Carrier of the Mark

by Leigh Fallon

  “Come on; we’d better get that brochure for your dad,” he said as he came up for air.

  “That would be wise,” I agreed, laughing. It seemed so trivial, given everything we had learned today, but it was kind of nice to think about something besides the elements.

  Adam showed me all around the campus. It was too late to get in to see the famous Book of Kells in the library, but he showed me the beautiful buildings: the Campanile, a stunning bell tower, and Parliament Square and the very pretty chapel. We even walked around a bit of Dublin, with its beautiful architecture and little streets. Under any other circumstances, it would have been a magical evening, and even with all that was hanging over our heads, I still felt the joy of simply being with him.

  It was almost eight p.m. when we reluctantly started heading back to the gates at Trinity. The closer we got, the tenser Adam seemed.

  They were all waiting for us outside. Áine saw us first and ran up to intercept us. She hooked her arm through mine. “Are we all good?”

  “I’m not sure,” I said, looking over at Adam.

  We started walking in the direction of the restaurant the Dublin Order had originally chosen for lunch, but they had since changed the reservations to dinner. Áine looked at Adam, who was gazing off in the other direction. “I know he looks like he’s going to snap, but he won’t. He just needs some time. I’m so sorry about this stupid Druid Scribes thing,” she said under her breath.

  “I’m sorry too. I know how much all of this means to you; I just wish there were something I could do to make everyone happy.”

  She looked at me kindly. “Don’t stress yourself out. This has always been my path, my burden. I envy you, though. You get a chance to opt out. I wish I had that choice.”

  “I’m not going to opt out now. I’m just buying some time before I have to make that decision.” I squeezed her arm reassuringly. “We’re in this together, but I need Adam, and Adam needs me.”

  She nodded in agreement. “Look, let’s forget about it for tonight. I want to enjoy myself while I still can. I got to go to a few shops this evening. You want to see what I bought?”

  Adam excused himself and caught up with Fionn, where he got into a deep conversation. Áine then proceeded to tell me all about every shop she had been in, giving me every last detail about a pair of killer heels she had bought. I listened, feigning interest, but kept a close eye on Adam. He glanced at me now and again, giving me a forced little smile or a wink.

  When we reached the restaurant, Adam sat down on my right. Áine was just sitting down on my left when Will called to her.

  “Won’t you sit with me, Áine? I’d love to catch up with you.”

  “Sure,” she agreed, moving over to the other side of the long rectangular table. Hugh came up and took her place beside me. “May I?”

  “Of course.” I pulled out the chair for him.

  “Thank you,” he said, sitting down. “Really, what must you think of us? I know that the way we acted was unforgivable. We were just so shocked. We’re honestly not that bad.” He paused, then gave me a shy smile. “Let’s start again, shall we?” He held out his hand for me to shake it. “Hello, Megan, lovely to meet you. I’m Hugh McDonagh.”

  I smiled slightly. Hugh was charming, like a little old elf. I shook his hand.

  Adam was straining to hear what we were saying. He was holding my other hand firmly under the table.

  “Any chance you’ll accept my apology, Adam?” Hugh inquired, leaning around me.

  Adam raised an eyebrow. “I will.” He shook Hugh’s hand. “But tread carefully.” He smiled, but I could see he meant the warning seriously.

  The atmosphere around the table eased and the evening became quite enjoyable.

  After the main course, Fionn, Rían, Adam, and M.J. were deep in conversation. Áine and Will were still catching up.

  “Hugh, what actually happens during an ‘alignment’?” I asked, turning to him. “I’ve heard so much about it, but I still don’t understand what happens.”

  Hugh looked delighted with the question. “Ah, the alignment. It’s a correction. The last full alignment was done by Danu herself. Since then, the four physical elements have been existing in their individual states, growing, moving, evolving, and being utilized by the people of Earth. Over time, the balance has been thrown into disarray, as the elements are constantly in a state of flux. The elemental alignment connects the holders of the elemental powers with the physical elements. All the strength and beauty of the four is allowed to flow through each of you, until each element is restored to its original and perfect state, a state that will correct all the imbalances that have caused misery and destruction in the world. Imagine the serenity of an aligned world—chaos turned to harmony. It’s our life’s work. It’s hard to contain the excitement,” Hugh said, clasping his hands together.

