Equites : Book 4 of the Heku Series

by T. M. Nielsen

  Emily took a hesitant sip, but the Crow pushed the cup so she ended up with a mouthful of the bitter-tasting liquid. She swallowed it with a grimace, and handed it back.

  She watched the others dance, but soon found that the flames from the fire would move away and start to dance with them. She frowned as the Crow and the flames danced in unison around the bonfire, then she sunk slowly to the ground and looked up at the stars. They swirled above her head and spoke to her softly about the heku and her life with them.

  The stars showed her life before the heku, and the constant stress over running a farm, working full-time, and trying to keep from making Keith mad. She saw visions of him as he cheated on her, and then accused her of doing the same. The beatings flashed before her eyes. How pitiful she’d been, how self-conscious, and submissive she once was.

  A flash from the sky changed to the present, with Allen, and Alexis, and how she couldn’t imagine living without Chevalier. She watched as he walked through the palace alone, looking around him for anything out of the ordinary. Kyle stopped to talk to him for a bit, but soon left. Chevalier wandered slowly up to the bedroom and looked around at the empty room, the dark TV, and the perfectly made bed.

  Emily was barely aware that she was being carried, but fell fast asleep as soon as she was laid in bed and covered with soft blankets.

  Chapter 11 - Ghosts

  Emily pulled the Durango into the palace garage and cut the engine. She kept her sunglasses on, even though it was night time. Her head was pounding since she’d woken up after the party, and though she scrubbed, she still had blue streaks painted across her face that she couldn’t seem to get off.

  Chevalier appeared by the door and opened it, then pulled Emily into a tight hug. Her stomach lurched at the sudden movement, and she fought to keep from throwing up right in the garage.

  “Mmmm, I missed you,” Chevalier said, kissing the top of her head.

  “I missed you, too,” Emily finally managed to say. Chevalier pulled away from her and looked at her oddly.

  “Have fun?”

  Emily nodded, and watched as Chevalier opened the door and picked up the sleeping baby.

  “What’s with the war paint?” he chuckled.

  “It won’t come off,” she said, sighing.

  “Did you join a Native American tribe while you were gone?” Chevalier took her hand and they started into the palace.

  “To be honest, I don’t know exactly what I did last night.”

  “Must have been fun.”

  “No, I don’t think it was.” Emily tried to remember any part of the night, but couldn’t seem to recall anything.

  “I see. Well you must be exhausted. Why don’t you go lay down.”

  Emily nodded and followed him up to the room. The stairs seemed gruelingly longer than normal, and all she wanted to do was go to bed.

  Once in the bedroom, Emily slid off her jeans and crawled into bed. Chevalier put Alexis down in the bassinet and sat on the edge of the bed.

  “Ugh, my thigh is burning,” Emily said softly.

  Chevalier frowned, “When did that start?”

  “The night we got back from Paris.”

  “Em?” he asked, touching her hair softly.

  “Hmm?” Emily was too tired and too comfortable to answer.

  “You smell like peyote,” Chevalier chuckled.

  “I wondered what that drink was,” she mumbled.

  He seemed highly amused, “I’m surprised you didn’t stay an extra day so you would feel better.”

  “Not until we get rid of the ghost,” Emily said, mostly asleep.

  “Ghost?”

  “Yeah, the house is haunted.”

  “There’s no such thing as ghosts,” Chevalier chuckled again.

  “There’s no such thing as vampires either,” Emily said, and with a soft sigh, she slipped off to sleep.

  Chevalier watched her sleep, often touching her hair, or her arm. It was good to have her back in the protection of the palace. While he understood her need to be alone, it put the entire palace on edge with worry about her safety. The worst part of her new ranch was the lack of information he had on it. He didn’t even know which state it was in. If anything happened to her, she would simply vanish. No one would ever know what happened.

  Chevalier picked up Alexis when she started to wake up. She looked at him and frowned, then her bottom lip started to quiver, and he rushed her from the room before she could wake up her mother. Once out of the view of Emily, Alexis let go and filled the foyer with her angry cries. She kicked frantically and the tears began to flow.

