[English] CARRIER OF THE MARK

Carrier of the Mark
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I put my arms around Adam’s waist. “Adam, look at me, please.” I reached up and put a hand on either side of his face and tilted his head toward me. “Look at me.” The black and swirling blue of his unfamiliar eyes focused on my face. Suddenly I felt aware of an icy sensation in my chest. It pulsated, reacting to the darkness in Adam’s eyes. Hiding my anxiety, I smiled at him. “You should listen to Rían and Fionn. I don’t like this either, but they’re on our side; they will help us.”

His eyes flickered green for a moment as he fought for control.

“Adam, you’re stronger than this. You control the element—it doesn’t control you.”

Large splatters of rain started falling around us. Everyone in the courtyard was running for cover.

“Come back to me,” I pleaded.

“You’re right,” he said, exhaling a big breath. “Of course you’re right.” The cloud that hovered angrily above us shuddered a little before falling in a torrent. His soaked hair clung to his skin where the rain ran down his pale face in rivulets. Slowly, his pupils contracted and his irises returned to their usual green. “I’m sorry,” he said, shaking a little. “That’s never happened to me before.” He slumped into my arms and I held him. “What I feel is real; I just know it is,” he whispered. “Please believe me?”

“I believe you,” I whispered back to him. The pulsating iciness in my chest dulled, but I was still conscious of its presence.

“Adam, let’s get you out of here,” Fionn said, approaching us slowly.

Adam nodded. “I’m sorry, Fionn. I lost control.” He looked down at his shaking hands.

We got back to the car and all climbed in. The tension was unbearable. As Fionn started the engine, the news blared out from the radio:

“Despite Met Éireann’s forecast of clear skies today, sudden torrential rain in the past few minutes has stopped play at the Republic of Ireland’s friendly with New Zealand. Spectators claimed that—”

Rían flicked off the radio and we rode the rest of the way in silence. We parked the car and collected our bags, then waited for Fionn to check us in. Áine looked particularly upset. I’d have liked to say something to make her feel better, but I was just trying my best to keep it together for Adam’s sake. He still looked dangerously close to snapping. My hand ached where he held it tightly, apparently unwilling to let it go.

Fionn walked toward us. “Right, Áine and Megan, you’re sharing.” He gave us our key card and room number.

“Adam, you’re with Rían.” He held out the key card to Rían. “I’m in two oh five. Go up and get yourselves settled and meet in my room in ten minutes, okay? Adam, you come with me; we need to talk.”

We walked to the elevator in silence. When we got out on the second floor and walked up the carpeted corridor, Áine stopped. “This is us.”

I looked at Adam. He still hadn’t let go of my hand. Fionn kept walking past us.

“Come on, Adam,” he said over his shoulder. Adam looked at me again, then let go of my hand reluctantly. I could feel the blood start flowing through the veins that had been constricted before. He watched me walk into my room. Áine closed the door on his troubled face.

She walked in, chucking the key card on the dressing table and her bag on the floor, then grabbed a towel from the bathroom and flung herself on one of the beds.

“Wow. That was so intense,” she said, rubbing her hair absentmindedly.

I walked over to my bed, took off my soaked jacket, and sat down heavily. “Will he be all right?”

“He’ll be fine. Fionn will make sure of it… And I thought I had problems.”

“What do you mean?”

She smiled. “I’m sure you don’t want to hear all my woes today, of all days.”

“Oh, please tell me; I could really use some distraction.”

She looked at me thoughtfully for a few seconds. “Well, as you know I was the only female Marked One, until you appeared. So when I was born, the Order picked a male for me, an intended, my ‘perfect partner.’ He’ll eventually be my husband, and he and I will be in charge of producing children in hopes that we will be able to have four Marked Ones.” She shuddered visibly. “To think there is an eighteen- or nineteen-year-old boy somewhere being groomed to be my husband, to marry me! Ugh! I’m sure he’s probably lovely and all that, but the idea of being forced to marry a complete stranger, the way my mom did, is so awful.” She gazed off into space for a moment, then glanced up at me. “You know, she never loved my dad.”

I groped for words, shocked. “I’m sure she did.”

She shook her head. “She was in love with Fionn, and Fionn was in love with her. But she did her duty and married the one chosen for her. And in doing her duty, she broke her own heart and devastated poor Fionn.”

Áine smiled wearily at my disbelieving face.

“Fionn doesn’t talk about it much; I think it’s all too painful for him. Anyhow, I was hoping that you would be the answer to all my troubles. You’re so in love with Adam. I was sure, up to today, that you would eventually get married and have loads of Marked babies and I would be off the hook. But now that’s looking less and less likely.”

My face fell; I was devastated by the outlook she had just given me a glimpse of. Today was supposed to be about the four elements and my evocation ritual. But now it was all about Adam and me and our future … and babies. All that felt so far-off. But what scared me more was the thought that what I felt might not be real. Was it just my element reacting strongly with Adam’s? If I gave up my element, would Adam stop wanting me? Would his attraction die with my power?

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“Oh, crap, I didn’t mean to upset you,” Áine said sadly, coming over to sit next to me. “Look, we’ll come up with something and it will all work out. Please, Megan, don’t cry.” She wiped away my tears. “You have no idea just how much he needs you.”

