by Cara E Holt
Crying happy tears, I kiss him like my life depends on it. I reach the bottom of his t-shirt and pull it over his head. He had far too many clothes on for what I had in mind.
“You ready for this?” Drayce asks me. He takes my hands in his and looks down at me with searching eyes.
“I’m ready,” I tell him firmly. I was nervous, of course, but I knew I could do this. Today was the day I would leave the safety of the HDS compound and venture back out into the world and find my birth father.
“We’ll be nearby okay. Merrick has located an old hunting cabin about seven miles out from where you are. We’ll wait there for your signal.” He gently strokes my cheek and I lean into his touch.
“Got it.” I offer him a tight smile. I was so ready for this, but also super nervous.
My mum offers me my rucksack and a book in her other hand. “We’ve spelled this book. To anyone else it will just look like your spell book. There are some blank pages at the back. Use this pen to write in it and send us updates.” She holds up an ornate black pen. “Any message you write will appear here in this book we have here.” She tucks the book and the pen back in my bag and holds it out to me. I turn and give her my back and place my hands through the straps.
Merrick has been sitting back whilst my family prepares me but he steps forward now. “You ready for this kiddo?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I tell him honestly.
“Remember, if things go south send up a fire flare and we’ll be there within minutes. Otherwise we will wait out for your sign that the ritual has begun.” He rests his hands on my shoulders. “Be strong. You can do this.”
“I know I can,” I tell him firmly. I am determined that I would rescue my friend and stop my father, no matter the cost.
“Okay,” Merrick says with a clap of his hands, getting the attention of everyone in the room. “Say your goodbyes because we need to get moving.”
Meara comes over to me first, with Rafe following behind her. She sweeps me into a tight hug. “Be your badass self and you‘ll be fine.”
“I’ll try.” I say with a chuckle.
Rafe pulls me into his arms next. “You can do this,” he reaffirms. “I’m so glad we became friends.”
“Me too,” I tell him as we pull apart. I gave his hair a playful ruffle.
Thorin sweeps me up off my feet from behind, making me yelp in surprise. “Go knock em dead Latimer.”
“Argh, stop spinning me around, I will hurl all down your back,” I warn him, grinning as he swiftly deposits me back on my feet.
I look around the room and notice Cort hanging back from everyone else, arms folded with that usual dark and brooding look upon his face. I stalk towards him. If he thought he was getting away without saying goodbye he had another thing coming.
“Hey asshat,” I say in a playful tone as I come a stop before him. “Are you going to wish me luck or just stay back here brooding?”
Cort frowns intensely at me before he reaches out and pulls me into his arms. “Fuck Elara. You better stay alive, Okay?” He pulls back and meets my eyes and I see his anxiety laid bare before me.
“I’ll be fine Cort, I promise.”
Cort briefly looks over my shoulder, and I follow his gaze to where Drayce is watching our interaction.
“Just so you know, you have another option,” He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. He looks like he is battling with himself. “You and I, we know what it is like to be outcasts, to be different. He might love you, but he’ll never understand what it is like to be one of us. With me you’d never have to explain, because I’d know.” He leans in and kisses my forehead. “So, yeah, I guess I just wanted to lay my cards out.”
I squeeze his hand in mine and smile up at him. “Thank you for being honest with me. If something happens to me, will you look out for my parents?”
Cort shakes his head with a frown. “Nothing will happen to you Lara. You are coming home.”
I squeeze his hand tighter. “Promise me Cort.”
He sighs, none too pleased with this conversation. “Okay, I promise.”
“Can I pinch my daughter?” My dad asks as he comes up behind me. Giving Cort one last smile, I turn and face my dad. He cups my head in his hands. “My baby girl, all grown up and taking on the world. Be strong and remember all that I have taught you.”
“I will, Dad,” I promise. He sweeps me into his arms and holds me close. My mum places a hand on my shoulder and I turn and fall straight into her arms. “I love you Mum.”
“Oh, sweetheart. I love you too.” She pulls back and her eyes brim with tears. “Make it back safely, you hear me?”
I nod, even though I know I cannot promise her I will. I could only hope that I would see all these people again. My mum steps aside to allow Drayce to step forward. He takes my hand in his and winks at me with a smile that portrays a thousand words.
“Come back to me, okay?” He tells me. “You and me raven, we are two halves of one whole. We survived a curse and we can survive this.” He places a hand behind my neck and leans down to kiss me. It is a kiss that fills my soul and makes me feel his love to the very depths of my essence. “I love you now and always, in this life and in the ones after.”
I close my eyes as we rest our foreheads together, soaking up the feel and smell of him in case it will be the last time. “I love you Drayce Black in this life and in every life hereafter, I will find you and love you.”
“Let’s move out people,” Merrick orders.
Drayce drops one last kiss on my lips and then takes my hand as we all file out to the hangar. Cort’s team and the squad Drayce had joined would accompany me on the flight. I will be dropped off in a location south of my father’s lair and then they will be dropped off at the hunting cabin where they would stay and await my signal.
I take my seat beside Drayce and buckle in. The engine starts and as the doors lift to close; I take one last look at my friends and family who are waving us off. I blow a kiss to my parents before the door closes shut and we take off.
