The Prophecy (Saga of the Chosen Book 1)

by Petra Landon

  All eyes shifted to the Alpha. This was big news indeed. All this while, the mission had felt like an assignment to primarily do due diligence at the site of the explosion before declaring the strange case of Lady Bethesda closed. Now it was suddenly clear that much more rode on their investigation. Until now, all they’d had to go on were a set of strange allegations about a dead wizard bandied about without any evidence. Now they had something to really look for; a real person to hunt down. This was the first proof they had that she’d escaped from the explosion alleged to have killed her. For the Shifters, there was also a gleeful realization that the First Wizard would owe Faoladh big for their work on this.

  “Evidence?” the Guardian inquired, after a fleeting glance at Sienna.

  He had a strange expression on his face although Tasia noted that Sienna, on the other hand, glanced at the Alpha with hope in her bright eyes.

  “Yes. We’ve been able to verify that Lady Bethesda did board a flight from O’Hare International Airport a few hours after the explosion.”

  “Flight to where?” Jason inquired again.

  “We’re still waiting to verify her final destination. We do know that the ticket was bought for her by a local associate of the Lombardi Family.”

  “The Lombardi Family” Jason exclaimed softly.

  “The leech accompanying her in the tape from The Vault hails from their Venetian Nest.”

  “I see” Jason murmured thoughtfully as a rumor from his early days in the GCW pinged at the edges of his memory. “Rafaelo Bianchi.”

  Sienna blinked as a long forgotten snatch of memory surfaced abruptly.

  “Rafaelo” she exclaimed softly, as if recalling something familiar. “I think I met him once when I was a child.”

  As the room turned its collective astonished gaze on her, Sienna stated clearly. “If he’s the same man that you’re taking about, he accompanied my mother to our house once. Sorry, I’d almost forgotten about it” she added apologetically. “When you said his name just now, it jogged my memory.”

  “There’s an easy way to verify if we’re talking of the same vampire” the Guardian remarked decisively. “Do you still have a copy of The Vault tape, Alpha?”

  “No, I had it destroyed after we were done as per our agreement with the wizards.”

  “Hmm, I guess I could ask the GCW to send me a copy through the Chicago Registry.”

  “It might be easier for one of Faoladh’s Shifters in Chicago to provide us with a photograph of Rafaelo Bianchi” Duncan suggested.

  “I can have someone meet us in Chicago with a picture” Raoul agreed. Faoladh’s Shifters were already in Chicago and they had access to photos of both Lady Bethesda and her leech companion. This might make it easier for Sienna to identify the leech.

  “Good, that’s taken care of then” the Guardian responded. “Sienna, perhaps you can tell us what you remember of this meeting.”

  ---

  Sienna gasped awake, awoken by loud voices raised in argument.

  “This has gone on long enough. Don’t you think this is a little petty, even for you?”

  That was her Da. But who was he talking to, she wondered silently. Her Ma had disappeared one morning almost a year ago. Da kept reassuring her that Ma had gone on a long journey and would come back to them when she was tired. But Sienna was beginning to worry that her Ma would never get tired and come home. Her Ma was always so full of life – Sienna could never imagine her being tired. Her hope was that since her Ma loved both Da and her, she might decide to fake it and come home anyway. At least, that’s what she prayed for every night.

  “Petty! Petty!” a feminine voice rose in disbelief. “You’re calling me petty! What about you? Why didn’t you vote for me, Scott?”

  Sienna jumped out of her bed, shoving aside her blanket in a hurry. That was her Ma’s voice. She raced out of her bedroom and to the top of the staircase before coming to a stop. The raised voices had finally penetrated through to her seven-year old self. Ma and Da never fought. Not like this! They had arguments like other parents but she’d never heard them yell at each other like this before. Mad at each other, even though Ma had been gone so long. Sienna crept cautiously down the top stairs to peep through the railings into the dimly lit hall below. A young man stood in the hallway, his back to her as he stared into the room beyond where the disagreement raged on. As she gazed down into the hall, he turned abruptly, looking up to catch the young child peeping through the railings.

  “Hello” he called out in a friendly manner.

