Part 19
Alex sat in Kevin’s chambers sipping the brandy Nickolas had poured for him as he watched Kevin angrily pace the length of the room. Their trip to the underworld had only served to frustrate his lord even further and he would have to wait for Kevin to calm down and waiting was NOT something he did patiently.
Kevin stopped suddenly and looked towards the door that led to Howard’s chambers. “They aren’t alone.”
“Of course they are,” insisted Alex. “Nickolas said he stayed with Samantha the whole time we were gone and they didn’t have any new arrivals.”
“NO!” bellowed Kevin. “He SAID he left her shortly before we returned. SOMEONE is here that doesn’t belong. FIND HIM!”
On Kevin’s command, Alex disappeared and a search of the entire château commenced. He knew that he couldn’t return until the interloper was found or he would incur Kevin’s wrath.
Every nook and cranny was searched from top to bottom but no one was found. Alex returned to Kevin’s chambers to find Kevin even angrier than before.
“Someone was here,” growled Kevin as blood dripped from his chin. Releasing the wench, Kevin moved to stand face to face with Alex, daring him to refute him.
“Have you talked to Howard and asked him if he saw someone?”
“NO.” Kevin’s tone softened but his anger didn’t. “I didn’t want to alarm Samantha.”
Alex closed his eyes and a moment later, Howard appeared.
“Is Samantha alright?” questioned Kevin anxiously wiping his chin.
“She’s asleep. What’s wrong?”
“Someone was here.”
“He was in my chambers….watching us.”
“Why didn’t you come tell me?” demanded Kevin.
“I didn’t want to leave Samantha. Whoever it was is powerful…more powerful than us because I couldn’t see anyone and Samantha couldn’t even sense them.”
“If it was the Source, he’d have made his presence known,” mused Kevin aloud.
From the doorway, a sleepy voice said, “Amulets used by evil can block my powers.”
“But not ours?” questioned Alex.
“Not completely. Your powers came from the dark world,” explained Samantha as she moved to Kevin to soothe his anger.
“What do you know about these amulets?” asked Howard.
“Certain amulets can be used to cloak a person but the three of you would still be able to ‘feel’ them.”
Samantha stood in front of Kevin and reached up to stroke his cheek.
It was what he needed and he gave her a tender smile as he said, “You should be resting.”
“Your souls are in turmoil….reaching me in my dreams and it woke me,” whispered Samantha as he took her hand in his placing a feathery kiss on the palm.
“I’m sorry, my love,” apologized Kevin. “I’m just worried about you and the baby. Your father is out to destroy us by taking you away from us. I don’t want to take any chances.”
“My father wouldn’t have simply watched us so it had to be someone else.”
“Someone your father sent,” said Alex. “Like maybe Brian?”
The three men looked at each other and then their eyes fell on Samantha who tucked her chin to avoid their stares.
“Samantha,” called Kevin softly as he brought her eyes up to meet his.
“Kevin, I don’t want to go back to him,” she cried softly. “I’m where I want to be….where I belong.”
“You won’t have to go back to him. We will protect you from your father.”
“You three can’t win against him alone but I think I know who can help us,” said Samantha.
“Who?” asked Howard.
“My seer.”
“Where is she?” asked Kevin.
“I’m not sure.”
“Then how are you going to get her to help us?”
“I have to go to the forest and wait for her.”
“NO!” stated Kevin. “You’re NOT leaving here alone.”
“It’s the only way, Kevin but I don’t have to go alone.” Samantha turned to look at Alex. “Will you go with me…in your other form?”
“Are you sure you want me?”
Samantha looked at Howard first who nodded his head slightly to acknowledge his approval. Then she looked up at Kevin who was uncertain about this. “Kevin?”
“I don’t like it. What if your father comes after you? You just said the three of us can’t defeat him together. How is Alex going to be able to protect you?”
“He won’t hurt me. He wants my child….to be his successor. If he does come after me, Alex will be able to get back to you and Howard to let you know.”
“How long will it take?”
“I should be back by sunrise.”
Kevin thought about it, looking from Samantha to Alex. Finally, he said, “Go but BE careful.”
Samantha turned to Alex, “Are you ready?”
“Whenever you are.”
Samantha stood on her toes and placed a kiss on Kevin’s lips. “I’ll come back safely.” Then she moved to Howard and ran her fingers through his hair as she touched her forehead to his. Whispering, she said, “I have to do this and I need Alex with me. I love you.”
Softly, a tear escaping, he replied, “I love you too.” Holding her close, he looked at Alex, “Protect her.”
“With my life,” promised Alex and with a wave of his hand, he changed Samantha’s clothing and transformed himself.
With Alex by her side, Samantha gave each of her lords another kiss and disappeared into the night.
