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CHAPTER TWELVE
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Vowed (Book #7 in the Vampire Journals) CHAPTER THIRTEEN
As Caitlin walked with her bridesmaids through the moss-covered hills of Skye, the sight took her breath away. The early morning sun broke low and red on the horizon, lighting up the open expanse before them. The landscape was dotted with small lakes, and the grass they walked on was a vibrant green, greener than anything she’d ever seen. It felt to her as if they had come to the very beginning of the earth, a place so pure, it hardly seemed real.Just as Caitlin was starting to wonder where they were all hiking, Polly read her mind:“It’s called Faerie Glen,” Polly said, her voice filled with excitement, even more chipper than usual. Polly practically skipped as they all headed through the countryside. “It’s the only place in the world where, it is said, if you go there and make a wish, it will come true. And it’s an ancient vampire ritual for a bride to make one final wish before her wedding day.”Caitlin thought about that as she rounded yet another softly sloping hill, holding S
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Vowed (Book #7 in the Vampire Journals) CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Scarlet skipped along the open meadow in high spirits, Ruth at her side. While everyone had been standing around making their wishes, she’d decided that she didn’t want to make a wish after all: everything she could ever wish for, she’d realized, had already come true. She was away from that horrible, awful foster parent who had beat her in London; she was safe and sound with Caitlin and Caleb; she had new parents who she loved; and she also had Ruth, who she loved like a sister. There was nothing else Scarlet wanted in the world. So she decided she’d leave the wish-making for grown-ups.Besides, Scarlet couldn’t just stand around with everyone else, wasting time; she had important work to do. She took her role of Flower Girl seriously, and since no one was telling her exactly what to do, she figured she would decide for herself. A flower girl, she decided, had a duty to go out into the fields and find the very best flowers that the world had to offer. She had the duty to harvest them
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Vowed (Book #7 in the Vampire Journals) CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Caitlin sprinted through the open meadow, beside herself with grief and anxiety. How could she have been so stupid to take her eyes off of Scarlet? She blamed herself for not being a better parent. She should have had more of an instinct to keep an eye on Scarlet every second. And now Scarlet was missing, and she felt it was entirely her fault.She ran through the meadow, Polly and the girls at her side, all calling Scarlet’s name, all scanning the grass, all equally frantic. Caitlin couldn’t help but wonder if they all blamed her, too. After all, Scarlet was now her daughter—whether by blood or not. She was her responsibility. It was selfish of her to have closed her eyes for that long, to take time to make her wish.But then again, she reasoned, she couldn’t have expected it. She had never known Scarlet to be the type to just run off like that, unannounced, without any warning. Caitlin still couldn’t understand why she did. If there was any consolation, it was that Ruth was nowhere
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Vowed (Book #7 in the Vampire Journals) CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Kyle hiked with Rynd and his men up a rocky hill on the Isle of Lewis. It had been a long flight to get here, and as they had flown over the Isle of Skye, Kyle had wondered about the wisdom of Rynd’s plan. Kyle had wanted to just dive down right there and launch a direct attack on Skye. But Rynd had insisted that was not the best approach; he had claimed that Skye was protected from vampire attack by an invisible shield. Rynd had suggested another, more devious, way.They had been hiking for hours, and Rynd had offered few details of his plan. Kyle was not used to following, to taking orders, and he was reaching his limit. Indeed, just as he was getting ready to confront Rynd again, finally Rynd hiked up alongside him.“Tonight is the Samhain Festival,” Rynd said. “Our kind will flock here from around the world. It is our night for power, the one night when evil has free reign. We will use the energy of this night to summon our evil cohorts from every corner of the earth. Whatever cr