I turned to her. “What if it’s just his element that needs me?”

She looked at me seriously. “Megan, he only started living when you came into his life. I know my brother. This is not just elemental attraction; this is the real deal. You have to believe him.”

“I do. I feel the same way,” I whispered. I believed Adam’s feelings to be true, but I couldn’t convince myself of where those feelings originated—from him or his element.

“I know you do. I only slag you and wind you up because I’m dead jealous. I wish I could experience that intensity, feel that kind of attraction. I just don’t see it in my future.”

I hugged her. “Don’t say that. It will happen for you. I’m sure of it.”

There was a knock at the door.

“I wonder who that could be,” Áine said, rolling her eyes.

I ran to the door, needing to see him. I pulled the door open and fell into his arms. I breathed a sigh of relief. “Adam.”

“Hi,” he whispered into my neck. “Are you all right?”

I nodded my head close into his chest. “I’m fine. Are you okay?”

“I’ll be fine.” He kissed me tenderly. “I’m so sorry about earlier. I don’t know what came over me.”

“Don’t worry.”

He looked over my shoulder to Áine. “Are you ready? Let’s get this over with.” The three of us walked to Fionn’s room, where Rían was waiting for us.

“Right, we’re all here,” Fionn began. “I’m sorry it has come to this. The last thing I want to do is interfere in your lives, but it has to be done. Will, M.J., and Hugh are our friends. And they are genuinely concerned about the effects your relationship will have on this world, as unlikely as that sounds.”

“But, Fionn, this is all speculation!” Adam protested.

“You’re right; there is no hard evidence, but nonetheless, if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years in the Order, it’s that prophecies and fables have a habit of becoming fact. We would be wise to observe a little caution until we have more details.”

I stood there listening to them discussing the rights and wrongs of our relationship and its effects on our world. It soon became very clear to me that there was only one course of action. After hearing Áine’s tales of her mother’s sacrifice and Fionn’s heartache, I knew what I had to do.

“Couldn’t I just stop training?” I interjected. “I could give up my element.”

“No, Meg,” Adam said. “You don’t know what you’d be giving up.”

“Adam’s right, Megan; you can’t do that,” Rían said. “You have to look at the bigger picture.”

“This only becomes a problem after I evoke my power. I could try to delay it and buy us more time,” I pleaded.

Fionn put out his hand. “Regardless of what we want and don’t want, you must remember that your first priority here is to the alignment. As much as it pains me to say it, for now your personal life comes second to your calling. Megan, trust me; I know how you’re feeling, but for the greater good you need to see this through.” He looked from Adam to me. “Look, Adam’s right. The Druid Scribes are pretty flaky and the translations are seriously flawed. While we can’t ignore them, we can take comfort in the fact there is a chance the Order has it wrong. The untranslated story of the unnamed pair may even hold the answers to your problems. Let’s proceed with caution. I take it that you two weren’t planning on starting a family in the near future?”

I flushed with embarrassment, but Adam’s strained face broke into a little smile. “Not just yet.”

“Good. Let’s keep it that way; cool your relationship down until after the alignment. In the meantime let’s get our hands on the Druid Scribes. If they hold the answers we are looking for, we’ll find them. Okay?”

We nodded in agreement and Fionn went on. “Adam, how are you feeling? Have you got your power under control?”

Adam nodded.

“Okay, then. I think we should go meet Hugh and the others for lunch.” With that, Fionn, Rían, and Áine got up to leave.

I tugged Adam’s hand, pulling him away from the others. “I don’t want to choose between you and the power,” I whispered.

“You won’t have to,” Adam reassured me, running his finger down the side of my face. “Fionn will find something in the Druid Scribes.”

“And if he doesn’t?”

Adam didn’t reply.

“The Order says we can’t be together if I evoke. And I can’t imagine not being with you. But I feel this pull in me—I want the element too. I can’t help feeling like you, me, and the elements are all connected somehow, and I don’t know if I can choose one over the other.” My heart was pounding as I rushed on. “And what if they’re right? What if our attraction is based on the elements? If I decide not to evoke, I might lose you anyway! There has to be a third option. There has to be a way I can keep the element and you too. How can I separate the two things that make me feel whole?”

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Adam cupped my face and looked into my eyes. “You won’t have to; I promise. I’ll find an answer. I will never give you up.”

“If we don’t find a solution, I’ll do my best to stop the evocation—at least that will give us a chance.”

“Don’t do that.”

“I’m going to try.” I turned away from Adam and called after Fionn to get him to come back.

“No!” Adam said, raising his voice.

“You’re not sure, are you? You’re as scared as me!”

His strained eyes met mine. “I’m not scared,” he protested. But I saw it in his eyes—the fear that his feelings were tied to my element.

“Fionn,” I called again, feeling light-headed with the implications of Adam’s resistance.

“Yes?” Fionn said, coming back into the room.

“I don’t want to evoke yet. We need you to get the Order to wait until the last moment possible to perform the ritual.”

Fionn looked at me for a second, then flicked his eyes over to Adam. “Are you sure about this?”

I nodded.

“This will solve nothing, Megan. Don’t do this,” Adam said.

