***
All three women were panting, covered in sweat after a grueling work out, their bodies shaking from the intensity of Caleb’s training session.
“No more,” Kaitlyn cried, throwing her hands up in surrender, “we give up.”
“Give up? You can’t just give up, we’re just getting started,” Caleb badgered. “There are no time limits on these kinds of fights. You need to be prepared for anything.”
“Caleb, let’s face it, we can train for the next 50 years and we’ll never be able to fight like you,” Eve wheezed. “I know we need to know this stuff, but I’m sorry, I just can’t do one more move. I’ve had enough.”
Kevan watched from the sidelines, just as much out of breath as her sisters, her chest heaving as her heartbeat slowed to a more normal rate. Bracing her hands on her hips, she finally spoke up. “Enough,” she told him, “Eve’s right. It doesn’t matter how much training we do, we’re never going to be able to take out most demons or vamps, and we just aren’t Buffy!”
“Did you just compare yourself to a television character?” Caleb asked, dumbfounded. “This isn’t a joke. There are demons and others out to harm you, and they’re real.”
Kevan walked towards him. “We know they’re real, Caleb, but between yesterday and today, all you’ve proven to me is we aren’t capable of properly defending ourselves, despite what we have always believed.”
“You did okay at the club,” he encouraged her.
“With you there, yeah, but if they’d come at us while we were by ourselves, we’d be fucked.”
“What she said,” Kaitlyn gasped, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand after guzzling down a bottle of water.
“You can’t give up, it’ll take some time, but you’ll learn.”
“We’re not talking about giving up, but you have to admit that we have a point,” Kevan reminded him. “I’ve been thinking about what you told me yesterday, I think it could be far more useful in the long run.”
“I told you a great many things yesterday; you’ll need to be a little bit more specific,” Caleb looked at Kevan, waiting.
“You said something about us getting powers of our ancestors?” she reminded him.
Niall’s head shot up, giving Caleb a look of surprise. “You told them about the prophecy?” he questioned, getting to his feet.
“Yeah,” Caleb admitted, “I told Kevan about it, but only that there is one. I didn’t go into too much detail.”
“What he means is, he messed up and said something he didn’t want to, but I heard, and by then it was too late, so he had to tell me the truth, but only after I pushed him,” Kevan’s grin filled her voice. “Why, is it supposed to be a big secret?”
“No, I’m just surprised that Caleb mentioned it, that’s all. He’s usually pretty tight lipped about things like that,” Niall commented. “What did he tell you, exactly?”
“Not much, only that you and Marcus believe this prophecy makes us important somehow, and that part of it is that we’re supposed to get powers from our ancestors. If that’s true, how’s it supposed to happen? How are we to get these so called powers?”
“No!” Caleb growled, stopping Niall, grabbing Kevan’s arm, “Just forget that I said anything.”
“What do you mean no?” Kevan shot at him, pulling her arm from his grasp. “You’re not my father, and it’s a little late for that, the cat is out of the bag, as they say,” looking at Niall silently watching them. “Explain to me what we need to do. I don’t know how to explain it, but I know we need to do this.” Niall attempted to speak, but was interrupted by Caleb.
“It’s too dangerous,” Caleb told them, his voice filled with concern.
“You don’t know that,” Kevan threw at him. “I’m an adult and have been making my own decisions for a long time. I’m not going to do anything unless I know all the risks involved.”
“Okay, this is ridiculous, you’ve only been together for one day and already you’re acting like an old married couple,” Niall shook his head. “Caleb, trust that Kevan’s capable of making these decisions, or this relationship doesn’t stand a chance.”
“Relationship,” Kevan stuttered, “what are you talking about, we don’t have a relationship.”
“Man, I don’t know about you, but I think I’d be offended,” Kayne teased. “Kevan, I don’t know who you think you’re fooling, but it’s not working. You’re together, don’t even try and deny it.”
“Yeah, we all know you spent last night together, don’t try to deny it, nobody’s going to believe you,” Niall laughed. “You might find it liberating if you just admit it. It’s not like we’re asking for details, although if you wanted to enlighten us with some …”
“Enough Niall,” Caleb warned him. “What we do is nobody’s business but ours.”
“Fine, fine,” Niall surrendered, his voice shaking with amusement while pretending disappointment. “Maybe we should get back to the subject at hand,” looking to Kevan, “I think you have the right idea. Maybe it’s time to embrace your family’s destiny.”
“I’m telling you it’s too dangerous,” Caleb growled through clenched teeth.
