Transit of Ishtar, Paranormal Erotic Romance / Urban Fantasy (Book 2 of Sinnis)

by Natalie Gibson

  We are uncertain. It happened for me by accident. I was on the brink of death, brought by my own hand. I don't know if that is crucial or trivial to the conversion. I do know there is a blood exchange and tabalu involved.

  “Feeding a human our blood leads to abomination.”

  The law stands true. You must never allow a human to feed on your blood. The blood exchange I mean is you will feed on her blood and use your own to heal a wound. We don't know how serious that wound must be for your own blood to take over her body and make the change.

  The unknown is great. That is why I will add a new law. Ereshkigal's Law number five: none may try a conversion without first gaining my permission. It doesn't matter if the woman gives her consent or not. Any found to have attempted and failed, killing a woman, will himself be put to death.

  Also, times have changed. A Sumerian girl of 13 was old enough to be a mother, but not so now. Their bodies may be ready, but their minds are not. We follow the law of the land concerning consent. The human race has evolved beyond just procreation and continuation of the species. Their young are children for longer than they used to be. We will have no child brides. None below the age of 18 years will tasted, touched, taken, or tabalu'd. This is Ereshkigal's Law number six.

  If possible, you should allow a man, human, to deflower your intended. A great ruckus, the rise of rebellion, sounded from the Nephilim trapped here at the thought of allowing another to lay with their beloved. Nathalia defended her statement. You all remember what hold you had over the women who took your virginity? That power works both ways, but is not limited to the bedroom when with your mate. If you are the one to take your intendeds maidenhood, she will have absolute ability to command you. It could hinder you in battle. It is your choice and hers. That is why I don't make a law, just a suggestion.

  Nathalia waved her hand and said her prayer, releasing the Nephilim from Ki's hold. The earth settled itself and a person looking could not tell there had been any disturbance here even if they had been looking for it. The instant they were freed, most were pulled toward Nathalia.

  Eiran wrapped his arms around her and took them away, leaving the Nephilim looking at a pile of black cape. Nathalia's last words rang in each of their minds, Never forget you have a choice in all things.

  Chapter 11

  Alisha had always needed an extra firm hand when Nathalia was Abbess and, from what Maeve said, still did. Alisha thought she should lead this chapter of the Daughters of Women. She had been giving Maeve trouble and causing discord between her little circle of followers and the others who rallied behind Maeve. Nathalia was going to do whatever was in her power to make sure that stopped. Today.

  Nathalia had Maeve gather Alisha and her followers. She had instructed them to prepare for another asteral projection. Alisha had not yet fully recovered from her last attempt to find Nathalia, but she would never admit the shortcomings of her talent while she vied for the position of Abbess.

  Her closest friends were preparing her for her trip and resuscitation when Nathalia entered the room with Eiran close behind her. There was a mix of gasps and whispers of Nathalia's name from the girls, but only Alisha felt entitled to speak directly to her.

  “Nathalia! I knew you weren't killed. Thank the Ancestress! The Sisterhood has been floundering without it's Abbess.”

  I am no longer Abbess.

  “You're the new Council Representative, aren't you?” She looked around to see Eiran and babbled on, “Your own guardian too! I heard a rumor that a new Voice would visit today to declare the Council's decision on the new Abbess.” Feigned surprise crossed her face and she put her hand to her chest, “Oh my Ancestress, they've decided on me, haven't they?”

  Her followers clapped and started congratulations. Alisha was busy thanking them.

  No.

  The single syllable was enough to shut everyone up.

  Vinculum Primo Maeve is the new Abbess Primo. She is also the Great Holy Mother of the promised One.

  “But, but, she doesn't even want it. She's not suited for leadership like I am.”

  You are wrong. The very fact that she does not desire the power makes her the perfect woman to take on the responsibilities. You have been evaluated and found lacking. You will never rise above your current station.

  “What's gotten into you, Nathalia? You never talked to me like this before.”

  I never knew how power hungry you were before. Stubborn, yes, but I would never have guessed that you would cause such trouble for my successor. You always showed the proper respect to me when I was Abbess.

