The Third Fate by Nadja Notariani Read Free Book Online Page B

have for family then? No others?”
    He tried to sound nonchalant without causing her any pain.
    “ That’s it,” she said. “I’ve no one else. What about you?”
    “ It’s a long time I’ve been alone. I’ve no family to speak of.”
    “ That’s awful!” Paige shuddered. “I’ve always feared being alone,” she confessed.
    After a moment’s pause Cael answered, touched that she freely shared something so personal. It further proved that she was honest and open, that the Druid magic was another’s doing.
    “ Ye willna end up alone, Paige Kinnell. Trust me.”
    Cael was going to make certain of that.
    *
    Malcolm of Clan Gaunson paced the limestone floor, oblivious to its beauty. Preoccupation with last night’s event crowded all else from his mind. The Council would hold a meeting in less than an hour on the subject, and he had to have his thoughts and memories locked away, hidden, with no trace that he had done so before then. He needed special security. But what price would he pay for it?
    Pilar Michaels was on her way at his request. Malcolm walked a precarious line, he knew, in inviting the Druid priestess. A strange energy, tense and dark, sparked within him when she was near. After their last encounter he swore never again to summon her, but this could not be helped. Last night’s disturbance, the ripple felt by every member of their Council, had come from a powerful source. He believed it was his daughter.
    His daughter…
    A daughter he believed to be dead. A daughter born of a mortal woman.
    It was not possible, was it? That after twenty-seven years he would discover the babe had lived? His precious Agnes, lost in birthing his child. He had never forgiven himself. By his hand she had died, more or less, for it was carrying his seed that ultimately robbed her of life. Such a foolish choice, yet one he could not entirely regret.
    He had loved her.
    He should have changed her, had thought they possessed all the time in the world.
    The Fates could be cruel at times.
    Last night he had heard, felt her – if only for the blink of an eye. Blood of his blood, hers had cried out to him in acknowledgment. Just as quickly the link had closed. It had been enough to arouse the suspicions of every Council ancient. Half-vampire, his child would go through an Awakening, which should have occurred at the onset of puberty. But if the child lived, as he now suspected, he was sure that Agnes’ sister, Anna, would have hidden the babe and used whatever means necessary to mask her true nature. She had hated him, resented that he put her sister at risk. Half-borns were killed upon discovery unless they had already undergone Awakening and become fully vampire. The Council would not permit them to remain alive in half-mortal state, fearing their existence would eventually dilute vampire bloodlines and weaken their race. If mortals then mated with these half-breeds, they would inherit the genetic key-codes for stealth, speed, and psychic ability which would alert them to the vampire presence, enabling them to effectively remove the vampires’ ability to feed without detection, a necessary component to the race’s survival. He could not risk exposing her.
    A faint knock interrupted his brooding.
    “ Enter,” he commanded.
    The gold-leafed handle turned silently admitting Pilar Michaels, her head held high, shoulders straight. Pride marked her features, the Roman nose, dark, mysterious eyes, small bow-like mouth with full lips.
    By the Fates she was beautiful to look upon.
    She was also his enemy. Supposedly.
    Malcolm ceased his pacing, greeting her formally.
    “ Welcome to my home. I hope you will be comfortable during your visit.”
    Her head tipped in deferential reply, a slight action with mammoth implications.
    “ You have need of my skills, Malcolm of Clan Gaunson. I, too, have need of yours,” Pilar Michaels reasoned. “Perhaps we can help one another.”
    “ Do you propose an alliance of sorts?” Malcolm