EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ®
www.evernightpublishing.com
Copyright© 2017 Elyzabeth M. VaLey
ISBN: 978-1-77339-213-4
Cover Artist: Jay Aheer
Editor: Audrey Bobak
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.
This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
DEDICATION
To Lea Bronsen, T. Lee Garland and Loralynne Summers. Your comments, notes, and suggestions made Seamus’s and Kaila’s story truly shine. Thank you for your invaluable help.
To everyone out there struggling with a mental illness. Hang in there. Fight those demons. You are strong. Remember: Vince Malum.
SEAMUS’S MATE
Alpha Protectors, 2
Elyzabeth M. VaLey
Copyright © 2017
Chapter One
Seamus leaned forward until his elbows rested on his knees. He looked at his shoes. A thin layer of dust covered them. His gaze traveled over his equally dirty pants. He sighed. The stench of battle, a mixture of sweat, death, and rot, entered his system. Seamus groaned. He opened the palm of his hands and started. Dry blood coated them.
Damn his boss. He’d hardly stepped through the portal which connected Earth to Virtue Island when a messenger had caught up with him. Aslan needed to see him.
Why?
Seamus straightened his back and studied his surroundings. He’d left footprints on the colorful Persian rug, and the straight-backed chair he occupied would probably fare no better. In the middle of the room, on top of the coffee table, someone had placed a bouquet of red flowers in a vase. The sanguine color of the long petals reminded him of his enemies and the endless struggle to conquer them. He averted his gaze. Thick curtains were drawn over the windows, and the lamps on the side tables gave off a dim, yellow light that did little to liven the room. On the wall, beautiful paintings depicting varied landscapes with rolling green hills or snow-capped mountains seemed to mock his restless state.
“Damn it, Aslan, what’s taking so long?” he whispered.
Sweat gathered on his brow. Adrenaline pumped through every cell in his body. His hands itched to either hold a sword and continue fighting, or go to her. Almost automatically, he searched for the tattoos on his ribs.
Kaila.
Her image flashed in his mind. His heart lurched in a way that was both painful and familiar. It was the memory of his mate not wanting him. The knowledge that no matter how hard he tried, Kaila didn’t want to see him and didn’t forgive his past transgressions. But it was also the deep, bone-aching, bottomless love he felt for her. Seamus covered his face with his hands. If only he could turn back time and mend his past mistakes. The stubble of his beard scratched against his palms. Kaila preferred him clean shaven, but when had been the last time she’d touched him? He sighed. It didn’t matter. They could live to be over one hundred or die tomorrow and she would still be his other half. Kaila belonged to him as much as he did to her. The only thing that could change that would be death.
Death.
Like a tick hungrily sucking blood from an animal, the word attached itself to his mind. Bile rose to the back of his throat. Had someone hurt Kaila? Was this why Aslan had called him in so urgently? Invisible hands grasped his neck and threatened to choke him. He jumped to his feet and began pacing the small space. Perils lurked at every corner and if something had happened to her… His vision blurred. He would kill whomever had dared injure her. He would cut them into a million tiny pieces. The vein in his temple throbbed. They would never see the light of day again.
He needed to get out of here. To check up on Kaila and ensure himself that she was okay. He curled his hands into fists. Sweat rolled down his back. He stared at the closed door. They couldn’t keep him here. Duty could go fuck itself. He had to get out of the Academy. Resolute, he made a beeline for the exit. He reached for the doorknob. It rattled from the other side. Seamus took a step back. The door opened, creaking loudly. He let out a shaky breath. His boss’s secretary, Scarlett, a petite woman with grayish hair, stood beneath the frame.
“Seamus, Aslan is ready for you now.” She tipped her head back to look at him. Her smile vanished. “You’re pale as a ghost.” She led him to a chair.
Seamus’s knees wobbled and he sunk into the uncomfortable material. He shut his eyes. Kaila’s soulful dark gaze danced behind his lids. Her smile, which he hadn’t seen in ages, taunted him. A deep keening ache spread across his chest. He inhaled deeply. The musty scent of old wood and freshly cut flowers filled his lungs.
“You’re worried about your mate,” Scarlett stated.
He nodded. He couldn’t hide anything from Scarlett. As a perceptionist, she was capable of perceiving feelings and emotions. She had the ability to see beyond a person’s mere appearance.
“Seamus, you’re not thinking properly,” Scarlett said softly. “Think with your head, not your heart.”
He exhaled slowly through his mouth. She was right. He was a soldier. He didn’t come to irrational conclusions. He thought things through. Acting on gut instinct could kill him and those he loved.
Though he hadn’t seen Kaila in a few days, he knew her well. She might not possesses his physical strength, wings, or paranormal senses, but she had trained at his side. She was an HG, a Human-Guardian, and she could fight. Furthermore, Kaila worked on Earth. She didn’t travel between dimensions or battle the Sins and their underlings on their territory on a daily basis like he did. She protected humans in a completely different way that didn’t involve hand to hand combat. They were warriors and there was always a risk, but Kaila knew how to defend herself. She had to be okay. The idea that she wasn’t was too horrifying to imagine.
