“How dare you keep it from me,” I screamed.
Still groggy he said, “What?”
“Duncan just told me that you challenged Angus for clan leadership. How could you not tell me that?”
He turned his eyes away for a moment, a guilty look crossing his face. “Rachel, I was going to tell you.”
“Well it’s too late now. You hid it from me. Maybe if you’d told me we could have had some warning. I could have listened in on Angus’ thoughts.” Gavin was thoroughly confused now. I was mixing my anger and fear of two totally separate things together. I shook my head in an attempt to think more clearly. If we were going to get out of Soldiers Cove alive I’d have to keep calm. Something that, past a certain point, had always proven difficult for me.
“I was just called outside by Duncan,” I said, forcing myself to speak slowly and clearly. “Angus was contacted by the professor. He knows why Kenzie took Jade and he knows what we’ve been planning. He’s going to kill Ryan. We have to leave and it has to be now.”
Gavin didn’t hesitate or ask questions. He knew the threat was very real and any thoughts of challenging Angus were secondary to the safety of his children. “I’ll get the kids in the car. You get Alexander and Leiv up and tell them to get in the car as fast as they can.
With use of vampire speed Gavin zipped out of the bedroom and out of sight. I did the same and burst through Leiv and Alex’s door, nearly taking it off the hinges. “Get up!” was all I said. They lay there looking at me in stunned silence. “Up. Now. We all have to go. Angus is coming to kill Ryan. We have to leave and you have to come with us.”
“Kill Ryan?” Leiv said. “Why?”
“There’s no time to explain. I’ll tell you on the way. You have sixty seconds to get in the car.”
Leiv was about to say something else but Alex touched his shoulder, stopping him. Leiv understood and both of them got up and proceeded to dress. I flitted back to our room, grabbed a wad of cash – about ten thousand dollars – that I kept on hand in case of a major emergency and flitted downstairs, making my way to the door. Gavin was strapping Jade in her car seat as Ryan slid into his, sleepily rubbing his eyes.
“Mommy, where are we going?”
“We’re just going for a little drive, baby. You close your eyes and go back to sleep for a little bit if you want.”
“I’m hungry.”
“It’s not time for breakfast yet, silly,” I said, making every effort to sound calm. We’ll stop and get you something to eat in a little while. It’s still dark out so go back to sleep for now, ok?”
“Ok,” he said yawning. He put his head down on a little pillow Gavin had grabbed from the couch and promptly went back to sleep. Jade let out one soft cry before closing her eyes again and sleeping herself.
Leiv and Alexander joined the kids, squeezing into the backseat. We’d been meaning to buy a bigger vehicle since we were a family of six now instead of four, at least for the time being, but hadn’t made the time to do so. Now they were stuffed in there together, all of my responsibilities in one tiny space. I felt claustrophobic just thinking about it.
Gavin and I slid into the front and gave each other a worried look before heading out. “It’s alright,” he forced himself to say. “I won’t let anything happen…to any of us. I promise you that, Rachel.” I nodded and he turned the engine over, speeding down the driveway and turning west onto the pavement.
We were almost to the edge of Soldiers Cove where it turns into Chapel Island when Leiv said, “Where will we go, Rachel?” Leiv was usually disturbingly stoic, but when he said the words I detected a twinge of fear in his voice. I wanted to tell him not to worry, to reassure him, but I also didn’t want to lie. I, like Gavin, would do anything to protect the blood of my blood, but in that moment I wasn’t sure how, or even if I could.
I wanted to give him a carefully thought out response that would neither alarm nor worry him, but before I could formulate one the moment came when it was too late. As we neared the end of Soldiers Cove, instead of finding an empty road leading us through Chapel Island, we saw them. Vampires. Our family. Our clan. There were at least a hundred of them and they were standing on the road behind Angus, arms crossed in an official enduring stance. His eyes narrowed and hardened as our car approached. We were trapped.
