by Bethany Shaw
"Are you okay?" he asked. He picked up her wrist and trailed his thumb over the jagged scab where she’d cut herself.
“Yeah,” she said, running her free hand through her hair. “What about you?”
He sighed. “Better. Thank you.”
“Your dad is creepy. I can’t believe he was watching us,” she said as she leaned her back against a tree. Her eyes skimmed over the brush. She half-expected the elder vampire to jump out at them again.
"I told you he was awful," he said through clenched teeth. “Malcolm is not my father. I haven’t thought of him that way in a long time.”
"You're right, parents shouldn't try to kill their children," she said. Her eyes still roamed over the lush green trees and brush.
“Imagine growing up with him,” Zak said. “We should keep moving. I want to make lots of headway. No more run-ins. Although I must say, you did surprisingly well.” A wide grin splayed across his lips as his brows rose.
“I don’t know where the fire came from. That’s a first.” Where had it come from? It actually wasn’t a first, come to think of it. There had been fire when the wolves attacked. But she hadn’t caught anyone on fire then.
“It was a nice surprise,” he told her. “First chance we get, we’re going to work on your powers. You keep doing that, you’re going to be a great ally.”
But would they always be allies? She let out a long breath. The more time they spent together, the less she was sure. If he’d let Maddie live, then she didn’t see any reason why they couldn’t remain... what? Friends, lovers, something else?
Zak scooped her up again and she wrapped her arms around his neck, closing her eyes as she buried her face into his chest. Her stomach heaved as Zak raced away.
***
"Is this room to your liking, my lord?" the woman asked as she opened the door to a spacious bedroom.
Zak was about to say no and ask for the master bedroom when Cadence spoke up.
"This is lovely, thank you," she said, flashing an affectionate smile at the elderly woman.
"Fantastic," she said. “I will have your bath drawn, and dinner is in an hour.” She bowed and left them alone in the hall.
Cadence walked into the room, running her fingers across the wooden furniture and touching the fine fabric of the linens. Zak had specifically looked for a person in the marketplace who looked as if they had money. There would be no more inns for them. From now on, they would be staying in private residences. It would be harder for Malcolm to get to them here since he couldn’t come in unless invited.
"Are we safe here?" Cadence asked, turning back to him.
"Malcolm won't be able to get in the house. I’ve compelled the homeowners. They won’t let anyone in the home," he said, watching as she let out a long breath.
"Thank you.”
"Grace and I spent years running from Malcolm," he said. “We can evade him for several more months. I told you I wouldn't let him hurt you, and I always keep my word.” Rarely did he make pledges. They only left his lips when he truly meant it. Cadence was the most important thing to him, and he would do anything to protect her.
"Was it always you and Grace? What about Eli and Oliver?" she asked, toying with the edge of the blanket on the bed.
"We went through periods where all four of us ran together, and sometimes we split up to keep Malcolm off our backs,” he explained. Malcolm couldn’t chase all of them at once, but honestly, he’d always found it safer when they’d all stuck together.
"Is that all you did? Run, I mean?" she asked as her gaze met his.
“For the most part. There wasn’t much of a choice. You’ve seen how quick he is. Granted our arrival into this time gave away our location, but Malcolm has always had a knack for finding us. He kept us on our toes through the years.” They’d spent a lot of time running. It seemed they’d get comfortable somewhere and stop looking over their shoulders, only to have him show up.
“I can’t imagine how hard that must have been,” she whispered.
“It was difficult.” He left it at that as the maid came back in. He motioned for Cadence to bathe first. She offered him a smile before picking up her clean clothes and slipping out of the room.
***
Cadence passed a few coins over to the merchant and took the small bushel of grapes. The man said something she suspected was a thanks, but she couldn’t be certain. She smiled and nodded before meandering back into the crowded marketplace. Vendors lined the city street, each selling their wares.
She plucked a purple grape from the vine and popped it in her mouth as she met Zak’s gaze. He was a few booths down from her, speaking with a fortuneteller.
