Mortiswood: Kaelia Falling (Mortiswood Tales Book 2)

by Gina Dickerson

‘Anyway, Gunnarr had come looking for me to tell me what Father Peter had found out. They want you, Kaelia, to help them free Vanagandr the giant wolf-child of Loki! That’s why you have to be at full strength, you have to wipe The Salloki out. Not only Thom but all of them.’

  ‘Vanagandr? They want to free Hel’s mighty beast brother?’ Bryson jumped up from his chair and paced in front of the fireplace. ‘Not only do The Salloki want to take control of this world, they’re hoping to control Vanagandr? We didn’t know this! Why didn’t we know?’ He smashed a fist against the marble of the fireplace. ‘The Salloki are fools. Vanagandr can’t be controlled by a Draugr and his minions...if they succeed and free Vanagandr it will be the end of this world!’

  ‘We need to find where The Salloki hide.’ Calix looked at Kaelia. ‘They must be stopped from ever releasing Vanagandr. Bryson’s right, the world as we know it would be lost, darkness would walk the earth. Oh, and to make things even worse,’ he paused, ‘they have my father and I need your help to rescue him. Now we really do have something in common, Kaelia. Me, a mere mortal, and you, The Chosen One, both have a parent missing by the hand of The Salloki. For all I know they also killed my mum just like you think they did your father. It seems they know more about us than we know about them. I bet they knew you and I would meet!’

  Kaelia instantly thought of Bran. She nodded, thinking of the three of them—all different, all linked by a similar heartache. ‘You don’t even need to ask for my help in finding your father, it goes without saying. You go rescue your girlfriend before time runs out for her. Bay and I will try to find out where The Salloki hide. Perhaps they have my mother as well as your father.’

  Calix nodded tightly. ‘Maybe they do. I wouldn’t put it past them.’ The chair creaked as he stood. ‘All I have is bad news to share but I’m sorry but there’s one more thing you should know, Kaelia. Father Peter knows you can remove the sword holding the beast Vanagandr’s jaws permanently open. It will melt at a touch from you, that’s why The Salloki want you to pledge allegiance with them, because your hand must be willing when it touches the sword or it won’t work and the beast won’t be released. Worse though, Father Peter suspects there is another hand needed at the same time to release the beast. Not a word of this must leave this castle. Father Peter doesn’t think The Salloki knows this and the longer we can keep it a secret from them, the better.’

  Kaelia’s palm grew hot and she dropped Bay’s hand, scared she would hurt him. ‘The other person needed to release the beast is Bran, isn’t it?’

  Calix’s face was grim. ‘You’re going to have to kill him, Kaelia. We can’t risk him siding with The Salloki, what with his connection with Hel. Whether the necromancer admits it or not, The Salloki worship Hel and she raised Bran. He owes Hel big time. Meaning, in a roundabout way, he kind of owes The Salloki. It’s too much of a risk to everyone if he’s allowed to live.’

  ‘I can’t kill him,’ Kaelia whispered. ‘I tried once but I don’t think I could even attempt it for a second time.’

  ‘I agree with Calix,’ Bay said. ‘If my opinion counts for anything.’

  Kaelia struggled to make her gaze meet either of theirs. ‘I can’t kill Bran.’

  ‘Why not?’ Bay demanded. ‘After everything he has done to you, you’ll allow him to get away with it? He sent those Dybbuks to find you. One of which killed your grandmother, or have you forgotten?’

  ‘Of course I haven’t!’ Kaelia’s sharp word acted like a slap.

  ‘You feel sorry for Bran, don’t you?’ Bay persisted. He rubbed his forehead.

  Kaelia shrugged.

  Bay’s cheeks blazed. ‘He cursed me into my Vallesm, stop trying to protect him!’

  Calix nodded exuberantly. ‘He’s killed me more than once! He’s cruel and sadistic and only interested in one thing.’

  ‘And that one thing is you, Kaelia!’ Bay said. ‘You must know that by now.’

  ‘Enough arguing!’ Bryson ordered, a deep Vallesm growl rumbling from inside him. ‘We’re not on a witch-hunt, or a necromancer-hunt come to mention it. We have to remain together, united, and to do so there must be no bickering. Tell me instead how you came to be here in the castle in the first place, Calix, Kaelia?’

  Calix looked at Bryson. ‘I have a favour to ask. Can I have a Rosealrium bloom to break a Draugr transformation? We know this is the only place in England where they bloom.’