INTO THE UNKNOWN
The Chinook flies through the night sky to our destination. The door opens in mid-air causing a freezing wind inside. Nero stands and ensures my bag is firmly on my back and with one last look at Drayce, I leap out of the Chinook. Being half vampire I had no need for parachutes, I land on my feet with a thud and quickly rush from the open field into the wooded area.
I had studied the map of the area repeatedly and I have the path to my father’s lair memorised into my brain. I start slow, just in case any of my father’s coven were out hunting and may have heard the aircraft in the air. Once I am a short two miles away, I use my vamp speed and wind through the thick forest until I come out at the edge of the grounds of the estate.
The estate house was surrounded by seven foot brick walls that looked like they had been standing there for centuries. The estate was not as vast as some others that my father’s family owned, but it was still substantial with around three hundred acres of land. The estate house itself, according to Google maps, comprised of three floors and was a similar size to the Black Mansion. It was, however, in a state of disrepair with holes in the roof and smashed windows on both floors. As soon as I reach out and touch the wall, I feel the wards guarding the place. I could only hope that the magical wards would recognise me as kin. I scale the wall without issue and drop into the estate grounds. I swiftly take in the surrounding area, using my vampire sight and hearing to check if there were any supes nearby. I make my way across the grounds towards the estate house. From here I could see its dilapidated roof through the tops of the trees. I halt to a stop as I hear someone approaching. It was two supes, both male. I could smell the testosterone.
“Well, well, what do we have here?”
I turn and find two men standing in front of me. The one who spoke has dirty blonde hair that is shaved on the side but longer on top. His eyes are blood red, telling me he has recently fed. He grins wickedly at me as h
e looks me up and down.
“I smell a witch,” says the other one, sniffing the air. The second vampire is slightly older. He looks like in human years he would be around late twenties. He has copper brown curly hair that falls to just below his ears. His eyes are also deep red.
“Wrong,” I tell him, raising my top lip and showing them both my fangs.
The blonde chuckles. “A hybrid.”
“In the flesh,” I reply, doing a mock bow.
“You’re trespassing little vixen.” the vampire informs me as he walks around me, circling me like prey.
“Ah, that’s where you are wrong,” I inform him. My voice sounds far more confident than I feel. “This land belongs to me.”
Curly laughs, clearly amused. “It belongs to you, huh? I’m afraid you are mistaken.”
The blonde one who has been quietly studying me, steps forward and places a hand on the other vampire’s shoulder. “Smell her scent. She is of our sire.”
The other one sniffs the air again, taking in my scent. “But how?” He asks, tilting his head to the side and studying me like I am a puzzle.
The blonde grins. “Welcome home vixen.” He smiles knowingly. “He has been waiting for you.”
Curly, as I have nicknamed him, sucks in a breath of surprise and looks at his kin. “You mean?”
He nods, his eyes not leaving mine. “Elara Mortensen has returned home.” He steps forward and takes my hand in his and I try not to flinch in fear. With his eyes not leaving mine, he drops a cold kiss on my hand. “We have been expecting you for some time vixen.”
I shrug. “Yeah, well, let’s just say I have had a lot to deal with. I’d like to see my father now.”
The blonde does a mock bow with an amused smirk. “As you wish. I am Beau and he’s Everett.”
He gestures north with his hand. I start to walk and they both fall into step with me, one at either side. “So, tell me, how did you find us?”
I tap the side of my nose with my finger. “I had my sources.”
Beau laughs. “Holding your cards close to your chest, I see. You arrival is perfect timing you know?”
“It is?”
“Oh yes. Something we have been working on for a long, long time is about to come to fruition.” Beau claps his hands. “I have a feeling we will party tonight like we have not done so for a long time.”
“Parties are dull if there are no humans to feast on,” Everett comments dryly.
I cock a brow. “Haven’t you two just fed?”
Everett leans in to me and grins widely. “I am always hungry for more. I once drained thirty women in one night. The sultan whose guest I was at the time was none too pleased that I had drained half his harem.” He winks at me and I try not to look too disgusted.
Beau laughs. “Everett has a bit of a reputation,” he tells me.
“Like you do not?” Everett challenges him and Beau winks.
“That is true, but my reputation is shall we say for my skills in the bedroom.”
“Oh,” I reply with a bob of my head. “So you’re the ladies’ man, then Beau?”
Beau cocks his head and does a slow perusal of my body. It feels like he is undressing me with his eyes. “I am, but that is all about to change.”
I’m intrigued by his cryptic answer but I do not get the opportunity to ask anything further as I realise we have made it to the house. Beau pushes the door open and holds it aside for me to pass through.
“Welcome home, Elara Mortensen. We have been waiting a long time for this day.”
I walk through the door and gasp in surprise when I take in the inside. On the outside this place looks dilapidated and unloved, but on the inside I feel like I have stepped back in time to an era of opulence and wealth.
The place was stunning, with ornately painted ceilings and beautiful, elegant antique furniture filling the grand entrance. A large gold and crystal chandelier plays centre stage, creating a warm ambience.
