Twilight's Eternal Embrace (31 page)

The elder
stepped forward to speak his claim.
"
We come this night in hopes of finding the female who shared her blood with Bram of Graystone
."

Adryanna stiffened. They had been found out, but if Bram had revealed his relationship with her, they would have come for her directly. Bram kept her identity a secret, but the elders would not let him have his silence.

There were hushed whispers all around her as the clan speculated on who the Oiche Sith had charmed into doing his bidding. Her father took a step in front of her, shielding her behind him. Her mother
'
s gaze riveted to her, but Adryanna would not meet her
eyes
.

"
What will
be
come of this lass you seek?
"
Their clan leader Padric stepped forward.

The elder turned his attention on Padric.
"
We would ask her to become his wife, of course. It is the proper thing to do
,
after all.
"

"
We made an agreement to once a year. It has merely been four months,
"
Padric voiced his concern.

"
True,
"
the elder said.
"
But the lass gave her blood willingly. Her virtue has been compromised.
"

Again the whispers, but Padric would not be silenced. He obviously wanted more than a speculation.
"
Compromised in what way?
"

"
Really
,
Padric, must I spell it out for you?
"
He sighed with a shrug.
"
So be it. Taking blood can also be…
from joining
. Surely, you would not want the lass to grow heavy with child
,
while she is not wed.
"

Adryanna bit her lower lip
to keep f
rom saying a word. Bram and she had been intimate, but they had not done the final act meant for the marriage bed. She still remained untried. There would be no babe. The elder, who spoke, knew no one would believe she was still a virgin. She let an Oiche Sith touch her, feed off her. It wouldn
'
t matter that she never gave birth. The stigma would brand her a harlot anyway.

"
Perhaps it is as you say
,"
Padric spoke over the crowd
'
s murmurs.
"
However, our agreement was for one lass per year. We cannot be held responsible for your male
'
s lack of restraint. You come here for our help, but this means one of our females will be sacrificed. You claim she may be with child. Do you not think it is for the best she remains here to deliver the babe?
"

Adryanna was impressed by Padric
'
s bravery. He stood up to the elder who could just as easily take what he wanted than ask.

The elder inhaled deeply, his nostrils flaring with impatience.
"
The Oiche Sith has been compromised. He is in need of the female
'
s blood.
"

A chill ran through Adryanna and she hugged herself. She knew what the elder was not saying. Bram was dying. He needed her blood to complete the change. She made a move to go forward, but her father forced her back.
"
Stand still, daughter.
"

"
Compromised in what way?
"
Padric pushed further.

"
The Oiche Sith we speak of has not made the change. With him sampling your female
'
s blood, it has triggered the process. He cannot complete it without the blooding ritual.
"

"
And what will you give us in return for sacrificing yet another one of our own for a foolish male
'
s curiosity?
"
Padric
's
brows lifted.

Adryanna frowned. Padric wasn
'
t protecting the females of their clan. He wanted to be compensated. The thought infuriated her. The females were nothing to him
,
but a bargaining tool for his own riches. He wouldn
'
t care who he gave to them as long as he was paid handsomely.

The elder
'
s lips curved, knowing he had won.
"
I am sure we can come to an agreement.
"

Padric waved his hand toward his dwelling.
"
We shall discuss this further then.
"
The
blood drinkers
followed Pad
ric
. No doubt to draw up an agreement.

Her father turned toward her. He motioned with a nod for her to follow him. Her mother started a conversation with the family closest to them. Most likely to keep their departure from being noticed.

Once they were far enough away from prying ears to overhear them, her father spun around to face her. His features were lined with worry, making him appear much older than his years.
"
I care not if you took the blood drinker to your bed or if you carry his child. His large gentle hands clasped her face.
"
I wish no harm to come to you. The elders will care not that you are our only child. You broke the rules. The elders will expect you to right the wrong and sacrifice yourself. You must leave here tonight.
"

"
And go where?
"
She stepped back with a shake of her head.
"
I cannot leave. Bram needs me. Did you not hear? He cannot make the transition without my help.
"

"
Adryanna, if you go to him. He will drink from you until you no longer live. It is his nature. It will not matter that he cares for you. Please
,
do not do this.
"

"
I cannot save myself, knowing I did nothing to help Bram. I love him, Father.
"

Her father closed his eyes.
"
Then I have lost you already.
"

She wanted to comfort him, but what could she say to make this situation better.

"
A rider comes,
"
someone from the crowd shouted.

