Free Summon by Penelope Fletcher Page A

need to pretend
with Conall. “They left me. After everything, they lost faith.”
    Leaning heavily on his dwelling, Conall studied the
ground. “The Tribe understands.”
    “Do they?” I snorted laughter. “When they believed
the transgression Rae and Breandan’s bond they felt sorry for me. Nothing
overcomes a connection that powerful. They held pity for my circumstance, and
there was respect.”
    “Many hold you in the highest esteem.”
    “Ah, but that many is no loner among the Tribe. I
cannot hide how I feel.” Touching my chest, I shook my head. At his words and
mine. “Before they left I witnessed their disgust. I cannot blame them for it.”
    “The vampire is fierce.” Conall stared at his boots
unable to meet my gaze. “A Warrior should be honoured to find his life mate.”
    “Oh. What do you know of finding your fated
female?”
    His shoulders drooped. “Nothing.”
    As fast as my anger reared it diminished. It wasn’t
his fault my people were sickened by my taste in female. My clenched fists
released. It was good of him to try and make me feel better. “That was cruel.”
    “It was the truth.”
    “But poor of me. You never judge others harshly.
The only time I have seen you cross or heavy handed is toward one of your
bloodline.”
    “I am the Eldest.”
    “As am I.” I chanced a glance at him. He looked at
anything but me. Talking about his family always shamed him. “You rarely make Elderhood
seem burdensome. I admire you for that.”
    His chest bowed. “It is my responsibility to care
for them. To guide them.”
    I was glad he took gratification from his duty. It
made it easier to explain my feelings. “Just as it is my responsibility to
guide the remainder of our kind. A right I fought for.” I thought of Devlin,
and his death. Little brother and sister’s lives came close to being lost in my
absence. They remained in danger. If I’d
involved them deeper in my plans would things have turned out better –
less treacherous? “Yes, I have fought ruthlessly and at great cost.” I rubbed
my chest. The ache wouldn’t leave me be. “Our kind are dying, Conall. Those
left need protection. I cannot afford my attention so splintered.”
    “Strong emotion is not easy to bear. Deny your
feelings and they will destroy you.”
    “You always seem in control.”
    Conall shrugged. “My nature.”
    Yes, this fairy’s nature was one of the most stable
I’d seen, a direct contradiction to his sister’s.
    Trying to control Rae’s nature was like closing your
fist over a firecracker. She and little brother were similar that way.
    “Thank you for letting me speak without
condemnation.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “It is soothing.”
    “You are my Lord. Your needs are paramount.” He
slumped. “You would not be having these troubles if I had not failed Rae, and
she you. I will atone when there is balance.”
    I eyed him. “Explain this failure?”
    He stared at the pale dawn. “So many mistakes made.
I never thought to look at Temple.”
    “You assume responsibility for things beyond your
control. You did not find Rae because it was not time for her to be found. Even
then I doubt the outcome would have been much affected.”
    “Ana can manipulate events to steer paths that have
gone wayward. If I had been more diligent in my search, or more attuned to
mother’s ramblings when she came to me I would have realised she decided to
hide with the humans.”
    “The witch is as much a part of fate’s plan as the
rest. As was your mother’s misguided decision. Trust me, my friend. If Ana were
not a slave to fate she would not have allowed an outcome where Rae died, and
she performed the resurrection. Much of her newly found power was drained.”
    “Even so, it was not I who found Rae.” His glance
conveyed an apology. “If I brought her to you things would be different. You
cannot deny it.”
    “We mustn’t think that way.” I ignored the
discomfort that came from the thought of