Weakspot [NOOK Book]

Prologue

As seven-year-old Lorelei swirled around the frozen pond with her brother, she felt their father approach. She reached up and squeezed the charm hanging around her neck. Her papa would know she was excited but he wouldn't know why.

"Here he comes, Renaud," she giggled to her brother excitedly. "Hide in front of me!"

Renaud picked his smaller sister up and skated a figure eight with her in his arms. He released her and she flowed gracefully away from him laughing.

"You're too short, silly. I'll just try to hunch down and skate." He was as excited as she was in his own understated way.

Lorelei knew that, even though she'd worn her bulkiest coat, Renaud would be hard-pressed to stay unnoticed near her. She was slim and delicate with gold-colored hair. Renaud had black hair, and at seven years old, he was already developing a bulkier and more muscular shape.

Lorelei waved at her papa just before she cleared the tree line. Quickly, she spun away so that her back was to him. When she heard him approach the bank, she placed her hands on Renaud's shoulders so that, as he rose, the two executed an elegant turn that brought Lorelei in front of him. They glided gracefully to the bank of the pond.

Lorelei saw tears form in her father's eyes and felt her brother's hesitation.

"It's okay Renaud. Its happy tears!" She put her hand in his and he held on tight as together, they surged forward into the big man's arms.

"You have my eyes," the man rumbled emotionally. "My son, my son...."

Her father reached over and placed a finger on Lorelei's glowing medallion. "I have one for you, as well, Renaud," he said, pulling a chain and medallion fromaround his neck and dropping it over the boy's head.

Red light flashed around the boy and he stood rigid, wrapped in his father's arms. The light faded and Renaud shook his head, hard.

Renaud touched his charm and compared it to his sister's. His had a short-winged dancer with a wolf's head. It held a ruby in its open jaws. Lorelei's was a delicate dancer with graceful wings. It perched on a yellow stone of fine amber.

The man pulled his medallion out and let the brother and sister touch it, telling them, "Now we can all feel each other. Someday, when you two grow up, Lorelei's mate will wear this one."

His was the graceful and masculine shape of a male dancer with an eagle's head and short wings. It held a sapphire in its muscular arms.

"Shall we find a quiet bench, Papa?" Lorelei asked. She was beginning to shiver.

"In for a penny, in for a pound, Lorelei," her papa boomed. "We will go and be warm as we talk."

Climbing into his limousine, the man ordered his driver to acquire some hot chocolate and to close the dividing window.

"I told you, Papa," breathed Lorelei as the car began to move. "I knew he'd come in time."

"May I call you Papa, too?" asked Renaud, gazing at the large man.

"Of course, my son," his father choked out. He seemed so proud to be with his children. "Only, don't speak of me except to your sister, Renaud."

Renaud smiled wryly, a smile that was unusual for a seven year old. "Papa," he said, trying it out. He beamed. "Today is the first time I've ever spoken out loud. My sister is the only person besides you to hear my voice."

"You know you must talk to others, Renaud?" the man asked the boy. "I know you don't like living apart, but it is best for now. With the medallions, you will always feel your sister's presence so you won't be alone anymore."

"I must always wear this, Papa?" asked Renaud.

"Yes, son," his father answered him.

"All the charms were blessed years ago and passed through my family. If you wear it, it will help you be strong and remain unhurt. The medallions help us feel what the other is feeling. There are five generations of our family's blood on each charm, including each of yours," he explained.

"You will be able to help your sister and she can help you as long as you wear it. Someday, when my medallion will be passed to Lorelei's mate, you will add a drop of his blood to yours then."

"Since my mother hears people's thoughts, I can, too, right?" asked Lorelei. "That's why I can make you and Renaud hear what I say in my head sometimes, huh?" Lorelei liked that those she loved best knew what she was thinking.

"Papa, Rory and me would be happier if we could live with you. Why can't we?" Lorelei knew that Renaud didn't want to be away from them. He'd finally found his sister and his father and he felt good.

This seemed difficult for the man. "Renaud, Lorelei, I know you want to be together but there are some bad people who might hurt you just because you are my children," he tried to explain.

"You must stay with your mothers now and do your best so that you can both grow strong."

Lorelei considered this. "You mean we won't grow strong if we're together?"

"While you are small, it's best to live apart. You will learn all the things your bodies and minds can do. Lorelei, all your life you will get hurt easily and you must be careful. Renaud, you will be too strong and difficult to injure but your emotions will be few. The older you get, the more you will need to help each other."

The man was trying to keep it simple for them. Lorelei could tell that he wanted them to understand but he didn't want to scare them.

"If you were together, the bad people would notice you. When you are older, that's when you will need to be closer to each other. Your life began at the same time and will end at the same time."

They didn't like it, but Lorelei and Renaud would do as their father asked.

When dusk fell that night, their Papa escorted them back to the frozen pond so they could return to their mothers. He held them both in his arms, promising to see them at least once a year. They would never be alone again. His love would always guide them.