The Progeny (The Progeny Series) (30 page)

At this startling admission, Shauna let out an abrupt laugh.

“You can’t imagine the pain it caused me to be away from you. One night, I watched as you tossed and turned. You were having a nightmare and you cried out for me in your sleep. My first instinct was to leave. I couldn’t risk you finding me there in your room, but something seized and took hold of me. I reached out to you, wishing I could touch you. To my surprise, I felt your face. You felt me too, because you said my name. If Katy hadn’t gone missing, I would’ve come to you and pleaded for your forgiveness.”

Her eyes narrowed. “All of the times I could somehow feel you…” Intuition floored her. “When I was in the forest with Olivia
—that was you, wasn’t it?”

“It was really me and you weren’t going crazy. We call it quickening. Your mind and body move so rapidly that they defy time and space. Our minds process things faster than a human’s does, but quickening is much different. Intense feelings of love and desire drive it. When I was able to quicken my movements around
you, I knew you were the one.”

“What happened to Tristan’s woman?”

“He sealed to her, of course.”

“Kara?”

He nodded.

“
Tristan changed her, just like you’re going to change me.”

“Speaking of changing, we’d better get a move on. Father is waiting for us.” He grasped her hand. “Are you strong enough to walk?”

She pursed her lips. “I’m no weakling, Ash.”

“You had a traumatic experience. You m
ight be too weak to walk down two flights of stairs.”

She crossed her arms then uncrossed them. “Okay, I’ll be a good little patient and behave.”

“I’m impressed. I was sure it would take more convincing.” He lifted her off the ground and into his arms. “Up, we go.”

Sh
auna giggled.

They floated through the halls of Bonheur. “I don’t know if Father will agree to the sealing
, but I don’t even care.” He kissed her. “It doesn’t matter what anyone says. Shauna, you’re the one.”

Twenty- Four ~
Blessings and Blood Rites

Ascher carried Shauna into the great hall.

The whole of the Rousseau clan was there waiting for them
and Jonas sat at the head of the table, his face reflective. Ascher couldn’t be sure, but he thought he saw happiness beneath his father’s serious glance.

Jonas
motioned for them to sit.

Ascher noticed that his father was without his make-up and hair dye.

“Ash, you look
exactly
like him.” Shauna gasped. “I can see where you get your good looks from.”

Ascher c
huckled. “It’s shocking, right?”

Jonas cleared his throat. “We all know why we’re here tonight. Ascher and Shauna wish to seal.” He turned to Ascher. “This is still your intention?”

Shauna raised her left hand in the air, waving it so the family could see the bloodstone on her ring finger.

Tristan and Quinn
grinned.

“Very well
.” Jonas stared around the room. “Let it be known and witnessed that Ascher intends to seal to Shauna.”

Everyone uttered in unison “It is so witnessed
.”

Jonas turned to Shauna. “And you
’re sure of your decision to seal to my son, knowing what he is and that your sealing will mean that you’ll become an immortal?”

Shauna glanced at Ascher
then back at Jonas. “I am.”

“Let it be known and noted that Shauna is aware of the ramifications of her decision.”

“It is so noted,” the family uttered in unison and stood from their seats.

Jonas took Ascher and Shauna’s left hands
, joining them with a black ribbon. “In thirty days, Shauna and Ascher will seal for eternity. This binding will be final, everlasting and for eternity. Let all of you bear witness to this fact.” He turned to the couple and smiled. “I am very happy to welcome you as my daughter, Shauna. I’m sure you’ll be very happy together.”

The family erupted in cheers and shouted, “Let them be blessed.”

Jonas hugged her, and then turned back to his son. “From this day forth, Shauna will be your responsibility. When she’s changed, you’ll be responsible for her care and keeping her inconspicuous until the time that she can function independent of you. Are you ready to accept that responsibility?”

“I am,” Ascher proudly stated.

Kara stood, while Ascher and Shauna drew deep breaths.

“Kara
?” Jonas questioned. “Do you have a problem with the sealing?”

“Shauna and I have had our
difficulties
. I did not like her very much in the beginning, but over time she’s proven herself a worthy mate for Ascher and a loving sister to Olivia. Her blood saved my Tristan’s life. Tristan loves his brothers very much. By fighting for Shauna’s life, he was only doing what Ascher would’ve done for me. I don’t blame her for what happened on Laurel Pointe, and I no longer bear any ill will against Shauna. I wish for her and Ascher to be happy together. Let it be duly noted that I wish to know Shauna as a sister, as well.”

