Calling for a Miracle [The Order of Vampyres 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) (56 page)

Bishop King drew in a long slow breath. “I do not know what to say.”

“Do you believe me now? About Isaiah?”

“Oh, there is no need for you to persuade me. I saw him.”

“What?”

“Yes, in the woods. His strength has grown and he is incredibly fast. Being that he is still younger than me, I can only attribute his strength to his diet. I assume he has been feeding off humans more than anything else.”

“What do you intend to do?”

“I intend to have him hunted and destroyed.”

Cain sat a bit straighter in his chair. “Let me do it.”

“I cannot.”

“Sure you can. Just give me the go-ahead. I am perfect for the job. I have no ties here and I never will.”

“You have a family to consider.”

“Siblings, yes. I assume you are aware of my parents’ predicament. As far as anyone else, I have no one, nor will I ever. My one chance at a future with my true mate is long gone. There is no one waiting for me here.”

“I cannot allow you to place yourself in danger.”

“Why not?” Cain was getting frustrated. “Someone will have to risk it. Who knows how many of these things there are out there? It must be dealt with and I am volunteering to do the job. I have nothing, no purpose in this world, no destiny to fulfill. Let this be my destiny.”

The bishop sighed. “It is not as easy as simply sending you out to start a one-man war. What of this bond you share with your brother’s mate? What if you are injured and she somehow loses the babe due to your foolishness?”

“I would not allow that to happen.”

“Your family would disapprove and they would hold me responsible for allowing you to go.”

Cain’s brow puckered. “Since when do you care what my family thinks of you? You’re the bishop.”

“Oh, I am aware of what I am and as of late I have found it quite necessary not to upset certain relatives of yours.”

He shook his head. “Look, I am not staying here. I have things to finish out there. I don’t know if I will ever fully be back on the farm for good. There is no way I can just ignore this. I could lie to you and say that I will stay out of it, but you and I both know that’s bullshit.”

“Watch your mouth in my presence.”

“Sorry. Bishop King, you have to let me at least try. People are being hurt, losing loved ones.” He thought of Cybil and Dane. “This cannot continue. It is our responsibility to stop it.”

The bishop gave a resigned sigh and Cain knew he was gaining headway. “All right. I will give you some time to do what you can. You will
stay clear
of harm’s way. Is that understood? You will also leave a vial of your blood with me. Do not think that you are without authority. I do not care how much you tend to disregard our traditions. You are a member of this order and as such you will follow our laws. If I feel you have gone too far, I personally will ingest your blood and track you down. Do not think you are elusive enough to escape me, Cain. You are not.”

“Deal.”

“Now, you said you had other matters to discuss with me.”

Cain shifted uncomfortably. “My father bonded with his mate last night. At least that was his intention when I left him.”

“Good.”

“He will not be bringing her back with him.”

“With him? He intends to leave his mate?”

“He intends to do as she asked of him and let her go. She wishes to…join her husband as much as my father wishes to reconcile with my mother.”

“As much as that sounds good, I am afraid your father will find it impossible to leave his mate.”

Cain did not wish to condemn his father by confessing his intentions to the bishop. Rather, he just let the topic drop. “I was just informing you on what has been happening with that. Anyway, I guess you could say this has to do with the Isaiah stuff. Um, my uncle may have murdered a woman who left behind two children. They are orphans.”

“It is unfortunate we could not stop him before that happened.”

“Right. Well, I brought them back to the farm so they could live here.”

Bishop King shot forward in his seat. “What?”

“I brought them back with me.”

“Are you out of your mind? No! Absolutely not! I will not allow it. This time you have gone too far. I expect them gone by nightfall.”

“They have nowhere to go,” Cain pleaded.

“That is not our problem.”

“It is our fault their mother died.”

“But not our fault they lost their father as well. I am sorry. They have my sympathy, but that is all I can afford to offer them. There is no place here for them.”

“My grandfather has agreed to shelter and watch over them.”

“Cain—”

“Fine. It’s not just that Isaiah killed their mother. Their grandmother is my father’s mate. She told my father she would only bond with him if he took custody of the children.”

“So why, once the bonding is done, does she not take them back?”

“She can’t.”

The bishop growled. “Why not?”