  “But why Maeve? There are other women who've been here longer and have abilities more desirable for the position. Maeve and her cronies are the ones who kept us all from searching for you. She said you were dead!”

  She was right. Nathalia was killed. I am Ereshkigal of the Kafziel family line. I use this body as she used mine long ago. Nathalia moved faster than should have been possible and grabbed hold of Alisha's upper arms. Does my touch feel like Nathalia?

  A guardian's touch felt like slight electrocution to human skin. Alisha struggled to maintain composure under the discomfort. She shook her head.

  Look into my eyes. Do you see your friend behind them?

  Alisha started to cry when she did as instructed and found a stranger looking out at her. Nathalia released her and Alisha rubbed her arms where the female guardian had held her. She knelt in front of the new Voice of the Council of Esteemed Elders. “What does the council ask of me?”

  We are looking for a weapon. It was taken from me on my day of execution in the twenty-fifth year of Sarrum Eitan by the very same. It can kill even invincible foes and I must find it before he can. If I put it's image into your mind, could you search for it?

  Alisha nodded, “As always, I am here to serve the Daughters and their Esteemed Elders.”

  Then prepare yourself.

  As Alisha got into the bed and her friends hooked her up to the medical machines, Nathalia fed her the weapon's image and last known location. Several candles were lit around the room; they were of a scent that would attract Alisha's ethereal self back should she get distracted. Alisha looked nervous and slightly ashen.

  When she spoke it was barely a whisper, “What makes you think I can find something I've never seen before when I couldn't even find my beloved Sister Superior? Surely there's a stronger Peregrinus than me.”

  Nathalia knew that she had gone too far, been too rebuking. She had taken Alisha's confidence away. Nathalia easily pushed a bit of reassurance towards Alisha and then added some kind words. You are very talented. You could not find me because I did not want to be found, not because you aren't good enough. Just because the council doesn't think you should be Abbess doesn't mean you are not a useful and integral asset to the cause.

  Alisha looked better instantly. She laid back, resting on the pile of pillows. “If I can, I'll use my power to redeem myself in the Council's eyes.” She started a bit, looking concerned that Ereshkigal misunderstood the Peregrinus ability. “I can't affect things physically in my ethereal state.”

  I know. Just locate it. Quickly. And then get back here to tell me where it is.

  Alisha closed her eyes and the rest of the room knew she was traveling when external pacemaker began it's rhythmic beeping. It had sensed her heart stop and was using an electrical pulse to force it to beat. A small tube was put down her trachea to force oxygen into her lungs.

  Nathalia, of course, had seen this many times, but there was something new to be seen. As she watched on, Alisha's body was drained of it's prana. Every drop of life gathered in a glowing silver ball and sped off.

  Nathalia spoke to Eiran only, Do you see that? She took a step towards Alisha's inanimate body.

  Yes, my love. I have seen it before. The body is dead. The life has fled to do our bidding.

  Nathalia didn't even bother to tell him that wasn't what she was talking about. A small thin silver thread held tight to Alisha's brai
n and spanned the distance between it and Alisha's life.

  Something about it called out to Nathalia or maybe it called out to Ereshkigal Either way her birthmark necklace tattoo called back. It hummed like Eiran had touched it. She looked down to find it glowing. Great Mother! What was happening with Alisha, she thought to herself.

  At the mention of Alisha's name, even in silence, her thread of life curved, making an almost bend in it's path. It was trying to connect with the birthmark. The hollow of Nathalia's neck, where the necklace had sank into her flesh and the back of her head grew very warm and tingly. She felt a spell forming there, but it was unrecognizable.

  Nathalia/Ereshkigal couldn't resist. She reached out and came close to touching the silver string. Almost imperceptibly, Alisha's body tensed. The proximity was intoxicating to Nathalia. Her whole body was taut with pleasure. Unable to stop herself, Nathalia strummed it like a guitar string. It hummed at the same frequency as the magic in Nathalia.

