The Third Fate (10 page)

Questions looped endlessly in her thoughts. What was making her ill? Did she dare believe what Cael had told her about being a half-born vampire? She’d seen with her own eyes, truth overwhelming her to the point of existing in a state of denial. Was illness producing these strange dreams and hallucinations? Either way, she couldn’t flee Glasgow fast enough for comfort. Later this night she’d be sitting safely with her aunt and cousins, getting far away from this nightmare. Fear prickled, whispering that she wouldn’t be able to outrun it.

Checking her phone after a long, hot shower, Paige read the message from her boss, Barbara, relieved beyond belief that her vacation was not only approved but met with a kind word. She didn’t want fear of damaging her reputation at work hanging over her while she dealt with whatever was happening to her. Barbara might be a tough boss, but the woman had a kind heart underneath the no-nonsense exterior.

Wanting to take advantage of how great she was feeling, Paige packed her suitcases. Lara texted saying she and Brooke would pick Paige up at seven o’clock, leaving Paige the day before her to get ready. She felt so good, in fact, that it was almost difficult to remember the suffering of the night before. No ill-effects from the pain or nausea remained, hinting at the possibility that the illness had run its course.

*

Cael Maccinnis was not a being to trifle with. He’d seen everything in Paige’s heart, the only reason he hadn’t forcibly taken her right then. Her pain had been too intense to move her. Throughout the long night he’d been beside her, cloaking his presence in order to offer comfort, to get her through the night. Dawn was breaking before her symptoms abated, and he dared not risk moving her then. Again, he was separated from her. But not for long.

Day grew increasingly overcast, a thick fog creeping over the city, eerily invading every corner. From Fife House Cael followed Paige’s thoughts and plans, angered that she thought to run from him. He’d told her of its futility; he’d not lied. That she would deny herself – them both – the pleasure of being together, a denial that was hurting her right now, in the hopes of avoiding a possible future pain made no sense to him.

But you know not what it means to be mortal, Cael.

His conscience broke in, putting her actions into perspective. One thing was certain. If she thought to be getting on that plane the woman was indeed daft. He’d not allow it. He’d risk her displeasure, her anger, to prevent her death. She’d thank him later. For once he was going to act on what he knew to be right; damn the consequences. As the heavy fog rolled in, he smiled. He’d be going to her long before sunset.

Once safe in the Highlands Cael could properly care for her during her Awakening. He’d heard it a grueling process, convinced after what he’d seen last night. Paige needed blood, the richer and more powerful, the better. His was perfect. Convincing her to drink would be the hardest part, and he was betting on her natural survival instincts to aid him. She’d been so upset after biting him she’d not actually taken enough to offer her much help. Soon, her body would need blood to survive.

“
Maccinnis.”

The single word spoke volumes.

Cael eyed the vampire who had betrayed him so long ago. He’d like to kill him, but wouldn’t give the Council the satisfaction. They cared little for Kaiden Douglas beyond his acquiescence to their rules and regulations, and Cael knew that they thought him a lesser being all around. That’s exactly why he was in the position of Fife House coven leader. Kaiden of Clan Douglas would never buck the system – he’d exploit it.

Kaiden, shorter than Cael’s six-foot three inch frame, postured haughtily. Cael offered no signal to his own feelings, staring coolly at the vehement glare thrown his way.

Kaiden’s expression changed, a malevolent smile creasing his face.

“
I see you’ve finally found another female,” he commented, distaste lacing his tone along with interest. “I’ll remember her scent, Maccinnis, perhaps look her up sometime.”

The implication was more than Cael could stomach. Grabbing Kaiden, his preternatural speed caught the younger vampire off guard, and Cael slammed him into the stone wall.

“
The day I catch the taint of ye near her, Douglas, be the day I rip yer throat out.”

Visibly shaken that Cael would dare to accost him knowing his position as coven leader, Kaiden backed down from the current confrontation. Kaiden enjoyed no hope of victory, and both men knew it. But Kaiden was conniving and ruthless. Cael had erred in showing his hand. If Kaiden discovered he was bonded to a female, forget the fact that she was a half-born who wasn’t fully through her Awakening, he’d use it to his advantage.

“
Relax, Highlander,” Kaiden said, attempting to hide his tremulous speech. “There’s no need for violence between us. That didn’t go well for you the last time if I remember correctly.”

“
Aye, Douglas, nor fer ye.”

Kaiden reacted as if he’d bitten into a bitter source, the reference not only to his own sound defeat but to Gwendolyn, who had left Kaiden for another soon after the incident, stinging. She had never been loyal, waiting for Kaiden’s punishment to be ended beyond her shallowness.

“
You haven’t got her either, Maccinnis,” the words hissed from his clenched teeth.

“
Aye. But then, Kaiden, I doona want her.”

Kaiden adjusted his white dress shirt and jacket, the sneer returning to his pale face.

“
I suggest you keep this female more satisfied than your last. Otherwise, you’ll lose her as well.”

Kaiden nodded pointedly, ready to parry words anew. Cael denied him the pleasure. He’d offer no further information on Paige, his only goal to get her to the Highlands and have the Awakening complete. Everything else could wait. It would take great power to cloak her during the transition, assuming he could alter what his visions revealed. Turning on his heel, Cael strode from the hall into the misty haze of afternoon.

*

Malcolm debated. Darkness surrounded his thoughts concerning his daughter, the unknowing a torture worse than he’d imagined. Burgundy velvet draped the floor-to-ceiling windows, intricately carved molding boxes topping them. Opulent furnishings decorated the spacious study, none more magnificent than the heavy cherry desk he sat behind. The comforts, however, offered no respite from the uncertainty pressing in from all sides.

