by S. C. Storm
“My current state is precisely why I wanted this meeting,” Arthur explained.
With a roll of his eyes, Richard began shaking his head. “So once again you have wasted our time bringing us here.”
“Richard, that is enough. I shall call this meeting to order.” Declan Hynes spoke as he stood. “I would like to thank you all for attending this afternoon. I know we all have busy lives, but when our council leader, who is also one of our elders, calls upon us, it is our responsibility to be there. So with that said, I hand the meeting over to Arthur.”
“Thank you, Declan,” Arthur said as he slowly pulled himself to his feet. As he did, he took in the men around him. Yuri Orloff did not look much better than he did. His hair had grayed, his skin had wrinkled, and it was obvious he was in pain. As another elder, it was clear he was being effected as well. The others, Oliver Keats, Boyce Winters, Whitford Stratford, and Quincy Darrow all looked his way in anticipation. Across the table from him sat the only council member besides Sebastian he would consider a friend, Aric Thorsen. As the youngest elder on the council, he was thankful to see Aric had yet to be effected as he and Yuri had. He could already see the support in the man’s eyes. Perhaps there was hope. Perhaps he could make them understand. He began speaking of the same things he had told his granddaughter only moments before, praying his words were not falling upon deaf ears.
***
As the shouting subsided, Mileena knew the meeting had come to an end. Standing outside the door, she watched as those who would see both her grandfather and Sebastian Myddleton off the council pass by without a spare glance. She rolled her eyes and looked back toward the office, seeing Aric Thorsen bidding her grandfather and Sebastian farewell. To be honest, she had almost forgotten Aric. Next to Sebastian, he was the only other council member her grandfather kept in touch with. He had always been quite pleasant each time she saw him. Perhaps he could be an ally. At least, she hoped he could.
“Mileena, sweetheart, could you come here?” Arthur called out to her. Without any hesitation, she entered the room. “Mileena, you remember Aric?”
“Of course I do.” She smiled as the tall blond vampire bowed his head in her direction.
“Good, we need you to help us with something, Mileena. We ourselves cannot attempt it. You see, the council has decided that finding the Athertons or any other guardians is futile. Therefore, a move by any of us would be a move against the council and, of course, our race.” The look in Arthur’s eyes spoke more to her than any words.
“A move by myself is not,” she said with a nod. “Since I am not a member of the council, I would have no idea as to the decisions made. I understand. What do you need me to do?”
“Tempest Island is the home of the Nexxus. It is the haven of our kind. That is where you will find the guardians who are due to ascend, waiting on the blood moon. Many families have lived on the islands all their lives. You would be safe going there in search of what we need,” her grandfather told her over yet another round of coughing.
Seeing the distress Arthur was in, Aric stepped toward Mileena. “What we need is a tracker. I’m sure you have heard of them. In truth, most trackers are guardians. Of course, this is not always the case, but many times they put their additional senses to use for those who need help in some way. We believe this would be the best course of action for our situation.”
“You want me to go there and hire a tracker to find the Athertons?” she asked. Seeing their heads nod, she smiled. “Of course. I’ll do whatever is needed.”
“I knew you would.” Arthur smiled at the determination in his granddaughter’s eyes.
“There is a suggestion Aric and I would like to make,” Sebastian said.
Mileena noticed both he and Aric were smirking.
“The tracker, make it a female⸻an attractive female to be specific.”
Mileena’s brow creased as she watched her grandfather shake his head. “May I ask why?”
“Not trying to be an ass,” Sebastian said with a chuckle. “But Aric and I know the Atherton twins. A female will be the only thing that will grab their attention.”
“That or a fight,” Aric added.
“No fights, thank you,” Arthur said as he held his hand up. “Mileena, please, they believe this is the best way to proceed. I have known the twins for ages. Their defenses will be up. Send a female as they have suggested.”
“Okay, I will,” she said and kissed her grandfather’s cheek. “I guess one of you will give me all the information I will need to give to the tracker?”
