I was confused. “Why? I thought it was a good thing to have him around?”
She grabbed my hand. “He will be around, but the closer we come to the new moon the further away you need to be from each other in order for you to complete your transition. You will have plenty of time with each other.”
My dad turned to me. “So, Declan Callamore?”
I looked at him back as if I should be ashamed. “Yes.”
He shook his head in disappointment. “Shay, I know this isn’t something that you can control, but Declan is not right for you.”
I was shaking my head as he was talking. I felt my heart hurt and pound with anger. “Dad, stop.”
Declan walked into the room. “Excuse me, Mr. Evans. We haven’t been formally introduced. Declan Callamore.” He held out his hand to shake my father’s.
My dad just stood there, looking him up and down. “I know who you are, and who you will be. I do not support you bringing my daughter into that.”
I walked over to Declan and grabbed his hand.
“Sir,” he said. “I understand your concerns. I feel the same way, but I will protect her.”
I smiled and looked at him.
He continued. “I ask for your blessing.” He lowered his head.
My dad looked at him in anger. “I cannot give it.” My dad grabbed my hand and walked me out of the room. I looked back and saw Declan. He looked worried. My dad walked me down the hallway to the top of the stairs where we waited, Edness Callamore and Declan came walking past. Everything happened in slow motion. My heart pounded as I started to see everything in tunnel vision, and Declan didn’t take his eyes off of me.
“Dad, can I ask you a question?”
He put his hand on top of mine as I held the crook of his arm. “Sure.”
I cleared my throat. “Why would you not give your blessing? I thought I was supposed to find a mate.”
He put his head down. “Shay, there is so much that you do not understand about this world. Declan is in a position of power, his birthright, for this he must defend the territory. You would be put right in the middle of this, and I don’t mean this in a disrespectful way, but his mate was killed. I couldn’t take it if anything happened to you.”
I understood but was still confused. “So, the blessing?”
He looked at me. “You aren’t going to make this easy are you?”
I smiled. “Do I ever?”
He sighed back at me. “The blessing is not for marriage. It’s for reproduction. I am not able to give that to him right now. And it’s my decision to make for you. There is not a blessing.”
I stood there in shock.
The music stopped playing.
Julius Callamore announced, “Presenting, Miss Samantha Shay Evans.”
My dad took a step before me. “You can do this.”
He turned back to me. At that moment my eyes opened wide. Everybody was watching me. I was the only female mac tire, and it was time to embrace it. I felt so empowered at that moment. They were there because of me. A strange confidence came over me. I smiled and took that first step into my new life. I turned to my dad. “He deserves your blessing.”
He smiled. “I love you more than you could ever know.”
I smiled back. “I know. He loves me too.”
He leaned in and kissed my cheek.
There we were at the top of the stairs. I felt different. My heart didn’t pound with nervousness, I wasn’t sweating, no nervous shaking. I stood there looking at everyone. My dad turned to me, and I knew it was happening again. The look on my dad’s face was shock. I looked out to everybody staring back at me with red vision. I could feel the heat in my body. I grabbed my dad’s arm. “Help.”
I turned to Declan with worry on my face over the impending agony and uncertainty. I mouthed the words “help me” as I saw him leap into action.
“Everyone out!” He came running to the stairs. He grabbed my arm and then pulled it back. My skin was hot with pain. “You need to walk, right now,” he said.
My dad’s eyes were wide. “What’s happening to her?”
Declan turned around. “Mr. Evans, right now she just started her final stage in her transition. I need to get her out of here.” I looked out and everyone was still there staring at me. That’s when it hit. My nerves lit me on fire, literally.
My skin turned to flames. Pieces of my dress burned off and drifted to the floor as cinders. The carpet on the stairs started to burn. More flames rose up around me. I could feel the pain coming from within. I closed my eyes.
When I opened them, Declan was in front of me. “Breathe. It will pass. Breathe through it.”
I started to panic, and I couldn’t speak.
He leaned into me. “I’m in love with you. I know you can do this.”
I dropped to my knees, screaming in agony. Fire engulfed me. What felt like hours of torture was just moments. A sudden burst of the worst pain I have ever felt. I could feel bones almost breaking and dislocating into directions that were not human. My human body shifted back and forth in a ball of fire until it brought me completely to the ground. The gown ripped and tore from my body as my auburn brown hair extended and thickened covering my entire body. I wrapped one arm around myself while the other was holding on the floor palm down for support. I jerked forward and could feel my skull shift and elongate into a muzzle with a black nose at the end. My vision was red as my human form started to vanish.
That was the moment the new me arrived. I went leaping down all the steps to the bottom, becoming the full mac tire I was meant to be—the red-furred mac tire that everyone was waiting to see.
I took off, leaving the mansion on fire, bursting through the front doors. I turned around seeing Declan smiling. He took off his suit jacket and threw it to the side.
My dad grabbed his arm. “Take care of her.”
He smiled. “Always.”
Within moments he was right behind me, running faster and faster to keep up with me. The new sights and sounds that I was witnessing were remarkable. I saw him running right beside me. I was looking behind me with the ground on fire following my tracks.
