Bound by Destiny

by Stephanie Yarns

  Somehow, even while knowing that she had a life to get back to, Sebastian had managed to push the thought of saying goodbye somewhere to the back of his mind. Suddenly, time had fast-forwarded. The ache in his chest took him by surprise. He knew he wanted her. Knew he admired her. But when did he start caring? When did he start developing feelings for her?

  “What about the others?” Sebastian finally asked.

  “They should be here soon. I called Gabe. Told him to stay away a little while longer. He hasn’t met Eve and if things go south, he doesn’t need to be involved.”

  “Makes sense.” Sebastian gave a bitter smile. “I hate every part of this. It was supposed to be just save the human. Then it was supposed to be get rid of the mark, get rid of the her. How did it become so complicated?

  The sadness in his friend’s smile surprised Gideon. But why? It shouldn’t. Gideon hadn’t spent nearly as much time with Eve and he didn’t want her to leave.

  “So, what’s the meeting for?” Alex asked, strolling into the office.

  Sebastian reigned in his anger. This wasn’t all the young one’s fault. Essie was the bigger threat.

  “’Other’ is what this meeting is about.” Gideon watched as the younger man flushed. “Please, have a seat.” He motioned toward a chair.

  “I didn’t mean any harm,” Alex said, slumping back in his seat. “I was trying to help her. Make her realize she wasn’t living in a dream.”

  Gideon nodded once. “We know.”

  Micah walked in, followed by Fallon.

  “Why the sad faces?” Fallon asked. “You look like someone killed your family.”

  “Fallon,” Micah said. “Ease up on the crazy.”

  He grinned and Micah shook his head.

  “Please, everyone, sit down. This is important and it involves everyone here.” Gideon stood.

  Sebastian leaned back in his chair and watched his friend do what he did best. Lead. He wondered briefly if Eve dreamed about him, or them, as they sat there planning to introduce her to their world.

  “Alex, I already know you don’t have an issue with her knowing.” Gideon touched Alex’s arm, taking the bite out of his words. “But Micah and Fallon, what are your thoughts?”

  Micah leaned forward. “It makes me uneasy. I won’t lie. I mean maybe she won’t hunt us down in our sleep and try to kill us. That’s not really what bothers me. Not many people know about my past and I like it that way. But, I mean, she’s going to know, either by you or Essie. I think you could tell her better. Essie would probably just say ‘oh, they are vampires’ and go on about her business.”

  “Fallon?”

  Fallon was quiet for so long, Sebastian wondered if he would speak when he did. “Tell her. She has the right to know that there are things in this world that want to rip her to shreds. She needs to know that there are things in the shadows. That the monster under the bed is real. The bogeyman exists. Maybe if someone had told me often enough, my life might be different.” He looked up at Gideon. “Secrets are what get people killed.”

  Gideon was silent at the look in the man’s eyes. The intensity, the sanity, was unnerving. But Fallon did have a point. He looked to Sebastian. “Seems we are in agreement.”

  Sebastian closed his eyes. “So be it.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Over the next couple of days, they developed a sort of routine.

  Still recovering from her accident, Eve slept a lot. She made sure to sleep during the day so that she wouldn’t be lonely. While she was told she could wonder the house, Sebastian’s words of warning about Fallon stuck with her. The very last thing she wanted to do was cause tension between them. It wasn’t Fallon’s fault she was stuck here. It was none of their faults. All they tried to do was save her.

  She was the stranger here. She had invaded their lives.

  Anytime they were together as a group, she would do her best to ignore him. Unfortunately, his voice was spoken sin and if he said something directly to her, she would answer without even thinking. Thankfully, he didn’t address her often.

  But his eyes… Even if she couldn’t see them, she could feel them.

  There was also a tension, when he was around, that made her constantly jittery. The tension wasn’t from her, but the men around her. A feeling of held breath was the only way she could describe it. One wrong action on Fallon’s part, and the world would erupt in violence.

