Destiny of Three (8 page)

Star, River, and Sky watched as the guards took their places inside the house.  They all acted like they were going to their bedrooms to lay down; then they’d sneak out the windows. 

River waited until she saw Star hiding behind the tree before she started climbing out of her window.  Her mates would kill her if they found out what they were doing without them and without the guards.  They didn’t have much time to practice, but they’d put every minute to good use. 

River was just about out before her pants got caught on the window frame and she fell head-first into the snow.  She heard Star gasp.  When she looked up, her sister had clamped her palm over her mouth to hold in her laughter.  Sky ran over and helped River up, but he also had a smile on his face. 

She could feel the wet snow dripping off her face as she looked up at her brother, who was trying not to grin. But it was Star’s giggling that made River flip her off.  Unfortunately, that only made Star laugh more. 

Sky turned around and put his finger over his mouth, but she could still see the partial smile across his lips.

They needed to hurry, because her mates would be home soon.  They ran through the woods to a spot Sky loved to visit.  They all knew where he went to think; one of the guards had told Jonas that they followed Sky and he always went to the same spot to read by the pond.

“Okay, we still have to keep our voices down so we don’t attract anyone who goes outside on patrol,” River began.  “Let’s start with you, Star.  Try to remember what was going on in your dream and what the vampire told you to do.” 

Star walked away from them and held out her hands, pointing them away from the house just in case something did happen.  If she starting shoot out electricity, she didn’t want it to hurt anyone. 

“Concentrate on something coming out of your hands,” River suggested. 

Star tried to think about something coming out of her palms, and then her thoughts went crazy.  She started thinking about slime shooting out, which made her lose every bit of her concentration.  

She dropped her hands and shook them out.  Why couldn’t she concentrate? 

“Star.”  She turned around, and Sky had River around the neck with a knife to her throat.  “Now point your hands toward the water and think about that vampire cutting your sister’s face, or mine.  How are you going to protect us?  Protect us, Star!” Sky yelled. She could feel the anger building up inside her as she turned back around and pointed her hands toward the water. Then she closed her eyes and pictured the vampire holding River down, cutting into her face. 

She could feel her hands turning warmer as she thought about it, and then water flew up and hit her in the face.  She opened her eyes; the pond water was rippling as if someone jumped in and made a big splash.

She turned around and saw that River and Sky both had shocked looks on their faces.  River tried to speak, but couldn’t get anything out.  “What, what happened?”  Star asked.

Nobody said anything until she asked again, “What happened?  I had my eyes closed.”

“Electricity shot out of your hands,” Sky muttered, staring at her.

“No way,” Star boomed.

Both River and Sky nodded. 

Sky turned around, listening to something.  “We need to go.  I think your mates just pulled up.” 

Star started walking back to the house.  She could still feel the warmth in her hands.  River continued to stand in the same place, not moving. 

“Come on, before they get curious.”  Star grabbed her sister’s hand and started running toward the cabin. 

When they got close they stopped and watched Reece and Jonas get out of their vehicle and go into the house.  “What are we going to say now?  They’re already in the house,” Star asked.  She glanced over at River, who was staring out into space.

“I’ve got an idea — just go with it.”  Star pulled River out of the woods and into the front yard.  Fresh snow had fallen early that morning, and it was sticky enough to build a snowman.

Star bent down and grabbed a handful of snow.  “If they ask, we walked around back to look at the mountains on that side then we came back and started a snowball fight.”  She squeezed the snow into a ball and then threw it at River, hitting her in the face. 

She looked over at her brother, who was smiling as the snow dripped down their sister’s face.  Without waiting for her to say anything, Sky reached down and picked up more snow and then tossed it at River, hitting her again in the face. 

River narrowed her eyes at both of them, reached down and picked up two handfuls of snow, then took a running leap and slammed it on Star’s head. 

The fight was on.  Reece and Jonas must have heard them screaming and laughing at each other, because they ran out onto the porch.  They stood in shock as the three siblings threw snowballs at each other.

Star didn’t give River’s mates any reprieve; she hurled a couple balls of snow in their direction.  She laughed harder and ran when Reece and Jonas jumped down from the porch and started throwing snowballs back at them.  They glanced at each other for a moment before they ganged up on Jonas and Reece, bombarding them with packed snow. 

They must have looked like a bunch of crazy kids by the time a vehicle pulled up and Larsen, Larken, Ash, and Sullivan Grayson got out.  Everyone was smiling except Sullivan.  He simply stared at them. 

