I changed Saga’s diaper, took them downstairs and placed them in their carry cots. I got their playmats and put them on the floor so they could entertain themselves for a bit. I looked around. Adara hadn’t bothered to clean the mess Malachi and I had made.I carried the broken chairs to the garage and cleaned the kitchen and dining area, washing the blood from the wall and floor. I washed the dishes and sat down at the counter looking down as they watched the animals dangling above them.“I’m so glad you two are still small enough not to also fight with me,” I said to them and Kai turned his head to look at me.He rolled over onto his stomach and lifted his head to look at me. I hid my face behind my hands and played peek-a-boo with him. He laughed at me and Saga started to laugh as Kai laughed.It was the most beautiful sound I had heard all day, perhaps even all week, and I laughed with them. I quickly ran upstairs and put my shoes on and grabbed the twin carrier bag from their roo
James arrived at the hotel at 9 a.m. By that time, I had already had most of the employees in my office to catch up on any problems that they might have. They were all happy with James and I was glad to hear that. He stepped into my office and sat down on the chair in front of my desk. I looked up and he was worried.His aura seemed stifled and concerned. He looked agitated and his eyes looked weary, like he hadn’t gotten any sleep. I knew he was worried about the situation with Adara and Malachi, I was too.“What’s on your mind?” I was reading through the budget forecast for the next six months.“Adara’s talking about divorce.” The pen slipped from my hand onto my desk.“What?” The phone on my desk rang and I picked it up. “What?” I asked irritably.“I’m sorry to disturb you, Sir, there are two police officers downstairs to see you,” Sylvie said.“Bring them up, please, Sylvie. Thank you.” I put the receiver down and looked at James.“Cops? What for?” James asked. Mention of Adara an
I had been in a similar room in Seward when I gave my statement after Sarah’s suicide but this time it was quite different. They took the handcuffs off and asked me if I wanted anything to drink. I declined the offer. I had no idea how long I’d be there but I knew they were going to question me extensively.I hoped I wouldn’t be there for long. James would be on his way to the Sterling Police Station and hopefully Malachi would be with him. I had no idea where he was or if he even listened to his messages. Would he even come back to help me after everything that he believed happened?“I’m going to put the camera on and record our interview. We will also now read you your Miranda rights. Do you understand?” Kyle asked me and I nodded.“You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law, you have the right to an attorney, if you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you. Do you understand that you have the right to hav
Malachi wallowed in his self-pity that whole day, drinking and drowning in his own misery. He kept replaying everything over in his head, every conversation he’d ever had with Jessica, every interaction between her and Kiran.He punished himself with memories of every touch and kiss between them. He replayed every conversation between Kiran and Jessica too. She’d warned him before the time. She’d told him she’d slept with Kiran, and he’d foolishly believed her story about him being like a brother to her.He was driving himself to the brink of madness but he couldn’t help it. He needed to know how and when it had happened. He needed to know how he’d missed it. Betrayal was the worst thing anyone could ever do to him.Betrayal was his downfall, as was his anger and temper. It was the balance Karani had spoken about, but there was no balance to this. How did he keep his anger and resentment at bay? He didn’t think he’d ever get over this.The next day Malachi was driving to the liquor st
Malachi took the file from Vaughn’s desk and followed Chief Johnson outside to the parking lot. Ten minutes later, Malachi walked inside the police station and was shown to the interrogation room where Kiran was being held.Malachi watched from the other side of the two-way mirror for a few minutes as they questioned Kiran relentlessly before opening the door and walking into the interrogation room. The relief in Kiran’s eyes almost had him break his resolve and he had a deep urge to hug his son and assure him that everything would be alright.“Who the hell are you?” One detective asked Malachi as he placed his briefcase on the table.“Good evening, detectives. My name is Malachi Sinclair, legal representation for and on behalf of Kiran Sinclair. My client has cooperated fully during your interview and I call it an interview since you’ve failed to present him with a warrant of arrest or a complaint form and even though you haven’t arrested him legally yet, you’ve already processed him
I arrived at court half an hour early with James. I didn’t see Malachi’s car and we bought coffee and stood outside.“What do you think will happen today?” James asked as he looked around.“I think Malachi will try to get the case thrown out,” I answered him. It was a clear day and not too cold, not that we felt cold like humans did. I saw Malachi’s car approach and he stopped at the curb.“Do you think this means he’s forgiven you?” James asked me and I shook my head.“No, he’s still mad as hell, but even now he won’t let me rot in jail,” I said to him as Malachi, Carl and Frank climbed out of the car and walked towards us.“Kiran, trouble likes to follow you,” Carl said as we shook hands and he smiled. There was an awkward silence between me and Malachi and they watched us.“What’s going on with you two?” Frank asked as he watched us.“Nothing,” Malachi said as he excused himself and walked into the building.There were still twenty minutes left before I had to appear in court and w
