Vowed

  He reached over and handed her a few of them, as she opened her palm.

  “Do you see these?” he asked.

  She nodded back, studying the rocks.

  “Choose the ones that are flat. Like this one,” he said, taking one of his and placing it in her palm.

  “Then throw them like this, sideways.”

  Blake reached out and threw the rock into the waves, and it skipped along the water. It jumped several times, and as it did, Scarlet squealed in delight.

  Scarlet tried to copy him, but it didn’t work. He corrected her grip.

  “You need to just skim the surface of the water. Don’t throw it straight down. Try to throw it sideways.”

  Scarlet tried a second and third time, and it still didn’t work. But the fourth time, she managed to get it to skip once. She screamed in delight.

  “Mommy mommy! Look what I did! The rock bounced off the water!” Caitlin couldn’t help but smile as Scarlet burst into action, picking up as many rocks as she could find, and trying again and again.

  Blake stood, watching her, smiling. Then slowly, he came back to Caitlin.

  “Do you miss me?” he asked, softly. She could see the sadness and intensity in his eyes, and she could feel how much he missed her.

  She checked her feelings, and realized that somewhere, deep in her consciousness, she did miss him. She did, from time to time, think of their days together, no matter how much she tried to push them away.

  At the same time, she loved Caleb. Not partially, as with Blake. But entirely. She may have thought of Blake from time to time, but she didn’t actively pine for him. She didn’t feel as if she needed him, or anyone else, to be complete, to give her anything that was missing. She felt entirely complete with Caleb. The residue of Blake might still linger somewhere in her past, but, she realized, that was natural. The way she figured, anyone in life who at one time means anything to you is bound to leave some sort of impression. But that didn’t mean that she was still devoted to him. Nor did it mean that she was betraying Caleb. She was finally beginning to realize that the two could co-exist in her consciousness; if she tried to drive occasional thoughts of Blake out, and they just wouldn’t go away, it didn’t mean that she was doing anything wrong. Or that she was still attached to him.

  She did realize, though, that even if she didn’t have control over her deepest, unconscious thoughts and impressions, she did, very much, have power and control over her conscious thoughts, choices, actions, and her words. She had a responsibility to discipline herself to not actively think of Blake, to let any passing thoughts of him go without dwelling on them, and to instead choose to actively focus on Caleb. She also had a responsibility to choose her words carefully, and to communicate clearly to Blake, so that there would be no confusion on his part.

  “What we had, at the time, was beautiful,” Caitlin said. “And I don’t want to upset you. But you need to realize, for both of our sakes, that it’s over. It’s gone forever, and will never come back. If we go searching for it, it won’t be there. We need to let it go. You need to let it go. I love Caleb now. I’m devoted to him. And nothing will ever change that.” Blake looked at her for a long time, and she could tell he was really hearing her, really taking it in. Finally, slowly, he nodded, then turned and looked out at the ocean.

  “Mommy, look!” Scarlet screamed. “I got it to skip four times!” Caitlin saw Blake’s sad smile as he watched Scarlet. She turned and looked over at Scarlet herself.

  Scarlet held up a rock for her to try. Caitlin walked over, grabbed the rock, and threw it, thinking back to her own childhood, of skipping rocks with Sam at a lake somewhere upstate.

  The rock skipped several times, and Scarlet screamed in delight. Caitlin turned, proud of herself, eager to see Blake’s expression. But to her surprise, he was already gone.

  Vanished.

  Caitlin spun and looked up at the sky. The sunset had finally broken through, lighting the world in a million soft colors. In the distance, she could just barely spot a lone figure, flapping his huge wings, and flying alone, desperately, into the horizon of light, and as she watched him go, something told her that was the last time she would ever see Blake again.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Sam stood on a remote corner of the Isle of Skye, Polly beside him, atop a grassy knoll, overlooking an endless expanse of sea. Beneath them, waves crashed against huge primordial boulders, and above them, the sky was lit up by one of the most beautiful sunsets he had ever seen.

