Bound by Destiny

by Stephanie Yarns

  “But why?” she asked.

  “We don’t know,” Gideon said, running a hand through his hair. “I wish we did. We would know what to protect you from. But you gave me an important clue.”

  “The Fae thing,” she said, and he nodded.

  “For all intents and purposes, you are human. No trace of the magic it would take to create these marks.”

  She looked at Sebastian. “That was what you meant when… we… talked. When you asked me what I was?” When he hated her.

  He nodded before lifting her hand to gently kiss it. “I couldn’t believe you said you were a librarian. Why chose something so… not exotic.”

  She laughed, surprising herself.

  “You were brought here for a reason. The attack was done for a reason. And with the knowledge that you have Fae blood, that brings a whole new set of players to the game,” Gideon said.

  “Well, we can rule out two groups. Human, just, no. And witches don’t have that kind of power,” Micah said.

  “Mages tend to stay out of range of our kind,” Alex said.

  “Wait. Wait! What?” Eve could feel the fear trickling in. “All these things exist?”

  Micah squeezed her hand. “If we can exist, why can’t they?”

  Good question.

  “I can’t know about this now. Please,” she begged, laying her head back and closing her eyes. She was still calm, but she could feel it starting to fracture. Time. She just needed time to process. “I just… I need to think.”

  “Of course you do.” Gideon stood.

  “Do you want to be alone?” Sebastian asked.

  “I don’t know. I don’t think so,” she said, as honestly as possible. “There’s just so much more in life that I didn’t know about. I need some time to adjust.” She opened her eyes.

  “Do you need me, Eve?” Micah asked, his voice soft and low. “I was thinking that Alex and I could go do something. You have Sebastian and Gideon here. That will give you some space. But I won’t be far.”

  She glanced at him. “My anxiety getting to you?” She smiled a bit. “I’m kidding. I’m… okay now.” She looked down at their hands. “I’m sure you’ll know when I freak out.”

  Micah used his free hand to life her face to look at her. “If you do, it’s only natural. Please don’t think any less of yourself.”

  Her eyes closed as he pressed his lips to her head, warmth filling her. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  He slid his hand from hers before standing. “Come on, Alex. Let’s give them some space.” Some of the fear came back with the loss of his touch, but it was manageable.

  Eve looked to Alex. “I’m sorry.” She told the one person who attempted to let her know that something was different about them. The one she called a liar.

  His blue eyes were steady as he watched her. “It’s understandable,” he said, the hint of a smile touching the corners of his mouth. “We’ll talk later.” He winked at her before turning and following Micah from the room.

  She took a deep shuddery breath as the calming influence of Micah left with them. She wouldn’t panic. Not now. She could handle this. “So…” she trailed off, not knowing what to say.

  “You don’t have to try to make awkward conversation,” Sebastian said, stroking his thumb over the top of her hand.

  She couldn’t stop the laugh that wanted out. Part nerves, part relaxing of nerves, and part humor. “Yeah, it would be awkward. I don’t know what to say. But I feel like I should. I just… I don’t know, never felt more displaced as I do right now. I think that’s the right way to say it.”

  “We’ll only talk about what you are comfortable with,” Gideon said, leaning forward in his seat. “Just please remember, we are no different than we were yesterday, okay?”

  “Oh no! You’re very different. Like colossally different. But thank you,” she finally thought to say. She stared into the hazel eyes of the man across the table from her. “For being honest with me. And for the things that would help me get away.” She glanced down at the phone and keys. “Though, it doesn’t look like I’ll be using them right away.”

  “It doesn’t matter. They are still yours. You can call whoever you need to. I’m sure talking to your mother will help. And you can come and go as you please.” He stopped and she looked back at him. “I would like to ask one favor. Just to put my mind at ease.”

  “What is it?”

  “As long as you stay with us, please don’t go anywhere during the day. Please wait until the evening. Let one of us go with you. We can’t protect you during the day.” His lips tried to smile but looked more like a grimace.