  Alisha's legs and arms straightened violently as if her skeleton was growing. She was locked in that pose for a moment. Her eyes opened slightly, but only white could be seen because they were rolled back into her head. Alisha started bucking, hips moving up and down so quickly that she almost fell off the bed. Her whole body was convulsing.

  Nathalia heard people around her yelling about Alisha's seizure. They were surrounding the bed to make sure she didn't fall, but keeping their distance so she couldn't hurt herself or them with her thrashing. There was some debate about the equipment and what should be done about it.

  Nathalia and Eiran stayed still. The latter because he did not realize this wasn't normal, the former because she was certain of Alisha's safety and was studying. There was something to be learned here, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. She couldn't get her thoughts off of the dream she had right after being converted by Eiran.

  Alisha was behaving like a measuring tape that had been stretched all the way out and then released. The tape was snapping back, rolling itself back in its case. That's what was happening; the thread was yanking Alisha back to her 'case'.

  Alisha's prana ball, her glowing etheric self, came back into the room. It was flashing colors rapidly, an obvious type of asteral seizure, or maybe it was just mad. Nathalia was sure that she was the only one who could see it. It wasn't going back inside Alisha, who was very still now. The thread was still bent, drawn to the necklace, the kink keeping the ball from returning.

  Nathalia placed her hand over the birthmark effectively severing whatever connection was keeping the string outside the body. Life rejoined flesh. Nathalia realized someone was speaking to her.

  “...unconscious for a while and then may have amnesia or short term memory loss. She's fine now, although that's never happened before. She's likely to be confused or embarrassed about what happened. It's irrational but common with seizures. Give us a little while and I'll come find you.”

  Alright, Ingrid. I'll be in the library. Nathalia turned and left the room with Eiran trailing behind. She directed her thoughts to him, I need to do a little research. You need to read a little bit of the works of the Bard of Avon.

  ***

  “Ereshkigal.”

  Nathalia turned toward the Nephilim calling her by the ancient warrior name and saw Nurzhan Turel coming toward her. He was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, not in a robe, indicating he had residence nearby and hadn't tabalu'd here. That could mean danger; he could be Akhkharu. She didn't sense any danger from the man, but testing it would be easy enough.

  Nathalia and Eiran were in the library. She had been thrilled that Eiran was so excited about the massive book accumulation. She had been less than happy that he was so interested in Maeve's graphic novel collection. He was siting on the floor with them spread out all around him. He had learned to read English in a few moments. He was an amazingly quick read, but took his time with the comic books, savoring each brightly colored panel.

  Nathalia was looking through some much older books toward the back of the library, with Eiran in the modern section closer to the doors. He stood and was next to her in a flash. She could tell he wanted to put himself between her body and that of the Nephilim. She didn't let him, but directed him to stand behind her. She laid her book on Atropos down and waited.

  When Nurzhan reached them Nathalia asked, Do you want to test your resistance?

  She held out her hand to him. She fisted it, using her ultra sharp fingernails to pierce the skin, drawing a small amount of blood. Eiran wrapped his arms around her, needing contact to tabalu them, ready to remove her from harms way in a seconds notice.

  Nurzhan looked at the palm offered to him for no time and shook his head. Nathalia didn't seem to hold any temptation for this one. She wondered why as she quickly licked the blood from her already healed hand. Did he have a will stronger than the others? She had been unsure of her safety out in the courtyard surrounded. How do you find that so easy?

  “I have found my mate.”

  It was only then that Nathalia noticed he was holding one arm slightly behind him. There was a smaller hand holding tightly to his. A large pair of eyes set on a small head peaked out around his hip.

  Nathalia smiled at the half hidden face and then at the Nephilim. Congratulations to both of you. What makes you think she is the one?

  The Nephilim gave a slight shrug, but the motion was tense. “I feel it. Being around her eases me. She gets upset when I go away.”

  She is of your family line?

  A slight nod.

  Let's see you, little one.

