Bound by Dreams (Cauld Ane Series)

by Tracey Jane Jackson

  “Meaning, they can move things with their minds?”

  “And their bodies.” Niall smiled. “With a flick of his wrist, Brodie can throw an object at someone’s head, or unlock a door.”

  “Wow, that’s so cool,” she said, and took a minute to eat. “How soon can you do stuff like that? Or is it something that happens at birth?”

  “At twenty-five, we reach our ár mökunar, which means, mating year, and that’s when our powers manifest. It’s also when we are able to know who our mates are.”

  “Mates?”

  “The person we’ll be with forever.”

  Charlotte lowered her fork. “You mean, you pick someone?”

  “We don’t choose in the traditional sense, no. We are destined. It’s our örlög…fate.” He smiled. “We are raised knowing that we have one person chosen for us, and that there will never be another.”

  “What if you fall in love with someone else before you meet that person?”

  “We don’t.”

  “I don’t understand.” She raised an eyebrow. “How do you not fall in love with someone? You can’t control love.”

  “You don’t think so?”

  “No, I don’t. And the harder you try to stop it, the worse it is.”

  “Are you speaking from personal experience?” he challenged.

  “Well, no,” she admitted. “I’ve never been in love. But I saw how hard Grace worked not to fall in love with Max, and she obviously failed miserably.”

  Niall chuckled. “Aye. That she did, lass.”

  “Your story’s very sweet and all, but it’s not very realistic.” She smiled. “But I don’t want to rain on your parade, so to speak. If you feel there’s only one person for you, then maybe there is.”

  “Oh, I know there is.”

  “Good for you,” she said as she took a swig of coffee.

  “You are that person for me.”

  Charlotte gasped, managing to suck liquid into her lungs, and choked uncontrollably. Niall reached over, laid his hand on her chest, and her coughing subsided. She grabbed her napkin and covered her mouth.

  “Better?” Niall asked, and took his seat again.

  She nodded, blinking back the tears that lingered from choking. “How did you do that?”

  “Because you’re my mate, I can heal you.”

  “Because I’m your mate,” she repeated, in a monotone.

  “Aye, love.” He could feel her irritation, so he tried for a bolstering smile. “We’re destined to be together always.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Aye.”

  Charlotte’s mouth dropped open. “And do I have any say in this?”

  “Of course you do.”

  She cocked her head. “Really? Because it sounds to me like this is all a done deal.”

  Niall forced himself not to react. It was a “done deal,” but she wasn’t of a mind to understand that fact, much less accept it. “I’m sorry, lass. Truly. You have every say in where our relationship goes. If I made you think otherwise, then again, I apologize.”

  Charlotte groaned. “You know, you have the worst timing, ever.”

  “I do? How come?”

  “Never mind.” She sighed. “What happens when you meet your ‘destiny’?”

  “Well, once we find our mates, we go through a ritual ceremony and binding, a little like the human wedding ceremony.”

  “Wait…back up,” she said. “Are you saying you’re not human?”

  He reached over and squeezed her hand again, wanting the connection to calm her. “Yes.”

  “Wow, when I said I wanted to know it all, I really asked for it, huh?” she mused.

  Niall smiled. “Am I frightening you?”

  “Not so much, to be honest, which probably makes me crazy.”

  “Not in the least.” Niall smiled. “But it helps that we’re physically connected.”

  Charlotte let out a quiet sigh. “This whole mate thing? What is it exactly? How does it work?”

  “Simply put, it means we have one person we are destined to be with forever. If we make a different choice, it doesn’t really work out very well for us.”

  “So, Grace is Max’s mate?”

  “Aye.”

  “Now I get why she’s been so…ah…monosyllabic on the whole Max subject. She couldn’t tell me everything that was going on.”

  “Yes, it’s not something we typically talk openly about.”

  Charlotte shook her head. “Well, I’m glad I told her to give Max a chance. I’d have looked like a complete moron had I told her to run.”

