Free Redemption of Fate (Fate Series Book 2) by S. Simone Chavous

 

    “If that’s what you want; sure,” Cami responded calmly. She wasn’t one to back down from a fight, and that was exactly how she was going to look at the situation from then on.  

    “Yay!” Chloe squealed and grabbed Jared’s hand. “Let’s go tell Grandma Becca,” she said, dragging him away.

    I can do this; just have to stay focused and keep my mind on what’s important, Cami thought as they disappeared from view.  

    Considering what was truly important turned her thoughts to her brother, who had been out of contact since the previous evening. Shortly after landing in Boston, Commander Claesson commissioned a civilian resource located in the Caribbean to make the trip to Eleuthera and investigate.  

    Due to the weather, which was likely responsible for Ethan and Alexa’s delay, the resource was forced to wait until that morning to begin the journey. Barring any additional unforeseen interference, a report was expected within a few hours. Until then, all they could do was wait.

    As she undressed, Cami tried to discard her worry so that she could think through the situation logically. Like a soldier.  

    Without the protection of Barb’s blocking spell, Ethan knew their futures were vulnerable. The more time that passed, the greater the likelihood was that Asana would lock onto their future streams and determine their location; or worse, their destination. Josephine had offered some small measure of comfort on that front by sharing how she had been unable to see Ethan’s or Alexa’s future since seeing them board the plane for Boston.  

    Cami knew that Ethan had spent many years traveling and had made some useful acquaintances along the way, several of whom were witches. Because of the storms, it was likely that his plane had been forced to divert, so he would have taken refuge amongst some of those acquaintances and would have had the blocking spell recast, hiding him from his mother’s, and Asana’s, sight. Yes, there was a perfectly reasonable explanation as to why Ethan and Alexa hadn’t arrived, but there was one question which continued to nag at her.  

    Why hadn’t he called?

    Cami stepped into her closet, hoping with everything she had that Ethan would show up soon to answer it himself.

CHAPTER 6 - Chloe's Surprise

    Exactly five minutes later, the buzzer at Cami’s door sounded.

    Cami opened the door, dressed in fresh fatigues with her hair pulled back in her signature ponytail. She started to smile down at Chloe, only to find herself staring at Jared’s stomach. Her eyes shot up to his and out of nervous habit, she grabbed for the strap of the holster at her shoulder, only to find it missing.  

    While getting dressed, she’d decided to limit her weapons to those which were easily concealed, leaving her short swords and the accompanying leather holster behind. Even though she knew that the compound was one of the most secure facilities in the country, she almost never left the comfort of her suite unarmed. Something about the weight of a weapon strapped against her body soothed her.

    Realizing how silly she must look, grabbing at her shoulder that way, she dropped her hand and peered around him. “Where’s Chloe?” she asked, becoming increasing flustered.  

    “Your parents grabbed her when we were passing by their room. Your dad needed to do a few tests on her this morning and wanted her to feed again. Chloe asked me to come meet you; she’s really excited for the surprise and didn’t want you to think we weren’t coming,” he explained.

    “Oh, well just go stay with her and come get me when she’s finished. I’ll wait in my room until then,” she responded, stepping back; not trusting herself to be alone with him for very long and already feeling her focus begin to slip.

    “Dr. Kline assured me that it would only take a few minutes; they will be finished by the time we get to the medical wing if we walk slowly,” Jared replied. Having anticipated