The full moon wouldn’t wait for them. With only ten days left, they needed to find a witch. They couldn’t afford any more lost opportunities. If they didn’t get to the right time, they could be stuck in the past indefinitely. With Maddie’s life on the line and a war brewing between the witches and vampires, they couldn’t afford to be gone any longer than they needed to be.
Cadence’s gaze darted to Zak. He was still speaking with the young woman. Hopefully that was a good sign. Apparently many witches posed as fortunetellers and healers. It wasn’t a very good guise, if you asked her.
Toying with the beautiful blue pendant Zak had given her, she stopped at another merchant to look at the intricate chains and beading. All the jewelry was beautiful and hand crafted. It’d be easy to let a spell slip off her tongue and take a few pieces for herself. But she couldn’t. It was wrong. She didn’t question where Zak had gotten the coins for her to use. She didn’t want to know.
Cadence gave the man and woman a smile before moving on. She’d barely taken a few steps when an arm slipped around her waist and tugged her close. "Hello, darling," a man said as he gripped her tightly and whooshed her into an abandoned alley.
She jabbed her elbow out, trying to free herself, but the man’s grip was ironclad. Her heart thrummed in her chest as his cool fingers gripped her tighter. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up as realization seeped in. He wasn’t a man. He was a vampire. "Please let go of me," she said, trying to wring herself free.
"Now, why would I do that?” he asked. He shoved her against the wall of a building and slammed his hands against the brick, blocking her on both sides. “I know you’re with Zak, and me and my brother have some unfinished business."
Cadence gasped as she met the man’s eyes. Oliver.
“Now, be a doll..." His eyes stared into hers. "And stop fighting me." The compulsion rolled off his tongue easily.
He didn’t know she was a witch. How was that possible? Supernatural creatures picked up on those things. The necklace. She couldn’t let him know his magic hadn’t worked. Oliver was dangerous and could hurt her. For the moment, she’d play along and wait for Zak. He’d notice her missing – probably already had. She let her arms fall flat to her sides and forced deep breaths in through her nose.
"That's better," Oliver said as he raised his hand to touch her face. His calloused fingers grazed over her cheek, sending chills coursing through her. Her body trembled. She fought the urge to recoil while willing her powers to awaken just in case Zak wasn’t right around the corner.
"I can see what Zak sees in you," Oliver said. “You are a pretty little thing. I never pictured my brother keeping a human companion around. You must be something special, darling.” His disgusting fingers trailed over her lips. She closed her eyes, repeating to herself to stay still.
Tears pooled in her eyes. Her knees wobbled. She opened her palms and willed her powers to emerge. Her magic would piss him off, but she couldn’t kill him. She sought the spark of magic. Nothing. What the hell is wrong with my magic? I just threw Malcolm across the room and set him on fire, and now I get nothing!
“I’m a little disappointed he hasn’t noticed you missing yet,” Oliver continued.
Yeah. He wasn’t the only one upset.
“If I hadn’t seen him making moon eyes at yo
u all morning, I’d think him indifferent to you,” Oliver said. He licked his lips while continuing to molest her face.
“Stay away from her!” Zak snarled as he stormed down the alley and shoved Oliver. Oliver skidded across the dirt, kicking up a spray of debris as he glided to a stop with a chuckle.
“There you are.” Oliver brushed himself off with a chuckle. “I was beginning to think you weren’t going to show up. But then again, you never did like anyone messing with your toys.”
“Stay away from her,” Zak said again, stalking towards Oliver with his hands clenched. His fangs dropped and his eyes blazed.
Cadence let out a relieved breath and placed a hand over her heart. A few months ago, she’d have had a good laugh if someone had said she’d be relieved to see Zakariah Smith.
“Oh, relax, big brother,” Oliver said with a wag of his brows. “I was only trying to ruffle your feathers a little. I wasn’t going to hurt the girl.”
Zak took a menacing step forward. "Let's get one thing straight, Brother. Cadence is mine, and if you ever touch her again, you will be sorry," he promised through gritted teeth.