A collective gasping sound filled the room
.

Ascher knew that the family discussed the bad blood between Shauna and Kara.

“Can you ever forgive me for treating you so terribly, Shauna?”

“You are forgiven, Kara.”

“Anyone else have anything to say?” Jonas glanced around the room again, and no one else stood. “It is my official opinion that this union is to be blessed. We have another issue to iron out.”

Ascher sat Shauna back down at the table. He knew she was still too weak to be standing for such long periods.

“My son, Gabriel, left us some months ago and ended up in Romania. While I do not condone some of the actions that he took, it was necessary to keep up appearances.”

At this stunning revelation, t
hey all gasped again.

Ascher also knew that his blow up with Gabe was another hot topic amongst the
clan.

Gabriel marched into the great hall carrying Katy in his arms.

Shauna’s breath caught before she jumped up, running toward her sister. Ascher caught her, slowing her run to a walk.

“Katy
!” Shauna hugged her into her arms. “You’re okay, but how are you okay? I saw what happened to you.”

Ascher rubbed Shauna’s back. “She’s going to be
fine love, but
you
need to be careful,” he whispered into her ear.

“Sissy,” Katy cried, hugging her back. “I’ve missed you so much. I’m so glad to see you.”

Ascher helped them over to the table to sit. With pursed lips and eyes threatening to morph crimson, he stared at his brother with contempt. “What are
you
doing here Gabriel?”

Gabe said nothing.

Jonas flashed Ascher a warning glance. “You don’t know the whole story, Ascher. I’ll explain it to you.”

Ascher’s teeth clenched.
“I’m waiting.”

“The day you had the disagreement with Gabriel, we talked after you left. He agreed to help the family prepare for a possible attack. We both knew that you would not seal to Ursula. After Gabriel saw Shauna’s true feelings for you, he had to clear his mind of her
—”

Gabe
chuckled. “So, I backpacked through Europe for a couple of days, to give our plan time to work.”

“Plan, what plan?”

“Gabriel went undercover to keep me abreast of the happenings around the Romanian clan. Being sealed to Ursula was only part of the farce.” Jonas smirked. “What of the bloodstone?”

“My dearest has it in her possession.” Gabe pointed to the amulet around Katy’s neck.

Jonas smiled. “Very well.”

Gabe glanced at Ascher. “Did you not wonder why, after all of that time, you were able to lift the sealing from my brain? I wanted you to know about my plan to seal to Ursula. You don’t know how hard it was
to keep the rest from you, but I couldn’t risk it. One false move and they would’ve killed me for sure. After I saw the conditions Ursula kept Katherine in, I was livid. It was then, that I decided to take her away from there. Had you not come to Romania, I was going to bring her back here.”

“So
, you never betrayed the family?” Ascher asked to be sure that he had the story correct.

Gabe shook his head. “I figured out a couple of things while I was over there. Quinn was with me when I channeled Shauna her first night at Rousseau’s. I felt this pull to her I’d never
experienced before. After I saw her connection to you, I still felt this overwhelming need to be with her. When I saw Katherine, I finally understood. You and I are alike in many ways, even in our destinies.”

“You’ve lost me now, Gabe.”

“When I walked through that castle door, I felt Katherine’s presence. She was everywhere. I smelled where she’d been, and her scent was on those she’d met. Most of all, I felt every beat of her precious heart. It took every ounce of my restraint to let them live.”

“Just spit it out!” Ascher groaned with impatience.

“
Katherine
was meant for me, not Shauna. I only channeled Shauna because they looked so much alike. Once Shauna attached herself to you, I knew that it had to be her sister. I went to Romania to bring down Ursula, but I also went there to bring Katherine home.”

A collective hush fell across the room.

“But you sealed to Ursula,” Ascher accused.

“It wasn’t real. Klaus performed it
, but it was never recorded, nor consecrated by
my
blood.”

“Why would Klaus do that? He’s part of the
High Court and held in such high regard,” Ascher challenged.

“Klaus isn’t what he seems. There was never a prophecy for you and Ursula. He struck a deal with Clive to make us believe you were destined for her.
It was only after I threatened to reveal his double dealings that he agreed to help me by putting on a fake sealing.”

