Chosen: Book 1 in the Ancients of Light series by Heather Fleener

now that the back of his hand
met with the satin covering her abdomen. Her cheek brushed his as
she leaned up on tiptoes to whisper to his ear, “Twas but a moment
my lord. Had my wits not been scattered from the pain I would have
come to you differently. Your reaction was none but which I should
have anticipated. There are no ill effects and no forgiveness
required; you freely give your protection, tis enough.”
    Lorcan could have sworn she rubbed her cheek
against his, but the touch was ever so brief it may have been
incidental. Her eyes were downcast, shadowed by sooty lashes as she
withdrew. He could not read her expression, but he could detect the
increased pace of her heart. He also grasped hold of the fact that
she had said she would have come to him leaving him to wonder if
the pull he felt towards Kaitriana was mirrored in her towards him.
That she would willingly seek him, with the only basis between them
a few fleeting encounters shared over the span of five hundred
years, spoke volumes. Lorcan believed he was not alone in the need
he felt and the instinctive awareness he had of her, but whether or
not she had come to the full realization of what that meant for
her, he did not know.
     
     

CHAPTER 11
    Kaitriana was very mindful of the quickening
of her heart and the flush of warmth caused by his nearness. That
was the very reason her gaze was hidden as she stepped back and
remained so until she could look at Lorcan without revealing the
consuming attraction she felt. His being the Warrior of Light was a
natural lure to her Warrior Caste instincts. However, now that he
was not a threatening menace, his darkly handsome looks were
overwhelming. Those piercing steel eyes and the masculine strength
of his features coupled with the muscular frame of his towering
form had her reeling. She reasoned that she had still not gathered
her wits and had been without the contact of another being in over
five centuries. Certainly she could excuse the unreasonable draw to
him because she was simply out of sorts.
    Lorcan was becoming acutely aware of the
murmuring throughout the many that stood behind. The words ‘chosen’
and ‘prophecy’ were being bandied about and he was aggravated by
it. His people need not get their hopes raised that this little
creature would bring about the Prophecy of old. Transitioned she
could be only as powerful as a normal vampire. The female had
certainly struck a serious blow to the Ancient Dark this eve, but
the inevitable retaliation had him mightily concerned. The fury of
the Dark would ensue and her magic was now dead. When word spread
that the one responsible was under his care it would bring down the
full wrath of Rhydach on his people. It had weighed on his mind
even as he made the public declaration of protection for the
girl.
    His youngest sibling Gareth took that
opportune moment to move to the front of the crowd, elbowing his
way past even the Elite. His bold words carried to Lorcan as he
raised a hand in Kaitriana’s direction, “That creature was born a
witch and her transition was not sanctioned by the Council. Her
very existence is forbidden. She is an abomination!” Gareth spat
the last. Drawing his sword, he issued a challenge to Lorcan, “If
you will not end her brother, I will do that which is
required.”
    The Elite near simultaneously put their hands
to their weapons. Challenging Lorcan was a death wish and their
allegiance was to Lorcan, not to the Council. Lorcan had offered a
vow of protection to the girl; the Elite themselves would die
before allowing any harm.
    Lorcan shifted his gaze to Sayer, the second
behind Colm in leadership of the Elites and his middle brother.
Lorcan and Sayer shared a similar nature and appearance, as well as
a bond that was absent for both of them with the youngest. Gareth
took after their father in both looks and demeanor; he had the pale
hair, coloring and slighter build of their sire along with his
acrimonious hatred for the Witch. As