  “Really? The world would be so dramatically affected?”

  “It wouldn’t appear dramatic to the casual onlooker. The damage from the imbalance will take some time to heal. But nature will begin to correct itself as soon as the four elements are synced.”

  “Wow. That sounds amazing.”

  “It will be. That’s why it must happen.” Hugh leaned into me and quietly said, “And on that note, I’d like to tell you a little story.”

  “What kind of a story?” I asked.

  “I don’t want to alarm you, but you need to know. Love and Carriers do not go hand in hand. As a Carrier of the Mark you have a great responsibility to the world, to every other human. You exist to protect them, and with that power comes great responsibility. You’re not the first of your kind to fall deeply in love.” He looked over at Adam to make sure he was still engrossed in conversation. “Adam’s mother, Emma … she was a lovely girl, delightful. She grew up in the Order.”

  “Fionn told me about her.”

  “Did he tell you the full story?” he inquired. “I doubt it. Emma grew up with Fionn, and their friendship blossomed into love. There was no denying their connection, but when the council saw what was happening, they decided it was time to marry her to her intended, a young man by the name of Stephen DeRís. She was devastated to be separated from Fionn, but she knew her duty and married Stephen.

  “Fionn knew his duty too. He vowed to protect them, as their personal bodyguard. He watched another man marry the woman he loved. And still he stood by silently, doing his duty. It was a life of sacrifice, but it was for the greater good. Remember, by denying yourself your power, you are also denying Adam his birthright, and Áine and Rían too. I don’t want to force your hand or burden you, but please”—he put his hands on mine—“give your decision more thought before it is too late.”

  “But why do Carriers of the Mark have intendeds? Why can’t the Marked pick their own partners?”

  “The genetic process is complex, as I’m sure Fionn has told you. The Marked gene is recessive. We’ve only been successful in producing Marked children though bloodlines that we know are pure and carry the neutral gene that doesn’t suppress the Mark.”

  “So Fionn and Emma wouldn’t have had Marked children?”

  “It’s unclear. Fionn doesn’t carry the neutral gene, and we couldn’t take the chance that they would have unmarked children. Our Carriers are too precious, too rare. We only pair them with neutral carriers from proven genetic lines. Look, don’t concern yourself with all this now. It’s just something I thought you should know. You have to consider your own future as much as Adam’s.”

  “My own?”

  “Yes. The Marked line will need to continue. You and Aíne hold that key.”

  My mind was reeling. Áine had spoken of her intended, but I didn’t think for one second of the possibility of an intended for me.

  Adam finished his conversation and dipped his head low to my ear. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” I said, and smiled at him though my heart was thudding in my chest.

  After dinner, we said our farewells.
It had been an exhausting day and we all felt the stress of the occasion. Adam kissed me good night and went to his room with Rían, and I went with Áine to ours. She was still babbling on about all her new stuff when she came out of the bathroom in her pajamas.

  “Oh, I forgot to get my toothbrush from Adam’s bag; I’ll be back in a sec,” she said, walking out the door.

  I was already in bed, even though I knew it would be impossible to sleep. It had been a day of revelations, and now, after Hugh’s story, I didn’t know what to do. I wanted Adam more than anything else, but there was so much at stake.

  The door of the room opened, letting in a beam of light from the bright hall outside. I sat up.

  “Did you find it?”

  “I don’t know about it, but I certainly found what I was looking for,” Adam’s voice said softly in the darkness.

  “Adam, what are you doing here?” I couldn’t hide the elation in my voice.

  He walked over to me and crawled onto my double bed. “Áine’s little present to us. She thought we deserved a break.” He smiled down at me.

