Fated Release (Fated Keepers Series Book 2) (11 page)

Chapter 21

Lyon

My insides are on fire. I feel like my body is trying to tear itself inside out. I have been sleeping on and off for days. Rochelle left yesterday, saying she had an errand to run and still hasn’t returned.  I wish I could say I missed her presence, but I feel nothing but relief. From the moment I first saw her at the hotel, I have felt something was off, but I can't pinpoint what it is. It’s like walking into a room to grab something and not remembering what it was as soon as you get there.

I know I'm missing something or someone… Yes someone. But who? I slam my head back down on the pillow and yell in frustration. Ahhhh! Maybe a hot shower will help ease the pain and stiffness in my muscles, I think to myself as I get up and gather some clean clothes. Turning on the hot water I shut the bathroom door and look at myself in the mirror for the first time in what feels like years. My face is sunken in. A hollow shadow of the person I once was. Dark, puffy circles hang under my eyes in stark contrast to the pale pasty color of my once olive toned skinned. I look like death warmed over. What has happened to me?

Thirty minutes later and I have used up all of the hot water and still feel no better. If anything, I feel worse. The nauseating feeling is stronger now than ever. I wipe the mirror clean of fog and grab my razor and toothbrush. Something has to make me feel better. I can't think of a time I have ever felt like this before. No, the only time I have even come close, was when I was away in Rome studying and hadn’t hunted in months. Maybe that’s what I need. A hunt. I have always known that the essence of the Orfeo strengthens and sustains us. How long has it been since I have hunted?

Yes. I think a hunt is just what I need. I will wait for Rochelle until evening. If she isn’t back by dark, then I will go without her. I wonder where on earth she is at and why she didn't tell me she was leaving. She had been acting weirder and weirder over the last couple of days. I feel like I am missing something very important, but I don't have the energy to try to figure out what it is. I think I'll take a nap while I wait for nightfall. Yea a nap should help.

Chapter 22

Arsema

Reine has been a godsend. Without her I don't know how I would have survived anything after waking from the coma. My body feels like it is falling to pieces. I can barely stand. Walking is a distant memory. I hurt. Everywhere. I know some of the pain I feel is from being immobile for so long, but surely not all of it. I need my keeper and the longer he is away from me, the worse I get. Physically I feel like I'm dying. Mentally and spiritually I feel like I could take on the world. Erik’s power still pulses within me like a wild lion waiting to be set loose upon its prey. I have tried several times to use it to heal myself physically, but to no avail. The pain I'm feeling is not normal physical pain. It is deeper. My soul is being shredded into a thousand tiny little pieces each minute I am separated from Lyon.

“Hey, girlie! How are you feeling?” Reine asks as she walks in the room. I give her a deadpan stare instead of answering.

“Stupid question huh? I’m sorry hun.” She says to me as she sits on the bed to the right of me.

“Not your fault at all. He will come. I know he will.” I tell her trying to believe my own words. He has to come, there is no other option.

“I’m sure he will make it. Stay positive. Keep your energy pure.” Reine puts her hand on my shoulder to comfort me. The weight of her hand, although it’s not much, feels like a brick on my shoulder. As subtly as possible, I pretend to readjust myself comfortably so she can remove her hand.

“Thank you. I am trying.” I am so thankful to her for being here. I still don’t know what made her decide to stay here. I remember her first words when she arrived and as I look her over, I wonder what could have made her hate the Craecia so much.

“Reine, can I ask you a question? Why are you still here? Don’t get me wrong! I am so happy you are, but I was under the impression that this is the last place you would ever want to be.”

She doesn’t appear shocked at my question; instead she looks like she has been expecting it for a while. Taking my hand in hers she takes her time responding.

“I see something in you Arsema. Something that reminds me of someone from years past. Isla. She was beautiful and vibrant. At 17 she was full of life and willing to do anything to help anyone. She was my sister. My best friend. I lost her eleven years ago to the hands of a group of Orfeo that came through our little town in France. She was out alone feeding the horses when they came through. Her and three others were taken and murdered that day. That is why I have no use for the Craecia. They are the reason the Orfeo exist. All Orfeo were once upon a time Craecia as well. I lost my sister that day and a piece of myself too. The part of me that could see the light in others, until I met you.”

“Wow, Reine I am so sorry for your loss. I don't know what to say. But thank you. Thank you for staying even though I know it hurts you to be here.”

“It is I who should be thanking you, Arsema. The first moment I saw you something awoken inside me, allowing my light to burn brightly again. Because of you I am finally healing. It will take time, but I am now on the right path. I will stay with you and help you in any way I can.”

Tears are flooding my eyes when she finishes. I can't imagine the pain she felt at losing her sister. I feel a bond with her that can’t be explained. I understand the feeling she is describing and have experienced because I felt it as well. It is like we are connected. I may not have known her long, but I care for her just as much as I do for Tris.

“I am so happy you are here, Reine. Thank you for staying. I wish there was something I could do to help you find the peace you need. I hope that one day you will come to care for the rest of my family, the human and Craecia, the way I do. I promise you that none of them would ever dream of harming you.”

