Colm shifted his feet and regaining Lorcan’s attention went on, “The survivors are spreading the tale of a wee female, with strength beyond the imagination, and the powers of a….witch.” Colm swallowed hard before he offered the last, “A witch with magic from all Castes and strength that surpasses even Myrrdyn’s.”
Lorcan’s gaze dropped to the ground - the snow covered ground. A witch wielding the magic of the Nature Caste could be responsible for both the snow and the lightning. If Kaitriana was the Chosen, that power would have been but one of seven she held…before she was transitioned to Vampire. He shook his head once more in wonder. He took three long breaths to steady his emotions then flicked his eyes back to hers, “You?” He witnessed a panic before she schooled her features into blank mask.
Kaitriana did not yet have his vow of protection and she was in the middle of a field of over three hundred warrior Vampire. She twisted slightly to glance into the dark night behind him surveying their number again before returning her gaze to him, brows raised in askance. Lorcan tilted his head towards her in question but he did not wonder for long. She nibbled at her lip and responded with a question of her own, “Would that be a cause for retaliation from you, Vampire?”
Damn it, if she bit that lower lip once more it would bleed again. Lorcan knew he need not be within such proximity if her blood were freely flowing now that he knew her to be Kaitriana. He had tasted its intoxicating essence and he did not have fury to keep him from wanting her, truly wanting all of her, now. He was rattled and his thoughts were irrational, but he wanted the little witch in his arms to remain right there. With much difficulty he focused once more on her question. The witch still held fear of him and that would not do.
Lorcan offered gently in answer, “No.” He gave her a reassuring smile and stood, pulling her to her feet in front of him. Kaitriana swayed, suffering the hunger and the dizzying effects of the surge of her magic. With the instinct to protect her now driving him, Lorcan ran his hands over her arms to steady her and resisted the urge to drag her to him. The top of her head was a good many inches below his chin and when he released her this time, he adjusted his stance to gaze down into her upturned face.
He needed to know what had happened this night and how she had gone from such great power to being transitioned to Vampire in such short time. The timing did not make sense. A transition was completed only after the sleep and the sleep took any number of days. According to Jortha, her war on the Ancient Dark using those Witch powers, magic that could not exist in her Vampire form, began but a few short hours ago.
Rubbing his temples, Lorcan reviewed the facts as he knew them again. The transition of a witch to a vampire was impossible, making the use of Witch magic by a vampire equally impossible. His existence alone, in all these years and in the entire Realm, defied those rules of nature. Did hers now as well? Lorcan shook that thought away. Fate would not gift him with both the girl and leave her tremendous magic intact; the strength of it could tip the balance of power in the Realm back to the Ancient Light.
He did know at the very least that her existence defied the laws the Vampire Council, meaning that it was his duty to destroy her. Yet he knew already that he would deliver death to any that would seek her harm. It was a blow to the Ancient Light that the powerful witch had been robbed of her destiny, her magic destroyed by the transition; however, he would bring her into his Coven. He would see that she found her place within the Vampire faction. He would defend her to the Council and they would not deny him this. Lorcan knew well that they needed his strength and protection and that of his warriors more than they needed his obedience to their laws.
Lorcan raised his gaze skyward, the snow had ceased. He could tell that her transition was over and there were no more signs of pain in her body. That observation solidified his decision and Lorcan would not be moved from it; he would be keeping her. The Witch in her was dead and the magic that had sparked in her throughout this night had been killed along with it. Yes, he intended to keep her, Council be damned.
With his mind set, Lorcan nodded his understanding of the situation to Colm. Her comfort and care must be his priority now. She would collapse from the hunger soon if untended and he inclined his head towards her, “Though she may well be the witch that warred with the Dark tonight, somehow she has been transitioned. The magic will have died with the change. She is fully Vampire now and my Coven will be her home.”
Colm indicated his agreement; the thought to oppose Lorcan in support of the Council’s laws never even grew in his mind. His words echoed Lorcan’s thoughts, “We need see to her feeding Lorcan; she will be starved with the hunger and in tremendous pain again very soon.”