  “Need help?” Kyle asked as he walked out of his room.

  Chevalier handed Alexis over to Kyle, and she almost immediately began to calm down. She watched Chevalier closely, and any time he got near her, she would start to cry.

  “Perfect,” Chevalier said, frustrated.

  “She’ll get to know you,” Kyle told him, rocking Alexis.

  “Mom’s back?” Allen asked, running up the stairs.

  “Yes but she’s sleeping,” Chevalier told him, and he leaned back against the wall to wait.

  “Chev?” Emily called out from the bedroom.

  Allen ran into the bedroom and was immediately pulled under the covers of the bed and tickled. Chevalier laughed and picked up Alexis, ignoring her new screams, and went into the bedroom. Kyle shut the door and headed down the stairs.

  Emily peeked out from under the covers, “What’d you do to Alex?”

  “She hates me, I told you,” Chevalier said, handing her over to Emily.

  “She doesn’t hate you… damn I hope she’s hungry,” Emily sat up and pulled her shirt up to feed the baby. Allen emerged from under the covers and went to stand by Chevalier.

  “So… haunted house, huh?” Chevalier asked with a grin.

  “Yes, the ranch house is haunted. I need to figure out how to get rid of the ghost,” she said, her eyes narrowing as she watched him laugh.

  “Seriously, there’s no such thing as ghosts. If there were, then I’m sure the heku would have encountered them at some point in our existence,” Chevalier told her.

  “There are too, and one’s in the attic of the house,” Emily said. She was watching Chevalier as Alexis held tightly to one of Emily’s fingers in her little fist.

  “I want to see a ghost!” Allen said excitedly.

  “There are no ghosts,” Chevalier said again, and sat down on the edge of the bed. “You probably have a raccoon in the attic.”

  “That’s what the twins said, but raccoons don’t move tables, or open all of the cupboards in the kitchen, nor do they talk,” Emily said, getting frustrated.

  “Talking, huh? If I were you, I would send Sam up just to make sure it’s not a heku.”

  “I did, and it’s not.”

  “Maybe Sam’s losing his touch.”

  “It’s not a heku.”

  “Who’re the twins?” Chevalier asked.

  “My field hands, Native American brothers,” Emily said, and she frowned as she tried to remember something about the bonfire.

  “I see… what tribe?”

  “I’m not falling for that,” Emily said, laughing. “I tell you the tribe… you track down what area they live in… and soon my new ranch is full of Equites guards.”

  “Hmm,” Chevalier said, raising an eyebrow.

  “Mom, Dad’s teaching me how to feed by myself,” Allen told her, excited.

  Emily cringed a bit, “Great.”

  “It’s so much better from a person than from the fridge.”

  Chevalier couldn’t help but chuckle at the look on Emily’s face.

  “How about you keep that stuff between you and your Dad, ok?”

  Allen frowned but nodded, “Ok.”

  “Your breakfast is almost here. When you’re done, we can go do something together. Until then, I have a meeting,” Chevalier told her.

  “Can I go?” Allen asked.

  Chevalier nod
ded, “Sure.”

  “He’s going to your meetings?” Emily asked, frowning.

  “Why not? He thinks they are fun.”

  Emily shrugged, “They can get violent though.”

  “That’s when it gets fun!” Allen said, laughing.

  Emily waited until Chevalier and Allen left before getting out of bed. She went into the bathroom and tried again to wash off the blue paint. It had faded a lot, but there was still a faint outline. As soon as she was sure the meeting started, Emily crawled into bed with Alexis again and grabbed her cell phone.

  It rang once before Exavior answered frantically, “My God, Emily. I’ve been so worried about you.”

  “I’m ok,” she said, and looked around, again making sure no one was listening. “I want the runes gone.”

  “Yes, I would imagine you do.”

  “Can you come?”

  Exavior sighed, “No, I can’t come back there for a while. The Council doesn’t want to risk us being incarcerated.”

  “Can I come to you then?” Emily asked.