➢10 The Morrígan
My eyes jolted open thanks to the brisk morning air. I moved as if I had been beaten, the sun was bright, and I felt the dead brittle leaves scratch my naked body.
“Good morning,” said Declan.
I turned and looked directly into his eyes. He was smiling at me. “Hi.” I quickly folded my legs and arms, feeling so self-conscience.
He put his hand out to my shoulder. “You’re so beautiful. Don’t hide from me.”
I was blushing, and I turned away from him. “I’m not hiding. I’m cold.”
He stood, the leaves cascading down as he towered over me. I had the opportunity to see he had a completed sleeve of tattoos on his left arm and a Celtic knot on his chest over his heart. It had a name under it, but I couldn’t read it before he turned ever so slightly. It was beautiful. I was trying to look at every detail on his arm that was showing, but it was hard to not look into his eyes. I was drawn to his eyes.
He held out his hand. “Come on. Let’s run.” He smiled, then he jumped into his wolf in one step. He barked at me.
“Okay, how?”
He barked again. I just looked at him. He took off running away from me; I didn’t want him to leave me behind. I heated up, and before my own eyes this red-furred wolf appeared. No pain, no agony, and I also felt like the world around me didn’t matter. I took off running after him.
I could see the Callamores’ house in the distance. He ran up to the back door as I followed, he slowed down and took small steps to his room as he turned to watch me right outside my door. I walked in, took just a few steps, then transitioned into a standing human. I laughed as I walked into the bathroom and started the shower. I felt different, more mature. I imagined that this was not the same for any normal eighteenth birthday. I was happy that mine was one for the record books.
“Hi. Can I take you for some breakfast?” He smiled.
I smiled back knowing it was only to go downstairs. “I would love to.”
As we walked down the hall the smell of smoke and burnt fabric filled my nose. I looked at Declan and then quickly rushed to the top of the staircase. Declan rushed up behind me grabbing my hand.
I squeaked. “Did I do this?” I looked around, mouth wide open, to the amount of damage that had been done to the beautiful décor.
“This is fine. Everything can be fixed. And what can’t, we can pick out something new. Don’t worry about any of this.” I couldn’t do anything but shake my head.
“Come on, let’s get some food, I’m starving.” He smiled and brought my hand to his lips.
I spoke in a hushed tone. “Okay.” We walked down the stairs hand in hand until we walked into the dining room.
“What is this? I demand an answer,” said Declan. He had his shoulders back and was ready to argue. I looked between him and Edness Callamore, sitting so eloquently sipping her hot tea.
“My boy, I have brought the council elders here to discuss the situation with Duncan—whether there needs to be a challenge.”
Declan went into a very nervous state and then folded his arms across his chest. “What was the decision?” We waited anxiously in the deathly silence.
Edness Callamore stood. “The decision has been made, after much deliberation. No, there will not be a challenge.”
I was happy, even though I did not know what a challenge consisted of. I just didn’t want Duncan to be hurt. Declan looked at me and smiled.
The room went silent as I looked over Declan’s shoulders.
“You’ve got to be kidding me?”
My heart just about hit the floor. “Duncan.”
I turned to speak to Duncan, setting myself between Declan and Duncan unintentionally.
“You’re kidding me, right?” said Duncan. “She chose me.” He stood there with such anger.
“Duncan, it is not that simple,” said his grandmother. “Declan is her mate officially. This has been demonstrated on more than one occasion.”
He looked back at me. Declan had my hand so I would not move closer to Duncan. I could feel Declan pull back on my hand. Our arms were completely extended as I tried to walk to Duncan.
“This is complete bullshit.” In the two seconds it took him to say that, he transitioned into an aggressive wolf ready for attack. I wouldn’t let go of Declan’s hand.
“Duncan! This is not happening,” I said. My vision turned red. I stood my ground. There wasn’t going to be any male chauvinist behavior. In a weird turn of events, Duncan put his head down with respect and turned to run out of the room. I turned back to Edness Callamore in confusion. She repositioned herself from an almost panicked state and took a sip of her tea.
“You have taken the position you were meant to take next to your mate.”
Declan moved his hands to my shoulders. Mrs. Callamore continued to sip her tea and look smug about the situation that was occurring around her.
A man at the table stood to speak. “Miss Evans, you will need to start exploring your many new abilities. I would like for you to come to the Western Territory with me and start developing your newfound possibilities. My name is Quinn Braiden. I have a daughter about your age—Emily. You two will become fast friends, I’m sure.”
Declan took a step closer. “She can’t go anywhere.”
Edness Callamore stood again. “Declan, there is no other choice but for Shay to expand on her abilities, and this is the way to do so. I insist that she do this.”
Declan turned to her. “No. Grandmother, she can’t go anywhere without me. I am not permitted into other territories.”
I turned to him. “Wait, I don’t understand.”
Declan looked back to me. “As a royal in this territory, I am not permitted past the border without permission. I rarely get the permission that I seek. I will not allow this to happen.”