****

It can’t be.  No, no, please don’t let it be him.
  Sullivan remembered what Regis Yulson had said to him: “When the Powerful Three came to me in my visions, I couldn’t see their faces, but I could tell they were two women and a man.  They live together somewhere where it snows.  I saw them playing in the snow together, with a beautiful log cabin behind them.  Whoever built the cabin has a lot of money; it was one of the most luxurious cabins I’ve ever seen.  The rock pillars had to be brought in.  It must be a billionaire’s home.” 

Sullivan looked around and saw that the cabin was indeed extraordinary.  Only someone with lots of money could build something of this magnitude.  On the way up the mountain, Ash had informed him that Reece was the Prime over the vampires in this area and that he was her uncle.  She mentioned that he lived in a beautiful cabin overlooking the mountains. 

Sullivan watched as Sky and his sisters played in the snow.  Everything Regis had seen in his vision was playing out in front of him. He knew what would happen if Regis got ahold of Sky; he would make him suffer until he got what he wanted. 

He would hurt one of them to get Sky to do what he wanted, and even though they’d just met, Sullivan knew him well enough to know that the man would do anything for his family.

“You okay, Sullivan?”  Ash asked, glancing over at him.

“Ahh, yes,” Sullivan answered, but he wasn’t okay — he felt fear creep up his body like a snake. 
Not Sky,
was all he could think, over and over.  He needed to leave this place so Regis couldn’t find him or Sky.  If the vampire got close enough, he’d be able to sense him and follow him to his friends. 

Before he realized what was happening a snowball hit him in the face.  He turned and watched as everyone laughed, including Sky.  He hadn’t seen the man this unguarded before.  He saw happiness on all of their faces as he glanced around. 

This time Star hit him with a snowball, and then Sky hit him again.  He reached down and picked up some snow and threw it in Sky’s direction.  It hit him on the back of the head.  Reece started laughing until his mate River hit him in the face.  He chased her around, then tackled her to the ground and kissed her.  She giggled the whole time.  Sullivan was in awe of all of them as they chased each other and laughed.  He hadn’t seen people having this much fun since he left his pack.

“Come on in everyone, I put some beef stew on this morning and it should be done,” Jonas announced.  Sullivan watched as everyone started moving toward the house.  He needed to leave tomorrow before Yulson found him.  These were people he cared about, and he would never let someone hurt them; Regis Yulson would do just that.

For the first time in his life, he didn’t want to find what he was paid to search for, especially when it was Sky. 

“You have a frown line between your eyes.  Is something wrong?” Sky asked. 

Sullivan could hear the concern in Sky’s voice as he walked over and stood in front of him.  Sky lightly ran his fingertip across the line.  His touch felt wonderful. 

“Are you coming in?”  River yelled from the door.  Sky lowered his hand and turned, waiting for Sullivan to accompany him to the house.  He would cherish this night they had together; hopefully it wouldn’t be the only one they had.  He needed to lead Regis far away from Freedom, Colorado. The vampire would never get his hands on Sky Johnson or his sisters.  Sullivan would die before he allowed that to happen. 

“I’ve got some sweatpants upstairs if you want to let your clothes dry.  It’ll be more comfortable than sitting around wet,” Sky offered.  Sullivan nodded and followed Sky inside the house. 

“It’s beautiful,” he acknowledged as he walked inside.  The cabin’s interior was huge, with large log beams stretched across the ceiling.  His eyes widened at the stone fireplace that was centered in the middle of the room.  It looked the same as the one in the lodge. 

“I felt the same way when I first walked inside this house.  I got lost the first time I was here, but it’s home now.”  Sky explained as he lingered on the staircase, watching Sullivan take it all in.

Sky waited for him then escorted him upstairs to his bedroom, took out some sweatpants and a shirt and laid them on the bed.

He was amazed at how detailed the woodcarvings sitting around his room were. “You did these?”

“Yes,” Sky answered. 

Sky had started to walk out when Sullivan stopped him.  “Aren’t you going to help me get out of these wet clothes?” he asked.  He waited to see what Sky would do.  He never expected the man to turn around and slam him up against the wall. 

“You’ve been taunting me since we met.  Don’t underestimate me, Sullivan.”  Sky grabbed his shirt and lifted it halfway, waiting for him to raise his arms.  He gave them both what they wanted and lifted his arms up so Sky could pull it over his head. 

Both of them stared at each other until Sky lowered his head and kissed his chest.  Sullivan gasped as Sky looked up at him.  His heart was beating so fast.  He’d never felt like this before; he couldn’t understand why this man affected him so much. 

