by E. S Night
this room often and only now did I realise how beautiful it was, glass windows were positioned across the entire wall leading out into the back garden.
I could even see the sun setting from where I was stood. Grayson saw my arrival and rushed over to grab my hand, leading Kaleb to leave us.
“Are you okay? What did he say?” Grayson spoke, afraid that his father had upset me.
“It was great actually, he was warning me. He told me about the counsel - what to expect and about Faelyn being here and your family not having any part in it. I think Kaleb was just trying to protect me, even before when I’d just first met your family.” I now understood his father’s actions.
“That’s good then.” Grayson kissed my forehead. “Please come with me.” He pulled me over to the windows. “I need to ask you something Abigail, it can’t wait any longer and I’ve wanted to do this since the very first moment I met you. I had a speech planned and everything and now I’m just messing it up. What I mean is, because of the Lasair I don’t know how this will end for us, but I want you to know -” Grayson was rudely interrupted by an old man
stumbling to his feet.
“So, this is the girl you have chosen Grayson, this is her?” The man asked, visibly livid with my boyfriend, pointing straight at me as if I was an animal in a cage.
Another man, a lot younger than the first suddenly made his presence known by rising from his chair next to the bar. “I don’t understand how you could all let this happen in the first place - they can’t even have children. Realistically a wolf and human can never be, it is in our code and you are supposed to be the legacy of the Hale clan. You are a disgrace to his name. We have kept this secret for hundreds of years – do you really think a human can be trusted? This is exactly the reason why we don't reveal ourselves. We will have to use compulsion.” His venomous words caused me to squeeze Grayson’s hand tighter.
“A human and a what?” Logan asked, his mouth opened in disbelief.
“Ella, please take Logan into the kitchen.” Maria instructed.
“What are they talking about Abigail?” Logan stopped Ella from escorting him outside.
“Ah, so you haven’t told your brother Abigail?”
McKentire laughed at the situation.
“Please don’t.” I begged him.
Logan looked at me. “What’s going on Abigail?”
“It’s just all a big misunderstanding Logan, that’s all.” Anna answered, trying to help me cover up the truth.
“Never mind the boy; Grayson made this mess, he can compel them both to forget later. So, is this her Grayson? Answer me.” Connell questioned him, leading my brother to sit down and listen to the rest of the conversation.
“Grayson? I thought that was hard for you to do?” I looked at him.
“Hard to do? I don’t know who told you that child but we can compel people quite easily. Grayson here is one of the best. You'll soon find out how good he is when he compels you to forget all of this. I bet he didn't tell you it hurts either, did he? It's painless for us but agony for humans.” Connell continued.
Grayson moved in front of me. “No one will touch her.”
I sighed. “You lied. That's what Isaac meant when he said you were powerful. What else can you do Gray?”
“If I’d have told you the whole truth about it, you would have felt certain I’d used it on you. So, I said I was bad at it, I couldn’t have you thinking you only loved me because I made you. Yes, McKentire – Connell, this is my girlfriend and I insist you use her name to address her, it’s Abigail and as for a disgrace, you two are an embarrassment.” Grayson defended me.
“Grayson, you can’t talk to him like that.” Maria was scared for her son.
“Oh, shut up Maria, if he talks to Abigail like that, what does he expect?” Kaleb shouted, making his stance on our relationship known.
“Well – Kaleb, I would never have thought you would endorse such a relationship, your father must be so proud, maybe it was for the best you didn’t succeed your father in taking his place on the counsel after all.” McKentire sneered.
Rafe suddenly reached out for my hand. “His father couldn’t possibly be more proud of him than he is in this very moment you arrogant bastard. I thought exactly like you when I first met her but seeing their love presented to me in a series of visions, I was persuaded to look the other way. They love each other as much as I loved my wife Mary, and that’s all that matters
now.” Rafe was trying to make amends. Although, I was shocked that he’d seen his grandson and me together in his visions, I could only hope he’d seen the PG version of our relationship.
“We all agree with Grayson and Abigail’s relationship, it's old-fashioned to not consider their feelings in all of this.” Aidan proclaimed, choosing his side.
“I can’t believe what I am hearing, Grayson you are promised to Faelyn we all agreed that she was the right match for you when you were eighteen, she’s waited for you for three years.” Connell interfered, his words still meaning nothing to Grayson.
“Abigail is my soul mate, she’s the one I belong with, I truly am sorry Faelyn but I’ve made my decision.” I could see Faelyn was devastated by Gray’s admission, I couldn’t possibly know how she felt. When I first saw her at the back of the room, I couldn’t comprehend how Grayson could choose me over her.
“Do you all approve of their relationship? Raise your hand, who agrees with Grayson and Abigail’s association.” Connell ordered the group. To my amazement, everyone but Maria and
Faelyn raised their hands to support us. Somehow, Logan even found the strength inside himself to raise his hand, even after hearing our confusing discussion; maybe he was already suspicious from Ella’s behaviour. His hand didn't matter to the counsel, but it meant everything to me. Maria locked on Grayson’s face and had no choice but to also raise her hand in acceptance.
