What the Heart Desires

by Kelli McCracken

  “I never said I didn’t love you.”

  “You didn’t have to say it, Heaven.” He glowered at her, making her feel like some cheap whore he’d graced with the opportunity to share his bed. “You proved it with your actions.”

  The words were like a knife in her heart. She winced at the pain they induced, but she turned her back to him before she did. No way would she give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d hurt her, again.

  “I’m sorry if this is coming out harsh, but I can’t stand here and pretend like you didn’t rip out my heart. I loved you so much, Heaven. Do you have any idea what this is doing to me?”

  “Yes, I do.” The words came out louder than what she intended. She expected to hear Layne’s footsteps returning. After a few seconds passed with no sign of him, she refaced Dylan. “If you think this is any easier on me, you’re wrong. I still love you, Dylan. I’m always going to love you. I didn’t choose to walk away from you or us. You pushed me away.”

  “Because you slept with my friend. You slept with your Keeper.” He growled the words, maintaining a low voice, but his coolness only incited her anger.

  “No, I slept with the man I was created to—”

  Buzzing came from someplace on his body. It was loud enough to divert her attention, as well as his. He dug his hand into his back pocket, pulling out his cell phone. A few taps of his finger on the screen had him reading over what she assumed was a text message.

  “Oh my, God.” His hand tightened around the phone as it began to shake. Anger-filled eyes flashed to her, but something else flickered within them. Fear.

  “What’s wrong?”

  He rushed toward her, shoving the phone in her direction. “It’s my dad. I’m going to fucking kill him.”

  Heaven grabbed the phone from his hands. She scanned the text message populating the screen. Each word built with the next, forming sentences that not only had her mouth gaping, it had her body shaking.

  So much fear wreaked havoc on her. She could do nothing but stare at the phone, even when Layne came bursting through the door. His voice was little more than a buzz inside her head, just like Dylan’s. The only thing that mattered was the words on the screen.

  If you ever want to see them alive again, follow the directions below…

  She barely noticed anything else the message included. The picture at the bottom squeezed her heart, a picture of Hope lying in what looked like the trunk of a car, bound and gagged. Lying beside her in the same trunk was a bundle of blankets. Dark curls peeked out from the fabric, revealing her worst fear.

  Nate McBride had found her daughter.

  CHAPTER 27

  Acres of trees lined the road as Heaven stared out the passenger-side window. The terrain switched from flat farmland to hills and cliffs, some with two hundred foot elevations. Others were even higher. She didn’t understand Nate’s obsession with Southeast Ohio. They were nowhere near the quarry he used to trap her and Layne. Still, knowing as much did little to ease her mind. Nothing would, as long as he had Adalyn and Hope in his possession.

  With any luck, the rain would hold out. The blue sky they left behind in Brightsville had given way to storm clouds. They allowed no sunlight to show through. Those same dark clouds headed their way and looked to dump not only rain, but also cause wicked lightning.

  Tapping increased against the leather seat in the back. She didn’t bother to see who was making the noise. Scott’s fingers began the rhythm the moment they pulled out of the driveway. His calming abilities diffused most of the tension in the car. Even he appeared serene on the exterior, yet his insides spoke another story. Anger and fear vibrated from him. She sensed every soul-shaking beat.

  She caught a glimpse of Layne in the mirror on the sun visor. Much like her, he was watching the scenery outside the window. The erratic thump of his energy matched hers. He worried about Adalyn’s safety. Of course he did. He was her temporary Keeper. He felt responsible, not only because he’d failed at his job, but he also blamed himself for the mess between her and Dylan. If anything happened to Adalyn, he’d never forgive himself.

  Though she wanted to check on Dylan, she couldn’t muster the strength to look at him. Every time she did, the only thing she saw was his anger. She couldn’t worry about her relationship with him, or Layne, or anyone else. Getting her daughter and sister back was her only concern. She’d deal with the rest another time. There would be another time. If Dylan didn’t kill his father, Layne would. Then again, Scott might beat them to it.

