by Bethany Shaw
Cadence covered her mouth as tears pricked her eyes. “No.” They’d turned him into a vampire.
“Cadence, are you okay?” Zak asked, his back to her, his gaze never wandering from her father.
“Yeah,” she said her voice thick with unshed tears. They’d turned her dad into a vampire. It was like a final slap in the face.
Her dad shook his head and his eyes returned to normal. His face paled, and he slid down from the desk. “Cadence? Oh God! Did I hurt you? I’m so sorry, sweetheart... I...”
“It’s okay,” she said, stepping around Zak.
Zak held out an arm, stopping her from getting too close. “He’s just been turned. The hunger is uncontrollable.”
Her father raked both hands through his hair. “I didn’t mean to bite you. I tried to...”
“It’s okay,” she said again as she touched the wound on her neck. Sticky blood met her fingers, but the pain was gone and so were any signs of puncture wounds. “I’m fine.”
“Sweetheart, are you sure?” he asked, closing his eyes. “There’s so much blood. I can smell the blood.” His eyes flickered gold when he opened them.
“Go to the hall, Cadence. Make sure Oliver doesn’t need any help. I’ll make sure he gets back to the manor and gets the help he needs,” Zak said.
Cadence muffled a cry with her clean hand. She nodded and darted out of the room, placing her back against the wall, needing something solid to support her. Just as she’d thought they’d won, Liana and Malcolm found one last way to hurt her.
Tears slid down her face as she slithered down the wall until she sat on her butt. Oliver and Malcolm were already gone, and Jamie was still unconscious for the moment. She drew in a deep breath and buried her face in her knees. She’d gained so much in the year she’d been with Zak, but his parents had also stolen a great deal from her.
Chapter Seventeen
“Are you sure you don’t want me to go in there with you?” Zak asked as they stopped outside a bedroom door.
Cadence looked down at the hardwood floor and drew in a breath. “No. I’ll be fine. You said he’s in control, right?”
Zak nodded. “I’ll be right here.”
“Thank you for helping him. I appreciate it.” It had been a week since they’d ceased the coven’s mansion and ended the war.
Zak shifted on his feet and looked at the floor. “I can’t take responsibility for it. It was mostly Trent’s doing.”
“Trent?” Cadence asked, surprised.
Zak lifted his brows and let out a breath. She reached out and squeezed his hand, making a mental note to thank Trent later. Right now, it was time to see her father.
Her hand shook as she reached out to open the door. It creaked open, and she blew out a breath as she entered.
“Hi, Dad,” she said, staring at his back as he gazed out the window.
He turned slowly, shoving his hands into his pockets. “They told me you were okay, but it’s nice to see it for myself,” he said as a small smile formed on his face.
“I agree. How are you feeling?”
He shrugged. “Physically, I’ve never felt better. I’m still a little unsure of my hunger and what I must do to survive.”
“I’m sorry this happened,” she said, swallowing.
Her dad shook his head. “Don’t be sorry, Cadence. I...” he looked away and squeezed his eyes shut. “After the man...Malcolm...turned me...I remembered...everything. He was a client of mine right before your mother passed. Everything that has happened is my fault. I should have fought the spell they put on me harder. I should have—”
Cadence rushed forward. “Don’t.” She put a hand over his elbow. “We were both victims.”
“I was supposed to protect you. You’re my daughter,” he said, tears rimming his eyes. “I failed you.”
“No.” She shook her head adamantly. “The people who did this to us were sinister and powerful. They planned their attack for years. None of this is your fault. Do you understand?”
He huffed but didn’t say anything.
She reached out and touched his cheek. “Let’s not dwell on the past anymore, but on the future.”
Her dad smiled and nodded. “I’d like that.”
“So would I.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever told you how amazing your boyfriend is,” her dad said.
“Huh?” Oh geez, please tell me he isn’t talking about Trent.
“Trent. The young man whose been helping me. He’s quite exemplary.”
“Oh.” She looked away and bit her lip. “Uh, Dad, we aren’t really seeing each other anymore.”
Her dad frowned, his brow crinkling with confusion. “He was your boyfriend, right?”
“We broke up just before I disappeared,” she said.
“Oh, I see.” He shook his head. “I never asked how you got home. The last I heard from Katherine and Jamie was that Zakariah Smith took you, but given what’s happened, I don’t know what to believe.”
Cadence guided her dad to the bed and took a seat. “It’s a long story. Sit down and I’ll explain everything.”
***
Zak stood on the opposite side of his brother’s study for a long moment. He looked at the oak door and sighed. He might as well get this over with.
Reaching out, he twisted the knob and let himself inside.
Eli looked up from his desk. “Zak?” His eyes darted to the clock on the wall. “Is everything okay?”
Zak nodded. “Everything’s fine. Something’s been weighing on me. I thought we could talk.”
Eli stood from his desk and pulled out his bottle of scotch and two glasses. He motioned to the couch where they both sat. His brother set the glasses and poured them each a generous helping.
“What’s on your mind?”
“Do you remember our conversation in 1944? The one we had about Cadence?”