  Sienna, who’d been given enough warnings about strangers, reminded herself that this man was in her house and thus, probably knew one of her parents.

  “Hi” she responded shyly.

  “You must be Sienna” his voice was pitched low as if he didn’t want anyone to overhear him. So low that she could barely make out what he said. “Your Ma talks about you all the time.”

  So she had been right, Sienna realized. He was a friend of Ma’s. That must be why he was here in their house tonight. He had accompanied Ma back from wherever she’d gone to.

  “Sienna” her Da called out, a note of concern in his voice. “What’s going on here?” he asked, striding into the hall from the room beyond.

  Sienna blinked up at her father dazedly. She felt so sleepy all of a sudden. But sleepiness was forgotten the next moment, transformed into joy as her mother followed her father into the hall.

  “Ma” she cried happily, throwing herself at her mother.

  Her mother hugged her back comfortingly although her furious eyes remained on her husband who was staring at the young man who lounged indolently in his hallway.

  “Why did you bring this vermin into our house, Tilda?” he demanded furiously.

  An ugly expression leapt into the young man’s palely handsome face though he remained silent. Sienna disengaged herself slowly from her mother’s embrace to glance uncertainly at her father. She’d rarely ever heard her Da use that tone.

  “He’s my friend, the kind that doesn’t stab me in the back when convenient. A concept you seem to have trouble with, Scott” his wife retorted sarcastically.

  “I want him out of here” Scott McAlister said, his voice coldly furious. “And he’s not welcome anywhere near Sienna or me again.”

  “I see. Are you saying that my friends are not welcome here anymore, Scott?” she asked, her voice silky as she moved to confront her husband.

  “Definitely not this one” Scott McAlister retorted, putting his arm protectively around Sienna.

  Matilda McAlister glanced at the young man who watched the proceedings silently, her eyebrow raised in mute inquiry. He nodded imperceptibly in response. She glanced at her daughter once more, her gaze skimming over the young girl.

  “Fine, let me know when you change your mind, Scott. Until then, this is no longer my home.”

  “Ma” Sienna cried out urgently, holding out her hand to her mother in distress.

  “I’ll be back for you, Sienna” her mother said calmly. “For now, there’s something that I need to do. Come, Rafaelo.”

  Her Da held her tightly in his arms, his lips brushing the fine hair on top of her head as Sienna cried silent tears. Her Ma might never get tired again, she thought despairingly. Shouldn’t they try to keep her from going on another long journey.

  “Let be, child” he soothed. “Your Ma will be back, soon enough. Dinna fash yerself, lassie” he said, the highland burr he’d never succeeded in losing, suddenly strong in him.

  ---

  “That was the last time I saw her” Sienna finished quietly.

  There was a short silence.

  “Do you remember what they were arguing about that night? It might help us to understand why she left” Duncan inquired diplomatically. “As far as we know, the wizards haven’t been able to figure out why she walked away from her family.”

  “No” Sienna shook her head, an absence of constraint in her voice. “I was in bed when I heard the r
aised voices. When I recognized her voice, I ran to the top of the stairs. I saw the young man and then …” she paused, her brow crinkled as if something puzzled her. Sienna couldn’t remember coming down the stairs to the hallway to meet the young man. She remembered seeing him from the top of the stairs as she looked down at him in the hall below and she remembered vividly her Da’s expression when he came into the hall to catch a glimpse of the man beside her. Perhaps, she concluded, she just didn’t have a clear memory of coming down the stairs. Strange indeed to remember everything else so vividly but not the part where she joined the man in the hallway!

  “And then …” it was the Alpha who prompted her this time.

  “Then I remember my parents coming into the hall. Da was angry with the man and with my mother for bringing him to our home. They had an argument and my mother left after saying that she’d be back for me.”

  Tasia, watching silently, felt a wave of compassion for the older woman. Sienna had already witnessed a lot of heartbreak and tragedy in her life. Abandoned by her mother for reasons unclear. Followed by the death of her father, who’d been dispatched to bring her mother in for questioning, in the same explosion that had also resulted in her mother’s death. Now forced to face evidence that her mother had not died in that explosion but had probably used it to fake her own death and go underground, while responsible for the deaths of numerous wizards. What a horrible nightmare for anyone to face, Tasia commiserated silently. Sienna faced it with a lot more grace and composure than most. At least she knew for certain that neither of her parents had abandoned her, Tasia mused. She’d remind herself of Sienna’s travails on days when she found herself railing silently at the hand that fate had dealt her, Tasia decided.