Adryanna
glanc
ed toward the forest. A female rode a white mare, galloping toward the center of the village. Adryanna
'
s brows furrowed as she wondered who she was. As the female dismounted, she noticed Padric and the elders emerge from the dwelling.

Whatever the woman had to say, the
blood drinker's
elder was not pleased. His expression turned fierce.

"
Mayhap the Oiche Sith who drank from you is dead.
"
Her father moved beside her with the dire prediction.

She looked sharply at him.
"
Do not wish him ill. It was I who encouraged him to drink from me. If you must be angry, then put blame where it belongs.
"

"
You know not what you say.
"

"
I do
,
F
ather. Bram did no wrong. He did not seduce me. He did not take my virtue. He refused when I insisted.
"

Her father inhaled sharply, but he remained silent, pursing his lips together.

"
Do you hate me now? Your daughter is a temptress. You feared Bram put me at risk, but it was I who put him in harm
'
s way.
"

Her father
opened his mouth
to say something, but before he could, the elder spoke,
demand
ing silence.

Once he gained the clan
'
s attention, he spoke again.
"
It would seem my wife has brought a message from my son.
"
He glanced at the woman, Bram
'
s mother.

Adryanna recognized the resemblance now, dark hair
,
and light eyes. She possessed a regal beauty.

The elder turned toward the crowd again.
"
Bram of Graystone declines the means to sustain his life. Normally the request would be honored, but not in this situation.
"

The clan
'
s murmurs unsettled the night.

"
Silence,
"
the elder insisted.
"
We have a treaty, one that has worked for both our clans. It cannot be broken for any reason or there will be chaos. No member of the Oiche Sith shall take the blood of a Lathe Sith unless it is
sanction
ed.
"

Adryanna wondered where the bloodlings fell into this. Who authorized their sacrifice? Padric? The elders? Why were they not protected under the treaty?

"
Bram of Graystone wishes not to implicate the female, but it is too late. She is involved. We must put a stop to it now. If she steps forward willingly, I shall see that her family receives a generous compensation. If I must hunt for the female, the clan will suffer the consequences.
"

An u
proar of protests rang out, but the elder would be heard.
"
Anyone who harbors her shall suffer.
"

Padric took a step forward to address the clan.
"
It is for the best. Let us start anew this night. No one will be harmed as long as the female steps forward on her own accord.
"

The clan
's people
threw suspicious glances at
their neighbors and friends.

Adryanna spotted Fergus coming toward them. Did he suspect? In the next breath
,
she knew.

Fergus
looked at her
not with hatred
,
but with sympathy.
"
I knew y
our heart yearned for
another and
I
wondered who of our clan caught your interest, but I could never detect you
glanc
ing at anyone with longing.
"
He
moistened
his lips.
"
It is the Oiche Sith, aye?
"
he whispered.
"
It is all right. Do not say it if you wish, but know I will protect you. I will not let them take you to your death without a fight.
"

Fergus
had just
pledge
d
his life to her
, a noble gesture that warmed her heart
. She was not worthy of him. She reached for him, cupping his face.
"
Thank you. You are a gallant man. I wish I had fallen in love with you.
"
She let her hands slide away.
"
I will not let you sacrifice yourself for me, but know that I
sha
ll appreciate the gesture always.
"

Fergus
'
eyes misted but he did not shed a tear as he backed away, allowing her to make her own decision.

Adryanna made a move, but her father
'
s hand snaked out, halting her.
"
Father, I—
"

He did not let her finish.
"
You asked me if I hated you now that you revealed the truth to me. I do not. I cannot. I knew you would go to him no matter what I did to persuade you, but I cannot let you go thinking I do not love you. I do, daughter. I
sha
ll love you always.
"
His voice broke. His eyes glistened with tears as he drew her into his embrace.
"
I shall pray to the gods to protect you.
"

She held her father a moment longer, breathing in the woodsy scent of him and branding it to memory.
"
Thank you.
"
She sniffled back her tears and turned away. She raised her voice above the chatter.
"
I am the female you seek.
"

The elder, who spoke for his clan, Bram
'
s father it would seem, leveled his gaze on her.
"
Come forward, child.
"

She lifted her chin and ignored the clan
'
s murmurs
,
condemning her for her relationship with an Oiche Sith. She took a few steps closer and the Oiche Sith with the eerie colored eyes stepped forward to greet her. His nostrils flared as he breathed in. She would swear he was taking in her scent. For what purpose, she knew not.