  The sky was so big here, he felt dwarfed by the enormity of it.

  He had been walking with Polly for hours, and they had finally settled on this spot. She had come to him earlier in the day, shaken, and had told him everything that had happened with Scarlet and the wolves. Sam had been shocked by the story, and he could understand how disturbing it must have been for Polly. The thought of almost losing Scarlet had disturbed her, as did the revelation that Scarlet was Caitlin and Caleb’s daughter. It took Polly hours of talking about it to finally calm down. Sam sensed that she needed to talk, to vent all her feelings, and he let her talk.

  “The wedding is tomorrow, and I feel like there’s so much left for me to do,” Polly said. “I’m the maid of honor, after all. Caitlin took off, and she honestly doesn’t seem that concerned with all the details. It seems like she’ll be happy no matter what, and I know the other girls have already taken care of all the last-second arrangements, so I guess I shouldn’t worry. But still. I know I should be there….but I wanted to spend time with you.”

  They sat on the grass, facing each other against the sky, and Sam felt his heart warm at her words. She had wanted to see him. Him. Of all people. He was the first one she came to. It made him feel special. Needed.

  Polly, talking herself out about the day’s events, now seemed to focus on him.

  “Thanks for listening,” she said. “Sorry I talked so long.”

  “It’s okay,” Sam said. “I can listen to you talk for hours.” Polly leaned in and they kissed.

  Sam felt his desire for her coursing through his veins, and he could sense the same in her.

  “Did you mean all those things you said yesterday?” Polly asked, tentatively. “About how much you love me?”

  “I did,” Sam said. “And I do.”

  They kissed again, longer, more passionately.

  “The first time I saw you,” Polly began, breaking into a shy smile, “I liked you from the start.

  There was something endearing about you. But I guess I kind of put it out of my head, because you were my best friend’s brother. I thought…I don’t know…I thought that might be a problem.” She looked into Sam’s eyes, “But to be honest, I never stopped thinking about you.” Sam felt his heart soar at her words. It felt so good to hear her say the very thing that was on his mind.

  “I never stopped thinking about you, either,” Sam replied.

  Sam was about to lean in for a kiss, but suddenly, her brow furrowed.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  She looked away, and as she did, he could see how upset she was.

  “I made a wish today,” she said. “At Faerie Glen.” Then she fell into a gloomy silence.

  “And?” Sam prodded. “What did you wish for?”

  She shot him a look. “You’re not supposed to ask that,” she said.

  Sam felt embarrassed. “Sorry,” he said.

  Polly sighed. “My point is…the coin…it landed tails down.” She looked at him. “My wish can’t come true.”

  “That’s just superstition,” Sam dismissed.

  Polly shook her head, and he could tell she was really troubled by it. Finally, she turned to him.

  “Do you think that, if we’re destined to be together, then we will be? I mean, like, forever?” Forever. The word reverberated in Sam’s mind, like a bell going off.

  But it didn’t scare him. It surprised him to hear her say it, because it was such an intense thing to say, especially so early
in the relationship. And it surprised him even more, because that was the exact thought that had been going through his own mind.

  Forever.

  That was what he wanted, too.

  Sam couldn’t tell if he was feeling this way just because it was so fresh, his being in love with Polly—or if it was because it was true love.

  Deep down, he felt that it was true love. That it was what he truly wanted.

  “I do,” Sam said. “And there’s nothing I’d like more.”

  Polly’s face broke into an enormous smile, outshining the final rays of the sun. She leaned in and kissed him, and moments later the two of them were rolling in the soft grass, kissing each other, their desire reaching a fever pitch. As they rolled in the grass, and twilight began to fall, Sam knew that the time had arrived for them to finally become one.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  As Kyle stood with Rynd’s man amidst the circle of Callanish Stones, watching the blood red sun set, he had never been so content. Here he was, back in ancient Scotland, standing in a place of pure vampire power, on the Samhain Festival, the darkest day of the year, and surrounded by scores of fellow vampires just as sadistic as he. Finally, he felt at home.

