by Morgan Rice
Know how much I love you, and how much I’m thinking of you even now. I eagerly anticipate the end of this war, and a new life somewhere far from here, that is, if you are in it.
Please know that you hold my heart in this letter.
My deepest affection,
Caleb
Caleb gently folded the parchment, again and again, until it was a tiny square, barely bigger than his palm. Then he walked to the large, open window, raised a finger to his mouth, and whistled.
Within seconds, a huge falcon swooped in, and as Caleb held out his arm, landed perfectly on his wrist. Caleb reached up and stroked the Falcon’s head.
“My old friend,” Caleb said softly.
It jerked its head back to Caleb, in recognition.
“Deliver this to Caitlin. Pollepel Island. You know where it is.”
Caleb stuffed the small piece of paper into a tiny locket around the Falcons neck, and closed it securely.
“Be off!” Caleb yelled, raising his arm.
With that, the falcon flew out the window, and into the night sky.
Suddenly, there was a banging at the door.
Caleb strutted across the room and opened it. There stood Samuel, with all his soldiers.
Caleb grabbed his staff, and walked right towards them.
“I’m ready,” Caleb said.
TWELVE
“Caitlin!”
Even in Caitlin’s haze, even as she knelt there, choking Cain, there was something about that voice that snapped her out of it. Where had it come from?
A man stepped forward, cutting through the crowd, wearing a long robe and carrying a staff. With his long, silver hair and long beard to match, he looked like a prophet. He stood there, scowling down at Caitlin, disappointment in his voice.
“Release him!” he said firmly.
As Caitlin looked into his eyes, even in her haze, she could feel that there was something special about this man. She felt as if it were a reunion, as if she had known him for lifetimes. And she respected him.
She was helpless to refuse. Caitlin slowly loosened her grip, and as she did, Caitlin quickly scurried out from under her, gasping and choking, and ran off towards the woods.
Caitlin stood, and faced this man.
Aiden. She was sure it was him.
“Yes, it is me,” he said, answering her thoughts. “And you and I have a lot to discuss.”
*
Caitlin walked in silence behind Aiden, as they hiked on a narrow trail through the thick woods of the island. Pollepel, she was starting to realize, was deceptively big: while the huge castle was perched on one corner, once she headed into the interior, the rest of this island was consumed with woods.
They hiked this way and that, weaving left and right, up and down trails. Aiden kept a hard pace, several feet in front of her, and never once slowed or turned back to see if she were following. He must have just assumed she was. He had a magnetic personality; there was something about him that Caitlin couldn’t quite place, something that made her follow him whether she wanted to or not. He was clearly a leader.
As they hiked, Caitlin could spot glimpses of the river in the distance, peeking its way through the still bare trees of April. Spring was happening all around them, and the thousands of trees were all starting to bud, giving a pale green shimmer to the forest. This place so beautiful, and with a pang, Caitlin suddenly realized that she didn’t want to leave it. She was struck by a sudden fear, as it crossed her mind that he might kick her out already.
She hadn’t meant to attack Cain like that. But she couldn’t stand bullies, and he was one of the more repulsive bullies she had ever encountered, and she just couldn’t control herself. It seemed to always keep coming back to that: controlling herself. When she was a human she couldn’t do it, when she was a half-breed, she certainly couldn’t do it—and now that she was a true vampire, it seemed like she was no better. When the rage built up inside her, she just couldn’t keep it down. She didn’t know Aiden, but she could already feel that he disapproved of her actions.
They hiked to the top of a ridge, then down the other side of it. Caitlin could see families of deer bounding in every direction, hurrying to get out of their way. This must be where the coven caught their nightly dinner.
As they rounded yet another hill, a structure finally came into view. Perched on the water’s edge, in a sandy clearing, was a small stone structure. It was the size of a one-bedroom cottage, but built in the same ancient fashion of the Scottish castle on the other side of the island. This must be where Aiden stayed.
Aiden strutted forward and entered the structure without a word, opening its small arched, medieval door, and leaving it open for Caitlin to follow. Knots formed in her stomach, as she felt as if she were being called into the principal’s office. She probably deserved it. She still felt that she was right to stick up for herself—and more importantly for Polly—but she probably shouldn’t have pushed as hard as she had. She should have just knocked Cain around and let him go. But that wasn’t her. She just couldn’t let things go. At least she was starting to realize that about herself. That was a start.
She entered the small, stone cottage. It was dimly lit, and she walked down a small hallway, into Aiden’s office.
This room, too, was carved of a medieval stone, with an arched ceiling and two big, arched windows which looked out at the river. It was simple and austere, and the view was beautiful, the river seeming to fill the entire room.
Caitlin sat in the large chair opposite his desk, as Aiden sat behind it. Caitlin could feel the river breezes coming in through the open windows, and it refreshed her. She turned and focused on Aiden.
He sat behind his desk and stared at her. He was an unusual man—or vampire, that is. He was tall and broad, and his long silver hair, neatly combed, fell down past his shoulders, and blended into his beard. He had intense blue eyes which fixed on her, and didn’t waiver. He looked to be in his 60s, but she knew he was far older than that. This was an intense man. Not the kind of man who seemed to joke around. Ever. Not that he seemed stern—he didn’t. He just didn’t seem frivolous.
