at the Soren’s headquarters. Don’t worry. Everything is going to be all right. Just remember what I said and promise me you’ll keep in mind that this isn’t who I am now.”

  Amon kissed her sweetly, and when she opened her eyes, she saw Gethen standing in front of him and Markku right behind him. “Markku did as you ordered, and they’re waiting for you.”

  “Excellent. Let’s go in,” he said as he squeezed Thea’s hand.

  Just before the doors opened, Amon turned to her and mouthed, “Remember, I love you.” Before she could say the words back to him, they walked into the room and thoughts of love vanished before her eyes, replaced by fear and horror.

  “Amon Kalins! What the fuck did they do to you?” a man’s voice bellowed from the front of the room. The head of the Soren, Kiril Gault stood on a dais surrounded by three human women naked in shackles. Behind him was a large gilded edged chair with a deep purple cushion that resembled a throne.

  Tall and dark with black hair, Kiril’s eyes were the most beautiful shade of violet Thea had ever seen. He was striking in a terrifying way, the complete opposite of Amon, and her hand reflexively tightened on his. She tried to keep calm, remembering the effect her emotions had on Amon, but the sight of the three handcuffed and naked women frightened her. But if she was sure of nothing else, she was sure she was safe as long as Amon was by her side.

  “Kiril. I live again,” Amon said in a voice Thea didn’t recognize. Its timbre sounded far more powerful than she’d ever heard from him. And almost as terrifying as the man who now stood just feet in front of them.

  “Of course, I owe it all to Gethen and you,” Amon said, turning his head toward his friend behind him and then back to face the Soren leader.

  “Gethen, how have you been?” Kiril asked and then without waiting for the answer he obviously cared little to hear, continued, “Why have I never gotten a Sidhe for myself?
He seems invaluable to have, does he not?”

  Thea watched as Kiril tugged on the shackles of the dark haired human near him, and she hurriedly rose to kneel in front of him. When she began to massage his thigh, Thea averted her glance, afraid of what she might see next and preferring to look at the throngs of men lining the sides of the room seemingly oblivious to anything but Amon and Kiril.

  “I would be lost without Gethen. That’s true,” she heard Amon answer.

  “And is this something for me? You know I prefer my slaves human, but she’ll do fine. I’m going to need another one soon when I’m down to only two.”

  Thea’s entire body stiffened in terror, and she was sure Amon was beginning to feel the first effects of her emotions. In her mind, she heard the words he’d said.

  I promise I won’t let anyone hurt you. Trust me.

  As her grip on his hand eased, he gently stroked the back of her hand with his thumb, but his voice became even sterner than before.

  “She’s mine.”

  Kiril seemed surprised by the tone of the words and laughed nervously, “No problem. I guess that means you won’t be partaking of the girls this time?”

  Thea’s eyes darted from one girl, to the next, and finally to the last one. Partaking of the girls this time?

  “Not this time.”

  “So, what can we do for you, old friend? Is Markku serving your needs?”

  “He is. But I need a bit more. I have a bounty hunter after me.”

  Kiril pushed the human off his leg, and as she fell to the floor in a thud, he casually stepped over her and the chain that connected her to her two fellow slaves. One giant step off the riser and he was standing in front of Amon.

  “Fucking Council! A bounty hunter, eh? Obviously, we can kill him, but they’ll send another and another. Not that I have any problem killing off every single one of the Council’s lapdogs, but it’s just such a fucking hassle.”