by C. B. Haight
Rederrick had told him how Cynda fussed over this room, insisting it should be like a second master suite. As a result of their efforts this room held a special feeling for Cade. They had surprised him with it when the house was complete. Rederrick and Cynda reminded him that day that he would always be a part of their family. Even Cynda and Rederrick’s three grown children, Tracy, James, and Ashley still referred to him as Uncle Cade. Much like Rederrick had done in his youth.
Thinking of all these things reminded Cade, that for now, he wasn’t alone, and hadn’t been for a long time.
Shaking off his self-pity, Cade quickly dressed and headed downstairs to the den, in search of Rederrick. He wanted to touch base with him about plans for the day.
When he got to the den, Cade saw no sign of Rederrick. Knowing his friend was an early riser, and was probably hard at work in the, “extra room” Cade went over to the wall to gain entrance through the hidden door.
When he moved through the doorway, he was surprised to find not only Rederrick, but James as well. James, Rederrick’s son, was a tall six-one. He was right in between Cade and Rederrick’s heights. His build was much like Rederrick, with a slim and lanky body. James had brown hair that he kept short and precisely cut. He always had that clean-cut military look, even as a boy. His eyes, he got from Cynda. They were the same deep green as hers. Cade always had a soft spot for this kid, and seeing James now removed the last of Cade’s self-pity.
When James caught sight of Cade, he smiled excitedly, showing the dimple in his left cheek. Walking over to Cade, James said jokingly, “I told Dad to keep the riffraff outta here. Why doesn‘t anyone ever listen to me?”
Hooking his arm around James’ neck, Cade gave his hair a good ruffle with his other hand. He knew it would annoy James. “If there’s no riffraff allowed, how is it you made it through security?” he asked.
After Cade released him, James tried to straighten his mussed hair. Then Cade asked teasingly, “Are you AWOL? Don’t they still hang you for that?”
James responded, “Ha, ha, very funny. If you must know…”
“I must,” Cade interrupted teasingly.
“I happen to be on liberty. I came up here to show Dad my new toy. I have to get back tonight.”
Cade smiled, “I’m hurt, and here I thought you came to see me.”
James looked at Cade seriously, “Now why would I go and do something like that?” Then his features broke into a grin.
“Yeah, it’s good to see you too, kid.” Cade smiled back as he spoke, “Maybe later I’ll have time to go one round with you upstairs. We’ll see if military life has done you any good.”
James gave Cade a cocky look, “I won’t have the time today, besides I wouldn’t want to hurt you, Uncle Cade. You are getting up there.”
Cade laughed, “We’ll see.”
Rederrick spoke up then, “Well, on that note… James you had better get your butt out there to see your mother before she has my hide for keeping you so long. Cade and I will be along shortly.”
James smiled again at Cade, but responded to his father saying, “Yes sir.” Offering a mock salute he moved around Cade giving him a wide berth.
Cade quickly jumped at James as he passed by, purposely missing, and James flinched, as Cade predicted he would. Laughing, Cade said sarcastically, “I guess you’ll have to go easy on me, then. You’re much too fast for me.”
Laughing along with Cade on his way out, and always wanting the last word, James quickly replied, “Yeah I guess I will. Don’t blame yourself Uncle Cade... you are getting pretty old. Didn’t you date Shakespeare’s mom, or was it his grandma?” Smirking, James promptly closed the door before Cade could retaliate.
Cade laughed again and looked over at Rederrick. “That boy has a smart mouth,” he quipped.
Rederrick sat at the conference table using a magnifier to look over a tiny little black dot he held with a pair of tweezers. He didn’t even look up but grunted, “He gets it from his mother. There’s nothing like that on my side of the family.”
Sarcastically, Cade responded, “Oh no, nothing like it at all.” Then he asked, “What did he bring you?”
Rederrick answered “I’m not sure yet. He wants me to guess. We’ve been playing a game, Stump the Tech. So far, he’s winning. I think it’s some sort of a tracking device, but this looks like a camera here.” Rederrick pinched his brows trying to examine it closer.
Cade moved on, “Is Nate still in line to pick up Selena around one?”
Rederrick finally looked up, knowing they needed to work out the details of today. “As far as I know,” he answered. “He did say he had something to do after though and one of us will have to take her back to the store.”
Last night they had both agreed Selena should have an escort just in case The Faction was getting itchy. Therefore, Rederrick told Cade he would ask Nate. Nate was an Ex-marine who Rederrick himself had recruited to the Brotherhood, though they both had known him as a boy.
Nate had intimate knowledge about The Faction. His mother had been a witch. When she would not join The Faction, they had brutally killed her right in front of Nate. At the time, Nate had only been eleven. He had never truly gotten over it. Cade made sure he was placed with a good home and checked up on him over the years. Rederrick kept tabs on him too and snatched him up after his contract with Uncle Sam expired. He was sharp and skilled in several martial arts. It was also handy that he was a lethal sniper.
Cade nodded, “Fine. Are you going to go over some things with Collett today?”
Rederrick replied, “If she is up to it after Selena leaves. I’ll bring her in here, and show her the set up. I also want to show her the other safe escape out of the house.”