“Caleb,” Kevan whispered, laying her hand on his chest, trying to reassure him. “We need to hear what Niall has to say.”
Caleb searched her face but he could see the determination in her eyes. “You don’t understand how dangerous this could be,” he pleaded with her, dropping his voice so only she could hear him. “I can’t … I don’t … if anything happened to you.”
“I haven’t agreed to anything yet,” she pointed out. “All I’m asking is what’s involved in getting these so called powers.”
Niall spoke up, “Caleb, you know the prophecy. Do you believe that they are the ones, or not?”
Caleb looked at him, and even though he didn’t want to admit it, he knew it was true, that these where the ones talked about in the prophecy. “I know they’re the ones.”
“Then there’s nothing to worry about. We all know that only the true heirs will be able to embrace their destiny. All false ones will suffer the wrath of the gods.”
“Which we’ve interpreted to mean they pay with their lives,” Caleb argued. “It’s a huge risk they could be taking, based only on what we think we know about what the prophecy refers to. How many other times have we been wrong about other things? Just forget it; it’s too big of a risk.”
“You keep saying they’re the ones, but then you say it’s too big of a risk. Make up your mind. If they’re the ones from the prophecy, then we both know they’ll embrace their destiny whether you like it or not,” Niall pointed out. “Isn’t it better with our help?” Niall watched his friend’s struggle. “You know I’m right.”
“But ...”
“Caleb, stop,” Kevan told him.
Kaitlyn had finally had enough. “You know, we’ve listened to everything you’ve said. All I want to know is what the fuck are you talking about? What powers? What prophesy? Ah hello, sitting in the dark?” Kaitlyn demanded, waving her hands at them.
“Kaitlyn, I’ll explain later,” Kevan promised her sister, as she focused on Caleb. “Let’s hear what Niall has to say, and then we’ll make a decision. We don’t plan to risk our lives, but I’m starting to believe that there’s more to us. I’ve always felt different from everyone, I’ve always believed that we had a destiny, I just didn’t really understand it, but I’m starting to think it may be tied into you guys.”
Caleb closed his eyes, groaning, knowing he was going to give in, but he didn’t want to. “I just want to protect you,” he tried one last argument.
“I like that you want to protect me,” she whispered, “but what about my sisters and cousins? If this gives them some kind of protection, then we have no choice.” Kevan told him, “I trust Niall, even though he did lie to me.”
“And you’ve forgiven me for that?” Niall sounded h
opeful.
“I wouldn’t say that, it’s still up for consideration, buddy,” Kevan informed him, but her eyes never left Caleb’s. “I don’t think he’d do anything that would put us at risk; you know that, you trust him too.”
“Okay, okay you win. I don’t like it, but I won’t try and change your mind,” he whispered, pulling her into his arms, and she welcomed his embrace.
Caleb looked at Niall. “I’ll kill you if anything goes wrong,” he threatened. Niall smiled and nodded.
“Are you finished, are you going to finally explain what’s going on?” Kaitlyn demanded.
“Niall, I leave this in your capable hands,” Caleb passed the buck.
“There’s not really a lot to tell, actually. A long time ago we were given a prophecy, which told that the daughters of the one will be given something to aid the warrior men.” Niall shrugged his shoulders. “It doesn’t tell us who or what, just that it’ll be important in the future. We’ve spent centuries trying to figure it out, and what we’ve come up with is this: the prophecy talks about the daughters of the one, which would be you, and of the one, being Elizabeth, the first of your family to be our friend. Over the years, certain members of your family have shown remarkable abilities.”
“These supposed powers?” Kaitlyn supplied.
“We believe so,” Niall shrugged. “We’re guessing. Some things we’re fairly sure about, others not so much. You guys, we’re sure; the rest, well, since it’s never been done before, I’d say we are going on a lucky guess.”
“Hence, the reason that it’s too dangerous,” Caleb took the chance to point out again.
“Caleb, you promised.” Caleb turned away, but not before she saw the anger and fear he was fighting. “Niall, continue,” Kevan instructed.
“We gather you together, we’ve been given a ritual that we do, and supposedly this will call on your ancestors to bestow upon you your powers, or whatever.”
“But you’ve never done this ritual before?” Kaitlyn questioned.
“No; if you’re not the true heirs, it could as Caleb has pointed out, kill the ones trying.”
“What are you telling us?” Kevan asked Niall, seeing his concern.
“I’m not telling you anything, I’m explaining to you what we know and think. Beyond that, my friend, the decision rests with you. I’d love to tell you there’s no risk, but that would be lying. I believe it to be minimal, but a risk none the less.”
