Ellida Read online

  “Morgaine, I need to know more about being an Ellida,” I said as we walked back. “I’m afraid I won’t know what to do.”

  “I know. You didn’t have any time to prepare. It’s simple, actually. You already have what is necessary,” Morgaine said and started counting on her fingers, “your energy, your compassion, your profession—you’re a doctor, a healer—and your parentage.”

  “About parentage… Seth had my mother turned into a werewolf although he hoped to have an Ellida child with her. Didn’t she need to be a pure wizard for that?”

  “Seth Withali did his research. It does happen from time to time that an Ellida child is born from one parent who is half-wizard, half-werewolf, and the other one pure werewolf or wizard. Even turned, Rowena’s still a wizard, although she lost some of her skills. Theoretically, there was no reason for her not to have another Ellida child with a werewolf. But it didn’t happen. It couldn’t happen, in fact.”

  She let the last sentence hang in the air. I waited for her to explain.

  “Seth is sterile, and there is a reason for that,” she said.

  “But he has a son, Darius. James and Jack went to see him.”

  Morgaine smiled, shaking her head. “Darius isn’t his son, although neither of them knows.”

  “He is not?!” I exclaimed, feeling a deep relief. Jack had said Darius was a good man. And he was not going to become sick like Seth because he wasn’t his biological son!

  “His father was a human,” Morgaine continued. “His name was Raymond Arenvald. He and Aida, Darius’ mother, were very much in love. And then one day he just disappeared. Seth probably had him killed, so that he could take Darius’ mother for himself. Aida was already pregnant. She had to hide it from Seth; otherwise he would’ve killed her. She married him to save her child. She died later, nobody was sure why. From a broken heart, I suppose.”

  “But how was she able to hide the fact that the child wasn’t Seth’s? Wouldn’t he have known?”

  “Well, to a certain point, Seth’s mind is easy to manipulate. Besides, Aida was barely pregnant a few weeks, the baby was half-human and human scents are more difficult to detect. In any case, Seth’s never doubted Darius was his. Darius was supposedly born a couple of weeks early, and that was it.”

  “But it’s unfair that Darius doesn’t know that.”

  “That’s been keeping him alive, Astrid. He’ll know when the time comes.”

  “Do James and Jack know?”

  Morgaine nodded. “I told them before they left.” She paused and smiled. “Back to your role. See, Astrid, people come to us with their problems, big and small. And you’ll help them with your inner sense of wisdom and justice, and your understanding of human nature. They’ll share their happy moments with you. You’ll have a whole bunch of godchildren, and you’ll be an honorable member of many local clubs and charities.”

  “Oh, I see. A confidant, a marriage counselor, a confessor, a psychologist, all in one person.”

  “That would sum up your duties, yes. But don’t forget, you have a few privileges as well. You are outside the pack hierarchy. You have the power of veto, and you’re the clan’s highest authority. It’s a lot of power, Astrid, and that’s why it’s never given randomly.” Morgane paused and then carried on in the same light voice, “You’re also the clan’s military leader. We lead our people in time of war—”

  “What!?”

  “But that’s natural. We are the strongest, and usually the smartest members of our clans, and being women, not so bloodthirsty.”

  Now I needed some time to process that information. Astrid the Commander-in-Chief? From all the concepts thrown at me recently, this one was the weirdest.

  “Whoa, whoa, hold on for a second!” I said in a high-pitched voice. “I’m a pacifist. I don’t believe in fighting. We’re supposed to bring harmony and prosperity. We are make-love not-war sort of people, aren’t we?”

  “Now, I know it sounds a bit contradictory, but imagine, for example, that Seth’s clan decides to take over your land and destroy your people. What would you do?”

  “Fight them,” I said quietly.

  “Precisely.”

  “But what if Copper Ridge had an Ellida?”

  “The clans that have Ellidas never fight among themselves. Knowing that, you can probably better understand why Ellidas are so precious. They’re an embodiment of a higher, spiritual concept of goodness and love, and as long as Seth’s in power, no Ellida will be conceived in Copper Ridge. Once he’s gone, they may get their chance. Red Cliffs waited for three centuries.”

