by N. K. Vir
Another wolf had fought last night. Belatedly he realized that wolf was Lucas. He had not deteriorated into a feral beast. Instead he had tracked them, following their harried escape, offering assistance that come just a fraction of a second too late. He couldn’t blame Lucas. If he had learned one thing last night it was to lay the blame on the man, the beast, who deserved all his anger. If he found Kane alive he knew only one fate would await him; death. He had killed a man last night and had no fear of repeating the act.
His feet carried him further into the small clearing. He dropped to one knee and traced the outline of the large paw print that had been preserved in the soft earth beneath him. He had no fear of his magick this morning and used it to track the path this wolf had taken. The luminescent green tendril stretched out from his palm and bounced from paw print to paw print. The trail carried him deeper into the woods. The underbrush grew thicker and so did the stench of blood. His eyes adjusted to the low light and the magickal marker he had sent out easily led him from one drop of blood to another. A vicious fight had taken place just beyond their hearing and at least one of the massive alphas had suffered some devastating injuries. He recalled seeing Lucas last night. What he didn’t remember was seeing any injuries. Weres healed quicker than most supernatural beings. Some of this blood could have been Lucas’ but he doubted it.
“Good,” he whispered to the trees that surrounded him. He knew what the trace evidence meant. Lucas had mauled the false demigod; with luck the demon wolf had not survived. He did not know if it was even a possible to kill a god; but judging the rage Lucas had been carrying last night if anyone could have accomplished the feat it would have been Lucas.
He knew Adam’s people had swept the area last night; but he wondered if the crafty Kane had one more disappearing act up his sleeve. He followed the growing trail. The drops of blood grew larger until they expanded into a puddle deep in the woods surrounding the house. He knew he had found the area where the fight between Lucas and Kane had taken place.
The broken trees and bent foliage told a violent story. He had never been prouder of Lucas. He wished he could talk to him. They had both suffered a devastating blow last night. A blow that no one currently holed up in Marian’s old house could possibly understand. He followed Kane’s path of retreat until it fell off and then disappeared. Defeated he had only one place left to return to and he wasn’t sure he could handle what was waiting for him once he got there.
“What does that mean?” He heard Daisy screech.
His head snapped up and his feet took off at a mad pace. Daisy was currently embroiled in a screaming match with the only member of the Trinity that had bothered to stick around. He really felt the need to vent his rage on the old witch that had started them down this path. He sprang up on the porch to not only protect Daisy but to punish the only living being that could withstand his wrath.
His vision went dark after that.
He couldn’t remember what he had said. He couldn’t remember what he had done; but when Daisy finally managed to pull him from the edge of the cliff he had been hanging off all morning he saw the violence he had inflicted upon the man who had the power to stop the events of last night and had done nothing.
Adam’s pretty face was battered. His lip was split but he managed to smile up at Kieran as he spit a mouthful of blood out onto Marian’s pretty white porch. Kieran glanced down at his own hands. His knuckles were raw and bloodied but he felt no pain.
“Answer her,” he demanded; shocked that those were the first words that had escaped his mouth. He had no idea what they had been discussing before his arrival; but whatever it was had been important to Daisy.
He struggled to control his breathing and was surprised to find that his attack on Adam had been purely physical. It seemed the only good thing he had walked away with last night was complete control over his magick.
“Wills has not suffered from the attack of a normal Were,” he explained painfully rising to his feet. “Kane’s magick never belonged to this world.”
“Were did it come from?” he asked stunned by the damage he had caused to Adam’s pretty face. What shocked him even more was that the crafty witch had not fought back.
His left eye was quickly swelling shut. His perfect nose sat at an odd angle and the amount of blood pouring from it was almost unnatural. Throughout the vicious attack Adam had not defended himself; never thrown a punch. Kieran had escaped with not only his magick safely humming within him but with his own face spared the assault he had unleashed on Adam. His anger might not be under control but at least his magick was.