  “That would be the fastest way. I can’t have you coming to the Council though, that’s too risky,” Exavior said.

  “Why too risky? They have to know I want these runes off.”

  “Yes… but, it’s gotten out that your son is more heku than mortal, and we all know you have a daughter now.”

  Emily winced, “Well that didn’t stay a secret for long.”

  “Nothing ever does. We can arrange to meet at my coven,” Exavior said.

  “Ok, I can manage that. I’ll need to bring the baby.”

  “That’s too dangerous,” he said to her.

  “I can’t leave her, she’s nursing.”

  “Oh, that’s right. I forgot about that. Yes, you can bring her. First though, you need to get Equites Council permission.”

  Emily winced, “Why?”

  “You can’t come here without the Council’s approval. You could be arrested for treason,” he explained.

  “I’m not bound by their rules. I can do what I want.”

  “Still, you’ll be safer with the Council’s permission.”

  “They’ll want me to bring guards, and Chevalier will insist on coming,” she explained.

  “Guards are ok, but I can’t have an Equites Elder here in my coven.”

  “What am I supposed to do if they say no?”

  “They really can’t. You have to get those runes off.”

  Emily nodded, “Ok, I’ll let you know what they say.”

  “If they give you too many problems, call me,” Exavior said.

  Emily hung up the phone and crawled out of bed to get dressed. If she was going to get these runes off quickly, she would have to get the worst part out of the way, asking the Council’s permission. Even the thought of asking their permission for something that didn’t concern them made her irritated.

  Emily took the baby and headed down to the council chambers.

  “Can I help you, Lady Emily?” the guard outside of the council chambers asked.

  “I need to talk to them.”

  “You can go around back if you’d like, the Elder’s at his chair.”

  “I…” Emily sighed. “This is official.”

  The guard frowned, “Very well, they are just discussing. I’ll go tell them you are here.”

  Emily watched the guard go inside and could hear perfectly what was being said.

  “Yes, Derrick?” Quinn asked.

  “Lady Emily is seeking an audience,” the guard said.

  “Tell her to come around back then.”

  “She said it needs to be official.”

  “Let her in,” Chevalier said, and Emily cringed. She wished she could do this without Chevalier or Damon in the room.

  “You can go in,” Derrick said, and opened the door for her.

  Emily stepped in, clutching the baby tightly, and walked up to the place where those on trial stood. She could feel the heat rising to her face as they looked at her. She was glad the bruises on her face were gone, and that those on her neck had faded to a light yellow.

  “Something you needed, Em?” Chevalier asked nervously.

  Emily nodded.

  “Tell us, Child,” Zohn said, and Emily glared at him. Damon turned to the Chief Interrogator and said something, and then Zohn turned back to Emily.

  “I need permission… well… not permission, as much as, I’m informing you… that’s not right either. Ok… so…” Emily frowned.

  “Just tell us,” Quinn said.

  “I’m going to see Exavior to get the runes removed, and he won’t do it unless I tell you,” Emily said finally. She tried to avoid looking at Chevalier, but could imagine how mad he was, as the rest of the Council were also getting angry.

  “I see,” Quinn said.

  “So… erm… I’ll be off, now that you know,” Emily said, and turned around.

  “We aren’t done, Ch… erm... Dear,” Zohn told her, and Emily turned around slowly.

  “Excuse me?” she asked.

  “It takes full agreement by the Council for a member of the Equites to visit an opposing faction’s coven,” Zohn explained.

  “I’m not heku. I thought I was free to do what I want,” Emily said.

  “If Exavior is requesting this be official, then rules must be followed,” Quinn said.

  “There’s no way she’s going…” Damon said, and Emily stopped him with a glare.

  “I concur. We cannot let the Winchester go to the coven of a Valle. That’s handing her right over to them,” Maleth said.

  “Stop calling me that! I’m not ‘The Winchester,’ and I don’t need your permission to go. If Exavior hadn’t insisted I tell you, I would already be gone,” Emily yelled.

  “It’s too dangerous. Once they find out about Allen and Alexis, there will be no stopping them,” Maleth said.