Fionn sighed. “I don’t know how much time I can buy you, but I’ll see what I can do.”

“Fionn!” Adam pleaded.

“It’s her decision, Adam.”

Seventeen

DELIBERATIONS

The Dublin Order was waiting for us when we got back to Trinity, and we gathered at the huge table and sat down. Áine sat across from me, a picture of desolation. I felt terrible for her, but I knew she would understand my decision. Rían sat beside her, dark and silent. He had been entrusted to train me and had been doing so well; it had given him purpose. Now his scowl had returned, his eyebrows back in that flat line above his dark eyes. Then there was Adam, sitting by my side.

Everything else paled in significance. I could not live without him. As much as it upset me to hurt the others, it was nothing compared to the stabbing pain I felt when I thought of being parted from him. What we had was powerful. Forces beyond our understanding brought us together and held us there. How could anything as beautiful and pure as that be dangerous? But I wasn’t about to take any chances. This decision might be the wrong one, but I had to try. It would buy us time for Fionn to find a solution, and for Adam and me to figure this out.

Fionn stood at the head of the table. “Today was not the day we were all expecting, but I don’t think we should forget the reason we’re all here. Megan has found her way to us.” He smiled at me. “Now, new information has come to light about a serious issue regarding Adam and Megan’s relationship, but let’s not get caught up in the technicalities of that for the time being. Our main purpose for meeting was so that Hugh, Will, and M.J. could meet Meg and talk to us about how best to train her and prepare her for evoking her full power.”

I started to interrupt Fionn, but he held up his hand to silence me.

“Megan appears to have immense power. She has surprised us all at how well she has embraced her element. It now seems very likely that Megan will be able to evoke her power before the summer solstice.”

Adam was still sitting rigidly beside me. His face was like stone, his eyes narrowed into two slits and his jaw set in a stiff line.

“We were going to do a demonstration today,” Fionn continued, “but in light of our new circumstances, I feel it’s best not to put Megan under any more pressure.”

Will removed his half-moon spectacles and fiddled with them nervously. “Fionn, can you give us some details of Megan’s powers to date?”

Fionn sat down and leaned back in his chair. “Well, she can repel fire, and she physically moved Rían and Adam simultaneously.”

M.J. leaned forward, rubbing his beard in excitement. “She did what?”

Fionn nodded in M.J.’s direction. “Yes, Megan will be very powerful. However…”

“However?” repeated Hugh.

Fionn looked over to me and back around the table. “After today’s big ‘reveal,’ Megan has decided to slow training in a bid to delay evocation.”

Hugh went all purple in the face. “She can’t! We have been waiting so long for a fourth. It’s a miracle she’s here at all! She has responsibilities. You all do. You can’t shirk them so lightly.”

Fionn shook his head. “As I understand it, their being together poses no threat until after evocation. They deserve an opportunity to find a solution before it comes to that.”

Will looked pleadingly at Fionn. “But she must be made to understand the importance, the significance of what she is.”

Adam was staring at the table. Now his gaze rose slowly. “Stop speaking about Megan like she isn’t here. If you want to say something to her, then say it.”

He looked around the room, his glare making Will, Hugh, and M.J. shrink back into their seats.

Adam had tremendous presence. I saw in that moment that they all respected him, even feared him. In all the time I’d spent with the DeRíses, I’d only ever thought to fear Rían. I realized now that there were three incredibly powerful people here today, people who could wipe out everything in this room—in this college, even—with the flick of a finger. They wouldn’t do it, but the potential was there, and the three men of the Dublin Order seemed acutely aware that Adam was teetering on the edge.

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“Megan, I’m sorry.” Will cleared his throat and looked nervously at Adam. “I’m just not used to having another member of the family. In some ways you still feel fictitious to me.” He smiled kindly. “But please understand. The Order has waited thousands of years to perform the alignment ritual. We could never get the four elements at full power at the same time. Now we’re so close. You have the ability to transform the world, to align the seasons, the weather, and seismic activity. You could help end droughts, plagues, and famines, and alter billions of people’s lives for the better. Don’t you want to be part of that?”

I felt guilt rising up inside me, but I stood firm.

“I am going to continue working on my power, but I’m just going to tone it down a little, temporarily. Fionn is going to help us find a solution. I still want to evoke before the time is up. But just not yet.”

“Evocation can be difficult; it might take several attempts. What if you misjudge your abilities and don’t develop the strength required for the ritual? Adam, speak to her,” M.J. pleaded with him. “She needs to be fully evoked by March at the latest. Otherwise she’ll never be ready for the summer solstice alignment.”

Adam took my hand firmly. “We’ll make sure she’s ready for the ritual when the time comes. What is important is just that she evokes before the solstice. The alignment can wait until the next summer solstice, and you know it. You’ve waited this long—another year won’t make a difference. For now, I’m supporting her decision.”

Áine sat forward. “I’m with Megan. I’d do it too, given her circumstances.”

Rían shifted in his chair and put his hand on the table in front of him. “This is what Megan wants. She’s strong. I’m confident she can do it.”