He stared at Caitlin intently, looking into her eyes, and she sensed that he was finding out all that he needed just by staring. It made her uncomfortable. She wondered what he was discovering.
“I took you in here,” he began, in an official sounding, deep voice which nonetheless relaxed her, “because Caleb asked me to. Consider it a favor to an old friend. He assured me that you would be harmonious, easy to get along with, a good fit with the rest of my coven. As you know, there are only 23 of us—24 now, with you here—and I accept new vampires very, very selectively. We must all live in harmony with one another if we are to get along here.”
“I didn’t start the fight,” Caitlin said defensively. “Cain started it. Why don’t you reprimand him? He’s the jerk.”
The second she said it, Caitlin knew that she was right, but she also knew that, as always, she’d spoken before thinking, and shouldn’t have been quite so harsh.
“Cain has his issues, you are correct. I do not excuse his behavior. But I do not give up on my people, even if they have problems. That is what this coven is about. We must learn to work through our differences, to overcome our inner faults. Cain is working on it. Not as hard as he needs to be, I admit. But he will be held accountable for his actions today, I assure you.”
Caitlin began to speak, but he held up his hand.
“Despite what you may think, I did not bring you here to reprimand you. On the contrary, I am quite proud of how you handled yourself today, and of how you stuck up for Polly.”
Caitlin suddenly felt her whole body relax. She had never, in her life, heard anyone say that they were proud of her. She suddenly viewed Aiden in a different light. She liked him. He seemed like the father figure she’d never had.
“I already know your side of the story. And I know his. In truth, I saw it all happen before it did,” he said crypticall
y.
That threw Caitlin for a loop. Could Aiden see the future? And if he could, why hadn’t he stopped it? She was more and more intrigued by him.
“So then why am I here?” Caitlin asked.
Aiden looked at her for a moment, then suddenly turned and looked out the window, at the river, and exhaled deeply. As he spoke, he looked out at the water.
“It was time for me to meet you,” he said. “To tell you about this place. I assume that Polly already filled you in,” he said and broke into a smile. “She is not, how do we say, afraid of a good conversation.”
“But there is more you must know. Pollepel Island is a very special place. I take in recruits selectively, and train them thoroughly. While everyone here is a misfit in their own way, is an outcast to the vampire community, everyone who leaves here is a force to be reckoned with. And we, collectively, are a force to be reckoned with. I do not like to think of myself as a leader. I prefer to think of myself as a mentor. I supervise all the training that takes place here, and I see to it that every vampire here becomes the best that he or she can be.
“When you leave here, I assure you, you will be the very best you can be in every skill of vampire warfare,” he said. “The funny thing is, no one who comes here ever wants to leave, and never has. We are a band apart.
“We are also a family, and I take family matters very seriously. We train together, we dine together, we share duties, and we watch each other’s backs. Always. Which is exactly why behavior like Cain’s was so unacceptable. He very rarely acts this way. I’m sure that the presence of a new coven member is what disturbed him. It will not happen again, I assure you.”
He leaned back and collected his thoughts.
“If you want to stay here, if you want to be part of our family, there are certain rules that must be followed. You must be willing to share in our work duties. You must be willing to stand for guard duty. You must be willing to train your hardest, and to pledge an oath of loyalty to your fellow coven members. You are free to leave at any time, but if you leave without my permission, you may never return. We take this matter very seriously, so think strongly before you do anything rash.”
He fixed his eyes on her.
Caitlin’s mind reeled, as she thought it all through. She loved being here already, loved Polly, loved the island, and really liked Aiden. But she was also a bit nervous. To never leave without permission? The reality began to sink in that this might really be her new home. And more importantly, that she might not ever see Caleb began.
She was still furious at him, of course, and a strong part of her felt as if he’d abandoned her, that he loved someone else, that he didn’t even care anymore. So she shouldn’t even have cared, and shouldn’t have thought twice.
But there was still a small, nagging part of her that wondered. Did he still care for her? Was there some misunderstanding? And if so, should she go to him?
There was also a part of her that still worried about Sam. After all, he was her brother, and he had been taken hostage. A part of her felt that Sam had betrayed her, too, had somehow led Samantha right to the King’s Chapel to steal the Sword—and that even if she found him, he’d have no interest. But still, there was a small, nagging part that wondered. Was Sam in danger? Did he need her help?
And what of her search for her Dad? She still really wanted to know who he was, where he was. She felt as if she had been so close. She wanted to get back out there, to look deeper. And if it was all true, if she really was the One, didn’t she have some sort of special mission? Shouldn’t she be out there saving the world, or something like that? Was it right for her to sit here, safe and protected on this island? Especially while war was breaking out in Manhattan?
She wanted to stay here, she really did, but a part of her worried that maybe she had a duty, an obligation, to be somewhere else.
“Wrong,” Aiden said suddenly, startling her, as he read her mind. “This is exactly where you are meant to be right now.”