I was sick of the silence, sick of her anger and sick of the thought that she didn’t believe me. I wasn’t a cheater and I would never hurt my family like that, especially my father. The anger burned deep inside me that they could think that of me.“If all of this were true, ask yourself one thing. Why am I still here fighting for us? I won’t sign this, ever! Why wouldn’t I just admit it, ride off into the sunset with Jessica? The last time you left me, it almost killed both of us. Don’t make the same mistake twice,” I said to her and went to the study. My phone rang and I sighed. It was John Whitcombe.“Hi, John,” I answered the phone.“Pack your bags, we’ll be there in thirty minutes,” he said and put the phone down. My life was in ruins and now the Council was forcing me to go to Mauritius.I went upstairs and packed my suitcase. I had no idea how long we would be in Mauritius and I packed for two weeks. I got my passport and put it in my wallet. I went downstairs and Adara didn’t
Malachi tried to call Jessica again as he sped down the highway back towards Seward. Her phone kept going straight to voicemail. He didn’t leave a message because he needed to talk to Kiran first.Malachi parked his car in front of the open garage and noted that Kiran’s car was parked inside. It was close to midnight as he unlocked the side door and walked into the house. Adara was sitting in the kitchen, watching the baby monitor. She looked up as she heard Malachi’s footsteps and he saw the tears streaking her face.“Where’s Kiran? I really need to speak to both of you.” Malachi moved closer to her and read the note she had in front of her. “He went to Mauritius?”“He wrote that he left you a message. Why does it sound like he’s not coming back?” Adara asked him.“Listen, Adara, Kiran didn’t lie. They never had an affair,” Malachi said and pulled his phone from his pocket.Malachi proceeded to tell Adara about his reflection in the car window in one of the photos where Jessica and K
“Adara,” I said as I felt the darkness surrounding me.I opened my eyes and I saw Death sitting in his armchair. I was back in Helheim. I knew it was coming. I had tried to hold out as long as possible and not to use death magic, but in the end I had no choice, it was me or her. My choices hadn’t been black and white, they’d been riddled with fear and the unknown, but that was only half true. Not all of it was unknown, I’d known I would end up here again. I had made peace with it.Death sat patiently tapping his fingers against the leather of the chair. He smiled when he saw my eyes open and stood up. He was dressed in a black suit with a red handkerchief folded into his breast pocket. If this had been anyone other than Death, I would have said he looked sharp.“Oh Kiran, back again so soon,” he said to me and I stood up.“I tried, believe me, this is not where I want to be. But it was a choice between me and my family and her, I chose them,” I said to him and he stopped inches from m
She grabbed her head in pain and sank to the ground. Instantly the other witches joined and chanted with her. The pain in her head lessened as they all attacked me at once. They were very powerful together and their voices became one.I could feel my grip lessening and I left her mind. I concentrated instead on myself, on Saga, on Kai and I saw the Norns again. I had done everything they had asked, and Kai and Saga were safe at last.There was no greater gift than love and I had paid their price. I hadn’t known what that price would be in the beginning, but Death had given it away. “What is the ultimate sacrifice?”Me. I was the sacrifice, my life for their lives. I had entered this clearing knowing that I would die today and I had made my peace, to die for my children and my family. That was my sacrifice.I ignored the Norns watching me and I was back on Wolf Peak, taking the energy from all the wolves who had died there. They offered it to me freely and I focused on the twelve witch
When the first blossoms appear in the forest, that’s when they’ll come for me. It would be a Tuesday and I knew they would surround me in the clearing, the place I held dear and where I had dominated my magic.They would try to draw my magic and my life force from me and take it for themselves as revenge for Dezrael. They felt cheated by me and their anger was guiding them now, guiding them to me.‘We are stronger together in number.’ Those were Adara’s words to me once. I knew this to be the truth, but I still didn’t want any of them involved. Nobody else should die because of me.Christian’s death was the ultimate loss, and it nearly broke all of us. That was the one pain that took me back to that place on Wolf Peak where the emotions engulfed me and slowly choked the life out of me.I sensed my time was running out and that they would soon be here. I had spoken to Malachi, James, Carl, and Frank numerous times. We had gone over the plan so many times that it was embedded into our v