Eli lifted his glass to his lips and gulped it down. “Of course. Surely nothing is wrong. Mother and Father have been taken care of, that Trent fellow has left for Europe to join the clan there, and her father seems to be coming along nicely.”
Zak shook his head. This was harder than he’d thought it’d be. “I wanted to apologize to you for the way I acted after Eliza betrayed our family.”
Eli waved his hands. “We’ve already talked about this.”
“No, we haven’t. Not really.” When they’d met up again they’d pretended nothing had ever happened between them. “Look, I know what I said to you when we were fighting, that love was for fools and it was a weakness. I was angry at you, not only for the danger you put us in but also for allowing yourself to open up to someone. I thought we could never trust anyone that deeply but ourselves. I was wrong, Eli. Cadence has shown me what it’s like to be loved. Harrison and Melanie, too.” He took another gulp of his drink. “Eliza might not have been the right woman, but there is one out there.”
Eli sighed and took another drink. “I haven’t opened myself up to anyone since Eliza. I’m not sure if I can.”
“I’m sorry, Eli.”
“It’s not your fault. I deserved the beating and berating you gave me, Zakariah. I put us all in danger. It was—”
Zak interrupted. “Maybe if I hadn’t been so tough on you about Eliza from the beginning, you wouldn’t have been so enthralled with her.”
Eli shrugged. “I suppose some of my interest might have been out of spite. Ultimately it was my fault.”
Zak shook his head. “No, not entirely. When I first met Cadence, I couldn’t explain why I was drawn to her. She helped the coven attack Oliver. They nearly captured him, and I still couldn’t bring myself to do anything to her. Loving someone makes you blind to everything.”
A grin slipped over Eli’s features. “I never thought I’d hear you admit to loving someone.”
“Neither did I.” He was about to admit one other thing that Eli wouldn’t believe. “My love for her made me stronger. I was wrong. Love isn’t a weakness. It’s a str
ength.” He clapped Eli on the shoulder. “Promise me that when the time comes, you won’t turn your back on it.”
Eli didn’t say anything, only nodded. That was about as much as Zak was going to get out of him. He hoped one day all his siblings could find the happiness he had found with Cadence.
***
Cadence raised her hand, knocking on the door. Soft footsteps padded against the carpet as they drew closer to the door. It opened, and Jamie stuck her head out.
“Hey,” Cadence said with a wave. “Welcome back.”
“Thanks.” Jamie opened the door and pulled her into a hug.
“How did it go?” Cadence asked as she entered and Jamie shut the door.
“About as well as can be expected when you’re burying a dismembered body all over the world.” Jamie went to the bed and flopped down. “How have you been? How is your dad?”
“He’s okay. Things have been relatively quiet around here.”
There was another knock at the door, and both girls turned as the door creaked open.
“I hope I’m not interrupting,” Maddie said. She peered in at them, clutching a folder to her chest.
“No, come in,” Jamie said, motioning for Maddie to join them.
Cadence smiled at her friend. Maddie had quickly found her footing as a vampire, and was even brokering a truce between the clan and coven. Hopefully with everyone’s cooperation, it would last forever.
Maddie cleared her throat as she stopped a few feet from the bed. “I’m glad you’re both here. One of the girls from the coven just dropped this off. I thought you might like it, Cadence.”
“What is it?” Cadence asked, taking the folder and thumbing it open. She gasped as articles and webpages stared back at her. It was information about vampire bonds.
“Is it nice being bonded to a vampire?” Maddie asked as she laced her fingers together.
Cadence bit her lip as she fought the urge to giggle. “Yeah. Oddly, his blood doesn’t bother me.”
“Really?” Jamie asked. “So you drink it?”
“Not like how a vampire does, but when a kiss is a little too rough or I’m hurt, yeah.”
“From what I’ve seen, you and Zak are lucky,” Maddie said as she indicated the folder.
“You already looked at these?” Cadence asked.
“I had to skim over everything the coven brought. It was a massive pile of papers when I started. I read a lot faster than I used to. Perks of being a vampire, I guess,” she said, offering her a smile.
“So you’re okay with this? I mean, Zak and me?” Cadence asked.
“Of course.” She motioned to her body. “I can’t say I would have a right to complain.”
Cadence turned to Jamie.
Jamie shifted in her spot. “I mean, if you’re happy, Cadence, I’m happy for you. I have to admit, Oliver and I have become...friends. Vampires might not be so bad.”
“Friends?” Cadence said at the same time Maddie did.
They both laughed and Jamie shook her head.
Jamie held up her hands. “I don’t think I’m ready to go there, but he is kind of cute, isn’t he?”
Cadence grinned. Everything was good with her dad and with her friends. Finally things were starting to go her way.
***
Zak reached out for Cadence, only to find cold sheets next to him. He opened his eyes, squinting against the sunlight coming from the window. Twisting to see the clock, he groaned. It was just after daybreak. What was Cadence doing up so early?
He sat up and found her sitting on the floor amongst a sea of papers.
“What’s all that?” he asked.
“Maddie gave it to me last night. It’s all the information Liana gathered on vampire bonds,” she said as she set a piece of paper into a pile.