Chapter Twenty six
“They’re going to kill us, aren’t they?” Leiv said from the backseat. Luckily Ryan was sound asleep, unable to hear and see what was going on.
I turned around, reaching into Leiv’s mind to use the calming effect makers had over their creation. It was something I hadn’t done yet and I was praying it would work. The situation was bad and Leiv going into a panic was just going to make things worse. “Leiv,” I said, approaching his consciousness. “Everything is going to be just fine. You just need to stay calm and listen to me. Do what I say, ok?” He nodded absently. The effect would only last a few minutes at most but hopefully that would be long enough to let me try and reason with Angus.
“Alexander,” I said. “Gavin and I are going to get out for a minute. We’re going to talk with Angus. You and Leiv stay in the car. If anything happens…”
Before I could finish Alexander interrupted me. I’ll protect them with my life, Rachel. All of them.
I know you will, I transmitted back.
With that Gavin and I gave each other a look, he squeezed my hand and we opened our car doors at the same time, exiting slowly. I had no idea what I was going to say to Angus, and I could tell that Gavin didn’t either.
All of us stood, locked in position. We, against the hood of the car, Angus with his arms crossed, looking stern. He spoke first. “You must hand over the boy.”
Gavin was working to contain his anger. “You know we’ll never do that. He’s our son. Think of what you’re doing. It’s inhumane.”
“I get no pleasure out of doing it, but you’ve given me no choice. This is one risk that we can’t take.”
I wanted to be calm. To make a reasonable and rational argument that would save my son’s life, but instead I found myself coming undone. There were so many of them and despite the unique abilities I had, if they wanted to get to him by force they’d do it, although probably not without me killing a good number of them first. Tears rolled down my cheeks and Gavin placed a hand on my shoulder. “He’s a little boy!” I said.
“He is what he is. And if you’re not willing to let him become the creature nature has determined he should be by turning him into something else he’s going to be dangerous.”
Gavin said, “You have no way to know that.”
“I’ve spoken with Professor Demitrious. He’s told me what kind of vampires these children make, if the process even works. It’s simply not feasible to…”
“We won’t let you hurt him!” I screamed. “You won’t touch him. You won’t touch anyone who belongs to me.”
Despite my insolent tone, Angus’ eyes softened. “I assure you Rachel, it will be quick. He won’t even know. There’ll be no fear or pain. It will be a kind and merciful end.”
“It would be the cruelest thing you could do, Angus. How can you justify this? He’s practically a baby. Give him a chance. Give us a chance.”
“It has to be done, and it has to be done right now. We can’t let this go on any longer. If I grant you a reprieve it will only serve to prolong your pain. Best to let the boy go. The pain of losing a child is the greatest you could know. All of us here have been through it. We don’t make this decision lightly. Neither I or any of the clan would be standing here unless we thought it was absolutely necessary.”
Gavin’s voice retreated into a low rumbling growl. “You’re full of shit,” he said taking a step toward him. “You’re a coward. You’re no leader. You make the decisions that are best for you, not the decisions that are best for the clan. You are led around like a little puppy by anyone who challenges you.”
Angus became defensive, roaring back, “I make the decisions
I need to make with a clear head and a clear conscience. I wouldn’t expect someone who is led completely by emotion to understand that. You’re angry about what happened with Daniel, and I don’t blame you, but remember, I didn’t put you in the ground even after you murdered multiple innocents. I granted you pardon after pardon for your father’s sake. I know this is upsetting, but you have to accept it. This is the way of things. Hand the boy over, or I’ll end you both as well.” He turned to me. “This day can end with one loss, or it can end with your other child being an orphan, and your progeny with no proper guardian. He’ll most likely meet an unfortunate end at some point if he’s without you.”
“Are you threatening me?” I asked.
“I’m simply telling you these things as a matter of fact. You can accept them or not, but we will have the boy.”