  Niall chuckled. “Not a moron, love, but it would have made things much harder for Max…which may not have been a bad thing.”

  She frowned. “Grace said you two aren’t speaking.”

  “Not currently, no.”

  “Want to fill me in?”

  “I don’t know,” he admitted. “It’s not a pleasant story, and I’m not sure I want to put those images in your head.”

  “Does it have something to do with your sister?”

  “Yes,” he said.

  “Someone killed her and took her ear, is that close?”

  He grimaced as he nodded.

  “I’m so sorry,” she said. “But I’m a really good listener if you want to talk about it.”

  “Let’s just say that Max had information about Moira’s death that he kept from me. It has put a serious damper on my ability to trust him.”

  “Moira’s such a pretty name.”

  Niall smiled sadly. “She was a beautiful young woman, and even sweeter than she was beautiful.”

  “When did she die?”

  “A very long time ago. 1876.”

  “I thought you said you were immortal.”

  “We are, sort of. We will eventually die, we just aren’t easy to kill.” Niall frowned. “Moira was murdered, and my brother and I couldn’t save her.”

  Charlotte bit her lip. “I’m sorry.”

  Niall shrugged. “It is what it is, unfortunately. If I could change it, I would.”

  “You’ll work it out with Max, though, right? ’Cause if you and I really are supposed to be together forever, then you’re going to have to get used to spending every holiday with Gracie. It’s a given, especially if she’s going to officially be my sister. Might be a bit weird if Max isn’t there too.”

  Niall sighed. “I hadn’t thought that far into the future.”

  “Well, you feel free to wallow for a while.” Charlotte sat back and smiled. “Grace will have to come here, anyway, which means you have a little while before we’ll have to see them.”

  “I’d hoped to take you home soon, love.”

  “Not gonna happen. Unless you drug me and carry me onto some form of a metal tube-like deathtrap.” She took a bite of bacon. “But I’m not so easy to trick, so…”

  He smiled. “Says the woman I just rescued from a similar fate.”

  She threw a piece of bacon at him. “Suck it, Niall.”

  “Sorry.” He laughed. “But you kind of just put it out there…I couldn’t ignore it.”

  “Well, you could. But truth be told, I wouldn’t have either.” She studied him for several seconds and then shook her head. “I have a confession to make. Well, not a confession, per se, because I’m not doing anything wrong, but it’s something you should probably know.”

  “Okay.”

  “I’m actually kind of seeing someone.”

  Niall gripped the arms of the chair in an effort to control his sudden rage. He’d heard her on the phone making the date, but didn’t realize the man was competition. “Grace didn’t mention that,” he said, trying for calm.

  “She probably didn’t think I’d want you to know.”

  Or she was trying to punish me.

  “Punish you for what?” Charlotte asked.

  “Nothing, lass.”

  Charlotte pressed her lips into a thin line. “Anyway, it’s really new, but we have a date on Tuesday and,
well, I don’t want to string you along. I think you and I should just be friends.” She buried her face in her hands. “I can’t believe I’m saying this.”

  Niall didn’t trust himself to speak, so he bit the inside of his cheek, the pain reminding him to stay focused and stamp down his anger.

  She lifted her head and bit her lip. “I’m sorry, Niall, but I think you should go home. Don’t waste your time waiting around for me to figure out what the hell I’m doing.”

  “Charlotte,” he said, and took a breath. “I’m all in, love. All I’m asking is for you to give me as much of a chance as the other guy.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because you’re Niall MacMillan, that’s why not. Good lord, I’ve been in love with you since I was twelve years old. People like me don’t get chances with people like you.” She threw her napkin on the table and stood. “I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

  Before Niall could respond, Charlotte’s purse buzzed. She pulled out her phone, and Niall took a minute to study her as she took her phone call. He resisted the urge to pull her into his arms and kiss her senseless, feeling as though it might confuse her even more. He had to admit, he was a little overwhelmed by the beauty he’d been given. Tall and curvy in all the right places, she was more than he could have dreamed of. He’d always been partial to blondes, but never wanted to focus on any one attribute, in case his mate was something entirely different.