He climbed out of bed and clambered toward her, taking a seat next to her. “Anything interesting?”
Cadence pointed to a pile. “This is all junk.” She motioned to another pile. “But these look interesting. In fact, I think you should read this.”
“Sweetheart, you know we can’t trust my mother, or the Internet for that matter,” he said as he met her gaze.
Cadence sighed. “You’re probably right, but I think it’s worth a read.”
Zak took the paper from her and skimmed over the words. He clutched it tighter and swallowed hard as he continued. Finished, he set the paper on his lap and stared at her.
“Do you think it’s possible?” she asked, flicking her gaze up to his.
Zak glanced at the paper and back to her.
“Liana said my life was tied to yours...that I’d be hard to kill.” She bit her lip and looked at him expectantly.
If what he’d read was true, then Cadence could remain a witch yet never age another day.
“I’ve already tapped into some of your vampire powers – speed and healing,” she said, her eyes growing wider. “Maybe I’ve tapped into your immortality, too.”
“I hope it’s true.” He didn’t know if Cadence would agree to become a vampire, and frankly he liked her just as she was. If the bond had linked her life to his, then she would live indefinitely as an immortal. If he couldn’t be killed, then neither could she. “I want this to be true.”
“I wish there was a way to test it,” Cadence said.
“Nothing dangerous,” he said, narrowing his eyes. “I think the best test is time. If you still look exactly the same in a few years, then we’ll know it’s the truth.”
“Or I’ll be a few years older with wrinkles,” she said quietly.
“Time will tell, but either way, I’ll always love you.”
Cadence’s beam lit up her whole face. “I’ll love you forever.” She leaned in and captured his lips with hers.
Zak wrapped an arm around her, pulling her into his lap. A year, or a month, however you wanted to look at it, had changed his world forever. He wouldn’t change a thing. Spending his life with Cadence was his destiny.
Epilogue
Twelve years later....
Zak shifted in his seat as he fought the tickle in the back of his mind. He looked out the car window and blew out a breath. Cadence persisted, her mind seeking out his.
“I know what you’re doing,” he said. He wrapped an arm around her while keeping her from reading his mind – at least he hoped he was.
“You’re being secretive,” she said with a pout.
He waved his hand in front of the blindfold, making sure she still couldn’t see. “It wouldn’t be a surprise if I wasn’t.”
She groaned, but leaned against him anyway. “Can you at least give me a hint?”
“You’ll see soon enough.” He’d gone to great lengths to keep today a secret from her, and he wasn’t going to give it away now.
Over the years their bond had grown, allowing them to hear the other’s thoughts. It was a good thing – unless he was trying to surprise her like he was today.
The car came to a stop. He didn’t wait for the driver to come around before opening the back door. Stepping into the moonlight, he reached back in to guide Cadence out.
She clasped his arm as he guided her over the walkway and to the elevator. He murmured to the guide in French, thanking his lucky stars she hadn’t learned that language yet. With an eternity ahead of them, he was certain she would one day.
The guide wandered off and they stepped on board. He pressed the buttons and held her tighter as the elevator ascended.
“Now I’m really curious,” she said.
“Soon,” he said.
The elevator dinged and he led her off, helping her to the railing.
“Are you ready?” he asked. His hands went to the blindfold.
“Definitely.”
He released the tie and she gasped, taking in the scenery from the top of the Eiffel Tower. It was still her favorite place to visit, and tonight he’d ensured they’d have the tower to themselves for as long as they wanted.
“Happy anniversary,” he said, p
lacing a kiss to the nape of her neck. She shivered at the contact and leaned into him.
Does she remember what today is?
“Of course I remember,” she said, answering his unspoken question. She spun around, placing a soft kiss to his lips. “It’s been twelve years today since we got sent back in time.”
He grinned as he pulled her close. “I love you, Cadence.”
“I love you too, Zak.”
He captured her lips with his. Twelve years ago today, he’d finally begun to live. Somehow against all odds, he’d found his soul mate in a witch. They had an eternity together, and it was only just beginning.
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Chapter 1
Devon slipped out of the house and hoisted his bag higher on his shoulder. He wiped a clammy hand through his short, sandy blonde hair as his eyes scanned the perimeter. There were no guards in sight.
The large estate they lived on was its own community, situated in the woods far away from curious neighbors. To some it seemed unconventional but for them it was a way of life. The wolves inside them craved the large family and densely wooded setting.
He walked toward the large oak tree in the middle of the yard while his eyes darted around his surroundings.
Fear crept through him at the idea of being caught, not for himself, but for his siblings and his friend. His two siblings, Vincent and Emily, and friend, Marcus were the three most important people to him. Nothing is going to happen to them.
He let out a sigh of relief, seeing he was the last to arrive at their rendezvous point. Devon greeted his companions with a simple nod. They couldn’t risk being overheard. Emily’s wide, emerald-green eyes flicked wildly around, her brown hair stuck to her forehead and the nape of her neck with sweat. Vincent, Emily’s twin, seemed antsy. His feet shuffled; and he balled his fists at his side. Marcus’ hand held fast to Emily’s, his olive skin and jet-black hair concealing him slightly more in the darkness.