“Thank you for your honesty, Niall,” Kevan turned, looking to Kaitlyn and Eve standing quietly, listening to everything being said. “What do you think?”
“I don’t think we have a choice,” Kaitlyn stated. “If we don’t explore this and something happens, and these supposed powers might have prevented a problem, we’d never forgive ourselves.”
“I can’t believe we’re even talking about this. Powers! We’re ordinary human beings. We don’t have powers!” Eve stated the scientist in her having a hard time with the unexplained.
“No shit Sherlock.” Kevan told her. “But if everything we’ve been told is true and I believe that 98 percent of it is, then our family, for generations, has been part of something bigger. Something that was stolen from us when Daphne was murdered.” Kevan turned to Niall, “If we do this, what about Brennan and the others, will they get their powers?”
“Not to our knowledge. The spell should only work on the ones doing the ritual, but I can’t honestly say what is going to happen.” Niall admitted, “They’ll likely know that something’s happening, but not necessarily what.”
“Niall, I’m going to trust that you know what you’re talking about,” Kevan told him. “What do we need to do?”
“Nothing, I’ll take care everything,” Niall reassured them. “You’re sure you want to do this?”
“No, but Kaitlyn’s right, I don’t think we have a choice,” Kevan admitted, watching her sisters. “I’ll do anything to ensure my family’s safety.”
“Good enough, I’ll get started, get things ready for tonight.”
“Tonight?” All three women paled.
“Yes, if we’re going to do this, we should do this tonight. It’s a full moon. While not necessary, it certainly couldn’t hurt. Magic’s always stronger under a full moon.”
“You’re sure there’s nothing we can do to help?” Kevan pushed.
“I’m sure. All I require of you is to be here at midnight; the four of you will be assisted by four of the guys.”
“Four? I think you’re mistaken. There’s only three of us here,” Kevan remarked.
“Yes and no. There are you three, Kevan, Kaitlyn, and Eve, and then there is Rhiannon!”
“Rhiannon?” they all asked with confusion, looking to the healer standing silently observing from the edge of the room.
“Yes, Rhiannon,” Niall told them.
“You said the ritual could kill them if they were not the true heirs,” Kaitlyn questioned.
“It’s possible,” Niall admitted.
“Then why would you risk Rhiannon’s life?” Eve demanded, her anger making her sound snippy at the thought of risking a life recklessly.
“WE, WOULD, NEVER risk Rhiannon’s life!” Niall exploded, his anger boiling.
“Then why?” Kaitlyn asked, suddenly curious.
“You aren’t the only one of Elizabeth’s descendants to still have relationships with the cairbare,” Rhiannon stated, joining them.
“What?” they gasped in shock.
“My family tree can be traced back to Elizabeth’s oldest daughter, Miriam.” Eve stared at Rhiannon in amazement.
“So, we’re related?” Kevan asked, trying to wrap her head around the information that had just been dropped on them.
“Very distantly, but yes, your family comes from Andrew, Elizabeth’s oldest son,” Rhiannon explained. “Elizabeth had 5 children, Andrew, Miriam, Jonathan, Claire, and Nathaniel.”
“Do you know where all the family lines are?” Kaitlyn asked in awe, looking to Niall.
“No, we don’t. Miriam’s and Andrew’s we know about. The others, unfortunately, we have lost track of over the years,” Niall reluctantly admitted.
“You kept track of Rhiannon’s and our family, why not the rest?” Kaitlyn pushed, curiosity kicking in.
“Kaitlyn,” Kevan warned. “Look how little we know of our family history. Hell, we know nothing about Dad’s or Uncle Gavin’s parents,” releasing a sigh of exacerbation.
“The fact they’re all dead kinda makes getting to know them rather difficult,” Kaitlyn pointed out, “but it seems odd to me that they would keep track of two of the lines of Elizabeth, and not the other three.”
“Doesn’t matter, it’s always nice to meet a member of the family, no matter how distantly related.” Eve walked to Rhiannon, giving her a hug. “So what we are to supposedly get?”
“We’re not sure, but Niall believes that my being one of the descendants of Elizabeth, I’ll be able to complete the ritual without a problem, even if I don’t receive a power,” Rhiannon explained.
“How long have you known who you are?” Kaitlyn questioned. “When did you meet these guys?”
“I’ve always known,” Rhiannon admitted. “They became my family after my parents were killed. They raised me.”
“How old were you?” Eve questioned, very curious about this quiet, unassuming woman they really hadn’t paid attention to.