  Bryson lit another cigarette and took a deep drag. ‘Sure, I’ll show you where the bush is. Bay,’ he said, dropping a hand on his son’s shoulder as he passed him. ‘Contact your mother and tell her to come home. I will go with Calix in case there is any trouble. You and Kaelia can fix the castle’s protection spell. Your mother’s books are in the library, you’ll find everything you need there.’ He leant down and lowered his voice. ‘When The Salloki are defeated, we will extinguish the necromancer’s dark light for ever. We will destroy him together.’

  Bay patted his father’s hand and nodded silently, the amber flecks in his soft brown eyes, glowing.

  * * *

  Chapter Seven

  Mortiswood

  Further away in the woods, Jade was exhausted. Her long, white-blonde hair was grimy to the touch. Her watch told her it was already mid-afternoon and she only needed to hold on for another few hours. Beyond such time Cadence’s physical body wouldn’t be of any further use, Draugr or not. Jade had cast a patching spell on the protective sphere as soon as Thom had disappeared and left her alone with Cadence’s spirit and her cold, dead body for company. She collapsed on the grass and sighed heavily.

  ‘You’re weakening,’ Cadence’s voice teased through Jade’s mouth. ‘You were always the weak one. I’ve always been stronger than you and I still am, even in death!’

  ‘Shut up, Cadence.’ Jade wanted to close her eyes and fall to sleep but she knew she couldn’t risk it. As soon as she drifted into the cosy clutch of slumber, Cadence would be able to slip out from inside of her and back into her own body, and become Draugr before Jade could stop her. ‘You’re being a right bitch, Cadence. I guess I never noticed it before. It makes me wonder why I was ever friends with you.’

  ‘Do you really think I should be nice to you? You led me to Thom, you practically handed me to him on a plate. Now you want to stop me from being his, from becoming immortal?’ Cadence’s laughter echoed inside Jade’s head. ‘If I hadn’t made friends with you in the first place, I’d still be alive. You owe me, Jade. You owe me the right to choose what to do next and what I want to do next is to be immortal and being a Draugr means I will!

  ‘I think you’re jealous. Thom chose me and not you to become his for eternity, get over it. All he wanted you for was a beck-and-call-slave. Now you’re not even that. You’re nothing to him but I’m everything.’

  Jade groaned in frustration. ‘Right, I’ve had enough of you. I’m only doing this because I’m trying to be a good friend to you but you’re being a bitch. No wonder everyone at Mortiswood Academy does what you ask, they don’t want to be picked on! As soon as you are back in your own body, we’re no longer friends. If you weren’t inside my body, I’d slap you right now.’

  * * *

  ‘You can slap her soon,’ Calix interrupted. ‘If you really want to.’

  Jade grinned. ‘You have a Rosealrium bloom, you hero, you!’ As rapidly as the smile had lit up her face; it waned. ‘Wolf!’ she screamed. ‘There’s a great big wolf behind you!’

  Calix motioned for Jade to relax. ‘He’s Vallesm and he’s with me. His name’s Bryson. I’ve come armed.’ He tapped the sheathed sword hanging from his waist. ‘Although I think Bryson’s teeth are far more effective than I am with a sword. I’d probably end up stabbing myself in the foot or something.’

  ‘Let’s hope you don’t have to use it.’ Jade raised her hands and, chanting, lowered them to release the protection spell surrounding both her and Cadence’s dead body.

  Bryson, in his amber Vallesm form, paced around them, keeping
a watchful eye. Dead leaves and bracken snapping and crackling each time his giant paws hit the ground.

  ‘Is she okay?’ Calix asked Jade.

  Cadence’s voice took control of Jade from the inside. ‘Am I okay? How do you think I am being trapped inside someone else’s body? I’d be better than okay if Jade would let me out. I hate her!’

  ‘Good, I’m glad you hate me,’ Jade countered in her own voice. ‘The feeling’s mutual.’

  ‘And I hate you, Calix,’ Cadence took over control of Jade’s lips again. ‘Because we screwed a few times it doesn’t give you the right to decide what’s best for me. How dare you trap me inside her?’

  Calix sighed. ‘I’m not listening. I’m doing this for your own good, Cadence. You can’t want to become a Draugr. It’s Thom’s evil magic inside you convincing you that you do. Once the Drauguri Seawater is forced from your spirit lungs you’ll change your mind and be happy with being a normal Sifar.’ Calix crouched down next to Cadence’s dead body and carefully opened the mouth. ‘You’re the most powerful Sifar I’ve ever met. Granted I’ve only met two.’

