Inheritance (The Dark Gifts) (37 page)

Finally regaining some composure, Mar pulled herself into an upright position.  “
That’s not the worst of it.
”

“
How could it get any worse than that?
”

“
Look,
” she said as another vision flashed in Sarah’s mind.  Antoli, towering over her, hatefully spouted, “You will never mate.  When the time comes and you’re the proper age, you will marry me.”

Repulsed, Mar answered, “That is disgusting, and against the law.  You cannot order me to do that!  The elders will never agree with you.”

A wicked smile came over his face.  The elders will allow anything as long as you give the order.  And you will give the order dear sister.  If you don’t, I’ll kill every last living thing you care about.  In and outside of this pack.”

Mar laughed.  “I’ll just order you not too.”

Pain seared through her face as his hand made contact with her cheek.  “Go ahead, order me not too.”

Glaring, she hissed, “You will not kill one person without my say-so.  Not one, Antoli.”

Grinning, he called, “Beata?  Can you come in here please?”

Her elderly, white-haired nanny nervously entered the room. 

“Ah, there you are.  Thank you for being so prompt.  It seems that my sister is in need of a lesson.  It is your job to teach her, no?”

Obviously frightened, the woman nodded as her eyes rested on Mar.

“Good.  I’m glad we agree.  Step over here, please.”

Beata slowly moved in front of him.  Her worn hands shook as she stood quietly looking at the floor.

“Now, what was that you said, dear sister?”

“Antoli, I told you no.  You will not harm her or anyone else.”  Mar’s voice trembled as she spoke.

Reaching out, he took the old woman’s chin in his hand, raising her eyes to meet his and winked.  In a flash, his other hand grabbed the back of her head, twisting it sharply.  Her neck made a quiet crunching noise just before her body hit the floor.

“Nooooooo!”  Mar screamed, rushing to Beata.

Antoli rubbed his hands together as if dusting them off.  “You see, you might be strong enough to keep me from killing you, but you have nowhere near the strength to keep me from killing others.”  Grabbing her by the hair, he yanked her from the floor.  You come into full power at eighteen.  At seventeen, you will be allowed to marry.  You will marry me, and through you, I will keep control of this pack.  Should you choose not to, everyone you love will die.”

Sarah’s stomach lurched as the vision faded.  Holding her hand over her mouth, her eyes searched for a place to allow the contents of dinner to escape. 

Quickly, Mar shoved a small silver waste can into her hands.

Eye’s watering from the force of retching, Sarah’s stomach emptied.  Mar pressed tissues into her hand, and she wiped her mouth.

“I need you ever so much more than you need me.  I promise my entire pack will be at yours and Brogan’s disposal, if you can just do me one small favor.”

Tears still streaming down her face, Sarah answered, “Whatever you need.  We will help you.”

Mar smiled as she leaned over and shoved Sarah’s hair behind her ears.  “
I need you to kill my brother.”

Eye’s wide, Sarah took a deep breath.  “
What about your pack?
”

“I can control the pack.  I just can’t control Antoli.  You have everything you need to do this for me.  Jason is one of the strongest I’ve seen.  Much stronger than Antoli.  And you have two hunters with you.  Two from the most well known hunters in the world.  If you and your friends cannot kill him, he cannot be killed.” 

The slamming front door intruded into the quiet room.  Both girls, jumped as a voice boomed through the lower floor of the house.  “Marica!”

Within seconds, the dark eyed monster from Mar’s visions entered the room.  A thick carpet of dark hair nestled a large gold medallion hanging from around his neck.  Sarah eyed the dark green silk shirt unbuttoned nearly to his waist, wishing she could reach out and button it up.  The bulge around his middle, made him appear flabby and weak.  A sheen of oil hovered over his face adding to his greasy slime-ball appearance.  Repulsed, Sarah tried to smile in welcome.

“Well, well.  So we have company?  How nice of you to let me know,” he said making his way to them.  Then extending his hand he greeted, “How do you do.  Welcome to my home.  I hope my little sister has been a good hostess in my absence.”

Sarah hesitated before accepting his offered hand. 