“We, or more specifically, Roderic, became Rhiannon’s guardian when she was five, but we’ve known her since her birth. Her father was one of the descendants,” Caleb stated. “Martin worked with us, had his whole life.”
“You’re very lucky to have people who care about you,” Kevan told her.
“Yes, I am,” Rhiannon smiled.
“Not to change the subject, but we need to get back to tonight,” Niall interjected.
“Tonight?” Kevan questioned, as the
focus shifted back to him.
“Yes, tonight. Why, are you having second thoughts?”
“Second, third, fourth, but don’t worry, we’re going to go through with it. But it’s suddenly sinking in that what we’ve agreed to is going to be life changing.”
“If you’re not ready, we can delay. The ritual is best performed during a full moon, but that doesn’t mean it has to be tonight. There is one every month, you know,” Niall joked.
“No, we should to do it tonight. If we think about it too long, then we’ll chicken out,” Kevan sighed, “so tonight it is.”
“Good, wear your necklaces,” Niall stated offhandedly.
“What? Why?” Kevan questioned.
“Are you going to question everything I ask you to do?” Niall admonished. Kevan gave him a sly smile, and nodded her head. “Fine, I think it’d be an extra measure of protection. Okay, any more questions?”
“Thank you,” Kevan pushed, “What about Rhiannon, what’s to be her extra measure of protection?”
“Yeah, she doesn’t have a piece,” Kaitlyn piped up.
“She can have my earrings,” Eve offered.
“No, I can’t,” Rhiannon exclaimed, stepping back.
“Yes you can,” Eve insisted.
“No, you don’t understand. I can’t, they’re shield stones, if you’ve worn them, they’re tuned to your body’s energy. If I try to wear them, well, it could be a problem,” Rhiannon explained.
“Then it’s a good thing I haven’t worn them,” Eve informed her.
“You haven’t worn them?” Kevan questioned, looking at her sister with surprise. “Why?”
“Don’t tell Brennan!” Eve cautioned.
“Like that’s going to happen anytime soon, seeing she’s kicked me out of the family,” Kevan reminded Eve.
“You haven’t been kicked out of the family. Brennan’s in a snit, she’ll come around.” Kaitlyn sighed dramatically.
“I’m not holding my breath,” Kevan said with a flash of anger, “but that still doesn’t explain why you haven’t worn the earrings, Eve?”
“No, it doesn’t. As talented as Brennan is, and she’s very talented, I really didn’t like the earrings. Love the pendant, but the earrings, they just aren’t my style.” Eve shrugged her shoulders.
“Oh my gods,” Kaitlyn giggled, shooting a look to Kevan whose eyes twinkled with a secret that they only knew.
“What?” Eve demanded, hating when they did the twin thing.
“Us too,” Kaitlyn admitted.
“What? I thought you loved them, I remember you saying that.”
“Uh yeah, so did you,” Kevan accused her.
“Guilty,” Eve admitted.
“It’s not that we don’t like them. They’re beautiful, but just not our taste,” Kaitlyn admitted, with Kevan laughingly nodding.
“So see, Rhiannon, you’ll be fine,” Eve smiled at her.
“Oh, so you’re giving me a pair of earrings that you all despise.” Rhiannon laughed, shaking her head. “I don`t know, but I think I’ve been insulted.”
“I wouldn`t say we despise them. We’ve only said they aren’t our style, but I think you’ll like them,” Kevan stated with confidence.
“And why are you so sure?” Rhiannon asked, crossing her arms, waiting for their answer.
“You like the ones you’re wearing?” Eve inquired.
“They’re my favorites.” Rhiannon touched the earrings dangling from her lobes.
“Then you’ll love these; Brennan’s are almost identical to those.”
“Thank you,” Rhiannon whispered, emotions choking her throat. “I would be honored to have a piece of Elizabeth’s legacy.”
“You’re welcome,” Kevan told her. “We can’t have anything happening to our newest family member.”
“I’m glad you’re all happy, but if you’ll excuse us, I need to discuss some business with these gentlemen,” Niall informed them.
As they started walking away, Caleb grabbed her, pulling her close, giving her a quick, intense, mind-blowing kiss.
“I won’t be long,” he promised, letting her go with some reluctance.
“I’ll be waiting,” she murmured, her heart galloping, her body tightening in anticipation.
Walking into the study, Caleb grabbed Niall’s arm, demanding answers. “Why are you pushing this? What aren’t you telling us? It’s not like you to insist on rushing into something without thought.”
Niall wrenched his arm from Caleb, “Let’s say I have it on good authority, that the time is right!”