“I’m not so sure of that Angus,” a small but sturdy voice said from behind us. Everyone turned to see old Ellie standing there. She was leaning on her cane, her white hair flowing down over her shoulders, steely blue eyes blazing with focus and anger. “I, for one, have been here as long as you have and I have to say, I agree with the young man,” she said motioning to Gavin. “It’s time someone challenged you. Since he’s already done it, as a member of the council I have the right to invoke a stay of non-confirma, and I’m doing it now.”
I looked at Gavin. “What does that mean?”
“It’s like a vote of no confidence. No big decisions can be made until the question of leadership is settled. That would mean they can’t do anything about Ryan until either Angus is reconfirmed as leader, or someone else takes his place.”
“Ellie,” Angus said. “That would be pointless. I’m not stepping down and he can’t beat me in a fight.”
Another body emerged from the brush, standing tall and authoritative. “No, he can’t…but I can.”
“Duncan,” Angus said, stunned. “You would challenge me? You’re not even a proper member of this clan.”
“Nothing says I have to be. If there’s an opening, which now it appears there is because Ellie has invoked non-confirma, then I have every right to be your challenger.”
Angus stood for a moment, looking back at the group of vampires who had followed him here. Everyone was eyeing him, watching, waiting for an answer. Finally, seeing there was no other way, he lowered his head and spoke.
“Duncan,” he said, extending his hand, “I accept your challenge. We will meet tomorrow at the sanctuary and this will be decided once and for all. For now though, I’m still the leader, and the boy stays in Soldiers Cove and when I win he will be handed over to me.”
Duncan took Angus’ hand giving it a good firm shake, the two of them locking eyes. “He stays here under the care of his parents for now, and as for handing him over to anyone, we’ll see.”
Chapter Twenty seven
Ryan was back in his bed along with Jade as we all sat around the large kitchen table. The five of us with our heads lowered in silence. Grateful as I was that Ellie had stepped in and that Duncan had taken up the challenge instead of Gavin I couldn’t help but feel frightened. It was assumed Duncan could, and would, win against Angus, given his age and strength, but still, there was a chance, however small, that he could lose. Then I’d not only lose Ryan, but also my father. The father I had just only come to know.
“I can’t help but feeling like I got you into this mess, Duncan,” Gavin said.
“Nonsense boy,” he said, patting him on the back. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to protect my grandson. This has been coming for a while really. You two couldn’t keep going in secret forever. I knew you’d be found out eventually and that this would be the outcome. Ellie and I have been discussing it for some time.”
“I guess that means she doesn’t want me beheaded anymore,” I said, remembering my first night at the sanctuary all over again.
“Ellie feels a kinship with you now. I’m not sure she agrees with trying to turn Ryan, but she doesn’t want the boy dead. She wouldn’t of course.”
“Why not?”
Duncan suddenly looked very guilty. “Ellie’s secrets aren’t mine to spill, but…”
Gavin sat forward, “But what, Duncan? Aside from belonging to the same clan she has no connection to us.”
Duncan sighed. “That’s where you’re wrong. Ellie has a very close connection to you. You know, she’s lived here for as long as Angus. That’s a long time.”
“It is, of course,” I said.
“Yes, and she could go anywhere she wants, but she doesn’t. She stays here, she stays for her son.” Duncan sat up and took a deep breath. “His name is Eric.”
I mentally ran through everyone I knew in Soldiers Cove. “I don’t know any Eric.”
“No, you know him by his herd name. Aries.”
Suddenly her involvement made sense. “I can’t believe it,” I said.
“I know, it’s a shock. It was a long time ago. Aries is over a hundred years old, and of course, he doesn’t remember his mother, so even he doesn’t know. Ellie might be a stickler for clan rules and procedure but she would never sit by and let her own grandson be killed. She wants the boy protected.”
I leaned back on the chair and Gavin put his arm around me as he rubbed his forehead. “Duncan,” I said, “what happens now?”
He gave me a quizzical look, as if he were confused at my question. “Well, I challenged him. So we fight.”