The idea that he could reach into her mind and hear exactly what she was thinking freaked her out. Of course he could. She should have known better.
“But what of my brother?” she asked.
He slowly shook his head.
“Sam is under the influence of some very dark forces. I’m afraid there is nothing you can do for him now.”
Caitlin sat up, alarmed. “What do you mean? That makes it sound like he needs my help.”
“It’s too late for him,” Aiden answered firmly. “I know that is hard for you to accept, but you must. If you try to contact him, I assure you, you will only hurt yourself. And him. If you want to save yourself, and others, you must let him go.”
“And what of Caleb?” Caitlin asked tentatively, almost afraid to ask. She wanted to know if Caleb needed her, and more importantly, if he still loved her. But she was afraid to ask it, so she just let the general question suffice.
Aiden breathed deeply. “He dropped you here for a reason. This is where he wants you to be right now.”
What did that mean? Did that mean that he still loved her? That he wanted her safe and protected? Or that he wanted to get rid of her?
“You have to let Caleb go for now,” Aiden said. “You must focus on your training. You cannot be distracted. I can already feel how distracted you are by him, and that is a very dangerous place to be. Your thoughts must be clear. Completely empty. Do you understand me?”
Caitlin looked down and felt her cheeks flushed, embarrassed. She slowly nodded.
“And what about my search for my father?” Caitlin asked. “Is it true that I’m the One? What does that mean exactly? Does it mean I’m supposed to save the vampire race or something? Isn’t there something I’m supposed to be doing? Is it wrong for me to just sit here?” she asked, the questions all pouring out at once.
“You do, indeed, hail from a very special lineage,” Aiden said slowly. “Your father is a remarkable man. I know that you want to find him, and I know that he wants to see you. More importantly, you will indeed be the key to finding the weapon that can save both mankind and the vampire race.”
Caitlin looked at him intently.
“What do you mean? I thought that was the Sword? I thought we already found it?”
He smiled. “I see that you have not thought carefully of the riddle. I’m surprised at you.”
Caitlin thought. The riddle? What had she overlooked?
“The Rose and Thorn,” he continued. “Don’t you see? There are two sides to every dynasty, to every lineage. Caitlin and Sam. And there are two weapons as well. A weapon to attack, and a weapon to protect. The Sword is the weapon to attack. But there is one other weapon. An even greater one: the weapon to protect. The Rose and Thorn. The Thorn is the Sword. And the Rose is the Shield.”
“The Shield?” Caitlin asked, amazed.
“The Sword can wipe out the human race,” he said, “and portions of the vampire race. But the Shield can save them both. And when you find your father—when you truly find your father—he will lead you to the Shield.”
Caitlin’s mind spun. It was so much to take in.
“So then…shouldn’t I be out there? Shouldn’t I be searching for him? For the Shield?”
Aiden shook his head again. “You still don’t understand. You will never find your father in this lifetime.”
Caitlin stared at him, shocked.
“What do you mean?”
“Your father lives in another time. Another century. The only way to find him would be to go back—backwards in time.”
Caitlin’s eyes opened wide. “Is that possible?” she asked.
“For a vampire it his. But it is not something to be done lightly. It comes with a great price. Once you go backwards, there is no coming back to the present. Ever. Everything you know, anyone you know, any memory and experience—everything from this lifetime—will be completely wiped away. When you go back, you start all over again. It is irrevocable. Worse, not all vampires survive the tri
p. You could very well die by trying.
“And there is no guarantee that if you go back, you will find your father, or the Shield. You don’t know exactly which time or place he is in right now.”
Caitlin’s mind reeled as she sat there, considering the implications. Wipe out everything she knew. To wipe out Sam, and Caleb. This place. She couldn’t imagine doing that.
“As I said, you are exactly where you need to be right now,” he said. “You must heal fully, and you must train. Wherever you go, you cannot go forth unto you first become the very best you can be.”
He got up from behind the desk and stood before her. She stood, too, sensing that their meeting was coming to a close.
“I would like to have you in our family,” he said, “if it is something you choose to accept.”
Caitlin didn’t have to think hard about that. Not only was there no other alternative she could think of, but she really liked everything she already knew about this place.
“I would be honored,” she answered.
He smiled. “Excellent. Your training begins today.”
*
Caitlin stood in a large ring of vampires, all in a wide circle, in the inner courtyard of the castle. The ground they stood on must have been a training ground, because the grass was all worn down and the floor was comprised of a dusty dirt. Caitlin could feel the heat coming off it on this unusually warm April day. The sun seemed to be shining stronger than she ever felt, even with her skin wraps on.
Her entire coven was out, all standing quietly in the circle, 24 in all. She scanned their faces, and was amazed at how different they all looked. Some were shorter, some taller, some with cropped hair, others with long hair, some with serious expressions and others looking more relaxed. It was split evenly between boys and girls—12 of each. They all looked to be in their teenage years, although she knew they were all far older than that. She couldn’t really see their faces clearly—it was hard to focus because she was too nervous. They all stood at attention, in perfect silence, waiting for Aiden to begin.