  As they turned onto a narrow road, they drove further, climbing a fairly steep hill. When the ground leveled again, rolling hills with deep valleys stretched as far as she could see.

  It wasn’t long before the pavement ended and the road switched to gravel. The car rolled deeper into the woods, going several hundred yards before they reached an orange farm gate. A chain secured it to a nearby post where a silver lock dangled from one of its links.

  Dylan stopped the car and killed the engine. Her father’s car pulled in beside them, then Scott exited the vehicle before anyone could say otherwise. Once his door clicked closed, a surge of heat filled her body. She faced Dylan. His jaw tightened as he stared in the rearview mirror toward Layne.

  “You may feel like you have some sort of say in what happens with Heaven, but you don’t when it comes to Adalyn. She’s my daughter. Mine and Heaven’s. Don’t do anything stupid. You feel me?”

  “Yeah, I feel ya.” Layne growled. He didn’t give a shit what Dylan had to say, but he wouldn’t do anything to endanger Adalyn’s life.

  After they stepped out of the car, they walked toward the gate where everyone was gathering. She hadn’t noticed Layla and Dane park beside her father’s car. Maybe she would have if Dylan hadn’t said what he had to Layne. Worrying about what they would say or do to each other next was enough to distract anyone.

  Dylan wasted no time in walking toward her father. She took her time, disbelieving they were in the middle of nowhere, about to meet the man who wanted her dead. Not just that, he ordered Layne’s death less than forty-eight hours ago. Had planned on killing her as well.

  Layne’s fingers warmed her arm. She met his eyes, feigning a smile for his benefit. He didn’t buy it in the least. “You know we’re going to get them back. I’m not going to let Nate hurt them. This will all be over soon.”

  All she could do is nod. She wanted to believe his words, wanted to believe that by this evening, she wouldn’t have to look over her shoulder anymore. She could live out the rest of her life with the people she loved, watch her daughter grow, and any other children that came along.

  Joining the group beside the gate, she listened as her father and Mason conferred the plan they’d devised. The Keepers were prepared to do whatever they needed to get Adalyn and Hope away from Nate and whatever men he brought. She knew he’d brought people with him. He was too much of a coward to stand on his own.

  Garrett’s energy pounded as fierce as Scott’s, if not more. Though he and Hope just met, they were living proof that a Seeker-Keeper bond was one of the strongest connections to exist. He was going out of his mind with worry on what was happening with her, as well as the child she carried inside her.

  Dylan needn’t worry about Layne’s ego screwing up this mission. He needed to worry about Garrett. The man was like a typhoon ready to wreak havoc on anything in its path. If there were any bodies of water nearby, she didn’t doubt he’d use his abilities to gain his Seeker’s freedom.

  Once everyone had been advised of the plan, they slipped through an opening on the other side of the post and trekked into the woods. The dirt path led them through a trail that bordered the ridge of the hill. A series of inclines and declines made her muscles ache from walking, but she kept trudging down the path, not far behind Dylan and her father.

  Her stomach twisted. She prayed she wouldn’t get sick. It didn’t help not eating this morning. What little time they spent devising a plan had been wasted on coffee
. She couldn’t eat. Not when her daughter and sister were in danger.

  The rusty scent of rain lingered. She gazed at the clouds moving across the sky—the ones she knew would bring the storm. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear Nate had a Bender that controlled the weather.

  As they walked further, the winding path wrapped around the bends and large rock formations giving way to the valley below. A gentle humming reverberated in the distance. She recognized the sound the closer they grew. There was water moving somewhere. Whether it was a creek or river, she wasn’t sure, but the sound was unmistakable.

  After climbing another hill, the path opened up to a large flat surrounded by rows upon rows of oak, maple, and birch trees. If they kept straight, they would reach a narrow section of ground leading to what appeared to be a cliff. And standing near the narrow section overlooking the water below stood Nate, empty-handed.