The door opened just then and Holly was standing at the table with us within seconds, worry and fear once again making their way across her young features. She had lost two husbands in the span of a few years, now it was a real possibility that she’d lose a lover as well. “I don’t like this. What if you lose?” she said, her voice breaking.
Duncan reached up and took her tiny hands in his own. “I won’t lose.”
“It’s not a given that you’ll win. You’re bloody well evenly matched this time and you know it.”
He kissed her palm. “Well then it will be a fair fight won’t it? Don’t you worry. Old Duncan hasn’t lived for a thousand years by accident. I know how to fight and I know how to win.”
“I hope so, for all our sakes, not just for Ryan.” Holly turned to the rest of us. “If Duncan loses it would be best for all of us to go. The clan never really accepts the family of the challengers again.”
Gavin’s parents entered looking restless and worried as well. Duncan stood and John reached out to shake his hand. “Duncan,” he said, “I can’t tell you what it means to us that you’ve stepped in to do this. You might well be saving both my son and my grandson.”
“He’s my grandson too. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do.”
Margie shook his hand as well and Duncan leaned in to kiss her cheek. “Godspeed, Duncan,” she said. “I have every confidence you’ll win, and I know you’ll be a good leader for this clan. We’ll back you all the way. I can’t promise the rest of the clan will, but you’ll have our full support, of course.”
“They won’t have much of a choice,” Holly said, “If he wins it would take someone twice as strong as he is to beat him, and I don’t think there’s any living vampire that could.”
Duncan said, “Well, it’s not that there aren’t any, just not around here. They’re out there but I assure you they have no interest in a clan as small as this one.”
“I hope you’re right,” Gavin said.
John cleared his throat. “I’m here in an official capacity though I’m afraid. Angus has sent me to bring you to the sanctuary. You are to spend the night and tomorrow at sundown the challenge will commence.”
“Very good,” he said. “Who will be officiating?”
“Ely has agreed,” John said.
This surprised me. “Ely? The leader from Chapel Island? Why?”
John said, “It’s just procedure. He’s not a member of this clan and so Ely has no vested interest in who wins or loses. He’ll be fair. Basically he’s going to call the fight and make sure nobody
breaks the rules, but no matter what happens he won’t raise a hand to interfere. He will just declare the victory right or wrong.”
“What kind of rules are there in a fight to the death?” I asked. “Don’t you just fight until one of you dies?”
“Basically,” John said, “but it’s not by any means necessary. Whoever becomes clan leader must kill the other with a swift pierce to the heart by sword. Nothing else. No biting, no hitting, and absolutely no use of any special abilities. It’s a good old fashioned sword fight and that’s it.”
“And if the opponent is killed by other means?”
“Then the challenger is executed and Ely will appoint someone from our clan to rule temporarily until we can decide on another leader.”
“Duncan, there’s another matter,” Margie spoke softly. “If,” she stopped, correcting herself. “When, you win tomorrow the first thing you’ll need to do is set up multiple sick rooms in the sanctuary. I estimate you’ll have at least twenty or so vampires who will suffer the loss of the blood bond with Angus. More that have left the clan will suffer too and most likely make their way back to Soldiers Cove.”
“He has that many progeny? How many do you think will come back?”
“At least a hundred, perhaps more that we don’t know of. Angus has turned many.”
Duncan shook his head in disgust. “I’ve only ever turned one. I don’t know how he can take the turning so casually.”
“He’s done many favors for people over the years, although when he dies they’ll realize it might have been less a favor and more a curse. His progeny will be your progeny.”
For the first time I saw the burden of leadership cause Duncan to hang his head, as if the weight of it physically pressed on him. “Thank you for letting me know Margie. I’ll be sure to make the necessary preparations.” He turned back to us and made his way to me, planting a kiss on my cheek. “Worry not, Rachel. Sleep well tonight. All will be set right tomorrow and your son will be safe. We all will.”
The Vampires of Soldiers Cove: Progeny Page 15