“Well, I’m sorry to hear that. We will assist you Rafe in finding another hide out for you and your family based on your enviable successes on the counsel, but after that your family will be officially exiled – what a waste of the Hale bloodline. Oh, and whether you like it or not, there will be more of us come and visit you. We won't allow any human to know about us, you must understand that.” McKentire declared.
There was an eerie silence resonating through the reception room, each of us distraught by the counsel’s decision, I couldn’t believe his family were all finally behind our relationship. They were all willing to sacrifice so much for us. Despite this, all I could think about in that instant was telling my brother everything and helping him come to terms with what he’d just heard, unfortunately there was no time for
that.
Out of nowhere, figures surfaced from the trees surrounding the Hale’s back garden. Through the enormous glass windows, we could see there were six large bodied men approaching the house. The family and I, all frozen in shock, could make out a few faces slowly emerging from the woodland; the person leading the pack was no other than Joseph, leader of the Lasair.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Hostility
The tribe of men advanced swiftly towards the house, I thought to myself, this is it; this is how I’m going to die. I’d become acquainted with death from a very young age, at one point I’d been to six funerals within a year, Riley’s mum included. It felt as if someone had just pressed a button to kill the surrounding people. When I was fourteen, a small part of me believed I was some sort of jinx, taking everyone down and looking back at the past few months, maybe I still was.
“Abigail, take Ella and Logan upstairs!” Grayson commanded. I loathed the idea of leaving him to fight the Lasair without me, but what else could I do? I was only human. I grabbed Ella and Logan’s hands to pull them upstairs but immediately our feet were immobilised, we couldn’t move! Our feet were stuck firmly to the ground; I looked back at the Hale’s attempting to seal off the doors. Joseph was staring at me through the window; I knew
he was the one preventing us from moving.
“Abigail, what’s going on? I can’t move my
feet.” Logan cried, clutching at my hand.
“Grayson!” I yelled, leading him to sprint over to Ella. He tried to lift his sister but she wouldn’t budge, Joseph was casting a spell on us. Whatever ominous plan he had, I was sure he wanted me to be part of it.
“Let them go Joseph!” Grayson screamed, storming over to the windows.
“Fine, but if they try to leave again. I will kill your little sister.” Joseph uttered through the glass.
“Come out to play dogs.” A young man said, edging closer towards the door. Straight away, we were released from our dormant pose. I could see Leopold, the man who had once saved me; he was hiding behind his father. His guilty conscience was probably working overtime seeing my face again. Unexpectedly, the Lasair began retreating from the house, allowing the Hales the space they needed to move outside.
“We need to go out there.” Isaac spoke.
“Ella, Abigail and Logan please stay inside. Dad you’re too important to risk. You stay here.” Kaleb instructed.
Rafe jumped in. “There’s no way I’m letting my family go out there without me.”
“Thank you.” Kaleb said, showing his respect to all of them. “Okay, we stick together, there are only six of them. Do as I say.”
“They have their power. We have nothing.” Faelyn eventually spoke.
“Don’t be such a child Faelyn. We can’t defeat them, but we can chase them off for now.” Anna showed her disdain for her.
“We don’t need any spells, we have family and our strength, that will be enough, you know what we are capable of!” Kaleb assured them, cautiously opening the glass door.
The Hale clan paced outside, they stood in a row across the decking floor, I guess to intimidate the Lasair who were now standing below them on the grass.
“Conan.” Grayson muttered, ogling the terrifying young man who had spoken earlier. I could still hear everything they were saying from inside the house, the glass windows must have been remarkably thin.
“Grayson, I wish I could say it’s good to see you. It’s a shame; you’re not going to let the humans play with us?” Conan looked intently at us through the glass doors.
“Keep away from them.” Grayson snarled.
“Grayson, stay cool.” Aidan instructed him.
“Breathe dog; I have no intention of harming your sweet little human. My brother, Leopold, on the other hand must have some delightful plans in store for her, which I’m sure she’s likely to enjoy.” Conan spoke, leading Leopold to glance my way. He winked at me, almost telling me that this was all going to be okay. Who the hell was this man?
“I can’t hear anything, Ella what are they saying?” Logan whispered.
“You mean, you can’t hear them?” I asked my brother, looking at him puzzled.
“No, can you?” He gazed up at me.
“Yes, clearly.” I wondered why my brother couldn’t hear them.
“Well, what are they saying then?” Logan continued.
“Nothing good.” Ella answered quickly. “It’s probably for the best you don’t know.” The three of us watched on as we impatiently waited for someone to make the first move.
“Say that to me again.” Grayson said to Conan.
“Conan! Not now!” Joseph yelled to his son, I could tell he wasn’t used to being the one in
control.
“Grayson!” Kaleb shouted, attempting to control his son.
“What’s wrong dog, your hearing gone? I said my brother will rip Abigail apart, but in a good way.” Conan repeated, leading Grayson to change into his wolf in a rage.