“And I’m with them too,” Fionn added. “So there is no debate. Anyway, I’m not entirely convinced of the danger posed by Adam and Megan’s being together. I propose that we continue training, but very carefully. Megan will maintain her power until she’s ready for the next level. Megan and Adam are very responsible, and I’m confident they won’t put the world in any danger in the next six months. In the meantime, we’ll dissect the Druid Scribes for the truth and unlock the secrets of the unnamed pair.” He looked around the room. “Are we all in agreement?”

There was some mumbling and nodding of heads.

“I suggest we set a tentative date of … February twentieth,” Fionn continued. “That’s exactly four months to the solstice. That gives us time to schedule another ritual, just in case the first one fails.”

My heart fluttered as I mulled over the implications of my decision. I knew I was being selfish and the guilt made my head spin. I rested my cheek on the table, letting the coolness of the glossy wood ease the heat from my skin.

“Are you okay?” Adam asked, bending down to me.

“I’m fine. I think I need some air,” I whispered.

Adam stood up. “I’m going to take Megan out for a while. We’ll meet you back here later.”

“Sure,” Fionn said. “We’ll see you outside.”

Adam nodded and we left the room quietly, making our way up the tunnel and the winding stairs, out of the hatch, locking doors as we went. Finally we emerged into the evening light.

I went into his arms. “Thank you.”

“For what?” he asked gently. “What have I done that deserves thanks? I put you in this situation.”

“For letting me do it my way.”

“I can’t stop you.” He shook his head slowly. “I know that you’re worried about my feelings for you, but they are my own. Not my element’s. I’m sure of it. I just don’t want you to sacrifice your gift because of me. I don’t know what to do. I’m potentially denying you your power by not giving you up, but I’m too selfish to.” He looked down at me sadly. “I always thought I was the strong one in the family. I see now that I’m the weakest link.”

I hugged him fiercely. “You are not weak. I’m the selfish one.” I smoothed my hand down his face, trying to wipe away some of the worry around his eyes. “You never know; it might all work out.” I nodded back in the direction of the door we had just come through. “They might find the answer.”

Adam shook his head. “I can’t believe our fate is being dictated by the Druid Scribes.”

I took his hand and started pulling him toward one of the greens. “Will you show me around?”

He faltered a little. “I guess.”

I laughed at him. “Come on; you can do better than that.” I stood on my toes and kissed him gently.

“Well, okay,” he said. A small smile broke across his face. He picked me up off the ground and kissed me long and hard right there in the middle of the square. People who passed by stared at us, but I didn’t care.

“Come on; we’d better get that brochure for your dad,” he said as he came up for air.

“That would be wise,” I agreed, laughing. It seemed so trivial, given everything we had learned today, but it was kind of nice to think about something besides the elements.

Adam showed me all around the campus. It was too late to get in to see the famous Book of Kells in the library, but he showed me the beautiful buildings: the Campanile, a stunning bell tower, and Parliament Square and the very pretty chapel. We even walked around a bit of Dublin, with its beautiful architecture and little streets. Under any other circumstances, it would have been a magical evening, and even with all that was hanging over our heads, I still felt the joy of simply being with him.

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It was almost eight p.m. when we reluctantly started heading back to the gates at Trinity. The closer we got, the tenser Adam seemed.

They were all waiting for us outside. Áine saw us first and ran up to intercept us. She hooked her arm through mine. “Are we all good?”

“I’m not sure,” I said, looking over at Adam.

We started walking in the direction of the restaurant the Dublin Order had originally chosen for lunch, but they had since changed the reservations to dinner. Áine looked at Adam, who was gazing off in the other direction. “I know he looks like he’s going to snap, but he won’t. He just needs some time. I’m so sorry about this stupid Druid Scribes thing,” she said under her breath.

“I’m sorry too. I know how much all of this means to you; I just wish there were something I could do to make everyone happy.”

She looked at me kindly. “Don’t stress yourself out. This has always been my path, my burden. I envy you, though. You get a chance to opt out. I wish I had that choice.”

“I’m not going to opt out now. I’m just buying some time before I have to make that decision.” I squeezed her arm reassuringly. “We’re in this together, but I need Adam, and Adam needs me.”

She nodded in agreement. “Look, let’s forget about it for tonight. I want to enjoy myself while I still can. I got to go to a few shops this evening. You want to see what I bought?”

Adam excused himself and caught up with Fionn, where he got into a deep conversation. Áine then proceeded to tell me all about every shop she had been in, giving me every last detail about a pair of killer heels she had bought. I listened, feigning interest, but kept a close eye on Adam. He glanced at me now and again, giving me a forced little smile or a wink.

When we reached the restaurant, Adam sat down on my right. Áine was just sitting down on my left when Will called to her.

“Won’t you sit with me, Áine? I’d love to catch up with you.”

“Sure,” she agreed, moving over to the other side of the long rectangular table. Hugh came up and took her place beside me. “May I?”

“Of course.” I pulled out the chair for him.

“Thank you,” he said, sitting down. “Really, what must you think of us? I know that the way we acted was unforgivable. We were just so shocked. We’re honestly not that bad.” He paused, then gave me a shy smile. “Let’s start again, shall we?” He held out his hand for me to shake it. “Hello, Megan, lovely to meet you. I’m Hugh McDonagh.”

I smiled slightly. Hugh was charming, like a little old elf. I shook his hand.

