Until we meet again, and we will meet again, for I shall insist on visiting the children. Yes, children. I could not let the Morrigan rob you of your precious child.
A x
Ella read the letter over and over, absorbing the words from Lady Tenille—or rather, Ariana—in complete astonishment. A pounding started inside her head at what she had learned and the significance it would mean for her future and that of her family. A future that would call for her to lead a group of strangers, the numbers unknown. She couldn’t remain in bed; she needed more answers and yet when she pushed the sheet back and stared at her rounded belly, she caught sight of the angry scar on her shoulder.
She mentioned scars.
Lifting her nightgown, she stared at the crisscross of marks slashed over her side, one right across her belly, and she traced them with her finger. More marks littered her leg, and she blew out a long breath. Right then, a quick patter of footsteps sounded out and Nate ran at the bed, jumping and clambering to get onto the mattress.
Marcus leaned over and lifted him up. “Easy now, son. Mom needs to rest.”
Nate crawled over to her side and she wrapped her arm around, tucking him to her side as he stared at her wide-eyed with his big blue eyes.
“You died…you better now?” he asked, tilting his head to peer at her.
Taken aback by his words, she thought back to the fight, and those precious last moments, seeing the scene clearly as she dropped to the ground. She thought she had died, and she sniffed, shaking her head at what had taken place.
“I’m much better now, and more so for seeing you, my little hero. You may not be able to understand yet, but you did a very brave thing, Nate. You helped Mummy defeat a bad lady, and Dad did too.”
Nate nodded as he snuggled in, laying his arm over her belly and prodding it with his finger. “Is she all right?”
Ella smiled and looked at Nate, shocked. She had never known the sex of the baby and yet right now, with all things considered, she sensed Nate would be right somehow. Marcus arched his brow and smiled too. At that moment, the baby kicked, which seemed to confirm that fact; either way, she didn’t mind. After believing she had miscarried and yet now to have this life growing inside her, she felt blessed. “Yes, she will be fine.”
“Come on, champ. You need some sleep. Kiss Mom good night.”
Nate kissed Ella.
“He doesn’t have to go yet. I’m not sleepy at all and I need to ask you about the letter.”
Marcus sat on the bed, running a hand through his wavy hair. “I knew that would be the case. It’s a lot to take in, I know, and I’ve had a few days to think it all through. Honestly, it’s for the best. Nate’s powers are emerging far quicker than any of our kind before, and with another child on the way, we will always be a target. Living permanently in the human realm is dangerous. Here in Arandell…well, it’s the haven you’ve been searching for.”
She grabbed Nate’s tiny hand and clutched it; his soft skin and small fingers latched on to hers and she knew he was right.
“When you’re stronger, I will show you around and I know you will love it. Everyone here is eager to meet you. There are some two hundred and fourteen soul-shifters living here, and the number’s increasing. We can make a good life here for our family.”
The fact she was in a place she had never been before blew her mind. There were many questions she needed to ask, but one pressed the most. “In the letter, Ariana says I’m to lead the Ancient Ones and you will continue to lead Orion. How will any of this work? And why will strangers I have never met before listen to anything I have to say?”
Marcus laughed and smoothed his hand over Nate’s head as he rested into Ella’s side, falling asleep. “We’ll tackle this as we do with everything—one day at a time. You’ll be surprised by what the people here do know of you, of us. They have been waiting for you. I would be more worried about how Roman and Jake will manage when we’re not there.”
“What about Steel?”
“He’s around, there’s no getting rid of that old goat. But he’s taking some time to be with Raine, and then as Lady Tenille is no longer leading the Assembly, the members voted for him to take charge. They were impressed with the way he brought all the creatures together and well, he’s accepted.”
“Wow…the Assembly. Where are the headquarters?”
“They have an official building in New York, but apparently there are many sites across the globe and in different realms, which means he’ll be traveling. And when he’s not, I suspect he will be with Raine on the island.”
Ella nodded. Everything had fallen into place, except one thing. “What news of Isabella?”
Marcus leaned over, resting his hands on either side of her baby bump, and sighed. “None. Roman is searching for her. I’m sure we’ll hear soon. I need to show you something from Ariana.”
He left her side and strolled over to a table underneath the large window and lifted up the silver sword. When he spun around, he twisted the metal, catching the light as it shone in the room and walked back to her side. “The language inscribed on the sword is Sanskrit.” He rubbed his fingers over the ancient symbols and the meaning appeared like wisps of smoke.
“Reach out and claim your destiny…” Ella said.
Their eyes met and he grinned.
“I’m here…I’m your
