Betrayal: The Unforgiven

by Kira Hillins

  His muscles tightened in his arm. “Did he touch you?”

  “No. I may not have remembered you at the time, but you were in my heart.” She cupped his cheek. “You are always with me.”

  “I am ashamed to be a part of him.” He removed her hand from his face then stood. As he paced, his eyes turned that frightening tint of green. “Damn him.”

  She shuddered. She hated that look, like he meant to kill something or someone, or put a hole through the wall with his fist. She didn’t blame him for being angry. She’d feel the same way if the roles were reversed, but he needed to focus on their mission.

  “Tonight, we’ll find out that child we buried isn’t ours.” She set her suitcase on the bed then unzipped it. She pulled out her old clothes to go digging in the cemetery. “We’ll find her and get her back. Then we’ll put an end to him for taking her away from us.”

  ***

  As Anna dressed in her jeans and black T-shirt, Tristan paced. He worried about her state of mind. He feared she was setting herself up for more heartache. He too carried hope that their child was alive. That she called to Anna in her dreams. But deep in his heart, he knew better. To put this idea and their child to rest, he’d go along with her request.

  A knock came to the door. “Your meal is ready,” Cornelia said. “Would you like me to bring it to your room? Or will you be eating in the kitchen?”

  Anna opened the door. “We’ll go to the kitchen.”

  Tristan followed her down the hall. He too hated this place. It reeked of his father. The despicable monster had taken everything from him. His mother. Elric. His child. He’d tried to take Anna away, but her strength outweighed his efforts. The woman had power like no one else. After everything she’d endured, she still carried faith in her heart. He respected her for that.

  Two plates of red deer sat on the kitchen counter beside two goblets of blood. As much as he loved this meal, Anna’s nose wrinkled. It was strange she hadn’t a taste for anything other than human food since they’d reunited.

  Anna opened the refrigerator. She grabbed a loaf of bread, a bag of cheese, lunchmeat, and a container of mayonnaise. A grin crept across her face as she set them on the table. She slapped everything together and stuffed a big portion in her mouth.

  The woman closed her eyes as she chewed and moaned like she’d found heaven. She drew in another bite and a hint of rose blended through her soft pale cheeks. Mouth dangerously overfilled, she lifted her gaze to his.

  As he swallowed a gulp from his goblet, he tried not to be amused. But how could he not? The joy she carried now was the first sign of life he’d seen in weeks.

  “You are adorable.”

  She cocked her head to the side and swallowed down the massive bite. “I don’t think you’ve ever used that word before.”

  He leaned back against the counter as she stuffed her mouth with more. “I don’t imagine I have.”

  Her brows arched. “Careful now. You’re starting to talk like you’re from this century.”

  With all that food in her mouth, her words were barely audible, but he’d understood. As an old-tongue’d fool, as the Elders had called him once, it wasn’t easy to blend his words.

  As starved as he was, he sliced off a piece of meat. As he chewed, Anna poured a glass of water. Her hand trembled as she lifted the glass to her lips and drank. He could sense fear through her hopes that their child wasn’t buried in the cemetery.

  “Are you sure you want to go through with this?” He drew in another bite of meat. The drunken effects began to kick in, relaxing his mind and body. He craved more. “I don’t want to see your light fade.”

  “Yes, we have to do this.” She glanced at the clock. “It’s almost 4. If we’re to get this done before dawn, we need to hurry.”

  “Would you like me to stuff my mouth like an animal?” He chuckled as dizziness spread through him, fast. Hard. “Will that turn you on?”

  “Really, Tristan?”

  The scowl on her face amused him. Not only was he drunk on this meal, but he was rambunctious. Enough with the manners. Time to let loose his tongue and mind and have a little fun.

  He snickered as he lifted the goblet to his lips. He guzzled the blood like a drunk with a mug of ale. He slammed the cup down on the counter. His eyes burned and his canines grew. More. He picked up the meat with his hand then bit into it like an apple. Juices ran down his chin.

  “What’s wrong with you?” Anna took the meat from his hand as Nena walked into the kitchen followed by Jack. “What is he eating?”