“Good idea,” Cade said. Then he went on, “I’m starting to feel edgy. It has almost been a week. They should have tried something by now. Two attacks so close together then nothing? It doesn‘t make sense.”
Rederrick tried to be optimistic, “Maybe they found out we are involved now and let it go.”
Cade gave Rederrick a cynical stare, “When has that ever stopped them before?”
“Good point,” Rederrick granted. “You know though, we’re still not positive it is The Faction.”
Cade shook his head, “No, my gut tells me it is. I know we shouldn’t jump to conclusions, but who else could it be? One of these days I would sure like to find the face behind them and get my hands on him.”
“You and me both, boy, you and me both,” Rederrick agreed.
“When will Cody get here?” Cade asked.
Rederrick stood from his chair stretching out his muscles as he said, “Should be here tomorrow sometime. He’s driving in from Texas. I had him check on a few things down there for me.”
“Anything new?” Cade asked, as they walked to the door together.
“Not much,” Rederrick answered. “Although, I am pretty sure, something besides nature caused that storm Collett told us about. I haven’t told her though.”
“Don’t. Not until we know.”
“If she is the cause, or part of it at least, we could be in big trouble here.” Rederrick responded seriously.
Appalled Cade said, “Collett would never hurt anybody Rederrick. She’s just not capable of it.”
Rederrick nodded, “I agree, but I’m not talking about her. I was referring to whomever, make that, whatever was with her that day.” At the door, Rederrick stopped before he opened it. “See, I have this theory. I wanted to wait to share it until I knew more. I don’t think Collett was only hunted these last two years. I think it may have started before she lost her memory.”
Cade thought about it for a second then agreed. “It’s possible. It could account for the storm. Someone with elemental control could have been after her, but elemental control is rare.” Cade scowled as he thought about it further, he thought about Collett fighting for her life against that kind of a power.
Rederrick watched Cade’s reaction to the new
insight, and then he repeated, “Like I said: big trouble. We need more intel Cade, and soon.”
Both men entered the den with dark, solemn expressions, wondering what would come next.
****
Collett felt nervous and jittery most of the day, but meeting James helped keep her mind from her upcoming meeting. He was very outgoing and optimistic. His lighthearted personality was infectious. He was a handsome young man with a vibrant personality. Fun and energetic, James’ green eyes sparkled whenever he was teasing someone. James had an easy, charming smile, with a small dimple on his left side. His grin added to his handsome features, and it put Collett at ease around him. She was sure it would be hard for anybody not to like him.
They all ate lunch together, minus Nate. He was currently on his way to retrieve Selena. Even Jenny sat to join them today. It felt so normal, sitting there talking, laughing, bantering back and forth. It was a rare moment of pure enjoyment.
During their meal, everyone talked and teased each other, telling embarrassing stories, wasting the time away until Selena’s arrival. As they all sat around the table in the kitchen gabbing, Collett kept mostly quiet throughout the meal, simply watching the family interaction. James referred to Cade affectionately as “Uncle Cade,” which she found endearing. She also noticed the way James teased Cade and how Cade responded in kind. They had an affectionate, brotherly relationship. In one story James, spoke of how Cade had once scared him out of his skin.
“Don’t you remember that time you caught me over near the stream in the middle of the night?” James asked when Cade didn’t recall right away.
Cade’s face broke into a fond smile from the memory, “I do remember that. Let’s see… you were around fifteen at the time. I saw you climb from your window going down the trellis, and I followed you. It was pretty late to be out for a walk. Wasn’t it around two in the morning?”
James’ smile got even bigger when he said, “All I remember was, that night I knew what it felt like to be hunted like a deer.”
“That’s because you were being hunted. You’re just lucky I wasn’t hungry.” Cade quipped, and laughed, “I remember your scared little face when I came out of the bushes.”
James tried to defend his honor saying, “In my defense, it’s not like you had ever changed in front of us kids before. Let me tell you, being on the other side, watching the transformation is a scary place to be. I didn‘t even know it was you until you finished.”
Cade laughed a full, hearty laugh, “I’ll give you credit. You stood your ground. Your little friends down by the pond took off after a couple howls and a few rustling bushes.”
“That was the first and the last time I ever tried to sneak out. Your impromptu visit that night put me on the straight and narrow,” James laughed.
Cade laughed out loud along with him.
“Why is it I am just hearing about this now?” Cynda asked with a firm, motherly tone.
James tried to look serious and failed. “Well Mom, as old and as wise as Cade was, he decided it was best to keep it between us men. And I, being a smart young man agreed.”
Cynda looked at Cade and scoffed, “Old and wise my butt. He just wanted to keep you out of trouble.
“He’s was always keeping people out of trouble. Especially his favorites and young James there was definitely one of his favorites,” Jenny added with a grin as she got up and began clearing plates.
James snickered. He couldn’t disagree with his mother. In fact, several other memories popped into his mind. And by the look on Cade’s face he was thinking of the very same memories.
Caught up in the fun and antics, Collett said, “Besides he can’t be that much wiser. He is only about ten or so years older than you.”
