Bloodmark

  I held her tight to me as she wept. My throat tightened and I felt helpless. “And if it weren’t for Grey, I’d have lost you again, Ashling, and I can’t live through that.”

  “You will never have to.”

  “I know he loves you,” she said, changing the subject.

  I just smiled. I knew something like that wouldn’t go unnoticed by my very perceptive mother. She saw all my unspoken thoughts, like beautiful calligraphy on the walls of my heart. Her head turned sharply toward the door.

  “The ceremony is about to begin. You have to play their game. Promise me,” she said. I nodded. She kissed my forehead and stepped aside, letting me walk out into the hall. My brothers were positioned like four pillars around me, escorting the family’s greatest treasure to the branding ceremony.

  Father sat at the head of the stone circle with two seats open on each side of him for my brothers. Across from father sat my four suitors. They all circled the center stone as I walked with my brothers. They stopped in front of the blood-stained stone. My stomach recoiled. The smell of old blood burned my lungs.

  Father approached the stone; as the leader of our pack, it was his duty to brand me with my Bloodmark. My brothers moved to their stone seats, and I knelt before the great stone, bowing my head to him. My wild red hair cascaded around my face like an ocean of fire. The cold stone calmed my raging mind; the unnatural calm before the storm.

  “Daughter of the Boru,” Father said, “you are one of us.”

  I gasped as the gold quill broke the delicate skin on the back of my neck with its intrusive, piercing opinion. The ink of my fathers’ blood pooled into the wounds the quill created. It burned and bubbled into my flesh, scarring deep. I felt my face contort into indescribable pain. I could no longer hold back the screams of agony that consumed my body, shattering any solace I had when I had entered. I had never felt a pain so deep in my bones, in my soul. No living creature should have to endure this marking, and yet I felt pride to have it.

  Grey’s eyes were almost lost of all color as he endured my Bloodmark. His eyes were locked on mine without blinking. He stared in horror at my anguished face. I knew by his clenched jaw he felt every pain I felt, but he dared not cry out. Our bond would be exposed and our lives would be lost.

  I gagged at the cold air, trying to stay conscious as the quill continued to gouge out my skin, leaving behind the mark of my fathers burned into my flesh—a reminder to all whom I encountered that I was no longer alone. I was a member of the Boru.

  I felt my body go numb as my father finished our family crest. Nausea followed the numbness as the blood continued to burn into my flesh even after he had finished. I knew the ceremony wasn’t complete until I stood on my own and left the circle.

  My hands searched for the ground, pushing me up to my feet. The world spun around me, and I couldn’t focus on any of the faces that surrounded me. I stumbled backward toward the door; I just had to get back through it. I walked unsteadily away from them. As I made my exit, Mother and Tegan waited there for me. As the door closed behind me, I sunk to the floor at my mother’s feet, choking for air to breathe. They would carry my limp body back with them—as long as father didn’t see my weakness.

  “You have powerful strength in you,” Mother said. Her voice was filled with concern as she scooped me up like a baby in her strong arms.

  By the time we reached my chamber, the burning had subsided. I looked in the mirror at my mark. It had already healed and was now a part of me. “I will keep your father away. Rest, m’ eudail,” Mother said. I loved the Gaelic words on her tongue—she always called me m’ eudail, which meant “my dear.” Mother left me at the door of my room, and Tegan and I sat on the edge of my bed.

  “I’m sorry for the pain you endured,” she said. “I know how awful it is—and to have so many watching and for Grey not to hold you.”

  “I’m fine,” I lied. I didn’t have the strength to talk. I was tired and wanted to close my eyes and sleep.

  “Goodnight, Ashie.”

  “’Night, Tegan.”

  “Grey can carry you all the way home if you like,” she said with a smile.

  I couldn’t sleep. I was too excited to leave this stone prison. The night resisted the dawn that I waited all night for. My eyes were wide open, and night persisted.