“My assistant, Harmony, is gathering what you need,” Sebastian told her. “Once you are ready, stop by my home. Everything will be in order.”
“All right, I will start gathering my things now.” She headed up the stairs to leave the men to discuss things.
Once Mileena was out of earshot, Arthur looked up at the men who stood by him. “You two have known Ryden and Ryder longer than most anyone. Will they come?”
“Once Ryden realizes he is needed for his people, I have no doubt he will make the right decision. Ryder of course will too.” Sebastian began to pace. “You have to realize, Arthur, Richard single-handedly tried to destroy their family. His anger at Ryden for doing what he was ordered never died. It is still there. You saw it today. That man detests anything related to an Atherton. He would rather let our race end than to put his life and the life of his children in their hands.”
“It is completely idiotic,” Aric fumed as he ran his hands through his blond hair. Sebastian noted the worry in his face. “This is for all vampires. This is not about the Atherton/Winthrop feud. No one except Richard blames Ryden for the death of Edmund. Hell, most of us wanted to shake his hand afterward.”
“I concur. Even Richard’s daughter Tessa knew her brother was in the wrong. On several occasions, while we were together, Tessa begged her father to drop this vendetta. She saw what it cost both the twins and her family,” Sebastian said with a sigh.
“We will not allow Richard or his influence on the council members to stop us. We will see that this race thrives once again.” Arthur’s face grew serious. “I do have something to ask both of you, however. I do not think Mileena has completely grasped the fact that she is a guardian and will be considered for ascension at the next blood moon. If I am not here, I would ask that the two of you see to her wellbeing until she can handle things on her own. Once she ascends, she will be stronger, more capable. With what happened to my Audra, I did not see to her as I should have. Now, I do not foresee me having the chance to rectify that.”
With a bow of his head, Aric spoke. “I shall see to it that she learns what she must, Arthur. Do trust that if anything happens to you, she will be looked after as if she were mine own blood.”
“I pledge the same vow. She will be treated as family and cared for as such,” Sebastian agreed.
“Thank you both.” The old man spoke heavily. “Now, I do believe I must rest. I have yet to get accustomed to the changes in this body.”
“Let me assist you, Arthur,” Sebastian told him as he stepped over.
“No, no, my boy, I do still have some pride in these old bones. I will see myself to my room,” he said with a pat to his shoulder. “Thank you both for what you have done. Once Mileena is ready, I will send her to you.”
“We will be waiting,” Sebastian told him. The two of them kept an eye on Arthur as he clearly struggled to teleport from the room. Once he was out of sight, Sebastian turned to Aric. “Do you believe they will come?”
“I have no doubt,” Aric told him. “However, I cannot guarantee it will be in time to help Arthur,” he added with a sigh.
The two of them talked a bit longer before exchanging farewells. With a shake of hands, they both vanished from the room.
Chapter 2
Tourmaline Island
Jason O’Connor stood at the top of the cliff looking out. From his vantage point, most of the islands were visible to his eye. He heard a noi
se behind him. “I hear you.” He turned his head slightly. Frowning, he looked around but didn’t see anyone. Shrugging, he turned back, lifted his head, closed his eyes, and let the peace of the island wash through him.
Smiling, Alexandra O’Connor waited until her twin brother Jason was relaxed again. Then she launched herself at him. He grunted as he went down. Rolling, she pushed him, sending him away from her. Getting to her feet, she saw Jason had ended up in a crouched defensive position. “Getting a bit soft there, big brother.”
“Damn you, Lex. I should have known it was you,” Jason growled, standing. “What are you doing up here?”
“The same thing as you obviously, wanting some time to myself before it gets crazy around here. Well that was my intention until I saw you. Then I just couldn’t resist. Admit it, I got you.” Alexandra smirked.
“You wish,” Jason grumbled, knowing she was right. “You’re getting sloppy, though. I heard you.” He shook the dirt and leaves off him.
