by L. C. Son
“I called your aunt while you were at the spa and told her I was going to tell you the truth. I didn’t like the idea of marrying you without you knowing everything. But she begged me to wait. She said the transference would take better after we consummated our union. I told her I didn’t care if I had the orb—I wanted to just tell you everything. It was eating me up inside keeping it from you.”
“That’s why you were so handsy with me.”
“I thought I could—but I couldn’t.”
“Why? What changed?”
“Everything changed, baby. Seeing you in Marchand’s arms. The way he looked at you and the way you looked back—I knew I had one last chance to prove to you that I would never hurt you. One last chance to make you mine—again. It was supposed to be my gift to you on our wedding night—at least that’s what your father requested. But I couldn’t wait until then because I was afraid that if I waited there would be no wedding. So I dug deep. Every ounce of love I have for you and all my fear of losing you was enough to channel the orb.”
“It looked like it almost killed you.”
“I suppose it could have, if I held on any longer. Especially since we weren’t in harmony at the time. But I’d do it all over again if I needed. I just needed you to see—"
“Jackson, I’m so sorry. If I had only stayed in D.C.”
“Baby no tears,” Jackson says cupping my chin in his hand. “Not tonight. Tonight, I want to dance with my lady, my love. They’re playing our song! Do you remember it?”
“I remember. We danced to it at the Crab Claw. It’s one of the few times you were okay with public displays of affection. Wait, a minute—you did this?”
“I had a little help.” I bow my head over my shoulder where Gregory stands next to Mark in the window.
“Please, Damina, take my hand.” Pulling her hand in mine, vibrant streams of golden electricity rivet through our bodies.
We dance as the song plays and I squeeze her tight in my arms. Everything about this moment feels right. Damina nestles her head into my shoulder and I realize just how much I’ve missed this.
Tears rush from behind Damina’s eyes as she ponders our conundrum. Though it’s painful to admit, I know she loves both me and Dalcour. Somehow in their short time together, he’s captured her heart. Now it’s my time to reclaim it.
Precious tears fall from Damina’s eyes again and I wipe her face. Tracing the outline of her luscious lips with her tears, my eyes grow wide with desire and I plunge my mouth onto her.
Kissing her is like heaven and everything in me wants to claim my bride.
“I love you,” I whisper in her ear. The pace of my heartbeat quickens as we press our bodies together tight.
A crowd of onlookers’ gawks at us through but they are the least of my concern. All I know in this moment is that Damina is mine. All mine and I have no plans of sharing.
“Nothing matters more to me than you, Damina. Nothing. Do you understand?” I utter, holding her face in my hands, forcing eye contact.
Keeping a firm hold of my beloved, I lean into her ear and say, “Listen, baby, it doesn’t matter what happened with you and him this week—”
“Jackson, no, let me explain. It’s not what you—”
“No, it’s all my fault,” I protest. “I can lay everything that happened at my feet. If only I had been honest from the beginning. My actions drove you away—to this.” I reply, looking around the mansion with disgust.
“Look, Jack, I need to explain what really happened.”
“No. You don’t owe him an explanation, Beautiful,” Dalcour says in a strong and sturdy tone. He gazes at me with a such an ominous glare a weaker man would both fear and faint.
Luckily for me, I am not that man.
Well, perhaps I did pick this fight, but I also have every intent to win.
Dalcour
Something about tonight’s breach felt different. Wrong. There wasn’t a trace of my brother’s handiwork, which made me suspicious the moment we left the mansion. And it is without question that Nashoba and his crew are at the epicenter of tonight’s alleged misfortune.
Now, facing Jackson with his arms wrapped around Damina, I know without question, he is to blame. But it’s seeing how Damina stands torn between me and Jackson that tears my heart in two.
“Look, Marchand. I don’t want to make a scene. This is between Damina and me. I only came to get my fiancé.” The arrogance in which he speaks offends me more than anything.