  Chapter 16

  A psychotic Alpha and a hostile Registry

  Tasia sighed silently. If anyone had ever told her that the hospitality of a Shifter Pack would involve such tedious protocol, she’d have laughed them out of the room. They had been met at the entrance to a huge gated estate just outside Chicago by a small contingent of Shifters and escorted to this huge hall to be received with great ceremony by the Alpha Protector of the Illinois Pack. Jerome Carter was a heavy-set man of medium height with receding dark hair generously sprinkled with gray. He’d greeted the Alpha with exaggerated bonhomie before proceeding to introduce the thirty odd Shifters from his Pack assembled here, in excruciating detail.

  To the Alpha’s credit, he’d taken it in stride without losing his cool. Tasia, sandwiched between Hawk and Sienna, who was flanked by Elisabetta on her other side, hoped wearily that this would soon be over. They’d had an early start followed by a long flight. This evening was to be their first trip to the site of the explosion where her contribution to this mission would truly begin and Tasia was hoping for a respite before then. Duncan and the Guardian stood at the fore front of their little group waiting patiently while the Alpha was enthusiastically introduced to the gaggle of Shifters. Luis Beltran, Owen O’Brien and Stefan Simeonov brought up the rear. Sienna sighed softly from beside her. Tasia glanced at her only for the wizard to roll her eyes in exasperation. Tasia stifled her laughter although Hawk let out a soft chuckle from beside her.

  Jerome Carter’s penetrating gaze swiveled to them, an unpleasant expression on his face. The Shifters in their party snapped to attention, their senses attuned to the sudden rise of tension in the room.

  “Perhaps it’s time you introduced your people, Alpha?” he suggested to Raoul, the bite in his tone pronounced. “It should take just a few minutes since I’m familiar with most of your Pack.”

  “Of course” Raoul responded suavely. “And then we would appreciate being directed to our accommodations. Our work here commences in a few hours.”

  It was a subtle dig to remind Alpha Carter that the work they were here for was on behalf of Faoladh. A gentle reminder that Raoul would allow the other Alpha some leeway to indulge himself but only to a point.

  “How are you, Duncan?” Carter greeted him enthusiastically. “Still hovering about your Alpha like a dog reluctant to share his favorite bone.”

  Duncan greeted him politely, his face evincing no change from his usual placid expression. Sienna glanced at Tasia to waggle her eyebrow in inquiry at the Illinois Alpha’s catty remark. Tasia shook her head mutely, privately as surprised by Carter’s attitude as Sienna. The Alpha had indicated that Carter had history with their Pack. Some history! She must get Hawk to share the details some time.

  The Alpha had moved on to introduce Jason.

  “Alpha Jerome Carter, meet Guardian Jason LaRue.”

  “Guardian” Carter whistled softly. “I guess the wizards insisted on their pound of flesh. I never thought to see the day you were forced to fraternize with a bunch of Spell Casters, Alpha.”

  For a mad moment, Tasia wondered wildly if there was to be bloodshed in the hall. Most of their party was yet to be introduced and if the Illinois Alpha continued in this manner, she wasn’t sure whether Raoul Merceau’s temper would last the duration.

  “We all have our crosses to bear, Alpha” Raoul responded imperturbably before moving on to Hawk.

  “Hawk Manotti” Carter greeted softly, a light in his eyes that sent shivers down Tasia’s back. “All grown up, I see. The last time we met, you seemed to cling to Duncan’s skirts.”

  Tasia sensed Hawk go rigid beside her.

  “We all have to grow up sometime, Alpha” he retorted, a definite bite in his voice. “You too had to move on when you realized that your dream of leading the Northern California Pack was destined to remain just that – a dream.”

  The Shifter Alpha’s smiling face transformed instantly into something more sinister.

  “Tasia Armstrong and Sienna McAlister” Raoul introduced smoothly, forcing the other Alpha to turn away from Hawk to greet the two wizards. “You remember Elisabetta, I hope.”

