by Bethany Shaw
Nodding, she took the weapon from him and secured it to her right thigh. Zak walked away and put his jacket on before turning to her with her jacket held out. Facing away from him, she slipped her arms into the sleeves.
He placed a chaste kiss to the back of her head, his mouth lingering against her as if he were too afraid to move.
"It's going to be okay," she said, her voice wavering slightly as her own doubts slipped in. What if it wasn’t? She turned to face him and leaned in, placing her forehead against his. They’d spent months planning and waiting for this moment. Now that it was here, she wasn’t ready. So many things could happen when they got home. Good and bad.
He reached out and touched the necklace he’d given her so many months ago before letting his hand fall back to his side. “This should keep you safe.”
She smiled. “It has so far.”
“I mean from Liana’s magic.” He pulled away and scrubbed a hand over his face. “It belonged to her.”
She touched the sapphire pendant. “I don’t understand. This was your mother’s?”
“Do you remember that day I left you in the village with Harrison and Melanie?”
She nodded. He’d disappeared for the entire day and come home smelling like ashes and smoke.
“I went to my old home and found that amongst the ruins. She drew her power from it. I hoped it would keep you safe. I’m almost positive she won’t be able to practice magic against you with that on.”
Cadence clasped the pendant tighter. He’d gone to such lengths to keep her safe, even before she’d admitted her feelings for him. “I love you, Zak.”
“I... I can’t lose you.” He looked to the floor and shook his head.
She gulped and drew in a deep breath. “Did it ever occur to you that your feelings for your family, or me, aren’t weakness? When you care about someone, it gives you purpose. It makes you fight harder and do things you didn’t think were possible.”
Zak turned to the door a moment before there was a loud knock. “It’s time to go,” he told her, grasping her hand.
“Think about what I said.”
“I will.”
She offered him a small smile, hoping that he would.
***
Zak clutched Cadence’s clammy hand tighter, finding comfort in her touch. Harrison and Melanie walked ahead of them, leading the way to the spot they’d decided on.
The walk through the woods was silent. Animals scuttled about, unaware of the tension in the air. Lightning crackled in the distance. How fitting for a storm to roll in this evening. One way or another, things were going to end tonight. He just hoped they would end in their favor.
“I was beginning to wonder if you were coming,” the witch said as she laid a circle of herbs out. “The moon is reaching its apex.”
“Thank you for doing this,” Cadence said.
The witch looked to them with a scowl. “I’m doing this for the timeline, not for you.” She licked her lips and blinked up at Cadence, opening her mouth like she wanted to say something but then shutting it.
Cadence offered the witch a smile. “Regardless, we appreciate it.”
“I saw a glimpse of my great-granddaughter when I peeked into your mind. You are a friend of hers?” the woman asked.
“I am. She’s been helping us.”
“Liana is dangerous. I’ve spoken with the elder witches—”
“You can’t do anything to change the future,” Cadence interrupted.
Zak swallowed, hoping the witch hadn’t done anything foolish. They’d worked hard to preserve the timeline. If it got messed up now there was no telling what future they would return to.
The witch shook her head. “I’ve had concerns for some time. I’m only voicing them now that I’ve seen the short images from you. Fear not, no one knows of your presence aside from my daughter and me. They never will.”
“Good,” Zak said.
“Rest assured I don’t want the timeline to change either,” she said, motioning them forward. “Come, it is nearly time.”
“This is it.” Melanie turned on her heel and pulled Cadence into a hug. “We’ll see you in a few decades.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” Cadence said, squeezing a bit tighter before pulling away.
“Harrison and I will be here waiting. The moment you come through, we’ll be here to greet you,” Melanie assured her as she turned to Zak.
He nodded, not doubting their allegiance for a moment. If things went awry, the reunion would have to be postponed until it was safe.
“Whatever the future brings, we will be ready,” Harrison said. “I promise.”
Zak didn’t want to think about what that meant. Harrison was more than old enough to take care of himself. He had to trust that his little brother knew what he was doing. Letting out a breath, he clapped him on the back. “Stay safe.”
“You too,” Harrison said.
“It is time,” the witch said, her annoyed voice breaking through their goodbyes.
Zak reached out taking Cadence’s hand again. "Are you ready?"
"Yes." Her voice wavered, and her smile didn’t quite meet her eyes.
"I'm not going to let anything happen to you, Cadence. I promise."
"In case something does, I want you to know that I truly, deeply love you, Zak." She stood on her tiptoes to kiss him.
"Cadence..." This was his chance to say it. The words were on the tip of his tongue, and he wanted her to know. If something happened to either of them, he would never forgive himself for not telling her. He cupped her cheeks with his palms and gazed into her eyes. "I love you, too." He caressed her cheek. Tears misted in her eyes, and she grinned.
Zak guided her into the circle and turned so their backs were to the rocks. “We’re going to get through this together.” He leaned in, capturing her lips for a long moment before resting his forehead against hers.
The witch began to chant in the distance, and he clutched Cadence tighter. This was it.
***
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Melanie asked.
