Animal Heart (Beast & Beauty)
Page 19
“When I was at the rectory, getting the water blessed, I spotted her house sign, “The Black Crow's Nest”. At the time I thought it was an odd, creepy name for a minister of the Lord. Maddy's message mentioned a crow's nest and a female. Who else could it be?”
“So we're going there now?” Shane asked.
“Straight away, then picking up supplies on the way back.”
“Why couldn't Maddy go?”
“She's having a quiet morning. I insisted. She's got a tough time coming up. I don't want to raise her hopes.”
They arrived and parked outside the rectory. All three trailed up the yard path towards the front door of The Black Crow's Nest. Aden smiled at the large cross shaped topiary on display as they passed by it. He knocked at the brightly polished brass bird knocker firmly.
The door swung open and there stood Pastor Saunderfoot, in full black church attire, looking very holy indeed.
“Ah, Mr Carr. I've been expecting you,” she said calmly, her brown eyes welcoming and warm.
“You have? Is it convenient to speak with you now? Are you about to go out?”
“No, I have just returned from conducting an early morning remembrance service at Heart. Poor Reverend Porter, you know... the innocent victim of one of your pack,” she announced, again so calmly. Aden's head spun for a moment.
How the hell did she know?
“Pastor... It wasn't our fault. Can we come in and explain?”
“Goodness, where are my manners, leaving you standing on the doorstep... Of course, do come in. Let me put the kettle on, I'm dying for some raspberry leaf tea. Can I get you anything, my dears?”
“I'll have the same,” Shane replied. And he and Lucas asked for a coffee, if it wasn't too much trouble. Aden was very confused by her sweet and kind attitude. She seemed to be very aware of who they are and what they did to the Reverend, and yet at the same time she was unruffled and unemotional about it. It didn't make sense. Why she wasn't crossing herself and drowning them with holy water was a mystery. The three of them followed her inside, warily, looking at each other as she ushered them into her living room with a smile.
“Make yourselves comfy. I'll be a few minutes, it has to steep... the tea, I mean.” She left the room and they stood and looked around.
It was the strangest room Aden had ever been in.
“I'd say we've been rumbled,” Lucas sniggered nervously as he surveyed the contents of the table in front of him. They all got up and started to examine the ornaments and piles of books. Aden flicked through one of the books with interest; The Lycanthrope, A Full Color Pictoral, and then another, The Clawed Demon Within, and finally, Wolves and Vampires. These very unholy books and many others sat side by side with the New Testament, Holy Scriptures, and hymn books. Aden picked up and examined the figurines of wolves and were-beasts, and other creatures considered to be mythological and legend. He spotted a Minotaur, a centaur, and a unicorn and others he didn't have any idea about. But most prevalent were the werewolves. There were dozens of the creatures on every shelf and window ledge. A massive one stood on its hind legs on the hearth, blood smearing its fearsome fanged jaws. This didn't feel like a very holy room to him.
Why on earth was she so obsessed with them?
The door opened and the small white haired lady pastor reappeared with a flower patterned tray balanced on one hand. She smiled at them as she put the tray down on the coffee table.
“Help yourselves to milk and sugar, won't you,” she offered graciously.
She picked up her bone china pink spotted cup and saucer and sat on an upright winged chair by the fireplace, sipping at her tea daintily, and regarding them openly. “So, ask away... We all know the score,” she began.
“What score do you know exactly?”
“Mr Carr... Aden... I am one of your kind.”
“No!... I can usually see it, but I can't with you.”
“That is because I'm a shifter. We are a little different, more subtle in appearance. And perhaps your mind refuses to believe one of the clergy could be such a monster?”
He looked at the other two in shocked amazement. Their faces were similarly surprised.
“I don't believe it!” Lucas announced. “What the fuck?”
“Language my son... We may be savage beasts at heart, but there is no need to speak like one,” the pastor admonished calmly.
“I'm real sorry your holiness... err, holy mother...” Lucas apologised, shamefaced at his uncouth outburst.
“Oh do drop the holy mother title please! Call me Vicky. And what's your name young man?” She sipped at her tea slowly, watching Lucas with an unwavering gaze.
“It's Lucas.”
“And I'm Shane.”
“Beautiful names and so fitting for such beautiful men.” She grinned at them all in open admiration. “So tell me, how's things at the ranch?”
“Not so great,” Aden revealed.
“I thought as much. How is your holy pool coming along?” she laughed.
“We don't have one yet.”
“Aden, really...! What a poor liar you are. You were attempting the flaming cross exorcism, weren't you?”
“Well yeah, we had a sudden urgent need of it.”
“I gathered you must have. Explain your predicament to me from the very beginning. How long have you been here, your number, and what has brought you to my door.”
“It's quite a long tale.”
“I have the time, so begin...”
The three of them told their story, the part the Mayor played, Maddy's abilities, and their current lack of control over themselves.
Vicky sat quietly, listening intently. She finally spoke.
“The flaming cross is a last resort. It is a temporary means to control the beast, while you arrange something more permanent for the future. I'm sorry my sons, but there is no way to rid yourself of your savage full moon wolf. I suggest a large underground room, a nuclear fallout shelter, or something similar. You won't harm each other, so have no fear of that. Wolf-folk are respectful of their kind, even when full moon rage is upon them. I can find you a place to stay, in a cell in the crypt of my chapel, until you have your own suitable accommodations arranged at your ranch.”