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Vowed (Book #7 in the Vampire Journals) CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Caitlin, still holding a sleeping Scarlet in her arms, walked with Caleb through the forest trail, following Aiden. Caleb held Ruth, who was severely injured, but still alive. It seemed that she might make it—albeit with a large scar across her face from where she’d been attacked.They followed Aiden silently through the twisting and turning forest trail, deep into the woods. The others had gone back to the castle, at Aiden’s request, leaving them alone. There was something Aiden needed to discuss with them, and clearly he wanted privacy.As they walked, Caitlin was just so grateful to have Scarlet back, alive. Her mind was still reeling with the news. Scarlet. A vampire. Her daughter. There were so many questions she was burning to ask Aiden. But for now she just wanted to revel in the fact that Scarlet was still alive.And that she was her daughter.Caitlin had never been more overjoyed. Deep down, she had always sensed this to be true—Scarlet, her daughter. Their bond had been s
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Vowed (Book #7 in the Vampire Journals) CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Caitlin walked along the sandy shore, holding Scarlet’s hand, the ocean waves crashing just feet away. It was a desolate and bleak shoreline, stretching as far as the eye could see, the dark gray sea blending into a horizon of gray clouds. The colors matched Caitlin’s mood. As always in her life, just when everything seemed to be so going so great, things took a sudden and dramatic turn for the worse.She supposed that she should be grateful. After all, Scarlet was alive. That, really, was all that mattered. And she was more grateful for that than she could ever express. In fact, Caitlin squeezed her hand more tightly as they walked, afraid to ever let it go.Just as she was reeling from the trauma of the event, from Aiden’s pronouncement of a terrible loss yet to come, she also had to hear this news about Sera. Caleb’s timing was terrible, though at the same time, she did appreciate his not keeping it from her. At least she had managed to wisely hold her tongue this time, and give h
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Vowed (Book #7 in the Vampire Journals) CHAPTER NINETEEN
Sam stood on a remote corner of the Isle of Skye, Polly beside him, atop a grassy knoll, overlooking an endless expanse of sea. Beneath them, waves crashed against huge primordial boulders, and above them, the sky was lit up by one of the most beautiful sunsets he had ever seen. The sky was so big here, he felt dwarfed by the enormity of it.He had been walking with Polly for hours, and they had finally settled on this spot. She had come to him earlier in the day, shaken, and had told him everything that had happened with Scarlet and the wolves. Sam had been shocked by the story, and he could understand how disturbing it must have been for Polly. The thought of almost losing Scarlet had disturbed her, as did the revelation that Scarlet was Caitlin and Caleb’s daughter. It took Polly hours of talking about it to finally calm down. Sam sensed that she needed to talk, to vent all her feelings, and he let her talk.“The wedding is tomorrow, and I feel like there’s so much left for me to
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Vowed (Book #7 in the Vampire Journals) CHAPTER TWENTY
As Kyle stood with Rynd’s man amidst the circle of Callanish Stones, watching the blood red sun set, he had never been so content. Here he was, back in ancient Scotland, standing in a place of pure vampire power, on the Samhain Festival, the darkest day of the year, and surrounded by scores of fellow vampires just as sadistic as he. Finally, he felt at home.He looked around, and saw Rynd’s men torturing and slaughtering one innocent human after another, feasting on their blood, tearing them from limb to limb. Kyle had feasted himself, all afternoon, as the sun had slowly set, and he felt more gorged than he had in centuries. It was already the start of an amazing night.And the best was yet to come. As the blood red sun filled the entire sky, Kyle turned and faced it, held out his arms, and slowly felt the power of Samhain infusing his body, rising up from his toes. This was truly the power night of his kind. For thousands of years on this day, humans had celebrated witchcraft, trie
Last Updated : 2024-10-29
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Vowed (Book #7 in the Vampire Journals) CHAPTER THIRTY SIX
