True Fate (33 page)

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Isabel quickly walked the short distance to the
library, she stood there for a moment just watching him. Brennan was very tall
and lean, she had never considered him as a mate but that had changed a year
ago, after he'd saved her on a mission. She had been hiding her feelings and
his from Lilith for fear of the leverage it would give her.

He turned around slowly his brown hair falling in
his brown eyes, "I thought you were gone.” he said as she came and rested
her head on his shoulder closing her eyes to memorize the feel of him. Lean
muscle and much intellect was what best described her handsome love. He was a
researcher and he worked in the archives going on occasional missions as he
needed.

They disappeared before she opened her own hazel eyes.
"I have fifteen minutes or so.", she explained.

"I'm sure they are all freaking out that you
have been added to their little group, Darragh especially.” he added pouting.

"Remember what I told you, my promise is as
good as a bond. The past is nothing to me.", she said reassuringly.

She gently wrapped her arms around his neck
giving a slight tug so he would know what she wanted and he complied
immediately. His kiss made her insides swirl in delight as he lifted her feet
off of the floor. She never knew love like his before, yes, she was still a no
holds barred Elite Guardian and Hunter and she was not weak in the slightest.
But being with Brennan had changed her, she actually cared about something
besides revenge and herself. She knew Lilith called on her because she was
reputably ruthless, but that bitter soul was long since dead. She was still
fierce but she had no vendettas to fuel her any longer.

She saw this mission as their way out, "I
will see you every night even if only briefly. Be ready to go at a moment’s
notice too. When I come for you it will happen quickly.” she told Brennan
taking in his features one more time.

“I remember everything you told me my love,
please don’t worry.” He said and kissed her again.

###

"She will crucify me! Savannah too if she
gets the chance!” Darragh hollered pacing in the bubble Eric was projecting.

"We will figure it out. I can send you in a
separate car with blackouts and we can keep Savannah hidden until we have no
choice.” Eric said out of breath.

They had been going round and round about how to
refuse Lilith on this but kept coming up empty.

None of them could afford to be made to take the
serum, there was too much at stake. If they made any waves and she suspected
anything they would all have to take it or be tried for treason.

"We have to just go with it." Avery
said defeated. "I had to take the serum when Vanna left and it makes you
sing like a dang canary.” she added begrudgingly.

Darragh did his best to compose himself.
"You will have to keep her busy when we return so I can tell Savannah.”
Darragh told Eric who nodded in agreement.

“She's coming.” There were deep breaths taken all
around as a light knock reverberated on the door.

Eric opened it with a smile, Isabel stifled yet
another giggle. "Okay it's clear no one wants me along on this but I have
as much choice as you do. Let's get out of here, before the she dragon calls us
all back. Okay?” she said.

Avery laughed at that, "Okay.", she
said looking at Eric.

He touched the wall and the familiar glow gave
Nia a bit of comfort to be getting out of this place. One by one they went
through the door Aaron and Nia's hands firmly clasped. Darragh reluctantly took
Isabel's hand. "Shall we.” was the last thing Nia heard before blinking
awake.

Getting up after the haze faded Nia checked the
time. Aaron followed her close behind. "We're going to get some real sleep.
See you all in a few hours,” she informed everyone practically dragging Aaron
behind her. All he could do was laugh.

"Yes, I will be in my room if you need me.
Eric I trust you can bring Isabel up to speed.” Darragh said exiting the room
as quickly as possible. Isabel was on her feet, she guessed Darragh was in a
hurry to just get away from her.

"Oh-kay.", was Avery's response.

"Well then, let's get you up to date.” Eric
said clapping his hands once then blowing out a breath. Avery brought her
laptop up on the big screen TV in the hotel room as they begun the briefing.

###

Darragh knocked roughly on Rhea's door, "You
scared the bejeezus out of me!” Rhea said with a smile. "I apologize Miss
Rhea. Savannah I need to speak with you. Its urgent.” he said trying to keep
his composure. She moved towards the door without question and Rhea placed her
hands on her hips,

"Is everyone okay?” she asked in her
demanding way.

"Oh, yes everyone is fine, Nia and Aaron are
in their room. You should go see her or at least give her a call. We will be
right next door." he said quickly leaving with Savannah close behind him.

###

"What happened?” Savannah hissed as soon as
the door was closed and Darragh clamped a hand over her mouth and extended a
bubble.

Then he looked at her pleadingly as he removed
his hand slowly, "Lilith sent Isabel back with us, and I think she was
sent to spy on Eric. She was really trying hard to get into all of our minds.
She seemed almost desperate.” he said plopping down on his mattress with his
head in his hands.

"So what now? How am I supposed to avoid her?”
she asked and got no answer, he was just sitting their wringing his hands.

"Darragh! Look at me, please.” she pleaded.

She hated feeling his frustration and fear, she
could tell he was scared old feelings would rise up in Savannah and she knew it
as he sighed and looked up at her with tears shining in his eyes.