  “The mark.” She shot a quick look at Sebastian. “It wouldn’t do to wake up dead.”

  “Not just that,” Gideon said with a real smile this time. “I don’t know if you have realized this yet, but we care about you as well, Eve.”

  Sebastian’s thumb moved over her hand again. “Indeed we do.”

  She met the eyes of the man that she marked first. “I know,” she whispered, blinking back tears.

  Fallon reappeared in the room.

  He threw a look at Eve when she gave a quick breath. “Sorry princess, no time for niceties. Gideon, there is something out there you should see.”

  Gideon rose, not liking the note in the other man’s voice. “What is it?” he asked, circling the table.

  “I don’t have a clue.” Fallon shrugged but his eyes met Eve’s. Just a fraction of a second, but she knew, didn’t she? This had something to do with her.

  Gideon gave Sebastian a look before meeting Eve’s eyes. “I don’t know how long this will take, so I will bid you a good night.”

  Her heart back under control, she nodded at him. “Be careful, Gideon. I care as well.”

  His smile was lopsided and looked out of place on a face was usually the picture of control. “Why, I do believe you mean it.”

  Fallon made a sound. “Tick-tock, Gideon, I’m not getting younger.”

  “Boy…” Gideon turned to him as he vanished. “Sorry, Eve.” He disappeared right after Fallon.

  “Jesus.” She clenched her fingers around Sebastian’s hand. Her other hand burned a little and she glanced at it. The mark of Micah shone softly, and she fought for control. “I’m fine. I’m fine,” She chanted softly to herself.

  “Eve, look at me. Please.”

  Sebastian’s voice washed over her and she let it drag her from that black abyss. Pulling her eyes from the mark was difficult, but worth it as she found Sebastian waiting for her. His free hand stroked her cheek.

  “Breathe,” his voice was soft. “That’s it,” he said as she remembered how her lungs worked.

  “Will I ever get used to that?” she asked, on the verge of tears. She didn’t want to be weak, frightened by everything she was seeing.

  “Only time will tell,” he said, thumb caressing her skin. “Though, you’re still here. So, there may be hope.”

  She trapped his hand against her, the warmth seeping into her flesh. There was a sadness in his eyes she didn’t understand. But if she could accustom herself to them, could stay long enough, maybe he would tell her why he locked himself away.

  “Hope.” She turned her face closer to his hand, nuzzling him, breathing in his scent.

  His fingers curled against her. “Eve, I don’t think you should do that.”

  “Why?”

  #

  Sebastian pulled his hands from her and stood. She was quiet as he walked away from her. “Why won’t you let me feel you?” she asked softly.

  “You don’t know what it does to me,” he said while keeping his back to her, as if ashamed by his admission. “To feel you touching me…” He trailed off.

  She eased up to the edge of her chair. “I’m talking about your emotions. Why do you have them locked away?”

  He faced her again. “You don’t want to know what I am feeling right now.”

  “Do you want to hurt me?” she asked.

 
“No. I don’t. It’s something else.” He cocked his head, studying her. “Is that always going to be the conclusion you jump to? I’ve been what I am for an extremely long time. I can control myself.”

  “Well, until you open up, then yes, probably.”

  He shook his head. He couldn’t do it. Couldn’t let her know of the need he had for her, desire that tore at him. On top of everything else, she didn’t need that. He finally stopped pacing and stared out the window, trying to find the detached part of himself. The part that didn’t feel. “I can’t.”

  Eve’s fingers touched his back, soft and hesitant. “I’m sorry,” her voice was barely a whisper. “I didn’t mean to push you. I’ll leave you alone now. Goodnight.” Her fingers stopped burning him and he could practically feel her leave the room. The vitality that she had, the warmth, vanished. He took a deep breath and couldn’t taste her in the air. It was for the best. Sure, she wanted him. When she thought he was human. And he would never not want her.

  Cursing, he turned. He would at least make sure she didn’t get lost.