  Dylan lunged forward, fist clenched. He didn’t get far before her father grabbed him by the arm and whispered something in his ear. He kept struggling to break free, but whatever her dad was saying must have sunk in. The scuffle ceased, then her father eased away and reached for her mother. Mason stood behind them, glaring at Nate.

  And Dylan had the audacity to accuse Layne of going off half-cocked?

  “Wow…” Her father-in-law feigned a gasp. “We made this a family affair, didn’t we? What a reunion this is.”

  “Save your bullshit, Dad.” Dylan’s fists remained at his sides. “You have us here. Give us what we came for.”

  “Patience, son. It isn’t every day that a man learns he has a grandchild. Maybe I’d like to spend some more quality time with my granddaughter, the one you tried to hide from me.”

  “No one hid anything from you. I never told you about her because I hate your fucking guts. I warned you that if you went anywhere around my kids, I’d kill you. You’re dead, Dad. If Adalyn is hurt, I’ll make sure it’s slow and painful.”

  His words had little effect on his dad. Nate cleared his throat just as a group of cloaked figures stepped out from behind the surrounding trees. One man tugged Hope’s arm, dragging her into the clearing. Her sister’s arms were bound, her mouth still stuffed with some type of cloth.

  Another man carried Adalyn loosely in his arms. No hand supported her back. If she started to squirm, like she did when she was upset, she would fall from his arms. The thought had Heaven moving forward this time, even when Layne curled his arms about her waist.

  Nate’s laughter drew everyone’s attention back to him, but she and Layne held his. He studied them from head to toe before glaring at his son. “I see you’re still turning a blind eye to what’s in front of you. They look like they’re getting closer. Have they fucked yet?”

  She didn’t miss the way he examined her body, or how Dylan blocked his view a second later. “What the hell are you talking about, Dad?”

  He played his emotions well, pretending to care about her for his father’s benefit. Guess he hated him more than he hated her.

  Nate’s sardonic laughter echoed. “Did your mother leave out a few details about our history?” When Dylan shook his head, Nate glared in Delia’s direction, and then glanced at Spencer, who hovered just in front of her. “I guess it’s time we had our father-son chat,” he snorted. “You see, all Seekers and Keepers sleep together at least once in their lifetime. It’s inevitable because female Seekers are a bunch of whores. I don’t mean some of them. I mean all Seekers, your mother, your soulmate, even my Seeker.”

  Spencer and Mason both flinched at the words. Their energy built to a rapid pace, both ready to bring about one hell of a fight if Nate continued taunting them. It was her mother and Delia who kept them from starting this war before Hope and Adalyn were safe. Both clung to their Keeper’s arm, providing enough resistance to keep him in place.

  When Dylan faced Heaven, she noticed his disbelief. “Is this true?”

  She nodded. Then the block Adalyn placed between them lifted. Guilt shook him, guilt over the fact he hadn’t let her explain all the details on what happened with Layne. Instead, he pushed her out of his life, tried pushing her out of Adalyn’s too, but their daughter had put up a fight.

  He wanted to apologize. His eyes even welled with tears, but he blinked them away and turned back to his father. The purest level of hate rippled within him, hate he felt for the man who shared his genetics, the man who wrapped his grimy hands around Adalyn.

  “Leave her alone, dad. Take me. Take me in her place. I’ll join you, do whatever you want, but give my daughter back to her mother.”

  Several objections left the lips of those around them, including her, but Nate’s voice boomed louder. “Enough.”

  He glared at each individual, ignoring the whimper that Adalyn made. She didn’t like her grandfather in the least. Her little heart pounded with desperation to get away from him. Sensing her desperation made Heaven’s stomach heave. Her legs weakened as well. If it weren’t for Layne’s arms wrapped around her, she would have fallen.

  Nate peeked over his shoulder, toward the edge of the cliff. She wasn’t sure how steep it was, but heat burned through her veins at the thought of him dropping Adalyn over the side.