  WE WALKED back to town. I wanted to go home, but I also understood I had to give my fellow Red Cliffers every chance to get to know me better.

  “I wouldn’t mind a cup of coffee. How about you?” I said to Morgaine and gestured toward a coffee shop that sported a big, neon-blue sign above the door: Café Insomnia.

  My mentor instantly understood. “That’s a good idea. Let them see you, Astrid. Let them talk to you. You are a good natured, uncomplicated person. You’ll be a part of their life in no time.”

  Morgaine knew I was also a bit of a starchy person, not comfortable in a crowd, but I was grateful she hadn’t mentioned it.

  “Too bad the Ellida job doesn’t come with a manual,” I said and let out a nervous chuckle.

  We found a small round table for two. The guests came to introduce themselves or to say hello. Their curiosity wasn’t aggressive, though, and the knot in my stomach eased off.

  WHEN PEYTON Kincaid walked in a little bit later, I asked her if she wanted to join us. As we talked, I attacked the green-eyed monster gnawing inside my stomach with logic and reason. Peyton was in love with Jack, but it was hardly a surprise. Not her fault. Who wouldn’t be? Two of us couldn’t have the same man, though. I loved him, and he was my bond mate, so he was mine.

  I didn’t want Peyton to feel unhappy and sad. I didn’t want her to hate me. I wanted her to become Jack’s friend. And mine.

  Hmm, it wouldn’t be easy, but damn it if I wouldn’t try.

  WHEN WE came back, Betty was in her office on the second floor. Betty was Millennium Property’s financial director.

  Founded in the late 1930’s as an incorporated company by four men—Brian, Hal, Jack and James—Millennium Property now belonged to the latter two. Under Peyton’s supervision, the Red Cliffs office with about twenty employees oversaw the network of dozens of branches with hundreds of employees around the world.

  “Eamon’s looking for you,” Betty said as I came in. “Jack phoned. He and James are coming back tomorrow.”

  My heart bounced. One more sleep.

  I FOUND Eamon in his room.

  “Come,” he grabbed my hand. “Close your eyes.”

  “My new car!” I shrieked, guessing the reason. Jack had promised me a car that would suit my personality.

  Eamon dragged me to the garage. I heard the light switch. I sniffed the air: it smelled of a new car, indeed.

  “Now turn and open your eyes,” Eamon said.

  A wide smile split my face. According to Jack, my four-wheeler personality match was a Ferrari. Red.

  I laughed happily as I walked around it, touching its smooth, shiny body. My match was fast, powerful, dashing and sexy. I opened the driver’s door and found an envelope on the seat.

  I thought it would go nicely with your red dress. Love, Jack.

  I flushed and glanced at Eamon, but his attention was on the car, not on me.

  “This is awesome! A Ferarri! They delivered it this afternoon. Jack told me to keep you out of the house when it came.”

  “Let’s go for a ride!” I said.

  We hopped in. The keys were in the ignition. The powerful engine purred as I turned it over. Eamon was almost as ecstatic as I was. “Oh my God! Do you realize what you got, Astrid? My brother must be crazy in love with you! Man, this is epic!”

  Having Eamon in the passenger seat, I didn’t want to drive too fast, although the
mighty engine begged for more, and my foot ached to press the accelerator. I didn’t want to drive through town, so I turned south until I hit the highway that gently sloped down toward the south. It was dusk and there was almost no traffic.

  After twenty minutes I turned the car and we drove back to the house.

  I was already in love with my red beauty.

  Eight

  “DO YOU like your new car?” Jack asked, wrapping his arms around Astrid. “Did you miss me?”

  “Yes and yes,” Astrid said, reaching for his lips and breathing in his delicious, familiar scent she’d learned to love so quickly. “You know, a Ferrari would’ve never crossed my mind, but the moment I saw it, I fell in love with it,” she said, catching a breath.

