Authors: J. A. Saare
"What do you propose, Caleb Nathaniel Blackney?” Decimus asked angrily.
"I'm taking Emma back home with me, where she belongs. You need not fear her or her abilities. It will remain her choice what path she chooses in this life, save one, that she will remain at my side through it."
"That is not an option, she must come with me. Her power is too volatile to be left to personal devices,” Decimus refused the offer, totally unyielding in his stance. He tried to step clear, pushed back by piercing teeth that nicked at his body.
"Then my challenge stands.” Caleb motioned toward the arena and the wolves broke the circle, converging around me instead.
An inky black head prodded my hand gently, a cold nose pressing gently against my hand. I ran my fingers through Sarah's fur, taking comfort in her presence.
Caleb didn't waste any time, pulling his shirt up and over his head. His body was more defined since last I'd seen him—muscles larger, leaner, and more apparent—months in the pit conditioning him just for this purpose. He cracked his neck and stood still, waiting.
Decimus came forward, energy surging around him. I reached out myself, pulling in what I could. The power trickled along my skin, storing inside of me, there if I needed it. Sarah whined, feeling the shift of particles through my hand.
They clashed, Decimus reaching for Caleb's throat and grasping instantaneously—he was faster. Caleb's fist came up, delivering a solid blow to his side and something snapped, forcing him to let go—he was stronger.
They staggered apart for a moment and the air crackled around Decimus. He dropped his hand to the injured ribcage, using his power to heal, causing the cracked bone to mend. They collided a second time, Caleb delivering a brutal punch to his jaw. Decimus used energy to force Caleb back, staggering his powerful body back several feet. They stared each other down, neither willing to look away first.
"Is that the best you can do?” Decimus taunted, collecting his energy, preparing to attack.
"Hardly,” Caleb growled as his body started to shift.
Those muscles expanded and grew across his stomach, chest, and shoulders. His bones cracked and moved under the skin, locking into place. His eyes changed, the indigo replaced with vivid ice blue. He doubled in size, his normal 6'3” height increasing by several inches.
Surprise crossed Decimus's face but vanished quickly. He rushed forward and I didn't feel the energy shift or expand. He pulled it inside as he trampled Caleb, charging his fists with power, crashing the deadly weapons down over and over.
Caleb couldn't stay the blows as they came down too hard and too fast. Decimus pushed his advantage, delivering brutal punches to the chest directly over his heart.
Caleb faltered, feet rickety.
Wood and pine, cedar and trees, filled the air; the scent strong, sweet, and delicious. My skin hummed, inside and out. The pack growled in unison, their power shifting outward, given freely to their struggling comrade.
Caleb's tanned hand lashed out, latching onto Decimus's throat. He forced him back, throwing his body forcefully into the grass, expelling him flat on his back.
Decimus delivered a power filled punch toward Caleb's face which he caught easily with his free hand. Caleb twisted the appendage until the wrist turned unnaturally, a horrific crack indicating he had shattered bone. He squeezed Decimus's throat, growling into his face.
"I could kill you right now, and no one would stop me,” Caleb snarled mercilessly, constricting his fingers, “No one comes after another's mate and lives. That is
our
law. But I am willing to extend an olive branch, for the sake of your people. You can yield and allow us to leave quietly, or I will end this right now. What's it going to be?"
The werewolves snapped and yipped, their bodies thrashing around my legs in a frenzied excitement.
They wanted blood; they wanted the kill.
"I yield."
Caleb released his hold and stood, the wolves dispersing and surrounding Decimus, anticipating anything that would provide an excuse to rip him apart. Excited growls carried on the wind, drifting down to the ocean.
Caleb's body shifted back into place. Skin melded with bones, returning to normal proportions as he ran his hand over his short hair. He faced the leaders of the houses. They studied him in amazement, eyes wide, appreciative but fearful.
"We are the ones that guard and protect your children and grandchildren. If you come for my mate again, our services will become non-existent, and you can take care of your descendants yourself. Am I making myself clear?"
Blace stepped forward, nodding. “We have all witnessed the challenge. Our laws regarding Absolutum Dominium are definite. If you are willing to shoulder the responsibility of her talents, then you are victorious this night. Go in peace."
"Good,” Caleb replied in a deep voice. “I consider the matter closed."
Caleb turned from the royals and his eyes found mine, our gazes locking together. Long seconds passed as we stared at each other, absorbing one another's faces after such a long time apart.
He hesitated, as if uncertain, and took a tentative step forward. I trembled, my heart breaking, but not from pain—happiness stealing my breath away. He was more beautiful than I remembered, more breathtaking than the memories I conjured. He seemed to move in slow motion, each step taking far too long.
I couldn't wait, stepping forward. One foot went in front of the other before I was running, flying across the grass.
He caught me as I jumped into his arms, crushing me against his chest. I breathed him in, dragging his scent down into my throat, clinging to him with desperate arms that wound around his neck. I was afraid I was dreaming, terrified I might wake up.
"That was the last time I'll abandon you, Emma, I swear,” he whispered hoarsely against my hair, cradling my head. I listened to his heart beating beside my ear, pressing my hand across the solid muscles in his chest.
