Things were more pleasant for Elissa, if only because she knew Devlyn was no longer an issue. While the clan could send someone else after her, she didn’t believe she was worthy of their time. Especially since they had to have been in chaos after Devlyn never returned.
The only issue that continued to haunt them was the fact Cassandra suffered from nightmares. She couldn’t allow herself to let go of the first existence she had ended.
As Elissa sewed the leggings to the size that had been ordered, she wondered what her life would be like if she had remained with the clan. She would now be the third eldest. Was there a chance she would have been listened to? Or were the rest too engrained in Devlyn’s way of operating?
Why ask those things? Elissa wasn’t unlike Cassandra in that way. Holding onto things instead of processing them or letting them go. It wasn’t how the vampire had operated in the past. She couldn’t afford to. But now…
The knock on the door surprised Elissa. Besides the schoolmarm and a neighbor who checked to make certain they had enough fresh goods like milk, no one ever visited them.
Cassandra always handled all the business. She had to so that Elissa could remain mostly hidden and not have to worry about the damaging rays of the sun.
A white man in his late thirties, maybe early forties, stood with his back to her. His hair was nearly the blondness of Cassandra’s. When he turned around, his emerald eyes were what Elissa took notice of.
“Is this the house where Cassandra Peters resides?” The man had taken his hat off from his head. His hands were encased in heavy leather gloves. The wool coat he wore was thicker than any Elissa had ever seen before.
“Who wants to know?” Elissa’s eyes were as cold as the snow that remained drifting around the hut. They narrowed when the man began shifting from side to side.
“My name is Yohan Peters.” Yohan held out his hand. When it was refused, he cleared his throat. “I’m Cassandra’s uncle. I’ve been looking for her since her father passed away over a year ago.”
A year? Elissa’s face remained stoic as she studied the stranger. If he had been looking for Cassandra that long, he could have easily found her at the orphanage.
“My name is Elissa.” The vampire was not about to ask the man to enter, even though the temperatures were around freezing. “I’ve been taking care of Cassandra since the orphanage burnt down. That was about nine months ago. Why didn’t you look there for her?”
Yohan studied the woman standing before him. He had thought he’d discover some naïve young woman who had been charitable in taking in his niece. Instead, he discovered someone he sensed did not intimidate easily.
“I wasn’t aware of where Cassandra had been placed.” Yohan glanced over Elissa’s shoulder. There wasn’t much in the hut, outside a bed, a table and two chairs. There was a bed that appeared for a dog by the foot of the bed. “Once I knew, I’ve been tracking her and you ever sense.”
“Me?” Elissa knew that no one, outside of the Natives and those in this community, even knew she existed. This man was either lying or he was assuming things. Either way, he was dangerous.
As if sensing there was trouble, Elissa heard before she saw the wolf. Low growls were emanating from Raven. The vampire patted her thigh. Instantly, the wolf was by her side.
“Nice…” Yohan’s eyes widened when he realized it was a wolf, not an ordinary dog. “By God that’s a wolf!” He took two steps back.
“Yes, Raven is a wolf. She’s Cassandra’s best friend. She’s very protective of your niece.” Elissa wanted to add that she was too. But seeing Yohan’s expression at the thought of the wolf was enough. For now.
Elissa waited until Yohan was once again focused on her. “You said something about tracking Cassandra and me?” Her eyes had softened when she’d seen Raven. She wasn’t as close to the wolf as her charge, but she still held affection for her. Now, her eyes were glacial once again.
“Yes, well that is to say I tracked Cassandra.” Yohan managed not to look away when he looked into Elissa’s eyes. It wasn’t easy. “No one has actually described you. Not even your next door neighbor.”
A mental note was made to thank Glory for her discreetness. “I’m not one for being in the public. But if it means protecting Cassandra, I’ll do almost anything.”
“I see.” Yohan was becoming irritated with the lack of hospitality the woman was showing him. “Look, this conversation would be easier inside. It would definitely be warmer.”
“Raven and I are fine.” Elissa saw and heard the frustrated breath Yohan released. “I’m asking you only one more time. What do you want with Cassandra?”
“You are not fine. You are rude and arrogant. I don’t think I want my niece around you.” Yohan attempted to push by Elissa. She didn’t have to respond. Raven did it for her.
“If you even think of taking Cassandra from me, you’ll be in for a very rude awakening.” Elissa now stepped out into the cold. She could feel Raven at her heels. “I want nothing from her. In fact, I only want to see her happy. My question would be, what do you want from Cassandra?”
Yohan couldn’t believe any woman was speaking to him in this manner. “This is a family matter. You are anything but family. I suggest you allow me inside and to see my niece.”
“Or what?” Elissa wasn’t certain of the legalities when it came to a minor. But she would be damned if she allowed this man anywhere near her charge until she knew exactly what he wanted from her.
“I’ll get the constable. Once he finds out I’m family and you are keeping me from her…” Yohan trailed off when he looked into glacial eyes. The low growl wasn’t emanating from the wolf this time.
Suddenly a conversation Elissa had overheard about nine months ago flittered through her mind. She took a second or two to make certain of what she had heard.
