26. Chapter 26
26
T he next two weeks passed by quickly. The impending hearing with the Council loomed over all of them, and everyone did their best to help Kelly prepare.
Kelly and Kade quickly discovered that the newfound powers would fade after four days, so they continued to exchange blood every few days to maintain them.
Kade left the house on a few occasions to test their connection at a distance, and there didn’t seem to be a limit to their telepathy, at least within a few miles.
There was no question they would face attacks when they left for London, so training with Fabian continued, and Kade joined them daily. Kelly could finally hold her own against Fabian with her upgraded strength and speed, and she thoroughly enjoyed their sessions each morning.
Kade and Kelly found that they took on each other’s abilities along with their telepathy. Kelly became stronger and faster, and her senses improved even when she closed her mind to Kade. Kade had shown some signs that he now possessed mage powers, but he struggled to gain control of them even after fully connecting to Kelly as she practiced her craft.
Ginna continued to work with Kelly on her abilities, and Kade sat in to try to learn as much as he could. Water remained the only thing Kelly had complete control over. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t call to earth elements, and time was something none of them wanted to dabble in just yet.
They all decided that Fabian would act as Kelly’s representative in front of the Council. He had the most patience of them all, along with a vast knowledge of Arcane law and customs. Kade would also remain close by to give tips and pointers through their connection.
Connor reached out to some of his connections and learned that Kelly likely wouldn’t face any charges. Instead, the Council planned to gauge her abilities and knowledge in person. Kelly felt it to be a complete overreach of power, but everyone assured her it was normal for them to question mages with significant powers.
Asta arranged travel for everyone, as they all insisted on going to London. Once they were in the air, Kelly would be safe from attacks, but getting to and from the airports was the challenge. Asta set up a plan that included decoy vehicles and underground tunnels to get them where they needed to go.
Kelly’s dad visited the house regularly, often joining them for dinner. He’d started to warm up to the idea of the Arcane, and he even let his guard down with Kade on occasion. One night, he made a comment about how well Kelly was being taken care of and thanked everyone for helping her. Fabian would never admit it, but he clearly enjoyed talking to David about security and defense tactics. The two of them always sat by the fire after dinner and talked.
Kade worked with Luther to ensure the rogue wolf pack was driven out of town. They hadn’t found out where the pack was from, but Luther did confirm they were not from North America.
Eric remained a threat, but he hadn’t shown himself since the attack on the tollway. None of Connor’s contacts could say if he’d left the country, but they suspected he was staying close to plan his next move.
Mary’s failed mission to mother Kelly remained a mystery, and Kelly was to the point of preferring ignorance.
Kade called an emergency Council meeting just after the new year to appoint Fabian’s replacement. While Fabian would normally attend to give approval to his successor, he passed that responsibility to Kade, choosing to stay at the house and watch over Kelly.
The members of the North American Council chose a female fae, Daksha, for the seat, and Kade gave his approval. When he learned of the choice, Fabian was overjoyed for her success. As it turned out, she was Fabian’s niece. He hadn’t known she was running for a seat on the Council, which likely worked to her benefit, since nepotism was heavily frowned upon.
Siri and Kelly began to grow close, and they spoke on the phone routinely every Wednesday and Sunday. Siri often shared funny stories about Kade in his adolescent years, which spanned from about twenty-one to a hundred and fifty for vampires. Kelly found herself asking for advice in dealing with stubborn vampires more than anything else. She appreciated the relationship that grew between them. It felt like she finally had the mother she’d always wanted.
All in all, things were going exceptionally well. So much so, that Kelly often forgot about the burdens of her existence. This crazy new life felt normal, even nice.
—
Kelly woke with Kade’s arm wrapped tightly around her. His cold skin worked wonders in balancing her hot body temperature.
As her mind woke from a glorious sleep, she replayed the events of the prior night. Kade had buried his fangs deep in her femoral artery after showing her exactly what a man could do with his tongue. He’d then let her drink from him to restore her strength just before he properly fucked her brains out.
She stretched, amazed that her body didn’t protest at all after the night they’d shared. Instant healing still boggled her mind, even though telepathy now seemed normal.
Wrapping a blanket around herself, Kelly went up to her room to shower and change. It’d become a fairly normal thing over the past couple weeks, and she was getting used to walking around the house wrapped only in a blanket. No one else cared, and they respected her boundaries.
The plan was to forgo training that morning so they were all at their best in case someone attacked on the way to the airport.
Kelly skipped breakfast and packed instead. One side effect of drinking Kade’s blood was a reduced appetite. Fabian and Ginna were rightfully concerned, but she wasn’t losing weight or showing signs of malnourishment, so they let it go for the time being.