  The fear remained until he turned back toward Dylan. “This is about more than getting you, son. Killing her guarantees I’ll get you either way. You may be a shell of a man, but once you follow my path, that will change. I’d take the child too, but too much of her mother’s blood runs through her veins.”

  His fingers ran down Adalyn’s arm, igniting Heaven’s anger. She fought hard to break free of Layne’s grip on her waist. There was no way in hell she would let Nate hurt her daughter. She had to stop this madness.

  Being a mother wasn’t just about creating a precious life, or nurturing that life until it grew and cared for itself. Being a mother meant loving unconditionally. It meant giving without expecting, even giving one’s self so that precious life would continue.

  Being a mother meant making the ultimate sacrifice for her child. She’d willingly sacrifice everything she was so that Adalyn would live another day.

  Nodding at one of the cloaked men, Nate didn’t hide the smirk on his face when his men moved forward. Layne flipped around and blocked her with his body. The sudden movement left her in a state of confusion, but she saw the other Keepers doing the same. They were gathering all the Seekers into a tiny circle, ready to defend their passive abilities with aggressive ones.

  The small amount of space had her pressed to Layne’s back. His muscles corded under her palm as his arms blocked her sides. The fire burning within him was ready to unleash the instant he willed it into physical form. He’d already begun his mental attack. The humidity change proved as much.

  She didn’t have any doubts he would take out several Dark Benders before any of the other Keepers claimed their first kill. She’d witnessed it firsthand, two nights prior. Unlike the night in the quarry, he had help with this impending battle.

  Though his abilities were powerful enough to wipe out The Fallen who were present, he didn’t need to overexert himself. She didn’t want to chance him getting injured again or dying. There was no way she could deal with his death, or Dylan’s, or anyone who was standing with them. She wouldn’t allow them to die for a woman who damned humanity.

  Breaking free of the barricade the Keepers had formed, she rushed toward the center of the field, not far from where Nate stood. She ignored the screams that came not only from Layne, but also from Dylan, her parents, and the others.

  “If it’s me you want, then take me, Nate. But you have to give them up first.” She looked at her daughter and sister before glaring at her father-in-law. “Do we have a deal?”

  “Heaven, no!”

  Layne and Dylan shouted the words simultaneously, but she ignored them. She wouldn’t risk anyone’s life anymore, least of all, her daughter’s.

  It was movement on Nate’s end that stopped all the shouts behind her. He nodded at the Ben
der holding her sister. The cloaked man walked her sister closer to where Heaven stood. The ropes around Hope’s wrist unraveled on their own, allowing her to rip the cloth from her mouth and wrap her arms around Heaven.

  “Don’t do this, Heaven. Please.”

  The Bender pulled them apart as Nate approached Hope. He gazed at her round belly before placing Adalyn in her arms. Hope’s eyes widened. She moved toward Heaven, but the Bender cut her off. Another flanked Hope’s other side, and both escorted her sister and daughter toward their family.

  They stopped thirty feet away. Garrett and Mason pressed forward. She waited for the handoff, but none came, not yet. She didn’t have to ask why. Nate’s arms wrapped around, jerking her back to the narrow section of ground.

  She vaguely caught sight of Garrett grabbing Hope into his arms as Mason did the same with Adalyn. He rushed her over to Dylan, who calmed down enough to take her. Layne, on the other hand, was losing it. A flame formed inside his hand, but Isaac wouldn’t allow him to attack, even when it was obvious that touching his former ward caused him an excruciating amount of pain.

  Thunder rumbled across the sky. The wind kicked in and a light mist of rain cooled her skin. She paid little attention to the rain, focusing on Adalyn instead. Her safety was all that mattered. Anything beyond this moment in time was left to Fate.

  When she peered in Dylan’s direction, she saw his fear. It thrummed deep inside him, but she ignored the painful sensation. She was doing this for him, for Adalyn, even for Layne. It would never erase the pain she’d caused them, but they would live.

  “Take care of her.” She spoke the words in a steady voice, even though her insides shook at the thought of never seeing her daughter again. “Don’t let her forget me.”