The men who had come looking for Cassandra from the orphanage had said something about money. Was this so-called uncle looking to cash in on whatever was supposed to be left to his niece?
“You want the money.” It was a statement and accusation. The stunned expression on Yohan’s face confirmed what Elissa was guessing at. “You don’t care about Cassandra at all. You only want the money she’s entitled to by her lineage.”
For a moment, Yohan stood mute. He hadn’t thought anyone would know that Cassandra was quite the wealthy young woman. Depending on how the money was invested, she would be the wealthiest woman in The United States.
“I’ll be back.” Yohan’s boots crunched in the snow as he practically ran away. Elissa stared after the man. There was a part of her that wanted to tear him limb from limb.
There was the bigger part that knew she and Cassandra would have to face this, and many things to come, head on. As if sensing she was thinking about her, Cassandra came from the opposite way the man had turned.
Raven took off like a shot. She nipped at Cassandra’s heels causing the young girl to giggle. Elissa watched the pair as they trudged through the snow. In a few months, her charge would be eleven. Time was flying.
Elissa waited for the pair to make their way to the hut. Did she tell Cassandra her uncle had found her? And why he wanted her?
“Good afternoon!” Cassandra’s smile was the biggest Elissa had witnessed since the incident. While she didn’t want to spoil it, she knew she couldn’t not tell her charge. “There are more orders for you to fill. I need a new slate. I brought some eggs and some milk…”
Cassandra trailed off. The expression on Elissa’s face was not one she’d witnessed in several months. “What happened?” While she had been at the general store, she thought she’d felt something negative coming from her vampire. Now she knew she had.
“Let’s get out of the cold and get you something to snack on before supper.” Elissa held the door open. She pulled the leather latch in and pulled down the cloth to cover the hole. She made her way to the table. Since she needed the windows covered, they used the lantern quite often.
The
youngster took her possessions and placed them on the shelf nearest the window. The coolness would help keep the eggs and milk longer. Cassandra placed the list near what was considered Elissa’s work station.
Elissa retrieved the cookies Glory had brought the day before. She retrieved three of them before making her way to the table. The vampire waited for Cassandra to join her.
The immortal waited for Cassandra to consume her first cookie. “There was someone here looking for you.” Elissa waited to see if her charge responded.
After a few moments watching Cassandra consume the second cookie, Elissa continued. “He claimed to be your uncle. But I really think he was after something. I overheard the men who had been looking for you when we first left the orphanage speaking of money your father gave the orphanage.”
Cassandra swallowed the first bite of her third cookie before handing the rest to Raven. She had lost her appetite. “I don’t even know who my father was. I don’t know who my mother was. All they would tell me at the orphanage was mom died and dad left me there. No notes. No contact.”
Elissa sighed heavily. “We might have to leave before we planned on.” She wasn’t even certain that Cassandra wanted to leave. She knew her charge loved the school and she loved the village.
Even Elissa had to admit they had found a good fit. She could remain in solitude, outside of Raven and Cassandra. So far their neighbors were happy as long as her charge attended school.
“As much as I was beginning to enjoy school, I don’t think I could ever remain.” Cassandra swallowed hard. She didn’t ask if she could have a glass of milk. She knew Elissa would encourage it.
Elissa cursed. She should have realized one of the reasons Cassandra struggled with what had happened was because it had happened here. She hadn’t realized her charge was looking forward to traveling once again.
“I shouldn’t have sworn. Don’t repeat it.” Cassandra’s smile was weak. “I want to apologize. I should have realized how difficult it must be for you to remain here. If we can wait until better weather, I’d prefer that. But if this man attempts to cause us trouble, we’ll leave.”
Cassandra finished off her glass before placing it in the tub used to wash dishes and clothing. She made her way to her vampire. She didn’t ask. She simply sat in Elissa’s lap.
Elissa wrapped her arms around her charge. “I promise we’ll get through anything together. We just have to hold onto one another. Always.”
Chapter 15
It had been almost two weeks since Yohan had made his unexpected visit. Elissa had been visited by Glory who had informed her that he and the constable had been questioning most of the villagers about the living arrangements and Cassandra’s education.
Elissa was planning. She knew Cassandra wanted to leave, but at the same time she wanted to finish out the school year. The vampire had already began packing certain supplies in the wagon she had placed out back of the hut.
The vampire continued to work on the orders. If nothing else, it kept her busy. It kept her from thinking too much about what Yohan was up to. If only he would wait a month or so, they could leave when the temperatures wouldn’t be quite so frigid.
The door opening and closing surprised Elissa. It wasn’t even close to time for Cassandra to be home. She watched her charge place her books on the table. The expression on her face, for once, was unreadable.
Cassandra retrieved the letter she had been given at school. It was the reason she had been excused early. She handed it to her mentor.
Elissa speed read through the letter. “Yohan has been busy.” Azure eyes did not meet emerald ones. “While this is not pleasant news, we knew this was probably going to happen. Is there something else?”
It was personal. Yet Elissa was her family. If not her, who could Cassandra confide in. She reached into her pocket and handed the vampire a packet of letters. “Yohan also gave me these.”