Adam’s one good eye flicked to Daisy and then back to him. “You know,” he assured them both. “You both know.” Kieran growled in warning a sound that was echoed when Lucas’ wolf joined them on the porch.
Daisy gasped. “Is she going to turn into a werewolf?” she asked horrified.
Adam hauled himself up onto one of the chairs. He shook his head stifling a sad smile at Daisy’s naivety. “Wills is an ordained Historian. If any member of the Trinity were to attack her they would be almost instantly stripped of their powers. We call it the mark of Kane. A gift from your ancestors,” he said looking up at Kieran.
Kieran took a shocked step back. Ancient memories flashed before his eyes; but one stands out above all the rest. “Abel,” he breathed.
“Your ancestor was Abel’s wife,” Adam confirmed. “And she wanted revenge on Kane just as badly as I did. I gifted her with the power to carry out our revenge,” he sighed. “Kane was furious. He ran that night and disappeared for centuries.”
“Forced to wander the Earth,” Daisy absently commented.
“But he did not wander this Earth,” Adam emphasized. “He fell through a tear in the veil and found himself on the Otherside; in the Otherworld. Where he met and fell in love with Tanith’s sister Caelia.”
Kieran couldn’t help but wonder how much of this old story Wills knew about. The folklore lover in her would have loved to add this tale to her memory banks. He couldn’t deny that the story was interesting but didn’t see how any of this would help Wills. He tried, and failed to keep his frustration in check. Instead of lashing out with his fists, or worse, his magick he attacked with his tongue.
“How does any of this help?”
“Kane’s magick is like poison to her; isn’t it?” Daisy asked reaching the conclusion quickly.
Adam nodded his head. “Only a healer with access to magick from the Otherworld can heal her wounds.”
“How long does she have?” Daisy asked beating Kieran to logical question.
“Hours,” Adam simply replied. “Kane’s venom will continue to circulate in her bloodstream until it corrupts and corrodes every cell in her body. Because she cannot turn; she will die.”
Kieran felt as though he had been kicked in the gut. A loud roar screeched inside his head as his anger found a silent way to vent the pressure. He doubled over, wrapping his hands around his middle as the information sunk in and the reality of the situation became clear. He couldn’t think. His mind had shut off and only allowed him to feel the pain. He was going to lose Wills. His eyes flicked over to Lucas. His wolf lay sadly on the porch; his eyes staring into the distance.
“We have to bring her back,” he finally said his eyes locked on the same distant spot as Lucas. “We have to bring Tanith back…now.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
The Veil Falls
They were retracing the same route they had taken last night. Then it had been fear that had chased them through the shadows of the forest; now it was sadness. They had lost their greatest mind. If Wills was conscious she would have known whether or not they were doing the right thing. He had vetoed Adam and Daisy had agreed with him. If Daisy could retrace her steps perhaps she could call Tanith back; perhaps she could find a way to heal Wills. He promised himself that he would try; he would do anything to ensure Wills survived. He missed her. He missed her voice of reason. If she was conscious
she would know exactly what to do. Everyone in the somber group was missing her wisdom right now.
Their numbers were thin. Lucas had taken off ahead of them. None of them were sure how much he understood or if he understood at all. His parents were being looked after by Matilda Winters, the off-beat doorkeeper who had greeted them what felt like an eternity ago. Only Daisy, Kieran and Adam were still standing on their own two feet. Adam had surprised them all by insisting on coming along with them. Daisy had expressed her shock when Kieran had allowed him to tag along; especially considering the beating he had gifted Adam with.
Adam had allowed the attack as a form of penance. It was only now that he belatedly realized that the man was not an enemy; he was a father punishing himself.