  “Vandi. Slow down, sissy. What’s going on?” Charlotte asked. “Okay, so dump his ass. Babe, he’s obviously a jerk…not to mention, way too old for you. Just walk out the door and go home. I can’t believe Mom approved this guy. Hmm-mmm. No. Wait, if she approved group dates, then why are you alone with him?” Charlotte rubbed her forehead. “Vandi. Yes, of course I’ll come and get you. Give me twenty minutes. Okay. ’Bye.” She hung up and gave Niall an apologetic smile. “Sorry. Sister drama. I need to go.”

  “I’m happy to drive you wherever you need go,” Niall offered.

  “You don’t need to do that.” She bit her lip and asked hopefully, “Unless you want to? No, forget I asked. It’s okay.”

  “Charlotte.” He chuckled, “I want to.”

  “No.” She shook her head and wiped her palms on her jeans. “No. I can’t. It’s fine. Thank you anyway.” She grabbed her shoes and sat down to put them on.

  Niall hunkered down beside her, lifting her chin, and smiling. “I will drive you wherever you want, lass. There is absolutely no reason why we can’t be friends, eh?”

  She let out a quiet snort. “People like you aren’t friends with people like me.”

  “People like me?”

  “Very pretty, sexy, rich, Scottish…immortal…you know. Out of bounds.”

  He smiled. “I happen to know lots of Scots who are friends with Americans.”

  She giggled, then seemed to think better of it and went back to her shoes.

  “Will you let me take you to your sister, Charlotte?”

  She paused for a few seconds before nodding and rising to her feet.

  “Let’s go, eh?” he said as he stood as well.

  Niall sent a quick text to Bruce and then ushered Charlotte from the room.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  BRUCE MET THE couple by the front doors of the hotel and held the car door open for them. Niall waited for Charlotte to climb inside before following her.

  “Where are we taking you, lass?” Niall asked.

  “Oh, right.” Charlotte checked her phone. “SE Salmon and Sixth. It’s the industrial area of Portland. Vandi says you can’t miss it. Some kind of auto shop, and the building has Russian writing on the side of it.”

  Bruce entered the information into the GPS and pulled away from the curb. Niall faced Charlotte as much as he could, strapped into the seatbelt. “What’s going on with your sister?”

  Charlotte rolled her eyes. “She’s gotten herself involved with this guy who’s twenty-two, and for whatever reason, my mother has sanctioned it.” She shook her head. “Something else is off, though…more than the age difference. I just can’t quite pinpoint what it is.”

  “Sixteen-year-olds can be impetuous.”

  “And stupid,” she added.

  Niall smiled, taking her hand. He was bolstered by the fact she didn’t pull away. “We’ll find her and see if we can talk some sense into her, eh?”

  “Thank you.” Charlotte let out a sigh of relief and squeezed his hand. “Sometimes I feel as though I’m the only sane one in my family.”

  Niall chuckled. “Been there.”

  Bruce pulled into the parking lot of the building and Charlotte released her seatbelt.

  “No, love. You stay here,” Niall instructed. “Bruce and I will get your sister.”

  “What? Why?”

  “We don’t know who these people are or what they’re capable of. I’d rather not put you in their crosshairs.”

  Charlotte let out a derisive snort and pushed open her door. “It’s Portland…not Oakland or Compton. These people don’t scare me.”

  Niall shook his head and followed her. He managed to grasp her hand and pull her slightly behind him, but didn’t miss her quiet growl under her breath. Bruce led them to the building and nodded that it was safe to enter before stepping aside and letting Niall precede Charlotte through the door.

  “Charlie!”

  A flurry of blonde rushed into her sister’s arms, and Niall took a minute to take in the surroundings. The room looked like a typical reception area you might find in a body shop, with one difference. A very blatant lack of customers or body work happening behind the glass door leading to the garage. In fact, there was a blatant lack of people, period. He pulled out his phone and snapped a few pictures, forwarding them to Oliver.

