Gifts of Fate [Kindred of Arkadia 7] (Siren Publishing Classic) (9 page)

doorstep. His parents were killed by Drainers, and since he had no other family, the council awarded us

custody,” Gabriel explained.

“He is so tiny! He looks like you, Ashers!” Rebecca said excitedly.

“He’s a fennec fox too, it’s why they gave him to us. There aren’t that many of us.” Ashby smiled down

at the baby who had woken up and looked around with wide blue eyes.

“What is his name?” Sebastian asked, cradling his son against his chest.

“We have named him Arthur. How is baby Lucian?” Ashby asked. Sebastian grinned.

“He eats more than all our lions combined!” Sebastian laughed.

“Tell me about it! I have two. I don’t know how I’m going to keep up. When one isn’t hungry the other

is, by the time you’re finished feeding one, the other one is hungry again.” Kate rolled her eyes.

“Oh let me see!” Ashby said, looking at the baby in Kate’s arms.

“This is Merrick, Bran is holding Matthew.” Kate turned so Ashby could see his face.

“Wow, he looks like a mini-Bran,” Ashby joked.

“They both have his hair, but it’s the eyes I love. They both got his amber-colored eyes.” Kate smiled

down at her son.

“Shifter babies are different than human ones. You usually don’t know a human baby’s eye color until

they are six months old,” Rebecca said as Arthur grabbed her finger and began to wave it about.

“Shifter babies are only slightly more advanced but definitely stronger,” Ma said.

“Thank goodness you have the Pack ’N Plays here. I can’t imagine hefting two about, plus four babies

and diaper bags.” Kate smiled her thanks at Ma.

Ma looked over to Connor and nodded.

“And on that note. Can I have everyone’s attention?” He walked to the back of the diner where the new

doorway still looked out of place across the hall from the long serving counter.

“As you know we’ve had a bit of construction here lately. Now you will get to see why. David, Daniel,

if you would?” Connor waved to the new parents.

David and Daniel split up. They handed fobs to each set of parents, including Ashby and Gabriel.

Connor was willing to bet they worked double time last night to get those ready for today.

“What our technical geniuses have passed to you are fobs that will act as keys to get through this door.

The only other people who have a fob are myself, Ma, and Pa.” Connor grinned. He deliberately waited,

drawing out the suspense. He could see Rebecca practically coming unglued.

“Connor!” she wailed. He decided to take mercy on his little sister.

“Okay, Rebecca, we’ll let you go first. You can see what is behind door number one.” He bowed and

gestured to the door. She quickly waddled forward and used the fob on the small black electronic box

installed on the right. They heard a click as it unlocked and she opened the door. Behind her, Kate,

Sebastian and Ashby followed, holding their babies.

“Welcome to Baby Central, your home away from home,” Connor announced.

The new mommies and daddies turned this way and that to take in everything that was in the room.

Kate, then Rebecca, plowed into Connor to strangle him in a hug.

“You have no idea what this means.” Kate sniffled. Ashby wiped his eyes and Sebastian ran a hand

along the smooth wood of one of the cribs, blinking back tears.

“This is your home too. I hope this means that you will be spending more time in the diner so I can play

with those babies.” Ma grinned and Sebastian and Ashby went to her. She wrapped an arm around each of

them and pulled them in for a hug.

“For nap time we’ve tied the baby monitors into the sound system. Anything louder than a whimper and

it will mute the music and you will be able to hear them,” David explained, then blushed when Rebecca

kissed him on the cheek.

“Come on everyone, let’s grab something to eat,” Connor said. Everyone laughed and headed out of the

new room.

“You and your family are amazing,” Madison said, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“They’re your family too. But why do you say that?”

“You go out of your way to make this feel like a home. That means a lot.”

“Blame Rebecca.” He grinned and she rubbed noses with him.

“I don’t want to be pregnant anymore!” Rebecca yelled.

“Oh honey, your baby will come when he is ready,” Doc explained, rubbing her back.

“Are you sure he’s not all curled up comfy for the winter?” Rebecca asked.