He soared through the air, jumping powerfully off the wooden planks. The Lasair prepared themselves for a struggle as Grayson descended on Conan. In response to Gray’s hasty transformation, the Hale clan had no choice but to change into their wolves and strike first at the Lasair.
The string of them nose-dived immediately into the coven, challenging them to fight back. Suddenly, Faelyn ran off into the woods leading on from the garden dodging the Lasair with every stride, her loyalty to the Hales had been broken and she had no intention of fighting with them. Anna was aware of Faelyn’s cowardice and instantly took after her in a bid to make her stay and fight bolstering the clan's numbers.
During the first moments of conflict, Grayson sank his teeth into Conan’s shoulder causing him to fall flat on his back. Maria focused on one of
the younger members of the Lasair who couldn’t have been any older than eighteen. She mercilessly chewed at his hand, ripping it to shreds. The young man could use his power and hurl her through the air.
Luckily, she landed on her feet and proceeded to help Rafe and Aidan concentrate on their defence.
Colton loosened his muscles making his presence known, I could see his fur standing on end in a strong line all the way down his back to his thick neck, I don't know how he did it but he made himself look even more menacing, I guess that was the point. I was so glad Riley wasn’t here to see this. Suddenly, a larger man attacked Colton furiously from the side ramming him straight into the outside table. Kaleb saw this and rushed to protect his son hurdling over everyone and gnawing at the back of the man.
The two counsel members were circling Joseph, licking their lips in anticipation. I knew something wasn’t right, Joseph seemed too relaxed, calm even in response to the counsel’s antagonism. Without warning Joseph, separated his arms to each side tossing the wolves off his tribe. His power was extraordinary and
formidable; he wanted the wolves to think they had a chance, but he was toying with them. Joseph’s power sent the wolves straight to the ground.
I noticed that Maria had fallen on a metal pipe that was now spiking up from the soil causing a bleed in her abdomen. Ella saw her mum’s injuries and transformed into a wolf before my eyes, heading towards the exit. She charged mightily through the door, shattering the glass into thousands of pieces.
“Ella! No!” Logan squealed, swiftly chasing after her. I reached out my hand quickly to grasp Logan’s T-shirt but he was too fast for me. In a frenzy, I pursued my brother outside.
Ella licked her mum’s wounds, fearing that something was seriously wrong. Grayson turned back into his human form and darted towards his mother.
“We need to take the pipe out so she can heal!” he shouted. Grayson released the metal pipe from Maria’s side, causing her to turn back into her earthly self. I figured that their emotions were linked to their power when they felt an emotional intensity like pain or anger; it seemed to trigger their transformation. I spotted a blanket
on one of the benches on the decking and hurried to fetch it. As Grayson nursed his injured mother, Conan dragged him back over to where he was stood. I moved back down the steps to cover Maria.
“Hold the material on her here Logan, press hard.” I instructed my brother, whilst I attempted to hide the rest of Maria’s naked body from the cold. I twisted my head to see what was happening to the rest of the Hale clan. The wolves and the Lasair were wrestling in combat; there was no sign of the fight stopping. Ella continuously stared at her mother’s body, watching as she struggled to breathe. Suddenly, Ella turned and jumped onto Joseph’s back, crunching into his neck.
“Ella!” I yelled, as Joseph’s hand moved to the side causing Ella’s young body to launch through the air and smash straight into a tree. Ella looked up at the branches they seemed to move hastily to the side. All three of us noticed there was a break in the trunk and the tree was not far from plummeting to the ground. I could see in Maria’s face the horror and devastation she felt being unable to rescue her daughter. I knew Grayson said his family were pretty much
indestructible but from where I was standing; it didn’t look that way to me.
To save Ella’s life, I stampeded over to the tree and somehow picked her up in time.
The wolves could hear the snapping of the trunk secon
ds before the Lasair and used this to their advantage, just before the trunk fell the wolves tried to position the Lasair right under the heavy branches. As the tree fell to the ground, the wolves pushed the Lasair right under it trapping them within the dark, heavy wood as they scurried away from any danger.
Logan looked at me ecstatically, knowing we had won. “You did it, they’re gone!” Logan shouted, leading the wolves to change back into their human bodies. We could see two members of the Lasair flattened by the tree, but Kaleb wanted to make sure they were all dead.
“Wait, where’s granddad?” Colton cried, searching the garden for Rafe.
“I’m here, my legs got stuck.” Rafe explained, lying beneath a branch. Aidan pulled him out and led him to a wooden bench near the fence so he could heal.
“Oh no - Maria!” Kaleb hollered, dashing over to where she lay.
“I’ll be okay, it's healing Kaleb, don’t worry.” Maria told him sternly. After a few minutes with her husband, Maria regained a healthy breathing pattern.
“Healing?” Logan asked Maria.
She smiled. “Yes, we can heal ourselves exceptionally well.”
“Good to know.” Logan arched his brows still in complete shock.
“Although, our power doesn’t stop the pain. Thank you, Abigail, for helping Ella.” Maria smiled at me.