“You’re dripping all over my floor.  You need to take your pants off.”  Sky pushed off the wall, watching and waiting.

Sullivan smiled.  Yes, he could get use to this.  He unbuttoned his pants and pushed them down as he continued to stare at Sky.  His friend had been brave a few minutes ago, but now Sky’s breathing picked up and he started to back up.

“You look like you need to get some dry clothes on, too.  Go get dry,” Sullivan told him, but Sky didn’t move, continuing to watch him take his pants off.  God, he wanted this man, but not here and not now.  He had to get as far away from here as he could before Regis found him and the Powerful Three.

****

Sky closed his eyes then took in a deep breath.  When he opened them again, Sullivan had already taken his pants and underwear off.  There he stood in all his glory, and what a sight it was —  the man’s erection was huge, and it was sticking straight up toward him. 

He did the only thing he could do, which was to smile then back up toward the bathroom.  When he was close to the door he turned around, walked in, and closed the door behind him.  He knew that Sullivan had a great sense of hearing, so he didn’t make a sound. 

He sat down on the toilet seat with his head in his hands.  He wanted this man more then he’d ever wanted anything in his life.  He was attracted to women too, but Sullivan did it for him, and by the looks of it, Sullivan wanted him too.

“Knock, knock.”  Sky almost jumped out of his skin. 

“Sky, supper is done and we’re waiting on you.”  River advised. 

“Okay, I’m changing clothes then I’ll be down.  Don’t wait on me,” he answered.

“Are you kidding?  They’ll probably have already eaten everything by the time I get back downstairs.”  River giggled.  Sky could hear her closing his bedroom door.

He dressed quickly.  He wanted to talk to Sullivan more.

As Sky walked down the stairs he could hear the laughter.  Jonas was at it again, telling stories.  He loved it here, and now Sullivan was here in his home and that feeling hammered at his heart for some reason.  This man pulled at all the emotional strings he had, including lust. 

Sky walked into the kitchen, ladled out some stew and went and sat at the table.  He glanced up at Sullivan, who was smiling and listening to Jonas.  Sullivan’s smile was genuine as he watched him interact with his family.  Sullivan’s life had to be fun.  His green eyes glimmered as he laughed at Jonas’s story.

Better still was the fact that Sullivan had on the clothes he’d worn last night.  Images of lounging around on the couch with a fire going as they snuggled together watching TV flashed through Sky’s mind. 

Could he have a life with a mate?  He wondered if Sullivan would stick around and see where this might lead.  For the first time, he hoped.  Emotions flared inside him as he thought about having a family of his own, like his sister did. 

“Okay Sullivan, we all know what you do for a living, and we want to hear about all your travels and what you’ve done.  Tell us something exciting,” Ash demanded.

Sky watched as his family all turned toward Sullivan, waiting for him to start.  He couldn’t stop the way his body gravitated toward him, wanting to be closer.  He also wanted to hear about his travels.

****

“Tell us about finding the Tomb of Sindrid Abner,” Reece suggested.

Sullivan smiled. “Vampires have always intrigued me, even as a little pup.  Well, I got very curious one day and started researching them.  I’ve met a lot of your people during my life and at one time or another the name King Sindrid Abner has always come up, but nobody knew what he looked like or had ever seen him.  However, they all continued to call him their king.  The story that I was told was that the king died, and his guards buried him in a tomb with the Book of Primal Elders.  Now, I had learned that unless you cut off a vampire’s head or burn him to death he can’t die, but nobody knows about King Abner.  Surely, I thought, being the first vampire would make him stronger and allow him to live forever.  So, being the curious wolf that I am, I started looking for anything I could get my hands on about King Abner.”

“I know in the early days we had a lot of fires where almost everything was burned regarding the king, but there’s still a lot out there.  How did you find where he was buried?”  Reece asked.

“Well, during my travels I came across a man who worked for him.  He said he’d worked a long time for the king, until one day he came to work and the king and his guards had disappeared. He said that the whole time he worked for the king, he never smiled or looked happy.  One day he asked him why he was so sad.  And to his surprise, the king told him that he was lonely.  The worker thought it was unfortunate that someone who could have it all couldn’t have what he wanted the most.” 

“What?” Ash whispered.

Sullivan leaned closer to Ash with a solemn look on his face.  “He didn’t have love.  He was lonely for a mate.  He wanted to be in love with someone and live life with her and have children, but he never found her.  Now, you realize that this man lived during biblical times and he grew tired of waiting.  He said he was going to go home and go to sleep until his mate awakened him.”  Sullivan frowned when he glanced over and River and Ash were crying.