  Mostly, though, her waking time was spent in the company of the others.

  The first night Alex came to invite her to hang out with him and Micah as they played video games. It was something to do, so she agreed. Between the threats and insults tossed back and forth between them, she laughed more than she ever had.

  She declined the offer when Alex held out his controller.

  “I just watched Micah decimate you, why would I think I stand a chance,” she said with a grin.

  “Because you’re new, he might go easy on you,” Alex said.

  “It’s fine,” she said. “I enjoy watching.”

  Micah turned and gave her a wink. “I thought there was something freaky about you, you voyeur.”

  “That wasn’t what I meant.” She laughed. “And no, watching does nothing for me. I’m an active participant all the way, baby.”

  Micah’s grin was slow, and Eve had to focus on her breathing for a moment.

  How was she attracted to all of them? It wasn’t fair. She was just one woman. Alex gave a slight laugh and Eve was able to look away from Micah. A wink from the blond guy and she couldn’t stop the blush from creeping over her skin.

  She waved her hand at the TV. “Shouldn’t you two be killing each other?”

  Micah gave one last long look before turning to Alex. “Ready to die?”

  “You got lucky, Irish. It won’t happen again.”

  They were off and the tension that filled Eve dissipated.

  Essie brought her meal in and she glanced at Alex and Micah. “Not eating?”

  Micah glanced at her. “We ate earlier.”

  “So be it.”

  After she ate, the game became a movie. Settled between the two men, she lay her head on Alex’s shoulder and let their warmth lull her to sleep.

  #

  The second night it was Gideon that came to knock on her door.

  “Would you care to keep me company?” he asked. “Sebastian is off on an errand and I find that I’m lonely.”

  “Of course.”

  His smile warmed her and when he held out his hand, she took it with no hesitation.

  He led her through room after room until they stopped in the lounge. The double French doors overlooked a stone patio and beyond that the same stones trailed off into the trees. It was dark out, but she would be willing to bet that with the day, the view would be stunning. An enormous stone fireplace took up a corner of the room. Two leather loveseats sat at opposite ends of the long coffee table. In front of the table, across from the fireplace was a brown leather sofa. That was where he motioned for her to sit.

  “I don’t know if I told you this, but you have a beautiful home,” she said as Gideon sat beside her. “A bit unorthodox,” she smiled at his laugh. “but beautiful all the same.”

  “Thank you,” he said, turning to watch her. “There are reasons for the design, but I won’t bore you with those tonight.”

  “Why would you think they would bore me?” she asked. She wouldn’t tell him it didn’t matter the reasons, she simply wanted to hear him speak. His voice had a hint of an accent and he could read her the dictionary and she would be happy to simply listen.

  He gave her an unreadable look before smiling.

  “You remind me of a cat,” he said finally. “So curious about everything, even if some of those things can do more harm than good.”

  That wasn’t the first time she had been compared to that animal. Her curiosity had gotten her in trouble before. More often with the opposite sex, but it had with her parents as well. But wasn’t everyone
curious? Or maybe most people grew out of that phase. She didn’t know, but if they did, it was probably way too late for her. She was forever going to be a cat.

  She twisted on the couch in order to see him better, the firelight playing havoc with her senses. The flickering of the flames cast Gideon in gold and at that moment, she had to wonder if she had ever seen a more stunning man. Maybe seeing him better was a bad idea. She swallowed hard at the waking lust and he, thankfully, mistook her action for something else.

  “Can I make you a drink?” he asked, getting to his feet.

  She wanted to say whiskey, but the memory of Sebastian and her was still too fresh and no. There would be no repeats of that night with Gideon. Yes, he was beautiful. Yes, they all made her weak. But no, she didn’t have to give in.

  “Just some water, please.”

  His grin was wicked as he got to his feet. “You really meant it when you said no drinking with us anymore.”