She glances through the doorway toward the living room where Haas was last at before whispering… “I think that may be easier than either of us expected.”

Both of us are startled by the slamming of the front door. The sound vibrating through the house. Reine jumps from her perch on the edge of my bed to go investigate. When she returns, she is holding a small sheet of paper with a one line message scrawled onto it front in messy writing.

You will have your vengeance.

I recognize Haas’ writing immediately and put two and two together. He must have overheard our conversation and knowing that his keeper is struggling with pain from the loss for her sister has sent him off on a vigilante mission.

“Ughh, that idiot! I swear to all that’s holy I am going to hunt him down and murder him myself!!!” Reine is fuming and I don't blame her. The last thing either of us wanted was for Haas to listen to the conversation and then take this stupid mission upon himself.

“Calm down. It’s ok. He will be back soon. Just let him go blow off some steam. I know it can’t be easy for him to know of your pain and not be able to fix it. Just give him a little time. When he gets back, I’ll help you kill him!” I say laughing trying to lighten her mood.

“Deal!” She says sitting back down beside me and turning on the TV. “He’s not going to know what hit him.” She mumbled more to herself. I pretend not to notice and turn my attention to the Vampire Diaries rerun.

Chapter 23

Reine

Although Haas is doing this for me, I am pissed as hell. This is my mission not his. Now he is going to put himself in harm’s way for me. I cannot have another death on my conscious. Sitting on the couch watching Vampire Diaries, Damon with all his fabulous glory can’t even take my mind of the numerous ways I am contemplating on finding Haas and killing him myself.

I want to storm out the door and find him. I want to kill him but more than that, I want to find him and make sure he is safe.  My feelings for him have developed since the day I first arrived and it is not only confusing but infuriating. I did not want this. I never thought that I would feel this strong about anybody, much less a dang Craecia. I start plotting again. I really want to go find him. I need him here.

The only thing holding me back now is Arsema. With everyone gone and her gaining her consciousness, I don’t want to leave her here all alone. I feel like she is my responsibility. I know that things are about to get really hard for her, as if losing her dad wasn't already enough. I feel the tremors in the Earth’s core. I sense her restless nature and I know this means a storm is brewing on the horizon. A bad one. I can’t help but feel that it is directly tied back to Arsema and her family. My family, as they have come to be. So I will stay here and babysit my new sister, while she is unable to look after herself, even if I really want to be out there tracking down an insufferable male who thinks he knows what is best for me. Merde!!!! I will make him pay for this.

Chapter 24

Tris

Dancing under the night stars in Orion's arms was magical. I have never felt more complete in all my life. When he bent over and placed his lips on mine my world erupted all around me. Our souls connected in that moment. Images floated across my mind of us together. I saw visions of the past as well as the future to come and my heart swelled with the love I felt coming from him. Lying under the billowing Cypress trees, Orin and I had become one.

As he sleeps next to me, I gaze at the perfection that is my keeper. My soul mate. If I have any regrets, it is not accepting his love sooner. I can't imagine my life without him now. I gently stroke his course bearded face remembering hearing his thought in my mind. A smile blossoms on my face thinking of the joy I felt being able to share my feelings as well as my thoughts with him.

My thoughts are distracting me so much that I don't feel the headache creeping up until it hits me full on thrusting me into another vision.

I am standing at a crossroads. The path I'm on has ended and now I have to choose a new one. Do I go left or right? I gaze down each path trying to see which path will lead where.

The path to my left, what I see leaves me horrified and scared. I see Lyon. But he is no longer himself. He has changed. I sense evil radiating from him. Upon looking closer I see what has changed, Lyon is Orfeo. I search the future scene looking for other details and see Arsema’s gravestone in a world turned gray and dark. Ose has won the war against good and evil and our world is crumbling in around us. I see no one else around. Period.

The path to my right is just as terrifying. Everywhere I look I find a blank misty air. I can’t see more than two feet into the future. I try to push through the foggy air and see where this path leads but I am met with more fog filled space. How am I supposed to decide on a path when I can't see both paths clearly? What does the second paths future hold for me and my family? When will I be able to see it clearly?

Orin is awake and stroking my back when I come out of my most recent vision. I can't find the words to describe what I have seen to him so instead I just send the images to his mind via our telepathic connection.

“It will be ok, m'anam. The main thing we need to focus on is preventing the first outcome.”

I agree completely with that statement and crawl back into his arms to try to get a few more minutes of sleep before we begin our journey tomorrow. I silently weep into his chest and pray that this is the one vision that will not be fulfilled. He strokes my back. Not saying anything. He knows that I am fighting an internal war with myself. He just lets me be.

Chapter 25

Tris

When we awaken in the morning, we receive a pleasant surprise. Elmeri arrives just as we are packing up the last of our things with guess who… none other than Cash.

“Hey chick! Good to see a friendly face out here!” I say wrapping her in a tight hug. Orin catches the dig toward him and I see his famous smirk etched across his face. I will pay for that comment later.

“I know right! How are you doing with the vision things?”

She asks jumping right in to the problem. I tell her all about the last few visions and then wait patiently as she digs through her gigantic bag in search of what I don't know. Cash and Orin have wandered off to go hunt up some nice dry wood so we can fry up the bacon and eggs Elmeri brought along, giving us a few minutes of privacy.

