Chosen: Book 1 in the Ancients of Light series (31 page)

A heated debate ensued. With seven leaders,
all of strong personality, offering their opinions there was no
need for further words from Kaitriana. She settled in to listen to
the conflicting sentiments from each, allowing them the opportunity
to form their decisions separately and as a group. She had already
given her personal decision to them, now she needed to provide them
time to properly analyze her proposition and determine their own
feelings on the matter. Even if Myrrdyn disagreed, her decision was
that she would not lead by dictate. If the Witch followed her to
Lorcan, it would be by choice.

At the end of their lengthy discussion, she
noted grudgingly that Caedmon had done no small amount of artful
persuasion in his arguments supporting her. That her grandfather
had shown solidarity with the Spell Caster by joining the circle
and adamantly agreeing with the other had not hurt her cause
either. It was Kendrick alone that remained steadfast in his
opposition.

Having failed in his appeals, Kendrick
disregarded all tact and directed the force of his upset at her,
“Kaitriana, the others may choose to follow you in this because you
are the Chosen. I believe we should reveal this for what it is. You
want to return to the vampire and this is the most expedient way
for you to accomplish that goal. Do you think we are all not aware
that Lorcan has marked you? We are not fools. If you choose to
align yourself with the Vampire because you want to belong to
Lorcan, that is your choice. I do not think that we should yield
rule to Lorcan merely because you want to be his whore.”

The faces of all the other leaders in the
group mirrored their shock at the attack. Some might have thought
that Kaitriana was swayed a bit more in her decision by her
affection for the vampire, but none believed that the girl would
suggest the Witch relinquish their authority for such reason. The
girl was their Chosen, and as young and brash as she might be at
times, none would be so bold as to disrespect her position in such
a manner.

Kaitriana was sputtering with her
indignation. She could not quite decide whether to laugh or scream
in response. She knew the import of taking control of the situation
and setting Kendrick properly in his place. Out of the periphery,
she saw her grandfather begin to move forward, so she quickly gave
Kendrick a scornful look that matched the tone of her reprimand, “I
am not his whore, Kendrick. I adhere to the teachings of the
Ancients and if you did the same you would know that my vows are
required before I grant any male that privilege. You malign my
character with your accusation and I will
not
tolerate your slurs.”

Stepping directly in front of him, she laid
her open palm out between them. A glittering silver blade appeared
magically, laying across it. The calmness of her tone made the
implicit threat in her words all the more chilling, “I intend to be
his mate, that is fact. I am not opposed to relieving you of your
tongue before I go to him. The many months it will take to grow
back should give you adequate time to consider the need to use it
more wisely in the future, Kendrick.”

Kendrick started to quarrel, but she simply
held her other palm up as an indication to cease. Her eyes narrowed
on him as they flickered with darkness, “You are not a Queen, you
merely hold a transient place of leadership in the Warrior Caste in
the absence of the true ruler. I think you have forgotten the way
of things in these Castes. How dare you speak to any leader in such
manner! Is it your jealousy because you feel woefully inadequate in
comparison to the Warrior of Light or are you just supremely
ignorant in your prejudice towards the Vampire breed?”

She took a step forward. Borrowing her
grandfather’s words from earlier, she was only mildly surprised
that she found the truth in them now to be absolute, “You cannot
continue to think of the Vampire as lesser beings than the Witch.
It matters not that the Witch was first of the Light. It is a
matter of who can control the Realm, who is strongest and the most
able leader. My first responsibility, as is all of yours, is to see
that the purpose of the Light is fulfilled. Lorcan is the most
skilled and it is our duty as keepers of the Light to submit to his
rule and offer him our allegiance.”

When faced with the agreement now spilling
forth from all the Leaders at her impassioned speech, Kendrick had
no choice but to fall in line or be ostracized. He indicated so by
giving her a slight nod and stepping back from the immediate circle
of those gathered.