  “Áine. She’s the best. Remind me to thank her in the morning,” I said, feeling a little self-conscious in my pajamas.

  “Do you mind?” He lowered himself down beside me.

  “No, not at all,” I replied, blushing into my pillow.

  He pulled me in close to him. I luxuriated in his smell, his warmth, the feeling of his skin on mine. How could I ever give this up?

  “So, should we be on the lookout for a great meteorite to crash into Earth, wiping out all life on the planet?” I joked, trying to break the fizzing of excitement that ran though me.

  “I’d say we’re safe enough for now.” He laughed softly in my ear.

  He kissed me gently and combed his fingers through my hair. He ran his hand over my body, caressing the skin where it was exposed.

  Since meeting Adam, I’d imagined moments like this, but my daydreams were nothing compared to the tantalizing sensations I felt as his skin brushed mine. I gasped in pleasure.

  Adam flicked his hand away. “I’m so sorry; I got caught up in the moment.” I could hear the mortification in his voice.

  “No, don’t stop.”

  “No. I shouldn’t have come in here.” He sat up.

  “Please don’t go.”

  “It’s just that my head gets so fuzzy when I’m with you.”

  “Adam, it’s all right. Please stay,” I said, pulling him back down beside me.

  Relaxing a little, he turned me over and curled into my back. “You’re sure?”

  “I’m sure.”

  “You’re amazing. I will never lose you,” he whispered. “I mean it, so don’t go trying to be all noble for our sakes. I know how Hugh works. I’m sure he’s been spinning tales to you about your duty and self-sacrifice.”

  I turned back to him. “You mean your mom and Fionn?”

  “Yeah, but I bet Hugh didn’t tell you the whole story.”

  “There’s more?”

  “There’s a lot more, but it’s not my story to tell; it’s Fionn’s. I’ll ask him to speak to you. In the meantime, don’t go getting ideas. I’ll make this work. All right?”

  “Do you promise?”

  “I promise.”

  I cuddled down into the crook of his arm. I felt so safe there, so sure, even with our future up in the air. Adam’s fingers trailed up and down my arm; I closed my eyes and just enjoyed the caress that eased me gently to sleep.

  I woke with a start. Adam was still fast asleep. I marveled at the way his eyelashes grazed his cheeks, his face smooth and stress-free. Daylight was coming through a crack in the curtain and it sent a thin beam of light across his cheek and down his torso. He opened his eyes a bit and smiled sleepily at me.

  “Why, hello,” I said, and gave him a kiss.

  “Hello to you too. It’s nice to see you in your morning glory.”

  “Is my hair all over the place?”

  He reached up and stroked my cheek. “You’re stunning.”

  I leaned down to kiss him again, but the phone rang and jolted us out of the moment.

  “You’d better answer that,” he said, “considering I’m not meant to be here.”

  I couldn’t help giggling a little as I picked up the call. “Hello?”

  It was Áine. “Megan, it’s time to swap back. I think Fionn will be doing rounds shortly. I guess you two didn’t get up to anything too serious last night, as the Earth hasn’t imploded!”

  “I heard that!” Adam grabbed the phone. “Áine, as much as I love you and appreciate last night, sod off and mind your own business.”

  I heard laughter ringing through the line as Adam hung up.

  “I guess I’d better get going,” he said.

  “Last night was pretty great.”

  “Pencil me in for another sleep date soon.” He grinned.

  “Definitely.”

  He left, and a moment later Áine walked in. She jumped onto the unused bed and turned to me with wide eyes. “Well, how did you get on?”

  I blushed. “Thank you so much for that. It was the best present you could have given me.”

  She beamed. “No problem—but I will be looking for you to return the favor one of these days.”

  I laughed. “You’re on. Did Rían mind your bunking with him?”

  She shook her head. “Not at all! It was his idea in the first place, actually.”

  We got dressed quickly and met the guys for breakfast. Then Fionn checked us all out and we headed out to the Land Rover. The ride back to Kinsale was quiet; we were all lost in our own thoughts. We got into town around lunchtime, and since my dad wasn’t expecting me back until the evening, I decided to go home with the DeRíses.