“Why are you crying?”  Sullivan hadn’t expected to make anyone cry.  He hated it when women cried.

“That’s so sad.  He lived for such a long time but never found a mate.”  River wiped the tears from her face. Sullivan watched as Reece and Jonas put their arms around her. 

“Remember what we told you in the beginning — that we may not ever find our mate, and that’s why we fought for you so strongly?  We’d finally found our happiness.”  Jonas explained to River.

“Yes, it was sad at first, but when I found his tomb, it was empty. Which made me believe that he’s still out there somewhere, looking for his mate.  Who knows, he may be looking for her today, or he may have already found her.  Now that would be a great love story.”  Sullivan winked at River when she smiled at the new ending.

Ash yawned, leaning against her mate, Larken.  Sullivan liked all of these people.  They’d welcomed him into their homes as if they’d known him for years, even though he was a just a complete stranger.  How odd and wonderful.  He wasn’t used to this type of friendship, but he hoped that it was going to be a lasting one.

“Come on baby, let’s get you home.”  Larken kissed the side of Ash’s head and helped her out of her seat.  Sullivan grabbed his bowl and took it into the kitchen. 

He had his back to the door, but he heard Sky’s soft steps as he entered the kitchen.  “I like your stories.” 

“You do?” Sullivan asked.

“You need to write them down someday.” Sky came and stood beside him as he put his bowl in the dishwasher.  “Maybe you could take some time off and stay here in Freedom and write,” he suggested.  It broke his heart when he turned around and saw the expression on Sky’s face.  He actually wanted him to stay. 

He leaned against the sink as the wall around his heart cracked.  “I wish I could.”  The smile that was on Sky’s face a few moments ago disappeared.  Sullivan could see the walls going back up around him. 

“This job that I took has me on a very tight schedule.  I have to get back on the road,” Sullivan said reluctantly.

“Yeah, I understand.  Hey, it was nice meeting you,” Sky said, then quickly walked away as River and Ash entered into the kitchen.  Sullivan could see the hurt flash in his eyes before he pulled those shutters back up around his heart protecting him.

Hurting Sky was never what he intended, but he also knew what was out there hunting them, and he was going to lead Yulson as far away from here as he could.

“Did I hear you say that you were leaving?” Ash asked.

Sullivan smiled.  “Yeah, I’ve got to go back to work.  I didn’t mean to stay as long as I have, but…”

“You met us,” Ash said giving him an out.  River didn’t say anything, but he knew how she felt already.  She turned and looked at the door that Sky had left through. 

“Yes, ma’am.  All of you were a very welcome surprise.  I hope that one day I can come back here.  I wish I could stay, but I already gave my word.”  Sullivan wanted to add that he’d given his blood, too, but he couldn’t tell them anything about Regis Yulson.  They wouldn’t understand if they found out that it was Sullivan looking for them.

Now that he’d met them he couldn’t understand it himself.  He would gladly give all the money up if Regis would leave them alone, but he knew it wasn’t about the money to that man.  No, it was about power, and having them would give him that.

“You ready baby?”  Larsen walked into the kitchen.  “Are you ready, Sullivan?  I know that you said that you were going to leave tomorrow if your truck was finished.” 

“Let’s hope Spike has it ready,” Larsen said, then kissed his mate on the top of her head.  “Thank you for dinner, River.”

“You’re welcome.  I’m a very lucky girl, since my mate loves to cook and he’s always looking up recipes and trying them out.  Anytime you guys want to come and be food testers just let me know.  He always cooks too much.  Here, let me get some of this packed up so you can take some to Mary.  I know how much she loves Jonas’s stew.  I hate that she already had plans tonight, but she’ll love this for tomorrow.”

Sullivan walked out while River packed up the food.  He wanted to at least try and explain to Sky that he wanted to come back here one day and see him.  He went into the living room, but didn’t see him.  He took a chance and walked upstairs to look in his room, but he wasn’t there either. 

He should have told him before he left; now he might never get the chance.  Sullivan clenched his teeth at the thought of never seeing Sky again.  “You ready?” Larsen asked. 

Dammit.  They were leaving and he needed to clear this up with Sky.  “Have you seen Sky?  I want to tell him good-bye,” Sullivan asked River. 

“I think he said he was going to work on something back at the shop.  He does that when he has something in his head he wants to get out,” River told him.  She looked up at him and frowned. 