Pilar had held her end of the bargain thus far, the labyrinth created in his mind concealing his knowledge. What the woman would ask in return had yet to be discussed. He had caught no further glimpse of his child, nor gained any insight into her situation.

“
Malcolm,” the familiar voice called, tapping on the door to his study. “May I come in?”

He exhaled, steadying himself for the rush of emotion her presence would induce.

“
Please, come in, Pilar.”

Dark hair framed her angelic face, her blouse open enough to hint at ample breasts, her lips a siren’s blush. Pilar was a woman who got what she wanted, and he guessed that she had chosen this moment to present her demands. Seductively, her hips swayed as she closed the gap between them, each step bringing her closer to him and his hunger for her. Pilar was dangerous. Druids were comprised of curious humans, humans with gifts from the Fates that did not fit in with the hoard of humanity, and half-born vampires who managed to survive. Pilar was a Druid priestess and half-born vampire that not only managed to survive and mature, but had never turned vampire. She embodied what the Council feared most. Druid priestesses were versed in the most complex magic. Their very survival depended on their ability to conceal what they were. They were also learned in the ways of the vampire, knowing more than most vampires knew of their own race aside from the ancients themselves.

Her blood called to him. He desired her. And Pilar knew it.

What she didn’t know was that his body demanded he bond to her. Malcolm was extremely powerful. Counted among the oldest of the ancients, he had lived, loved, and lost over millennia, battling for the existence of his kind against innumerable foes, victorious thus far. Pilar may be worthy of his respect, but Malcolm was ready for her, and he was a dangerous opponent.

“
Something has come to my attention. Is it safe to speak freely in here?” she asked quietly.

“
Of course,” Malcolm responded, caught off guard by her secrecy.

He had been expecting a different approach.

“
You mentioned a woman, Anna Kinnell, the other day.” She bent near his ear. “It seems the woman has been in contact with a Druid. Not a priestess, mind you, but a woman of considerable power.”

“
This is nothing out of the ordinary,” he responded, uncertain why Pilar was behaving as if it were a matter of grave concern.

“
Malcolm,” Pilar whispered, her brown eyes showing a disquiet Malcolm had never seen in them before, “it is rumored this woman has the power to summon the Fates themselves.”

Malcolm paled, and Pilar dropped to her knees beside him, clasping his hands in her own. “If this is true…”

“
The Third Fate…” he rasped. “I know.”

He collected his thoughts, determining what action to take. Clarity was beginning to demonstrate how Anna Kinnell had hidden his child from him all those years ago. Through this woman she’d summoned the Fates and bargained a new Fate for the child. If the evidence told true, she was about to do so again.

Human lives were governed by three Fates. A few held that through magic the Fates could be convinced to alter a human’s fate – for a price. Since his daughter’s first Fate had been altered, she was under her second. If Anna Kinnell re-negotiated with the Fates yet again, The Third Fate would claim dominion over his child’s existence.

Malcolm could never allow that to happen.

“
This game we play becomes more dangerous by the day, vampire,” Pilar reminded him. “You ask me to expose myself, to risk everything, and I will do it for you, Malcolm. But I, in turn, require something from you. Maybe more than a simple something.”

“
What will you have of me, Druid?”

“
Protection for half-born vampires, Malcolm.”

“
Do you know what you are asking of me, Pilar? I am but one member of the Council! I wield influence, but not the power to reshape vampire law single-handed. You must know that I will do whatever is in my power to aid you, but you ask a promise I cannot guarantee.”

“
You maneuver to help this half-born of your own because you have felt her Awakening. Expose yourself and use your power! I know what you are capable of. I’ll need more than your word.”

“
What more can I give than my word, Pilar?”

Malcolm’s unease grew by the second. He wanted to help Pilar, more than he would admit, but he could not guarantee the Council’s compliance.

“
What I will require, Malcolm of Clan Gaunson, is your seed.”

“
What?” Malcolm blanched, understanding her logic too well.

“
Do not think to deny me, Malcolm. Unless, of course, you’ve no further need to cloak your thoughts.”

Pilar played a game of cat and mouse she had to win. Not only would her bargain secure her kind’s rightful place in the vampire realm, it would force Malcolm to confront his feelings for her. Too long had she waited, hoping he would accept his past mistakes and learn to move on. He wanted her. He needed her. He had confessed it, unknowingly, when he allowed her into his mind. He loved her.

“
It will be your own child’s life you campaign for, vampire.”

Malcolm understood perfectly. It was Pilar, he feared, who didn’t understand what she had bargained for.

Cael rounded the corner only to watch the car pull away from the curb.

Bluidy hell…

When he finally had her safe in his arms, he’d make her pay for her foolishness. But before that enjoyable task, he had to do something few ever accomplished. He had to thwart the Fates. Speaking the incantation, Cael Maccinnis disappeared from sight.

Doona think of yer destination, Paige, else I’ll be waitin’ for ye.

As he planned, she thought of the airport immediately. He smiled, already there, watching. Paige scanned all around after getting out of the car, her cousins and aunt chatting in ignorant bliss as they unloaded luggage from the trunk. Even with his cloaking Paige should faintly sense him after tasting his blood. It was the power of their bond.

In an instant, he was behind her.

“
Didna I tell ye, lass? Ye canna run from me.”

Her breath hitched at his silken, knowing voice.

“
Cael, please, I can’t do this now. Let me go and we’ll talk when I get back.”

Her emotion did move him, but not enough to alter his plan.

“
Ye willna be goin’ anywhere, lass, but with me.”

“
I can and I will!” she huffed angrily. “You dare to tell me what I can or cannot do?”

“
Doona force my hand, Paige. I’m askin ye to trust me,” he husked, taking her around the waist.

“
Trust you?” she whispered. “Trust isn’t a word that comes to mind when I remember you bit me!”

She pushed at his chest, afraid to remain in his embrace a moment more.