Lorcan knew that as Colm shadowed away he was already seeing to the preparations; the words were unspoken, but there was no further need for them. Lorcan settled his arms across his chest as he turned back to her, cocking his head with a question that plagued him, “Why would Myrrdyn send you to me knowing the risk, that you may well be destroyed for being that which is forbidden?”
He had snow in his tousled dark locks and she wanted to dust it loose. Kaitriana was weak and her mind was increasingly beset by such random thoughts as a result, but she still required his vow to her. She would need to maintain her focus and answer his questions to move this along. She held the impulse to touch him and instead mimicked his stance, crossing her arms over her chest.
Shifting her weight to one hip, her chin lifted as she defended her grandfather’s dictate, “If I am ever in need of protection and I am unable to locate Grandpapa…” She lifted a finger then, having the audacity to poke it against his chest, “I am to seek you.” Lorcan was certain that he witnessed a sparkle in those blue depths as she added in an exaggerated tone, “For some reason he finds you to be worthy.”
He chuckled, obviously she had not lost the spunk she had captivated him with as a youngster. The sassy little witch certainly had rebounded her spirits quickly in light of the threats he had issued and pain he had dealt her shortly before. Guilt flooded him; Lorcan frowned, it could not be undone. His brow furrowed in confusion when he regained focus and he processed her words, “If Myrrdyn told you that tonight then why did he not just stay with you to provide such protection?”
Her smile blossomed fully. She understood his confusion and had wondered if he would call her on this, “No Lorcan, I have not set eyes on my grandfather in nearly five centuries.” She nodded her affirmation of this, in case he may think he had misheard her, before continuing, “The night you came to my Uncle’s cottage with your…mmmm… demands… do you recall?” Kaitriana hurried on when his eyes narrowed slightly at her characterization of his actions that night. “Grandpapa told me that night before you took your leave. Tis why I waved to you as I knew you must have been aware your duty to protect me. I thought that you knew then Milord and shared the secret with me.”
He grinned at her, because he could tell by the twinkle of mischief in her eyes that she was ancitipating his next question, “And is that also why you made a face at me?”
The impish smile that answered matched the sass in her tone, “No Lorcan, I did that because you deserved it.”
Even as he was shaking his head over her outrageous answer, his mind was dissecting her other statement. If Myrrdyn were playing in this plot there was great significance to it. Everything that the Ancient set to do worked towards the ultimate purpose of the Light. Lorcan peered into the now-visible, starry night and wondered if this was what would finally bring him to prayers before the God that Myrrdyn called the entire Realm to believe in. Between Myrrdyn’s tricks and manipulation and the beautiful girl the Sorcerer had wrapped in a bow and dropped at his feet, Lorcan may very well need to begin a life of prayer…for sanity and patience.
After scrutinizing her keenly for a moment Lorcan gave her a nod. He raised his voice to be certain all within the surrounding courtyard would hear his vow, “You are under my protection Kaitriana.” She beamed at him and visibl
y relaxed. Lorcan could all but feel the pleasure radiating from her, but would it earn his forgiveness for his earlier behavior?
She wet her lips with the dart of her tongue and the change to seriousness in her demeanor was instant, “Your word is your vow.”
There was no question in her words just a mere confirmation of fact; his character and honor were highly touted and beyond reproach in the Realm. Lorcan bristled slightly; she need not require confirmation from him in front of the Coven. Although Lorcan had a well-earned reputation as a vicious foe in battle, his strict code of honor, the same code he demanded of his warriors, was equally part of his legend. He quickly reminded himself that she was young and more than likely still rattled by the transition and the events that had followed. He discarded his irritation. Kaitriana would need to be instructed regarding these things, but for now her statement was confirmed by Lorcan’s quick nod.