The dagger disappeared as quickly as it had
arrived. Kaitriana knew Kendrick had not yet found peace, just as
she also knew his would not be the only dissent within the faction.
It might take the warrior a bit more time to settle into this, but
she had no doubt that he would. He was a smart witch. Opposition
would lessen as the Light gained more victories under Lorcan’s
lead. The alignment of the leaders was enough for now.

Myrrdyn nodded his approval. Kaitriana could
see the pleasure in his eyes and she felt a rush of joy and pride.
She had accomplished the task he had set before her. Before turning
to go prepare herself, she gave a final instruction, “Prepare your
people, we will leave before the hour ends. I will need each
Caste’s sword as well.”

Nodding farewell, she skirted her way back
through the throng of partying witches, only to be brought up short
at the base of the stairs by a hand on her arm. Turning, she found
herself gazing upwards into a glittering green stare. She wrinkled
her nose at Cade in aggravation.

He merely laughed and patted her atop the
head before capturing her chin between his fingers. She attempted
to shake him off, her irritation rising when he held firm. Peering
down, Cade surprised her with his praise, “Good show tonight, pet.
Perhaps there is something worthwhile in you yet…”

Kaitriana only quirked a brow at him,
refusing to engage.

His eyes filled with amusement when he
explained, “If you find yourself needing some assistance to sway
Lorcan to accept you, I will lend my help. I can also make certain
you do not stick your foot in that pretty mouth of yours
again.”

She eyed him suspiciously to which he issued
a short laugh before releasing her chin, “If he rejects you
completely, I will be first in line. I find the notion of taming a
little hellcat like you rather pleasurable.”

Kaitriana had not even the time to launch a
solid kick to his shin before Cade was striding off, still
chuckling.

CHAPTER 28

Kaitriana had completed two tasks before
returning to the Coven. First, the Caste symbols adorning her black
gown had been replaced with a scrolling design in blue that
incorporated Lorcan’s crest. Second, the sword of each Caste, a
symbolic representation of the power for each, had been gathered
along with hers and bound together with a thick golden cord.

Shaking inside, she stood on the steps
outside of Breslein. She was amazed that he had not already had her
blocked from entrance by the same protection spell that even now
kept all the other Witch out. The Castes were lingering outside of
the gates, waiting to watch the drama that would unfold between the
two Faction leaders.

She knew she must make haste; the sun was but
an hour from breaking the horizon. This ceremony should be
completed outside, before all the Witch and any Vampire that would
care to bear witness. With a final deep breath to sooth her frayed
nerves, she laid the bundle of weapons on the outer stairs and
shadowed inside.

The conversations of the occupants were
already hushed, but as more took note of her appearance they began
to cease entirely. She located Lorcan reclined casually against the
mantel of the large hearth centered in the great hall. He held a
tankard and was speaking with his Elite and a few other Vampire
that she did not recognize in the surrounding circle. Based on the
larger than usual crowd in the hall and the females that were
intermingled within the group of the Elite, she assumed that the
Vampire had also held some celebration over the fall of
Shadowmere.

Despite being a good distance away, she had
no problem hearing the next words from Lorcan, “Tomorrow at dusk
you will prepare the men and we will remove the Witch from
Laverock. I expect no opposition and I hope to avoid any conflict
but we will use force if necessary.”

Kaitriana paused to steady herself. Lorcan
had not been feigning the level of upset he had displayed over the
occupation of Laverock. With her next step, the breath rushed from
her as though she had taken a mighty blow to the chest. Lorcan had
shifted slightly after giving the order to his men and it was then
she noted the comely female vampire clinging to his arm. The wench
was looking up at him with adoration and he had the nerve to give
her a charming smile after his statement.

Angrily brisk steps closed the remaining
distance for Kaitriana. The eerie quiet in the hall had finally
caught the men’s attention and the group looked up as she stopped a
short distance from them. Dropping her gaze scathingly to the
female at her vampire’s side, it then grated over the rest of them
before her blackened eyes touched on Lorcan. Her tone was frigid as
she tossed a set of intricate keys to skitter to a halt at his
feet, “There is no need, Vampire. The Witch have vacated Laverock
and I set protections to it that will allow only your entrance in
the future.”