  She cleared her throat and before she knew it, he was back, holding out a glass of ice and a bottle of water. “It’s safer that way,” she laughed, taking the things he was offering. His finger brushed her skin and she almost jumped at the contact.

  “So I see,” Gideon said softly and she could only hope the fire hid her blush.

  He sat beside her again and she turned, the knocking of the glass against the wood of the coffee table almost deafening over the crackle of the flames. “It’s not my fault,” she said, throwing caution to the wind. By his words, she already knew that he was aware of her… attraction… to him. “A girl can only take so much when surrounded by men that could model for GQ.”

  He reached over and took the water bottle from her before she twisted the damn thing in half, his half-smile not doing her any favors. Where was her composure? How did he make her so flustered? She was far from innocent and could play it as cool as the next person. Right? He handed her back the bottle, sans cap, and she smiled her thanks before turning back to the glass of ice.

  His fingers on her cheek froze her in place. With gentle pressure, he slowly turned her head toward him. His words made finding oxygen almost impossible. “Don’t think I’m not affected as well, beautiful.”

  Her green eyes glittered at him, reflecting the external flames and the inner ones as well. The breath he took told him just how high those flames were, and damn him, he wanted to burn in that heat. Wanted to taste those full lips. Wanted to pull her over him and get lost in her hair, in her skin, in her body. His thumb brushed her bottom lip and her quick breath had him harder than he had been in decades.

  How did Sebastian not give in?

  Oh yeah, because they were monsters.

  Eve watched as shutters fell over the hazel eyes in front of her and she had to wonder what it was about her that at once attracted and repulsed them. She felt his desire, felt the need he had for her.

  Then nothing.

  He pulled away from her and it took everything inside her to keep the sound of protest locked in her throat. Didn’t she just say she wasn’t going to give in? Not have a repeat of Sebastian?

  “My apologies,” his voice was gruff. “I didn’t invite you here to maul you.”

  Her lips twitched and she couldn’t hold in the nervous laugh. “That wasn’t a mauling, Gideon.”

  She finally got her water to her lips.

  “How about my apologies for wanting to maul you?”

  Her inhale came at the wrong time and suddenly she found herself drowning again. She choked on the water as his words played hell with her thoughts. Setting the glass down, she hung her head as Gideon ran his hand over her back.

  “Are you okay?”

  The concern in his words touched her, but humiliation was there as well. “Just… don’t ever say that again.” She pushed her hair back over her head and was somehow able to meet his eyes. “I can only take so much.”

  Gideon laughed and the tension lifted.

  They talked for hours. Eve told him about her small-town life in Iowa, her job, her tiny home. Her desire to travel.

  She wanted to see Ireland again. That was where her parents’ families were from and she would give anything to see the rolling green hills again. The beautiful cliffs at sunset. The old castles.

  He told her about his family and when he lived in London. How he grew up impoverished, but how he learned to make something of himself. Something about his story seemed off. He wasn’t lying. She would have been able to tell. But something was… different.

  She brushed it off and leaned back against the cushion, growing drowsy in the warmth.

  Eve didn’t know when her eyes closed, but Gideon’s soft touch on her cheek woke her. Her eyes opened and she discover he was kneeling beside the sofa, watching her. He was back lit by the flames, but even then, she could see the glimmer of his eyes.

  She would blame the fire. She would blame waking up to see his face over hers. Blame whatever she needed to, but she would have her moment. She lifted her hand and touched his lips. “Gideon.” Her heart pounded in her throat. He didn’t pull away, which gave her the courage to press on. “Would… I mean, I know it’s… I don’t…”

  Her fumbling for words ended as he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.

  The forbidden fruit couldn’t have tasted as good as this man, she decided as he slid his tongue across hers. Her hands wound themselves around his neck, holding him tight to her as his kiss deepened.

  “Eve,” his breath was warm against her skin as he wove his hand under her head, lifting her closer to him. This time there was no way she could keep in the sound of her pleasure and his fingers tightened in her hair.

