Page 59 of Birthright

“Cliona, what’s the matter?”

She glanced around the room and took in a breath. “I’d like you to give me your mark, Keena, Priestess of the Wild.” She went to one knee so smoothly she seemed made of rubber. “I pledge my life to yours. Your honor to mine.”

Fainting seemed to be the wrong response, but I couldn’t have been more shocked. “What’s happened, Cliona? Why is my life suddenly so valuable to you? I thought you’d be glad to get me out of Tynan’s life. Then you could keep him as far from me as possible.”

Her cold expression never changed. “There are those, and I was one of them, who thought you too human to be able to guide our council into the future. Those who believed you wouldn’t be strong enough. We’ve watched Tynan over these last many weeks, Keena. He’s dark and unfeeling.”

I felt my stomach cringe at her words. I could tell she saw the anguish on my face. “Like he was before you came into his life. I realized that we have, over the years, lost that part of us that was once human. Tynan had found it again in you and had spread that hope to the elders of our kind once again. Vamps are still living in the shadows. We move mostly in the night, but we had all started to feel somewhat human again during his time with you.”

She took my hands in hers. “It is your human heart, along with the strength of the Kith, which will make you the very strength of what the council is intended to be. Your unselfish act of setting Tynan free, even though it cost you, made me see the great value of your heart. Honor me with your mark, Keena. Call on me and mine, and we will fight with or for you.”

I felt the burning start deep in my stomach. My magic was coming alive, responding to the sincerity of her words. Her conviction and her hope wrapped around me. She was able to project her feelings over me the same as Tynan had projected his to wrap me in his love. She pulled her long leather coat off and let it fall to the floor, exposing her bare shoulders. “Does Tynan know what you’re doing here?”

“Yes, I told him of my intentions. I had to tell him a different reason, of course, but it had the same message. He reluctantly agreed that we should support you.”

“You honor me with your belief in me, Cliona. The Kith will be in a lot of danger in the coming years and I would be proud to have you as one of my warriors. I pledge to you as you have to me. To respect and honor.” I placed my left hand on her right shoulder. She didn’t flinch at the burn. I removed my hand and a shadow of the brilliant sun on my stomach showed on her pale skin.

Doran broke the silence in the room. “Thank you, Cliona.”

“You have Keena to thank. It would be better for her if you would trust her as much,” she replied.

Doran turned and left without a response. I had always known Doran was leaving things out in her teaching with me. I also knew I would get everything from her eventually—but I didn’t realize others knew as well. I gave Cliona a questioning look.

“I hope it’ll come in time, Keena,” she said. “I don’t know what she hides, but I can feel it all the same. I just can’t tell if it’s to protect you or to alter future events. Be wary.”

“I’ve learned that lesson the hard way.” I offered her a seat. “Tell me how he is.”

“As I said, he’s just like he was before. Sometimes he looks like he’s trying to piece something together, deep in thoughts he can’t identify. I even found myself hoping he would figure it out.”

“No, Cliona. If he remembers even some of it⁠—”

She reached for me, putting a supportive hand on my arm. “I know. You are dealing with this better than I thought you would.”

“I’ve had a lot of support.”

Abbey, who had been suspiciously quiet, butted in. “And a lot of food and a lot of wine.” Cliona gave her a small smile.

“He wouldn’t want me pining away and crying and hating everything,” I said. “I really wanted to.”

Cliona nodded. “The same fate you saved him from is now your prison. You’ll live again, Witch. You’ll love again. You’ll have to. Your body will insist before too long.”

“Everyone keeps saying that.”

She stood. “They really have left you in the dark, haven’t they?” She looked at Abbey. “You haven’t told her?”

Abbey slunk back in the big chair and rolled her eyes. “In the past, but I didn’t think she’d want to hear so soon after…”

“What?” I said.

Coyle reached for me and tried to speak slow and clear. “As a Witch, youwa body has gweata needs than you had before. Trevina loved many of us. She had such a wondahful heart.” I could see he still loved her. It was in his golden eyes as he struggled to speak clearly. “It will come,” he said. “When youwa ready. It will come and you won’t be able to stop it.”

I knew all this, had been told many times—but I still couldn’t imagine opening my heart again.

“Well said.” Cliona gathered her coat and rummaged through her pocket then held out her hand. “I have a gift for you.” She opened her hand. The twisted gold-and-silver chain sparkled in the sun. I backed up. “No need to fear it, Keena. I had Bevin make some alterations.” I hesitantly took it from her hand, afraid of communicating with Tynan. “Now it speaks to me,” she said.

I held it up. Bevin had encased the bat charm in an emerald the size of a dime. Next to the bat dangled a silver teardrop, a glowing ruby at its center.

She touched the teardrop. “You don’t have to wear it all the time. I know for a while it’ll bring you pain to even be near it. But have it close so you can speak to me when you need to.” She started to the door and turned back. “When you need me, Keena, I will be there for you.”