Mine! Excuse me?
How dare he refer to her like some prized possession. She didn’t belong to anyone. They were going to talk about this tonight.
“Whoa.” Oliver held his hands up, his eyes falling on Cadence again as he appraised her. “I didn’t realize she was important to you. I thought she was just a toy you picked up to have your way with. It’s only been two weeks since we split up, Brother. Are you sure this isn’t some sort of voodoo?” Oliver narrowed his eyes as he scrutinized her.
Zak sighed heavily and ran a hand through his hair while blowing deep breaths out through his mouth. His eyes and fangs still gleamed. He wasn’t as calm and collected as he’d like his brother to think.
“Your hair is different, too?” Oliver pressed as he pointed to Zak’s hair. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you with short hair. What has gotten into you, Zak?”
Zak stared at Cadence. She nibbled her lip, shrugging at him. Oliver needed some form of an explanation, but it was Zak’s choice what he told him.
“Can you keep a secret, Brother?” Zak asked, folding his arms over his torso.
Oliver laughed out loud. “You’re being very serious, even for you, Zak.”
“That’s because this is serious,” he snapped, shoving Oliver in the shoulder.
Oliver held his arms up. “I’ll leave your little blonde beauty alone if that’s what you’re worried about. But I am concerned that something has happened to you. You’re not yourself, Zakariah.” Oliver took a step forward and Zak sped in front of him, putting himself between Cadence and the other vampire. “Has she done something to you? Is this some form of witchcraft?” Oliver peered around Zak, trying to get a better glimpse at her.
“You wouldn’t understand,” Zak said. “Cadence is a friend.”
“Friend? You don’t have friends, Zak.”
“We’re from the future,” Zak said with a growl. “I can’t tell you any more than that. The Zak in your time is in...” He paused as if he were trying to remember where he was supposed to be.
Cadence lifted her brow. If he actually remembered, she’d be surprised. She couldn’t remember where she was a week ago sometimes, let alone centuries ago. Not that she’d lived that long anyway.
“France or Savoy,” he replied after a long moment.
“You’re from the future?” Oliver repeated as if the words were foreign to him. “How is that possible?”
Zak opened his mouth, but Cadence stepped forward. “We can’t tell him too much, Zak,” she warned before turning to Oliver. “A witch in our time sent us here.” She hoped that explanation would be enough.
“I see,” Oliver replied as he glanced between the two of them.
“You can’t mention this to anyone. In fact, it's best if you forget you saw us,” Zak explained as he met his brother’s gaze.
“Well, it’s going to be hard to forget such an amazing face.” Oliver flashed a grin at Cadence and smirked.
“Enough!” Zak sped to his brother and pinned him to the wall. “You could change everything if you mention me or her to anyone, even to ourselves. Do you understand that?” He grabbed Oliver’s shirt and lifted him off the ground.
“Right, right.” Oliver held up his hands and Zak released him from his death grip. “She’s yours. I got it. And I won’t say anything about the two of you to anyone. You have my word.” Oliver peered around Zak again as he sized her up with narrowed eyes.
I am not Zak’s! And why does he keep looking at me like that? Cadence exhaled loudly and mashed her teeth together in frustration. They were definitely talking about this later. She would placate Zak in front of his brother, because Oliver was a sociopath and she didn’t want a fight.
“Can I at least get your name, darling? I’d hate to kill you in the future by accident. Zak here would have my neck.” He laughed out loud like he’d told a joke.
She supposed it wouldn’t hurt to give him her name. “Cadence... Cadence Hopewell,” she said.
“Well, sweet Cadence, it was a pleasure. Your secret is safe with me. I won’t say anything, Zakariah, you have my word.” He met his brother’s eyes and then flicked them to her. “Until we meet again, sweet Cadence.” He bowed and then spun on his heel, flashing off into the distance.
“Do you think he’ll keep his word?” Cadence asked as she stared at the spot Oliver had occupied only a moment ago.