“You’re right,” he finally said, opening his eyes.
“Better?”
Scarlett’s gaze roved over his face. She squeezed his shoulder. Seamus shrugged.
“Not really. This meeting is unnatural, Scarlett. Look at me. I have just returned from battle. I am bloodied and bruised. The smell of death and chaos follows me. Normally, we have time to change and rest before we are called in to report. Something is wrong, and yes, I can’t help feeling that it has to do with Kaila.”
“I know, Seamus. I myself don’t know what’s happening, but you have to remember that your mate is one of us. You know what the job entails.”
A cold shiver raced down Seamus’s spine. Those were not the words he had been expecting to hear from Scarlett. He had hoped for words of comfort, not confirmation that Kaila worked a dangerous job.
She sighed.
“Come on, Aslan is waiting for you,” she said.
He followed her out of the room and down a gloomy hallway. At the end, light peeked from within an ajar door.
“Go straight in. He’s waiting for you.”
“Thanks.”
Scarlett gave him a weak smile before departing. Seamus knocked gently on the wood.
“Come in,” Aslan’s gruff voice sounded from within.
Squaring his shoulders, he entered his boss’s office.
“Close the door, Seamus.”
He did as commanded and walked toward the large steel desk that dominated the space. Aslan’s office never changed. Practical and stark, its décor had nothing to do with the rest of the building. White shelves full of books lined both walls and a large window looked out onto the Academy grounds. Outside, stre
aks of light fractured the indigo-colored sky.
“Have a seat.”
Seamus sank onto one of the accent chairs. He sucked in his cheeks, waiting for his boss to speak. Aslan was both his elder and his superior. He commanded fear and respect. Somewhere between his forties and fifties, his hair had begun to show silver strands, but his eyes, the color of steel, still glimmered with danger.
“I’m sorry for having called you so unexpectedly,” Aslan said. “I understand you must be tired, but this could not wait.”
“Of course,” Seamus replied. He ground his teeth together and braced himself for what was to come. He swallowed drily. Whatever were his orders, he would fulfill them. He just hoped he could get a glimpse of his mate before he did.
“It’s about Kaila.”
His blood froze. His world turned and shook. Aslan’s voice disappeared under the frantic thrumming of his heart in his ears. His stomach churned unpleasantly. His worst fears had come true. Out of habit, he nodded, but inside, he was numb. Kaila. His Kaila.
“What about her?” The words sounded choked to his ears, but Aslan’s face showed no expression.
“She is well, I can assure you.” Aslan placed his hands on the table top, palms out. “However, we have perceived certain uncharacteristic behavior from her.”
Seamus cocked his head. The buzzing in his mind cleared as the words Aslan spoke began to make sense. Kaila was okay. Nothing had happened to her.
“Uncharacteristic behavior? I don’t understand.”
“It has come to the Council’s attention that Kaila has been searching for more information than is fit for her position.”
Seamus cringed. Aslan sounded like an automated robot someone had programmed to deliver news.
“As you know, we believe knowledge is power, so we have allowed her to do so freely up until now.” Aslan clasped his hands together. “We believe she has gone too far.”
Seamus raised his eyebrows. “Too far? What do you mean? What is she looking into?”
“We don’t know exactly,” Aslan admitted.
“Excuse me?”
Aslan smiled, though the gesture did not reach his eyes.
“Kaila is a soldier. She trained at your side and like you, she is one of the best in her skill. However, her research has intensified in the last week to almost a frenzy. It is why we have noticed her outlandish behavior.”
The word frenzy rang in Seamus’s skull. Kaila was impulsive, but never wild. Something had to be happening. Something bad. His gut tightened. He took in a slow breath. Focus.
“What exactly has she been looking into? You must know or you wouldn’t have cause for alarm.”
“You’re right, of course. Two days ago, we discovered she had been enquiring about access to the Sin portals.”
“The portals.” Seamus searched Aslan’s cold gaze. “That doesn’t make any sense. Why would she need that information?”
“Precisely. Hence, where you come in.”
“What do you want?”
“We want you to watch her,” Aslan said.
“Are you serious? Why don’t you just stop her and ask her yourself?”
“Technically, she has done nothing wrong, Seamus. Furthermore, due to certain occurrences within our circle, we believe this to be the best modus operandi at the moment.”
Seamus frowned. He knew better than to ask for more information regarding those occurrences, though he suspected it had something to do with his recent battle on Earth and the Guardian named Reine.
“Why me?” he said.
“You already keep a close eye on her.” Aslan lifted his hand in an appeasing gesture. “Don’t deny it, Seamus. We know that when you’re not here, you’re out there, watching her. You know her ins and outs. You know her schedule. You know her better than anyone.”
“Yes, but—”
“You are her mate. She trusts you.”
Seamus’s hollow laughter echoed in the vast room. He wanted to curl up and cry.
