Immortal Prophecy (The Immortal Prophecy Saga) (11 page)

Ally whipped her head up and saw that it was indeed her grandmother running towards them. She looked as if the hounds of hell where on her tail.

“Gran?” Ally said with a look of confusion.

“Girls, why don’t you come back inside?” Adele asked once she had reached them.

“Adele, is everything alright?” Kat asked, obviously concerned about her.

“Yes, fine. It’s just getting cold.” Adele said with concern.

Well that was a tragic excuse Ally thought.

“Chase was looking for you Kathryn,” Adele added.

“Well he can keep looking.” Kat replied defiantly, “My friend needs me.”

Adele looked at Ally. “Why? What’s wrong darling?”

You know more than you say, don’t you grandma, she thought, more convinced than ever. It was far too coincidental that she felt something was wrong then Gran came running to find her. Ally didn’t even know her grandmother could move that fast. Something was definitely up and she intended to find out what it was, even if it killed her. As she thought those last words, a cold shiver ripped through her.

“Nothing is wrong, Gran. I just thought I heard something.” Ally hoped she sounded convincing, at the same time feeling she was a terrible liar.

Adele could smell the evil and knew it was somewhere close. She could sense it and knew that it was here for Ally. If she didn’t remove the vile creature from this existence, it would report to Vincent where Ally was. The repercussions could be catastrophic. They weren’t ready yet.

“Probably just a rabbit, noisy little creatures.” Adele hoped that Ally would accept that explanation without question.

Ally and Kat shared a look. It seemed Kat was thinking the same as Ally. Adele was holding back.

“You girls go inside I will be there in a minute,” Adele said hoping to get rid of them for a moment so she could deal with the repulsive thing hiding in the bushes.

Ally looked out towards the trees once more. She still saw nothing, but that feeling of dread was still present. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up and she became aware that she was being watched.

Adele kept looking back at the trees as well. Once the girls were safely inside she would take care of it.

He wouldn’t make it back to his master if she could help it.

She turned to both girls and gave them a gentle nudge in the right direction. “Off you go, I will be inside shortly.”

Ally assessed her Gran with a look, and then decided to go back inside. This place was freaking her out.

The girls walked back towards the house. Adele watched until they were back inside then turned around to go and deal with the evil lurking in her backyard.

The air was so potent with his stench, she felt like she might choke on it.

“Come out creature,” she commanded as she slowly stalked toward the bushes in which it lay. “Surrender and I will make this quick.”

The bushes rustled and the wind picked up around them. Adele knew it wouldn’t be that easy but she had to try. As a general rule, Vampires were cowards against the immortals but they didn’t just hand themselves over to die.

At least there was another immortal on the property if she needed help she thought to herself. Adele looked around to make sure no-one was watching. Everyone had moved to the tent for dancing or had wandered back to the house.

She sent up a silent prayer of thanks that Ally and James had picked a secluded place for their interlude. Adele didn’t want all the guests watching and she didn’t think she had the strength to make them all forget what they saw.

On top of that, she didn’t like the idea of altering the memory of every guest present. It was always a last resort and done for their own safety. If the world knew what was really going on, there would be hysteria. It was better for everyone that they stay in the dark, as long as the immortals could protect them.

Adele eyed the bush, deciding on her next move. It would have to be quick and effective. She didn’t have time to waste.

“Times up,” she said to the bush that concealed the evil one.

Without any warning, it jumped up out of the bushes and ran for the road at the edge of the property in the opposite direction to Adele.

“Why do they always run,” she said with a sigh then took off after him. She ran so fast she would appear to be a blur to anyone that saw her.

The creature was getting away.

He turned to look back at her with a victorious smile. He knew he was going to get away. Adele was just as fast as the creature and stronger but she had the disadvantage, she couldn’t stray too far from Ally. He knew it and the gloating shone back at her through his eyes.

“I will find you and destroy you.” Adele vowed as she began to slow down. He would get away this time but the next time she saw him, he would not.

Adele had a duty to protect Ally and she needed to get back and keep her safe before the evil vampire found Vincent and gave away their location. Ally was not ready to face Vincent again.

Adele decided to run back to the house, find her immortal guest and ask him to search the perimeter of the property, while she stayed with Ally and Kathryn. Once James returned then they could make the arrangements to leave tonight, with Ally. There was no other choice now.

If they stayed, Vincent would find her and kill her before they had even begun.

Chapter Nine

A
DELE ARRIVED BACK AT THE HOUSE
and made her way up the three steps onto the verandah.

Kathryn and Ally were lounging on the chairs with Chase. Most of the guests appeared to be leaving so she decided to have a word with Chase before talking with Ally.

“Chase,” Adele said as she approached the trio.

He looked up, eyes alert, sensing something was wrong.

“Can I have a word?” Adele asked, trying to appear relaxed.

He turned to Kat and Ally. “Excuse me lassies.”

Chase smiled deeply at Kat then turned back to Adele. “What’s going on Addie?” he asked as they walked out of earshot.

“There was a vampire here, watching Ally.”

Chase noticed the grave concern in her eyes, tinged with a hint of failure. “He got away?” he guessed.

“Yes,” she sighed. “He ran and there was only so far I could chase him leaving Ally unguarded.”

“She wasn’t unguarded,” he said feeling slightly insulted. “I was with her and Kat.”

“I had hoped you were Chase, but I didn’t know for sure. I can’t take any chances with her. Things are very dangerous right now.” Adele said with sincere worry in her voice. She hadn’t meant to insult Chase but she couldn’t take any chances.