  “Your dress’s been inspirational on multiple levels,” Jack said, laughing and kissing her again.

  “Now tell me what’s going on between you and James,” Astrid said later. Since James and Jack had come back, she could feel a subtle tension between the two men.

  Jack took her hands between his. “We met Darius. As we suspected, there is a strong underground resistance in Copper Ridge, but there’s been an interesting development. Darius works from outside, providing all sorts of help and support, but your mother is the key player.”

  Astrid’s heart stopped. “My mother?! God, what if Seth finds that out? He’s going to kill her!”

  “She’ll be okay, she knows who she’s dealing with. She’s careful, Seth doesn’t have a clue. Maybe it’s better if I start from the beginning. Come, sit here with me.”

  Astrid let Jack walk her to her bed and help her sit down. Her body felt boneless.

  “What’s going on, Jack?”

  “According to Darius, your mother realized what kind of man Seth was soon after they got married. She severed all contact with you in order to protect you. Your grandparents knew the reason, but she asked them not to tell you. She knows Red Cliffs blames her for Hal and Brian’s deaths.”

  When he realized that Rowena couldn’t give him a child, Jack continued, Seth lost his interest in her as a woman and wife, and his affection turned into hate. “Although Seth and your mother separated, he didn’t let her leave him. Darius was four years old when Rowena came to Copper Ridge, and since then she’s been like a mother to him. You already know that.”

  “A mother without her child and a motherless boy,” Astrid said softly. “No wonder.”

  “They love each other deeply, Astrid. You should see how Darius talks about her. He calls her ‘mother’, he adores her. Of course, James wasn’t ready to hear something like that, and when he showed his doubts, Darius almost attacked him.”

  “She’s been living in a constant fear and danger,” Astrid whispered.

  Jack sighed. “She’s been living like that for twenty-odd years. James didn’t want you to know any of this, not for the time being, at least, because he thought you would be upset.”

  “Upset doesn’t cover it, Jack!” Astrid said. “For my entire life I believed my mother abandoned me. What do Arnaldur and Ella know? Why didn’t they tell me anything? How could they hide that from me?”

  “Your mother made them. To protect you. She couldn’t do too much for herself, but she’s been shielding you the whole time.”

  “So you believe Darius?”

  “I do. That’s why James and I argued. He also wants to protect you. I think you have the right to know the truth.”

  Astrid buried her head in her hands. “Hold me, Jack,” she whispered through tears.

  Jack closed his arms around her. “Rowena regained her wizard skills. Nobody except Darius and their allies know about it. The resistance is stronger day by day. Seth’s totally out of control and his people are tired of his madness. It was your mother who tipped off Tristan when Seth sent his people to look for you. And about the vampires who attacked us. That’s why Liv and Tristan came so fast.”

  “He’ll kill her if he figures out what she’s doing.”

  “She’s a werewolf, Astrid. We are not easy to kill. And she’s a full-fledged wizard again. She’s survived all those terrible years. She knows how to take care of herself. And I bet she wants to be able to see you, so she’s very motivated to stay alive.”

  Astrid closed her eyes and rocked gently back and forth. “Mother… Mother…” she chanted quietly. For the first time in her life, the word had a meaning. It wrapped around her heart and melted away a tiny, icy splinter that had been hurting her all her life.

  Jack kissed her forehead and brushed her tears away. “It’s going to be okay, you’ll see, baby. Now you have to promise me you won’t do anything reckless, like trying to contact her. Do I have your word?”

  Astrid nodded weakly.

  JACK STAYED with her all night. Long after he fell asleep, his head buried in her hair, Astrid lay awake, staring into the darkness, thinking about her mother on the other side of the Great Orme.

  How many nights in the past twenty-five years had Rowena lain awake like this, thinking about her daughter while she’d been living an ordinary life, growing up sheltered and protected, going to school, traveling? Did she think Astrid hated her? Had anybody ever told her anything about Astrid? Did she dare to ask? Did she dream about her little girl?

