A Hybrid's Destiny

Chapter 7

Gripping his overnight bag, Tate hustled up the steps leading into the jet that awaited to take them up north to Uig. After he had filled Aron and Sebastian in on what he learned from Marcus about the faerie Ghillie, they hadn’t wanted to wait until morning to depart. He didn’t fight them on that either. Tate understood their restlessness; he was drowning in the same anxiety.

As soon as they left the nightclub, Aron jumped at securing their transportation, scheduling his personal plane to get them to their destination quicker as opposed to driving, but when Tate relayed the latest information to his father, he wanted to be the one to fly them out.

When Tate entered the main cab of the jet, Elder Raith greeted him immediately with a smile and open arms, giving a quick man-clap on his back before they pulled apart. His dad always hugged him whenever they met up after being apart even if it was only for a short time. Admittedly, it was one of his favorite things about getting to know him ever since moving in with him full time five years ago. Despite the odd circumstances that happened around the time of Tate’s conception, Raith Karayan unreservedly acknowledged him as his son, loved him unconditionally, and would show it in any way that he could.

Together, he and his father moved further inside into what looked more like a house’s lounge room rather than inside a jet with various sets of chairs, couches, tables, and a television complete with a mini kitchenette area as well as a wet bar. All the comforts anyone would need for long trips, yet luckily the flight to Benbecula—where the nearest airport outside of Uig resided—was only about an hour away. Even so, his dad wouldn’t have him slumming it on a quick charter plane, or even the Lycan King’s equally as comfortable jet, if he had the means to take care of his son.

As Aron and Sébastien dropped into the chairs, Tate set his bag on one of the couches that lined the outer wall and turned to make introductions. “Dad, this is who I told you about on the phone. Jaelyn and her brother Lincoln.” Tate turned back to look at her as he said her name while she entered the main area more fully. He tried on a smile when he did, hoping to incite the same from her, but Jaelyn hadn’t much spoken to or made any eye contact with him since they left the nightclub. And that bug the hell outta him, but he didn’t press her about it. Maybe the conclusion he came to before they left Aæther was right.

His mate didn’t like him.

What the f**k twisted reality did he wake up in?

Raith greeted and nodded at both them, though his eyes were glued to Jaelyn. She did finally smile, beaming at his dad, though it was a tight, no-teeth, approach. Has she ever met a vampire before? As he watched her squirm, he mused that perhaps his father’s incessant, intense stare was a bit much. When she first met him in the library, Jaelyn had seemed a little taken back by his red eyes and fangs, but she didn’t run outta the church screaming either. She must have had some experience with other nonhumans, right?

“I can see where Tate gets his striking blue eyes,” she cleared her throat, though her voice still wavered when she spoke.

Both Tate and Raith simultaneously raised an eyebrow at her remark as well as quirked a small smile at near picture-perfect flawlessness. This made her blush while realizing her compliment; the pink rosiness that crowned her cheeks caught Tate’s attention, his voice a little hoarse as he continued.

“Jaelyn, Lincoln, this is my father, Elder Raith Karayan.” he introduced. Tate watched the smile drain from her lips, her face paling nearly as white as the vampire in the room.

“You have a look about you. So familiar.” His father’s welcoming expression dimmed as he asked, “Tate here told me you’re a witch. Tell me, was your mother, by chance, Mistress Sienna Déchue?” Tate noticed Jaelyn pale even more, her lips becoming more vapid.

“Yes,” Jaelyn looked him square in the eye, her shoulders lifting. Her words tinged in a bit of poison, “She was our mother. Tragically is no longer with us.” She nodded her head slightly to Lincoln.

Elder Raith nodded, “I am sorry for your loss.” He sounded sincere, as his father was hardly ever disingenuous. But it seemed Jaelyn didn’t kowtow to his sympathy, her lavender eyes steeling into a darker shade of purple.

“Thank you, Elder Raith.” Her icy tone nearly made Tate shiver. He looked between his father and the witch, wondering what the hell had turned down the temperature between them. His father knew her mother? How so? Tate had theorized that perhaps it was her mother that had been killed by Jonnach, so did his father know all about that too since it seemed he knew who this Mistress Sienna was. Yet, as he tried to pin down the apparent animosity, the vampire seemed to flip a switch with an instant smile and attitude boost.

Elder Raith turned his body, giving Jaelyn and Lincoln more access to enter the plane, his arm extending outward into the elaborate cab behind him. “Please, come in. Make yourselves comfortable.”

When Jaelyn and Lincoln didn’t move, Tate wondered, and even worried, that they had changed their minds about coming along with them just by the way they looked at each other. What was wrong and caused this sudden shift. There was something that kept them glued near the exit.