His honor was also what drove him forward to her; her hands were quickly grasped in his one while his other brushed curls back from her face. Lorcan’s expression was earnest, “The report of your death haunted me these many years. “ He used her captured hands to tug her closer and his voice lowered for her alone, “I believed your appearance false, an act of evil treachery from the Dark or…the Witch…” Trailing off his eyes peered deeply to hers, willing her to see the truth and his regret over his earlier actions.
Kaitriana was relieved. Apparently the pain she had witnessed through Myrrdyn’s memories, the vampire’s pain at the report of her death, was not false. She took another step forward of her own accord, so close now that the back of his hand met with the satin covering her abdomen. Her cheek brushed his as she leaned up on tiptoes to whisper to his ear, “Twas but a moment my lord. Had my wits not been scattered from the pain I would have come to you differently. Your reaction was none but which I should have anticipated. There are no ill effects and no forgiveness required; you freely give your protection, tis enough.”
Lorcan could have sworn she rubbed her cheek against his, but the touch was ever so brief it may have been incidental. Her eyes were downcast, shadowed by sooty lashes as she withdrew. He could not read her expression, but he could detect the increased pace of her heart. He also grasped hold of the fact that she had said she would have come to him leaving him to wonder if the pull he felt towards Kaitriana was mirrored in her towards him. That she would willingly seek him, with the only basis between them a few fleeting encounters shared over the span of five hundred years, spoke volumes. Lorcan believed he was not alone in the need he felt and the instinctive awareness he had of her, but whether or not she had come to the full realization of what that meant for her, he did not know.
CHAPTER 11
Kaitriana was very mindful of the quickening of her heart and the flush of warmth caused by his nearness. That was the very reason her gaze was hidden as she stepped back and remained so until she could look at Lorcan without revealing the consuming attraction she felt. His being the Warrior of Light was a natural lure to her Warrior Caste instincts. However, now that he was not a threatening menace, his darkly handsome looks were overwhelming. Those piercing steel eyes and the masculine strength of his features coupled with the muscular frame of his towering form had her reeling. She reasoned that she had still not gathered her wits and had been without the contact of another being in over five centuries. Certainly she could excuse the unreasonable draw to him because she was simply out of sorts.
Lorcan was becoming acutely aware of the murmuring throughout the many that stood behind. The words ‘chosen’ and ‘prophecy’ were being bandied about and he was aggravated by it. His people need not get their hopes raised that this little creature would bring about the Prophecy of old. Transitioned she could be only as powerful as a normal vampire. The female had certainly struck a serious blow to the Ancient Dark this eve, but the inevitable retaliation had him mightily concerned. The fury of the Dark would ensue and her magic was now dead. When word spread that the one responsible was under his care it would bring down the full wrath of Rhydach on his people. It had weighed on his mind even as he made the public declaration of protection for the girl.
His youngest sibling Gareth took that opportune moment to move to the front of the crowd, elbowing his way past even the Elite. His bold words carried to Lorcan as he raised a hand in Kaitriana’s direction, “That creature was born a witch and her transition was not sanctioned by the Council. Her very existence is forbidden. She is an abomination!” Gareth spat the last. Drawing his sword, he issued a challenge to Lorcan, “If you will not end her brother, I will do that which is required.”
The Elite near simultaneously put their hands to their weapons. Challenging Lorcan was a death wish and their allegiance was to Lorcan, not to the Council. Lorcan had offered a vow of protection to the girl; the Elite themselves would die before allowing any harm.
Lorcan shifted his gaze to Sayer, the second behind Colm in leadership of the Elites and his middle brother. Lorcan and Sayer shared a similar nature and appearance, as well as a bond that was absent for both of them with the youngest. Gareth took after their father in both looks and demeanor; he had the pale hair, coloring and slighter build of their sire along with his acrimonious hatred for the Witch. As with Colm, words need not be exchanged between the elder brothers for there to be understanding. Sayer nodded and motioned the Elite to stand down. Although compliance was immediate, the five remained vigilantly attentive to the confrontation before them should action become necessary.