“What you heard was that, not me.” Alexandra pointed toward the trees. A lizard was halfway up the tree staring at them. “You couldn’t hear me if you tried, and you know it.” She grinned when she heard Jason’s snort. They walked back to the top of the cliff. “This never fails to take my breath away.”
Jason grunted in agreement.
“It’s time, isn’t it? I can feel the pull even stronger now,” she said, looking over at him.
“Yeah, more of them have been showing up lately.”
“Will it be enough?” Alexandra asked, thinking how the resort was starting to fill up and not only with the usual tourists that came to Tempest.
“I hope so, sis. Have you heard from Erin?” Jason asked about their younger sister.
“Not since right before she left school. She should show up soon.”
“Meaning, she’ll get here when she gets here.” He chuckled. “You know how she gets distracted.”
Alexandra chuckled, then got serious. “Yeah no kidding. Have you told her what’s going on?”
Jason nodded. “I had to or else she wouldn’t have come home.”
Alexandra looked at him.
“She’s having fun, Lex. You remember how it was.”
“Yeah, I do,” she said quietly. “But I couldn’t wait to get home. You know that.”
Jason smiled. “I remember. Mom and Dad had a fit when you left school.”
Alexandra looked at her brother. “Tempest is in my blood, Jas, just like it’s in yours. I couldn’t stay away for four years. Besides, you know you missed me.” She nudged him.
“Nope, not at all. I didn’t even notice you were gone.” Hearing her growl, Jason laughed. “Yeah, I did miss you, sis.”
They got quiet, just sitting in companionable silence. It was always that way with them. They could either talk or not, Jason thought as he looked out over the islands. Tempest Island, which catered to tourists, was the biggest of the chain of eight islands with Faerystone, the island the humans lived on, being the second largest. To the left of them were Obsidian, Bloodstone, Moonstone, Crimson, and Crescent, which was where his family, the wolves, and the vampires lived. He and Lex were on Tourmaline, the smallest island. Looking to his left he saw the lighthouse which landmarked Tourmaline. Underneath were underground caves, running throughout the island and connecting to the others. That⸻and the fact that supernaturals like himself, his family, and others lived there⸻made Tempest unique. He shook his head. That wasn’t the only thing. It also housed the gateways to the Nexxus and the Exxodus. The Nexxus was where the guardian’s power came from, and it was their job to make sure the evil within the Exxodus didn’t get out. That was all part of being a guardian.
“You’re restless,” Jason said, breaking the silence.
“No more than you or the rest are. Now that the ascension is getting close, I’m sometimes fighting not to shift and run. That’s the only time it eases,” she told him. “You know, the upcoming full moon isn’t helping either. It’s got my beast as restless as my wolf.” Alexandra was referring to the werewolf, or beast, that lived in all of them. Weres could take two forms: a wolf and then the more dangerous beast, which humans would call a werewolf. During the full moon, they had no choice but to let their beast be free. Luckily, most born this way learned to control their beast early in life. For those who were accidentally or even purposefully turned, that struggle often consumed them.
“I know. Later tonight, we can go out on a run if you want. I’ll call Jaz and the others to see if they want to come with us,” Jason said.
Alexandra nodded. “Yeah, I think that’s a good idea.” She got up. “I’ve got to head back so I can get to work. You coming?”
“Might as well, since you already bothered me,” Jason teased, knowing how she would react.
Alexandra snorted. “Bothered you my ass, Jason Patrick O’Connor. You knew I was coming out here when I took off. I would have been here first if Mom hadn’t stopped me.”
Jason smirked as he got up. “Who do you think was responsible for that?” he said, pulling her hair. “I knew exactly where you were heading. As usual, I had to get here first.” Alexandra narrowed her eyes at him, which made him wary. Before he could react, she pushed him, sending him flying over the cliff. He hit the water and swam to the surface, seeing Lex dive in. She came up alongside him. “Damn, you’re as bad as Erin.”