Caitlin and Caleb flew through the late afternoon sky, heading north up the coast of Scotland, heading to Dunnottar Castle. Caitlin’s heart was pounding as they went. Here they were, just moments away from their final destination, from finding the fourth and final key, from finding the Holy Grail itself. She felt closer than she ever had to her father, felt as if he were just a stone’s throw away. She could, finally, feel her journey, her mission, coming to a close. She felt excited and relieved and nervous at the same time. Would he be there, waiting to greet her? Would he have the vampire shield waiting?As Caitlin flew, holding Caleb’s hand, she reflected on their whirlwind journey through Scotland. Dunvegan Castle, Skye, Eilean Donan, Rosslyn Chapel…She kept seeing in her mind’s eye that huge, ancient Bible in the crypts of Rosslyn, kept seeing the image of the shield as the two pages became one. The clue had been so well guarded and protected, each place offering just the smalles
Vowed (Book #7 in the Vampire Journals) CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE
Kyle had been having a field day. He hadn’t had this much fun in centuries, slaughtering Aiden’s men left and right. It had been a route.It had been especially fun stabbing Taylor through the heart, watching her die slowly at his feet. These silvertip weapons were the strongest and most effective he had ever wielded, and after killing Taylor, he had killed a dozen more vampires in just a few minutes. He was covered in their blood, and he smiled widely, beginning to feel himself again.Their plan had worked perfectly, and Kyle knew that in no time, they would wipe out every last one of them. They had them surrounded, outnumbered, and it had been a slaughter fest. Rynd’s shapeshifting trick had worked, as Kyle knew it would, and that girl Polly had been stupid enough to fall for the bait. Now, there was nothing left to stand in his way. With all of these vampires dead, it would only be a matter of time until they cornered and slaughtered Caitlin and Caleb.Kyle’s latest victim, in hi
Vowed (Book #7 in the Vampire Journals) CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR
Blake raced back to the castle, flying faster than he ever had, eager to get back and help his people. Now that Scarlet was safe, Blake turned all his attention towards helping the others.As he reached the castle, he looked down and saw complete mayhem: it was an all-out war, as hundreds of vampires battled each other below. His people were terribly outnumbered, attacked from all sides, and Blake was crestfallen to see that, with the battle barely begun, several of his people were already dead, their bodies thrown over the edge of the castle.Simultaneously, Blake could see there was another battle going on below, on the castle grounds, before the entrance. This battlefront was being led by Kyle and by McCleod. Together, they were relentlessly killing all those who tried to flee. It was an ambush, and there was nowhere to go.It was all happening so fast, at vampire speed, in the blink of an eye. As Blake flew for just a few seconds, debating where best to land, he already saw so m
Vowed (Book #7 in the Vampire Journals) CHAPTER THIRTY THREE
Blake could not comprehend the sight unfolding before him. It was one thing to see a vampire army approaching. That was shock enough. But it was quite another to see McCleod’s men—the human warriors they had grown to love and to trust—betraying them, attacking them. There was no doubt about it: Blake could see from the scowls on their faces, from the way they were charging, that it was an ambush.Blake stood on the roof of the castle, with Aiden’s men, other vampires he knew and loved—Taylor and Tyler and Caine and Barbara, and scores of others—along with the dozens of other vampires in for the wedding, and knew that there cause was hopeless. They were terribly outnumbered, and the enemy had the advantage of surprise, speed, and superior weaponry. Blake looked around, and wished he saw Polly or Sam somewhere, wished that Caitlin and Caleb were back. But none of them were. They were left on their own, to fend for themselves. The few of them left on the castle rooftop against the thousa
Vowed (Book #7 in the Vampire Journals) CHAPTER THIRTY TWO
Caitlin and Caleb had been flying for hours since they’ve left Eilean Donan Castle, heading east, across the vast country of Scotland, getting further and further away from the Isle of Skye. Caitlin had not stopped thinking about the moment when they’d opened that chest in Eilean Donan. Inside, sitting there, had been a single, shining, gold key. It was a small key, and seemed to glow with electric energy. At first, she had wondered if it could be the fourth key. But he had shaken his head, and told her it was different, and she could see that, too. This was one small and gold, whereas the others were large and silver. Caitlin had reached in and picked it up, and examined it in her palm. She’d flipped it over, and spotted a small inscription: “All doors lead to Rosslyn.”Caleb had gasped when he’d heard the phrase.“Rosslyn,” he’d said. “Rosslyn Chapel. Of course. The rumored home to the Holy Grail.”They had not stopped flying since, racing for Rosslyn, the new key sitting in Cai
