Морган Райс - Betrayed

“The Shield?” Caitlin asked, amazed.

“The Sword can wipe out the human race,” he said, “and portions of the vampire race. But the Shield can save them both. And when you find your father—when you truly find your father—he will lead you to the Shield.”

Caitlin’s mind spun. It was so much to take in.

“So then…shouldn’t I be out there? Shouldn’t I be searching for him? For the Shield?”

Aiden shook his head again. “You still don’t understand. You will never find your father in this lifetime.”

Caitlin stared at him, shocked.

“What do you mean?”

“Your father lives in another time. Another century. The only way to find him would be to go back—backwards in time.”

Caitlin’s eyes opened wide. “Is that possible?” she asked.

“For a vampire it his. But it is not something to be done lightly. It comes with a great price.

Once you go backwards, there is no coming back to the present. Ever. Everything you know, anyone you know, any memory and experience—everything from this lifetime—will be completely wiped away. When you go back, you start all over again. It is irrevocable. Worse, not all vampires survive the trip. You could very well die by trying.

“And there is no guarantee that if you go back, you will find your father, or the Shield. You don’t know exactly which time or place he is in right now.”

Caitlin’s mind reeled as she sat there, considering the implications. Wipe out everything she knew. To wipe out Sam, and Caleb. This place. She couldn’t imagine doing that.

“As I said, you are exactly where you need to be right now,” he said. “You must heal fully, and you must train. Wherever you go, you cannot go forth unto you first become the very best you can be.”

He got up from behind the desk and stood before her. She stood, too, sensing that their meeting was coming to a close.

“I would like to have you in our family,” he said, “if it is something you choose to accept.”

Caitlin didn’t have to think hard about that. Not only was there no other alternative she could think of, but she really liked everything she already knew about this place.

“I would be honored,” she answered.

He smiled. “Excellent. Your training begins today.”

Caitlin stood in a large ring of vampires, all in a wide circle, in the inner courtyard of the castle.

The ground they stood on must have been a training ground, because the grass was all worn down and the floor was comprised of a dusty dirt. Caitlin could feel the heat coming off it on this unusually warm April day. The sun seemed to be shining stronger than she ever felt, even with her skin wraps on.

Her entire coven was out, all standing quietly in the circle, 24 in all. She scanned their faces, and was amazed at how different they all looked. Some were shorter, some taller, some with cropped hair, others with long hair, some with serious expressions and others looking more relaxed. It was split evenly between boys and girls—12 of each. They all looked to be in their teenage years, although she knew they were all far older than that. She couldn’t really see their faces clearly—it was hard to focus because she was too nervous. They all stood at attention, in perfect silence, waiting for Aiden to begin.

Aiden took several steps out to the center of the circle, and slowly looked around, surveying them all.

“My fellow beings,” Aiden began formally, “it brings me great honor to introduce a new member of our coven. You will do your best to make her feel at home here. She is one of us now.

Everyone, meet Caitlin Paine.”

Caitlin never did well in the spotlight, and she was embarrassed by all the attention. She was even more embarrassed to see all of the vampires slowly and formally bow their heads towards her.

Suddenly, Caitlin felt something brush up against her leg, and she looked down and was embarrassed to see Rose interrupting, stepping into the circle, and yelping.

Aiden smiled. “And, of course, how could we forget. Rose. It appears that she would like to be acknowledged, too.”

Rose yelped, and the coven laughed.

“OK then,” Aiden said, “it seems that we now have all 24 ½ members present.”

Rose exited the circle, lying down faithfully behind Caitlin’s feet, watching and waiting.

“Before we begin,” Aiden continued, “there is someone here who wants to apologize for his past actions.”

Cain, standing on the opposite side of the circle, slowly walked into the center. He looked right at Caitlin, remorse and fear in his eyes as he stood there. He seemed very nervous.

“I’m sorry, Caitlin,” he said. “My actions were inexcusable. I hope that you will forgive me.”

“I do,” Caitlin said, and meant it. As she looked at him now, from this distance, he just seemed like a pathetic figure, and seemed genuinely remorseful. She saw no point in harboring a grudge. The past was the past. Besides, he got the worst of it.

Cain retreated back to his place in the circle.

Aiden stepped forward, “All right, let’s begin,” he yelled, and everyone suddenly broke into action.

Caitlin was disoriented and felt out of place, as the other vampires all broke into perfect order and positions, each teaming up with a partner, and hurrying off to a different section of the courtyard. They each grabbed various weapons off of the racks, and without hesitating, began sparring. Caitlin stood there, watching the frenzy of activity, unsure what to do. She realized she didn’t have a partner.

“I’ve been assigned to you,” came a perky voice.

Caitlin turned, and standing there, just a few feet behind her, was a tall, thin, redheaded boy covered in freckles, with cropped hair, large ears and a huge smile. She had never seen anyone look so happy. He almost looked like a cartoon character.

“Assigned?” Caitlin asked.

“I’m your training partner,” he said, and reached out a hand. “Patrick,” he said.

Caitlin shook his hand—it was long and thin, and very cold. Caitlin couldn’t understand how this person could be a fighter.

“Oh, but I can,” he said, answering her thoughts, “I can fight very well indeed. But that’s for you to find out,” he said with a smile and a wink, as he turned and strode off towards a corner of the courtyard.

Caitlin’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Of course, Caitlin thought. Everyone here can read my thoughts. So stupid. I need to learn how to guard them.

“Don’t be embarrassed,” he said, “you’ll get used to it. Just follow me. You’re wasting time.

Aiden hates it when people waste time,” he said, bouncing off.

Caitlin hurried to catch up to him.

“We begin with swords,” he said, as he reached the far wall, grabbed two long bamboo swords, and threw one to her. He threw it quick and hard, and Caitlin was surprised at her own reflexes, at how quickly she reacted, grabbing it midair effortlessly. She was a lot quicker now than even she realized.

“We always begin the day with swords,” he added. “Later, we’ll switch to spears.”

Caitlin heard the click-clack all around her, and looked and saw the other vampires all sparring with the bamboo swords, fighting and parrying faster than she had ever seen. They were leaping over each other’s heads, flying, rolling, jumping, landing, tackling….They were well-matched, going blow for blow in many cases. When the blows got through, there was the distinctive sound of the whack of bamboo on skin. It looked like it hurt.

Caitlin was about to find out for herself.

“OW!” she screamed, as she felt the sudden sting of bamboo on her hip.

She turned and saw Patrick standing there, smiling, having just whacked her hard in the side.