  As soon as we got into the house, Fionn went into the kitchen and put the kettle on, while Adam and I headed out to the backyard.

  “Want a coffee?” he called.

  “Yes! That would be great,” I answered.

  Soon Fionn appeared with three steaming coffees, and we all settled down on the steps. “What is it, Adam?” he asked, looking concerned. “There’s something on your mind.”

  “I think Megan needs to hear your story. Hugh tried to coerce her with a guilt trip last night.”

  “Christ, that’s low,” Fionn grumbled, looking more frustrated than I’d seen him in a while.

  I started to tell him that he didn’t have to give me the full story if he didn’t want to, but he shook his head. “I don’t mind telling you; I just can’t believe they would stoop to pulling my story on you. I guess I underestimated their determination. How much did they tell you?”

  I felt awful. I couldn’t believe I had to regurgitate such personal information back to him. “Well,” I began slowly, “they told me that you and Emma were in love, but you both knew that it was best to part, for the good of the Order.”

  Fionn laughed bitterly. “That sounds about right for them! What spin!”

  “Wait, what really happened?” I asked, startled.

  Fionn’s eyes clouded over. “Oh, I loved Emma, all right. And she loved me. You and Adam remind me so much of us back then. But we always knew there was another man who had been chosen as her intended. Stephen DeRís. Stephen was a great guy, groomed for the role. Emma didn’t love him, but she was fond of him. And she was under a lot of pressure to do her duty. I respected her wishes and those of my superiors, but I demanded to stay with her as her guardian.” His voice roughened. “Every day was a heartache; every touch was a stabbing pain. And when the children were born, I saw the babies that should have been mine. She felt the same, but remained faithful to Stephen and to the Order.

  “After Rían, Adam, and Áine were born, the Order had the four elements. Stephen, having done his duty, wanted out of the marriage, as did Emma. But the Order would not allow it. They had some time to go until the children would be strong enough to perform the alignment with their mother, and the Order wanted to play it safe, just in c
ase anything happened to any of the Marked Ones. They wanted another child of direct descent as a backup, and they wouldn’t permit the separation until they had it.”

  I was shocked. I couldn’t imagine feeling so trapped—and knowing that the person you loved was just out of reach. I looked over at Adam. He was as rapt as I was.

  Fionn’s eyes darkened as he continued his story. “Emma was distraught. She had sacrificed her life for the Order, they had the four elements, and still they would not free her. Emma and I were still passionately in love, and one evening it all became too much to bear. We couldn’t be kept apart any longer. Emma told Stephen and he was fine with it. He knew that we should have been together from day one. So we continued the happy-family charade for the Order’s sake, but Emma and I were together, as good as married. Then Emma got pregnant with my baby. We were overjoyed. The Order, thinking the baby was Stephen’s, agreed to release Stephen and Emma as soon as the baby was born. But—” His voice broke off and he closed his eyes, fighting back whatever painful images filled his mind.

  Adam went over to Fionn and patted him on the shoulder.

  Fionn pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath. “I respect your strength, Megan; I wish we had been as strong as you. Love is never worth giving up on. If I could do it all over, I’d tell the Order to stick it, and run away with her. We would have been happy. The Marked line would still have continued. The Order doesn’t always know best. I will not have you and Adam suffer the same fate as Emma and me—or as Adam’s father, for that matter. Three lives wasted over rules and old traditions. The Knox snuffed out the lives of Emma and Stephen before they could really start living, and a baby girl before she got the chance to live at all. I will not let that happen to you. We’ll find a solution.”

  I was so moved by the story it took me a while before I could speak. “There was something else Hugh said, about your not being her match because you weren’t a carrier of a neutral gene. He said the Marked gene is recessive—”

  “They said my children wouldn’t have been Marked, right?” Fionn said with a twisted smile.

  “He implied it. Hugh said they couldn’t be sure.”