  I smelled Grey and jumped off my bed to crouch at the door, waiting for his next note, but it did not come. A chuckle came from behind me, and I involuntarily jumped to my feet, staring back across my room. Grey was leaning against the stone wall next to a small opening that hadn’t been there moments before.

  A hidden passage.

  I ran to his open arms as he whirled me around, then we crumbled to the floor as I kissed every inch of his face. He wasn’t wearing a shirt, and I could finally see his entire scar. It tore from his collarbone to his sternum. I ran my fingers softly over the damaged skin, and I pressed my moist lips to his flesh to heal his hurt.

  His lips kissed my Bloodmark.

  “I love you,” he said in a raw whisper.

  “And I you.”

  I curled up into his lap, pressing as much of my body to his as possible. Selfishly trying to consume him with my touch. My heart crashed into my chest, it beat so hard. Having Grey’s touch again made me feel whole. His hands lightly moved my hair aside as he inspected my Bloodmark with its fierce Celtic knots, heart, and wolves’ heads. His fingers lingered over the tender skin before he kissed it again.

  “I can’t wait to get you home,” he said.

  “How did you get in here? Where does that lead?” I asked, interrupting him.

  His wicked smile curved around his wolfish teeth. “To my room.”

  I couldn’t hide the shock as I stared into his perfect face. “Your room?”

  “Baran showed it to me. Apparently your great uncle thought Calista needed extra protection, and so a secret passage was made between her chamber and her guard’s chamber. I’m just using it for my own purposes.”

  He nipped at my nose.

  “Care to run away with me?” he asked. A gleam of mischief danced through his eyes.

  “Always,” I giggled. “When we go home, where will you live?”

  “Baran is my legal guardian now, so I will live with you.”

  “And where will you sleep?”

  “With you,” he said with a smile.

  I pushed him down, straddling him. My skin tingled as I imagined him in my bed every night. I leaned toward him nearly touching his lips, but a spark still pulsed between us. My heart pounded in my ears. His scent filled me with primal need. I captured his lips and our tongues met.

  How easy it was to lose ourselves in that moment, but footsteps approached my door. I climbed off Grey and sat next to him.

  “The dawn breaks,” I said.

  “Goodnight, my love,” he whispered as he slipped through the passage door, closing it behind him. I sighed as his scent still masqueraded through my mind. Making it impossible to form a coherent thought. My chamber door opened as I still lay on the floor, and Baran stepped barely inside.

  “Princess Ashling, it is time to pack your things. Our flight awaits,” he said. His words were all proper decorum, but the wink he gave on the way back out told me he knew of my secret rendezvous.

  I glanced through the carved chest at its elegant contents of priceless jewels, including the ring that represented Brychan’s claim to me. I moved on quickly to the bureau. There was nothing in there that belonged to me. The closet was filled with gowns, each more elegant than the last.

  As I quickly flipped through them, one caught my eye. The dress was simple in design, but the details were delicate and precise. It was the softest shade of golden-ivory crocheted lace. It was elegantly shaped into a V-neck gown with keyhole back and fluted hem. It was exquisite. I knew from family paintings that it dated back to Calista herself.

  I quickly zipped it into a garment bag with the notes from Grey and ran down the halls to the gates. I wa
s more than ready to break free from this stone tomb. I never thought any place would hold more hope for me than the cliffs, but now everything for me was with Grey.

  I burst into the foyer and froze in terror to see Flin pin Grey to the wall. They didn’t react to my presence. The hideous sound of their growls echoed.

  “I don’t know what you’re playing, but you have no place here,” Flin said.

  “Déjà vu,” Grey replied.

  “What did you say, slave?”

  “You have a lot of interesting qualities in common with your brother Mund.”

  “That fool has chosen to trust you, but I see through your deceit.”

  The dress slipped from my numb fingers, falling to the cobblestone floor as I stared at my eldest brother attacking Grey. His forearm was cutting off the air to my lungs as well. Although Grey didn’t act aware of it, I couldn’t breathe. I gasped for air. Grey’s eyes flashed to mine and raged consumed him. My eyes flickered from the lack of oxygen, and the cold air did nothing to return my breath.