“This is unexpected,” I exclaim. I try not to jump away when Beau places a hand at my back.
“We spell the place to look uninhabited, but inside we live like kings.” He gently urges me forward. “Come, it is time to meet your father.”
He pushes open two large ornate doors and we step into a room that also harks from another era. The first thing I notice is the large roaring fire, surrounded by a stunning fireplace that looks is made of marble.
“Adron I bring you a gift,” Beau announces, looking delighted with himself. He steps to the side and I stop in my steps as my eyes fall upon the man who fathered me. Adron Mortensen is a sight to behold. He looks no older than thirty and had jet black hair that hung over his forehead and his face is framed with an immaculately groomed beard. He oozes power and intrigue. He lifts his head from the book he was studying and as his eyes fall upon me, the book drops from his hand to the floor. He is suddenly before me, a hairs breath away, studying my face. His eyes are blue, so clearly I have my mother’s eyes, but when he smiles, I see myself in him.
“You are your mother’s child.” His thumb strokes softly across my cheek as he continues to study my face. “It is like she is standing before me. You are her image.”
“Hello Father,” I say, studying him as intently as he does me. It is a strange sensation to explain, but I feel a connection to this man in front of me. I cannot put it into words. It is as if, somewhere deep inside of me, my soul knows his. My blood recognises his.
“My beautiful daughter. How I have waited for this moment,” He beams at me. “Isn’t she beautiful, Beau?”
“She is as you promised,” he replies from where he stands by the fire.
“I swore all those years ago that I would protect you and ensure your place in this world, just as I swore that I would reunite us all one day.” His voice is certain and determined. He pulls me into his embrace and I hear him take in my scent. “My blood, my child, welcome home.”
I wasn’t sure what I had expected to feel, but his reaction to me threw me. I could feel that this man loved me and had genuinely yearned to see me again. I also had not expected to feel this connection between us. I must not let my emotions get in the way of what I was here to do. I had to remember what he had done and what he planned to do and I had to do everything I could to stop him.
“Thank you, Father.”
Adron clasps my hands in his, holding them between us. “Call together the coven, Everett. Tonight we introduce my only child and welcome her home.”
Everett nods in obedience and leaves the room. My father holds out my hand and beckons Beau over and places my hand in his.
“Daughter meets your betrothed. Beau, my second and you’re intended.”
I inhale a sharp breath in shock. Well, this was an unexpected development. Beau grins down at me with a look of hunger and possession.
“I don’t understand.” I say, trying my best to control my internal panic.
Beau smirks. “What do you not understand? We are betrothed by blood. You are mine, Elara Mortensen.”
A cold shiver washes over me as I take in this news. “This is sudden and unexpected,” I tell them both, trying to hide the shakiness in my voice.
My father stands there watching us with a look of pride and fulfilment on his face. “The two of you will lead our coven together one day. We have much to celebrate and much to prepare.” He rings a bell on his desk and not two second later a female appears.
“Master.” The woman looks to be in her early twenties. She is stunningly beautiful, with white blonde bobbed hair and she has large brown eyes. She wears a fitted pencil dress in red that hugs her curves and her look is finished with red high heels.
“Eleanor, my daughter has arrived. Please have the rooms adjoining Beau’s prepared for her.”
I feel Eleanor’s curious eyes on me before she bows her head and leaves the room as quickly as she entered. Beau guides me over to a red velvet sofa and I take a seat. He sits beside me and places his arm possessively over the
back of the chair behind me.
My father pours three glasses of wine and offers me one first and then Beau. He stands in front of us, the flames of the fire burning behind him, and raises his glass. “To our family. Bound by blood and destiny.”
“To family.” Both Beau and I reply.
My father takes a seat opposite me. He has the look of a man who really has everything in his grasp.
“Soon your mother will return to us. My love will be at my side once more and then we shall rule this world that has robbed us of everything.” He takes a drink of his wine and leans back in his chair, looking every inch the lord of the manor. “The curse has broken. I would feel it in your aura if it still existed.” He grins. “I knew if I placed you in the path of that Black boy, he could not resist you. You loved him. Otherwise the curse would not have lifted, but you must put aside those feelings now. He has played the part we needed him to. You will come to love Beau with time. He has been my loyal second for centuries and I trust him implicitly with you.”
Beau shifts at my side and when I look at him I am shocked to see how hard he is fighting anger. The glass he is holding smashes in his hand, making me yelp in shock. “The Black boy needs to die, alongside the rest of those vermin.”
Adron nods and leans forward in his seat. “His coven will be the first we will take down. Remember that we did what was necessary to free Elara from certain death. Now clean your mess up.”
Beau does as ordered, his anger has disappeared as quickly as it came and he gives me a lazy smile. He scoops up all the broken shards of glass with his hands and throws them into the fire. “We should form the mate bond soon.”
My father nods in agreement and my heart stutters in fear. I needed to try to stall this from happening.
“What is the rush?” I ask innocently.
“Beau is one of the strongest of my coven. Once the mate bond is complete, he will be able to track you, feel if you are in danger. For your protection it is best this is done promptly.”
I scoff. “I can protect myself so there is no need.”