Raising it to his lips, he placed a light kiss on the back of her hand.  Sarah tried not to flinch, and although barely imperceptible, he noticed the slight tug.  Without releasing her, he pulled her hand to his nose and breathed in deeply.  “Curious.  Very curious indeed,” he said as he locked eyes with Sarah.  Noticing the red around her eyes, his head turned as he glared at his sister.  “Have we been telling stories?”

Mar smiled and stretched, before reaching up to caress his face.  “No dearest, you just startled us.  Sarah was telling me a very scary tale about witches and vampires.  You wouldn’t believe what’s going on in the world right now.”

Fully composed, Sarah took her cue from Mar and warmly squeezed his hand.  “So very nice to meet you, Antoli.  We’ve so enjoyed our stay here.  Mar has been a wonderful hostess.”

Straightening, he released her hand and smiled.  “Good.  She does well for someone so young, no?”

“Absolutely.  Have you met the rest of us yet?  I believe they were out front.”

Antoli’s black eyes peered into Sarah’s.  “No.  No one was outside.  The rest of you?  How many visitors do we have, Marica?”

Mar rose, wrapped her arm around his, and began leading him to the front door.  “They must be around at the carriage house.  Let’s go see them, shall we?  You’ll like them, they are all Americans!”

“Americans you say?  How nice.”  Glancing over his shoulder he said, “Will you join us, Sarah?”

“Right behind you,” she answered.

Mar’s head turned for just a second.  Just long enough for Sarah to realize her act, was beginning to crumble.  “
Don’t worry.  We’ll help you.”

Without turning around, Mar moved her chin up once in acknowledgment, and continued out the front door, arm in arm with Antoli.

***

Following behind, Sarah sent a message to Jason and Pete.  “
Mar’s brother has arrived.  We are coming to you.  Make sure everyone is on their best behavior.  I can’t explain right now, but he is evil and dangerous.  I’ll tell you more later when we’re alone.”

“
Are you okay?  You sound upset,
” Jason asked.

“I’m shook up, but fine.  Jason, make sure Shad understands how important it is that Antoli likes
all
of us.  We’re just here to talk about the alliance, and nothing more.  We’re all very good friends.
”

“
Will do.  Watch your back.”

“
Just smile and play nice,
” she answered.

When they arrived at the carriage house door, Antoli stepped to the side motioning for Sarah to precede him.  As with the house, the term carriage house wasn’t an apt description either.  Jason, Shad, Pete, and one of Mar’s pack, surrounded two large pool tables sitting in the center of the room.   Numerous video games, and pin ball machines lined three walls.  A long bar, complete with hanging glasses and stools, took up the entire length of the back wall.  Above the games, the other walls sported various animal heads and antlers.  Thick hunter green carpet covered the floor.  “Wow,” Sarah said as her eyes wandered around the room.

“Is nice, no?” Antoli questioned.

Jason, feigning surprise, smiled warmly and approached Antoli extending his hand.  “So nice to finally meet you.  Wonderful place you have here.”

Grasping his hand, Antoli squeezed hard.  Unmoved, Jason remained smiling. 

Momentary silence ensued, as the two scrutinized each other.  Holding her breath, Sarah shot Jason a
‘behave yourself’ look as Antoli released him.  “Antoli, this is my brother, Jason, and they are Shad, Pete, and Ashley, good friends of ours.”

Nodding, Antoli gave a short bow.  “Welcome to my humble home.  I trust each of you have been well taken care of?”

“Yes, thank you,” Ashley answered.

At the sound of her voice, the man’s head snapped in her direction.  Breathing deeply through his nose, he sniffed.  Eyebrows raised, he glanced at Jason.  “Humans?  You run with humans?  Why have you not added them to your ranks?  Surely a pack so small would be in need of additions.”

Shad’s stance became ridged as he spoke.  “We have no need of change.  They are our friends, that is enough to keep us loyal.”

“Harrumph,” Antoli answered, looking him over.  “Maybe for some, but I’d not travel with those unlike me.”  Then giving Sarah a quick bow, he said, “No offense meant, of course.”