Tate knew Jaelyn had her reservations about him, but meeting his father seemed to aggravate it. Maybe the siblings didn’t like vampires? No pun intended, that would suck, big time, because that literally was part of who he was. So, maybe if she did go, it would be for the best, too? He wouldn’t need to worry about officially rejecting her, and they could go on living their separate lives. She and her brother certainly weren’t being forced to come along, and it was their personal vendetta against Jonnach that had them initially tagging along anyway, but…

Tate’s stomach twisted at the quiet discussions they were making with their eyes. Their farewell was evident in their posture, their expressions; their feet may as well have already been out the door. Tate didn’t want them to bail. Well, with Lincoln, he didn’t give two shits about. But Jaelyn…

I’m not ready to let you go yet.

Tate pressed, encouraging her to stay, “The jet will be taking off soon, so you’ll need to get buckled in.” Jaelyn actually looked at him; it felt like it had been years since she had, and he felt his heart jump at the attention. And something passed between them, something simple, but latent sparks had followed them from the library, from the club, hung ripe in the air and vibrated within every cell of his body.

After a moment’s stare, she finally nodded and began to move toward one of the couches. Lincoln didn’t move at first, calling out her name, and just the one word held all the frustration, all the demand, for her to listen to him, for her to turn around and follow him off the plane. But she ignored her brother, and Tate fought off the smile from his lips, the victory march, because he didn’t know how she would react if he had gloated about something that was still fragile.

Jaelyn didn’t look at her brother until she started buckling herself in. He didn’t move from the doorway until she did. With a disgruntled huff, Lincoln finally joined her side, also securing his belt. They didn’t talk; their glares were the only conversation passing between them. Tate wished he could read minds, to figure out what was upsetting.

What secrets were they harboring?

Tate looked around the cab, noting various open seats he could choose from, noting the one next to her. Although he wanted to take it, to sit by her, he chose the one nearer his father and Aron. After clicking his belt, he tried to nonchalantly look over at her, trying to make it as unobvious as possible. But when he caught her observing him, he was caught up in her stare once again.

Tate tried on a smile, hoping to get one in return. But she broke eye-contact then, looking at her hands. When Lincoln leaned in and whispered something to her, his face still cold, she shrugged her shoulder to shoo him away.

Yeah, f**k you, Lincoln. Keep your s**t to yourself! Tate inwardly seethed, making up his own theories of what her brother could have possibly been saying to her. He was sure it was nothing positive about Jaelyn remaining on this plane or being with him.

A few minutes after they were in the air, Tate breathed more easily. Aside from trying to parachute off the jet, the Déchue’s were now stuck onboard. Yeah, suck it, Lincoln. As if he had heard his mental smack-talk, her brother looked at him, scowling. Tate didn’t hold back his smile this time. Yeah, my victory, b***h.

When he realized his father looking at him, eyes squinting as he jumped from him to Jaelyn and back again, Tate knew he had been caught. Raith Karayan was a highly intelligent man and knew exactly what the hell was going on within the ten minutes of being in the same space with him and his little witch. Tate simply shrugged at his father and looked away. He didn’t want him to pick up on anything else, because, what could he say and how could he really explain it?

About mid-flight, Sébastien left his seat and wandered to the wet bar. Tate followed, wanting to escape the scrutiny of the elder vampire at his side. The Lycan actually made him a drink while he stood there, obviously needing to keep himself busy too. After wordless nods, quietly sipping their drinks, their nonverbal man-bonding was interrupted with the chirping noise of an incoming video-call.

After pushing a few buttons on the console at his side, Elder Raith turned on the huge television screen. When the monitor filled with the image of the Alpha King, a glint of distaste mingled within his eyes, of which quickly died when his focus moved to the woman at the werewolf’s side. Totally ignoring Blaez, his smiling attention bathed Queen Gabriella in a genuine welcome.

“Hello, my Love,” the elder vampire oozed with unfettered affection, eyes swimming in a warmth only given to her. “Last night was not long enough. I already miss you.” Tate smirked and rolled his eyes as his father gushed. Raith Karayan was a badass vampire, tough as nails asshole to anyone who crossed him. But when it came to his mother, he was a mewing kitty.

As she gently patted the back of the newborn baby on her shoulder, Gabriella returned his smile. “Anamchara,” she nodded and Raith exhaled slowly with her simple stare. It looked as if she were going to say something more, but her eyes shifted to the man beside her and she held onto whatever it was.

The Alpha King cleared his throat, shifting in the seat next to his queen. Ignoring Elder Raith, his attention locked onto Tate. “Son, good luck while you’re in Uig. I hope we can get intel on where Ghillie Dhu is.” He then added, “I heard back from some of my scouts and they were able to dig up a little info on the faerie. I’ll email you the file they sent me.”

