One Thousand Years to Forever Read online

  Colum threw another log onto the fire. “The High Council will just have to be patient, I may have my hands full.”

  “Son, the High Council is there to call upon, if you need help. Even as strong as we are, we can’t do everything on our own. You must realize that.”

  Colum faced his father. “I will not lose her again and if the High Council doesn’t like it, they can look for another King.”

  Cormac knew there would be no talking to Colum right now, not when he was in this frame of mind.

  “Do what you have to do and I will take care of the Council, but they won’t be put off forever. We will need our King.”

  “Father, you are our King until such time... ”

  “Till such time that I decide to step down from the throne. You are my heir and she is your Queen, whether she is changed or not.”

  “Well, let’s find out who is watching her home and make sure the children are safe.”

  “I have that covered as we speak.”

  * * * * * * *

  Four men sat at an airport in Europe.

  “We have our orders, we are not to come back until she is taken care of.”

  The youngest of the group, a nephew of the cell leader, looked up from his iPod when his ear buds were ripped out of his ears.

  “Why my sister thinks I need to show you the ropes... you are better suited to sit in a café all day long. You do nothing, your heart is not in our cause.”

  The young man grabbed his ear buds back and stowed his iPod in his backpack. “I was fine until you and mother pulled me out of school. What do I want to do with your cause? You and all of your cohorts fault that woman. The way I look at it, she had every right to speak her mind… after all if something happens to us or our family, we raise our voice, we protest… I, for one, am sick of the hate and violence…”

  The older uncle caught himself before he let his hand hit his nephew. They were, after all, in an airport. He was amazed they weren’t on a no-fly list. It was his 3rd cousin who had been one of the hijackers on that fateful day in September. He, more than anyone, knew the pain of losing someone. He felt it was a personal insult from that woman, that infidel woman. She and her outspokenness represented all of America and their ideals, their openness. If he succeeded with this job, their group would look upon him for larger jobs. He would make sure this woman was dispatched with speed. He had news from his uncle, who was there in that state of Maine. He was watching the woman’s house at this very moment. All would be well. They would take care of her and get home, just in time for his daughter’s wedding to the young man who sat next to him. Yes, all would work out just as planned...

  * * * * * * *

  The man sat in the rented car, just up from the driveway of the home he was watching. It was 5:30 on a Saturday morning. The sky was clear which made it easier to watch rather then trying to see through rain or snow.

  He knew she, the one he watched, was planning a shopping trip with her daughter. He had heard their phone calls to friends. Maybe he would be called upon to dispatch her today instead of sitting, watching, and waiting. He was always called to watch and wait, never to anything of importance.

  He took one last drag of his cigarette. Then throwing it out the window, he sat back and waited. He would be eternally grateful when this job ended. He hated just sitting.

  He jumped to the sound of someone tapping on his side window. Turning he saw an older man standing next to his car. He made motions like he wouldn’t be able to understand but the man still tapped on his window and then in a feeble voice said “I need help... ”

  He groaned and rolled his eyes. Why him? He rolled down his window to speak to the old man but before he could get the words out, the old man’s hand shot through the opened window and hauled him out. He was lifted up and the old man had him like a sack over his shoulder.

  All of it happened so fast. One minute he was in the rental and then next moment he was in the woods and the old man dropped him next to a tree.

  “I don’t know what you are doing or who you are... ” he said in broken English. He didn’t get the rest of the words out. He was hauled up once again and slammed against a tree. All he saw coming at him was a blur of vicious looking teeth into his neck, from the demon. The pain was so intense those first few seconds. He tried to fight but he felt his arm ripped away from the socket...just like a rag. His last thoughts as he started to try and scream was “No one will know... ”

  * * * * * * *

  Katherine was up and having tea when Sally came down.

  “Morning, Mom. Why are you dressed already?”

  Katherine kissed her daughter’s cheek when Sally hugged her. “I’m going to Colum’s for breakfast.”

  Sally sat on the bar stool next to her Mom. “Cool. So are we still going to Freeport and the Mall?”

  “Of course, honey. I told him that breakfast would have to be early.” They both jumped to the sound of the buzzer from the front gate. Katherine got up and saw that it was Colum. She hit the open button and saw him drive through.

  “You two seemed to have a good time last night. I saw him tucking you in.”

  Katherine opened the door and turned to her daughter. “I thought you were going to Olivia’s.”

  “No, she slept over here. She is such a sleepy head though.”

  Colum walked up the path to the door and saw Katherine framed in the light from the house. Smiling at her and wanting to kiss her but refraining from that, he just gave her a quick hug.

  “Good morning. Did you sleep well?”

  Katherine expected the quick hug and noticed a smell of wood smoke and a type of musk. The scent fit him.

  “Checking me out?” He whispered in her ear.

  “Busted... Yes, I slept well, like a log in fact.”

  Colum noticed Sally studying him. “Good morning, Sally, would you like to come with your mother for breakfast? My parents’ butler just brought a new litter of kittens and puppies from their home. You may enjoy seeing them, maybe even picking out a new pet.”

