Call of the Wylde

by Cynnara Tregarth

  “That’s tough, Owain. But know this, there was some kind of genetic marker in her that allowed the change. Usually when our DNA goes into the person, if it’s time, it can be tweaked awake. It’s like triggers that activate latent diseases. We have to deal that some mortals are changed and some are not.” Her hand patted his arm. “It’s not easy and you’re right, sometimes people aren’t meant to be changed, especially against their will. Yet, here is something I don’t think you realize, not everyone bitten or forced to drink our blood changes.”

  “No?”

  “It’s that DNA sequence thing I was telling you about. Without that genetic tag marker, it won’t happen. You can be a fang feast for a vampire, but if you don’t have that marker, nothing will ever get you to change into a vampire.”

  “I…I hadn’t realized.” Owain rubbed his cheek, his thoughts racing to revise some of his preconceived notions and the answers that had resulted. Based on this, it didn’t change his feelings, but it made him realize the other problems that could occur, especially for the Seekers, the psi-talented humans who helped the vampires, not to mention the Helsingers.

  “It’s okay, it’s not like it’s public knowledge. There were reasons for the vampire coalition and that was one of the reasons.”

  “I need to know more.”

  Kymaera pointed. “We’re at the house. Let’s get inside and we’ll all talk, okay?”

  She turned the car into the driveway, parked it and turned off the engine. Tossing the keys to Owain, she got out of the vehicle. “She’s in the first bedroom on the left. I’m going to go hunt around out here for a while. Go make up with your soulmate.”

  “Thanks, Ky. I owe you.”

  “I’ll remember that if I ever need something.”

  Rushing into the house, he made his way to the room in question. There she lay, sleeping, just like that day in Dublin. Going to her side, he knelt next to her; his lips feather light against her cheek. “I love you, Col. I’m here.”

  Colette murmured in her sleep, her body moving towards Owain. A smile creased his face as he

  whispered in her ear. “Col, wake up. It’s me, Owain. I’m here, baby.” Her lashes fluttered as she slowly opened her eyes. “O?” “Hi there. I’m here with you. Scoot over and let me lie down with you.” Slowly he eased her

  over while she struggled with consciousness. “You’re really here,” she whispered as her fingers caressed his face, his cheeks, down his

  jawline. “I’m so sorry I left like I did.” “It’s okay. I’m at fault for making you go out that way.” She curled in his arms and relaxed. “We both didn’t think things through and talk enough.” “You’ve been listening to Kymaera.” “You and her—“ “Never. She and Pyotr were together. She’s not quite my taste. Then there’s the fact she’d kick

  my ass if I had tried anything.” Colette laughed. “I’m glad you’re here. I’ve got the notes from Tony’s wife. It’s going to be

  interesting to figure out what to do.” “Equinox is soon.” “Day after tomorrow.” “Ky wants to talk to us, but I think we’ve got a few moments to spare for this.” His mouth

  caressed hers as his hands cupped her breasts then slowly slid down her body until he cupped her sex. “You’re hot down there, Col. How come?” Colette responded with a moan, her mouth claiming his, her tongue caressing along the inside of his mouth, then biting his lower lip. “Because I was dreaming of you.” “Now I’m here. Perhaps I can take care of that need,” he teased. Sliding down her body, he tugged off her lacy panties and spread her legs open.

  Her sex glistened under his gaze, her body flushing with desire. “Yes, please,” Colette begged as Owain leaned in over her, his tongue slowly licking up towards her clitoris. Turned on by her miniscule movements, he suckled tightly on the tight nub. “Oh, oh, oh…oh, my gods, O!”

  He paused in his ministrations. “Yes?” “Don’t. Stop. Please. Don’t stop!” “Yes, dear.” He bent again, this time, parting her slick folds with his fingers, sliding them up and

  down the length of the slit while his mouth sucked and teased her clit. Slowly, tauntingly he slid two fingers deep in her pussy, enjoying how her muscles clenched at them, trying to draw him in farther.

  With deliberate slowness, he eased them out, only to hear her whimper in need. Grinning, he slid his

  fingers in and out of her, faster and with more vigor. “Like that, Col?”