Adam was following quietly behind him, head bowed; his face still sporting the bruises Kieran had gifted him. Kieran’s battered hands were now carefully cradling Wills. She was pale; even her dark hair seemed to have lost some of its color and shine. The tone of her skin had taken on an ashen shade and she was very cool to the touch. Her eyelids were tightly sealed hiding the life that he knew was quickly draining from her body. The blood that had stained her back last night had been washed away and her festering wounds were tightly bandaged; but the wounds were not healing. Her wounds were turning necrotic as Kane’s venom corrupted her fragile body.
Daisy had gladly accepted the weight of this new journey. They had trusted her with so much last night and she had not failed them. Adam had, and even Kieran was willing to accept some of the responsibility he should have been quicker with his magick. He should have made sure Wills was safe. He planted a soft kiss on her forehead; silently vowing he would do better next time if only she would open her eyes and come back to him.
Nothing could have prepared him for what happened the moment they all stepped into the clearing.
Tanith had come back.
She looked different. Her hair was shorter, falling just shy of her shoulders, instead of stretching down her back brushing against her hips. She was leaner, stronger looking. Her usually fair skin was well tanned. The most noticeable change was her eyes; no longer was one blue and the other brown; both were a startling shade of blue. It was as if she had been away for months and not hours. She greeted them with a bright, confident smile that warmed her cool beauty.
Tanith had come back; but she was not alone.
She was surrounded by unfamiliar faces. A tall mocha-skinned man stood behind her. His shaved head reflected the midafternoon sun that had filtered through the shade of the tall trees. His dark eyes continually scanned the surroundings forest as if he was searching, waiting for some unforeseen threat to leap out of the bushes. The woman to her right had the same beauty, the same cool demeanor as Tanith; leaving no doubt that this was the long lost sister they had all just found out about. Both of the newcomers were dressed as if they had just stepped off a medieval battle field. Thick padded leather armor was strapped to their chests and flexible leather pants encased their long muscular legs. Each of them had a long, wicked sword strapped to their side and the way their hands causally rested upon the hilt informed anyone watching that they knew how to use them. Tanith’s sister was carrying an extra weapon; a small, ornately jeweled dagger that was lashed to her right leg by a thin length of cord.
It was the third woman, the one who they all seemed to be silently protecting; who he couldn’t take his eyes off.
She was beyond breathtaking. Her long strawberry blonde hair was swept away from her face and tied in a tight knot on top of her head accentuating her high cheekbones and heart-shaped face. A smattering of light freckles decorated the delicate bridge of her nose just barely standing out against the porcelain complexion of her skin. Her dazzling blue eyes rivaled the color of the sky that hung over their heads and were framed by dark thick lashes; but it was her smile that was her most captivating feature. Life and love seemed to dwell within her. She radiated the feeling from every pore. Kieran found himself overwhelmed in her presence and found his eyes were drawn down to the woman who had inspired those emotions in him.
She was getting weaker. The thick bandages they had reapplied before they had set out a few minutes ago were already soaked with her oozing blood. Her ashen complexion had turned a darker shade of grey making her look like a barely breathing corpse rather than a woman who had been flushed with excitement just a few hours ago. He found himself clinging to her tighter; willingly sharing some of his life force with her.
Afraid to look up at the strange woman again he stared at the ground concentrating on her hot pink sneakers. A bubble of laughter burst out of him; making him sound insane.
“You two have similar taste in foot wear,” he managed to explain. He knew, instinctually, that he should be terrified of her but found he could not muster the fear.
“Yes we do,” the young woman replied. “Mine have saved my life more than once. I guess you can say I’m attached to them.” He could hear the smile hiding inside her voice. He liked her instantly. She reminded him of the woman they had journeyed here to save.
Adam spoke up for him intervening in the awkward situation. “My lady Aine,” he welcomed her gracefully bowing his head.
Kieran bit back another inappropriate snicker. Adam never showed reverence to anyone. The idea was…amusing. He shook his head unsure of why he felt so elated when their journey had been one born out of desperation. Adam had warned them that if they managed to open tear in the veil again that the creatures that would emerge would be terrifying and mostly uncooperative.
