each other’s eyes, she felt a pang deep in her heart. She was happy for them, but it reminded her of a time long ago…
“Kat, Chase will tell you who we are and what we are doing,” she paused. “It will be very dangerous, and I cannot guarantee your safety if you do come. But you are like another granddaughter to me and a sister to Ally, so you have as much right to be there as any of us but…” She trailed off, not knowing the right words to say.
Kat smiled warmly. “I don’t know half of what is going on, but if Ally needs me, I will be by her side no matter what the danger. You can count on me Adele.” She embraced Adele saying, “And I love you too.”
Adele felt a tear well in her eye but held herself in check. “Thank you, my dear girl.”
“Let’s go,” Chase said with a final look to Adele.
“Remember what I said Chase, I shall hold you responsible,” Adele warned him with a sincerity that vibrated throughout the room.
“I know, Adele,” he all but growled. Adele loved Kathryn. He knew that, but Kat was his to protect now and no one else’s. He would not tolerate interference from anyone.
“This is getting out of hand already,” she muttered as she watched them leave. Adele turned to find Ally. It was time they told her everything.
“Alessandra,” Adele said as she walked out onto the veranda.
Ally was leaning against the railing staring out into space. She was visibly startled when she heard her name called, and turned her head around to look at Adele.
“Oh, hi Gran,” she said sounding tired and worn. She appeared to be absorbed in her own thoughts still.
Adele felt the hurt and confusion radiating out of her granddaughter as she sidled up next to her.
“What’s wrong darling?”
“Nothing…Just looking at the stars…”
“They are beautiful,” Adele answered warily. This was going somewhere, she could feel it.
“Do you think our destinies are written in them?”
And here it is, Adele thought to herself. Fighting back a mental groan, she forced herself to answer. It wasn’t supposed to happen this way. They had a plan, and Chase had compromised it. Adele continued looking at the stars as she spoke, “Sometimes, yes they are.”
Ally turned her head to study her grandmother for a moment then turned back to the stars. “You see, I always believed we made our own destinies. Nothing was foretold or preordained…things just happened.”
“You can’t hide from destiny,” Adele said softly.
“No I suppose not.”
Pushing off the railing, Adele looked at Ally. “We need to talk.”
Ally didn’t even flinch or turn around. She had wanted to know, and now that she had been given a taste of the knowledge she craved, Ally wasn’t so sure that she wanted it after all.
“Do we have to?” she asked. She was so overwhelmed, she wasn’t even angry or feeling betrayed any more. All she felt was numb.
“There are things you need to know,” Adele began.
She unwillingly turned to her grandmother. “I don’t think I want to know anymore.”
Adele was surprised. This wasn’t like her granddaughter at all. Ally had spirit and courage. She wasn’t a shell. The girl standing in front of her was a stranger.
“Ally, come sit down.” She led Ally to a nearby rattan outdoor sofa and sat down on it. “What’s going on? This isn’t the girl we all know and love.”
“I don’t even know who I am.” Ally was clearly distressed about this evening’s revelations.
“You are Alessandra DeCosta! One of the strongest, most loyal and loving women I have ever had the pleasure of knowing!”
Ally looked at her grandmother dubiously. “Apparently I’m also some sort of prophecy girl.”
Adele took a deep breath. “That is one of the things we need to discuss with you.”
“We?”
“James and I. He plays an important part in this too.”
“Right,” she said noncommittally. “The soul mate.”
“Ally, you need to listen to this…” Adele was starting to get frustrated. If this attitude kept up, then Ally was doomed. “Sometimes in life, our choices are taken away from us, for the greater good. It’s not always about what we want, but there is a reason that you have been given this destiny.”
“To ruin my life a little bit more?” she asked sarcastically.
“Alessandra, I have never been disappointed in you in my life! Don’t make me start now! Not when our entire race is on the line.” She was intentionally harsh on Ally, hoping that a bit of shock treatment might