  ‘No!’ Cadence’s voice screamed as she forced Jade’s body into action. ‘I won’t let you shove that poxy flower in my gob!’

  ‘Stop it!’ Jade regained control and lowered her arm. ‘Do it now, Calix, shove the flower in the bitch’s cakehole and have it over with. She was about to hit you!’

  ‘Hey!’ Calix protested at the name calling but gently pushed the delicate Rosealrium bloom into Cadence’s physical mouth.

  Bryson erupted into frenzied howling. Branches behind Calix and Jade parted and the clouds above rolled away to reveal a heavy, grey sky. Bryson’s Vallesm nostrils flared and the creature drew its haunches up. A line of hair ridged up along its spine to the base of its tail.

  Calix knew who was coming, he could smell him. ‘How long will it take to work?’ he asked Jade. ‘We’re about to have an unwelcome visitor.’

  Jade, struggling to contain Cadence, shook her head. ‘I have no idea how long it takes. I thought you knew. Are we supposed to send her spirit back into her body while the bloom is in her mouth? Surely it’s the only way the power of the bloom will force the Drauguri Seawater from her spirit lungs. It won’t work if her spirit’s still inside me.’

  ‘I guess not!’ Calix groaned. ‘Bran was the one who knew all about it but he and I aren’t exactly the best of friends. I bet he deliberately “forgot” to tell me how to do this so I fail.’

  Bryson the Vallesm leapt in front of Calix as Thom’s immense frame strode from within the trees. A rotten stench rippled in waves before him, choking the others before he was even close. The Draugr’s pale-blue skinned limbs were clad in skin-tight dark clothing which only served to emphasise his physical strength. On his feet he wore heavy boots laced up to the ankles. His long, black ponytail swished at the base of his back, the end of it moving from side to side in the way a snake slithers.

  ‘Where is the necromancer?’ Thom’s fiery eyes narrowed as he strode to them, stopping opposite Calix. ‘Is he dead?’

  ‘I’m not telling you!’ Calix drew his sword. The blade shook but he brandished it warningly. Using both hands he reduced the shaking to a mere tremble. ‘Leave us alone, Draugr.’

  Thom flicked the tip of the sword causing the length of steel to wobble. ‘Foolish boy, do you think a mere mortal blade will stop me from claiming my wife?’ His blue tongue darted from between pointed shards of teeth, slicking his lips with pungent saliva. ‘You really think you, an old Vallesm, and an inept Sifar can thwart my plans?’

  Bryson howled menacingly and pounced. His jaws came within millimetres of Thom’s neck but the Draugr caught the mighty Vallesm, his long fingers closing in a vice around the wolf’s neck. The Vallesm howled, clawing at the Draugr. Thom screeched as its claws sliced his chest. Each refused to relinquish their hold and they crashed to the ground, tumbling in a whir of amber fur and blue-tinged limbs.

  Calix hurried back to Cadence’s body. ‘Come on, Jade, I think you’re right. You must return Cadence’s spirit to her body while the bloom is in her mouth. Do it now while the Draugr is distracted.’

  Behind him, the Vallesm yelped and Calix felt a sharp stab at the back of his neck. Pain whooshed up and down his spine. The sword fell from his hand. Screaming, he was lifted by the scruff of the neck, long fingernails impaling his flesh. His legs twitched, he kicked back trying to strike Thom anywhere he could. Using his elbows he jabbed behind him, the hits failing to meet any part of Thom.

  ‘Fool!’ Thom laughed, jiggling Calix up and down like a puppet so his eyes rolled in his head.

  Calix thrashed about as Thom tossed him into the air, sending him flying. Fear erupted from the pit of his stomach, rushing out in a torrential scream. His limbs flailed, unable to break free from the trajectory Thom had sent him spinning on.

  Bryson, bleeding from a wound on his front leg, charged after Calix and managed to skid underneath him as he plummeted to the ground. The wolf and Calix moaned in unison as Calix landed half on top of the wolf’s large furry body, injuring them both. Calix’s legs crashed painfully onto stiff bracken, thorns tearing through his jeans and biting into his shins. Bryson’s bones cracked from the force of cushioning Calix’s fall, and Calix felt the break beneath him so hastily rolled off the creature. He struggled to pull himself to his feet. Clamping a hand over the wound on the back of his neck he tried to stem the bleeding. It was difficult to support his own weight and his knees gave way. From such a distance away all he could do was watch Thom approach Jade. It would be a struggle to make it back there quick enough to do anything to help. He staggered back up, determination setting a grim mask upon his face.