Zak closed his eyes and opened them. “I don’t have any new memories. As long as it stays that way, I think we’re safe.”
“Good. God knows things are already upside down enough as they are,” she said.
“It’s been a long morning,” Zak said. “The woman I spoke with mentioned a special healer in the next town. Let’s collect our belongings and head out.”
She opened her mouth, but before she could get a word out, Zak lifted her up and zipped off. If he thought whisking her away was going to stop her from bringing up the whole “mine” business, he was mistaken. Cadence squeezed her eyes shut and sighed. One of these days, she’d get used to the rapid running.
Chapter Four
Zak had been mostly quiet since their encounter with Oliver. He’d only spoken to secure them a place to stay when they reached their destination, thus leaving Cadence’s mind to wander as they followed the servant home.
She followed the man down the winding dirt path, staring at the ground the whole way. Her mind reeled from Zak and Oliver’s conversation.
The vampire had practically staked a claim on her like she was a piece of property to be bought and sold. That was not okay, and she wasn’t going to stand for it. She knew he was obsessed, but hadn’t realized how much so until today.
She cared about him too, and that scared her even more than his declaration. Zak made her feel things that she hadn't ever felt with Trent.
"Cadence?" Zak asked.
She snapped her head up, realizing that she hadn't been paying attention to much of anything. She gave Zak an apologetic smile and glanced from him to the servant, hoping someone would fill her in on what she’d missed.
"Francis has been so kind as to invite us into his master’s home," Zak said, motioning to the house. Cadence followed his movements. Her jaw dropped. House? It was more like a mini castle. The walls were made of stone, and it had towers. This was the kind of place one would visit to gape at in the twenty-first century.
"Thanks." She nodded at the middle-aged man as she stepped into the lavish home. She felt a bit envious that somehow people four hundred years in the past had nicer things than she did in the present.
The home was amazing, with stone walls and high, vaulted ceilings. The furniture was beautiful and extravagant, though it didn't look very comfortable. Long silky drapes hung from the windows, and a few stained glass panels sent rainbows across the hardwood floor.
“Right this way, please,” Francis said as he
motioned for them to follow.
Francis led them down a long corridor. Cadence took the opportunity to take in as much of the place as she could. She couldn’t help but wonder what kind of people lived in a place like this. A duke and duchess, perhaps?
"And this will be your room, my lord." Francis stopped in front of a room, opening the door. “Is it to your liking?”
Cadence peeked her head in first and gasped. “It’s perfect,” she whispered. Her eyes darted to the large canopy bed. The curtains were drawn, which allowed natural light to filter in and accent the fine wood furniture.
“Thank you,” Zak replied as he took their bag back from Francis. He wrapped his hands around her elbow and guided her into the room, closing the door behind them.
She spun around the room, marveling at its beauty before her eyes stopped on Zak. Her anger flooded back. "I think we need to talk," she told him as she trailed her fingers over the bed.
"What did you want to talk about, Cadence?" he asked, setting their bag on the floor by his feet.
"Just so we’re clear, I am not your property. Nor will I ever be your property," she said, folding her arms over her chest. He frowned as if he were trying to pretend he had no idea what she was talking about. "You told Oliver I was yours," she reminded him with a scowl.
"Oh," he muttered, scratching at his stubble. "I didn't mean you were a piece of property, Cadence. I wanted him to understand that you were off limits to him."
She sighed, annoyed, and ran a hand through her hair as she walked to the window. Her gaze drifted to the small village, then to the dense trees that surrounded the home they occupied. “And telling him I belonged to you seemed the best way to do that?” she asked as she stared out at the countryside.
“It just came out.”
“What does that mean?” she asked as she twisted to look at him.
“It’s nothing,” he said, walking to the washbasin and splashing water on his face.
“Is it nothing?” she asked, remembering the way Oliver had stared at her.
Zak patted his face with a towel. “Why didn’t you use your magic against him? He could’ve hurt you.”