Asta was the only one who knew the entirety of the plan to get everyone from the house to the airport. The rest of them were only given the orders that pertained to them. This way, no one could accidentally give out a detail that would expose them all.
When the time came for everyone to leave, they all gathered around in the entryway. Asta handed out assignments, and everyone read theirs. The four extra guards who had resided in the house over the past two weeks would be going to London as well.
Asta had agreed to keep Kade and Fabian with Kelly for protection, though only after quite a bit of arguing on Kade’s behalf. She’d planned to send Kade separately as a decoy, but he brought up the fact that they were stronger together than apart, and Asta gave in.
Kelly read over her travel instructions and tapped into Kade’s mind as he read his. They were the same as Asta had promised, at least as far as they knew. Everyone would receive additional instructions at the midway point.
When everyone else finished reading, Asta opened the front door and motioned them all out. The smile on her face was brighter than Kelly had ever seen it. Kade’s assistant loved a well-executed plan, especially when she was the one who created it.
Five black SUVs were parked in front of the house. Kade, Fabian, and Kelly climbed into the middle one, and the game began.
At first, Kelly was able to track somewhat of a figure eight around the neighborhood, but she lost track of it quickly. The windows and windshield were tinted extremely dark, and her sense of direction failed her after so many turns.
Kelly could see Fabian concentrating, tracking their movements in his mind, but she didn’t ask him to share.
The countless turns started to make her carsick, but they stopped just before her stomach gave up. From that point, the route seemed to be fairly normal, with only a few turns. It took them twenty-five minutes to get to the first checkpoint.
The driver, one of their additional guards, parked in a parking garage.
Fabian did a quick scan of the area and nodded, letting them know it was safe.
They all got out of the SUV and transferred over to a sleek-looking sedan. The guard unlocked it with the key Asta gave him. Fabian sat up front with him, and Kelly and Kade got into the back.
Fabian opened the glove box and pulled out their next set of instructions, handing them out to everyone.
Kelly opened her envelope and read the note. “Enjoy the ride.” She smiled. Of course Asta would have to give her “directions” for that.
Kade sent her a message that his was the same.
It seemed like the only one who had actual directions was the driver. He read his note and tucked it away, then just sat there.
Patience stayed with her for about thirty seconds before she sent Kade a question.
What is he waiting on?
I dinnae ken. Likely giving time for other cars to come and go so it’s more difficult for anyone watching to determine which car we are in.
Gotcha.
A few minutes later, the driver backed out after Kelly heard a car pass and they followed it out of the garage. She could hear another car behind them and guessed these were more decoys.
About twenty minutes later, the car came to a stop. After his scan, Fabian got out of the car first, then told Kelly and Kade they could get out as well.
Kade’s jet was on an empty tarmac in front of them, along with another private jet to its side.
They hurried onto Kade’s, and the driver got into the second one. Kade closed the door quickly behind them, and the captain announced departure as soon as it clicked shut.
Everyone was already there waiting for them, and Clyde came running from the back of the plane to greet them with a loud meow.
“Hey there, little one, I’m so glad you’re here.” She gave him a gentle pat and went to the back of the plane since the seats up front were taken.
“I think that cat likes ye better than he likes me now.”
She gave Clyde another pat as he hopped up on the bed. “He has good taste.”
“Aye, he does.”
The flight to London was smooth. Kelly spent her time reading one of Ginna’s books on the history of the Council.
The more she read, the more upset she became. While the Council certainly maintained order over the Arcane, they did so in an extremely outdated way. No one had a voice, and change was nearly nonexistent. By the end of the flight, she was livid over the way the Arcane people were being controlled by their government.
Even though she knew Kade hadn’t taken his position on the Council for control, she couldn’t help that some of her anger was aimed at him simply for his involvement with them.
In some weird emotional feedback, Kade’s frustration bounced back at her over her own feelings. She wanted to shut her mind to him, but Kade hadn’t been able to figure out how to shut his own off, and it seemed unfair to leave him in the dark.
What has ye so angry ?
Everything about the Council. How can you work for them and carry out their plans? Their way of handling things is so outdated, and it takes away the voice of the Arcane people. I just don’t understand how you can stand to support them.
Kade appeared in front of her. He ran his hand through his hair, looking exhausted. Did ye ever stop to think that maybe I took the position so I’d have a chance to change things?
She considered that for a moment. Honestly, no.
He sighed, seeming frustrated with the situation rather than her. I never dreamed of joining the Council. For over 200 years, I’ve worked to build my businesses and help as many humans as I can with jobs and benefits. My companies provide quality products and services in many different industries, and they’re all considered progressive in their visions. Then my father was murdered, and his position on the Council was offered to me. I had to make a decision about what meant more, and I chose to follow my father. I kent he was a good man, and his work on the Council had to have been for something. He never spoke about his work there, though, so I went in blind and I’m still working on finding my way.