“What
?” Ascher’s face flushed with anger as his eyes flashed crimson.

“Calm down
, son,” Jonas urged while giving his eldest son an unyielding glare. “Can you prove this Gabriel? It’s hard to believe. I trust you, but I’ll need proof of it.”

Gabe pulled out an envelope of documents. “These should suffice.”

Jonas gave the pages a quick once over. “What he’s said is true. It's all here.”

“Look at the last page
, Father. I think you’ll be
very
interested in that. Klaus has been behind most of the unfortunate happenings in our family’s history, beginning with grandfather. See the signature of the officer assisting in Andreas Rousseau’s burning?”

“Klaus von Deitrich!”

“Klaus lied for Clive, because they wanted to stockpile Ascher’s blood. He and Clive cooked up the whole star crossed lover bit to lure us in. This was why it had to be him and not another of us. When Ascher deflowered Ursula that was their insurance policy. They never expected him to back out.

“I never stopped loving you,
Ash, and I never meant what I said about your mother. Beatrice Westridge was a lovely, brave woman. Father loved her very much. She was his true mate for life and you are a reminder of that love. I helped create you and bring you into the world. I was the first to hold you. I was so proud and happy when you were born. I had to leave, so that you could get to know Shauna.
She
was your destiny all along. You were too conflicted with me here, and I had my own destiny to find.”

“What does this mean for my sister?” Shauna asked, her eyes heavy with suspicion.

Gabe smiled. “She’ll stay here at Bonheur with all of us. Next year, I’ll ask for her hand in sealing. I haven’t quickened yet, but I’m sure I will. I’ve already felt her heartbeat inside my silent chest.”

Ascher smiled. “That’s the first step
.”

“And you’re okay with this?” Shauna asked
of Katy.

“I’ve dreamed of Gabriel for months now
,” Katy replied. “I’ve been so on edge, because I dreamed him with red eyes. You can’t imagine how much I suffered in Romania, but Gabriel nursed me back to health. I’m still confused, but I know he's right for me. Don’t worry, Shauna. Gabriel won’t touch me without my consent. I’ll stay in my own room on the second floor while he courts me.”

Gabe hugged his brother. “I’ll never give you a reason to doubt me again, Ascher.”

Jonas cleared his throat while an anxious look rested on his face. “If that is all, I’ll leave all of you to your evenings.” He glanced across the room. “Gabriel, I need to see
you
downstairs.”

Gabe nodded.
“Come now Katherine, you need your rest. It’s very late.” He whisked her up into his arms. “I’ll see you soon, brother. We have much to discuss.”

“You need your rest, as well.” Ascher flashed Shauna
a concerned look, lifting her into his arms. “You can visit with Katy after you’ve slept.”

* * * *

The sun beamed down over the slightly overgrown field. It was the perfect day for a blood binding, as if Mother Mias herself was sending her approval, via the bright sunrays. It was April sixth, the day of Shauna’s fake birthday. After learning of her birthright, she vowed only to celebrate her
actual
birthday, no matter what that fake birth certificate stated. A certain satisfaction did encompass her when she realized that the new moon was falling on this day.

April Sixth w
ould forever be the day she joined with her new sister, Aggie. It was fitting, actually. She lost a sister, was given another, only to find her lost sister again. Although, the two sisters were very different, she loved them both dearly. Now she had a true family—two sisters, a horde of immortal brothers who would give their lives for her and a father who accepted her, unconditionally. She also had Ascher. It would take many lifetimes to count all of her blessings.

Her life, for the first time
, was as it should be.

She glanced over at
Ascher. He was sitting under a tree, the wind tousling his dark hair, his eyes dancing with excitement. Refusing to let her out of his sight, he or his brothers went everywhere with her now, the blood ritual was no exception. In an attempt to be a good sport, he’d even dressed, uncharacteristically, in beige khakis and a beige linen shirt.

* * * *

Ascher glanced over at Shauna and smiled. She was radiant in her white dress, while it swayed in the warm breeze and purple baby’s breaths cascaded from the two braids in her hair. It amazed him how she looked so beautiful in her bare feet and a simple white cotton dress. The first weeks after the miscarriage were tough, but she was finding her path and today was a day to celebrate. His two best friends were becoming sisters, his brother was home and Katy was progressing every day. He still worried about what Shauna might be after her turning, but after what they’d experienced in Romania, he knew there was no other choice.