Cain swallowed. “She’ll be dead.”

“Excuse me?”

“She’ll…she…it is her choice.”

“And how, pray tell, does she expect to kill herself once she is immortal?”

“My father plans to help her,” Cain mumbled.

The bishop began mumbling in French. He was pinching the bridge of his nose tightly and shaking his head. Cain did not know if he should say something, wait it out, or maybe just leave. Finally, after forking his fingers through his hair and leaving it uncharacteristically standing on end, the bishop looked up at him and muttered, “Your family is going to be the death of me.”

“Uh…sorry?”

Bishop King breathed in a deep breath through his nose and let it out his mouth with an audible huff. “Here is what’s going to happen.
If
your father returns, he will be responsible for these children. When they are old enough to take care of themselves—How old are they?”

“Ten and sixteen.”

The bishop groaned. “When they are old enough to take care of themselves, their memories of being here will be wiped and they will be deposited back into English society.” Cain was about to interrupt, but the bishop held up a hand, halting his protests. “If that is not acceptable to you, then they can leave tonight. If your father does not return by the end of the month, then you will put away all fantasies of your one-man battalion and return to the farm where you will take on the role as these children’s father.”

“You expect me to act as their father?”

“Yes. I will be sure to find you a cigar.”

Cain wanted to argue, but he really had run out of arguments. If his father didn’t return, someone would have to be responsible for the kids, especially sweet, little Cybil. He would just have to leave tonight to begin searching for Isaiah and pray that he find him before month’s end. “Fine.”

“Good. Now, if we are done here—”

“Not just yet, Bishop.” The man looked as though he wanted to wring his neck. “I have one more item to discuss.”

“Proceed,” he said, tiredly waving his hand.

“Why is my sister here?”

The bishop froze. The corner of his mouth twitched. Slowly he raised his eyes to Cain and a wicked smirk spread across his face. “Why, Cain, have you not heard?”

Cain frowned. “Heard what?”

“About Larissa,” the bishop said, still wearing an oddly cheerful expression Cain had never seen on him before.

“What about Larissa?”

“She’s my mate.”

Cain froze. He had to have misunderstood. He looked at the bishop who was now watching him with a full-blown smile. “What?”

“You understand. She and I are bonded. Her marriage to Silus was annulled and tonight we will be wed. Congratulations! You now have another brother.”

* * * *

Cain left the bishop’s office in a daze. His sister was mated to Bishop King. There were just some things in life one could never prepare for. As he found his way out of the long hall and back to the main house, he had forgotten all about Larissa’s request to speak to him and was halfway out the door when he heard her say his name.

“Cain?”

Cain looked over his shoulder slowly and his sister grinned as she sucked in a breath and ran down the stairs. He had barely turned when she had propelled herself off of the ground and into his arms. He grunted as he caught her.

“Oh, you’re back! I have so much to tell you! You are never going to believe what has happened.”

He kissed her cheek and placed her back on the floor. “Let me guess. The bishop found you and confessed that you were his mate. You then bonded with the old fellow, he taught you the finer arts of lovemaking, you returned home, faced the council, were attacked by that wretched husband of yours, he was sent away, and now you plan to marry the bishop and have lots and lots of babies, where at least four will bear their Uncle Cain’s name?”

She frowned at him. “You spoke to Eleazar.”

“Eleazar? Well, look at you. You have made yourself right at home, calling the bishop by his familiar name.”

She playfully swatted his arm. “I wanted to tell you the news.”

He could not disguise his happiness for her. He smiled and affectionately pinched her chin. In a softer voice he said, “Well now, my sweet Larissa, there is a merry light in your eyes that I had never thought to see again. Happiness suits you. I am glad you have found it. Tell me, are you pleased with the choice God has made for you then?”

She blushed demurely and looked down as she slightly nodded. “I am.”

“Then I am happy for you.”

After a few moments of recovering from the sentimental exchange, she finally looked toward the door. “You’re leaving?”

“I must. I have volunteered my services to The Order and I have two charges now under my wing as well. There is much to do and I only have a short time to prepare.”

“Prepare? For what? And what do you mean you have two charges under your wing?”

“Larissa, do you know what has happened with Father?”