Son of Ra

by Cyndi Goodgame

  “Why did you give me...this?” I pointed to the ruby.

  He smiled, his eyes on the necklace, “I wanted my heart near yours. It’s my thoughts your guarding against, so I wanted my heart represented.”

  “Why?”

  This girl! Lord! His face reckoned a million things in one. I heard him knowing he neglected to hide it.

  “Never mind…I love it. More than anything.”

  He smiled and looked down. The ring was in my pocket and the chain sat in the box. “Would you like for me to make it into a bracelet so you can wear both?”

  “You would do that?” I ignored the fact that he somehow knew the ring wasn't in the box in the first place. He really tries to just stop my heart with shock it seems.

  “For you, anything Kissa.”

  It was astounding. I nodded for no reason but to acknowledge. “After the meeting. The ring I mean. I will give it to you then.” I stared at the floor.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked me showing me a kindness by not asking.

  Chapter Eleven

  To get the full value of love…

  We ate then rallied ourselves into the Sun room waiting for the group to arrive around ten that morning.

  I had mixed feelings on how this was all going to go down. Standing in the same room with Calum and Cas would be entirely too strange. I wasn’t sure what I felt completely about anything but did acknowledge one conclusion. I needed some time off from everyone to think straight.

  Neither of us spoke much.

  He stood nervously after a quiet while. “They are here.”

  Holding his hand out, he led me down to the bottom floor and stopped me. “Please don’t mention to anyone about me, my weapons room, or most definitely, our connection.” He pointed to my head. "At least not just yet." I nodded eager to get the whole thing over with. I dreaded it oddly enough. I did not want to leave.

  When the front door opened, Claire, the housekeeper, was thrown aside by a storming Calum. “Where is she?”

  I stood beside Cas now, my zip hoodie sweater zipped up to the top and hands in my pockets. I felt Cas step sideways to make room for Calum’s large Hunter impact. I fell backwards as Calum had his arms around me. I just couldn’t return it. It didn’t feel right. So I gave him what I could.

  I felt Cas’ eyes watching my every move as Calum let go, but didn’t go far. I pulled the necklace from under my shirt in a split decision tucking it under the zipper I just pulled up but didn’t even let it register that it wasn’t the ring. What will happen next for you? He didn't answer me.

  I stood back up now, Calum beside me, and took turns hugging Maze, and shaking hands with Dr. Green.

  I apologized to Claire for Calum’s rudeness, but he just scowled at everyone he looked at. For once, Cas was not the sole center of the room and it put me on edge.

  My father was here too. He didn’t reach to hug me, shake my hand, or anything. Nice father. “Can I talk with you a moment?”

  He took me up to the Sun room. I didn’t register then that he knew the way in without directions. Once there, his business face was in place and ready. “I had to keep you safe. Were you comfortable?”

  I nodded. I frantically worried that he could read how much I really liked being here. I don’t want to leave.

  “I know Lord Cross will keep his word. He will not let anything ever happen to you. His word is good.”

  LORD? “Did you just say Lord Cross? As in THE LORD CROSS. This is his home?” I told myself to keep it together.

  “Yes. Didn’t he tell you?”

  “Obviously not. Who is he? Which one?”

  He eyed me wearily. “Thorn is downstairs. You were standing right beside him.”

  That was so not nice to keep as a secret. You should have told me.

  No answer was offered. He must not be able to hear or he is silent for a purpose.

  “Well, he has been an ally to our family for years keeping watch over you since you were young. I had the upmost confidence in his abilities and still do.”

  So do I. All of his abilities. Including keeping his secrets. I tightened my fists knowing my own rule on secrets. I hated double standards, and worse, that I kept them myself. I just didn’t want secrets kept from me. Don’t we all? He shines brighter than any sun I could have ever imagined in my world. And that explains why he could overtake me. He is the Vampire lord. And I tried to kill him! Hej!

  “I didn’t keep all of them away to hurt you. I knew what was already set when the five of you were born. Your mothers brought all this to pass.”