  “Yes,” she hissed, her body arching to ease his fingers deeper in her. “More, O. I need you.”

  “Not yet. I’m not done yet.” Sliding a third finger in, he curled his fingers slightly so they rasped against her inner walls. “Enjoy this, Col. This is for you.”

  Everything became a blur as pleasure overloaded her body. Owain was here in Mexico with her, he loved her, and more importantly, he was pleasing her because he wished it. Feeling an orgasm rushing through her body, Colette let it reflect the love she had for this vampire, this man, this Druid who gave of himself to her and for others. His name flew from her lips, as her body seemed to shatter under his loving ministrations.

  Quickly shedding his clothes, Owain eased himself over her and with one quick thrust was embedded deep in her wet warmth. “Heaven, your body is heaven on earth, mé grá.”

  Together they moved, slow, and then fast, until neither of them could stop the explosion as they united in climax, souls joining and bonding, this time for love, not just sex.

  Afterwards, they cuddled, talking softly about some of their misunderstandings. “What happens to us after this vampire history venture?”

  Owain tapped her chin. “We go back to Egypt. Figure out what we want to do. What our next step will be. I don’t know if we’ll get a cure for those who are made vampires against their will, but regardless, there’s much to be done to keep the preternatural healthy and to keep track of the genetic changes as evolution continues.”

  “Sounds like you’re afraid we won’t find an answer.”

  A knock on the door interrupted his response. “Hey, you two, lunch is ready if you’re hungry. Perhaps we can also go over the sacred texts found.”

  “Be right out!” they chimed together. Chuckling, they slowly got out of bed, sharing a deep, intimate kiss. Dressing took a bit of time as each tried to cop a feel of the other. Finally, when they were presentable, Owain and Colette made their way to the kitchen area.

  Kymaera sat at the table, bowl to her left, papers to her right and towards the middle of the table. She glanced up at them. “Good to see you’ve both made up. You both looked like shit earlier.”

  “Your smooth words just touch my heart, Ky. What you reading?” Owain helped Colette into a chair and fetched them both some stew and drinks.

  “I’m comparing the translations to the original renderings of the Mayan glyphs. There are some inconsistencies in translation.” Kymaera took a pencil and quickly wrote some marks in the margins.

  “Was Dr. Medallano qualified to translate the Mayan language?”

  Owain looked at Colette. “I don’t know. He was great when it came to excavation as well as preservation. Col?”

  “He knew the basics, I believe. I know he and Riana often argued over various translated pieces. She accused him of taking too much liberty in meanings.”

  “She’s right. Some of his stuff makes no sense in the context of other things.” Kymaera marked another passage on the page, along with a quick sign of another Mayan glyph. “I speak and read Mayan fluently. Some of his meanings are quite provocative, but I think once he started getting an idea on the meanings, his imagination took flight.”

  Owain got up and stepped around to grab the notes that Kymaera had finished with. “I can’t read Mayan, so I’m going to rely on you, Ky.”

  “Your confidence is shattering, Celtic boy.”

  “Like you’re any better, Russian Steppes?”

  “I spent over two hundred years here during various time periods.” The vampire smiled at them both. “It’s why
I’m fluent. The hardest part of that time was concealing my blonde hair.”

  “I bet. So how untrue are the white god myths?” Colette asked curiously. She dug into her food while listening.

  “Very untrue. Missionary twists in the tales to make it acceptable that they overruled the natives. Some of the worst uses of the myths were by the missionaries who forced conversion and made them out to be some kind of white gods. Most people don’t truly understand the whole story with Moctezuma and Cortez.” Kymaera frowned. “I always hated that I didn’t kill more of them when I had the chance.”

  “Ooh, is your prejudice showing, Ky?” Owain teased lightly.

  A blonde brow lifted. “Tell me you just didn’t ask that.”

  Colette looked at each vampire. “What did I just miss?”

  “Honestly, nothing much, Colette. See, I’m from a country that was overrun by invaders all the time.”