“Actually, I’m worse. I’ve got to find some way to top the Alpha Guardian. Race you to my place.” Alexandra splashed him and then swam toward Moonstone.
Jason shook his head with a smile. Alexandra, or Lexi, as the family had always called her, loved teasing him about being the alpha of the guardians. Being the oldest in the O’Connor family, and because of the fact that he was born two minutes before her, that responsibility fell on him.
“Come on, or is your age catching up to you, old man?” He heard her challenge him.
With a growl, he swam after her. He caught up to her, grabbed her ankle, and pulled her under. Then he took off again. Reaching shore, he raced to the Lexi’s house, getting there first. He was sitting on a patio chair when she ran up. “Looks like someone else’s age is catching up to her.” He smirked.
“You cheated.” Alexandra grabbed the towel that was draped on the back of the chair and dried herself off.
“That’s what you get for pushing me in,” Jason said.
Alexandra snapped the wet towel at his legs, hearing him laugh as he moved out of the way. She watched Jason take off in the direction of his house. Shaking her head, she headed upstairs to shower and change and then head off to the resort.
***
Tempest Island
Tempest Island, North Carolina, was not a typical vacation destination. Mileena Langford knew this prior to her arrival, but the evidence of such still overwhelmed her. Tempest was a small cluster of private islands, with only the main island being accessible to tourists. The focal point of this main island was the Tempest Isle Luxury Resort, her destination. Sebastian Myddleton had told her to find her way to the resort, and all would be tended to. She hoped he was correct.
Stepping inside, the resort felt like leaping inside the pages of a vacation magazine. The lobby was decorated beautifully with expensive furnishings and decor. The voices of children as well as adults flooded her ears, the joy obvious in their tones. Behind the tall front desk sat a little old lady with a smile that was infectious.
Mileena found herself beaming at the woman as she approached. “Hello, I believe I have a reservation.”
“What is your name, dear?” the lady asked as she pulled out a large book.
Mileena stared at her for a moment. She had expected the woman to use the computer at her side. “Mileena Langford,” she told her. “My reservation was made by—”
“Mr. Myddleton,” the woman said, cutting her off. “He has requested your family’s home on Obsidian Island to be readied for you. He told us he was not sure how long you would be with us, but for us to make you
comfortable.”
“My family home?”
“Oh, yes, dear, the Langford home has been here for quite some time. Many families have homes here with no relatives making use of them. We are happy to see that is changing.” The woman slid the book toward Mileena. “All we ask is that you sign the register showing that you have arrived. Since this is your first time on the islands, I will explain a few things to make your transition here a bit easier.”
“Of course. I appreciate that,” Mileena told her as she signed in.
“To keep things in order here on Tempest, we do require that you keep your vampire nature low-key when you are on the main island. However, on the private islands, you are more than welcome to be yourself, as your privacy is guaranteed. Also, no harm is to come to any of the humans on Tempest, whether they be tourists or locals. Many of the locals are more than happy to assist you with any of your, shall we say, nourishment needs. With your ability to read minds, I’m sure you will know which ones are open to such things. As for the other humans, if you choose to go that route, please remember to mesmerize their minds so they do not go home with any lingering vampire knowledge.” The small woman spoke quickly. “Here are the pass codes to the private islands.” She handed Mileena a slip of paper. “We prefer you memorize these and then dispose of them. You will enter your code at each gated bridge. Once you pass the gate, you will be able to teleport within the confines of that particular island. However, you must exit the main gate to use the ability to teleport elsewhere. Each island is warded to protect those who dwell inside. The main island, of course, is open to all, and teleportation is allowed here as long as you adhere to the secrecy expected by all. These safeguards have been in effect for many years now to make things more convenient yet protect the privacy of all supernaturals.”
“Obviously,” Mileena said, flabbergasted.
“I hope you find your time here with us enjoyable. If you need anything, feel free to ask. My name is Millie,” the lady added as the phone rang.
