Page 10 of Awakened Light

“Aw, we’re family, boo!” Mark reached over and squeezed Emilia’s hand.

Tears welled up in Emilia’s soft blue eyes. “I couldn’t be happier to have you all as my family. Thank you so much for welcoming me.”

“It’s about time Grizella and I got another girl on the team. We’ll be like sisters.” Annella blew Emilia a kiss.

“Sisters it is.” Emilia returned it then settled her head back onto Aiden’s shoulder.

With the flames flickering between us, it reminded me of our childhood growing up together in Scotland sitting around our nightly bonfire. My mother passed away when I was born, leaving me with just a father to look after me... a father who resented me for my mother’s death. He’d loved her with his whole heart and soul, and her loss had left him a broken man. Even though I understood his bitterness toward me came from heartache, it didn’t ease the suffering of a boy desperate for his father’s love... a boy who never got it.

One family in the clan noticed the way my father ignored me and cast me aside. The lonely boy left to wander alone.

The Mackay family.

They took me in, raising me and treating me as one of their own. Their father became the man who taught me right from wrong, and how to shoot a bow and swing a sword. Their mother was the gentle hand that dried my tears and always made sure I had a full belly. Aiden, Lothaire, Annella, and Caleb were the siblings I’d never had. We wrestled and played as children, and as adults, we fought side by side in battle.

My family.

We turned immortal together when the Picts bestowed the gift on us. Well, almost all of us turned.

We lost their parents and Caleb... a loss so devastating it could have destroyed us. But Aiden, Lothaire, Annella, and I bound ourselves together tighter... an unbreakable bond that would carry us through the centuries.

Lothaire eventually became our Chieftain and the ruler of all vampires. After Aiden retired a decade ago, I took his spot as Lothaire’s right-hand man. It was now my job to handle rogue vampires and enforce his law. When clans rose up to unseat him, it was me that lead the charge to defend him.

But it wasn’t my Chieftain I waged war to defend... it was my brother. My family. And I would give my life for any one of them.

“So, tell us, Thorne,” Lothaire said. “How was it with the Picts?”

“I was just telling them about the experience. It was incredible. They are a fascinating people. It was remarkable to see it firsthand.”

“And did they treat you well?” he asked, arching a brow.

With a shrug, I chuckled. “I spent most of my time in the cave or hanging out with Catrain. She taught me a lot and showed me some really cool magic. Her mother knew I was on the island, but I didn’t dare push my luck, so I steered clear of the village and out of her eyesight. She didn’t torture or try to kill me, so there’s that. But they still harbor a grudge. A big one.” I blew out a lengthy breath of air. “They put up with my presence begrudgingly for a few days, but finally had enough of me tonight and sent me packing. But I really learned some fascinating things while I was there.”

“Yeah, like if Catrain’s tattoos continue under that leather loincloth.” Mark shimmied in his seat while waggling his eyebrows.

Everyone burst out laughing, and I felt the temperature of my cheeks rising.

“Holy shit!” Aiden laughed and pointed. “You’re blushing!”

“I’m not blushing,” I argued back while trying to suppress my smile. “I’m a man. We don’t fucking blush.”

“Then hand in your man card, baby, because you’re as red as a freaking rose.” Annella opened her palm.

Even the always stoic Lothaire and Grizella cracked a smile at my expense.

“So, you get a little tribal bow-chicka-bow-wow?” Annella waggled her eyebrows.

Shaking my head, I chuckled. “I did not get a little bow-chicka-bow-wow. It wasn’t like that.”

“Oh, I saw you looking at her.” Emilia speared me with a knowing stare. “You had a big thing for Catrain.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but she kept going.

“And who can blame you? She’s stunning. Powerful. Smart. I’d think it was odd if you didn’t have a thing for her.”

“And scary,” Mark added. “Don’t forget scary.”

Laughing, I raised my hands in submission. “Fine. If you all must know, yes... I have a thing for Catrain. No, we didn’t hook up. And no, we aren’t going to because her family basically wants me beheaded, and she needs to take over for her mother as the leader of their tribe this year. Even though nothing can happen between us, she’s amazing.” I stopped to look at Mark. “And yes, a little scary.”