“I could try to exclude Carl and Frank but they’ll just interfere with my plans and therefore I’ll ask if you are willing to stand with me,” I looked at them. They both smiled and fist bumped each other.“You know our answer, Kiran, we’re with you,” Carl said and Frank agreed. You couldn’t separate those two even if you tried.“James, I want to exclude you as well,” I said to him and he turned to me.“I go where you go, you’ve excluded me too many times before but this time I refuse,” he said to me and I nodded.I knew it was useless to try and change his mind. Even Shoran had told James that he needed to be with me and I didn’t understand why she had said that. Their twins were still babies and James was a good father and he could lead the pack if something ever happened to me.“Malachi,” I said and looked at him and he stood up.“Don’t even try it. You’re my son, you should know better,” he said to me as Carl and Frank laughed.I laid out the plan to them, but only the plan at the d
James and I stood outside the den as the members arrived and their moods were relaxed. I felt bad that I was about to ruin it, but being a good Alpha meant you admitted when you were wrong, when you needed help. Most importantly, it meant you were honest with your pack, no matter what.Richard was the last member to arrive and I smiled when he bowed his head at me and nodded at James. I turned around and walked inside and the rest of the pack started taking their seats. I waited until everyone had found a seat.“Welcome members,” I said and hit the wolf gavel on the table. I stood in front of the table and James stood next to me with his arms folded across his chest. I leaned back on the table and took a deep breath.“Tonight we have two things to discuss, I won’t be calling for a vote on either subject. The decisions are final and I won’t answer any questions about vetoing the vote system,” I said to them and I saw Richard look at Malachi.“Firstly, it is with sadness that I announce
Everyone was quiet for a long time. Jessica looked worried and that made me worry. Adara looked afraid, James too. Malachi, though, he looked determined and I knew what he was thinking.“What’s your plan?” Malachi asked me and I smiled at him.“Dad ...”“I know you have a plan and don’t even think of telling us to back off and that you don’t want us involved,” he said to me.“He’s right, Kiran. You’re going to need all the help you can get, you can’t take on a whole coven by yourself,” Jessica said.“Don’t you have a coven or something,” James asked her.“Dude, seriously, don’t you know anything? A witch can’t be in a coven if she’s married to a wolf, so no, I don’t have a coven anymore,” Jessica said to him.“But you had all those witches at your wedding,” he said to her and she laughed.“Dude, I still have friends,” she said. “But friends are just friends, I can’t ask them to help here.”“Why not?” Adara asked her and I smiled at her. None of them would understand it. This wasn’t so
As Sunday lunch turned into late afternoon, we all sat in the living room. Adara, Shoran and Norah were upstairs with the kids, bathing and getting them ready to go to sleep. It was a peaceful evening with my family. Things had started to click into place for me. The dreams, Death’s message and everything else made sense now. I wanted to spend as much time with my family as I could.“Are you guys moving to Montana now?” James asked Malachi suddenly and I laughed.“Are we?” Jessica asked him, looking very worried.“Just think about it, we could buy a ranch with horses and cattle, you can have chickens and a vegetable garden, and bake bread every day,” Malachi said seriously and looked at her. I couldn’t control it anymore and burst out laughing. The look on Jessica’s face said it all.“That’s really mean, bake bread every day, like seriously, dude, I love you but there’s no chance,” Jessica said to him. Malachi laughed as he looked at me.“But Jess, just think about it. You could wake
I wanted to protect them from the whole world but life didn’t work that way. I still hadn’t told anyone about the woman’s threat and as time passed and nothing else happened, I didn’t worry about it anymore.It started to feel like I’d imagined the whole thing or maybe even dreamed it up. I wrote it off as paranoia and I felt like I was indestructible. My magic was powerful and now that the enchantment was broken, nothing could touch me.That night when I fell asleep, the dreams started. It felt and looked like Helheim, but I knew that it wasn’t the same place. The darkness would give way to soft light as I heard the chanting of witches and I saw them walking through the forest until they reached the clearing.I stood in the center of the clearing. I was waiting for them. There were twelve of them. They emanated hate towards me and a few of them feared me. There was one in particular that didn’t fear me at all and she hated me the most. Her hate was so strong that I could taste the bi
For days after the spell I could still feel an increase in my magical power, it was like a surge of electricity and I could feel it all around me. I could sense the magic in the earth and it crackled underneath my skin like a current. It was an odd feeling to get used to, but it felt so natural, like it was a part of my very essence, that I started craving the feeling.The moon was high in the night sky when my eyes snapped open. I had the strangest sensation that somebody was in the house, somebody uninvited. I got out of bed slowly and walked down the stairs.A strange scent tickled my senses but I couldn’t hear anything, not even a heartbeat and I couldn’t see anyone either. I moved through the dark house trying to ascertain where the strange feeling was coming from.Yellow fire burned in my hands and I let it spread to the room beyond me. It spread from the kitchen to the dining area and I saw a flicker of a movement from the corner of my eye. I moved with it towards the counter.