  “They already know.”

  “How do you know that?” Maleth asked.

  “Exavior told me.”

  “That settles it then,” Quinn said. “We can’t risk it. You are forbidden to go.”

  Emily’s eyes narrowed and Chevalier interrupted, “Forbid her, and she’ll be gone by noon.”

  “Where is his coven?” Chevalier asked her.

  “He didn’t say.”

  “I suggest we allow this. Emily can wipe out the coven if she’s in trouble, we all know that. I’ll go and take some guards,” Chevalier said.

  “Exavior said you can’t go,” Emily said, wincing at the look on his face. “He said guards are fine, but no Elders.”

  “I’ll talk to him. You can’t go without me.”

  “Here’s what’s going to happen,” Emily said angrily. “I’m leaving in the morning with Alexis and the guards of my choice. If you say no, then I leave without the guards.”

  “You cannot take the infant,” Quinn said sternly.

  “Oh no? You going to feed her?”

  Quinn, Maleth, and Chevalier turned their chairs and began to talk, too quickly and too softly for Emily to hear. She watched them closely.

  When they turned around, Emily watched Quinn and Maleth. She was still avoiding Chevalier’s eyes.

  “As we don’t seem to have a choice, we ask only that you agree to take Damon with you,” Maleth said, nodding at Damon.

  “No”

  “No?” he asked, frowning.

  “No, I’m not taking Damon.”

  “Can you give us a reason why?”

  “No”

  “You aren’t helping us, Dear,” Quinn said.

  “I’ll take Mark, Kyle, and Silas.”

  “That’s not enough to protect you,” Maleth told her.

  “I can protect myself. The guards are there to appease you,” Emily told him.

  Emily risked a glance at Chevalier when Maleth looked at him. She was surprised when he nodded once, his eyes fixed on hers.

  “Then it’s settled. I’ll leave in the morning,” Emily said as she turned and
walked out of the council chambers. She stood outside of the door and leaned against the wall, eyes shut. She couldn’t believe it went that smoothly, now she just had to face Chevalier tonight, alone.

  “Allen?” Emily called, and he came down the stairs, still holding his book. She worried lately about how much reading he was doing. He didn’t run, and play, and climb trees like other boys his age. She knew his intellect was advanced, but she still felt he needed air and exercise.

  “Yeah?” Allen asked as he approached her.

  “Want to take the horses out?”

  “Not really.”

  “Let me rephrase that… put the book down, we’re going out,” Emily said, and watched as he rolled his eyes and headed down the stairs.

  “It’s too bright out there,” Allen complained.

  “That’s why God invented sunglasses.”

  Emily grinned as Allen resigned himself to a day out, and reluctantly headed out to the stables. She slipped on her riding gloves and grabbed a bridle, Alexis was tucked safely away in a sling across her Mom’s chest. Allen went over to Damnit’s stall and slipped a bridle on him.

  “You’re not taking Patra?” Allen asked when Emily went up to the new painted stallion.

  “Can’t, she’s pregnant.”

  “You can’t ride her because she’s pregnant?” Allen asked, leading Damnit out into the stables.

  Emily sighed, “You should know that already. What are you studying all day anyway?”

  “Just stuff,” Allen said, hoisting himself up onto Damnit. She was shocked by his agility.

  Emily jumped up on the peaceful paint and kicked him out into the sun. She saw Allen put on some sunglasses and follow her. She could tell by the look on his face that he didn’t want to be out.

  She grinned, “Race ya.”

  Emily kicked the stallion and he jumped into a fast gallop, and she could hear Allen behind her. As they passed Cavalry guards on the streets of Council City, they immediately joined in and soon, almost fifteen horses raced through the city.

  She stopped the stallion once she was on top of the hills and turned around as the others arrived. Allen was frustrated that he came in dead last, but again, Emily thought it would be good for him.

  “So are we racing or are we running?” Silas asked.

  “Racing of course! Why do you always think I’m in trouble?” Emily asked, laughing. It was hard to be mad at them on such a beautiful day.