  He looked around, and saw Rynd’s men torturing and slaughtering one innocent human after another, feasting on their blood, tearing them from limb to limb. Kyle had feasted himself, all afternoon, as the sun had slowly set, and he felt more gorged than he had in centuries. It was already the start of an amazing night.

  And the best was yet to come. As the blood red sun filled the entire sky, Kyle turned and faced it, held out his arms, and slowly felt the power of Samhain infusing his body, rising up from his toes.

  This was truly the power night of his kind. For thousands of years on this day, humans had celebrated witchcraft, tried to raise the dead, had tortured and slaughtered other humans. Eventually, the humans would water it down, call it “Halloween,” and turn it into a night of mere mischief.

  But now, back in the 12th century, this day was still what it was meant to be: a time of true, demonic evil. Kyle knew that demons were granted permission to walk the earth on this night, and he felt them swirling all around him, lending him power, urging him to kill, to torture. He opened his arms wide, leaned his head back to the sky, and felt their power coursing through him.

  All around him torches were being lit, as the sun sank, and Kyle felt as if he were standing in the midst of a huge fire. Rynd’s men danced in circles as someone began to beat on the drums. Kyle joined in the dancing, linking arms, swirling around and around and around, as they all, in unison, chanted ancient demonic melodies. Kyle could feel the energy and power building, escalating, more and more with each trip around the circle. He was descending into a trance-like state, and it was hypnotic.

  As he entered his state, Kyle focused on summoning, from every far corner of the world, any and all dark powers that could aid his cause to kill Caitlin and Caleb. He visualized himself tearing Caitlin apart limb to limb, and he willed the universe to send him whatever assistance he needed. As the night grew thick, around and around he went, focusing, willing it to happen.

  At some point in the night—Kyle didn’t know how much time had passed—he finally opened his eyes, and found himself looking up at the sky. He noticed a lone figure descending, aiming right for the circle. Kyle broke away from the others, heading towards it, wondering what the universe had sent him.

  He couldn’t believe it. Standing there, facing him in the moonlight, was Sera. Kyle remembered her. She had been Caleb’s wife. Yes, Kyle remembered with a smile. He had killed her son, Jade. The thought of it brought back fond memories. Kyle could not figure out what she was doing here. Had she come for vengeance?

  He was surprised to see her standing there, so fearless, so full of rage. She reminded him of himself.

  She took several steps towards him, standing but a few feet away.

  “I’ve come to help your cause,” Sera said.

  Kyle looked back, skeptical.

  “You and I share the same mission,” she continued. “To destroy Caitlin and Caleb. To tear apart their union. I felt your energy. It summoned me here. I want to join your cause. Use me as you will, to exact your revenge. I have nothing else left to live for.” Kyle couldn’t help but grin. As always, the universe had delivered to him exactly what he’d needed. Yes, he couldn’t ask for anything more. A person Caleb trusted. She would be the perfect vehicle.

  “Had do I know it’s not a trick?” he asked. “After all, you were Caleb’s wife.” Sera sneered.

  “I’m not his wife. I despise Caleb. I have no time to waste, and no interest in tricking you.” Kyle surveyed her. She seemed honest; yet, still, it could be an elaborate trap.

  “You might be a double agent,” he responded. “Waiting to lure me in.” Sera seemed frustrated.

  “How can I convince you?” she asked.

  Kyle looked her over, and as he did, he suddenly admired her incredible physique. She was tall, nearly Kyle’s height, wearing a skin-tight, black leather outfit, and she was curvy, with an amazing body, rippling with muscles. With long red hair, flowing down her back, matched by glowing green eyes, she was, Kyle thought, stunning. It had been a long time since he’d felt this way about another vampire, but as he stood there, he felt desire well up within him.

  He realized exactly what she could do.