“Are there others you know of here, like us?” Aden asked.
“No, just you and I.”
“Vicky, how do you manage your shifter spirit? Maddy is beside herself with what happened to the Mayor. She seems to think she has to bury herself for three days underground.”
Vicky chuckled. “She would need to do that every full moon to stop her spirit from escaping. What I have discovered, through years of research and consulting with Warlocks and other such mages is so much simpler. I bind myself to God.”
“What does that mean, in practical terms?” he asked.
“It's a prayer. I sit in my chapel and pray at sunset. I send my evil spirit to God, to watch over, until dawn.”
“That seems far too easy.”
“Answers so often are.”
“And this will work, even if she harbors bad feelings for someone?”
“I get bad feelings too. I may be a servant of God, but I'm only human. I can assure you my ill will is never carried out in real life. Come to me at the next full moon and we shall commune with God.”
“We're not exactly religious, Vicky,” Lucas admitted.
“That's only to be expected. How many werewolves feel comfortable in church? Not many I guess. You have to realise this is not your fault. You are as welcome here and in the eyes of God as any other creature on this earth.”
“You've been more than a great help,” Aden said sincerely.
“Oh, one last thing… If something happens and I don't see you for some reason, Maddy is at risk from you and you from her. She is a higher being. She doesn't realise this. I didn't for a long time. We aren't exactly werewolves. We're called dark travellers, or the Ward.”
“But I bit her. She was definitely a real werewolf befor
e. What happened to change things?”
“That was a temporary phase. She has a wolf-spirit like you, and I. But we have something extra, another inner self, which is a real demon. She is possessed, more than cursed. It's a lifelong possession and it's what drew me to the church. I was a teacher for many years before I became a minister. I thought about ending my life to stop myself from committing any more terrible deeds. But I learned that my demon would be unleashed forever if I killed myself. I must die underground, in holy soil. When my time comes, I have to ensure that I do. If too many of us are released into the world of men by our deaths, they could form a legion and that could bring about the End of Days. We have no way of knowing, so we must take care.”
“Jeez, this keeps getting better and better,” Aden said, raking his fingers through his hair.
“You're her guardians. You must ensure she is kept safe. If death is imminent she must be interred, in holy soil. That is your duty if you are able to fulfil it.”
“But why her Vicky?”
“Why her, you ask? Why me, why anyone? I can't answer that. I'm not sure that even the good lord himself can. Enjoy your lives as they are. You have so many wonderful years of youth and love ahead of you, families to raise and care for. There is no need for concern or worry about things you have no control over. I've given you all the information you need to bear the darkness in your lives. I will conduct your weddings, baptisms, and funerals, if I am still alive and able. You have a friend in me, and for many years yet, I sincerely hope!”
Chapter 11
One Month Later.
Maddy walked up the aisle towards him, looking like an angel, in her long ivory silk gown, with Shane at her side.
Aden took her hand in his as Pastor Saunderfoot began the blessing of their union, wrapping their wrists with her holy cloth. He felt an inner peace descend upon him. They were blessed and loved by God, no longer fearing of his wrath.
He gave her the ring, the pale blue diamond she had chosen, placing it on her slim finger with pride. He was already bound to Maddy, her wolf-spirit, and her demon for life, and how he cherished every single day. His mate's blue eyes sparkled beautifully, and a gorgeous smile lit up her perfect features as they made their pledge in the chapel.
She had accepted and come to terms with what she was. They had all come to terms with everything thanks to the wonderful, tiny white haired woman who now stood before them. Never had any woman of the cloth deserved the title of holy mother more than she did.
No matter what happened to them in the future, Maddy was his love, his soulmate, and the most precious thing in his life. She'd opened up his cold animal heart and made him feel alive.
And how he thanked God for sending her to him.
~ THE END ~
About the Author
Books by Jessica Miles (Jessie M)
Beast & Beauty Collection
Paranormal Erotic Fiction 18+
Animal Heart
Immortal Fire Series
Paranormal Erotic Fiction 18+
Eighteen Summers – Part I
Severina – Part II
Rising Bloodtide – Part III
Whirl - Sexy Romantic fiction 18+
Touch of Eden - Sexy Romantic fiction 18+
62 Days - Sexy Romantic fiction 18+
White & Black - Sexy Romantic Fiction 18+
Rose Blood - Light Paranormal Romantic Fiction 17+
Blood Match - Paranormal Romantic Fiction 18+
The Pairing - Light Paranormal Romantic Fiction 17+
Dark Demons - Romantic fiction 16+
Find Jessica Miles at JessicaMiles.me - and get updates on new novels as soon as they are released on Kindle.
If you enjoyed this book I would really appreciate you leaving a review on Amazon Kindle.
This helps other readers find it and also have the confidence to download it, then they can enjoy it too.
Just a moment spent adding a few words would mean a lot to me.
You can also send me an email at jessicamiles.me if you want to ask me anything or make further comments.
Thank you!
Jessie