Harrison cleared his throat as he pulled their rental car down the winding drive that led to the mansion. “It’s April 16, 2016 – the day Zak and Cadence come home. We can’t alter the timeline now, but we can help them get here safely. My family is expecting them to come here, not the woods. We’ve come too far to lose someone now.”
“I know. It’s just your family. They aren’t expecting you... us.” Melanie gazed out the window, her breath catching in her throat. “They know we’re coming.” She pointed.
Harrison followed her finger to a blur moving through the woods toward the mansion. “Don’t worry. When Oliver, Grace, and Eli see me, they’ll know we aren’t a threat.” He reached across the center console to clasp her hand. “Everything will be fine.” Zak’s coercion would still keep them from helping tonight, but he had changed his spell. They could now warn his siblings of the change of plans.
Eli followed the drive up to the mansion and pulled to a stop. The front door opened and a few vampires filed out. He recognized one instantly. A smile slid over his face.
Harrison put the car in park and turned it off before climbing out. His chest swelled. It had been centuries since the last time he’d seen his siblings. “Eli.”
His brother’s eyes widened, and he took a step back as his mouth popped open. “I don’t... stand down. Harrison? Is that you?”
Harrison grinned. “It’s me, Eli.”
Eli gasped as he trotted down the steps, stopping a few feet in front of him. His gaze swept over Harrison. “How? I don’t understand. Is it really you?”
“Zak came back to the time when we were human. He saved me,” Harrison said. “Well, he gave me the means to turn and save myself.”
“You’re a vampire?” Eli asked, shaking his head. “I don’t believe it. Why didn’t you ever say anything? It’s been centuries since you passed. I...” He smiled as he opened his arms and pulled hi
s brother into a hug. “It doesn’t matter. You are here.”
Harrison clutched him close. It had been centuries, but the family bond was still there. “Zak made us promise not to come here until April 16, 2016. Trust me, I wanted to come sooner, but we couldn’t disrupt the timeline.”
“We?” Eli asked as he pulled away, his gaze darting to the vehicle.
Harrison motioned to the car where Melanie stood leaning against the passenger side door. “I’d like you to meet my wife, Melanie.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said, taking a step forward. “I’ve heard much about you from Harrison and Zak.”
Eli sputtered, but quickly found his manners. “The pleasure is mine.” He offered Melanie his hand. “When did you see Zak?”
“We’ve seen him a lot over the years. In fact, that’s why we’re here. We spent some time with them in 1944. They aren’t coming here tonight.”
As much as Harrison would like a reunion, there wasn’t time at the moment. They needed to get everyone in position, or Zak and Cadence would be in a whole heap of trouble.
“What do you mean?” Eli asked.
“They couldn’t perform the spell at the mansion in 1944. They had to do it in the woods. We don’t have a lot of time if we’re going to get everyone into position,” he said.
Eli’s eyes widened with understanding. “Come in. It sounds like we have much to discuss.”
Chapter Fourteen
Cadence squeezed Zak's hand as the world began to spin and flames billowed around them. Her heart pounded inside her chest. Squeezing her eyes shut, she forced steady breaths in and out. If something was to happen, they needed to be ready to fight the moment they appeared. Gritting her teeth, she fought against the dizziness.
You can do this. Focus.
The roar of the fire died down, and she slowly opened her eyes. Her breath caught in her throat. They weren’t alone – not by a long shot.
"Zak," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
The entire coven stood before them with Liana and Malcolm in the very front. Cadence took a step back, blinking as a wave of dizzying nausea washed over her.
Get it together. You need to focus.
Zak’s bellow drew her from her thoughts. She gasped as he fell to his knees. Before she could do anything, her body was slammed against the rocks. A scream got lost in her throat as pain ripped through her neck and collarbone.
Fight!
Her vision wavered, but she balled her fist at her side and thrust it forward. Malcolm grunted as the stake slid into his stomach, but he didn’t stop the assault on her neck. He’s feeding from me.
The realization made her anger bubble to the surface. She clenched her other hand, lifted it, and smashed it into his neck, sending the weapon straight through to the other side. Struggling, she released the stakes from her arm piece.
Malcolm gurgled as he stumbled away. Cadence slapped a hand over her neck, feeling the warm stickiness of her blood. She sagged against the rocks, trying to gather her bearings.
Liana thrust a hand at Cadence. She flinched, but nothing happened – at least not to her. The pendant glimmered in the darkness, casting a blue aura around her.
It is protecting me.
Closing her eyes, she found the flicker of magic raging inside her and guided it out. Thunder clapped overhead and she opened her eyes, sending a bolt of lightning careening into Malcolm’s still form for good measure. Flames engulfed his body, and the putrid smell of burning flesh wafted in the air. He was down for the moment.
She took a step forward, dragging her hand away from her already healing wound. Her attention drifted to Liana, who had Zak pinned to the ground. He clutched his head, and his whole body shook.
This would be the last time the witch hurt anyone again. The wind picked up, sending Cadence’s blonde locks swirling around her face.
“Stop, Cadence!” Katherine’s voice broke through as she took a step forward and shoved someone to the ground at her feet.
Cadence paused, her magic faltering as she met her father’s eyes. Katherine held a knife to his throat.
