by Amber Flora
I was growing more confused with each word he spoke.
“What does that have to do with me or my mother?”
I knew my mother wasn’t a vibrant, she couldn’t be. All everyone ever spoke of was how compassionate and empathetic she was — nothing like the emotionless vibrants.
“Deandra went to my mother when she was pregnant with you. She begged her to perform the ritual. My mother didn’t think it would work but she agreed to do it anyway. This had never been done before so there was no way of gauging if it would actually work. I don’t know what triggered the change in you but it means you are ready. I believe if we perform the final ritual you will receive your mother's memories, maybe not all of them but some.”
My head was spinning. My mother tried to save her memories inside of me — why? Did she want me to have some kind of connection with her or was she leaving me clues to something? Fear overcame me as I realized I was about to escape. If I left I might never get my mother's memories. Vibrants were difficult to come by and finding one willing to help me would be impossible. Would I be willing to give up my freedom for the slight chance that Herrick was right?
“Did you know this entire time?” I asked with rage consuming me.
“No, I suspected it, which is why I went on my trip. I paid a visit to my mother and she confirmed my suspicions.”
“What’s in it for you? Why tell me the truth?”
He surprised me by gently placing his hand on my face and brushing his thumb against my cheek. Not a typical Herrick reaction.
“I want to help you. I honestly don’t know why but I feel obligated to do so.”
I didn’t know if I could trust him. Everything inside of me said not to, but I needed to see this through. If there was slim chance I could obtain my mother's memories I had to take it.
“I’m supposed to be escaping this place in fifteen minutes. My friends are waiting for me in the greenhouse.”
I silently prayed I didn’t just make the biggest mistake of my life by revealing that to him.
Herrick pulled back, a look of complete shock on his face. This was it, if he wanted to he could walk straight up to Damon and blow my plan right out of the water. My entire world could crumble. Please let me have made the right choice.
“Ashtyn, you can’t! Damon would kill you and anyone who helped you.”
“I have no choice, I’m not having his child and I refuse to be his make-believe queen. This is my only chance. I have to leave tonight.”
I saw him contemplating. Was he weighing his options? I figured he was deciding what would benefit him more. I knew the answer, and it wasn’t letting me go. Vibrants didn’t decide with their heart, their decisions were based strictly on prosperity.
“I’ll take you away from here. Damon is already going to come after me for killing Grison. I was planning on leaving tonight myself. If I let Damon know it was me that took you, he would be too consumed with hunting us down to go after your friends. I will keep you safe and we will perform the ritual.”
I knew he was right. I already had a front row seat to the pain he inflicted on Mac and Cody. If they helped me escape it would only enrage Damon further, but I didn’t see any other alternatives.
“There are more of them than there are you, how could you keep me safer than my friends?”
“His magic doesn’t work on me. I am a skilled assassin, love. Damon relies too much on his magic and not typical combat skills. It would be near impossible for him to defeat me.”
He was making sense. I didn’t want my friends to fight my battle and if they rescued me they would never be able to go back to their previous lives until Damon was no longer a threat, and with Damon's magical abilities that could be a long time. On top of that, Herrick was the only one I knew who could release my mother's memories. As selfish as it was I desperately wanted him to. If she was willing to risk going to a vibrant and perform the ritual there had to be something she really wanted me to have. Herrick was an unlikely ally, but given my options he really was the best choice.
“I’ll go with you, but how am I going to persuade my friends to leave without me? They will never go for it. If I tell them I am staying they would probably start a war.”
I walked slowly into the greenhouse, my heart was pounding so hard I could have sworn I heard it. I willed myself to keep going. Part of me thought I might change my mind. I was so close to getting my friends back and I was stupidly pushing them away once more. Would they ever forgive me? I thought about Gloria, how excited she was to see me, how nice it felt to have that moment of normalcy between us. They would probably hate me forever, and I wouldn’t blame them. As much as I prayed they would understand, I knew it was too much to hope for. After tonight I would be alone, they would no longer protect me. They would eventually move on with their lives and their hopes for a savior would be dashed.
I saw the shadow of a man as I rounded the pathway among the flowers. A handsome man wearing a stunning tux with a shaved head and bright blue eyes came into focus. I let out a squeal, running up to Mac and jumping into his embrace. He wrapped his arms around me breathing into my hair.
“Macree, thank the heavens. I have longed for this moment, counting the minutes till I could hold you again.”
Tears welled in my eyes as I felt his warmth. God I missed this man. How could I ever think I could live without him in my life? Just being in his presence gave me a calm I hadn’t felt in weeks.
“Mac, I’m so glad it’s you. I thought I would never see you again.”
“Ah, you can’t get rid of me that easy, lass, I’m like a growth.”
I giggled and didn’t let him release his hold.
“Where is everyone else?” I asked, looking around.
“It was too risky for all of us to come inside. I won the coin toss. Cody is sulking on the hill behind the estate along with Algon and Ben. Come, we must go quickly.”
He reached for my arm as I stepped back trying to memorize his features. So much I wanted to say to my fearless protector.
