Page 35 of Of Fate & Forbidden Desire

“Matilda is correct, I only wish to see Charleene find her people, so they can aid her in understanding her emerging magic.” I continued, keeping my voice toneless as they would expect. I was known around the Coven as being unapproachable and unfeeling. Carefully observing each Elder I watched, satisfied, as they each bought what we’d said. All of them except Constance, who’s eyes narrowed suspiciously at me.

“Well, we would have reached out to them, however no one has had any contact with the Nicnevin Coven in years.” Reginia answered.

“Why would they have given me up for adoption as a baby?” Charleene asked, and I kept my eyes firmly on the Council, even though they wanted to stray to Charleene. Constance was still glaring at me.

“We do not know.” Reginia answered, “we are concerned that the Nicnevin Coven has been uncontactable for so long, and since you have questions that only they could answer, we would like one of our Hunters to accompany you to Scotland. So that you can find them and restore communications between us.”

“And how am I supposed to find a Coven that one; doesn’t want anything to do with me and two; doesn’t seem to want to be found?” Charleene asked.

“By blood.” Elder Cain stated, as though it was the most simple thing in the world, but even I was confused by what he meant. “You are connected to the Coven via your familial blood. All you need to do is get close and they will find you.” He explained.

“So you want me to scour the whole of Scotland until the Nicnevin witches find me?” Charleene questioned, her voice rising a few octaves in disbelief.

“That is correct young lady.” Elder Cain’s voice didn’t waver as he answered, his face didn’t even twitch. “You are excused, alongside Huntress Adrina.”

I bowed low again and waited for Charleene to pass by, before following her from the room and leaving Tilly alone with the Council of Five.

I remained in the living area of our suite, until well past midnight for Tilly to softly knock at the door. Checking that Charleene was still curled up on her side fast asleep, I went and let Tilly inside. “What did the Council decide?” I asked before she’d even taken a step through the doorway.

“The Council have decided, with my input, that you would be the best to send with Charleene,” Tilly paused, giving me an assessing look, “how deep are you Adrina?” She asked with a knowing look.

“I’ve been keeping my distance,” I told her, keeping eye contact.

“That wasn’t what I was asking and you know it.”

“That’s a conversation to drink with.” I said, offering my old friend a small smile.

Turning towards the small bar and going to pour us both a healthy amount of whiskey. The strong smoky scent burnt my nose, but damn did it both smell and taste devine. We couldn’t get drunk, as our metabolism burnt off the alcohol too fast, but this wasn’t going to be an easy conversation.

“I’ve fallen for her, but have been pushing her away,” I said honestly, staring down at the amber liquid in the glass I held too tightly. “I’m causing her pain, Tilly, and I’m not even sure why I need to do that. Why can’t Super’s form stronger bonds? We work with witches all the time, why would it be so wrong to fall in love with one?” I could no longer keep the questions inside and if I trusted anyone it was Tilly. She had never let me down, even this evening she had covered my faux pas with Charleene.

“It’s all for the best, Adrina. We may not understand the Laws but they exist for a reason.” Tilly told me, ever the voice of reason.

“What else did the Council say?” I wondered aloud wanting to change the subject from myself.

“The Fae are also to go with you and Charleene to Scotland.” Tilly said, avoiding my gaze.

“What?!” I said, my voice rising.

“The Council believe that there may be a hidden ‘gateway,’ as they put it, up in Scotland. One that can send the Fae back to where they belong.” Tilly’s brow raised, showing me how much she believed what the Council had told her, “your secondary task is to find it and make sure they return, before destroying said ‘gateway’ for good.”

“So I’m a glorified babysitter now,” I laughed humorlessly.

“It would seem so, but at least you’ll also get to aid Charleene in finding out who she should have been.” Tilly laughed back, clinking her glass with my own before downing the rest of her drink. I watched as she walked towards the door, opened it and turned back towards me. “You will inform our new friends of the decision to take them to Scotland.”

“Oh no, that’s your job not mine.” I said, shaking my head.

“You’re all going to be travelling together, I think you should make friends before you all leave.” Tilly said, “They’re in suite two-o-three.”

I watched in shock as she let the door close behind her and wondered what I’d done in a past life to deserve all the shit this life had decided to throw my way.

Doing as Tilly had bid, I left Charleene to have breakfast in peace and found myself striding down the small corridor to room two hundred and three. There were two doors on this floor—unlike the connected suite which me and Charleene currently resided in. I could hear their voices before I even reached the door Tilly had told me about. The male one sounded different to when I’d last seen him in York. It was lighter; almost joyous even as he responded to the woman’s familiar voice,why was he different? I pondered, flinging open the door. Inside wasn’t the tall, dark haired Fae I’d met in York but a tall blonde one instead, with hazel eyes that assessed me. Ignoring him, I headed straight for the red haired female I recognised.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” I snapped, leaning over her and getting in her face where she sat on the sofa. She stumbled to reorientate herself, and after a moment of staring at me with wide eyes, finished her sentence.

“...waiting.” She said, continuing the last part of her argument and answering my own question at the same time. Confused, I glared down at her and when she growled low in her chest, my patience almost snapped, but her next words made me pause, “We’ve been here for days now.”

“For what?” I snarled.

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