Changing Fates: A Sons of Satrina Novel (The Sons of Satrina Book 3)

by Kristan Belle

  “Ms Feelan. You must understand that this is not a social call.”

  “Whatever you say, Kelton.”

  Cassandra gracefully lowered herself into one of the leather chairs sitting on the opposite side to Kelton. He wanted to keep as much space between them as possible. Relaxing a little as he sat down, the barrier of the desk gave him a false sense of security and reassurance.

  Marion silently watched the pair of them. It was only because she had known Kelton for so long and so well that she knew just how uncomfortable he was here. All Ms Feelan would see was a warrior at his professional best, menacing and efficient.

  Knowing how difficult this was for him, Marion thought that she should be the one to get the ball rolling. It really wasn’t her place to speak of such things, seeing as this was a personal meeting and not of a professional capacity, but the silence in the room was starting to stretch uncomfortably.

  Sticking to things to normal, everyday things, Marion asked, “Ms Feelan, can I offer you any refreshments? Tea? Coffee? Water?”

  “A coffee would be wonderful. Thank you. It was a long drive here.” Cassandra smiled again, dazzling the room.

  Marion blinked several times to clear her mind before picking up the phone on the desk and putting in a request for coffee for them all, which Darius would sort out for them. Placing the receiver back in the cradle, she turned to Cassandra who was still intently watching Kelton, who in turn was studiously ignoring her presence.

  “Ms Feelan. We’ve asked you here today to speak to you about the twins.” Marion started to explain.

  “The twins? Why?”

  Marion turned to look questioningly at Kelton. Was this woman deluded? Why else would she think that she had been asked to attend the academy? No wonder Kelton was concerned about being alone with her.

  “Are they okay? How is Rhian?” Cassandra asked immediately. Marion frowned slightly. She could see no motherly concern or affection in the woman’s eyes. She seemed to ask the question simply because that’s what she thought was expected of her. She kept her eyes on Kelton the whole time, her gaze never wavering. There was only one thing she was interested in here and it wasn’t the welfare of her children.

  “They’re well. It’s been a bit of a struggle with the adjustments, especially to the training schedule. I’m sure Master Warrior Kelton will be able to explain it better.”

  Marion hoped that by giving him that opening that Kelton would be able to lead the conversation in the direction he desired. It wasn’t her place to speak about such things like the paternity test. She gave him this opening to start up the conversation, talking about their transition before heading over to the more difficult subjects.

  “Oh? Difficulties? How?”

  Kelton finally looked up and met her curious gaze. He felt dead inside. This was the woman that had ruined everything in his life. Taken his life from him. He couldn’t even bring himself to hate her for it. For her, he felt nothing whatsoever.

  He nodded, grateful to Marion for putting him back on familiar ground. Speaking to parents about the training programs and how their child was progressing was what he did well. “Cala is doing well. We’re pleased to see that she’s trying her best to participate in the training programme, but she seems to be lacking the natural drive and determination that the warrior mark usually demands. She’s trying very hard in all her classes and I’m pleased with how she’s handling the transition as a whole.” Kelton’s monotone voice gave nothing away.

  Cassandra’s expression changed ever so slightly but Marion was still unable to read what she was thinking. “Cala is a girl that will always try her best.”

  Marion instantly noticed the change in her tone of voice. It was almost as if she were saying that her daughter always tried her best, but never succeeded. In her opinion, a mother’s love should be equal, but it was clear that there was a big case of favouritism in this little family unit. It kind of explained the distinct differences between the girls. Cala was the one that tended to blend into the background of any given situation and went out of her way to please others. Rhian was the spoilt little princess who had clearly learned everything in life from her high maintenance mother

  “Rhian seems to be somewhat accepting the adjustments, but she isn’t quite as forward about throwing herself into the training programme as her sister is.” Kelton explained, trying to pretend that this was some other parent that hadn’t set out to ruin his life. To think of everything that had happened in his life because of this woman would have made it impossible to speak to her in a civil manner.

  “Well, Rhian has never been a very physical child.”

  “My point is, she’s not even attempting with the training aspect. She’s sitting on the side-lines and nothing we do or try can seem to motivate her.” Marion interjected, seeing how frustrating this was for Kelton.

  Cassandra smiled in what Marion took to be a condescending manner. “Rhian is very much a lady and this kind of life is certainly not one she would have ever chosen for herself.”

  Marion bristled. “That is irrelevant. We have another female warrior that has grown up in the heart of the aristocracy and she’s managed to embrace the life here.” Aisline was the prime example. She was a beautiful young girl who had grown up with the finer things in life but loved the life of a trainee warrior.

  “The warrior mark chose her. The pull of the warrior mark is strong, making it virtually impossible to avoid the urge to train and fight. In all our history, I’ve never known anyone able to fight against it like this. The ease she finds to opt out of anything warrior related is astounding.” Kelton frowned.

  Cassandra waved a dismissive hand. “I’m sure she’s not finding it that easy.”

  “She’s sure as hell making it look easy.”