I turned to the man, whom I remembered from my first day in the mansion. “If Declan is not permitted, neither am I. I thank you for your offer, but I kindly decline. Respectfully, Mr. Braiden.” I smiled and put my head down.
Edness Callamore gathered her hands in front of her as she stood and spoke with authority. “I couldn’t agree more. My grandson should be permitted anywhere that his mate is.”
Quinn Braiden turned to Edness Callamore. “Edness, I realize that this is different for you without Walter, but your grandson is not permitted in our territory, and I speak for the Southern Territory in their absence. Declan is not permitted out of his own territory as agreed upon in the judgement against him.”
I turned to this man. “Why?”
Edness Callamore looked straight to Declan.
I followed her line of sight to him. “What’s going on?” I asked him.
“He wasn’t going to tell you.” Duncan came walking back into the dining room very smugly.
“Tell me what?” I stepped in front of Declan staring him in the face as he watched Duncan. “Tell me what?”
Declan closed his eyes for a moment. He turned away ashamed.
“He let his mate get killed. He was too busy showing off and he let the hunters kill her, and he will let it happen to you.”
I stood there grabbed both of Declan’s hands. “I trust you.”
I turned to face the man. “If Declan isn’t allowed, then neither am I.”
Quinn Braiden sat back down. “Edness, we will need to revisit this situation.”
Edness Callamore sat back down. “Shay, Declan, please excuse us.”
Declan had my hand in his and we turned and walked out; the doors to the dining room were shut behind us. We stood there in the entry, waiting to hear their decision. Duncan stood across the entry, leaning up against the wooded walls with his arms folded on his chest, staring at us with a scowl.
I stood with Declan. His arms were crossed over his chest. His stance was wide, and he wouldn’t look at me. “Come on. You agreed we would do this together. Talk to me.”
He turned his head to the side, possibly ashamed and embarrassed.
Duncan looked over to us. “He should be ashamed that she died. He’s not going to be able to protect you.”
I was getting pissed off at Duncan. “What is your problem? You know I’m not supposed to be your mate. You can feel it because I feel that too. It was always Declan.”
Duncan turned away and then back to me. “No. I don’t know that. I feel it here.” He walked closer to me and grabbed my hand. “Don’t you?” Declan didn’t do anything. I knew he knew what was happening inside of me. My heart was now mimicking his and his mine; I really felt it for the first time that first night in the woods.
“Duncan, I care about you, but really feel what you are going through right now. I’m not your mate.”
Declan took my hand. “Duncan, my brother, I am sorry.”
Duncan looked up at him. “You can’t be forgiven. You killed her.” He got close to Declan and he was so passionate about Declan’s mate that died.
“What’s going on here?” I looked back and forth between them.
“Come on Declan, tell her.” The silence was agonizing. “Tell her!”
I looked Declan straight in the eye. “Tell me what?” I stayed in that position. “Tell me,” I said quietly to him.
He looked into my eyes. I could feel the beat of his heart, the coldness of his nerves. He had sadness and regret.
He finally took in a deep breath and started to explain. “Hellena, she started to bond with Duncan first. Then she met me, and I challenged him.”
I turned to Duncan. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t know.”
Duncan stood like a silent statue. “I was meant for Hellena. She is dead, and I will never find my mate because of my own brother.”
He motioned back and forth, anger in his eyes. “And this selfish asshole took you away from me.”
I reached for Duncan. “I know that I’m not supposed to be your mate. I feel that it is supposed to be Declan. I am truly sorry that you feel this way. I would do anything to help you, but don’t be mistaken, I am not yours.”
Duncan took a step back. “Mine. You should be mine. It is only fair.”
He was so angry that he leapt into a full coat of silver fur and burst through the front doors and out into the cold fall daylight.
Declan was very upset about his brother. “Hey, come here. This is something that he must deal with. There is nothing more for you to do,” I said.
The dining room doors opened. Declan kissed my hand and we took our first steps into a decision that I felt we had no control over.
Edness Callamore stood as we walked into the room. “My dear, you have given my grandson a new perspective. This is good for our territory. For the Great Lakes Region.”
The eldest man that has been talking down to us ever since I saw him the first time spoke. “I need to properly introduce myself, Mannix Garrett. I am the head of the Northern Territory for this region. We have come to a decision about Declan. With this new information you have shown us we have granted Declan permission to cross borders. He has proven to us that he can keep his temper and all the aggression he holds under control; however, Mr. Callamore is not permitted into the Southern Territory. There is no guarantee of your safety.”
I smiled. “So this means that he will be coming with me?”
Mr. Garrett smirked. “Yes, Miss Evans.”
Edness Callamore turned to Declan. “You need to get Mr. Evans’s blessing before you leave our territory.”
I turned to Declan. “What?”
Declan held my hand, and Edness Callamore spoke. “You need your father’s blessing to complete your bond with my grandson.”
I turned to Edness Callamore. She had a straight face. I turned back to Declan. “He won’t.”
Crimson Secrets Page 12