  Sally squealed and jumped up and down before she remembered she was being a hostess.

  “I can’t. My friend Olivia is sleeping over... ”

  Colum laughed. “Well, wake her and bring her too, that way you all will have eaten before going off shopping for the day.”

  “Mom?”

  Katherine arched her brow as she looked from Colum to her daughter. “Go head, it’s fine with me.”

  Sally hugged her Mom, and smiled at Colum and ran up stairs.

  Katherine turned to Colum. “You know what this means?”

  Colum turned with an “I don’t know what you are talking about” look.

  “You are just like all men. Don’t give me that look, like you don’t know what I am talking about... She is going to want not only a puppy but a kitten.”

  Colum threw back his head and laughed. “Busted... but seriously, kids need pets, it teaches them kindness and responsibility.”

  Katherine grabbed her tea. She could hear the excitement brewing upstairs and the squeals of delight as the girls got ready for a morning with kittens and puppies.

  “I know, I know... I have been thinking about that very same thing since we moved up here and we have the room, but it’s just a shock to wake up and know by the end of the day we will have both a kitten and a puppy.”

  Colum came up and started rubbing Katherine’s shoulders. At first he felt her stiffen up to his touch then slowly he felt her relax and heard her sigh. He felt her actually lean into his hands.

  “If it makes you feel any better, only the kittens are ready for a home today. The puppies have a few more weeks.”

  Katherine laughed and turned to face Colum. She really couldn’t face him since he was so tall and big. More like running into his chest.

  Craning her neck she smiled. “Well that’s a relief to hear.”

  She studied his face and liked what she saw. Even if he hadn’t been a giant, he still would hav
e a solid presence that would give her a good feeling.

  Colum brought his hands up to her shoulders again. He loved being able to touch her and he figured she would learn to like him, if he went slowly and not have the bull in the china shop mentality.

  They both turned to throats being cleared.

  “We’re ready, Mom and Colum... ”

  “Good, let’s go have breakfast so you girls can get going on your shopping spree.”

  Katherine chuckled. “Well, I don’t know if it will be a shop till we drop but we’ll have fun.”

  “Come on Mom... ”

  * * * * * * *

  They sat in a warm, inviting room with a large wall of glass, looking out onto the bay and beyond. A fire was crackling in the huge fireplace that was opposite the panoramic view of the ocean. Tea and hot cocoa had been brought in and served. The girls sat on the floor with kittens crawling all over them. The puppies had been looked over but they were sleeping.

  “Mom, I want this smoky grey one.”

  Olivia sat playing with a grey tabby that finally just gave up and curled up on her lap. She glanced up. “Do you think if my Mom were to say yes, I could have this one?”

  Colum smiled down at the girls. “That would be fine. As long as your mother doesn’t mind.”

  “We had a cat but it died of old age six months ago. My Mom would love a kitten but I’ll call her.”

  “The phone is there if you want to use it.”

  “Sweet! Thank you.”

  She got up, holding the kitten still nestled in her arm, asleep.

  “Do you think you two are still gonna want to go shopping if you have new kittens?” Katherine asked her daughter.

  “Colum said we could keep the kittens here until we got home.” Sally said.

  She looked over at Colum and saw him smile. “See... ”

  Katherine had to laugh. It seemed the girls had everything covered. She heard Olivia squealing with delight.

  “My Mom says a kitten is fine but no puppies... ” She kissed the kitten’s head.

  Sally hugged her kitten. “It will be so nice having a kitten and then a puppy.”

  Katherine groaned. “Yes and who is going to take care of this kitten and then the puppy?”

  “I am, Mom, I promise I will.”

  “Well, any help will be lovely.”

  She smiled up at Colum.

  Colum laughed. “That smile has ‘I am going to ring your neck’ written all over it... ”

  “Maybe... ”

  Katherine turned to Colum as the girls got out of his Rover. “I’ll be by first thing in the morning for the kittens. I think we’ll be getting home too late to pick them up today.”

  Colum smiled at Katherine and took her hand. “That’s fine.” Rubbing her hands. “They feel a bit warmer today.”

  Katherine looked down at her hands and tried to still her rapidly beating heart. She felt like this was wrong to be attracted to him. John was still lurking in the corners and she felt she should go through her life with no other life partner. Then she felt the extra squeeze and looked up into eyes that were a deep dark violet. Looking quickly, you would think they were black but looking closer she could see the tinge of purple.

  “Earth to Katherine... ”

  “I know, just thinking... ”

  “Do you want to share?”

  Katherine blushed and shook her head. “No, too personal.”

  “Mooomm, are we going to go or not?”

  Colum took her other hand. He brought them both up to his lips. Watching her as he kissed them ever so lightly. “I know it’s hard. I have waited forever… since my wife passed away. I do know what you are going through.”

  Katherine dipped her face. Then felt her face being brought back up with his index finger. She locked her gaze with his. Those eyes. They were so magnetic. “How do you know when it’s OK?” She whispered.

  “When this feels right.”