The vampire tilted her head as she took the stack of letters. When Elissa realized who they were from, she looked into Cassandra’s eyes. “Are you certain you want to share them with me?” Cassandra merely nodded.
“All right. Why don’t you get a snack while I read these.” Elissa waited until Cassandra had made her way to the shelf where there was cake remaining from Glory’s generosity.
It took the speed reader only ten minutes to read the twenty letters. Only two of them were from Cassandra’s mother. But those were so full of love it nearly caused Elissa to form tears in her eyes.
The other letters were from Cassandra’s father. The man was a pig. Elissa couldn’t understand how someone so sweet had been married to someone so despicable. Yet, she could as she’d witnessed numerous arranged marriages in her time on earth.
“Your mother was an amazing person. I think you take after her.” Elissa handed the letters back to her charge. “Your father, on the other hand, is probably lucky I can’t get my hands on him.”
Cassandra took a deep breath. Not knowing anything about her parents had been difficult. But she could always fantasize about what they were like.
With her mother, her fantasies had been outdone. With her father, she couldn’t even begin to think of him with so little honor. True, he had left her at the orphanage, even though he had the money to hire someone to raise her. But that was the last positive thing he had ever done for her.
Except now. Cassandra was still attempting to digest the last letter she had been given. Her father had known he was ailing and most likely would die soon. He’d made certain his affairs were in order.
The amount of money was more than Cassandra could even come to terms with. While money would help with her travels with Elissa, it came at too high a price. Yohan was to be her custodian.
In other words, Yohan would control her money. But he would also have to be Cassandra’s guardian. The young girl would not be without Elissa.
“I take it you understand what’s in the letter your father basically made his will.” Cassandra nodded. “It’s a great deal of money. But there’s one thing I’ve always felt. Money isn’t everything. The most important thing is having family. Having someone you can count on. I haven’t had that in a long time. Not until you.”
Cassandra finally smiled. It was the first time since she had read her father’s letter. While she had some sad smiles with her mother’s words, this was a genuine happy smile gracing her face.
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Cassandra finished the piece of cake she had been snacking on. “I’m going to miss Miss Glory’s goodies.”
Elissa couldn’t help but laugh. “I know you’ve learned a few of her recipes. So you won’t be completely without them.” The wind picked up at that moment. It was too cold to travel too far to the north. Perhaps if they traveled a little to the south they would be all right.
“No, I won’t.” Cassandra placed her fork on her plate. “Are we leaving in the morning?” She took a sip of the water she had brought, along with the cake she had consumed.
“I’m afraid leaving tonight would be best.” Elissa hated to spring it on her charge. “I have some of the orders prepared. If you could take them to the general store it would give us some money to travel on.”
“I can do that.” Cassandra hastily stood. “I’d like to get this over with. I’d like to say goodbye to Miss Glory. Then I’d like to take a nap before we leave. I want to be awake when we say goodbye to the village.”
“All right.” Elissa stood and gathered everything she had ready. She wished it was more. But a new threat to their happiness had arrived. And they needed to distance themselves.
Cassandra took the bundle. Without even having to ask, Raven was by her side. Luckily, most of the villagers didn’t give the wolf a second thought. As long as they were nice to Cassandra, Raven was nice to them.
As Cassandra made her way through the village, she made certain to speak to everyone she knew. This was different than leaving the orphanage. No one there had cared for her. They had all thought she w
as an oddity.
Why, when things were going so well, did Cassandra now have to leave? At least she had Elissa and Raven. As long as she had them, she would be all right.
The bell rang when Cassandra entered the general store. Mr. Timmons was behind the counter. He smiled brightly at her as she made her way directly toward him.
“I have most of the orders. Unfortunately, we’re leaving soon. My friend won’t be able to fill the rest.” Cassandra placed the bundle of leathers on the counter.
“That’s a shame. Your friend does amazing work.” Mr. Timmons counted the articles of clothing, not bothering to check on the quality. “Not only will I give you money for these, but I owe you some supplies. I’ll bet you’ll want them for your trip.”
“That we will.” Cassandra didn’t notice the shadow that was following her. Raven was well aware someone was watching her friend. She positioned herself between the figure and Cassandra.
It didn’t take long for Cassandra to finish being paid. The box she was given with supplies was heavier than she planned on, but she would somehow manage it.
As Cassandra made her way toward the door, Raven placed herself between the door and the figure. She glanced down at her wolf wondering what Raven was up to.
“You must be Cassandra.” Cassandra’s head whipped up. She found herself staring into similar emerald eyes. Only these were not as friendly as hers. “My name is Yohan. I’m your uncle.”
Cassandra stiffened. She wished there was another way out of the general store. He was one of two men she hadn’t wanted to run into.
“Are you shy, stupid or been brainwashed?” Yohan didn’t have time to mince words. He could tell by her transaction she and that bitch were planning on leaving.
The words shocked her. They shouldn’t after have read what her father had said of herself and her mother. Cassandra continued to stare mutely at the man.
“You need to come with me.” Yohan reached into his pocket. He retrieved a piece of paper. “This here says that I’m your legal guardian. That woman needs to stay out of your life. For good.”
Bonded Souls Page 9