Your mom did mention that briefly. You still don’t know who murdered him, do you?
He shook his head. I was working on it when ye showed up. I’m positive it was someone in the Council.
I’ll help you find them.
Why don’t we focus on finding answers for ye first? I have a feeling the people who killed my father are dangerous. That’s not something ye need to be involved in when yer already fighting people off left and right.
She did have a full plate at the moment; Kade had a point. After we figure my shit out, then.
Kade gave her his half smile and nodded.
The pilot’s voice came over the speakers. “Prepare for landing.”
Are ye ready for another one of Asta’s games?
Always.
Twenty minutes later, the plane landed in London, and everyone received their directions from Asta. There were five SUVs waiting for them again. Everyone piled in and they were off.
This time, they changed cars twice, and it took them about ninety minutes to reach their destination, but everyone made it safely. There was no doubt that Asta’s plan was phenomenal, but the fact that they made it all the way to London without a single attack made Kelly uneasy. It didn’t make sense after everything they’d faced each time they’d left the house before.
Something wasn’t right.
The car pulled up to a beautiful apartment building, from what Kelly could see in the dark. It was four stories high and spanned a large portion of the street. The building even curved as the street did, something she wasn’t used to seeing in the States. The entrance to the building was elegant and inviting, with a decorative brick arch framing two dark, wooden double doors.
After Fabian checked to make sure the coast was clear, Kade helped her out of the car, then led them into the building and up to the second-floor apartment. When he opened the door, she gasped at the vast interior. It was beautifully decorated and modern compared to the obviously historical building.
Just like on the plane, everyone was there waiting for them.
Asta ran over to Kelly, beaming the whole way. “I’m so glad it worked out.” The small vampire wrapped her arms around Kelly in a bear hug.
Kelly hugged her back. “Me too. You’re a genius, Asta.”
Asta stepped back, blushing. “Well, thanks. I try! Why doesn’t everyone settle in and relax for the night? There’s food and blood here, so no need to go out. Not to mention it’s about 3:00 a.m. locally. Let me know if you need anything.” With that, she skipped away.
Kelly had a feeling Asta was exhausted and didn’t want to show it to anyone. She’d worked so hard to make sure they all arrived safe, and now she could take a much-deserved night to relax, knowing her plan worked out.
Kade showed her up to his room, assuming she would want to share it with him. She couldn’t hide her hesitation from him given their link, but she followed him anyway. The reality of the situation was that sleep would not come easy tonight no matter the room she chose. She justified the matter by telling herself she’d at least sleep better in Kade’s arms than in a room by herself.
Their bags were in the room already, and Clyde protested loudly from his carrier on the bed when they walked in. Kelly let him out, and he immediately ran circles around her, butting his head against her in a demand for attention.
Would ye like something to eat? I’m going to make sure all is well before we turn in.
Just something light, whatever is in the fridge is fine. This place isn’t quite your style. Whose is it?
It belonged to my da. He left it to me when he died. I enjoy the city, so I kept it.
She felt his sadness as he looked around the room. He missed his father, and the question of what took him plagued Kade’s mind.
I’ll be right back, he thought at her, and left the room.
His sadness stayed with him as he went downstairs to the kitchen, and she watched through his mind as he went. The apartment was beautiful, and every touch was clearly Kade’s father’s. As another pang of sorrow came through, she let their connection go for a moment, not wanting to intrude on what would normally be his private thoughts.
The bedroom was large with a modern style. Everything in it was simple yet elegant, and all the colors were light. White, gold, silver. Nothing was dark or quiet. The room felt alive.
Curiosity got the best of her, and Kelly started looking around. She guessed Kade hadn’t come back here since his father’s death. Some of his father’s things would still be around.
The nightstands on either side of the bed were empty. The dresser had a few pieces of clothing in it, but nothing significant. Everything seemed in its place until the desk in the corner of the room caught her eye. The chair in front of the desk sat at an angle, suggesting the person had left in a hurry. A folded piece of paper lay underneath a pen on the desk.
Kelly went to the desk and sat down in the chair. As she picked it up, Kelly noticed the paper was folded at an angle. Everything else in the apartment was neat and organized, it didn’t make sense that a man who cared so much about appearance would fold a note without lining up the edges of the paper.
The handwriting on the page was beautiful—the kind a person has only after years and years of practice.
My dearest son,
I write to you because I know there is no other way to safely get this information into your hands. I cannot take the chance of anyone hearing what I am about to tell you. There is a human girl in Dallas who is a descendant of the Katz family. You must find her and protect her at all costs.