  “Why did his dad turn him?” Five?

  “That’s a good question except that I know the answer. Thorn knew he would never rule the Val court even with the amount of power he held for he wasn’t an heir. He was a natural born leader in every way but his birthright. The previous Vampire lord knew he needed a son to be from another faction to ensure survival. We both saw an out. And prophecies are known for their truths.”

  “Survival of what?” I was so confused. “What do you want me to do, father?”

  “What do you think you should do? You are now eighteen. It is the time now that you choose. Your power will grow as long as you are near Thorn and Calum. I made sure you survived the night of your birthday. It is your move next? Now, do you have a preference of where you would like to go?”

  I want to…I’m not going back home. Ever! I want to stay more than anything, but I just feel like it’s not the right thing to do. I should go back to the school, finish my classes, and do some thinking about what I want to do. I would like to do some surveillance on the factions to see what my death would have secured without the opinions of any present company. I want to find out how I could possibly bring factions closer together. I want to find out what the factions think will happen with me alive. Or dead. And I can’t do this with Cas near me. I can’t think when he is near. At least not about anything but him.

  “What will the factions think when I’m still alive?”

  “They know little. For now, they think that the group of you are broken up, have no hidden agendas, and will be quiet.”

  What group?

  “When were you going to tell me anything?”

  “What do you still need to know?” he didn’t apologize.

  “Who tried to kill me?”

  “Who didn’t? Every faction had at least one hidden assassin. All failed and some because it was set up that way. The Elves, led by a now desperate Borgon, don’t want the idea of a unionized earth. And you are the key. You’re going to have to be good, Anastacia. Silent. You have to comply.”

  Comply. Silent. Every faction. “Does that include Vampires?”

  He knew my aim. I wanted to know who the Vampire assassin was.

  “He was one of them. Thorn. He was the appointed assassin. He and I had an agreement long ago. He let the other factions believe he would be there to take you out as well, but they did not know what we knew.”

  He pointed to my head indicating he knew of the connection. He knew. Assassin? Cas was supposed to kill me.

  “How did you know to do all this?”

  “Because I was there. The night all three of you were born. You and Thorn were connected from the second you entered earth.”

  “How do you know that? What do you mean?” I was frightened now, no doubt, giving every ounce of fear my body could produce. We were talking about the Vampire lord, the one I hated. All my years of practicing the art of hiding my senses seems to have gone to pot in just a few weeks. Some Val Supergirl!

  “Because he said your name.”

  “My name. How is that possible?” I didn’t believe it even when Cas told it.

  “The same way you said his back.”

  That’s not possible.”

  “It is, and it did.”

  “And Calum, and Szar?”

  “Szar is just simply Szar. And next in line for my title.”

  “And Calum?” My patience was wearing severely thin.
/>
  “He was born once again at the same time, but we lost him for a while. He is just a Hunter with a greater purpose. The factions know he is physically stronger than any other Hunter. They know this. I know this. And Thorn knows this.”

  “Why are you telling me this?”

  “You asked,” he replied chastising me in a way.

  “Why do I need to know Calum is a stronger Hunter than others?” I felt queasy knowing the answers danced on the edge of my brain.

  “Because you are linked to all of them in some way. Weird way. They will protect you. I’ve kept you apart from them for your own safety. But you’re naturally drawn. Calum and you, you found each other without fail. And you and Thorn—

  “What about us? I mean him?”

  I didn’t mean to insinuate any us. Cas and I. There isn’t any us.

  “Stace, I saw the way he watched you. Has watched you for years. Waited. And the black in his eyes when Calum came near you. He tensed. I’m your father, count me a little intelligence. And you can’t hide your feelings from me. I can sense every emotion at my age. Give me little credit.”

  My father’s only attempt at humor. He can read me that well? “Why were we all born at the same time?”

  “That is a story for another day. For now, we need to get back to the group, and move on. Others are watching and will try to alter our course for the day.” He paused. “Are you staying or going?”