Adam was straining to hear what we were saying. He was holding my other hand firmly under the table.

“Any chance you’ll accept my apology, Adam?” Hugh inquired, leaning around me.

Adam raised an eyebrow. “I will.” He shook Hugh’s hand. “But tread carefully.” He smiled, but I could see he meant the warning seriously.

The atmosphere around the table eased and the evening became quite enjoyable.

After the main course, Fionn, Rían, Adam, and M.J. were deep in conversation. Áine and Will were still catching up.

“Hugh, what actually happens during an ‘alignment’?” I asked, turning to him. “I’ve heard so much about it, but I still don’t understand what happens.”

Hugh looked delighted with the question. “Ah, the alignment. It’s a correction. The last full alignment was done by Danu herself. Since then, the four physical elements have been existing in their individual states, growing, moving, evolving, and being utilized by the people of Earth. Over time, the balance has been thrown into disarray, as the elements are constantly in a state of flux. The elemental alignment connects the holders of the elemental powers with the physical elements. All the strength and beauty of the four is allowed to flow through each of you, until each element is restored to its original and perfect state, a state that will correct all the imbalances that have caused misery and destruction in the world. Imagine the serenity of an aligned world—chaos turned to harmony. It’s our life’s work. It’s hard to contain the excitement,” Hugh said, clasping his hands together.

“Really? The world would be so dramatically affected?”

“It wouldn’t appear dramatic to the casual onlooker. The damage from the imbalance will take some time to heal. But nature will begin to correct itself as soon as the four elements are synced.”

“Wow. That sounds amazing.”

“It will be. That’s why it must happen.” Hugh leaned into me and quietly said, “And on that note, I’d like to tell you a little story.”

“What kind of a story?” I asked.

“I don’t want to alarm you, but you need to know. Love and Carriers do not go hand in hand. As a Carrier of the Mark you have a great responsibility to the world, to every other human. You exist to protect them, and with that power comes great responsibility. You’re not the first of your kind to fall deeply in love.” He looked over at Adam to make sure he was still engrossed in conversation. “Adam’s mother, Emma … she was a lovely girl, delightful. She grew up in the Order.”

“Fionn told me about her.”

“Did he tell you the full story?” he inquired. “I doubt it. Emma grew up with Fionn, and their friendship blossomed into love. There was no denying their connection, but when the council saw what was happening, they decided it was time to marry her to her intended, a young man by the name of Stephen DeRís. She was devastated to be separated from Fionn, but she knew her duty and married Stephen.

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“Fionn knew his duty too. He vowed to protect them, as their personal bodyguard. He watched another man marry the woman he loved. And still he stood by silently, doing his duty. It was a life of sacrifice, but it was for the greater good. Remember, by denying yourself your power, you are also denying Adam his birthright, and Áine and Rían too. I don’t want to force your hand or burden you, but please”—he put his hands on mine—“give your decision more thought before it is too late.”

“But why do Carriers of the Mark have intendeds? Why can’t the Marked pick their own partners?”

“The genetic process is complex, as I’m sure Fionn has told you. The Marked gene is recessive. We’ve only been successful in producing Marked children though bloodlines that we know are pure and carry the neutral gene that doesn’t suppress the Mark.”

“So Fionn and Emma wouldn’t have had Marked children?”

“It’s unclear. Fionn doesn’t carry the neutral gene, and we couldn’t take the chance that they would have unmarked children. Our Carriers are too precious, too rare. We only pair them with neutral carriers from proven genetic lines. Look, don’t concern yourself with all this now. It’s just something I thought you should know. You have to consider your own future as much as Adam’s.”

“My own?”

“Yes. The Marked line will need to continue. You and Aíne hold that key.”

My mind was reeling. Áine had spoken of her intended, but I didn’t think for one second of the possibility of an intended for me.

Adam finished his conversation and dipped his head low to my ear. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I said, and smiled at him though my heart was thudding in my chest.

After dinner, we said our farewells. It had been an exhausting day and we all felt the stress of the occasion. Adam kissed me good night and went to his room with Rían, and I went with Áine to ours. She was still babbling on about all her new stuff when she came out of the bathroom in her pajamas.

“Oh, I forgot to get my toothbrush from Adam’s bag; I’ll be back in a sec,” she said, walking out the door.

I was already in bed, even though I knew it would be impossible to sleep. It had been a day of revelations, and now, after Hugh’s story, I didn’t know what to do. I wanted Adam more than anything else, but there was so much at stake.

The door of the room opened, letting in a beam of light from the bright hall outside. I sat up.

“Did you find it?”

“I don’t know about it, but I certainly found what I was looking for,” Adam’s voice said softly in the darkness.

“Adam, what are you doing here?” I couldn’t hide the elation in my voice.

He walked over to me and crawled onto my double bed. “Áine’s little present to us. She thought we deserved a break.” He smiled down at me.

“Áine. She’s the best. Remind me to thank her in the morning,” I said, feeling a little self-conscious in my pajamas.

“Do you mind?” He lowered himself down beside me.

“No, not at all,” I replied, blushing into my pillow.

He pulled me in close to him. I luxuriated in his smell, his warmth, the feeling of his skin on mine. How could I ever give this up?

