The Awakening (The Elders Trilogy Book 1) Read online

  On day two of what I am lovingly calling our ‘entrapment’, the dogs skyrocket into danger mode. David yells, “Get the dogs and go to our room, lock the door and stay there until I come and get you.”

  I don’t ask questions, just do as he says running as fast as my shaky legs can go. Reaching the top landing, I hear the front door burst open and that’s when all hell brakes loose. I continue to our room locking the door behind me before collapsing behind it.

  ***

  David

  Meanwhile downstairs…

  Mother and a group of Rogues charge in. Akashi enters last, blocking the doorway wielding his blades. The only sound is the wind whipping around them. Mother turns, facing me while the other two Rogues apprehend Tristan, securing his injured arms behind him. Tristan isn’t strong enough to try and fight them off.

  My mother holds up one hand motioning them to stand down. “David, my son,” she says, red eyes aflame, “Of all the people to turn on me, I was surprised to find my own son, my flesh and blood to be among the list.”

  I stare her down, never breaking eye contact. “Mother, I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  She grabs me by the throat. “Oh son, I think you do. A rather large bounty has been placed on my head and our entire community knows about it.”

  Reaching down, I grab her by the wrist removing her hand from my throat. Holding it tightly in my own I rebut, “Mother, and I use that term loosely. After witnessing your barbaric hunting methods, I was filled in by other council members of other vulgar attacks that you’ve been said to have masterminded.” I push her hand back towards her chest forcefully as she stumbles back.

  Steadying herself, she shifts her attention to Tristan who is still being held by her Rogue assailants awaiting their next move. “I see you survived, but I’m not sure I should have let you. You’ve been quite the disappointment, Tristan, choosing the wrong side. Perhaps I made the wrong decision.” Hungrily, she licked her lips releasing a menacing growl. She nods to Akashi giving him the notice to proceed he was waiting for.

  “David is mine,” she announces, lunging at me.

  Akashi launches forward poised to slice Tristan’s throat. Unbeknownst to the Rogues, my father and the council members have arrived.

  Father commands the council to apprehend the Rogues. Richard moves to his son’s side to help remove the two that have hold of Tristan, a look of sympathy crosses his father’s face as he inventories his son’s wounds.

  My father approaches Lourdes as she spits at me, “You called them and you turned in your own mother?”

  Bereft of all emotion, I rebut, “The day you turned Rogue was the day you ceased to be my mother. You no longer have the right to call me son.”

  She lurches forward to strike me, but my dad blocks her, stopping her mid-strike. This diversion allows them time to shackle her.

  The other two Elders are unable to apprehend Akashi. He has taken them both down, carving multiple lacerations across their torsos and arms before escaping. Tristan and his father are able to shackle the two remaining Rogues with minimal resistance once mother is under control. She turns to me, eyes raging like hell fire. “This isn’t over, David. You and your human will suffer gravely by my hands. Mark my word.”

  Stepping forward, I stare her down. “Lourdes, I’ll personally take you and any other who dares to cross us down.”

  My father walks over, placing his hand on my shoulder. “Son, I know this wasn’t an easy choice for you to make, but please know you did the right thing. I deeply regret that it came to this.” My dad and the council members head back to the plane.

  “Well, I guess it’s time for me to go too. I’m sorry for all of the problems I’ve caused you and Jess,” Tristan apologizes.

  “Tristan, we owe you our lives. Mi casa es tu casa. You’re in no position to travel, you can stay as long as you’d like.” We shake hands, promptly turning it into a firm hug causing Tristan to wince from the pain.

  “Sorry, dude,” I say.

  Parting, Tristan grins. “Now go upstairs and retrieve your woman.”

  Nodding, I rush upstairs. I practically brake down our bedroom door trying to get in, but as soon as I am inside, I pull Jess into a tight hug. “I’m never letting you go, Jess. It’s over. The council showed up and took her and two of her Rogue’s into custody. Akashi, who was the one that attacked Tristan in the alley, got away. They’re returning to Bulgaria now on the Council’s private jet where they’ll stand trial for their actions. It’s safe for you to come downstairs, but um, we need to leave the dogs up here until we get a new front door.”

  “Well if the door got the worst of it then I’m a lucky girl,” she says.

  We go downstairs to assess the damages while Tristan puts up a temporary front door, ours is well beyond repair.

  “Tristan, I owe you an apology,” Jess said, “You almost died fighting for us and that’s something I, I mean we will never forget.” She turns to me for approval, I smile and wink.

  “No Jess, the apology should come from me. I should’ve gone to the council with Lourdes’ plan, but I feared what she would do to my family. I’ve come to realize that you and David are a part of my family as well and I’ll never cross either of you again.”

  With my mother in council hands, we breathe a sigh of relief. Regretfully, it is short lived…

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