Chapter 13

 

 

The proof was out of reach, but Inuala knew Brendan was Kalbrenthis. Her brother reborn, once again. She felt the telltale signs of him hiding his magic like he had in every life.

Her hated brother from their first life. How he escaped his fate was still beyond her. And she was punished for his refusal to accept his destiny as Crom Cruach’s chosen.

She performed the ritual to perfection. The darkness flowed around Trenton, she stabbed him, and the shadows flowed into the air, away from the chosen.

Inuala attempted to coax him back to Trenton’s body, but he disappeared.

Saoirse, the queen of Black Mire screamed in rage as Trenton struggled under the hands holding him down. His pierced flesh mended as soon as Inuala drew the blade out of his chest.

Reaching for Crom’s essence did nothing but give her a headache as a feminine triumphant shout echoed in her head.

One of the guards holding Trenton bashed him in the face, knocking him unconscious.

Inuala stabbed her brother again, and still, nothing. Crom had fled. Her ritual had fallen apart.

“Take her away. Do what you will with her,” Saoirse spat. “And throw him in a dungeon. I’ll deal with him later.”

The biggest guard slammed cuffs of iron around her wrists and dragged her down the hidden stairs behind the thrones. Trenton had destroyed her life in that moment, denying her place at Crom Cruach’s side. She’d been trying to make up for it ever since.

Inuala stormed into the room she shared with her blood bound. She glared daggers at Drummond. “That fool finally has a chance to pull Crom Cruach fully into this world, and Eamon is going to squander it the same way he has at every turn.”

Drummond caught her face in his hands and stopped her rant with a kiss. “I have done the same for you, my love.”

“This is different. Over the centuries, their souls have grown apart. They are no longer the match they once were. I have always been in service of Crom Cruach. She may have called Crom Cruach and gifted Eamon with his essence, but every incarnation since, she wants to rid us of our god. One of these times, Eamon may agree with her. And now, she’s attached to her food. He can’t win her heart this time.”

“He’ll make her see he’s the one. Let him forge the bond with her. Once that’s in place, she’ll come around.”

“If she lives that long,” Inuala muttered.

Drummond took a step back. “Don’t even hint at harming her. He’s been searching for Oriana for ages. Would you really stand in the way of their happiness? Crom has promised Eamon that once he is reunited with Oriana, they would finally succeed where he had failed for so long.”

“And if she is bound to Brendan, can she truly be with him in this incarnation?” Inuala demanded.

He sighed. “He is the first vampire. Perhaps he can’t be blood bound. Perhaps another bond will suffice.”

Her head tilted. “We could take Brendan out of the equation. Kill him, then he won’t be a nuisance.”

“I’ll speak with Eamon. He can make that call. There are those who have outgrown their blood bond and have managed to keep their bond and their new love. Maybe he’ll settle for that,” Drummond murmured, walking Inuala toward the bed.

Unfortunately, now wasn’t the time, and she couldn’t share her plans with her lover. He was good at protecting, but dumb as shit. You’d think over a few thousand years, he’d gain a little intelligence, but no, not yet.

And killing him wasn’t an option. No, it wasn’t. Without him, Eamon would slaughter her. He’d never trusted her to do more than wrangle the cattle and keep them in line. And ever since Kalbrenthis escaped two hundred years ago, she was barely tolerated in Eamon’s presence, which meant she couldn’t get close enough to set Crom Cruach free of his bindings. Whatever Oriana did to him upon her death ensured Eamon was unstoppable, and that Crom could not be summoned through any way she knew of. And perhaps Drummond had a point. Perhaps Amelia was the key, and Inuala needed to rethink how best to use her pet against her.

In the meantime, she had other plans to put into motion. Perhaps one of them would help her succeed where she had failed before.

“Drummond, I need to find new cattle, and I have a place to do that. Don’t expect me to be back before dawn tomorrow.”

“Be careful, Inuala. I don’t want to lose you again.”

“I will be fine. Fire Fae either wiped out our people, or helped Kalbrenthis escape. Without them, we would have kept him for ages, until we found the perfect vessel for Crom Cruach.”

“He was dangerous, Inuala. He slaughtered so many of the first vampires with magic. If anything, those drinking from him tore away the walls locking his magic away. He unleashed power like I’ve never seen.”

She nodded. “I think Brendan is Kalbrenthis.”

“You have no way of knowing. He looks nothing like the boy you took.”

“Still, Trenton was Kalbrenthis. I think Brendan is Kalbrenthis’ incarnation.”

“Forget about them for now. Tonight, you’re mine. And tomorrow night, I’ll worry about you while you hunt for more food then.”

 

* * * *

 

The silence in the next room was broken with Inuala and Drummond’s passionate cries. Eamon sat up, a scowl on his face. The bitch was hiding things from him, once again. Seemed she was always scheming.

Every time he found Oriana, Inuala attempted to convince him to let her go. Even after Eamon helped Drummond find Inuala’s second incarnation a hundred years ago.

Eamon melded into shadows and searched for his next two trusted companions through the ages. Nolan and Niall were in their chamber, arguing over who would have a chance at one of the new blood slaves locked in the dungeon.

Taking shape, Eamon stated, “You can decide who enjoys her later. In the meantime, I need you to keep an extra close eye on Inuala. I want to know what Inuala is plotting.”

Niall looked up, his head cocked. “What do you suspect?”

“Have you noticed she is always thwarting my plans to bring Oriana into the fold? I’m beginning to wonder if she sows discord between us. My love is unwavering, and Oriana always remembers, but something happens. I need to ensure Amelia is not influenced in any way by Inuala.”

“With pleasure,” Nolan answered. Neither of the twins liked her.

Eamon nodded. “Inuala is hiding something. She continuously seals in the sound while discussing private matters with Drummond, then breaks the spell to ensure I hear them in bed. I need to know what she is plotting.”

“Of course,” Nolan answered. “As soon as we know, you will. But what of Amelia? Do you want us to find her?”

He shook his head. “No. The way her first life ended, she always needs time to remember I’m not the monster I was when I first changed.”

“What about her pet?”

“Leave him. I will not betray her. You will not harm him. I’ll find a way to handle him that Amelia can agree to.”

“You could share her?” Nolan asked.

“I’ll figure that out if that’s an issue. Until then, don’t touch Brendan or Amelia. I need to know what Inuala is planning.”

“She won’t escape our notice. We’ll bring you word as soon as we know something solid,” Niall promised.

“I trust you to keep me informed.”

“You have our word.”

“If she or Drummond become a problem, you have my permission to end that problem however you see fit.”

Niall grinned. “Understood.”

Either twin would leap at the chance to kill Inuala. Unfortunately, Drummond became increasingly defensive when she came under question. Eamon could no longer be sure whose side Drummond would rally to.