“So, should we be on the lookout for a great meteorite to crash into Earth, wiping out all life on the planet?” I joked, trying to break the fizzing of excitement that ran though me.

“I’d say we’re safe enough for now.” He laughed softly in my ear.

He kissed me gently and combed his fingers through my hair. He ran his hand over my body, caressing the skin where it was exposed.

Since meeting Adam, I’d imagined moments like this, but my daydreams were nothing compared to the tantalizing sensations I felt as his skin brushed mine. I gasped in pleasure.

Adam flicked his hand away. “I’m so sorry; I got caught up in the moment.” I could hear the mortification in his voice.

“No, don’t stop.”

“No. I shouldn’t have come in here.” He sat up.

“Please don’t go.”

“It’s just that my head gets so fuzzy when I’m with you.”

“Adam, it’s all right. Please stay,” I said, pulling him back down beside me.

Relaxing a little, he turned me over and curled into my back. “You’re sure?”

“I’m sure.”

“You’re amazing. I will never lose you,” he whispered. “I mean it, so don’t go trying to be all noble for our sakes. I know how Hugh works. I’m sure he’s been spinning tales to you about your duty and self-sacrifice.”

I turned back to him. “You mean your mom and Fionn?”

“Yeah, but I bet Hugh didn’t tell you the whole story.”

“There’s more?”

“There’s a lot more, but it’s not my story to tell; it’s Fionn’s. I’ll ask him to speak to you. In the meantime, don’t go getting ideas. I’ll make this work. All right?”

“Do you promise?”

“I promise.”

I cuddled down into the crook of his arm. I felt so safe there, so sure, even with our future up in the air. Adam’s fingers trailed up and down my arm; I closed my eyes and just enjoyed the caress that eased me gently to sleep.

I woke with a start. Adam was still fast asleep. I marveled at the way his eyelashes grazed his cheeks, his face smooth and stress-free. Daylight was coming through a crack in the curtain and it sent a thin beam of light across his cheek and down his torso. He opened his eyes a bit and smiled sleepily at me.

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“Why, hello,” I said, and gave him a kiss.

“Hello to you too. It’s nice to see you in your morning glory.”

“Is my hair all over the place?”

He reached up and stroked my cheek. “You’re stunning.”

I leaned down to kiss him again, but the phone rang and jolted us out of the moment.

“You’d better answer that,” he said, “considering I’m not meant to be here.”

I couldn’t help giggling a little as I picked up the call. “Hello?”

It was Áine. “Megan, it’s time to swap back. I think Fionn will be doing rounds shortly. I guess you two didn’t get up to anything too serious last night, as the Earth hasn’t imploded!”

“I heard that!” Adam grabbed the phone. “Áine, as much as I love you and appreciate last night, sod off and mind your own business.”

I heard laughter ringing through the line as Adam hung up.

“I guess I’d better get going,” he said.

“Last night was pretty great.”

“Pencil me in for another sleep date soon.” He grinned.

“Definitely.”

He left, and a moment later Áine walked in. She jumped onto the unused bed and turned to me with wide eyes. “Well, how did you get on?”

I blushed. “Thank you so much for that. It was the best present you could have given me.”

She beamed. “No problem—but I will be looking for you to return the favor one of these days.”

I laughed. “You’re on. Did Rían mind your bunking with him?”

She shook her head. “Not at all! It was his idea in the first place, actually.”

We got dressed quickly and met the guys for breakfast. Then Fionn checked us all out and we headed out to the Land Rover. The ride back to Kinsale was quiet; we were all lost in our own thoughts. We got into town around lunchtime, and since my dad wasn’t expecting me back until the evening, I decided to go home with the DeRíses.

As soon as we got into the house, Fionn went into the kitchen and put the kettle on, while Adam and I headed out to the backyard.

“Want a coffee?” he called.

“Yes! That would be great,” I answered.

Soon Fionn appeared with three steaming coffees, and we all settled down on the steps. “What is it, Adam?” he asked, looking concerned. “There’s something on your mind.”

“I think Megan needs to hear your story. Hugh tried to coerce her with a guilt trip last night.”

“Christ, that’s low,” Fionn grumbled, looking more frustrated than I’d seen him in a while.

I started to tell him that he didn’t have to give me the full story if he didn’t want to, but he shook his head. “I don’t mind telling you; I just can’t believe they would stoop to pulling my story on you. I guess I underestimated their determination. How much did they tell you?”

I felt awful. I couldn’t believe I had to regurgitate such personal information back to him. “Well,” I began slowly, “they told me that you and Emma were in love, but you both knew that it was best to part, for the good of the Order.”

Fionn laughed bitterly. “That sounds about right for them! What spin!”

“Wait, what really happened?” I asked, startled.

Fionn’s eyes clouded over. “Oh, I loved Emma, all right. And she loved me. You and Adam remind me so much of us back then. But we always knew there was another man who had been chosen as her intended. Stephen DeRís. Stephen was a great guy, groomed for the role. Emma didn’t love him, but she was fond of him. And she was under a lot of pressure to do her duty. I respected her wishes and those of my superiors, but I demanded to stay with her as her guardian.” His voice roughened. “Every day was a heartache; every touch was a stabbing pain. And when the children were born, I saw the babies that should have been mine. She felt the same, but remained faithful to Stephen and to the Order.