  Cas was really giving me a choice.

  “Going, for now. I need to find out more. This all…there’s too much I don’t know.”

  When we returned to the main room, everyone was in a kind of standoff position. I walked instinctually up to Cas and stood beside him. I didn’t think to do it, I just did.

  Calum cocked his head sideways at the move. I quickly moved over to stand by father.

  Cas spoke first. “She will be taken to the Hunter school until further notice.”

  I want to stay. But I can’t. You heard everything, didn’t you? I closed my eyes. He didn’t have to respond. His Vampire hearing would have heard it.

  Calum spat a vicious curse at him adding, “You will not speak for her in anything.” His fists were rising and his hand touched my shoulder blade. My skin prickled where he pressed into me unlike the warm energy from days ago. It was electric, but not nice.

  I felt like a trapped rat in the maze of an inescapable decision making moment that wouldn’t end the way I planned.

  My eyes wide, my thoughts in silent curses, “I can speak for myself. And you can back off.” I pointed to Calum ashamed at my own assertiveness. I gathered my thoughts and from the irksome aggressive nature he was taking with what was not his territory. Calum’s arms convulsed and his fists were inching closer to get by me. Next thing I know, my hands were splayed across the front of my claim.

  He is mine.

  The Hunter in Calum took a step back.

  My hand went to my neck. It wasn’t there. It was still in my pocket. Tears filled my eyes. He knew I knew everything. About him. I dared a look up. His eyes bore into mine.

  I don’t know what to say.

  He didn’t move. I will find you, Stace. I will. If you need me, just take off the wall that hides me from you.

  How? We are so far.

  He moved his arms down beside him now. His expression took on a greater light, tenderness in his unspoken voice. No, now that we’ve connected in other ways, it reaches farther.

  How do you know?

  Because, this morning I listened to you dreaming from five miles up.

  What? I almost answered him aloud. My face spoke loads, I am sure. To everyone. I’d been so caught up in what Cas and I said that I’d forgotten I was in a room full of people.

  I played with the ring halfway out of my pocket now.

  My father proved he knew, because he reached over and tried to tuck the ring out of my fingers and placed it on my finger hiding the agenda.

  The crew in front of me watched us with curiosity. It couldn’t have escaped their eyes. We were all turned now and heading out the door when Cas called my name. A small round of hysteria hit my brain.

  “Stace, you can have this now,” his voice went all dark and dangerous like when I’d met him. He pulled my hand up to him, opened my palm and folded it back. My tears stung when I closed my eyes feeling the last of his warming touch not knowing if I’d find my way back to him as much as I wanted too. I placed the ring in his hand. Somehow, I didn’t want him blocked. It suddenly came to me that it was my greatest fear.

  This will be back tomorrow.

  Calum huffed and watched. He mumbled something utterly rude. By contrast, Calum’s Hyde voice sounded uncaring and self-centered which probably pissed Cas off even further. I whizzed away in a long black car before I knew what I held.

  In my hand was my phone and a copy of the letter from his own mom. I put it in my pouch before anyone could notice. I had all three of our letters.

  Chapter Twelve

  …you must have someone to divide it with.

  Calum cleared his throat beside me pulling me out of my thoughts. “You okay?”

  Not sure if I was able to speak, I nodded.

  “Did he hurt you?” His hand touched mine.

  “No, he was very kind.” I pulled back not wanting the electricity finding its path again.

  He didn’t like it.

  “Kind? A Vampire. How?” Calum’s voice was so deep with anger I didn’t register it as anything but unkind and I resented it terribly.

  “He was very hospitable.” Calum snorted instantly alerted to my defensive tone. I saw that my father and Dr. Green both eyed each other wordlessly in the front seats. “He was only trying to keep me safe. He saved me you know.”

  “Saved you? He kidnapped YOU.”

  My father’s head shot sideways enough to alert me to the idea that some secrets are best kept just that, secret. I see a theme forming.