“Mac, do you trust me?”
“Aye, Macree, ya know I do.”
How could I make him understand that I had to do this, not just for myself but for all of them? If it would keep Damon focused on finding me and not hunting them then I had to try. An angry Mac is better than a dead Mac.
“Then you know I would never do anything to purposely hurt you right? You remember what I said to you that night in the cell?”
“Lass, what are you saying? Don’t tell me the arse got to you again? Macree, we are getting out of here. You don’t have to be afraid of him anymore.”
My Irish champion. He deserved so much more than wasting his time chasing after me.
“I know you will but at what cost? I can’t have one of you hurt because of me, I would never be able to live with myself. I am leaving tonight but not with you. There are some things I have to do, and I have to do them alone. I don’t expect you to understand or to forgive me but I have made my decision.”
Mac stepped forward staring at me like I was the most enchanting thing he ever laid eyes on. He brushed my hair behind my ears and tilted his head down till it rested on my forehead.
“Macree, I would never let harm come to you. I will destroy the soulless devil and lay him at your feet. You have my word.”
How could I do this? What did it say about me that I would hurt this amazing man that I knew would willingly die for me?
“I can’t ask that of you, this isn’t your fight. You have given up too much of your life for me already.”
“I’m not leaving here without you, lass. One way or another I am taking you home.”
I looked into his blue eyes. My heart broke seeing the pain I was causing him. I softly kissed his lips remembering the heat that his touch ignited within.
“Goodbye, my sweet Fintan.”
I turned my head as I saw Herrick step out of the shadows behind Mac. I couldn’t look him in the eyes as I betrayed him. Herri
ck wrapped his arms around Mac’s throat and plunged the needle into his neck. In an instant Mac’s eyes rolled back and Herrick lowered his limp body to the ground.
I cringed as Herrick threw an incoherent Mac over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
“Be careful with him.”
“Ah, love, not to worry. I won’t hurt your Macree.”
“Don’t you dare make fun of him, he is twice the man you will ever be. At least he knows how to love someone.”
Mac was everything a man should be. Loyal, caring and sexy as hell. He was a man that every woman dreamt of finding and I had betrayed him once again. I was the worst kind of person.
“Better than you obviously. I felt his emotions and they blew yours out of the water.”
“Shut up and go before I change my mind,” I growled, pointing toward the back exit.
“I’ll be back shortly, wait here. It won't take long for Damon to realize you disappeared.”
I watched Herrick walk away. I wanted to run after him, to see Cody and my father and tell them how much I missed them and how I was doing this for them and that I hated myself for putting them through this. The look on Mac’s face nearly broke me. He came for me and I sent him away. All their efforts wasted on an ungrateful girl. The shame of my actions was almost too much to bear. Maybe I was the monster, I couldn’t even be sure anymore. Damon was slowly stripping me of any form of my past life. Even in my escape he was winning, without lifting a finger he managed to seclude me from the very people I longed to be near.
Herrick was really starting to hate this whole feelings thing. When he heard Mac declare Ashtyn his macree and felt their emotions swirling through the air he had felt jealousy for the first time and he was not a fan. He was more than happy to knock out the Casanova and stop the rage burning inside of him. As if that weren’t enough, when Ashtyn made her little comment about him not knowing how to love someone it had hurt him. He didn’t believe for a second that he actually loved her but given his recent burst of emotions he thought it might be possible that one day he could love. Herrick approached the hill and saw three figures standing at the top. This was not going to go well. They all had their swords drawn and pointed directly at him. When he reached the angry soldiers he knelt down and gently placed Mac on the ground, stepping back and holding up his hands.
“Aside from a throbbing headache your friend should be fine. He will wake shortly,” Herrick said, pointing toward Mac’s motionless body.
“You’re Herrick I presume?” Algon asked without lowering his sword.
“And you must be the father. Ashtyn sends her regards.”
Ben stepped forward and placed the tip of his sword to Herrick’s throat.
“Where is she?” he growled.
“She has decided she will not be joining you tonight. Before you kill me, know this was her choice. Your friend can confirm when he awakes.”
Cody bent down to check on Mac, ensuring that he was still alive. He knew he shouldn’t have sent Mac after Ashtyn. His emotions clouded his mind; a sane Mac would have sensed danger and gotten Ashtyn the hell out of there.
Cody rose with teeth gritted. “She would never choose to remain here with Damon. What did you do to her?”
Herrick smiled wickedly.
“I never said she was staying here. I will be taking Ashtyn away with me. That is if you don’t kill me first. You have my word I will protect her with my life.”
“You want us to trust the word of a vibrant? That’s rich,” Ben guffawed.
Herrick didn’t want to do what he did next, but they were running out of time and these guys were way too chatty. He flashed behind Ben, thrusting his forearm into Ben’s neck knocking him out cold. Algon and Cody charged from both sides. Herrick spun, deflecting their attack, bearing down on Cody’s arm and wrenching the sword from him. He held it to his throat, causing Algon to stop in his tracks.