“Trust? If you know as much as you say you do, then you are aware that we are not officially mated. Why do you think I watch her from afar? She despises me,” Seamus said.
“Our mates hold great power over us.”
“I have no power over Kaila. If I did, I can assure you, she’d be at my side. She wants nothing to do with me.” Seamus narrowed his eyes. “What do you really want?”
Aslan sighed. “I am not fooling you, Seamus. Kaila is an able fighter. If worse comes to worst, she will find a way to achieve her goal, whatever that may be. You are the only one who can stop her. “
Seamus shook his head. “I think you have the wrong impression of me.”
“No. regardless of your tumultuous emotional affair, she respects you. She will listen to you.”
“How can you be so sure?”
Aslan shrugged. “It’s my job.”
“What am I to do?”
“Keep an eye on her, become her shadow. We want to know what she is attempting without interfering,” Aslan said.
“Why?”
“Knowledge is power, Seamus. We would gain little from interrupting her plans, but we may obtain useful information by allowing her to act.”
“That is madness. It’s as if you were watching over a dying man and instead of saving him, you’re waiting to see what happens.”
“You paint a grim picture, but the truth is that sometimes that’s the best way to collect data.”
Aslan lifted his palm before Seamus could interrupt. “I am aware of your reluctance, but I insist on you being the man for this job. For her good.”
Seamus’s nails dug into his palm. He had always had great respect for his job and his boss, but he had never disliked either of them as much as he did at that moment. He nodded once.
“Very well. I’ll do it.”
Chapter Two
Kaila stuck her head around the corner.
Early morning sunlight streamed through the large arched windows, bathing the hallway in a warm glow. Wooden benches placed along the walls encouraged students and teachers to sit and enjoy the views outside. They were all empty.
Clutching her purse to her side, she hurried across. Her footsteps clapped against the polished floor and she cringed at the sound.
It wasn’t as if she wasn’t supposed to be there. She had permission. She was an alumni and the Academy welcomed graduated students to return and make use of their facilities. Generally, she wouldn’t be so secretive, but this time it was called for. She didn’t want anyone to know she was there.
Her destination came into sight and she quickened her pace. The Academy always kept the library doors shut for full effect of the impressive artwork. Made from oak and tempered glass, they resembled the shape of a tree, the branches extending toward the ceiling and mingling with the archways.
Kaila froze. The thin hairs on her arms stood. She glanced behind her. Particles of dust gleamed like magic pixie powder in the deserted hall. She swallowed. She could have sworn she heard the swoosh of wings. Ignoring the nagging feeling someone was there, she scuttled the last few feet to the library and pushed the door open.
The loud creak of the wood caused the young man sitting behind the front desk to lift his head from his work. His eyebrows arched inquiringly as she entered. Kaila flashed him her library card and a weak smile. His lips pursed and he tilted his head as if evaluating her. Kaila held her breath. She was tempted to dash right past him, but she suspected he was a perceptionist. Normally, the Academy hired perceptionists for office jobs. It was a safety measure against evil, as it was very difficult to deceive them. They were capable of perceiving emotions and feelings, and she feared he would be able to see right through her.
After what seemed like eons, the man nodded and returned to his task.
Continuing to feign confidence, Kaila threw her shoulders back and leisurely made her way to the rear of the library. She sidled between two tall shelves and slowly let out her breath. If everything went as planne
d, she hoped never to have to do all this creeping around the Academy again.
Running her fingers through her hair, she forced herself to focus on her objective. She scanned the rows of books in front of her.
“S, s, s,” she murmured under her breath. “Aha.”
She piled a few heavy tomes onto her arms and found a study table near a large window. Dropping her purse on an empty chair beside her, she fished out her notebook and pen. Her bangs got into her eyes and she impatiently brushed them aside. She hated the hairstyle, but her sister had insisted. Melisa had believed bangs and a trim above her shoulders would make Kaila’s eyes stand out. Mel had been so enthusiastic about it Kaila hadn’t found the heart to argue.
Mel had been diagnosed with clinical depression, and Kaila hadn’t seen her sister so happy in ages. Sadly, everything had taken a change for the worse a few weeks later. Kaila took in a shaky breath as the image of her sister, pale and frail on the hospital bed, sprung to her mind. Mel had attempted to take her life by consuming too many pills. Fortunately, they’d found her in time and she’d failed. However, she’d suffered severe trauma and the doctors had decided to place her in an induced coma to protect her brain from further damage.
That was why Kaila was here today. She knew disorders such as depression didn’t just appear out of the blue. Mental illnesses such as the one that had taken over her sister were the product of Sloth, one of the seven Sin lords.
The Sins: Sloth, Pride, Lust, Wrath, Greed, Envy, and Gluttony, were the worst illnesses known to mankind. With the help of their minions, the Inferums, they spread their evil across the world like lice amok in a children’s nursery.
On the other side of the scale, the Guardians represented the Virtues. They fought against the Sins and kept the balance between good and evil so the world would not fall into utter chaos.
Seamus's Mate Page 1