“That’s great, Dad.” The pressing weight on Tate’s shoulders seemed to lift a little. “What did we find out?”

“Well, to be brief, the guy seems to only live within deep forests and isn’t too fond of trespassers. So be careful when you find him.”

“Yeah, I heard a little about that from our faerie contact, Marcus, in Glasgow.” Tate thought he heard Jaelyn softly huff at the mention of Marcus. He was about to look at her, but his father continued.

“Let me tell you what he’s capable of so you know exactly what me or this Marcus was inferring. I guess the faerie’s defensive attack can be lethal,” the Alpha King looked pointedly at him. “If Ghillie can get in close to you, grapple and squeeze you, he can initiate his magic and imprison you within the confines of the forest. You’d be trapped, indefinitely, wherever he shoves you.”

Well, that sounded like a permanent vacation he didn’t want to ever take. Tate nodded at his father, “Good to know.”

His mother said, “Tate, please be careful.”

Tate smiled over at her, “I’ll do my best.” He noticed the absolute terror in her eyes, the look she had been giving him his entire life. Ever since she found out about him being involuntarily tied to this prophecy, she had voluntarily tied herself to it too. He wished he could ease that worry from her brow, soothe the knots that frayed within her stomach. This wasn’t her battle, but as her son, she would assume it to be.

Trying to push a positive expression across his face, he turned the conversation away from the prophecy, away from the doom and gloom. Too pull his mother out of the abyss that was sure to one day swallow him entirely. “Hey, is that my new little sister you got there?” He cooed, stepping in closer to the television, smiling at the baby coddled to his mother’s chest.

“Yes,” Queen Gabriella said proudly, shifting the baby so Tate could see. Spouting a healthy cropping of their father’s red hair, he fell in love instantly. “Wake up, little missy. Say hello to your big brother,” his mother kissed the side of her head.

Tate waved and spoke softly, “Hello, Moriah,” The infant stirred slightly, but sleeping obviously was more important than introductions. His thoughts trailed as he looked at his new sister, trailed to his other little sister, Nevaeh. f**k, he missed her. Tate looked back at Aron, who was smiling up at the screen, though his tight smile only touched his lips. His eyes held the frown that his heart felt.

What could the Lycan King be thinking? That the woman on the screen in front of him was someone who looked a lot like his mate, holding a baby girl. That this happy scene may not be one he would ever get to see with Nevaeh and his daughter.

The Alpha King said, “Tate, let us know what happens in Uig. Careful with the faerie. They don’t always play fair and there are always strings attached.”

Tate chuckled, shaking his head, “Yeah, I got to experience that already.” Did Jaelyn just huff again?

"Aron. Sébastien,” Alpha Blaez nodded at them. Words seemed lost at first, and the king’s jaw clenched as he fought off the weakness that began to gloss his eyes. “We’ll find them,” his voice betrayed him.

Aron’s jaw also ticked, struggling as he said, “Yes, we will.”

Tate said, “Talk to you soon, Dad, Mom. Love you.” They waved back at him.

Elder Raith kissed the air as he said, “Good night, my Love,” looking longingly at his mother. The Queen blushed, and the Alpha King’s low growl was heard before the screen went black.

When they finally landed at the Benbecula airstrip, it was nearly four in the morning. The ferry to take them inland to Uig wouldn’t be running until a little later on, so they had no choice but to bunker down and get a little rest. Elder Raith’s jet was only equipped with one bedroom, but the furniture in the lounge could be reclined into make-shift beds. Giving Jaelyn and Lincoln the bedroom, everyone else found a place to rest in the main cab.

If rest was even possible.

Tate’s attempt lasted a whole twenty minutes before he tossed, turned, and sighed for the umpteenth time. When he stood up, he noticed Aron and Sébastien laying on the couches, arms crossed as they laid on their sides, eyes open and staring aimlessly outward. Yeah, this down time, which maybe was meant for resting, felt more like purgatory. Doing nothing was torture.

At first, he slumped in the chair next to his father, hoping to kill the time by chilling with him until they could leave, but Elder Raith was wrapped up in some sort of business call with the vampires in Africa who, by the sounds of it, were in some sort of territory dispute. Yeah, that call was going to take a bit. Giving his father a sympathetic look which earned him an eye roll, he strode over to the jet’s exit, thinking maybe some fresh air would be the help he needed to relax.

Before he left, his eyes shot over to the bedroom doors, thinking of the woman sleeping beyond them. He huffed, frowning as he looked away and continued exiting the plane.

Don't waste your time, Tate. Move on.