Vowed (Book #7 in the Vampire Journals) CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
Blake flew with Scarlet in one hand and Ruth in the other, flying as fast as he could to get away from the incoming army. He had been horrified to witness Polly’s murder, and shocked to have watched Scarlet taken out that vampire’s eye. He had sensed a great disturbance in the area, and had flown there, just to check. He had arrived just at the moment that Polly was stabbed, and when he’d witnessed it, without thinking, he’d dove down and scooped up Scarlet and Ruth. It was too late for Polly, he could see that.But it was not too late for Scarlet. After all, Scarlet was Caitlin’s daughter. And Blake still loved Caitlin. Even if she didn’t love him back, he felt there would be no greater way to express his love for her than by rescuing her daughter. Even if it was her daughter with Caleb.Not that that was his only motivation: Blake would have rescued any helpless child, and in the brief time he had gotten to know her, Blake had fallen in love with Scarlet. She was unusual, advanced
Vowed (Book #7 in the Vampire Journals) CHAPTER THIRTY
Sam had been having one of the best days of his life. He had been riding on cloud nine since the night before, enjoying himself every minute of his big sister’s wedding. He was so happy for Caitlin and Caleb, and so overjoyed that their wedding had been such a success. Finally, after all the obstacles between those two, Sam was ecstatic to see them together, permanently. It brought a sense of relief to him, as it also made him feel there was now someone else in Caitlin’s life to watch over and protect her.As if all that had not been enough, it had also been the most incredible night of his life with Polly. He kept reliving the moment in his head, again and again, when he’d asked her to marry him. Her expression. Her response. Her hugging him. He had felt her joy coursing through him, in every pore of his body, and at that moment, he had never felt so right in the world. He knew he had made the perfect decision, and was so looking forward to spending the rest of his life with her.Sa
Vowed (Book #7 in the Vampire Journals) CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
Scarlet stormed out of the castle, Ruth by her side, and marched over the footbridge, determined to track down Polly and make sure she was safe. Scarlet had been sure about her premonition. With each passing day, she felt her powers grow stronger, felt herself able to see more clearly into the future—and she knew she was right. In fact, she had brought her bow and arrow with her, had snatched it off the training ground, along with a small quiver of arrows. Scarlet felt confident in her own skill as an archer, reinforced by everyone’s praise on the training grounds, and she felt that she could be of help in protecting Polly from whatever it was that was coming for her.Besides, Scarlet did not like taking orders from anybody, or just sitting around the castle, confined—especially when she felt something bad might happen to others. And she wasn’t afraid. In fact, she never felt afraid. The only thing she felt afraid of was not being allowed to take action of her own.Scarlet jogged dow
Vowed (Book #7 in the Vampire Journals) CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT
As Polly headed down the hill to the lake, clutching her white, silk dress, she felt a terrible foreboding. Scarlet’s words still lingered with her, and Polly marveled at how such a young child could speak with such authority. Polly had a creepy, ominous feeling that would not go away; she looked over her shoulder at the castle, for good measure, and wondered briefly if she should turn back. But she realized she was being ridiculous. Legions of Aiden’s warriors, and of the King’s warriors, stood guard in every direction. She looked back at the lake, and saw nothing but clear skies and open water. They were in a remote place, heavily fortified, hundreds of miles from any possible harm. And Sam would be back in just a few hours. Everything looked absolutely normal, and there was no sign of danger anywhere in sight. Besides, she had a dress which needed washing, and it wouldn’t take very long.Polly turned and continued down the gently sloping hill, towards the lake. As she did, the sk