  “Oh my. That’s the heart of red deer.” Nena puckered her nose as Anna held the red glob before her. “It’s well-known to calm dark ones and help them rest. Or get them drunk. Don’t worry. It doesn’t last long.”

  “Great.” Anna tossed the rest of his meal in the garbage can. She dragged him to the sink to wash his hands. She wetted a paper towel then wrung the excess water out in her fist. As she wiped Tristan’s face and chin, he laughed.

  “You treat me like a child,” he said as he watched her. Damn the woman was gorgeous. Even with company in the room staring at him, Anna aroused him. His meal had taken a toll on his body, but Anna weakened him. She glowed as she ran the towel over his jawline, on the corner of his lips, and down his neck. “You are the most beautiful woman in the universe.”

  “You’re drunk.” Her voice was soft in his ears. He’d take her here now if others weren’t in the room. Hell, he’d take her anyway if she’d allow him to.

  He pulled her in his arms. “Drunk in love.”

  “Tristan.” She wriggled from his hold on her. “We need to go.”

  The rose in her face deepened as she snorted a laugh through her nose. Jack and Nena laughed too, but he didn’t care. He desired his soon to be wife. It didn’t matter if the entire world knew.

  “Be careful.” Jack palmed Anna’s back. Tristan sneered. How dare Jack touch his woman! “Bring the body to the library when you’re ready.”

  “Okay.” Anna took Tristan’s hand. “Thanks, Jack.”

  Tristan would’ve fought Jack to the death if Anna hadn’t pulled him into the hallway. As they strode hand in hand toward the exit, he shook his head. He had to think clearly or they’d never make it to their destination.

  “I’m sorry for my behavior.”

  She tightened her grip on his hand. “There’s no need to apologize.”

  “I must admit,” he said as they walked out into the dark. “I rather enjoy this drunken sensation. Maybe we should move here.”

  “You want to move here for the food?” She huddled against his arm. Her body trembled as he picked up the shovel from the side of the shed. They followed the path through the cemetery of unmarked stones.

  “The effects bring me memories of when I was a mischievous young lord. I would often drink until I could not stand.” They stopped at their child’s grave. “For centuries I craved that sensation. Now that I have found it, especially now, I do not want to let it go.”

  Anna hugged her torso. “You want to become a drunk?”

  “No.” He palmed her cheek then kissed her gently on the lips. “But it would be nice to experience inebriation once in a while. Like now, I admit. My heart cannot bear to look at her again, but I know I must.” He stabbed the ground with the shovel. “I warn you. Until this is all over, I will be eating more.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Tristan lay in bed staring at the ceiling. No matter how much red deer he’d consumed, nothing would relieve the strain in his muscles. Waiting for results of the DNA test was the easy part. It was the aftermath that had him stressed.

  The child they’d buried was theirs. He didn’t want to face Anna when she realized the truth. To see her color fade, to hear her sobs all over again would kill him.

  If Nena would’ve stayed away, if she’d kept the information to herself, he’d be home right now in his comfortable bed. He’d be making love to Anna and listening to her plan their wedding. She’
d look lovely in a gown that swept behind her as she walked down the aisle. A white linen veil would cover her beautiful face. She’d speak vows to spend eternity by his side and he’d speak his. Then they’d seal their fates with a kiss to last until the end of time.

  His cell phone rang. He put his daydream to the side then picked up his phone from the nightstand. Gerard. He didn’t feel like speaking to him right now, but maybe it’d get his mind off this mess.

  “Tristan.” Gerard’s voice sounded distressed. “Wherever you’re at, stay there. Better yet, find a place to hide until this thing blows over.”

  Tristan covered his eyes with his palm. More drama. “What’s going on?”

  “It’s what we feared would happen and worse.” Gerard sighed. “Word has spread about Anna, lad. Some are calling her the messiah. They’ve ransacked your home looking for her, desperate to be healed by her touch.”

  Tristan cringed. All he wanted to do was go home, and now he couldn’t even do that. “How did this get out?”