  Liar.

  Okay. Maybe he just wanted to torture himself some more. It didn’t take him long to find her. “You don’t have to apologize to me,” he said, and she jumped, spinning around.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked, breathless.

  “Making sure you make it to your room.”

  “Well, I won’t if you give me a heart attack.” She glared at him and he held his hands up.

  “I tried to make noise.”

  “Try harder.” She looked around the room. “Why did Gideon make this place so impossible to get through?”

  “It’s an added layer of protection,” he said, taking her elbow and turning her to the other door. “If someone were to get in—”

  “They would get lost after the first room.”

  “That’s the idea.”

  She was quiet for a moment. “Do people break in often?”

  “Never. But… well, know that you know about the other side, we do have enemies.”

  Finally, they came to the bedrooms. “Which one is yours?” She nodded down the only hallway in the home, lined with doors.

  “Why?” he asked.

  “Just curious.” She gave him a sidelong look. “I’m not planning a panty raid.”

  He laughed. “Second on the right.”

  She looked down the hallway to his door. “Who is that?” She pointed to the one across from hers.

  “Gideon.”

  She made a noise.

  “What?” he asked.

  “I just had the stereotypical va…” She trailed off. Could she say it? Nope. “I just… coffins. I pictured coffins. A dark basement. You know, Dracula.” Her face heated to the point of flames at his grin.

  “Well, you’ve never seen my room. What kind of wood do think my coffin is made of?”

  Oh god, he was teasing her. Had to be. Wasn’t he?

  “Cherry,” she said.

  “No. The tones don’t match my complexion. I’m more of an oak man.”

  “Oak? Hmm, I would have said teak after cherry.”

  “That’s more Gideon’s taste,” he said.

  “Sebastian?”

  “Hmm?”

  “Please tell me you are playing.”

  His laughter meant everything in the world to her.

  “Yes, Eve. I’m playing.” He touched her nose. That gesture warmed her from hairline to toes. “My room is a lot like yours, only minus the windows. I sleep on a bed, the same as you. Mine is made of oak.”

  “No piles of skulls? No bats hanging from rafters?”

  “No skulls. No bats.”

  She squinted her eyes at him, feigning, hopefully, disbelief.

  “I can show you,” he said, and she quickly shook her head. He was surprised at the disappointment he felt.

  “No, I’m pretty sure if I go in there, I’ll throw myself at you and you’ll push me away again.” Her smile was rueful. “I don’t think my psyche can handle anything else tonight.”

  “Eve—” Sebastian started to speak but she didn’t want to hear it.

  “It’ll be okay.” She cut him off. “Probably for the best anyway. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m exhausted.”

  He took her shoulders in his hands and pulled her closer, pressing his lips to her head. The flinch he expected didn’t happen, neither did she pull away from him. What she did do took him completely by surprise. She stepped into him and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressed her cheek to his chest and closed her eyes.

  Chalk it up to shock. Exhaustion. Information overload. She would take any of those words, she decided as he hesitantly held her in his arms. Any of them would work. Or maybe, she simply felt it in her heart. After being told she had nothing to worry about a few times, she finally believed it. The feel of his fingers, sliding through her hair, lulled her, pulling her closer to the darkness of sleep. She hadn’t been playing when she told him she was tired. His warmth combined with the feel of him touching her wrapped her in a comfortable lethargy. One that made him chuckle as her knees almost gave out.

  “Eve?” his voice was a rough rumble in her ear.

  “Mmm.”

  “Do you need help to bed?”

  She wanted to say no. To tell him she was a big girl, but she couldn’t find the energy to speak. The best she could do was a slight shake of her head. But it didn’t matter. He didn’t listen to her anyway.

  He shifted and dimly she heard a click. Another shift and her feet were off the ground. Her fingers closer around the fabric of his shirt, but she knew he was strong. Her last thought before sleep claimed her was the memory of him carrying her before.