Connor watched his brother-in-law fight to keep a straight face.

“I’m sure that poor little guy is out of room.”

“I don’t think I can do this six more times,” Rebecca complained.

“Well you have at least six more to get through.” Aleks smiled down at his mate. She scowled up at him.

“No way. This one is it.” She shook her head, sending her dark curls flying.

“No form of birth control works. Trust me, I know.” Ma laughed. Rebecca just smiled.

“I know one surefire way not to get pregnant.” She picked up a French fry and dipped it in her ketchup.

Connor could see Aleks’s brows snap together. He could tell his older brother was mentally going

through all known forms of birth control. Connor couldn’t help grinning. He knew what she meant.

Suddenly Aleks’s mouth dropped.

“You don’t mean that, do you, Becca?” he asked, sounding worried.

“Little Aloisius is okay with being an only child.” She rubbed her belly.

Connor couldn’t help it. He burst out laughing at his brother’s face. Liam looked over and winked at

Connor. They had been teaming up to torture Aleks for years.

Connor was about to chime in when his cell phone started to vibrate. He froze. He stood quickly and

headed to Baby Central, using his fob to get in. He waited until the door shut behind him before he

answered his phone.

“Hello.”

“We’re heading to the town square now.”

“I’ll let them know.”

“Thanks, and I’m sorry again,” Baron said.

“Not your fault. See you in a bit.” Connor closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

When he walked out the diner was quiet and all eyes were on him. He met Gabriel’s haunted eyes and

nodded. He watched as Gabriel leaned in, and so quietly he couldn’t hear what was being said, began

speaking to his mate.

Connor watched the joy drain out of Ashby’s face. The small man stood suddenly, clutching Arthur.

“No!” he yelled. Connor looked over to his Ma and Pa and nodded. When he had arrived at the diner

earlier that afternoon he had explained what was planned. He watched as his Pa stood and silently walked

outside to begin herding the children who were caroling inside for hot chocolate.

Ma walked over to where Kate, Nic, Sebastian, and Rebecca were trying to get answers out of a sobbing

Ashby. Gabriel was talking quietly to David and Daniel. It was seconds later that they too dissolved into

tears. Word spread quickly around the diner. Most of the patrons were shaking their heads.

Connor looked up and held his hand out to Madison, and she quickly walked over and took it.

“What do you mean that oily bastard is coming here!” Rebecca demanded, getting the story from Ashby

between sobs.

Kate turned to Rian.

“RiRi, can you take my boys to Baby Central and watch over them? I’ll be standing with Gabriel and

Ashby and I don’t want them anywhere near that son of a bitch.” Kate growled.

“Can you take Lucian too?” Sebastian asked, handing the baby over to Damian.

“Please?” Ashby asked, unable to wipe his tears with his son in his arms. Gently, Rex stepped forward

and took tiny Arthur. Talon scooped up Landon and Lucas and Kaden helped Rian with Merrick and

Matthew.

“Don’t worry about these little guys. Nothing is going to come near them.” Rian growled and nuzzled

Merrick’s cheek. Beau joined the lions in Baby Central to guard the door.

Quietly, the group made their way outside into the cold, winter’s night. Inside, Ma and Pa kept things

lively as the children headed in. Once the door to the diner was closed and they saw Pa’s silhouette through

the frosted glass, they walked to the town square.

Baron, Salsiby and three wolf shifters waited for them in the middle of town. Baron’s mouth was drawn

in a tight line.

“Professor.”

“Baron.” Connor nodded.

Baron turned to Gabriel and bowed.

“Prince Gabriel, I am truly sorry for what I have to do.”

Gabriel’s eyes had shifted to black.

“It is not your fault. Neither myself nor my coven bear you any ill will.”

Baron straightened.

“Where is the feral? Can you hurry it up please? I would like to get back to celebrate this monster’s

execution with Alpha Devon. After tonight, shifters everywhere will be safer.” Salsiby’s smile was smug.

Connor took a step forward only to see that Caleb, Aleks and Liam had done the same thing. Gabriel

remained exactly where he was but his black eyes began to smolder, turning to a dark red.