“The time is right for what?” Kayne wanted to know, “And who’s your good authority?”
Both men noticed the tip of Niall`s tattoo start to get red, making the markings start to rise. “I’m still your Prince, so you’ll do as I instruct,” Niall threw at them, working to control his anger, determined not to blow up. “Maybe I’ve been too lax with you all of late; maybe it’s time for a change.”
“Don’t you start throwing the Prince thing at us, Niall. You’re no different than we are, in this world!” Caleb spat. Niall turned away, hands at his sides, as he flexed and clenched his fingers, attempting to ease his temper, before he turned back to face them. The tattoo, rising off his skin with a heat to match its colour, warned them he was working to keep his temper in check. His friends stepped back warily. They knew his explosive temper, and this was putting them on guard.
“I require your trust,” Niall ordered, with an authority fit for a king.
“Niall, you’ve always had our trust.” Roderic watched his old friend get himself under control. “You can’t change the rules now, not after all these years, not after all that we’ve been through. Tell us what’s going on.”
He took a seat behind Caleb’s desk, not looking at his men; his friends, with his emotions shuttered, but for his resolve, there were things that they didn’t need to know, yet. “I need you all to trust what I’m doing is for the best. These women are the ones of the prophecy. We need them to do this, now.”
“Even if it means putting them in danger,” Caleb bellowed at him.
“Caleb, you’re acting like a horse’s ass. You don’t have the exclusive rights on caring about Kevan. I care about her too. Do you think I would deliberately put her in harm’s way? What about Rhiannon, she’s like a daughter to all of us. Would I risk her life?” His anger was boiling up again.
“We know you’re not putting them in harm’s way Niall, but what aren’t you telling us?” Caleb pushed him.
“As soon as I know, I’ll let you know,” he told them. “I want them protected, and I happen to think the best way to do that, is for them to have their powers, whatever they might be.”
“If that’s what the prophecy is really talking about, it’s still all speculation. We’re guessing about what the oracle told us,” Caleb argued. “It could all be a bunch of b.s. for all we know.”
“Do you honestly think that, Caleb? ‘Cause if you do, maybe I should get someone else to stand up as Kevan’s protector during the ceremony,” Niall told him. “I’m sure we could get one of the other guys …”
“Don’t even think about it,” Caleb growled in warning. “I am the only protector Kevan will need.”
“You’ll do what’s required?” Niall questioned him.
“Yes, damn it! I’ll do what’s needed, you already knew that, so why are we having this conversation?”
“Thank you,” Niall murmured, his gaze taking in the men standing in the room, some of his closest friends. “You know, I wouldn’t be insisting on this if I didn’t think it was absolutely necessary,” he explained, but not giving them anymore.
“Niall, you’re keeping something from us. You’ll tell us sooner or later, or else I’ll beat the shit out of you,” Caleb informed him, ignoring the waves of power coming off Niall’s tattoo.
“Caleb, don’t think
because I’m not as big as you, that I’m not capable of taking you down. It’s been a while, but I could if I had to, just don’t make me have to,” his voice deadly and insistent. They all stood watching Niall with a renewed respect. Normally, a very easygoing man, letting his generals be the disciplinarians, he’d just reminded them he could be just as deadly.
“I’ll talk to Marcus, ensure he’s up for the ceremony, and see if he can shed any more light on why someone would want him dead.”
“Yeah, ask him about what he was onto?” Kayne questioned, nonchalance hiding his concern. “He needs to tell us why someone’s trying to kill him.” Niall nodded his agreement, “I’ll ask, but we all know how tight lipped Marcus can be when he thinks it means protecting us.”
“We can protect ourselves. We need to know who’s trying to kill him more than we need him protecting us,” Caleb echoed all of their thoughts, “but you’re more likely to get information from him than we will.”
“I’ll see what I can find out, but back to the other subject we were discussing, I have one last request regarding this evening’s festivity!”
“Niall, you’re really pushing it,” Caleb glowered at him, making Niall’s smile grow even wider.
“Dress in warrior mode.”
“What?” they all exclaimed together, “Why?”
“I don’t know, but the prophecy reads that the protectors are the warriors of old, so I don’t want to take any chances. Full warrior mode, including swords, shields, braces, torques, the whole nine yards.”
They all reluctantly agreed. When Niall finally ended the meeting, Caleb took off, bounding up the stairs. “So you think he’s a little anxious?” Kayne laughed.
“I’d say Caleb has found someone he really cares about. I think I might be jealous,” Niall muttered under his breath, watching all of them leaving the office.