“Dad?” she asked, her voice coming out in a whimper as she looked at him. Bruises lined the side of his face, and his lip was fat and bloodied. “What are you doing?” she asked, glaring at Katherine. She’d trusted all of the elder witches once, and they’d done nothing but betray her.
“We propose a trade. You give us Maddie and we give you back your dad.” Katherine shrugged like they weren’t talking about people’s lives.
Cadence gulped, turning to Zak. He struggled to his feet, snarling loudly. Whether because of their predicament or Liana’s magic, she couldn’t be sure. She had to choose between her father and her best friend. No, she wasn’t close to her dad, but at the end of the day he would always be her father. Tears burned her eyes as she gazed over him. He was hurt, and the coven had done this. Anger churned inside her at the continued disrespect from them. They were monsters.
“Let him go, now!” she said, her voice thick with emotion.
Liana flicked her wrist and dropped it to her side, releasing her magical grip on Zak.
Zak clasped his head, somehow managing to stumble back to Cadence.
“My dad too!” Cadence wasn’t leaving here without her father.
“No.” Katherine grabbed tufts of her father’s hair as she wrenched his head back further. “Maddie first.”
Eli’s voice boomed from above them. “You won’t be getting her tonight.”
Cadence twisted, trying to both keep her line of sight on Liana and catch a glimpse of the vampire. He stood on the rock formation above them with Jamie. She couldn’t see anyone else, but would guess the pair wasn’t alone.
Liana turned her gaze up to the sky. “The moon has already peaked and surpassed the apex. The spell cannot be performed tonight. You have twenty-four hours to turn her over. If you don’t, your father will die and the coven will take Maddie by force.”
Cadence trembled. She opened her mouth to argue. Before she could, Zak grasped her by the waist and tossed her over his shoulder. He climbed up the rock formation before she could even process what was happening.
Cradling her close, he swung her around and whisked her away at vampire speed. They didn’t stop until they’d reached the mansion’s driveway, where he pulled to a stop and set her down.
She wriggled free from his gasp, turning to him with a glare. “What are you doing? They have my dad!” They’d left him. Left him with the same witches and man who had murdered her mother.
“We were cornered, Cadence. You’re hurt and we don’t have the resources to take on an entire coven tonight,” he said.
“I was in control of my magic. I was about to—”
“I know what you can do, Cadence, but it would have been a war if we’d stayed. What are you prepared to do?” He lifted his brows in question as Eli, Jamie, and a few other vampires she didn’t recognize crowded in around them. “No one would bat an eye if you killed Liana or Katherine. They have it coming, but are you prepared to kill others? To take on the entire coven and kill them if needed?”
Cadence swallowed as angry tears pricked her eyes and trickled down her cheek. She swiped them away, shaking her head. He had a point. The entire coven wasn’t her enemy. Half of them probably had no idea what was really going on. They were just following orders like mindless puppets. That didn’t make it okay, but it didn’t mean they deserved to die either.
Zak took a few steps forward, placing his hands on her shoulders. “They won’t harm him. He is the only bargaining chip they have.”
“They’ve already hurt him. Did you see him?” she asked quietly. As she let his words register, she had to admit he was making another good point. Her father was the only thing they had to bargain with. When did he become the voice of reason? The thought made her laugh. God, she was losing it now.
“It’s going to be okay.” Zak wiped her tears away with the pad of his thumb.
>
She nodded and folded in, letting him hold her.
“How did you know where to find us?” Zak asked after a moment. She wasn’t entirely sure whom he was asking.
“It’s a long story,” Eli said as he moved past them. “The pair of you should come inside. Our brother and his wife have been anticipating your arrival. I expect them back in the next hour or two.”
“Harrison and Melanie are here?” Zak asked, stepping away from her for the first time.
“Of course. How do you think we knew where to look for you?” Eli grinned. “I thought it best for them to stay away during the rescue. They’re safe with several others. I’m not sure how Mother or Father will react to Harrison’s presence. I’d like to keep it quiet for as long as possible.”
Cadence let out a breath. As much as she’d like to see her friends, it was good to know they were safe even if they couldn’t throw out the welcome mat.
Zak took her hand, pulling her past the crowd of vampires that had come to their rescue. She smiled when she saw one familiar face. Jamie.
Cadence pulled back, meeting Jamie’s eyes for the first time since their arrival home. They’d finally made it, and instead of joy, it had brought her more heartache.
Jamie smiled and held out her arms. Cadence raced forward, throwing herself against her friend. It was good to be home.
“It’s going to be okay,” Jamie said as she rocked Cadence back and forth. “We’re going to figure this out so no one gets hurt.”
“You’ve found a way to save Maddie?” Cadence asked, letting hope creep into her voice.
Jamie sighed and looked at her feet. “Come inside. We have a lot to talk about.”
Her heart sank. That sounded ominous.
***
“She asked to be changed?” Cadence asked, leaning forward while shifting on the plush couch. She blinked her heavy eyes to keep them from sliding shut. Her wound may have healed, but the blood loss was catching up to her. She chewed on her nail, hoping it would keep her awake.