  “I’m sure she’s struggling with her inner turmoil.” Cassandra crossed her hands in her lap, “Rhian has always been a hard child to handle. I’ve never been able to tell her what to do and neither has any other authoritative figure. I don’t think that a simple warrior mark would be much of a challenge for her.”

  “But it should be.” Kelton muttered.

  “Perhaps it’s the lack of a male role model that’s made Rhian cry out for attention?” Cassandra sneered while smiling sweetly, which wasn’t an easy task, but she managed to pull it off.

  Marion straightened up in her chair, offended on Kelton’s behalf. The room was engulfed in a testy silence, but Marion was too busy observing Cassandra every move and every word to bother to break it. She was a fascinating creature, so self-assured. Marion watched her as if she were some complicated science project.

  “Are you sure that they’re mine?” Kelton suddenly blurted out. Her harsh remark gave him the opportunity to change the subject and get down to the business of why he’d really called her to the academy.

  Cassandra looked offended. “Of course they are. Why would you even ask that?”

  “Why wouldn’t I ask that?” Kelton was fuming but trying desperately to keep a lid on his temper. He glared at her with stony cold eyes. “What happened between us was a very long time ago. You turn up on my doorstep year’s later, drop that bombshell on me and you don’t expect me to question it?”

  “How could you even think that?” Cassandra put a hand to her throat, as if heartbroken.

  Kelton rolled his eyes, able to see clearly through her act. “Why did you leave it this long if they were mine? Why didn’t you come to me the moment you found out that you were pregnant?”

  “I didn’t know how to find you.”

  “You could have if you’d tried hard enough.”

  “I did try.” She countered.

  “Well, you managed to find us now. What’s the difference?”

  “Times have changed, Kelton. There are more avenues to explore if you are trying to find someone.”

  Kelton shook his head. “Our times haven’t changed. You know that there’s always a way to find us. It’s not like we’re under a directo
ry on the internet.”

  “You only have to look at them to know that they are your daughters. You only have to look in their eyes to see the resemblance.”

  “I need a little more proof than that.” Kelton said in an even tone.

  Cassandra gasped dramatically. “Proof? What do you mean? You don’t believe me?” Tears flooded her eyes, but Kelton felt no guilt. He needed something more than just the word of a woman that he knew for a matter of hours several years ago, and a woman he didn’t trust to boot.

  “You can understand why I’m asking for this.”

  “I don’t! I don’t understand, Kelton.” She dabbed delicately at her eyes.

  “I need confirmation.”

  “What are you asking? You want to take a paternity test? Is that what you want?” Cassandra’s tinkling laughter sounded nervous and contemptuous, like she couldn’t believe he would stoop to that level.

  “Yes. That is exactly what I’m asking you for.”

  The room fell quiet again. Cassandra and Kelton were looking anywhere but at each other. Marion felt awkward being there during such a personal conversation, but she wouldn’t leave Kelton. He needed and wanted her to be there for him, for moral support and because he didn’t want to be left alone with the woman. She could understand why now. Cassandra was a woman who clearly knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to go after what she wanted.

  “I can arrange this for you, if you’d like.” Marion offered quietly.

  Cassandra narrowed her eyes. “I’m more than capable of arranging for the test myself, thank you very much.” Her tone had changed considerably now that she knew why she was here and now that Kelton had made it clear that he didn’t have the least bit interest in her.

  Marion held her hands up, “It was just an offer. I’m happy to help if it can make things easier for all involved.”

  “I would like Marion to arrange the test.” Kelton said.

  “No. I can do this.”

  Kelton shook his head and glared, “Marion will do this.”

  “Pardon? Excuse me? You don’t trust me with this, either? Kelton, what has happened to you?” Cassandra looked highly offended.

  “What is that supposed to mean?” Kelton could have kicked himself for asking that, which was just what Cassandra had wanted him to do.

  “You weren’t like this before, so jaded.” Cassandra’s eyes flared.

  Kelton laughed ruefully. “You have no idea what I was like back them, or what I’m like now. Don’t try and delude yourself. You don’t know me. We don’t know one another and never have. All we have in common was one mistake.”

  Kelton took in a gasping breath. He hadn’t want to lose control of his words or his temper like that. He had wanted to keep things as professional as possible, hence why when he had phoned to request this meeting, he’d arranged for it to be held in his office at the academy. Cassandra had suggested an informal coffee, but Kelton had wanted to keep everything above board. However, he couldn’t pretend, not the way that Cassandra was. She had obviously got it into her head that they shared a deeper connection, when in reality, they shared nothing. They didn’t know one another and never had. He didn’t know her then and he sure as hell didn’t want to know her now.

  “I don’t know how you can say those things to me, Kelton.” Her voice hitched emotionally.

  “Because it’s the truth.”

  “Do the girls know? That Kelton may be their father?” Marion asked gently.

  Cassandra’s head swung around to face her, her eyes flashing dangerously. “Who are you again? Why are you here? What right do you have to be here when we are discussing our personal affairs?”

  Kelton banged his fist down on the desk before Marion could even summon a reply, making both the women jump. “She’s here because I asked her to be. She’s here because I don’t bloody trust you to answer me straight and get this done.” He roared.