“Careful, Gabriel, or we may have to put you down as well,” Salsiby jeered.

David and Daniel stepped in front of their prince, growling low, their claws extended.

“That is Prince Gabriel to you. As for putting me down, I welcome you to try.” Gabriel’s fangs

lengthened.

Behind them they heard multiple car doors shut. Baptista and most of the coven got out of their vehicles

and surrounded Rhys. Slowly, in a stately manner, they walked forward to the center of town. At first

Connor thought it was because they were acting as an honor guard but as they got closer he could hear the

clanks of the metal chains securing Rhys’s hands and feet. The condemned man shuffled forward in a

vacant daze.

“My Prince, we gave him the last of your blood you had stored for him. He is calm for the moment,”

Baptista reported. Gabriel nodded and swallowed hard. He took the chain lead from Baptista’s hand and

walked Rhys forward.

“Papa?” Rhys asked, confused. Connor looked on, fighting back his tears.

“That’s right, Rhys, I am here. It’s Christmas, we’re out in the snow. You love Christmas, remember,”

Gabriel explained gently, walking him in front of Baron.

“I can’t watch.” Rebecca sobbed uncontrollably.

Connor watched as Gabriel positioned Rhys to kneel with his back to the large Sentinel.

“I am so sorry I failed you, my son. Please forgive me.” Gabriel leaned forward and kissed Rhys on the

forehead. When he stood and faced the other leaders there were pink tears streaming down his cheeks.

“No! It’s not fair!” Ashby cried. Rebecca broke away from Aleks and wrapped her arms around Ashby.

Sebastian, Kate and Nic walked forward to help ease the small man’s pain.

“It’s not fair.” He sobbed brokenly.

“It’s not fair,” Kate repeated.

“Not fair,” Rebecca said eerily.

“Not fair,” Nic and Sebastian echoed. All five of them looked on, their eyes slightly unfocused.

Connor looked at the semicircle the Inner Court had formed facing Rhys. His eyes moved to Gabriel

and Aleks, and they, too, looked surprised.

“It is law! Baron, what are you waiting for?” Salsiby demanded shrilly.

Baron was staring at Rebecca.

“Law.”

“Is.”

“Not.”

“A.”

“Weapon.” Each member of the Inner Court spoke a different word.

“Our.”

“Laws.”

“Are.”

“A.”

“Shield.” Once again, starting with Rebecca, then Ashby, followed by Nic, Kate and Sebastian, the Inner

Court spoke a different word of the sentence.

“Whatever you’re doing, stop it!” Salsiby demanded.

“This.”

“Was.”

“Not.”

“His.”

“Fate.” Their voices no longer sounded like their own.

“This.”

“Man.”

“Has.”

“Done.”

“No wrong.” The voice that spoke through the Inner Circle was kind and gentle.

“This.”

“Is.”

“My.”

“Gift.”

“To you.” Rebecca shook her head and looked around.

Gabriel’s eyes immediately went to Rhys, who stared back at them with the same blood-red eyes.

“Some gift,” Salsiby scoffed. “Kill him,” he ordered. Baron gripped the sword hilt at his waist and

hesitated.

“You are under orders, now kill him!” Gritting his teeth, Baron drew his sword and held it in both

hands in front of him.

Rhys, oblivious to what was going on around him, began to sway back and forth gently.

“Do it!” Salsiby screamed.

Behind them, faintly at first and then growing louder, the sound of singing filled the streets. The

children were singing “Silent Night” inside the diner. Connor looked around, and the entire scene took a

turn to the macabre.

Salsiby was reaching for Baron’s sword when Rhys opened his mouth. What emerged had everyone

rooted in place. He tilted his head back and his throat worked as golden note after golden note lifted

effortlessly into the night air.

Rhys’s song floated through the street until the song from the children quieted and the door to the diner

opened. Ma and Pa stepped out, looking enchanted. From behind them people left the diner to listen to the

man kneeling in the snow.

“Baron!” Salsiby yelled.