“I do not wish to hurt you. She has her reasons, Algon. Let her do this her way and I promise you I will return her unharmed.”
Algon lowered his sword slightly but remained in attack mode.
“Do you have feelings for my daughter?” His eyebrow were raised and he had a look of disbelief on his face.
“I’m a vibrant, you know that isn’t possible.”
Cody managed to get out a snicker without losing his head.
“I would be inclined to believe you, except we are still alive. A vibrant null of emotions would have killed us without hesitation,” Algon pointed out.
“Let’s just say I have my reasons.” Herrick spat, not wanting them to think him weak. What was this girl doing to him?
Algon lowered his sword, bent to pick up a backpack and threw it to Herrick. He caught it with his free arm, still holding the sword to Cody’s neck.
“There are clothes in it, she can’t escape in a ball gown,” Algon said, not taking his eyes off Herrick.
He nodded and removed the sword from Cody’s throat but didn’t give it back to him.
“You can’t be serious? You aren’t actually going to let him take her,” Cody gasped, trying to catch his breath.
“I trust my daughter. If she has her reasons I will not interfere.”
Cody looked back and forth between Herrick and Algon. Herrick could smell the fury coming off him. He couldn’t blame the guy. He wouldn’t be willing to let Ashtyn go either.
“I must go, she is waiting,” Herrick turned to retreat back to greenhouse.
“Herrick, she is my light and soul. If any harm comes to her in your care I will haunt you even after death.”
Herrick wasn’t the least bit concerned with Algon’s threat but he would let the guy have it. If it eased his mind to focus on revenge who was he to take that away?
“I felt her emotions. She fears you will no longer love her for making this choice. I ask that you be open-minded. I assure you she will need you more than ever once she returns.” With that Herrick vanished, leaving the men with more questions and no answers.
Chapter 12
I thought I was in relatively decent shape, but that was until I had to run for my life. Silently I reminded myself to thank my father for the extra change of clothes. I wouldn’t have made it ten feet in my heels. It was surprising that he actually knew my size. I half-expected the shoes to be three sizes too big. Instead I was wearing perfectly fitted black pants with a white tank, a brown bomber jacket and black hiking boots. I felt like we had been running for miles. How far had we actually gone? My throat burned and my lungs felt like they were going to collapse with each step, but I kept going. There was no alternative.
“Why can’t we just flash out of here?”
I didn’t know how much more I could take. From the cramp taking over my leg I was guessing it wouldn’t be long.
“Damon’s magic doesn’t affect me but it does you. Unless you want me to leave you wandering around Finland alone we have to get far enough away for your abilities to return to you.”
How far did Damon’s spell go? If he could block magic for miles, how powerful was the man and how does someone obtain that kind of control? Even for a wizard it wasn’t natural. The thought made me giggle: an unnatural wizard. My life had taken a nosedive off the cliff of sanity.
“Fair enough, but can we please walk for a bit? Or maybe you wouldn’t mind giving me a piggy back ride,” I said with a wink.
Herrick slowed his pace, waiting for me to catch up.
“You are a grown woman, not a five-year-old in pigtails.”
“Cranky, who peed in your Cheerios?”
I laughed when he gave me a repulsed glance.
“You didn’t have many female role models growing up did you?”
I shrugged.
“Nope, it was just me and my uncle Ken. Well, and my best friend Lori. You would like her, she’s more your type.”
“And you know what my type is? Do tell, love.”
I honestly had no idea what his type was. What do vibrants find attractive?
“High-maintenance prima donnas.”
I saw one eyebrow raise but he neither confirmed nor denied.
“I’m curious, why do your boyfriends seem content with sharing you?”
I stopped abruptly trying to decipher his sentence.
“Come again?”
He nudged me to keep walking.
“You have to be sleeping with them. Why else would they risk their lives for you?”
Was that really what he thought of me? Did I come off as the type of girl that jumped into the sack with any man who looked her way? If he only knew the truth. I had only been in one intimate relationship, and using the term intimate was a stretch. Even though James and I were in a relationship for four years he preferred sleeping with women other than his girlfriend and when we did occasionally sleep together it was always the same thing, no stretch of the imagination nor points for romanticism.
“Are you deranged? I don’t know how vibrants do things but I don’t do ménage à trois.”
“So you have never been intimate with any of them?”
I kept walking, not slowing my pace. I wasn’t about to make the mistake of looking in his direction. My romantic life was none of his business.
“I see. Which one was it, I wonder? Couldn’t have been Cody, he’s too honorable and you are too shy to make the first move. Ben maybe, he’s powerful, intimidating. You seem like the kind of girl who would be turned on by his status. Although, it would be difficult to get past that gnarly scar on his face.”
“Shut up!” I barked, stomping forward.
“It has to be Mac, why else would he call you Macree. It doesn’t surprise me really. With your lack of etiquette and his barbaric style you too make a good match.”
I waited for Herrick to get close enough and planted my left foot, turning sharply on my right. I spun, punching him hard in the jaw. He snatched my arm, barely flinching from my attempted attack.
“Do something like that again and I’ll hand you over to Damon myself.”