“After Rían, Adam, and Áine were born, the Order had the four elements. Stephen, having done his duty, wanted out of the marriage, as did Emma. But the Order would not allow it. They had some time to go until the children would be strong enough to perform the alignment with their mother, and the Order wanted to play it safe, just in case anything happened to any of the Marked Ones. They wanted another child of direct descent as a backup, and they wouldn’t permit the separation until they had it.”

I was shocked. I couldn’t imagine feeling so trapped—and knowing that the person you loved was just out of reach. I looked over at Adam. He was as rapt as I was.

Fionn’s eyes darkened as he continued his story. “Emma was distraught. She had sacrificed her life for the Order, they had the four elements, and still they would not free her. Emma and I were still passionately in love, and one evening it all became too much to bear. We couldn’t be kept apart any longer. Emma told Stephen and he was fine with it. He knew that we should have been together from day one. So we continued the happy-family charade for the Order’s sake, but Emma and I were together, as good as married. Then Emma got pregnant with my baby. We were overjoyed. The Order, thinking the baby was Stephen’s, agreed to release Stephen and Emma as soon as the baby was born. But—” His voice broke off and he closed his eyes, fighting back whatever painful images filled his mind.

Adam went over to Fionn and patted him on the shoulder.

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Fionn pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath. “I respect your strength, Megan; I wish we had been as strong as you. Love is never worth giving up on. If I could do it all over, I’d tell the Order to stick it, and run away with her. We would have been happy. The Marked line would still have continued. The Order doesn’t always know best. I will not have you and Adam suffer the same fate as Emma and me—or as Adam’s father, for that matter. Three lives wasted over rules and old tra***ions. The Knox snuffed out the lives of Emma and Stephen before they could really start living, and a baby girl before she got the chance to live at all. I will not let that happen to you. We’ll find a solution.”

I was so moved by the story it took me a while before I could speak. “There was something else Hugh said, about your not being her match because you weren’t a carrier of a neutral gene. He said the Marked gene is recessive—”

“They said my children wouldn’t have been Marked, right?” Fionn said with a twisted smile.

“He implied it. Hugh said they couldn’t be sure.”

“Hah! They think they have the whole genetic thing worked out, but they don’t. They got lucky with Emma and Stephen. The recessive gene is still a mystery. I don’t care what they say.”

He stood up and hugged me. “You are as much a daughter to me as Áine. When the Sidhe selected you, you received Emma’s Mark. You carry with you a little bit of her and the daughter I never got to meet.” He ran his finger over my Mark. “I feel as if their spirit is in you.” Tears sprang into his eyes and he turned to walk into the house, lost in thought.

“You see,” Adam said, “whatever happens, we stay together. Fionn will fight to the death to protect you and what’s best for you—which, incidentally, is me,” he added with a sly smile. “Now, I think it may be time to take you back to your dad. He’s probably wondering what we DeRíses are doing to you, keeping you away for so long!”

Eighteen

DAY TRIP

After we got back from Dublin we continued our regular training schedule, but we were much more cautious than before. I found it easier to trigger my power now. I could feel it—deep in my chest, an iciness served as a constant reminder that my element was always there, just below the surface. And my Mark was stinging again. Not all the time, but occasionally it would flare up. I hoped the power wasn’t growing too fast. I let Rían think that I was finding training more difficult than it actually was—I didn’t want anyone to know about the strength that I felt flowing through me. Not yet. I wanted to give Fionn and the Dublin Order time to find the solution. I was not giving Adam or my element up without a fight.

Adam was working on his control issues. It had been two weeks now since he’d lost control, but his element had grown inexplicably more erratic ever since Dublin. He reassured me that he would be able to resolve the problem, but it seemed like his power was acting on its own accord. Fionn had started working with Adam to help him manage it, using the same techniques that he’d used with Rían.

I made sure to make time to hang out with Caitlin when we were back, which felt easier now that I wasn’t as focused on my training. I’d missed her over the past couple of weeks.

One Monday after school we went down to a little café on the seafront. We dumped our bags and ordered giant hot chocolates. “Fill me in,” Caitlin ordered. “What have you been up to recently? And I want the real story. Not the school-lunchtime version.”

“Things have been pretty intense.”

“Really? Tell me!”

“I don’t know where to begin. Adam is amazing.”

“Yeah, tell me something I don’t know! So … did you do it?”

“Do what?”

“You know … it.” She raised her eyebrows up and down suggestively.

“What? No! Of course not.”

“Awww, I thought that after the Dublin trip there might have been some steamy sessions.”

“Oh, there was steam, and lots of it,” I said, blushing a little. “I’ve never felt anything like this before.”

“I know how you feel. Me neither,” she said dreamily.

“Hang on a sec; did you do it?” I asked.

“No! Definitely no it.”

“Phew! It still feels a little early for all that, doesn’t it?”

“I suppose so. All in good time.” She winked at me. “So, any more freaky magic from the DeRíses?”