“That’s just it, Nashoba. She isn’t your fiancé. At least not anymore. So why don’t you and your puppies leave!” I shout back. I’ve grown quite tired of his pompousness.
“Both of you stop it! And stop talking as if I weren’t standing right here. I, and I alone decide where I’m going and where I belong. But this isn’t happening—not this time.” Damina shakes her head at both me and Jackson and Braelyn’s words from yesterday plague my mind. “Now, both of you, listen. Dal, I’m sorry I’ve brought my troubles to your door, but this conversation is between Jackson and me.”
“Beautiful, I won’t let him hurt you more than he already has. Besides, I know you aren’t really considering going back to him. At least not now. Not after all we’ve shared. What about us?”
She’s breaking me.
Does she know how much power she has over me?
“I need time. If nothing more, I need to stop running and face the issues. I owe it to myself and Jackson.”
“Thank you, baby,” Jackson says kissing her cheek. She frowns and I know she is uncomfortable between the two of us. I want to run and pound my fists into his perfect jawline, but Lux grabs my arms keeping me away from Jackson.
“Don’t thank me too soon. Jackson, you know I love you and I always will. But a lot has transpired since we’ve been apart. I need time to sort through it all. Even more, I made a promise to my friends and they are counting on me. I will not leave them now.”
“Bravo! Bravo! Well said, my lady!” A thunderous clap turns our attention to the edge of the garden maze. A man, who I detect is a wolf, with a resemblance to Jackson appears out of the darkness ambling through the vaulted columned lights near the fire pit. He bellows a wicked laugh and continues clapping as he walks up the steps.
Jackson jumps in front of Damina, shielding her at his back. “What are you doing here, Keiron?”
Quickly, I am at Damina’s side but my lips curl at the sight of Jackson’s grip around Damina’s wrist, but I stifle my fury and keep my sights on this new intruder.
“You mongrels sure do travel in packs!” I sneer.
“Answer the question, Keiron! Why are you here?” Damina says, pushing herself between me and Jackson. Her skin glows brightly, and I instantly know this intruder has something to do with her heartbreak.
“Oh, my lady. Don’t lose your venom on me! Like I told you before, I gain nothing at the cause of your displeasure. For it was not I who deceived you all these years. That would be my brother’s doing!” Jackson snarls at Keiron’s claim.
“At least the mutt speaks the truth!” Crossing my arms at my waist, I can’t help laughing at the sibling quarrel.
“Well, I wouldn’t laugh too quick if I were you, Lord Marchand. I mean, it is you that has the lovely Ms. Nicaud glowing so brightly, is it not? It’s that very light that has attracted every Scourge and Skull for miles. All of which are dying to sample her tasty flesh!”
Pure rage fuels me and I leap toward him, “They’ll never get in an inch of her!” A shimmering red current shines through me as my fists lock at my sides. Titan and Lux maintain their position and their growls echo my fury.
Keiron laughs once more, rubbing his hands together, unmoved. “To the contrary, my lord, they already have! At least two times if I’m correct. Let’s see, there was the time at the Civility Center and the night at the cemetery.�
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“Three times if you count the alley.” Mikkel’s snake-like voice speaks beyond the darkness of the courtyard and his pale, luminous frame appears at Keiron’s side. Mikkel’s wide, devious grin ignites an inferno-like eruption within me.
Traitor!
“It was you!” Damina shouts as images her running from him in the alley adjacent to the Tavern invade my mind. A burning fire sizzles inside me at the thought of Mikkel’s treachery.
“Why yes? Our encounter at the Hall of Isis was only our second. The oracles had long foretold of your coming. You caused quite a torrent when you arrived. Once I discovered its origin at Bessie’s Tavern, I knew I had to find you. I underestimated you to my own demise. But my hand will heal—in time!”
Lifting his injured hand, it’s translucence reveals his duplicity. He’s a Vitreous-Altrinion traitor!