  I fell to my knees. Grey threw Flin easily aside and held me as the air filled my lungs. Flin stood back up with rage in his eyes. We would all pay for betraying him. Channing ran in and knelt with Grey beside me.

  “Are you well, Lady Ashling?” he asked as he took the opportunity to touch my hand.

  Grey clenched his jaw tight with jealousy. I knew he wanted to rip Channing’s arms free from his body for daring to touch my bare skin. Even though Grey wasn’t from my world, he knew how intimate the gesture was.

  “I seem to have tripped,” I replied.

  Channing helped me to my feet cordially and bowed. He didn’t even question the lie. “I’d be happy to accompany you safely to your home in York Harbor,” he said, smiling.

  I smiled back nervously.

  “That won’t be necessary, Lord Channing,” Mund replied before Grey could. “It would be best if we went back and settled for a month or two before you and the others arrive.”

  Channing bowed again. “Lord Redmund.”

  Mund bowed his head as he took my hand, leading me away from the fray. I felt Channing’s eyes on my body as we escaped. Grey gathered up my dress and followed behind us to the car. The rest of my pack was already nestled inside for the trip to the airport.

  I quickly hugged my mother. If I lingered too long, I wouldn’t be able to let her go.

  “Tha gaol agam ort,” Mother said.

  “I love you too.” I smiled. “I will see you at Gwyn and Quinn’s wedding at Castle Reglan, won’t I?” Mother nodded as she watched me go. I wished she could come with us, but I knew her heart always walked with mine.

  26

  Lies

  The eight of us sat quietly on the plane as it crossed the ocean, away from all the laws and ridiculous rules of our kind. We all had grown to love the freedom away from the council, though I don’t think any of us knew how much so until we went back to that caged life.

  Grey’s head fell onto my shoulder as he finally welcomed sleep. I snuggled my head into his hair. Every breath took me deeper; our love was unquenchable.

  I hadn’t realized how much time had passed since I had jumped from my window at Baran’s house to run away with Grey. It was already into March as when we arrived home. It felt so good to be back, but it also meant I would have to go back to school on Monday, and I didn’t have a clue what I would say to everyone. Grey, Mund, and I had been missing from school for two and a half months, Robert had died, and Baran’s shop had been closed since we left. There were bound to be many curious people. Though my bruises from Adomnan had healed on the outside, I wasn’t ready to face the firing squad of high school.

  Once we were home safe, Baran sat down across from me at the dinner table. This was where it all began with us only nine months earlier. So much had changed since then. I was free, and no prison would be acceptable ever again. I studied Baran’s rugged face. I should never have run away and let him worry as I did; I had been childish. I should have known they would all follow me. I put my small pale hand over his large scarred hands. We were so different . . . and yet we were just the same.

  “What are we going to tell everyone? They’ll gossip and suspect something,” I asked.

  “You worry too much,” Mund said.

  He didn’t know half of the worrying I did. I worried about everything. I worried about things that could happen, things that did happen, things that I caused to happen. I worried about decisions I had to make and the ones that were made for me. I worried at an Olympic level. I rolled my eyes in mockery of myself.

  “As you know, Grey’s father died that day in the forest, and he was put to rest while we were all away,” Baran said. “Unfortunately Grey missed the funeral. His reputation for being rebellious helped create speculation that he ran away after learning of his father’s death. With your father’s help, we fabricated Robert’s missing last will and testament to leave Grey to me.”

  “As for us, Claire helped with the damage control, saying your grandparents were ill and we had returned to Ireland so you and Mund could be with them.”

  I nodded my head as his words sunk in.

  “But please, don’t cause quite so much trouble at school this time. I don’t need any more phone calls from the principal.”

  I blushed, thinking of Grey and I getting caught kissing in school that day.

  “We are going to help Grey collect all his things from his father’s home tonight. Then we should be all settled in, and the rumors should die down quickly.”