  “Yes, Calum. He saved me from whoever would have killed me.”

  Dr. Green spoke up, “Yes, the Weres would have taken her, but she extinguished their leader’s right hand man. And the Elves had a neat and tidy plan but failed due to Thorn.”

  “They didn’t get what they wanted.” I confirmed testily. "And I didn't kill anyone's leader at least."

  My father spoke, “Yes, thanks to Lord Cross. We should be thankful.”

  “Did you know about this?” Calum challenged all of us.

  I waited. I wouldn’t be the one to spread light on the subject.

  “We knew he would not hurt her. He is an ally.” My father tried to sound composed.

  “So this..four days she’s been there, you knew?”

  My father knew. I knew that. But I’d guessed by the silence he wasn’t telling.

  “No! We didn’t know who would take her, but we positioned Cross to be the one for her own safety. When Cross let us know she was safe, we gave it a few days to assure her safety. No one will hurt her when she is with Cross.”

  Nice spin on the truth dad.

  This, I knew would not go over well with Calum. And my father just lied. Flat out lied. And his look was saying every bit of I’d better play nice and follow along. He was asking me to lie to Calum. I marveled at the massive turn of events my life has taken in a matter of months.

  “You knew more than you were telling also Calum, so don’t act so underdog. You knew more about me when I revealed myself and you kept it from me,” I fumed at him.

  “Not the point. It wasn’t right to tell you.”

  The heck it wasn’t. All these dang secrets were going to kill me before any enemy could.

  “I can protect her as well.” Calum was angry.

  I knew that I really thought a lot of Calum. He showed me so much in the past couple of months. I don't understand why he, or Cas was kept from me, but protect me they do well. I'm the one who is not so sure what role I play. Where do I fit in?

  “I don’t need protecting. I’m going back to the school
. Everyone will leave me alone soI will be fine. You all will stop hovering over me and I will let you know when I need any assistance from any of you.”

  “You go girl.” Maze spoke beside me. She smiled like a chipper cheerleader and gave an irresolute high-five.

  “Where is your ring?” Calum looked at my hands. He also saw the ruby pendant.

  “Somewhere safe.” He eyed me wearily as I averted his gaze with my forced smile, but said nothing else. He didn’t know of its power yet.

  Calum snorted numerous times before we pulled into the school. No one spoke again until we parked. I keened a short standard goodbye to my father and walked straight to the dorm. Lost in thought, I opened the dorm door and fell back when a hand was on my arm.

  I knew he was needing something from me right then, but I wasn’t able to give it and the fire crawling on my skin was more pain than I wanted to think about.

  “Calum, I need some time. I’m okay, but I need to sleep, wake up, and focus on school for now.”

  He tried to pull me close. I pulled away, kissed my pinky finger and placed it on his lips, and quivered out the only good night using my best smile I could muster.

  That night, I dreamed a familiar that brought to light just how much I am not in charge. A dark haired boy, my age, carried me off in his arms. I’m dying. He is frantic. I woke up. But this time, I spoke. I told the boy something. I told him what my heart felt. What it wanted. And I woke up knowing exactly who it was and what I said.

  I’d dreamed that a million times. I’d known Cas my whole life. He’d always been there. I wondered if I’d been in his.

  Desperate that I made the wrong decision, I got dressed before sunup. The ring was beside my pillow, making me freak a little at how it got there. I looked for other signs that Cas had been in my room, but found none. For now, my ring will stay in in my pouch. I checked my jewelry box and noted that my mom’s pendant was safe inside hidden in the mattress where I neglected to retrieve it. I didn’t want to lose it either.

  I dressed, raced out, and hurried straight to the library. I had an hour before anyone would come looking for me before breakfast.

  The internet proved mostly nada. I did however find out that Lord Cross was no doubt the same auspicious Cassius Rathorth Cross I’d just spent four days alone with and proved still very much alive and well… a little less of the evil spawn I’d always made him out to be. He was also in very big trouble the next time we were alone. LORD CROSS!