  He had come into this meeting determined to try and get on with this woman, just like he would with the parent of any other trainee, making sure he was professional and courteous throughout. He just couldn’t keep up the façade a moment longer. This woman infuriated him with her mere presence. She represented everything he had lost and his blood was boiling.

  Cassandra abruptly stood up, her cheeks flushed with rage. “I do not appreciate being spoken to in this manner.” She turned to sweep over to the door, pausing with her hand on the handle to throw Kelton a look. “How you can even question their parentage is beyond me. The proof is there before your very eyes. However, I’ll grant you the paternity test. Do what you must. But, when the results come back, I expect an apology from you, Kelton, and I expect you to step up and speak to me about the role you will take in our lives.” Her eyes glared at him before she stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

  “What the fuck?” Kelton quirked his eyebrows at Marion.

  “Indeed. What a strange woman.” Marion looked confused.

  “And what the hell did she mean about a role in their lives? I want nothing to do with that woman.”

  Marion stood up and drained the rest of her coffee. “I’ve got to say, I’m glad I was here. I wouldn’t trust that woman as far as I could throw her.”

  “Thank you, Marion. I don’t think I could have done this by myself.”

  “Not a problem. I don’t mean to be rude about your situation, but that was fascinating for me. You could wrap an entire psychology course around that woman and still have material to spare.” Marion grinned, trying to lighten Kelton’s mood. “I’ll get everything together. She didn’t need to know that I’ve already got everything we need.”

  “Great job, Marion. You’re a star.”

  “Leave it with me. I’ll go and get everything ready and then go and round the girls up.”

  Kelton nodded. “Don’t you think it’s a little strange that she didn’t even ask to see the girls while she was here? She made a big deal of pointing out that she’d had a long drive here, but then she’s walked out without giving them another thought.”

  Marion nodded along with him. She’s had exactly the same thought. “I don’t see her being very maternal towards the girls. I think it could explain partway how they are. Cala is trying her best to please everyone and Rhian craves attention.”

  “This isn’t going to be easy, is it?” Kelton could feel himself freaking out at the thought of what the future could hold. If they were his daughter’s, they had a lot of time to make up for. How would he ever feel like a father to them? He didn’t even know them. The girls were virtual strangers to him and he had no idea how to overcome the hurdles ahead of him.

  “Take it easy, Kelton.” Marion put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “We’ll take this one step at a time.”

  “Thanks for being here.”

  “You’re my friend. Where else would I be?” Marion smiled and left his office without another word, leaving him to his thoughts.

  Chapter Four

  “Will you stop whining like a child?” Rhian snapped.

  Cala closed her mouth and put her head down. There was no point in trying to talk to her sister. She never listened anyway.

  It had always been the same. Just because she was different, she was the black sheep of the family. Their mother doted on Rhian, showering her with gifts, giving her her heart’s desire. Cala? She got nothing but grief. In a way, she could be compared to Cinderella. That was her life after all. She was treated like one of the slaves, a maid only there to do her sisters bidding.

  Life had been the same ever since they were children. As soon as their differences became apparent, her mother lost all interest in her. In all fairness, their mother didn’t have a maternal bone in her body and she treated Rhian like a best friend rather than a daughter. That was still a huge step up from how Cala was treated.

  “I just thought if you tried the training, you might find it a little easier to get along here. You don’t have to do this.” Cala bit her lip to stop herself from sayi
ng anything else. When Rhian was in this kind of mood, it was easier to let her get it off her chest and make no comment. She wouldn’t listen anyway, so what was the point?

  “Why would I do training? Getting hot and sweaty, and for what? Nothing, that’s what. We’re not like those people. Why would I train when this is so much more fun?” Rhian sneered and turned up her nose.

  “But, we’re here. These marks show that we are kind of like them.” Cala pointed to the star shaped mark that had appeared on their faces out of the blue. “You don’t have to do this. Can’t you just leave her alone?”

  Rhian and her stupid plans were going to make their time here even harder. Why couldn’t she just try to fit in for once? Why did she have to make trouble wherever she went? All Cala wanted was a happy, quiet life but that was never going to be possible. Rhian was always trying to drag her into her ‘fun’, but Cala wanted nothing to do with it this time. This time, she wanted to try and make a life for herself, one on her own. However, Rhian probably wasn’t going to let her go that easily.

  She could clearly remember the moment it happened. How the mark had appeared and changed their lives forever. It came all of a sudden, while she was out trailing after Rhian and their mother on a shopping trip in India.

  Cala had been asked along and had jumped at the chance, hoping that this would be a time of bonding and building bridges, but she should have known better. They only wanted her along to carry their bags and trail after them, telling them how wonderful they looked in the clothes they tried on, while she felt like she was dying inside.

  They had been in one of the designer stores that Cassandra loved, splashing the cash and spoiling Rhian rotten. The pair of them had been in the changing rooms, trying on dozens of different dresses while Cala sat outside the dressing room with her nose stuck in a book.

  Cassandra had stepped out wearing a slinky black number that should have looked slutty, but she made it look classic and elegant. Cala envied her confidence, a confidence that Rhian had inherited, but had totally passed by Cala.