  Tears leaked out of the corners of her eyes, dripping on Jack’s shirt. She pressed her hot cheek on the cool, damp patch. Jack stirred and tightened his grip around her.

  “It’s okay, baby, everything’s going to be fine. I promise,” he murmured into her hair. “Try to sleep a bit.”

  Jack wasn’t a man who’d make empty promises, she thought and smiled weakly. She closed her eyes, and her breathing gradually slowed down, adjusting to Jack’s rhythm.

  Of course, everything would be okay. Any other option was out of the question.

  Nine

  THE DINNER for the Captains, the heads of the eleven Red Cliffs Houses, and their spouses took place a day after Jack and James had returned from Scotland.

  During dinner, Astrid had been seated to her uncle’s right, and Jack to the left of his mother, the place reserved for the male guest of honor.

  “My friends, please join me in welcoming Ellida Astrid, daughter of Hal and Rowena, to our Red Cliffs clan,” James addressed them in a clear voice. “As our ancient tradition requires, Astrid will announce her decisions about her future status here and about choosing her mate after two full moons.”

  James raised his glass, and the men and women around the table followed him. “To Ellida Astrid!”

  “To Ellida Astrid,” Jack repeated with a wide, warm smile and raised his glass, too.

  James rested his eyes on Jack and beckoned.

  Moving his gaze from Jack to his guests, James said, “Twenty five years ago you asked me to be the clan’s temporary Einhamir until Jack was ready to take the position offered to him after his father’s death.” His eyes turned back to Jack. “John William Canagan, are you ready now to accept the position of Red Cliffs Einhamir?”

  Jack’s head bowed slightly. “I am ready, Einhamir.”

  One more time James addressed his guests in his strong voice. “Does any among you want to challenge John William Canagan, son of Brian, for the position of Red Cliffs Einhamir?”

  Eleven pairs of eyes fixed on Jack in silent acceptance.

  James nodded. “Then I’m asking each of you to swear your alliance to your new Einhamir.”

  Jack stood up, and then James. With hand fisted over his heart, he slightly bowed his head and said in a firm voice, “I, James Edward Mohegan, your predecessor, swear my alliance to you, Einhamir John William Canagan.”

  One by one, three women and eight men did the same.

  WITH THE ceremonial part over, the atmosphere loosened up. Astrid discreetly let out a deep sigh. So that was it. The transition of power had gone smoothly. That night, James had killed two birds with one stone: he’d introduced Astrid as the clan’s future Ellida, and appointed Jack as its Einhamir. After two months, the Ell
ida would announce that she’d mated with their Einhamir. That would cement Jack’s status as the leader of the clan.

  DAYS TURNED into weeks, yet Astrid’s life at Red Cliffs refused to slip into a routine. There was a constant flow of people through the house. Astrid often accompanied Jack or James to the ranches and farms scattered around the town to introduce her to the owners and their families.

  Jack kept coming and going. Sometimes he would stay home for days, while on other occasions he only stopped in long enough to take a shower and change his clothes.

  The Blakes continued to phone her every night. After a busy day full of previously unplanned activities and unpredictable twists and turns, Astrid looked forward to talking to her friends.

  Her cousin Maggie had come home for spring break from Austin, where she was studying petroleum engineering. Tall, slender, with wavy light brown hair and amber eyes, she resembled her mother and older brother. She was more reserved than her merry, outgoing younger brother.

  Like her mother, Maggie preferred to draw her own conclusions about her cousin rather than to go with the flow. Her assessing methods were less delicate than Betty’s. Astrid often felt Maggie’s amber gaze on her—openly curious, penetrating and thorough.

  Maggie looked so much like her brother that Astrid couldn’t help but like her right away. Fighting against her own introvert personality, Astrid tried to initiate small talk with her cousin, but only after Maggie had decided she’d gathered enough information about Astrid to come up with her own opinion did she loosen up.

  Behind Maggie’s quiet, reserved appearance, Astrid quickly discovered a brilliant scientific mind, not unlike hers.