  Just a kiss.

  He tilted her head further back, giving him better access to her and he drank from her lips. Liquid heat curled in her belly as he nipped at her bottom lip and her hands fisted in his hair.

  “We need to stop, beautiful,” he said against her skin.

  “Why?” She shuddered as his free hand ran down her side.

  “Good question,” he answered before tracing her jawline with his tongue.

  The heat in her womb filled her blood and she arched, burning with desire.

  He pulled back to look at her, the goddess in his arms, and knew he couldn’t continue where they wanted this to go. Not with what was going to happen when she found out about them. He could already feel her revulsion at herself letting them taste her lips. He couldn’t add more to it. Wouldn’t. “I can’t do this,” he said, running his thumb across her bottom lip. “And no, it’s not because I don’t want you, Eve.”

  “How did you know that was what I was going to say?” She groaned as he pulled her to her feet.

  “You might find that out tomorrow.”

  Had he ever hated the idea of ‘tomorrow’ before? If not, then he did now. He would have given anything to not open her eyes as to what they were. But, thanks to Essie, he had to. He had already planned for her leaving, because Sebastian was right. There was absolutely no way she was going to stay with them.

  Those thoughts successfully squashed his libido.

  Rising to his feet, he said, “Let’s go find the others.”

  Looking up at him for what felt like forever, she finally took his outstretched hand.

  #

  The smell of coffee and bacon tickled Eve’s nose, rousing her from sleep. She smiled as her eyes opened. A person could get used to this life. Sitting up, she laughed at the lap tray on the cart. Essie had covered her bases.

  Breakfast in bed or at her little table. The choice was hers. She chose the table. Couldn’t let herself become too spoiled. She hopped off the bed and took the covered dish to the table. Returning to the trolley, she poured a still steaming cup of coffee from the small carafe and carefully carried it back to the table.

  The soft warmth of the winter’s sun coming through the window wrapped around her as she sat with her meal. The coffee was strong and smooth, eggs Benedict heavenly, and the bacon perfectly cooked. Between her full be
lly and the warmth around her, she knew she would never get closer to perfection.

  She ignored the newspaper; certain life had gone on during her time away and certain she knew what had happened. Senseless deaths over stupid things. Wars being fought in faraway lands over things that would crumble over time. Someone was always right; someone was always wrong, and lives were lost in the chaos. This morning was beautiful, and she wanted nothing to mar that beauty. Twisting in her seat, she tucked her legs under her and sipped her coffee.

  The view was stunning. From her window, she could see the house was located on a mountain somewhere. Trees covered area, but there were breaks in which she could see part of a fog-filled valley in the distance. Maybe she could take a walk, though she would be hesitant to break the perceived stillness of the land.

  She rose and poured herself a second cup of coffee. Taking it with her, she went to the bathroom. There was a massive shower she had grown addicted to.

  After fiddling with the knobs, she got water streaming from all four shower heads. The heat eased into her skin, loosening a tightness she didn’t know she had. Finally, after realizing that she was never going to run out of hot water, she shut the turned off the taps and stepped out into the now foggy room. She toweled herself off before donning the robe hanging from the back of the door.

  She found a comb in one of the drawers and took that with her into the bedroom. Her dishes were gone. In their place, was a fresh pot of coffee and a folded note.

  Topping off her cup, she took the note and opened it.

  Eve,

  I’ll be gone for most of the day.

  If you get hungry, there is a plate in the refrigerator.

  Be careful when exploring the house. I know Master Alex showed you around, but it’s still easy to get mixed up.

  The library is a lovely place to pass the time and I should return before dark.

  Essie

  Ah, yes! The library would indeed be lovely. Essie’s written words even sounded like her and Eve smiled, remembering her grandmother.

  Combing out the length of her hair took a few minutes then she was able to get dressed. Her cloths were going to fall apart after her wearing the same thing for so long. If only she was closer to home.