  ‘Don’t do anything he says!’ Calix shouted to Jade.

  Jade quivered in Thom’s shadow. She glanced at Cadence’s body, the Rosealrium bloom still in her immobile mouth. Calix prayed Jade could send Cadence’s spirit back without Thom realising.

  ‘Remove the bloom!’ Thom ordered.

  ‘No.’ Jade shook from head to foot. She screamed as Thom grabbed her around the neck, sweeping her to Cadence’s human body. He pushed her towards it, forcing her face close to Cadence’s dead, cold one.

  ‘Remove the Rosealrium bloom,’ Thom instructed. With his other hand he grabbed her right arm and twisted it behind her back. ‘Do it now.’

  Jade clawed at Thom’s hand around her neck but his grasp was iron-fast and scratching at it did no more than irritate him.

  ‘Enough!’ Thom shook Jade hard. ‘Remove the bloom!’ He pierced the back of her neck with his finger and twisted the nail underneath her skin.

  ‘Leave her alone!’ Calix cried, struggling across the forest floor. A cold shudder ran through him as Thom glanced at him, a look of pure ecstasy lighting up his face.

  ‘Do as you are told, Sifar!’ Thom ordered. ‘And I will spare the human’s life.’

  ‘No!’ Jade cried. ‘Never!’ She screamed again as Thom’s finger wormed underneath her skin, scraping audibly against the bone. Blood trickled down her back, staining her jumper.

  ‘One flick and you will never walk again,’ Thom said, pushing his finger upwards.

  Jade cried out. Her eyes opened and closed. Cadence took over control of Jade’s mouth and said, ‘Do it, Jade. Do as he says and the pain will stop. You will be free. Of me. Of the pain. Of Thom. You want that. Don’t you want your body back to yourself? If you refuse, Thom will kill you. If he doesn’t kill you then I will haunt you until the day you die. I will drive you insane.’ Cadence cackled. ‘How will you enjoy being stuck with me your whole life? I can make your life hell!’

  ‘Don’t do it, Jade!’ Calix stumbled through the undergrowth with a bleeding, limping Bryson surging ahead of him.

  His words came too late. Jade picked the flower from Cadence’s mouth and crushed its delicate petals.

  ‘Let me go!’ Jade screamed, pummelling Thom’s hand. ‘I did as you wanted!’

  Thom’s fier
y eyes danced. He lifted Jade up until her eyes were level with his. ‘Let you go?’ he mocked. ‘I think not!’

  Jade gasped. The Draugr’s mouth opened wide, and his teeth grew longer, sharper. She screamed as his mouth closed in on her. A foul stench wafted from Thom, covering the area in a choking cloak of decay.

  ‘Stop him, Bryson!’ Calix shouted. ‘Don’t let Thom kill Jade!’

  The amber Vallesm surged forwards and pounced. Thom cried out and dropped Jade. She fell heavily, clunking her head on a tree stump and was still.

  Behind Thom, Bryson the Vallesm bared his teeth, drizzling blue Draugr blood from where he had sunk his teeth into Thom’s back. With a mighty roar, the Draugr reached the Vallesm and struck it in the side of the head, sending the giant creature flying into the canopy of the trees. The Vallesm howled. Its body hit the trees and plummeted through branches to the ground, landing with a bone-crashing silencing thud.

  Calix reached Jade, shaking her to wake her up. ‘Jade, come on wake up!’

  Jade eyes flickered open. ‘Calix?’

  ‘Cadence?’ Calix asked fearfully. ‘Is her spirit still inside you?’

  ‘No.’ Jade’s head lolled back, her eyes rolling to reveal the whites.

  ‘I’m here!’ Cadence, returned to her physical body, rose beside them. ‘I’m sorry, Calix. I haven’t turned out to be perfect girlfriend material. Now you know how I felt when you left me at the academy to go running off with Miss Chosen One.’ She cocked her head to one side, an odd smile lifting her lips. ‘I was really pissed off when you left me. You weren’t my normal type but I really liked you, we had fun together. I thought you liked me.’

  ‘Not liked, I do like you!’ Calix replied. ‘You know I do!’

  Cadence placed her hands on her hips. ‘I know you appreciate the way I look but that’s just physical.’

  Calix shook his head. ‘I don’t like you just for your appearance.’ He ran his gaze up and down her curves. ‘I appreciate you for you. Don’t throw away what we have.’