  “Javon and Edith. They’re planning another witch hunt, Tristan.”

  “Damn it.” Tristan growled. He should’ve known those two would ruin his life. Javon always had it out for him. And Edith—though she’d always sought his attention, that night at the food camp had changed her mind. She’d thought him weak for letting the werewolf go.

  “That’s not all.” Gerard heaved a hefty sigh. “Others are condemning Anna. I won’t tell you what some men are saying about her gift to have children. Just know that it’s not good. Not good at all.”

  Fire spread through Tristan’s veins. Though he’d expected some vampires to beg for her touch, he’d never thought about other things they might want to do to her. A vampire, an angel who could birth powerful children enticed the wicked as she had with Ivan.

  “I have no idea where we would go.” Tristan looked in the mirror above the dresser. Red eyes stared back. Though his physique was strong, his mind was weak. “I don’t know what to do, Gerard.”

  “Staying at the convent is dangerous. My advice to you is to leave everything behind. Lose your phones. Go somewhere they can’t track you. Change your names and your appearance if you must. And don’t contact me or anyone you know. I feel that’s the only way to get through this until it blows over.”

  “That may take years. Decades. Maybe more.” Tristan pinched the crease between his eyes. This was too much to deal with. All these centuries he’d spent alone, and now he was forced into exile. Anna didn’t deserve to spend her life running and hiding. “Where is Elric? Can he not do something about this?”

  “Elric has been gone for months. Nobody knows where he is.” Gerard sighed. “Listen son. I don’t know when we’ll see each other again. Whatever happens, know that I am on your side. Until then, unless it’s an emergency, it’s best we not contact each other.”

  “I understand.” Tristan’s heart sank. “Thank you for all you have done for us. I will miss you, my friend.”

  “And I you, lad. Stay safe. Until we meet again.”

  The call ended. Tristan slammed the phone down on the dresser. The glass cracked then hissed. Didn’t matter now since he’d have to lose it anyways.

  He looked in the mirror. A green mist swirled in his eyes. If he didn’t calm down, he’d lift the dresser and smash it into the wall. He’d become a whirlwind in this room and leave it in shambles. Maybe another dose of red deer was necessary.

  No. He had to stay level-headed. For Anna. Jack had to be finished with the test by now. Anna would need him when she realized the child was theirs. And again when she learned they could not go home.

  ***

  Anna paced the hallway outside the library door. This had been the longest twenty-four hours she’d had to wait in her life. While Tristan stayed in their room drunk on red deer, she’d spent her time in the study trying to find out where Ivan might’ve gone. He’d left papers behind. Records of the work he’d done to the convent.

  He’d spent thousands digging into this mountain and even more to maintain it. Many deaths had occurred from ruptured ceilings and crumbling walls until a more modern approach was found. After steel beams were installed in the rock, the structure became stable. When there were no more cave-ins, he’d turned the place into a convent. Though, the convent was just a cover for a darker place to stay.

  Books lined the shelves behind his desk. Most were religious stories. One was about how to tap into a mountain for water. Another taught how to wire a house for electricity. There was even one on how to grow an indoor garden.

  A book on exotic places had caught her attention. Ivan was fascinated with waterfalls which led her to believe that maybe he’d moved near one. There were millions of waterfalls throughout the world. It’d take forever to search them all.

  The library door opened and Jack stepped out. She knew in her heart the test wouldn’t be a match, but still. There was a small voice in the back of her mind warning her to be wary. Don’t get your hopes up. By Jack’s long face, she listened to that voice.

  “I’m sorry.” He drew a heavy sigh. “The baby’s DNA matches yours.”

  Her heart sank. “No. The test is wrong.”

  “You know how accurate this test is.”

  “It can’t be right.” Dizziness swept through her and that ill feeling in her gut came back. She sat on the bench before she could fall to the floor. “My dreams are vivid like she’s alive. She’s calling to me.”

  Jack sat beside her. “You’re in mourning. It’s understandable to have vivid dreams and nightmares after something so traumatic. Now that you know the truth, you can begin the healing process.”

  “The truth?” Tears welled in her eyes as she stood. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. But, I need to be alone.”

