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bold Delphinium. These reminded me of you, Lass – C. M.
    Cael Maccinnis proved again to be a most interesting man. Humming, Paige carried the small but overflowing vase to admire from her bath.

Chapter Four

    Gathering into solid form in his coven’s safe house, Cael recognized the need to tread carefully. Kaiden of Clan Douglas presided as coven leader at Fife House, and he and Cael had never seen eye to eye. Kaiden resented that his position came to him by default when Cael had refused the leadership role that was rightfully his.
    Cael Maccinnis hated the corruption of the powerful in the vampire world. The Council set down rulings only for dishonest, manipulative under-leaders to twist and connive until their implementation differed so greatly from the Council’s original intent that the Council was, in his mind, irrelevant. If they would clean house, removing the greedy and thieving as was their right – their duty – Cael could reconsider his position. But not until. Kaiden was one of the first needing removal, and Cael had thought many years ago that by taking his rightful place as a leader he would affect change within his own coven. Harsh reality erased all thought of practicing justice in a leadership role. Kaiden and the woman he thought was to be his life-mate accused him of acting unjustly, appealing to the Council after Cael had reported Kaiden for mistreating a human. Cael had come upon Kaiden, who had bitten out the throat of a human male and left him to die, and had beaten him unquestioningly in battle. The night replayed in his memory.
    Lashing wind assailed him as thunder pealed in the sky, not weather one preferred to be out hunting in. But thirst had won out. Gwendolyn had turned him away, his anger and hurt at her rejection strengthening his resolve to feed from a human, thereby removing his need to go to her again. He was no trinket to be toyed with. His affection was true, and he deserved a woman who felt the same. What he had was a coquette, teasing and tempting only to pull back when he did not do as she wished. She refused him her company – and her blood - since learning that he had no intention of seeking a seat on the Council. Leading his coven from Fife House was where he belonged. He would not alter his decision, nor she hers, effectively ending their relationship. Cael’s hurt stemmed more from learning he meant nothing more to Gwendolyn than status and position rather than from the actual loss of her.
    Strong, pungent blood-scent pervaded the air, telling of nearby carnage, and Cael abandoned his ruminations to discover what was going on and offer aid if necessary. Following the heady aroma, he found himself face to face with a nightmare. Kaiden Douglas flung the corpse, a young man moments before enjoying the prime of life, to the ground, having torn his throat open in greedy thirst. Beside him, Gwendolyn acquiesced without protest as Kaiden roughly grabbed her, backing her against the stony outcrop and readying to take her.
    “ What in the bluidy hell do ye think to be doin’ to her, Kaiden of Clan Douglas? Is it no’ enough that ye killed that man fer no reason? Ye now think to take what’s no’ yers?”
    Kaiden laughed sardonically.
    “ Not mine to take?” he sneered. “You’re a fool, Cael of Clan Maccinnis. I’ve tasted her before this night.”
    Cael staggered back as if he’d been physically shoved, reeling at the discovery of Gwendolyn’s treachery. Her laughter seared his heart.
    “ Don’t look so like a naïve schoolboy, Cael,” she purred. “Did you not once think it odd that I never drank from you? I pay you a compliment. It has been no trial enduring your attentions. But now that you’ve passed up the opportunity to actually be someone, Cael, I’ve decided that my fortunes lie elsewhere.”
    Incredulity on his face could not be removed, his pride wounded, his trust shattered.
    “ Ye do yerself no favor, Gwendolyn. Ye have made yer bed. Now I’ll be