  “Ah, explains everything. Of course, it’s not like the Celts didn’t get their ass whipped.”

  Owain snorted. “That wasn’t until after my time. Well, my regular mortal time.”

  “Still it happened.”

  “Name one place on earth that hasn’t been invaded by someone,” Kymaera said softly with a hint of humor.

  Both Colette and Owain stopped and looked at the vampire. Owain answered first. “You know something, you really suck, Ky. Really.”

  “Thanks. Here’s the deal. The snake will come tonight or tomorrow sometime. After sundown tomorrow, we need to go to Chichen. Once there, you must follow me and my commands or it’ll be a blood bath.”

  Colette raised a hand. “Um, what the fuck are you talking about?”

  Kymaera retold the same things to Colette that she had told to Owain. With the texts she was retranslating, she showed them the cause and effects of the blood offering and what happened when there was a lack given by the houses. “See this section dealing with those who are offered that are human? That’s not accurate. This symbol here is for someone who is more than human.”

  “You mean a demigod?”

  “No,” Kymaera reiterated. “Think of the X-Men. You know the concept of metahumans? They’re human, but can become more due to a genetic anomaly. That symbol means that the humans sacrificed were not just mortal, but had the potential of being more.”

  “So, this fits into the grouping that was being done in order to control vampirism,” Colette realized with a start. “Were there no true humans given in blood that night?”

  “It looks like none. But that would hold consistent with what the Coalition wanted. See this glyph? This is the symbol for Xilan. With it is ch’am, which means ‘let blood.’ It means that the blood was given or let, there wasn’t any death associated to the ritual.”

  “Which means that they didn’t kill those in the first ritual, unlike what was implied.” Owain grinned, his fangs showing. “Oh, this is good. Aren’t some of the Houses in feuds?”

  “Yes, but on sacred lands, nothing will be done within a five mile radius.”

  Owain nodded. “The usual standard as in many ancient cultures.”

  “You have to admit, we’re definitely diverse in beliefs, Owain.”

  “Truly the vampires are. But I think we need to speak with Xilan himself.”

  “Cut to the chase, why don’t you?” Colette teased. “Thing is, he’s right. When we give our blood, how is it taken and where is he?”

  Kymaera stopped her writing and looked at Colette. “What did you say?”

  “How is our blood taken and where is Xilan?”

  “And that’s the question that holds the answer to getting you to Xilan.”

  Chapter Twelve

  >Colette looked up at the night sky, trying to find her center in the maelstrom of emotion going through her. They were getting ready to head out to Chichen. They had spent most of yesterday making their plans and redoing them as each thought of a possible problem arose. Goddess, if you hear me, protect your priestess as she goes into the jaws of gods know what, to face something worse than death.

  “You ready to go, Col?” Owain leaned over and kissed her squarely on the mouth. “Yeah, how about you?” “As well as can be expected. Ky, we’re ready.” “Let’s ride. If we’re first, it’s good. If we’re last, it’s okay, but in the middle is just not going to

  cut it for what you both need to do.” Kymaera strapped on her last dagger and climbed in the car.

  Owain climbed in back and dragged Colette with him. Sitting together, they enjoyed the silence of the ride while accepting strength from each other. Owain’s hand caressed hers, keeping her body flush against his. He knew that Kymaera was amused at his behavior but he didn’t give a fuck. This time together was important and special, because if things went wrong, they would be the first to die during the giving.

  “We’re here. If you’re wondering about how we’re able to get past the guards, it’s because on the night before the four days, our guards take those shifts.”

  The three of them walked towards the entrance of Chichen, each lost in their thoughts. As they walked near the gravesite, Kymaera nodded at a few native Mayan vampires. They spoke rapidly to her and her responses were just as rapid. No one came close to them; in fact, many stepped away, letting them approach the pyramid without a problem.

  “Any reason why we’re given the leper treatment?” Colette whispered. “Kymaera.” “Ah.” “She’s got a rep. It’s one of those things. It’s always like this. She’s a kick ass vampire bitch.” “I heard that and thanks,” Kymaera whispered back with a laugh. “Anytime. I mean it.” Owain squeezed Colette’s hand as they stood before the pyramid. “Where do we go?” Colette asked.