“I need to tell him that once this job is finished, I’ll be coming back here to stay.”  Sullivan needed for Sky’s sister to understand that.  He just had to draw Regis away from them first.

He could tell that River was struggling with something before she spoke, “Go to the back door at the furniture store downtown and knock.  He’ll see you in the security cameras.  If he lets you in, make it count, but if he doesn’t open the doors, then… Well, I don’t know.”  River broke eye contact with him.  “I hope you do come back here, Sullivan, and make this your home.  But if my brother is just a fling, please just leave tomorrow and don’t come back.”

Sullivan watched as River walked away.  He hated that she didn’t trust him, but he also understood why.  They’d all been through a lot, according to Mary.  He made his way out the door telling everyone good-bye.

As they started down the mountain, Sullivan realized he couldn’t leave without saying something to Sky.  “Hey, will you drop me off downtown?  I’ll get a taxi back to the lodge,” Sullivan asked Larken, who just glanced over at his brother then nodded.  Everyone had to know where he was going, but they didn’t say anything.  Ash sat in the back seat with a smile on her face. 

“Stop grinning like you know something.”  Sullivan nudged Ash, who continued to smile at him. 

Nobody said anything when Larken pulled up at the furniture store.  As Sullivan opened the door to get out, Ash put her hand on his arm. “Remember that Sky has been through a lot, so be careful with him.”  Sullivan nodded.  He could see the concern on all of their faces as he got out of the vehicle. 

“Thank you all for your kindness and help.  I’ll be back as soon as this job is done.  See you soon.”  Sullivan didn’t wait for them to reply. 

****

Sullivan walked around to the back of the store and knocked hard.  He looked up at the surveillance camera and stared at it, praying that Sky would let him in.  He needed to make this right before he left. 

For a moment nothing happened, and then he heard the door click open.  Sullivan smiled as he opened the door and inhaled, following Sky’s scent.  His wolf wanted to hunt, and the further he got into the building the more powerful the scent became.  He could see a light on down at the end of the hallway. 

He pushed the door open; Sky was leaning up against his desk, waiting.  Sullivan had only wanted to talk, but seeing him brought about an urgency to feel and taste him.  He needed him more than life.  He rushed forward and hugged Sky, then pulled away and nuzzled against his face and neck.  Covering him in his scent became a necessity.

Sullivan’s voice was filled with emotion when he spoke. “I had to find you and tell you that I’ll be coming back here, to see you.  I needed you to know that.  I never thought I would ask anyone to wait on me, but I’m asking you.  Will you wait on me, Sky?”  Sullivan waited for his answer, praying it would be yes.

He looked up and gazed into Sky’s eyes, fearful that he was going to say no, when he heard Sky say the sweetest word: “Yes.”

Sullivan pulled him closer and hugged him tightly.  “Thank you.”  He nuzzled the side of Sky’s neck and whispered in his ear, “I want you to know that I’ve never felt this way about anyone.  You mean a lot to me.” 

He could feel Sky smile into his chest.  “You mean a lot to me too.”

“I don’t want to go, but I have to.”  Sullivan pulled away, something telling him to warn Sky and his sisters in case something happened to him.  “Watch out for strangers, Sky.  Stay away from them.” 

Sky narrowed his eyes at Sullivan.  “What does that mean?” he asked. 

“I needed to tell you that.  Just take care of yourself, and if you need me just call me.  I’ve got to get packed and get a couple hours of sleep, because I’m going to be on the road all day.”

“What type of job are you doing?” Sky looked concerned.

“I’m looking for someone in Alaska,” he answered.

“When will you be back?”  Sky asked.  Sullivan could tell he wanted more answers, but he couldn’t give him any. 

“I don’t know yet, but I’ll call you every night.”  Sullivan backed away toward the door.  “Just remember what I said, and be careful.”

“What aren’t you telling me?  I can tell that you’re not telling me something,” Sky said.  His brows furrowed as he stared at Sullivan.

“It’s nothing; I just worry about you and want you to be careful.  There are a lot of strange people out there.  I’ve got to go,” Sullivan reassured him, but he could tell that Sky wasn’t buying it.

Sullivan opened the door, but then turned back around and asked again, “Wait for me.”  He prayed that Sky would.  He knew he shouldn’t ask him to wait, because he didn’t know how long he would be gone, but the smile on Sky’s face gave him hope, and that was all he needed.

“I will,” Sky promised.  Sullivan thought about staying one more day, but he couldn’t risk it.  He’d already stayed too long, and the thought of Regis finding Sky killed him.  He smiled and walked out, closing the door behind him.