Page 34 of Of Fate & Forbidden Desire

It was like her words had slapped me around the face and it took me a moment or two to remember how to walk again. Following Charleene and Tilly from the room, I made sure the door clicked shut behind us all and entered the lift in silence mulling over Charleene’s words. I could see why she’d think such a thing, and even though it wasn’t true, I didn’t correct her.It would be better for us both in the long run, I reminded myself as my heart throbbed. I remained silent as Antonious let us inside and escorted us all to the Council’s chamber. Even Tilly’s reproachful look didn’t loosen my tongue, when we waited to be allowed inside the council room.

“You can go inside,” Antonious said to Tilly, nodding his head at me and Charleene as we also filed past him.

Following Tilly across the floor I stopped just behind her and dropped seamlessly into a low crouch, one leg bent with my knee resting on the hard floor and my head bowed.

“Good evening Elders,” Tilly said respectfully, acknowledging their standing.

“Good evening Huntress Matilda, it is a joyous occasion to have our children home.” Elder Cain replied in his bored monotone.

“If only she had done her job properly,” Elder Constance sneered. I could hear the condescension dripping in her tone and could imagine the sneer her thin lips would be pursed in.

“I attempted to find the rogue vampire, I scoured the whole of York city looking for him,” Tilly explained, “he has gone to ground and I fear that someone in the magical community is hiding him.”

“Why so?” Elder Bertrand asked.

“I and my team of Hunters and Huntresses are highly skilled at finding those who can’t or don’t want to be found. This vampire is managing to remain undetectable. There is no trace of his scent. I’ve spoken to the York Coven of Witchesand they are unable to find him also.” She kept her voice toneless, answering each of their questions about the rogue.

“That is very troubling,” Elder Bertrand responded and I could picture his steepled fingers turning white as he kept his wise, calm, elderly facade in place. He was the Elder I liked dealing with the most, not that any of them were particularly pleasant if you crossed their rules, but he’d always seemed the most patient and kind.

“Huntress Adrina, what are your thoughts on this…rogue?” Elder Reginia suddenly questioned, forcing me to be a part of their deliberations.

“He is clever but also not working alone,” I answered, rising from the floor and meeting her brown eyes. “He stated in our interaction…”

“You interacted with the rogue but failed to kill him?” Constance questioned, making my eyes flash to face in time to see eyes pinch together into slits and her lips flatten into an unimpressed thin.

“I was protecting both Charleene and an unknown Fae woman.” I explained, knowing I’d already told them about this during my first report. “He stated that his Master would put us all in our places.” I said, quoting the bastard we couldn’t catch.

“That still does not explain why he is not already dead.” Constance snapped, rising a little from her seat.

“He went into the River Ouse and I had to choose between following him or protecting the two women with me,” I explained calmly, not allowing the simmering anger to reflect in my voice or person.

“You should have chosen–” Constance screeched before Reginia interrupted.

“Adrina chose correctly. Above all else, we protect those who can not protect themselves.” Her tone was clipped, but her ire wasn’t aimed at me. No, it was aimed at the Elder on the end of her row.

Charleene fidgetted, drawing my gaze from the Elders above to the woman standing beside me. She was nervous, I could see from the sweat beading on her brow and the way she was chewing the inside of her cheek. Glancing down Ifound her fingers tapping out a repetitive rhythm against her leg as she waited for the Council to address her. I wanted nothing more than to wrap my arms around her, to reassure her, but under the eyes of the Council I needed to keep my distance.

Tilly took over explaining about the rogue and the Fae she’d brought to London, but I couldn’t drag my eyes away from Charleene. She’d stolen my focus from the first time I’d caught her scent and had yet to let me go. Even now, I shirked my duty and found myself questioning the laws I’d upheld for so long. I was supposed to be listening as my superior gave her statement, but I hadn’t heard a word of what Tilly had said.

“Charleene Murry,” Elder Bertrand called, gaining my full attention in an instant. My eyes flashed up to the Elders, who watched Charleene intently as she answered.

“Yes?” she said, her voice wobbling a little as her nerves got the best of her.

“When I first saw you, I could not believe my own eyes,” Elder Reginia said softly, “you have your Great Grandmother’s eyes and cheek bones.” Her smile was genuine as she looked down at Charleene.

“What do you mean?” Charleene asked.

“I met your Great Grandmother when she was around your own age. She came to me, imploring me to pay heed to a prophecy that she and her Coven feared would come to pass.”

“What does any of that have to do with me?” Charleene wondered aloud and when I looked over at her she was frowning up at Elder Reginia in confusion.

“I strongly believe that your family is the head of the Nicnevin Coven in Scotland.” Reginia told her.

“So have you contacted them?” I found my own voice asking, drawing the Council’s gaze as well as Tilly’s angry one.

“And why is that your question to ask?” Constance probed, her sharp gaze watching me closely. Turning to look at her, I kicked my brain into actually thinking, before opening my mouth to respond.

“Adrina has grown close to Charleene, while escorting her to London, she is invested in Charleene finding her family.” Tilly spoke smoothly, covering for my blunder of showing too much interest.

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