  Nathalia had never been good with determining the ages of children, but this one looked about 11 to her. Just starting her adolescent growth spurt, the girl was already tall, but she had the straightness of body that indicated youth. Her flat smooth chest said she was not yet a woman. Her long blond hair and childish clothes told Nathalia that this girls mother was not ready to let her.

  Doesn't it hurt to touch a guardian, sweetheart? Nathalia knew that the women who had been held by Nephilim described it as uncomfortable, but this girl held on to her mate's hand as if it were any other.

  “No, ma'am”, the little girl answered, but then quickly amended her statement. “Yes Abbess, but not too bad.” She smiled up at Nurzhan. He had taught her to value truth.

  The smile Nathalia recognized. I'm not the Abbess anymore. Is it Gwyneth or Lillian? One was Alisha's biological daughter, the other was not, but both thought of the Peregrinus as their mother.

  The girl was obviously thrilled that the older woman had remembered her. She was beaming. “Gwyneth. Sister Maeve said you were gone, but Mom said you would come back and you did, but you look different. Changed.”

  How much have you told her about who she is? Who she'll be?

  “Nothing.”

  Nathalia put her attention back to the girl. Why did Nurzhan seem so anxious? Was it just proximity to other Nephilim? I am changed, Gwyneth. I'm a guardian now, and someday, when you're older, I think you'll be one too. Then it struck her why Nurzhan was so nervous.

  The tension in the hallway thickened into an almost tangible level. Anger radiated off of Nathalia in waves and Eiran attempted to balance it by sending out his own calm She did not dare ask the girl, but focused her query at the giant in front of her. Have you had sex with this child? Nathalia raged at the thought. The girl actually took a step back, fear in her eyes.

  “Of course not.”

  Nathalia eased her mind, reigning in the rage. I apologize. My past is such that...I sometimes think the worst of men. What is it then, brother? What worries you?

  “You made a law that I have broken. I have healed her with my blood.” He paused for a second. “I have tasted hers.”

  How often? Nathalia and Eiran weren't lying to the brothers. They really did not know how much of an exchange had to occur before the conversion happened, or if surviving the tabalu was a cause or effect.

  “I have only healed her once. She fell and skinned
her knee. She was not crying, but I could feel that it was bothering her.” He looked slightly embarrassed, “It wasn't just that. I smelled the blood and wanted it. I licked it clean and then spread a drop or two over the lacerations.”

  And since then?

  “On occasion I have tasted her blood. It is irresistible. I spoke to my most trusted brethren and they do not find her smell all that tempting. It's the other reason I know she is my Sinnis.”

  She focused her eyes on the girl, who shone with the prana of a human. No, he hadn't converted her, but who knew how close he was to doing it accidentally. Human blood is only to be taken when necessary for battle, not for pleasure. If you cannot control yourself around her, maybe it's best if you remove yourself.

  “You can't send him away.” The girl spoke up. Nathalia didn't know if Gwyneth had heard or just sensed what Nathalia was saying. “He needs blood to live. He'll die without me.”

  Nathalia squatted down to put herself at eye level with Gwyneth. No, he won't. He doesn't need it. He wants it. There's a difference.

  Gwyneth stood straight, looking more adult than before, challenging the older and stronger female. “Well, I guess it's my blood and I can share it with who I want. Anyway, he can't leave. I won't let him.” Her chin when up a notch in defiance.

  Nathalia arched her eyebrow, He might have things he has to do. We all have duties. Mine is to make sure all guardians keep the law and see that the ones who don't are brought to justice.

  “I say his duty is to be with me. I have domillion over him.”

  “Dominion, the word is dominion,” Nurzhan corrected.

  My, you certainly are your mother's daughter. Yes Gwyneth, it is your blood and body, but you cannot understand the concept of consent, nor the full price of having dominion over another. Nathalia looked up at the Nephilim. Telling a preteen girl that she is in charge...you may have a very spoiled mate on your hands.

  Eiran spoke for the first time, but used the silent way so that the child didn't hear him, Proximity could be dangerous. Child or no, how long can you resist the urge to claim her body, take her prana that way?