“Ah ha I knew I have read something about this before!” She yells out scaring the bejesus out of me.

“Um. Am I supposed to know what you’re talking about? Because last time I checked the only mind I can read around here is Orin’s.”

“No. No. Hold on let me get to the right page. Here it is.” She says as she starts reading something to herself from an old worn out book titled Ancient Myths and Fairytales for the Young.

“I grew up hearing these stories as a young Crae. This one in particular stayed with me through all these years. It was my absolute favorite. It states that there were four sisters, all stunningly beautiful who were each infused with an amazing power. Alone the power they each held inside was magical, but when they connected together, there was nothing and no one who could stand in their way.” Elmeri reads from the book. I listen to her story but I am now more confused than before.

“Wait. I’m lost. What does this story have to do with my vision?” I ask Elmeri.

“I think that this story isn’t a myth or fairy tale. I think these sisters were real and they were the first to go against Ose and the Evil of this world. The story says that one of the girls was captured and killed sending all the others into despair and allowing the evil wizard to remain loose.”

“But that doesn’t make sense. There are no wizards. Or are you saying that part was fictionalized? Oh my god! Do you think that Arsema and I are two of the four sisters reborn?”

Shock is visibly written on my face. Can this be true? I have always felt a very special bond between us. But never in a million years would I have guessed it was anything supernatural

“Yes Tris that is exactly what I think. I think the spirit and power of the sisters have been reborn in you. Each sister had her own power that was strengthened by the bond she shared with her sisters.

“Mind, body, heart and spirit” Elmeri ticks them off on her fingers one by one.

“I believe you are embodied with the power of the mind. That is the reason you are having visions of the future and I think that these will become easier to manage and stronger when you are with your sisters.”

“But, I don't have any sisters, Elmeri. I mean, I love Arsema like a sister but who could the other two be?” I try and think who else I have such a strong bond with but come up short.

“Sisters of the heart do not need to be blood related. You will all connect on another level.”

I snatch the book from her hands needing to read over this ancient fairy tale myself. After a few minutes of reading, I come across something that sparks my attention.

“It says that all four of the sisters come together after they are bonded with their keepers.”

“Yes, I read that. But if what I see here is any indication, I don't think that will be a problem for you?”

I feel a blush spread across my face. Since when do I blush? Seriously this man has turned me into a bubbling mess! Elmeri laughs out loud as she pats my arm. “I didn't think so.”

I toss the book back to her and stand up to join the guys as they start the fire. I can't wait to sink my teeth into the bacon she has brought with her. I feel like it has been ages since I had a normal meal. Once the fire is blazing and our food is cooking we all settle into a normal conversation. Well, as normal as you can get with a group of supernatural beings.

“So I guess since y’all have been traveling you haven’t spoken to Arsema huh?” I ask them both. Deliberately watching their facial expressions. I couldn't wait to see the surprise and elation. I probably should have told them this wonderful news when they first appeared, but my mind was muddled with a million other thoughts at the time.

“No one has spoken to Arsema in months Tris, you know that.” Cash says as Elmeri jerks her head back my way. The look on her face says she is reading between the lines of my statement.

“Do you mean…?” She didn’t even finish her sentence. She knew those three words were enough.

“Yep! Sure do!” I tell her and then we are jumping up and down around the blazing fire once again.

“Wait! Did I miss something? Do you know what is going on with them?” Cash asks Haas bewildered.

“Yeah! Your sister woke up a couple days ago.”

“What!?! Why didn’t you say so? How?” He yells out jumping up and down with me and Elmeri now.

His question is like a glass of freezing water being dumped on me. I sit back down near Orin and try to figure out how to give them the worse news of the century. Orin senses my dilemma and thankfully he helps break the bad news.

“I am not sure how to say this, other than to be blunt... Erik has passed on. He went out of the protection of the house and was ambushed unexpectedly. It appears his power was transferred to Arsema and that extra boost was able to pull her out of the coma.”

Elmeri and Cash both look deeply saddened by the news. But knowing Elmeri the questions already started forming in her head.

“Why would he leave the house? That makes no sense.” Elmeri asks the group in general. Orin and I look at each other deciding how much more to say when Cash speaks up.

“He went out looking for me, didn’t he?” He drops his head into his hands. He knew the answer before anyone could confirm it to him.

“Yes, brother. He did.” Orin states to him

Cash gets up and walks away from the group when he hears the confirmation. I hear him on the phone moments later with Arsema, I assume. Elmeri’s eyes fill with tears at the news of Erik’s death and not knowing if I should I comfort her or leave her to grieve in peace, I turn into Orin’s chest to give her the semblance of privacy.

“He chose his path and by doing so he gifted his daughter with life. We will celebrate that fact and not dwell on his death. As it should be.” Elmeri states to the group at large, drawing a small smile from us both. She is right. The past cannot be changed and I don't know that any of us would try if we could. And the future was not yet written. We needed to celebrate the present and the gift of time we have been given thanks to Erik’s sacrifice.

“Agreed.” We echo in unison.