  Katherine watched as Colum’s face came in closer and his lips gently brushed hers. She felt the warmth and tasted honey and something more. Something wild. She let her hand reach up and touch his face and felt him smile. She smiled in return. “I’m thinking maybe it feels right. Please just be patient.”

  “I’m very patient,” he said as he let his lips capture hers again, feeling the heat spread through her lips to his. He felt his body go tight with the feeling of need for her building.

  Colum kissed her one last time, letting his lips take her, feeling not only the rush of the kiss, but the beauty of it as well, as she let her fingers slide up through his hair.

  “I think we have answered that question but we have watchers... ”

  Katherine let go quickly and bent her head. “Oh my God, what are they going to think?”

  Colum squeezed her hands. “It’s OK, it will be fine. You get going to the mall and have a great time.”

  “Mom, the SUV won’t start... ”

  Katherine looked out her window of Colum’s Rover. “You can’t be serious... I can’t believe it. Of all days.”

  She got out and went to her Toyota and got in. Trying to turn it over she realized, like her daughter said, it wouldn’t start. “Well, I don’t understand it.” She turned to Colum.

  Colum got in the vehicle and pulled the latch to open the hood. He got out and went around and looked in the engine compartment. After what seemed forever he stood up. “I honestly can’t see the problem but I have a mechanic who can look at it.”

  “Mom, how are we going to get to the mall?”

  Katherine looked stricken. Colum could see that. “Listen, you can take the Rover and enjoy yourself. I will have my man come over and take care of this.”

  Katherine looked at Colum, her daughter and Olivia who looked like their world was coming to an end.

  “OK. Gosh, I don’t know what could be ailing the stupid car. I just had it in the garage for a oil change and a going over.”

  Colum closed the hood and went around and grabbed his cell phone out of the Rover. “It’s all gassed up and ready to go. Don’t worry about a thing. I will have yours taken care of and brought back.”

  “How are you going to get it out of here if it won’t start?”

  “Easy, tow truck... ”

  Katherine looked at the Rover and then at Colum. “I don’t know how to thank you... ”

  “You don’t have to worry about that. I’ll be here when you get back, just give me a call when you get close to home, OK.”

  Katherine walked up to Colum and standing on her tiptoes she still didn’t reach him. Her head barely came to his shoulder. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her, kissing him lightly on his lips. “Thank you,” she whispered. “This means a lot to the girls.”

  “I know.” He pulled her in and kissed her back. Letting his hand go up her back, fingering her hair. “Drive carefully.”

  Katherine felt like a moth to a flame. She was drawn to this man, this gentle giant whom she hardly knew. “I’ll drive carefully.”

  Colum pulled her in a bit tighter. “Don’t worry about the Rover, I’m not, just thinking of you,” he kissed her forehead and let her go.

  He watched as Katherine got into his Rover and the girls jumped in behind her into the Rover. They were already bouncing in the back with their iPods on. They waved and smiled. Sally mouthing thank you to him.

  Chapter 3

  As soon as Katherine and the girls drove away from the house, Colum was under Katherine’s SUV hood fixing the problem quickly. Getting out he went around climbed in and started it up. Standing up straight he pulled out his phone and hit speed dial to Travis.

  Hearing his butler come in, he said, “Travis, bring up the surveillance screen up on my Rover.”

  “I have it already, Sir.”

  Colum rounded the corner off of Russell Avenue onto Bay View Street. “I’m almost home. I want her watched the entire time.”

  Colum pulled up to his gate, pushed the button tha
t moved the rock aside and a screen appeared. He touched the screen to identify his fingerprint, then the screen did a scan of his eyes. The gate opened and in he drove in. Glancing in his rear view mirror he saw the gate closed fast.

  Getting out, two men met him. “How fast can you be on the road and following my Rover?”

  The men, who were almost as big as he was, both smiled, “Right now, Colum.”

  As he walked towards the house, they walked alongside him, all three, matching strides. “Follow Katherine, keep a distance but keep her safe. I don’t want anything happening to her, or anyone getting near her.”

  The lighter colored of the two brothers, Thor, glanced over at Colum. “Do you think there will be others?”

  “Probably, not today, but one never knows. Regardless, I don’t want her alone. She is to be protected all of the time from now on. If I didn’t have that Council meeting to go to I would protect her myself.”

  The other one, who matched Colum in size and girth, spoke. Odin normally was the quieter of the two brothers and spoke very little. “She will be protected like she is one of us.”

  Colum got up in his face. “She will be my wife again and someday your Queen, protect her as you would any of my family.” The look he gave the men was not one they saw often, but they knew he would easily take out anyone who didn’t listen to his orders.

  Odin was the darker of the two brothers, and he knew Colum as well as he knew his own brother. Colum had always been a fair and brave commander. He asked for nothing that he wouldn’t do himself. He felt no malice towards Colum for the threatening glance he gave both of them. On the contrary, Odin only respected him more.

  Both men stood straighter. “We are on it. Sorry, Sir, bad choice of words.”

  They both turned and went into the garage door. A moment later a vehicle came out, a Humvee, one that looked beyond menacing, stopping next to Colum.