"You came for me. That's all that matters,” I spoke through tears, pulling away to see his face.
Indigo eyes ravaged me, traveling across my eyes, lips, nose, and returning to meet my tearful but happy stare.
"I've missed you.” I sniffed, smiling as my fingers combed through his short hair.
"I love you.” He stared deeply into my eyes, wiping away warm tears with his hand.
My heart felt as if it burst inside my chest upon hearing those words, and my bottom lip trembled.
"Say that again, please,” I begged, eyes fluttering closed, holding my breath.
"I love you, Emma. God help me. I love you."
I smiled, peals of happy laughter coming from my throat as I pulled his face down to my own. “I love you, too."
We owed a debt to Trent—a huge one. As soon as Blace revealed Decimus's plan, he contacted Sam and explained how dire the situation was. Afterward, he helped coordinate the corresponding flights to get everyone together as quickly as possible—which wasn't easy. Time was short, leaving little to no wiggle room. Sarah, Derek, Billy, Haven, and Sam, all left Tennessee with the clothes on their backs, as did Caleb.
Decimus left the arena quietly, the heads of the houses departing along with him. It was obvious the werewolves unnerved them, and understandably so. Most of their unique abilities—such as necromancy and mind control—didn't affect werewolves. Even things like telepathy weren't a guarantee, just as it was with vampires.
I suppose supernatural creatures all emit their own protective shields.
Trent once explained that most truebloods didn't have a bundle of knowledge about werewolves. They sent people like him to take care of things in the states. They were too absorbed in their own doings to be concerned with other creatures.
I just hoped they continued to stay away.
And then there was Caleb, my wonderful and magnificent Caleb. It was impossible to be angry or upset with him, not after he'd come for me.
The minute Sarah told him about what was going to happen, he went ballistic. He was livid, terrified and angry with himself for ever conceiving I could be safer with anyone else. Derek joked they needed to tranq him on the flight as a precaution, in case he let loose in the plane and caused it to crash and burn.
My parents were more than happy to make his acquaintance, accepting that perhaps a life with vampires wasn't in my wheel of fate. My future was my own, and I knew exactly who I wished to share it with.
The one person I could never forget, no matter how hard I tried.
I felt like we'd never have time alone, impatient until everyone had been given private rooms. I brought Caleb to mine, nestling against him in the bed. All of the things in the past no longer mattered now that he was here, holding me in his arms once again.
I brushed my fingers along his silken eyebrows, down his nose and across his lips. The stubble on his face was thick and soft and I caressed his cheek with my hand, forging a path along his neck to his hair.
"I missed your touch,” he murmured and sighed blissfully, closing his eyes.
"I missed touching you,” I admitted quietly, smoothing his shorn locks and frowning.
"You don't like it short, do you?” He chuckled, opening his eyes to gaze up at my face.
I avoided answering his question. I'd take him bald if I had to.
"Why did you cut it?"
"It's how we mourn,” he answered simply, moving closer as my hands skimmed across his skin, brushing his chest against my arm.
"How you mourn?” I echoed.
"When we are mourning the loss of something significant, cutting our hair is an outward expression of that, so people know and understand."
"Like Derek?” I grasped what he was saying.
"Exactly.” He bobbed his head. “He had his hair shaved after he and Sarah separated."
"I'm glad it wasn't just hard for me,” I confessed softly, caressing his temple. “I thought it was easy for you."
He lifted up, pressing me into the mattress and looking down.
His face, voice, and eyes brimming with regret. “It wasn't easy for me. I promise you. Every minute killed me. Each night in that pit, every beating I took and gave, did nothing to alleviate or ease my suffering. And when Sarah called, scared to death about you...I couldn't think, I couldn't breathe. I was a fool to think I could let you go."
"Did you get my letter?"
He reached back, rifling in his jeans and producing an envelope. “I've carried it with me."
The love I felt inside erupted as I kissed him, his lips as soft as I remembered, full and warm. He groaned, merging his body into mine, his arm coming from underneath to cradle my head. I wrapped my arms around him, wishing I could absorb all of him inside of me so we would never be apart.
"We have plans to make.” He exhaled against my lips. “A trip of discovery, just you and me, wherever you want to go."
I opened my eyes and stared into his, a mischievous grin on my face. He cocked an eyebrow, grinning in kind.
"We do,” I agreed, leaning up again, desperate to feel his mouth on my own. “I'll be happy no matter where we go, as long as we're together."
"Hmm.” He grinned against my lips. “No special requests?"
"Just one.” I bit my lip, gazing deeply into those breathtaking indigo eyes. “That you will always love me."
"I will, Emma,” he whispered, pressing his forehead to mine, “Always."
Jaime Saare is a normal gal with a taste for the macabre. She started writing on the down low when she was in high school, keeping her work a carefully hidden secret—until now. In her spare time you can find her enjoying the simple pleasures in life, including: shooting a game of pool (straight eight, if you please), listening to her favorite band (NIN), or spending time relaxing with her husband and rambunctious brood.