  Tears blurred her vision as she ran down the hall. The garden reminded her of the time she spent here, but the scent soothed her. She needed to calm her cries. To feel nothing. To empty her mind. But it was too damned hard.

  She stepped through the doorway. The light was dim as she stumbled along the path to the mural. She sat on the bench and sobbed in her hands.

  Everyone had warned her, but she wouldn’t listen. Now her heart ached again. Tristan could probably sense her anguish, but she didn’t want to reveal it. He’d remained skeptical, even as he dug their child up from her grave. Now he lay in the room, drunk and distressed, and it was her fault.

  She wiped her wet cheeks with rigid fingers. How could she be so wrong? The visions of her daughter had seemed so real. She’d touched her skin and held her in her arms. She’d gushed with pride as her child danced through the garden giving the wilted roses life.

  “Anna.” Tristan helped her to her feet. He sighed as he enveloped her in his arms. “I am sorry, my love. I too hoped for a positive outcome.”

  “I thought for sure she was alive. I knew it in my heart.” She pressed her cheek to his chest and held him tight. “This is all such a horrible mess.”

  “Now we know for sure.” He stroked the back of her head. “We will move on from this and face our future. Unfortunately, we cannot go home.”

  “What?” She looked up at him through blurry eyes. “Why not?”

  “People gather at our door in hopes you will heal them.”

  “I don’t care what they do.” Her brows furrowed as she cried. “I want to go home. I want things to go back to the way they were. I want to forget about all of this.”

  “We can never go back.” He raised his voice as he clutched her upper arms. “We will never forget.” He shook her once. “Do you hear me? Nothing will ever be the same.”

  She despised his angry tone. “Once we explain that I can’t heal, they’ll go away.”

  “There are men who wish to take you from me.” He growled. “Do you understand why?”

  Hair raised on the back of her neck. They knew she could have children. She shuddered at the thought.

  “Anna.” He shook her again. “Do you understand w
hy we cannot go home now?”

  “Yes,” she whispered, sick feeling in her gut. “I…I don’t know what to do.”

  “Javon and Edith have formed a party to hunt us down.” His cold voice sent chills down her spine. He sneered to reveal his daggered canines. Angry. Frustrated. Not that she blamed him, but he was being harsh. “I will bury our child once more. Then, we will leave.”

  “Where will we go?”

  “I do not know!” He shouted then exhaled a long drawn out sigh. “Say your goodbyes.”

  Anna’s throat clenched as he walked away. She made a desperate attempt to silence her angry cry, but it came out in a wail. Tristan turned his head to the side, but he didn’t stop. When he disappeared through the doorway, she fell to her knees.

  This was such a mess. Where would they go? How could they hide from those who coveted a gift that she no longer had? If she could speak to them, maybe she could make them understand that she couldn’t heal. Her child was born dead. She had no clue what she was anymore.

  Only the descendants of angels can heal or be healed. As far as she knew, she was the only female in the four angel bloodlines. She’d found her healing powers when she was pregnant. But now, without a child inside her, the powers had ceased.

  “I’m so sorry, Anna.” Nena’s soft whisper soothed her cries. “I feel like this is my fault. I shouldn’t have come to you unless I knew for sure.”

  “It’s not your fault.” Anna sniffled. She wiped tears on the back of her hand. “This gave me closure. Now my baby can be at rest.”

  “Tristan told me you guys were leaving.”

  “Yeah. Apparently, the entire collective is searching for us.” Anna rose to her feet. “We have to leave but we can’t go home.” She swallowed tears creeping up her throat again. “Oh, Nena. I don’t know where we’re supposed to go.”

  Nena put her arm around Anna’s shoulders. “But you do have a place to go.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “My grandfather owns a cabin in the north,” Nena whispered. “It’s been a few years since anyone has lived there. It needs some TLC, but it has all the amenities. I think it’d be a good home for you and Tristan.” She leaned close as if there were many people in the room listening. “I’ve moved into my father’s house is in the nearby village. So, I’ll be there to help you and Tristan settle in.”