Tilting her head to indicate the keys at his
feet, she gazed at him accusingly, “Those will grant you access, I
would not lose them. I will return when you are less
occupied
and advise you of the decision of the Witch
leadership regarding matters in the Realm.” She had snarled the
last. Spinning, she elevated her chin to a haughty level and strode
towards the doors.

She did not see him disentangle himself from
the clutches of the other, nor his frown of concern when he called
to her, “Kaitriana, come here.”

Kaitriana knew he had been in a frightful
terror over her behavior but she had not expected him to cast her
off in the space of a couple of hours. She was nauseated and
blinking back tears but determined to make a dignified exit. She
heard his heavy footfalls making time behind her and she increased
her pace accordingly. When he ordered her to stop, she merely gave
him a one-fingered wave of goodbye over her shoulder and shadowed
to the outer steps before he could intercept her.

Bending to retrieve the heavy stack of
weapons on her flight down the steps, she was distraught further at
the thought of facing the Witch in failure. Her inability to
reconcile with Lorcan and deliver their vow would make her a
mockery in her own breed. In the face of being cast aside though,
the thought of bowing down to him and cheerfully offering him their
fealty caused a burning in her throat. She would rather be shamed
before her kin than humble herself to Lorcan now. It would be
humiliating.

When she straightened, she was startled at
Caedmon’s firm grip on her shoulders and then shocked when he eased
his hold to lift a thumb to tenderly wipe at her tears. She could
barely find her voice enough to question as she scanned the empty
yard behind him, “Caedmon, how did you gain entrance?” She jumped
then as Lorcan’s booming voice shouted her name from the landing
above.

Smiling as though a furious vampire was not
looming behind them, Caedmon touched her cheek, “Lorcan calls me
Cade because I am his friend and I suggest you do the same. I have
had free access to his home since I returned to the Realm.”

His gaze grew serious and his tone told her
that Cade would tolerate no argument, “You will walk up these steps
and you will offer the pledge, pet. You will keep your head high
and you will be noble in your representation of the Witch. There
are times when leaders must take measures that pain them for the
sake of their people.” Cade paused to nudge her chin up with the
brush of a forefinger, his eyes leveled on hers, “This is one of
those times; your feelings do not matter. This is about serving the
Light and that is greater than any of us individually. Go now.”

She gazed up at him as Lorcan growled her
name once more. Kaitriana really wanted to dislike the arrogant
Spell Caster but she was finding it difficult. She nodded and gave
him a tremulous smile, “Cade, will you break the spell over those
gates? The Witch need to enter to bear witness
.”

He shoved the bundled weapons more firmly in
her hands and nodded, “I would be happy to oblige, pet.”

No sooner were the words out than he was
shoving her up the steps to face the stormy visage of Lorcan. She
almost smiled when she heard the gates break open with a screech of
metal. Lorcan’s gaze flitted to Cade. The witch just shrugged and
inclined his head towards Kaitriana to indicate the origin of the
request.

Lorcan returned his attention to her. To her
surprise, his eyes were absent of black entirely, indicative that
he was not in a rage. With a sour frown at him, she thought that
the Vampire hussy he had cozied up to must have been a good
distraction for his mood to be so light. Lorcan cocked a brow, his
voice even and detached, “If you are coming to make amends Witch,
scowling like a bratty two year old is not the way to begin.”

Kaitriana paused on the steps, willing
herself to gain control over her hurt and not shriek at him.
Purposefully she schooled her features into a serene mask though
there was no hiding the bleakness in her eyes. Lifting her chin a
notch, she completed her journey upward noting that more of the
Vampire had joined the Witch in the yard and the area surrounding
the steps. Though Lorcan towered a full head above her, she still
stopped a step down from the landing.