  I felt nervous to return to school. The last time everyone saw us, we made quite the spectacle. I had even hit Lacey. I regretted hurting her.

  My pack set out on what would be one of the hardest emotional battles we had ever faced. I didn’t want to go back in Grey’s house. The thought of it made my skin writhe, but Grey and I walked hand in hand inside, both knowing there would be unspeakable horrors inside. I didn’t want to see what was upstairs, but we weren’t doing it for us, we weren’t even doing it for Old Mother. We were doing it for them, for each of their souls.

  I had felt their pain when I had entered Grey’s home the first time. I knew now I had to set them free. Our family followed us inside; I could tell they were scared and angry. I could smell it on them.

  “Wait here,” I said as Grey and I continued to climb the stairs. His thumb rubbed the back of my hand. I could feel his nervousness and anger.

  We left them all in the entryway as Grey and I faced our gruesome fate. We walked up to an ironwood door burned with the Bloodsuckers’ mark. The door had eight different silver locks, each hand carved, on both sides of the doorframe.

  “A lock for each member of the hunters’ clan,” Grey said. “One of these should be mine.” He let go of my hand; it was instantly cold. He ran his fingers over one of the locks. Silver terrified me, but Grey was immune to it. He rested his forehead on the door, and his sadness rolled over me in waves. Grey then leaned back and kicked the door with a fierceness that splinted it. The broken pieces clattered to the floor. We entered a large, darkened room. Not a bit of light seeped in. Even I could barely see anything in front of me, but I smelled their blood and their souls called to me.

  Grey walked over to the dark drapes and tore them from the wall. Metal clips snapped and clattered to the floor as the cascade of the dingy fabric rippled down. The bright sunlight burned my eyes briefly until they adjusted. And then the sight before me finally took its toll. I fell to my knees with my face in my hands. I almost couldn’t look, but I had to. Hundreds of human and wolf skulls were displayed on ornate iron shelves from floor to ceiling, filling the room. It was a display tomb. Disgust filled my soul, and I could hear their cries for help. One in particular caught my attention. A young girl no more than five—her fear vibrated in the air. I placed my hand on her small skull, letting my energy calm her.

  Grey stood in front of the only skull in the room that was truly on display. It was under a domed glass cover on a h
ideously beautiful stand in the center of the room. It was clearly the pride of Robert’s collection. Grey removed the lid, letting it fall from his fingers and shatter on the cold floor. Slowly he picked up the human skull and held it to his chest. Tears glistened over his cheeks, and I wrapped my arms around him, holding him tightly as he cried. He didn’t have to say a word. I could smell a mix of Grey and Baran on the skull. It was his mother.

  I heard her soul filled with so much love and pride for her son. I wished he could have heard it too. We removed all the skulls and hides from the house and stacked the skulls high into a pyramid on top of the skins. Grey kissed his mother’s skull as he placed it on the very top. We lit the pyramid on fire to return them to the earth as ash with our pack around us.

  Baran, Mund, Tegan, Nia, Quinn, and Gwyn danced with us around the fire that night—not in sadness or mourning, but to celebrate their lives and their freedom as Old Mother welcomed them all back to her. We all stayed with them until all that was left was a pile of ash. And with a big gust of wind, Old Mother took her children home.

  As nightfall came, the boys moved Grey’s belongings into our home. He didn’t take much with him, only his clothes, guitars, and books. He took nothing of his father’s, and Grey’s motorcycle was already at our house.

  We bolted sheet metal over all the windows and doors to Robert’s house and left it alone in the woods. Grey had said the silence was deafening as he left all his father’s things behind. I had never known loss as he had. It had to leave a hole deep inside his soul.

  Killing Adomnan left its own mark on me. The weight of him followed me around. I had never realized what the warriors had meant when they said the dead followed you, but now I understood. You couldn’t upset the balance of Old Mother without her leaving a mark on you. The taste of Adomnan’s blood still lingered in my senses, reminding me of what I had done.