  “Of course! A pleasure to see you again” Carter greeted the beautiful female Were-Alpha, laying on his slick charm thickly before turning his attention to the two wizards.

  “Armstrong” he repeated under his breath. “Now why does that name seem familiar?” he mused.

  Raoul treated the query as a rhetorical one that deserved no response, moving on adroitly to introduce the three other Were-Alphas that made up their party. Busy mulling over Hawk’s rejoinder that seemed to have struck a nerve for Alpha Carter, Tasia didn’t pay attention to the rest of the Illinois Alpha’s spiteful comments. She did note Duncan’s twinkling glance at Hawk – his Were-Alpha at least was more amused than angry at Hawk’s retort to Carter.

  Finally, they were done. After a little more forced geniality that Tasia suspected was beginning to tax the Alpha, they were ushered to a separate two-storey building located on the spacious grounds. Though housed in an estate much larger than their Lair back in San Francisco, Tasia had the impression that the Illinois Pack was not as well off. The furnishings at the Main House where they’d been received as well as the Guest House were well worn and rather shabby. Nothing here had been updated for decades in sharp contrast to the beautifully and tastefully done up Lair back in San Francisco. The Guest House, they were informed, was at their disposal for the duration of the stay. Compliments of the Alpha, one of the Shifters informed them, for the guests of Faoladh!

  A tentative exploration revealed a multitude of bedrooms on both floors, a kitchen, dining and family room on the first floor and even a small windowless sound–proofed room intended to function as a Pack Room on the top floor. The Alpha took immediate command, breaking up his troops into groups to assign them various tasks in an efficient and competent manner. Tasia wondered what the two wizards made of it, though neither raised a protest.

  “Duncan, investigate every inch of this house, map every exit and entry point and come up with a plan to secure it. We need a secure perimeter for the night – one that keeps Shifters successfully out” the Alpha stated pointedly. “It’s a big house. Perhaps if the Guardian is willing, you could u
se his assistance.”

  “I’m willing” Jason responded.

  “I could definitely use your assistance” Duncan said easily.

  “Elisabetta and Luis, you’re in charge of supplies. We leave in four hours for the Registry. Check on what’s available in the house and make sure to stock up for three days. Add some meat-less options” he added as an afterthought.

  Tasia shot a surprised look at the Alpha only to have Hawk wink at her, a twinkle in his eyes.

  “O’Brien and Simeonov, you will meet with Faoladh’s Shifter. He’ll have a picture of Rafaelo Bianchi for you. Once you have the picture, meet us back here. You’ll be holding the fort down here while we do our business at the Registry.”

  “Hawk, help me verify that the sound-proof room functions as advertised before we start spilling our guts in there.”

  He turned to Tasia and Sienna, the only two remaining members of their party.

  “You’re in charge of assigning rooms to everyone. Find out what accommodations we’ve been provided and divvy it up.”

  “Alright everyone, let’s get to work.”

  The Shifters dispersed quickly, going their separate ways. Jason hesitated, glancing at Sienna. Interpreting his hesitation correctly, Duncan attempted to reassure him. LaRue, in addition to his role as the wizard liaison to their team, was also responsible for Sienna’s safety – something Jason had disclosed to both Duncan and the Alpha on the plane.

  “She’ll be safe here in the house. Both Hawk and Raoul will watch out for them while we walk the perimeter” he assured the Guardian. Raoul had made sure to keep the two most vulnerable members of their team within the safety of their temporary home.

  The two women set to work. They discovered seven bedrooms in total; five bedrooms upstairs and two, downstairs. Three of the bedrooms were furnished with king-sized beds while the others were set up to be shared with two smaller beds each. The numbers worked out for their party of ten. A little scavenging revealed a linen closet with slightly bedraggled but clean sheets, pillow cases and towels. Sienna proved as easy-going and laidback a partner to work with as she’d appeared to be. They chatted easily as they made the beds in the rooms, set out clean towels in the various bathrooms and assigned bedrooms to everyone. They were the first team to be done with their assigned task and were already relaxing in the family room when Duncan, Jason and Hawk filed in.