Damina charges Mikkel head on, full of rage but me and Jackson hold her arms, preventing her attack.
“Well someone’s become a spunky little sprite, haven’t you?” Keiron chuckles and claps his hands once more.
“Wait a minute—what oracles? Why were you even after Damina in the first place?” Brae says from behind.
“Oracles have foretold of Damina’s arrival long before your scourged soul came into this world!” Mikkel’s motions are quick like a phantom as he saunters up the steps in a flash. He sneers in Brae’s direction, unleashing his long, reptilian-like tongue, showing his fangs. Brae grimaces but maintains behind Mark. “The ever-beautiful Ms. Nicaud is nothing more than an obstacle that must be extinguished!”
Gasps echo as Mikkel implies Damina’s demise and I feel the beast rising within me and my crimson eyes burn like fire. “So it was you all this time, Mikkel? You compromised the CC and the Hall, making it look like Dranoel’s doing. For what? Were you afraid I’d find true love? Working with my brother—against me!”
“I care not for who you love or your worthless grandstanding competition with Decaux! But as the last of the pure Altrinion line, her very existence threatens our way of life.” Mikkel lashes back.
As he speaks, all else becomes silent to me. Only the memory of Trieu’s warning haunts my mind. She forewarned there were others who would only want Damina’s demise. She told me threats would come.
Why did I think just finding love would make everything okay?
To be Fated is to live with a constant target on not just your back, but your entire being. What pleasure can come from a love without peace?
Perhaps Damina is better off with Jackson?
If only he could have protected her as he should have—no one would know of her lineage!
I’d gladly give my life for hers!
As much as it pains me, I would rather see her with Jackson if it meant preserving her life.
I’ll choose her life before another—including my own. And I’d do so every time!
Chapter 26
Jackson
This is not how I expected to spend this evening.
Watching Keiron take the life of a young human girl only confirmed he is no longer my brother. He is an enemy to me. However, fighting alongside my wolfen-kin reminded me I have a brotherhood that far extends my birth order.
Holding one Skull by the throat, I rip out his jugular and fling him across the parlor. Blood splatters across the glass pane of the parlor doors and I laugh as another Skull falls in the pile of carcasses I’ve amassed.
“Are you soulless beasts good for anything!” Keiron sneers to the remaining wolves around him.
“That’s what you get little brother, when you send Goliath for David.” I say with bated breath.
“The hubris that emits from you, brother, is reprehensible! Being our father’s favorite has gone to your head. You are no more deserving to be Alpha Lord than any of these incapable canines at your feet. Yet, somehow, you’ve convinced yourself you can have it all! The title. The pack. And the love. But you can’t! And why should you? You don’t even want it!”
“And you want it too much, Keiron!”
“So what? Would you rather live as father and those before him did—hiding instead of being a true leader!”
“A true leader knows how to lead by keeping his people safe!”
“Oh, like you kept Damina safe?”
“Mention her name one more time—”
“And what? What will you do? Nothing. You’ll do nothing. The power of Alpha Lord lives in you and you refuse to be what you really are!”
“What do you know of it, Keiron?”
“We should live as gods among men. As Alpha Lord, every creeping thing would be subject to your command.”
“Is that all you want, Keiron? To have control. That’s not power, little brother. We are not gods—just another created thing!”
“Then accept my challenge and fight! I’ll show you what a god looks like!”
“No brother, I will not fight you. We both know there’s only two ways for you to assume the role as alpha. You’d have to kill me through challenged combat and or succeed me in death. And the battalion you’ve sent so far has been no match for me—”
“Well, we shall end this archaic tradition tonight! Now, this, Keiron is how we put an end to such trivial pursuits!” Mikkel’s shadowy form emerges from the dark corners of the parlor as he slices through my abdomen from behind. Four Scourges pounce on me. Two Scourge lick the forward side of the knife as blood pours from my body while two other clamps onto my arms with their teeth.