###

Nia flopped back on the bed and Aaron reached for
her boots loosening the laces and she was grateful for it. Her body was
exhausted and she was sure his was too. Going further he removed her shoes and
tried for her socks but she wasn't having it. Quickly Nia sat up and knocked
him off balance sending him flailing onto the bed. Giggling she pushed him all
the way back and knelt in front of his legs. She removed his shoes and socks in
one fell swoop. He was wiggling his toes as she kicked off her socks and got up
and laid back down beside him. Sitting up he placed an arm around her waist and
pulled her to lay down with him.

"Oh, no you don't, we’re changing into
pajamas! This may be our last comfy night and we are going to enjoy it."
he said taking off his jacket and his shirt. Nia smiled and took off her
jacket, "Okay?"

“Okay.” He responded as she grabbed her pajamas
and headed for the bathroom. She changed quickly not wanting to waste a minute.

Coming out of the bathroom with her big t-shirt
and barely there shorts Nia found Rhea and Adam sitting on the sofa. Aaron
smiled sheepishly with his hands crossed awkwardly across his bare chest.

"How was your time with Savannah?” Nia asked
them going to sit on the bed as Aaron snatched his shirt and tugged it over his
head and Nia stared at him in awe.

"It was fine, no biggie. What happened with
you guys? Darragh was plenty frazzled when he came to get Savannah.” she said
suspiciously.

"Oh? I'm pretty clueless on that one, we
brought a girl back with us though, Isabel. I'm not sure what the deal is
except they say she's a spy for Lilith. Apparently that's bad because Lilith
has a thing for Eric and as if that weren't enough. Isabel and Savannah have
some beef. It's confusing really.” Nia said with an annoyed expression.

"Wow! These people have enough drama to do a
non-mortal version of Jerry Springer!” Rhea said laughing and Nia and Aaron
laughed a bit too as Adam chuckled.

"Everything is still cool though right?”
Adam asked.

"As good as can be. Everyone needs to get
some rest and don't take off your necklaces we need to block Isabel too.” Aaron
added.

"Okay, if anything happens, feel free to
invade my brain Nia.” Rhea said seriously.

"Will do. Guys thank you for going through
all of this mess with me." Nia said with tears forming.

"I love y'all." she said giving a group
hug to her best friends.

"Love you Nia", Adam and Rhea said at
the same time.

And they all three laughed heading towards the
door and Adam went out first. "Take care of her Aaron.” Rhea said winking
at him while he smiled in response.

By the time Nia turned around Aaron was again
shirtless and climbing into bed. She met his eyes and then smiled. She was
really going to get some sleep tonight in the most comfortable place on the
planet. Aaron smiled up at her as she climbed into bed and he wrapped his arms
around her. They snuggled in and quickly drifted off into a hopefully dreamless
sleep.

###

Savannah stared at Darragh’s beautifully haunting
eyes as his soul pleaded with her to understand. "I didn't know what to
do, I'm sorry.” he said defeated.

"It's okay really, I'm okay with it, and you
would be surprised what time can do. I'm not worried and I will remain hidden but
only because of Lilith. Though I want to delve into Isabel's mind to get her
reason for being here and Lilith’s orders from her mind. If that’s okay?” she
said not really asking. Darragh just nodded.

The history between Darragh and Isabel was brief
but more recent than he would like to admit. He had thought he could trust
Isabel and maybe he could find some happiness with her after Savannah had been
promised away to another. He had hurt the only woman he would ever love with
one alcohol induced stupid night and after that his guilt was all over him. She
had told him just how deeply he had cut into her and just walked away. They
were making progress now and he was terrified she would leave again.

He grabbed her hand and placed it over his heart.
His voice didn't waiver but the tears escaped his eyes at a steady pace.
"My heart beats for you alone. I know I don't deserve you and I am forever
reminding myself of that fact.” he said as tears filled Savannah's eyes.

"I love you more than my life, more than
anything. I will do anything, be anything for you.” he continued then bowed his
head taking in a deep breath. Gathering his strength.

In one swift movement he slit his palm and let
his blood drip over the inside of her wrist. "My life is yours, I am bound
to you, in life and death I am yours.” he huffed out trembling.

She stood there shocked but steady, with a palm
to his heart. Her wrist in his hand prickled where his blood sizzled on her old
markings, "I accept your bond. My life is yours, I am bound to you. In
life and death, I am yours.” she said as tears now streamed down her own face.
She knelt in front of him now and slit her palm pressing it flat to his.

A faint orange glow encased her wrist and his as
well. Her old bond and promise marks seeped into her skin and the new marks of
her and Darragh’s bond wound beautifully around her wrist and up her arm higher
than any of the others.

Darragh stared at their matching marks and beamed
with pride. "I will never hurt you again, I swear it." he said
through the lump in his throat.

"I know. I love you Darragh Brun. I always
have and I always will.” Savannah said softly caressing his cheek.

Smiling at each other, "So be it.",
they stated in unison, watching as the slits on their palms slowly closed.

Their marks faded to a light coal color and she
hugged him tightly. "We will figure this out, I promise.” she assured him.

"Together.", he said quietly holding
her like she might dissolve any second.

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