Everyone in the room stopped smiling and suddenly turned their attention to her. Cade’s expression was resigned. What had she said wrong, now? Collett wondered to herself.
James smiled, breaking the tension. Then he quipped sarcastically, “You know, I think you could be right, Collett. He really can’t be that much wiser. I can’t remember, Uncle Cade, how old are you again?”
Cade gave him a heavy glare, “Leave it alone James, she doesn’t know.”
Collett looked at him, “Know what?”
Seeing that Cade and Collett needed a moment, Cynda stood, “Rederrick, why don’t you, James, and I help Jenny in the kitchen?” she insisted.
“Now?” James complained.
Cynda gave him a stern motherly look, “NOW.”
Baffled, Collett thought, just what in the world is going on here? Everybody but Cade rose from their chairs, picked up a few plates, and left the room without a word.
Cade looked at Collett’s puzzled expression, wondering how was best to tell her.
Finally, he said, “Collett, I don’t usually share what I am about to tell you. Normal people can’t really understand, and they don’t want to either.”
A little worried she said skeptically, “Alright.”
Cade let out a calm breath. Because Collett was becoming important to him, Cade feared Collett’s reaction to the revelation of his immortality. She was barely getting used to the idea of his animal half.
Whether he was ready to deal with it or not, Collett mattered. Therefore, so did her reaction. Trying to hedge his way through this he asked tentatively, “Collett… how old do you think I am?”
Answering, she said, “I would guess you are about thirty, but I’m starting to get the impression that I’m wrong.”
“Collett I am much older than thirty. I was born in the year 1732…” he took another steadying breath upon seeing her eyes widen with shock.
She was not expecting this. Trying for words she stammered, “Oh… Well, um, ok…..Wow.” Collett took a moment to think about it. A moment that felt far too long to Cade.
He waited, tensed, trying to appear calm, though he didn’t feel it.
The lapsing silence was awkward and strained, until finally Collett said, “I guess that really does put you in the older and wiser category.”
Cade was a little stunned himself. Her lighthearted comment reassured him. Collett was handling this amazingly well. Cade narrowed his eyes. She was dealing with his revelation better than even some of his closest friends had. “Are you ok?” he asked.
Collett answered honestly, “I won’t lie, it is quite a shock, but considering the week I have had… I have to say it’s not totally unbelievable. If you had told me last week you might have gotten a different reaction. Now…” She shrugged nonchalantly, “I have been attacked by a demon, saved by a werewolf, watched a sorcerer pop out of nowhere and force a big SUV into a river. I have seen Cynda use and control magic, and I’m about to have a visit from some sort of seer to help me remember my past. So all in all your revelation is not so hard to believe.”
Cade smiled, “I guess that’s all true.”
Seeing his relief, Collett smiled back, “I am curious about one thing, though.”
“What’s that?” He responded.
“At your age, can you even remember your birthday?” She quipped with a small smile.
Cade let go of a hearty laugh, then grabbing her face pulled Collett to him for a quick, passionate kiss. Pulling back, he grinned devilishly and said, “Don’t you worry. I can remember all sorts of things.”
Collett was just about to respond when Cynda peeked in. “Everything okay?”
Cade stood, keeping his honey eyes locked with Collett’s eyes, “Yeah, everything is fine.”
“Good. Cade, go ahead and bring Collett into the parlor. Selena is here.”
With that one comment, Collett felt her nerves develop legs and crawl all over her skin. She involuntarily shivered. Cade reached down, grabbed her hand and said, “We’ll finish this later.” Then he pulled her from the chair.
With her feet on the ground and her hand in Cade’s, Collett voiced her fear, “I’m a little scared, Cade.”
He was surprised by her willingness to confide h
er vulnerability to him. “No matter what we find, I’m not going anywhere,” he said meeting her worried gaze.
Feeling bolstered by his support, she said with a nervous sigh, “Let’s get on with it then.”
Not willing to let go of her hand, Cade pulled slightly, and together they went to meet Selena.
Chapter Seventeen
When Cade and Collett entered the parlor hand in hand, Cynda, and Rederrick noticed right away. They gave each other a pointed look.
Upon entering, Collett observed that sitting in one of the off-white chairs, was a slender woman. When she stood to greet them, Collett got her first look at the woman she assumed to be Selena.
She was a breathtaking brunette. Her straight, long, brown hair that reached her waist glistened. Selena wore a loose, teal blouse, and a lengthy denim skirt, with brown high-heeled boots. Her skin was a natural, dark tan. That and her high cheekbones hinted at her Native American heritage. She was absolutely stunning.
Cynda confirmed her assumption by saying, “Collett, I would like you to meet Selena.”
Selena smiled and tilted her head, “I’m pleased to meet you, Collett.”
Collett Squeezed Cade’s hand reflexively, and then she said, “I am grateful you could come out here to see me so quickly.”
“I was happy to do it. Cade, it is good to see you as well. Did you find what you were looking for?” Selena replied.
Cade shook his head. “Unfortunately, I was unable to travel down that road.” He said cryptically.
Selena nodded with understanding.
Rederrick, who stood over by the fireplace with James, spoke soberly, “Collett, we are all here for you. Whenever you’re ready, we can begin.”