“And they just got worse?” Chase asked, his voice filled with sadness.

“It’s only a matter of time before that vile creature reaches Vincent and tells him our location.” Adele looked over at her granddaughter and best friend. They were laughing and talking, completely unaware of the danger around them. It was bittersweet. Her heart soared at seeing Ally so happy but then it broke at the thought of taking her newfound happiness away again.

Chase followed her line of sight and looked at the girls. He felt his heart swell looking at Kathryn. Chase thought he had found his soulmate.

“How did you know we would be a match?” he asked, the curiosity evident in his voice.

“I didn’t know. I just know both of you and hoped that it might work out,” she smiled at him. “But a word of caution. Don’t confuse attraction with a match, Chase.”

Chase studied her face thoughtfully for a moment. “How do I tell the difference? I have to be attracted to my soulmate obviously.”

Adele looked over at the girls and smiled knowingly as she answered, “You will know. Be very careful with her. If she isn’t the one then you have to let her go quickly.”

“And if I’m not sure yet?”

“Look at what Ally and James share together. That should answer your question without any doubt.”

Chase took her advice on board but found that he was more convinced that Kathryn was his soulmate with every moment that passed. “What are you going to do with Ally?” he asked, as something else occurred to him. “And where is James?”

“On his way back from the ranges,” she answered. “It would seem that he was lured out there in an attempt to get him away from Ally.”

“Was it Vincent that lured him out there?” Chase asked.

“I don’t know, James didn’t say. He just told me it was a trap and to get Ally to safety.” She sighed with a heavy heart.

They both looked at the girls completely unaware of the danger that surrounded them.

“We are taking Ally to Scotland, tonight.” Adele said, with a hint of resignation.

“I don’t think you have any other choice.”

“No, we have been backed into a corner it would seem.” She sank down onto the lounge behind her. “What are you plans?”

“I plan on returning there myself, with Kathryn,” Chase said enthusiastically.

Adele looked at him startled. “Have you told her what you are yet? You can hardly take her to our homeland without telling her what she is in for. Most importantly you must be certain she is the one, Chase.”

“Not yet. I plan on telling her when I take her home. There is no time to waste, my home is in Scotland and her place is with me,” he stated with a touch of immortal arrogance.

Despite the situation Adele began to laugh. “You’re as bad as James. You immortal males think your word goes and that females will just do as you ask. That isn’t how it works anymore. Kathryn is human, remember.”

“I know that lass. I also know how deeply she cares for her friend. She would do anything for her. Going to Scotland is what she will want to do, once she learns the truth,” he stated confidently.

“I can only hope for your sake, that you are right, Chase.”

Chase smiled and said in a tone that was intended to instill confidence, “I won’t let any harm come to her.”

“No you won’t or you will answer to me,” Adele said with a seriousness that took Chase aback. “She has been like a sister to Ally and a grandchild to me.”

“I will protect her with my life, Adele.” Chase stated, without hesitation.

“I know, but I fear it won’t be enough to keep her from harm.”

“I have plans to start the conversion on the flight over and she will be a full immortal by the time we reach Scotland,” Chase said sharing his plans.

“You can’t do that until you are certain. What if you change her, then realise she isn’t the one. What will happen to her then?”

“I won’t change my mind. I have decided that she is the one!” He was unaccustomed to having his judgement questioned and was getting annoyed.

“Just make sure you know what you’re doing Chase.” Adele advised with obvious concern.

“I will.” He said with a confidence he didn’t really feel. It was going to be hard on Kathryn but he felt he had no choice. Her life was at stake if he took her to Glencoe without changing her. She would need all the help she could get to stay safe.

Adele interrupted his thoughts. “I hear a car approaching, it must be James. Go and keep the girls busy, they can’t know he has returned.”

He stood with a nod and sauntered back over to the girls to keep them busy while Adele spoke to James.

* * *

The girls watched Chase and Adele walk away. When they were far enough away so they couldn’t hear their conversation, Kat turned to her friend with a big grin. “Isn’t he wonderful,” she sighed.

“He sounds like your perfect man.” Ally smiled.

“Oh but he is, isn’t he,” Kathryn said wistfully.

Ally couldn’t help getting swept up in the excitement radiating out of Kat and she smiled. Both James and Chase looked like they had stepped out of a romance novel. Perfect chiselled looks and taut bodies. Chivalrous to a fault, not to mention being Scottish.

“They are almost too perfect.” Ally said warily, suddenly feeling like something was very wrong.

Her gaze swept to where Chase and Adele had sat down. They appeared to be locked in an intense conversation. Judging by the amount of side looks they both kept giving them, it involved Ally and Kat somehow.

Is Chase somehow involved in this? Ally asked herself. It wouldn’t surprise her. She was beginning to be wonder how far spread this secret was. Adele definitely knew more than she was letting on and she had never heard mention of Chase until tonight. Ally didn’t know all her grandmother’s friends or acquaintances but surely if Chase was so fabulous Adele would have mentioned him before. Why hadn’t she? Ally found all of this to be extremely puzzling. There appeared to be a few people involved and she had the sneaking suspicion this all went back Madame Isabella’s mention of a prophecy.

Ally found she was getting more confused and more frustrated with each new development.

“Hello, earth to Ally?” Kat said.

The words penetrated Ally and she shook herself out of the daze she was in. “Oh, sorry…”

“Did you hear a word I said?”

“No, I was lost in thought.” Ally replied, apologetically.