I look up and see Damina standing at the doorway and I know for the first time she has forgiven me as burgeoning grief fills her lovely face. Smiling at her weakly, blood seeps from my mouth as Mikkel rips the blade from my body.
Two more Scourge jump on me, but I kick free of them with my remaining strength, keeping my eyes on Damina. I want to tell her to run, but I don’t have the voice.
While I’d hate for her to see me leave her like this, I want her to know I’ll happily fight for her to my very end.
“End him!” Mikkel’s shrieking command echoes through the parlor and a pack of Skull appear from the corner of the parlor hall.
Coldness sweeps over me and the pulsing of my heart declines. The gnawing of the wolf within me lessens, but he pounds like a caged lion in my chest, begging for his release. Just as my eyes close, a bright warm light fills the room. A hurling hurricane force of wind rattles the sediment, shaking the foundation of the mansion with the force of an earthquake.
The luminous light shines like the sun, but my eyes are too weak to see it in full. Peering through the cracks of my eyes, I see a sliver of a face smiling down on me. A small burst of a calmingly sweet aroma wafts past me and I know with all certainty it is Damina. I feel her hands on my chest and a warm heat like the kindling of fire crackles through me and the life that once sought its retreat, slowly returns to me.
I awake to find Damina, glowing brightly but eerily still in my arms.
Dalcour
What we didn’t chase off the property we killed. Nothing was left alive with any mal intent.
Rushing back into the mansion, I search for everyone—and for Damina. The mansion is quiet, but the stench of spilled blood fills the atmosphere. Mark and Gregory are at my side as we search around the mansion looking for everyone. Titan remained outside with Lux, Dilano and Shawn to ensure the perimeter is safe.
As we near the foyer, a bright golden light shines under the parlor doors. Mark slides the doors open and a blinding glow reminiscent of the sun’s light blazes through the mansion with an intense heat. Mark crosses the threshold with Gregory, but I cannot. The radiating light emitting from the front of the parlor, scorches my skin. Smoke rises from me, burning my arms and feet.
“Ow!” Braelyn screams from the foyer.
“Get away from here now!” Mark shouts over his shoulder at Braelyn. I t
urn and look at her and see red blisters layer her face and hands.
“Braelyn do what he says! Go, now!” I yell.
Although it hurts, I can withstand some of the light, but it’s obvious it would be too dangerous for Braelyn.
“What is it?” Gregory says.
“It’s her. Damina,” a faint voice calls from the front.
“Jack-O? Is that you?” Gregory questions, stepping further into the light.
“Yes, it’s me,” Jackson answers.
My heart sinks to the bottom of my gut as I now see Jackson holding Damina’s limp body in the background. Gazing around the room I see nothing but the remains of dead Skull and ash husks of the Scourge. Peering through the light I even spot Mikkel’s sword on the floor next to Keiron and I am sure Mikkel’s treachery has met its end.
Trying once more to cross the threshold, Gregory raises his hand to my chest as he sees smoke singe my forearms. He shakes his head in caution.
“We’ll go get her, Lord Marchand,” Gregory states and I’m surprised by his sudden kindness.
“We got her, Big D!” Mark echoes. “Get back toward the terrace and keep Brae with you until we get her settled,” Mark orders.
“I’ll make certain they call you to her once this subsides,” Jackson says from the distance. Despite every ounce of animosity I feel for him, I know his sentiment is true.
I race to the back terrace, taking Braelyn with me. Braelyn looks up at me with tears pouring down her face and slams into my chest and cries.
Chapter 27
Nothing has been the same since that night. The woman who should have torn their worlds apart has now merged them into one. New alliances are forged while old enemies remain. A truce born from tragedy has turned their worlds upside down.
All that matters is their love for her.
At least for now.
“How did your time go in the Taming Wells? Do you think Kate will make it?” Jackson questions Dalcour as he saunters slowly down the hall.
“She’s coming along,” Dalcour begins. “Titan’s made good progress with her so far—so has Braelyn.”