Returning his bow with another, she replied, “None taken. Of course.”

Still suspicious, he attentively watched the group.  “Well now, it seems you have matters to discuss with me.  Is this correct?”

Without missing a beat, Sarah answered, “Oh yes.  We’ve explained what we’re needing to Mar, but really we’ve been waiting for you to arrive.”

Anger briefly passed over his face as he glanced at his young sister.  “Well then, I suggest we congregate at the bar for drinks and discussion.  Poor Mar does not understand the intricate workings of the pack, and therefore could not have been much help to you.”

Jason laughed, rolling his eyes.  “Little sisters.  They seem to think they know everything.”

Mar’s face paled as Antoli shot her another harsh look.

Pete stepped forward.  “She pretty much kept repeating herself, saying we must wait for you.”

“Ah.  Good.  Well sometimes, they do know what’s best for them, no?  Shall we?” he motioned to the stools.

“Absolutely,” Pete replied.  “I could use a drink.”

***

By three am, they were back in their room.  Immediately upon entering, the others began questioning Sarah.  She hushed them, pointing to her ear and the walls.  She spoke, while motioning for the others to join her in a circle on the floor.  “How nice they are, don’t you think?”

“Oh yes.  Both of them are extremely hospitable.”  Jason answered with a wink. 

“Such nice people,” Ashley chimed in.  “Do you think they’ll help?”

Seated Indian style on the floor, Sarah answered, “Antoli seems very wise.  I’m sure he’ll decide it’s in his packs
’ best interest to join us.  It’s not like they have to
do
anything right now.”  Then feigning a yawn, she continued, “Well guys, I’m exhausted.  How about we hit the proverbial sack?”

Now seated in a circle on the floor, each answered in the affirmative, while pretending to yawn. 

Without speaking, Sarah extended her hands to Jason and Shad while nodding to Ashley and Pete to do the same.  Closing her eyes, she concentrated.  “
I’ve never tried this, but we need complete secrecy.  Can you hear me?”
she asked glancing at Shad and Ashley. 

Both nodded.

“
Good.  From this point on, no one is to speak of this.  I’m going to show you what Mar showed me.  It’s disgusting, so be prepared.  You can’t react to this in anyway.”

Jason shifted, “
Is the room bugged?
”

Shrugging, she answered, “
I don’t know, but she was afraid to say it out loud, so I’m assuming he has some way of monitoring what she does.  Are you ready?”

“I can hear you, Sarah, but who were you talking too?”
Ashley asked.

“Okay, let me see if I can make this stronger.  If I do it right, you should be able to hear each other through me.” 
Once again, she closed her eyes, focusing on opening her mind.
  “Someone say something.”

“Can you hear me now?”
Jason asked with a chuckle.

They nodded, and Sarah began going through the visions Ashley had given her.  Even though, she’d already witnessed the events, tears, once again, streamed down her face.  Completely connected to the group now, she felt waves of anger rise up from the men, while nausea and revulsion nearly overwhelmed Ashley.  After relaying the entire accounting, she opened her eyes.

Still holding Jason and Pete’s hands, Ashley brought her shirt sleeve to her face.  Heavy breathing and reddened contorted faces indicated the men struggled to contain their anger.  Sarah waited as they regained control of their emotions, and then continued.  “
We have to kill him.  We have to free her from this monster.”

“
That won’t be a problem.  Everyone should be sleeping.  Let’s get it over with.”
Pete answered.

“
I agree.
”  Ashley said.

“
The sooner the better,
” Jason chimed in.

Unknowing whether the others could hear him or not, Shad squeezed her hand, drawing her attention to his face.  Shaking his head, he said, “
No.  We need a well laid plan.  This man is no idiot, and the pack is enormous.  I agree this must be done, but it must be done in the right time and place.  Jumping in head first could get some of us killed.  I’m positive Jason could take him in a fight, but even Jason couldn’t take on the whole pack.  Even with the rest of us helping.  Mar isn’t strong enough yet.  It’s possible that even after he dies, she’ll not be able to control some of them.  We need to do this when he is alone, with no one to come to his aid.”