  Yet, at the same time, Kyle wasn’t stupid: he knew there was no possible way she could be attracted to him. With his missing eye, his burned face, his body covered with scars, he knew that he was grotesque looking to everyone. A monster. Especially to the female race. If Sera were willing to mate with him, that would prove it. Then he would know she was genuine.

  And it would also give him the added satisfaction of mating with Caleb’s one-time wife. And with the mother of the boy he killed.

  Kyle grinned, an evil, lopsided grin.

  “You will sleep with me tonight,” he said. “During the festival, while the moon is at its height.

  My energy shall be yours, and yours mine. Then I will know that you are for real. Then you can join us, and we will destroy them both together.”

  Sera stared back at him with something like disgust. But she didn’t flinch, or turn away. Instead, she stared, as if thinking.

  “I could think of nothing that would hurt Caleb more,” Sera said, staring Kyle up and down.

  And then she added: “And I could think of few better ways to exact my revenge.” To Kyle’s surprise, Sera suddenly stepped forward and kissed him hard on the lips. She leaned back and stared into his eyes, and he could feel her energy, feel that she was just as aggressive as he was.

  As Kyle felt her rage, her aggression, her ambition, he suddenly realized that he and Sera were perfectly matched. It was clear to him that they would both stop at nothing to get what they wanted.

  He led her into the blackness, to a grassy plateau on the periphery of the torches. As the drums pounded all around them, as Rynd’s men drank and danced and slaughtered and chanted, Kyle led Sera down to the ground, and he knew that this would be the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

  CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

  As Caitlin woke to the first rays of dawn streaming through her window, she felt an electric thrill to realize that this was her wedding day. She rose slowly from the comfort of bed, slipping out of the stack of warm furs, missing Caleb, his warmth beside her. They had followed the ancient vampire tradition, and had slept apart on this night before their wedding. She knew he was just down the hall, but it now felt strange to sleep in such a large bed alone, and she couldn’t help missing him.

  Caitlin gravitated to the castle window, looking out. It was the first day of November, the morning after Samhain, and the day was breaking cool and crisp. The leaves shimmered in a million vibrant colors, and the ever-present mist of Skye hung like a layer over everything. The dawn spread out in a soft, orange light, and it was magical: as it struck the mist, the entire isl
and seemed as if it were covered in a rainbow.

  “Mommy! It’s your wedding day!” Scarlet exclaimed, running over and hugging her.

  Caitlin looked down and smiled, and she could tell that Scarlet had been up for a while.

  Ruth barked, and came limping over, licking Caitlin’s hand. Caitlin was so happy and relieved to see Ruth up and walking around again, recovering well from her wounds. Caitlin had used her healing powers on her, and it had helped; but Ruth’s wounds ran deep, and it would take time for her to recover fully. In fact, Caitlin didn’t know if she would ever fully recover from her limp—and she suspected not. Still, to see her up and walking around lifted her heart.

  “We’re so excited!” Scarlet yelled. “Today you’re going to be married to daddy!” she said, jumping up and down. Ruth barked again.

  Caitlin felt a tremor of nervousness at the thought of the day before her, of how momentous it was. Her wedding day. It was really here.

  Caitlin wasn’t hung up on the details, on all the pomp and formalities; she just hoped that everything would go smoothly, without any drama. More than anything, she just wanted to be married to Caleb.

  There was a knock on the door, and moments later, it opened and Taylor rushed in, followed by several of her bridesmaids, all carrying her exquisite wedding dress. Caitlin wondered for a moment where Polly was, assuming she would have been the first one to enter. But as the large oak door was still open, Caitlin suddenly spotted Polly across the hall, at the far end of it, exiting Sam’s room.

  Caitlin smiled to herself, realizing that Polly had spent the night there. It made her feel good to think of her brother and Polly together. She thought they were the perfect match.

  Polly rushed in and appeared with the others, her hair tasseled, looking sleepy, but eyes wide open, energetic, and looking more excited than she’d ever seen her.