  “Up. To the top. We can make our gifts to Xilan. Do you see him?” Kymaera gestured to the small platform area in front. There was someone there who wore what seemed to be a feather headdress.

  The climb of the ninety-one steps was interesting. The steepness left them almost climbing with their hands, even though clothed in jeans and hiking boots. Only Kymaera took the steps in stride, never once bending over to balance herself.

  “She makes me feel like a frumpy housewife,” Colette grumbled halfheartedly.

  “She makes most people feel frumpy. Thing is, they don’t get how insecure she truly is,” Owain whispered back.

  “She can also cut out your heart and feed it to the other,” Kymaera said in a low singsong voice.

  “Spoilsport.”

  “Thanks.”

  Once they were at the top, Kymaera led the way. Once in front of the man who stood in traditional Mayan clothes, she spoke.

  “Lord God Xilan, I bring to you the House Sekhmet gift for this season. May ch’am be yours and yours alone.” Stepping back, she urged Owain and Colette forward.

  “Lord Xilan,” Owain said with a slight bow, offering both wrist and neck to the vampire god.

  Colette was amazed at how gorgeous the vampire god truly was. From his satiny dark black hair to the dark chocolate eyes, he reeked of alpha male genes. His hard virile body was barely covered and the colorful feathers only emphasized his standing as a god among men. His skin was the color of milk chocolate mixed with cream. Her mouth went dry and she was grateful that she didn’t often meet hottie gods. Too many and she’d have to rethink her service to The Morrigan.

  Xilan took the proffered wrist and held it to his mouth. Fangs emerged and sank into Owain’s skin. Colette watched as the god drank a few mouthfuls and a shiver overcame her. At that moment, she realized the true reason for the ch’am. He was the one who made sure the precautions were kept. He was the reason why humans were never tainted. Kymaera had pointed out the other night that every vampire was to give blood to Xilan with no exceptions. The metahumans were harder to bring, but if they worked within the vampire community, they participated. He was the living law invoked by the blood gods of the various pantheons.

  You’re right, more than human. Why are you here?

  Colette looked around, then lo
oked forward seeing the god looking at her directly. “Are you speaking to me, Lord Xilan?”

  Come forward. Let me drink and I shall speak with you and your vampire soulmate. Perhaps I shall even grant your deepest desires, Colette Wylde.

  Approaching him, she bowed her head and offered her wrist as she’d seen Owain do. There was

  a brushing of her hair and when Xilan went to bite her carotid, Owain placed his hand over her neck. “No! She is my soulmate. You will not disrespect me in this way, god or no.” The dark eyes flashed at the Druid. “Who are you to stop me?” “I am not one of yours, Xilan. I am the one made by Morrigu alone. She is my bride to be, my

  soulmate, the releaser of my curse. I will have no one else marking her neck but myself. Do as you will

  to me, but I cannot allow you to take something that can never belong to you.” A hand shot out, slapping Owain down to the ground. “Do you know not what I can do to you?” Owain chuckled. “You can’t kill me, Xilan. Did you hear what I said? Only Morrigu can cause

  my death, not you.”

  Xilan spoke rapidly in Mayan at Kymaera who nodded. Her knife was unsheathed and placed at the throat of one of Xilan’s priests. Turning to face Owain, who struggled to stand, Xilan growled. “What is it you want, Owain Maraigh, vampire?”

  “I want a cure for those wrongly changed to vampires.” “No.” “You would make people who had no choice suffer the change?” “All who change will it to be so.” “Untrue. My sister did not.” “Your sister?” “Fiona Maraigh. House Morrigu.” “She has blooded here. Never have I sensed regret for what she is.” Xilan spoke aside to his

  priest. “We shall ask her ourselves.” Within a few moments, a tall, graceful presence climbed the stairs. As the person approached, Colette noted the long red hair and pale skin. Is this Fiona? Yes. She’s been one of my servants for the past century. Part of her training for what is to come for her.