Lorcan fingered the hilt of his sword lightly as his gaze checked the girl and then shifted back to his brother, “The female…vampire female…is under my protection, in my home, in my Coven. If a threat is made against her it is made against me.” Gareth remained unmoving, his sword still high and his scathing gaze affixed firmly on Kaitriana. His lack of compliance flamed Lorcan’s anger, “Do you understand me Gareth? Stand down, lest I feel the need to drive some sense into your thick skull with my fist.”
The temper in his words directed at most any would have caused immediate action. Gareth, reckless in his youth and feeling safe from harm as Lorcan’s brother, found it necessary instead to correct his brother’s mistake, “Her beauty causes you to react so, brother. Even you cannot defy the law of the Council and the edicts of our own father.”
Bubbling laughter from Kaitriana cut short Lorcan’s reply. Both brothers as well as the Elite turned incredulous gazes on her. Perhaps the transition had made her daft and she did not comprehend the precarious situation. The possibility existed that she may have hundreds of warrior Vampire seeking her death in the next few moments were they likeminded with Gareth.
Kaitriana cast them all a look of censure for staring at her. She could tell from their expressions their wonderings about her mental state. This latest delay was ridiculous and was the reason for her humored outburst. Though she realized that she was not fully herself, she was no…she grasped for the right word from her memories…ah, ninny. She smiled prettily at them all - aye, she was no ninny.
Her head was beginning that throbbing ache once more. Moreover, her magic was barely leashed and the hunger was making her feel like a ravenous dog. The situation needed to end now. Rather than taking shelter behind her massive protector, Kaitriana surprised them all by directing her icy gaze at Gareth. Her voice was strong and purposely raised so that all that gathered might hear, “I am neither an abomination…nor shall I willingly submit to your blade. Please be a dear and do as your brother requested.”
Kaitriana continued on to mutter under her breath, “Stupid Council…” and nodded her head in an exaggerated motion to affirm that blasphemous assessment of the Ancient Vampire leaders. Lorcan and his men were all giving her that look again and for that she was going to try extra hard to rankle their feathers, “Your brother also happens to be just such an…” she paused for a touch of drama “…abomination.”
There was a rumbling through the gathered vampires then but she did not spare even Lorcan
a glance. He might likely beat her for driving her point home at his expense with the reminder of the circumstances of his birth and his heritage. Kaitriana was not quite ready to face his fury full on again.
She knew better but could not control her tongue. This latest encounter was truly driving her to the brink after this seemingly never-ending night. She encompassed them all with a regal wave of her hand. “All of you are so willingly blind to the lineage of your mighty warlord because it suits you?” She gave a little rumbling growl and bared her fangs as she gave her attention back to Gareth. The power inside her was driving her ire to an unreasonable level and had her eyes shifting dark with Vampire rage. With deliberate slowness she leveled a finger at him, “Your mother was a Witch. Welcome to Club Abomination you repugnant whelp.”
A few of the Elite had the audacity to smirk over her saucy taunt, which served only to drive Gareth further beyond control. He shadowed a few yards closer. His sword rose along with his voice in anger, “I shall end you now, not for the disgusting creation that you are but for your insolence Witch.”
She spread her arms wide to either side of her then, her face a study of question as though confused, “Vampire, Witch, Vampire, Witch…which is it Gareth? Either one or the other but surely not both?” She laughed merrily. Kaitriana sensed Lorcan moving closer from behind her and she wondered idly if he was about the throttle her. Throttle…oh, another good word. She tucked it away for later use.
Kaitriana’s eyes were deadly black, but a murmur was sweeping the crowd as they began to notice that hers remained ringed in blue. The odd trait was identical to that of their Coven leader. Paying no heed to the conversations, Kaitriana sighed heavily, thoroughly put out by the exchange, “And I shall not end you now because you are not worthy of my attention. You are a most ignorant cur, Gareth.”
Chosen: Book 1 in the Ancients of Light series Page 7
