The Beast Within (The Elite Series) - By Jonathan Yanez Page 0,43
on Connor’s face, Morrigan thought it best to dismiss her helpers. “All right, boys, thank you. You may go now.”
They waved and said their good-byes as they exited the room, closing the door behind them.
There was no doubt in his mind that magic existed, that there were beings known as the Elites, and that he was wrapped up in something much bigger than himself. What he doubted was that he was the answer, the key, to all of this.
As if she was reading his thoughts, Morrigan chimed in. “This is all a lot to take in, Connor. In time you’ll see what I see.”
“I liked you better when I thought you were crazy. At least then my biggest worry was delivering the right products to you.”
“Well, we have bigger things to think about now than gardening tools. I have to make an appearance before the Council, and if I’m not mistaken, there’s a young lady behind the door that would like to see you.”
Right on cue there was gentle knock.
“Larentia, please come in,” Morrigan answered reverently.
The door slowly opened and Laren walked in. Her eyes were full of concern as she shifted her gaze from Morrigan to Connor. “I hope I’m not disturbing anything,” she said politely.
“Absolutely not. I was just leaving,” Morrigan replied. “Connor, I’ll be by to check on you soon.” Without another word she exited the room and left the two to talk.
Laren was as beautiful as ever. She stood with perfect posture, her green eyes intense and eager.
Connor broke the silence. “I want to say that you should have told me about all of this, but I understand why you couldn’t.”
Without a word, Laren wrapped her slender arms around him in a hug. “I was so worried you wouldn’t make it, that you didn’t carry the gene, and that my bite would kill you instead of turn you.”
Their bodies still pressed together, Connor rested his cheek on the top of her head. “You did what you thought was best and took the only chance I had to survive.” Pulling her away so she was at arm’s length, he looked directly in her eyes. “And it paid off. You saved my life.”
She gave him a forced smile.
“Connor, you don’t understand. The Council won’t allow half-breeds to exist. It goes against the Law, and even though I pleaded with my father, I don’t know if he could save you even if he wanted to.”
She walked over to the large window and her long, green, sleeveless dress flowed in her wake. She looked out vacantly, she was too deep in thought to enjoy the view. Connor followed her to the window and stood beside her. Crossing his arms over his chest, he stared off into the distance. It was still morning, Connor guessed.
It seemed as if the two stood there side by side for an eternity. It wasn’t an awkward silence, it was comfortable. Each was searching for an answer in their own way.
Laren was the first to speak, still avoiding his gaze. “There is hope if Morrigan is right and you’re the one that’s going to deliver us from the coming darkness.”
“I don’t know if I am.” Connor sighed and shook his head.
“That’s our only chance—the only way the Council would entertain the idea of sparing your life.”
“What exactly is this prophecy? Morrigan said she was the one that foretold it and that a half-blood Elite from my family would rise up and save the world. Is that it? Is that all we have to go on?”
“Morrigan is one of the few Elites who has been granted the power over magic and foresight. Every prophecy she has foretold has come to pass. Hundreds of years ago, she had a vision that told her of a coming darkness, of a time when the Five Families would once again be at open war with one another. While they were so consumed with destroying each other, a greater evil would rise up and end them all.”
She paused, and as if she had reached an epiphany, she grabbed his shoulders with a firm grip and looked him full in the face. “Connor, you have to believe the prophecy that Morrigan foretold years ago is you. If you don’t, the Council will condemn you to death. All of this couldn’t have been a coincidence, our meeting, the way I had no choice except to try and turn you to save you, and the prophecy. This all happened for a reason and you have