“Don’t use that name,” she warned her tone suddenly turning harsh. “My name is Annie,” she informed them all. “This is Caelia, Tanith’s sister, and the ever watchful man behind me is Robert,” her tone had once again turned light and Kieran found that he was able to meet her stunning gaze again.
“Who’s that hiding in the shadows?” Daisy asked finally speaking up.
Kieran scanned the darkened forest line that encircled the clearing and saw the shadowy figure hiding just barely visible. He couldn’t be sure but it felt as if the shadow was staring directly at him. “That is someone who cannot stand to have me out of their sight,” Annie explained.
Kieran understood instantly and could not fault the man who chose to remain hidden. Once again his eyes drifted down to the Wills. He could feel her life fading and he clutched her tighter as he stepped forward. “Can you…can any of you help her?” he asked in desperation.
A dark shadow flew over their heads and landed between the two groups. Lucas had made an entrance. His defensive posture made it very clear that he was not happy with the newcomers. The hair on the nape of his neck was standing erect and a deep menacing growl was vibrating from his center; warning anyone who dared approach that he was willing to fight. Robert and Caelia drew their swords but before Kieran could say anything to stop them Tanith threw herself in front of him.
“Stop!” she ordered as she threw her hands out defensively. “This is Lucas,” she explained.
Robert looked to Caelia for guidance. The warrior woman nodded her head and put her sword away; Robert followed suit. Caelia cautiously joined her sister in the center of the clearing. She knelt down slowly in front of him and stared Lucas’ wolf in the eyes. “He smells of Kane,” she told her sister.
Tanith nodded her head, “Wills saved Kieran from Kane’s attack but Lucas saved us all.” Lucas whined and stretched his muzzle out towards Tanith’s hand. “I told you I would come back,” she tearfully whispered rubbing her hand along his spine.
Lucas’ wolf slowly faded away. He blinked rapidly trying to clear the absurd image from his mind. When his eyes refocused it was not a wolf that crouched in front of them but a nearly naked Lucas; in solid human form. Tanith threw herself into his arms as a grateful sob escaped her throat. Tears mingled with the mixed emotions of sadness and happiness welled up in his eyes.
“Damn,” Robert muttered.
“I believe he is spoken for Robert,” Annie
laughed. “A curse that begins with one sister ends with the other,” she admired. “I love symmetry.”
Kieran’s eyes flew to the woman Annie. “Can you-?” He couldn’t hide the desperation in his voice as his eyes flicked down to Wills then back to hers. He couldn’t bring himself to ask for the help afraid to hear the refusal.
“It is within her power,” Adam whispered to him; but his eyes never strayed from Annie.
“How do you know what is within my power?” she asked cocking her head to the side. “I barely know what is within my power.”
“Can you do it?” Kieran asked again breaking up an argument before it had a chance to take off.
“Wait,” Adam barked pulling Kieran to a halt. “Seelies never give away their magick for free,” he warned. Kieran instinctively turned slightly and took a step back; protecting Wills with his own body. Kieran knew that all magick came at a price and he hesitated.
“Kieran,” Tanith broke in stepping away from Lucas. “You can trust her.” He looked down at the girl who he had rescued all those years ago. She had changed. There was nothing but truth behind her eyes. “She is the goddess of life, love and healing.”
“She doesn’t have much time left Kieran,” Daisy sadly reminded him. “Let her try,” she implored.
He stepped forward once again. He loosened his grip on Wills and offered her willingly to Annie. Annie glanced over her shoulder at the shadow who had dared to creep a bit closer. Unspoken words were passed between them and Annie nodded her head instilling herself with a confidence she clearly wasn’t feeling. Shakily her hand extended towards Wills’ forehead. Annie’s head snapped back and her eyes rolled back in her head. A warm, blue light, emanating from her hand, pierced through Wills’ forehead. He felt her convulse violently in his arms and he felt like his own heart had been ripped from his chest.