  Sebastian eased her down into the chair by the table before turning to pull down the blankets on her bed. Facing her, he couldn’t fight the warmth swelling in his heart. She looked so precious, asleep in the high-back chair. Her lashes dark against the paleness of her skin. Her lips slightly open. A goddess caught napping.

  He shook his head at his foolish thoughts as he knelt and pulled her shoes off. She was almost weightless is his arms as he slowly lifted her before laying her down. Pulling the covers over her, he sat on the edge of the bed, watching her peacefully dreaming.

  How she was still with them was beyond a mystery. Had Micah not grabbed her, she would have been gone and he wouldn’t have blamed her. But even after she came to, she could have left.

  For some reason, she chose them.

  #

  Gideon was standing in front windows looking out into the dark when Sebastian made it back into the study. “They know she’s here,” he said.

  “The way Fallon spoke, I had a feeling that it was something along those lines.” Sebastian watched the stiff back of his friend.

  “There was a rune on the trunk of a tree at the edge of our property. Fallon happened to see it while out hunting.” He took a deep breath. “Where is she?”

  “In bed.”

  “Are you certain?”

  “Yes. She fell asleep on her feet.” Despite the tension in the room, Sebastian smiled.

  “Good. Wouldn’t do for her to see me like this.” Gideon turned.

  Sebastian could see immediately what he meant. In addition to the red in his eyes and his teeth being down, he had his claws out.

  “I’m going hunting and if I find who ever thinks to hurt her, that will be the last thought they have.”

  “You want company?” Sebastian could feel his own monster scratching for release.

  Gideon nodded. “Go tell the others. Fallon is still out there, but either Alex or Micah need to stay here. Preferably both, but one may need to eat.” He took a deep breath. “I’ll meet you out back.”

  Sebastian turned, fighting himself. Don’t change. Not yet. Just in case. He found the others in the game room, trying to destroy each other with bullets made of pixels. Alex looked up at him, silently setting his controller down.

  “Who do we need to kill?” He sto
od.

  Micah turned and looked.

  “How bad is it?” Sebastian asked.

  “Just the eyes,” Micah said.

  He was losing his fight. “They know she is here.” Rushing through his words, he told them what Gideon found. “I need one of you to stay here.”

  Alex gave a quick nod. “I fed earlier. I’ll watch her.”

  As Micah stood, Alex added, “Guys, be careful. We don’t know what we are dealing with.”

  They broke into a run while Alex took off at a more sedate pace. Sebastian said she was asleep, but that didn’t mean she still was. He stopped at her door and gave a soft knock. He didn’t want to wake her but didn’t want to scare her if she was. Cracking the door, he peered in. Vampiric sight let him find her in the darkness, laying still in the middle of the bed. He eased in and closed the door behind him. Silently, he made his way to the chair and turned it, facing outside.

  Sitting, he kept watch. The sky was becoming a lighter blue when the door to her room opened slowly. He spun, up and out of the chair, launching himself at the widening wedge of hall light.

  “It’s me,” Sebastian whispered, catching the younger vampire by the arm.

  “Sorry bro,” Alex whispered back.

  “Don’t be. You were doing what I asked.” He glanced over Alex’s shoulder. She was still sleeping.

  He pulled Alex out into the hall. “We found more runes. There are seven of them at various points surrounding the property. We don’t know what they’re for, but we’re pretty certain it’s nothing good.” He kept inside the growl that choked him. “Go, get some rest. I’ll take over from here.”

  Alex glanced back into the room, checking on Eve, before his eyes moved to the window. “What are we going to do during the day?”

  “I’m going to move her into my room. I don’t need as much sleep.” His lips twitched, the first sign of humor in hours. “An advantage of being Methuselah. We will make a plan tomorrow.”

  “Essie can help.”

  Sebastian nodded, a cold smile on his lips. “She would love to.”

  “Same thing, Sebastian. Be careful. We don’t know who or what they are.”

  Sebastian gripped Alex shoulder. “Watch your back.” He let him go.