  “What’s going on?” Charlotte asked her sister.

  “Nikolai told me to wait here, but he’s been gone a long time,” Vandi said.

  “How long?”

  Vandi checked her watch. “Almost two hours.”

  “Alone?” Niall asked.

  “Yes.”

  Charlotte frowned. “Okay, let’s get you home.”

  Vandi stared up at Niall. “Who are you?”

  “Oh, sorry,” Charlotte said. “Van, this is Niall.”

  Niall shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, lass.”

  Vandi narrowed her eyes. “You look familiar.”

  “He’s a musician.” Charlotte tugged her sister toward the car.

  “Are you guys dating?”

  “Friends,” Charlotte said quickly.

  “Aye…friends,” Niall said.

  Charlotte smiled and followed Vandi into the car. Charlotte sat in the middle which Niall liked very, very much. It meant he could rest his arm behind her, keeping closer contact. Once everyone was secure, Bruce pulled away from the building and out of Portland.

  Vandi’s phone rang just as they reached the freeway and she answered it with a clipped tone. “What? Well, you left me there alone, Nikolai. Without any way to leave. My sister and her…friend.” Vandi turned away from Charlotte and lowered her voice in an obvious effort to get some privacy. “Well, excuse me. I expect to be treated better than those other girls who fall at your feet. No. No. I gotta go.” She hung up.

  “Do you want to tell me what happened?” Charlotte asked.

  Vandi glanced at Niall and shook her head. “Not right now.”

  “Did he have some form of a reason or excuse for why he left you there?”

  “Later, Charlie.”

  Charlotte frowned.

  Let her tell you alone, love.

  She’s acting like an idiot.

  I don’t disagree. Get his phone number if you can. I’ll do some checking.

  Charlotte nodded. She better not try to defend this ass-hat.

  Niall chuckled and Vandi turned to him. “What’s so funny?”

  “Sorry, lass. Charlotte elbowed me,” he improvised.

  “I did?
” Charlotte asked, digging her elbow in his side. “So sorry about that.”

  Careful, love. You’ll no’ win this game. Niall grinned, pulling her back against him.

  “How long have you known each other?” Vandi asked. “Is he one of your online dates?”

  Charlotte shook her head. “He’s actually Grace’s brother-in-law.”

  “Oh! Niall MacMillan, right? Fallen Crown?”

  “Aye, lass,” Niall said.

  “Holy crap, Charlie. Did you tell him you totally worship him?”

  “No!” Charlotte snapped. “And I don’t worship him.”

  Vandi leaned forward and smiled at Niall. “She had your posters all over her wall up until she moved to Cali. Did she tell you that?”

  “No. I don’t recall her mentioning that,” Niall said.

  Charlotte shook her head. “That’s because I didn’t…mention it or have posters all over my wall.”

  “Yes, you did.” Vandi focused on Niall again. “I think she had…what was it? Forty-two of your band, and—”

  “Vandi, shut up,” Charlotte warned.

  “Just sayin’. You were obsessed with them.”

  “I was not ‘obsessed.’”

  “You were so.” Vandi gave an evil smile. “She had you guys and U2, and what was the other band you loved? Oh, right, Bon Jovi.”

  “Mom loved the Jovi, Van.”

  “Okay, fine. I’ll give you that. But you used to grab chopsticks and pretend to drum along with Fallen Crown. Admit it.”

  Did you?

  Charlotte covered her face with her hands and groaned.

  I’m quite flattered, love. Niall chuckled and ran his fingers through her hair.

  “You will pay for this, sissy,” Charlotte said.

  “Bring it.” Vandi giggled. “It was worth it.”

  “You’re the devil.”

  Vandi gave a mock bow. “And my job is done. Thank you.”

  I’m sorry. Ignore her.

  Why? I love that you’re a fan.

  Okay, we can go with fan. That makes me sound better than obsessed stalker.

  “Are you dropping me home?” Vandi asked.