Keeping my eyes on my cup, I shook my head. “I think we were letting our imaginations get the better of us. It was probably all those hormones rushing to our brains.” I forced a laugh, hoping I sounded suitably breezy, then cringed—disgusted with myself for the all-out lie. “They’re just a little … unique. They’re nice, though. I’ll bring you up to their house with me someday after school. You can see for yourself.”

“I’d love to! I’ve lived here all my life and have never been inside.”

“Well, I’ll arrange it. You should see Adam’s room. It’s all sixties flower power.”

“Seriously? That’s too funny.”

“I know! I didn’t know what to say when he showed me.” I grinned at her as I leaned down to pick up my napkin that had fallen on the ground, but when I put out my hand, the napkin fluttered up from the floor and jumped into my palm before I even thought about what I was doing.

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“Did you see that?” Caitlin said. “It just floated into your hand.”

“A draft must have caught it. What are the odds?” I tried to force myself to keep my tone light, and I quickly changed the subject. “So, what’s going on with Jennif—Ouch!” My neck stung sharply.

“Are you all right?” Caitlin asked, leaning toward me.

“I … I think something stung me.” I rubbed my Mark under my hair, trying to ease the pain.

“Do you want me to take a look?”

“No, no. I’ll be fine.”

I heard a mumbled whisper. “Sorry, Cait, I didn’t hear that. What did you say?”

“I didn’t say anything.” She looked at me, concerned.

I heard the whisper again, this time right at my ear. I felt a shiver down my spine; goose bumps spread out across my skin. I spun around, but there was nobody there.

“Megan, are you sure you’re all right?”

The pain started to ease in my neck. I waited for a few seconds to see if there would be any more whispers, but the air was clear.

“I’m fine … I think.” I looked around the café. “I just … thought I saw a bee.” A thrill of fear ran through me.

“I don’t see one. Anyway, you were asking about Jennifer—wait until I tell you about the fight that she and Darren had over the weekend…”

Caitlin’s voice faded away. I needed to talk about this with Adam, but if I told him about my Mark stinging, he might realize how strong my element was. He couldn’t know. Not yet.

Adam had stayed out of school all week. He still wasn’t totally sure if he had his element under control and he didn’t want to risk flooding out Sister Basil. I missed him fiercely, and on Saturday morning, while I trained, Rían banished him from the yard so I could concentrate.

By the afternoon I was exhausted and we called it quits. I went up to Adam’s room, and he and I curled up on his bed. Adam lay behind me with his body curved around mine. I was so tired from trying *****ppress my element. I’d been warned of the strength required for suppression, but I didn’t think it was going to be this hard.

“So how’s your me***ation going?” I asked, keeping my eyes shut.

He sighed. “Me***ation isn’t really for me. I’m concentrating on managing the new strength.”

“Well, how’s that coming along?”

“Good. I’m going back to school on Monday. Fionn reckons I’ve got things under control again.”

“Hooray. Last week was long without you there.”

“I missed you too. Hey, now that I’ve been deemed safe, do you want to get out of here for what’s left of the day?”

I opened my eyes and turned around to him. “I’d love to. What do you have in mind?”

“Well, I’ve been pining for the sea. I’d love to take the yacht out. Do you fancy a quick spin out in the harbor?”

I cringed, recalling my ill-fated sailing lesson. “Couldn’t we go skydiving or bungee jumping or something else less likely to kill me?”

“Don’t tell me you’re afraid to go out sailing with me! You do realize that I control the water, right? You can’t come to any harm. In fact, it’s the safest place you could be. Anyway, you told me you weren’t afraid anymore … remember?”

“Old habits die hard,” I said reluctantly. “Are you going to go all black eyed on me again?”

He sighed and released his grip on me. “The black-eye thing looks like it’s here to stay. Well, when I use my element anyway. It seems to be part of the power now. I guess it’s like what happens to Rían. Do they freak you out?”

“I’ll get used to them if I have to; don’t worry.” I ran my fingers under his eyes. “They’re just so nice when they’re green.”

“Come on.” He stood at the foot of the bed and pulled me up toward him, running his hand along my neck and over my Mark. I tensed for a second as he pulled back my hair for a better look.

“Has my Mark grown much?” I asked.

“No, it’s pretty much the same as it was before. Why do you ask?”

“Oh. I just thought … It’s been stinging a little this week, sort of flaring up.”

“Really?”

“On Monday I was downtown with Cait and it was really acting up, but it’s fine right now.”

He caught my chin in his hand and looked at me thoughtfully. “I’m going to run this trip by Fionn. Want to get some food together for us? I’ll be down to help you in a minute.”

I headed down to the kitchen and found Áine at the table, petting Randel.

She looked up at me. “What are you up to?”

“Since I’m restricting the use of my power, I have been put to work in the kitchen making sandwiches.”

“Let me help.”

Randel shook out his feathers, hopped up over to the window, and flew away. I looked after him. “Is he off on patrol again?”

Áine wrinkled her forehead, her eyes clouding in concern. “He’s been a bit anxious for the past few days, but I can’t figure out what’s bothering him.” She shrugged and then looked at me with suspicious eyes. “So what are these sandwiches for? Am I sensing an outing? A picnic? Ooh, can I come?”

Suddenly Adam’s voice rang out loud and clear behind me. “Absolutely not.”