Nimara: Children of the Gods

by Patricia Halladay

  “Hello Everyone, glad to hear you made it alright and that Scott and Kenneth are still breathing…” Tania says while laughing. Draven must have told her what they did to me when we got here, so I am sure she’s surprised to learn no physical harm has been done. “The Gargoyles all made it here about 20 minutes ago and construction has started on their living quarters. They have even talked with Rilyn and Mac to get their weaponry and flight patterns over the territory in sync with our warriors and patrols. Some of them had done a few passes over before coming to the village, letting Mac know that there was a large group of wolves collecting to the South and Southwest border.”

  “Perfect, are the Elite warriors all set up and ready?” I ask. I knew this was my Uncle’s plan from the start. He tried the same thing last year only on his own, except last year’s attempt was during the Life Celebration week and he got his ass handed to him big time. Really what can you expect with 20 plus Leaders and their collective family all spread out in one territory? A glorious victory? Only if you’re delusional.

  “They were set up within minutes of you leaving and Onyx was able to help get them to the Southern border undetected by the intruders before he left.” Tania says.

  “Tania, have you recognized the scent of these wolves to the South? Or did any of the Gargoyles recognize it?” Kenneth asks while rubbing his chin, “And how many are in the group? Were they able to get a count?”

  “Yes, two different scents were caught coming from the group. One is the Black Shadow Pack and the other I am not sure of. Most of the wolves could be heard arguing about minding their own business and that the Black Shadow Pack Alpha was crazy for attacking Silver Shadow. There was a rough count of 109 wolves with more coming in.” Tania says before continuing, “I have placed a spell around the territory. Once they cross into our lands, it will tell us which wolves are being forced to attack, even if it’s through an Alpha command and which are willing. So that we know who to actually go after during the attack.” There is a light knock on the door and shortly after Kenneth says come in, Onyx walks through the door. The Pride member that brought Onyx to Kenneth’s office nods at Kenneth when he says thank you and leaves, closing the door behind her again.

  “Who was that? Did Onyx get there alright?” Tania asks, sounding worried, like she knows something she isn’t telling us.

  “Yes Tania, I am okay, I just got here and was brought to Kenneth’s office immediately.” Onyx replies as he takes the spot to my left that Rachel had been occupying before. Both Onyx and Scott do a brotherly handshake hug thing with me caught in the middle.

  “Fuck, can you two let me breathe?” I shout laughing as they just continue to hug tighter. Soon everyone’s laughing at us, even Tania. They let go of each other and of course me in the process. As soon as they do, Scott’s arm goes around my shoulders on the back of the couch and Onyx’s hand goes across my lap. The conversation halts a bit as both Kenneth and Draven just look at the two with raised eyebrows.

  “Geez you two, a bit possessive and overprotective?” Rachel says, Onyx and Scott just look at each other and then back at everyone else still not moving their arms. “You would almost think you two were her mates or something.”

  “Can you send me a picture of it, Draven? It must look so cute! My baby girl has found her mate! Ooh I am so excited!” Tania squeals.

  “Mates!” Draven corrects her.

  “What? She has more than one? Well smother Hades and paint me purple! That’s amazing! Ohh that means lots of grand-babies!” Tania says squealing, and I am going cherry red at her comments, trying to use Onyx and Scott to hide behind. My mom and Tania were best friends for as long as I could remember. Mom and Tania had made an agreement that if anything should happen, the other one would raise us kids as their own. Well Tania definitely stayed true to her word and helped Draven make sure I grew healthy, wise, and strong. The fact she’s looking at my possible children as her “grandbabies” isn’t out of place. I am pretty sure even if mom were still here, Tania would still be calling them her grandbabies. We all say goodbye to Tania and of course she has to tell us to get our asses moving on making her some grandbabies. The room’s full of everyone laughing at me trying to bury myself into the couch under Onyx and Scott.

  “Thanks for the assist guys.” I say sarcastically to the two of them.

  “Anytime, Nim.” They both say each kissing the side of my head. Goddess, I love these two and have since I met them, but my heart still has its incomplete sound. So, I know they aren’t my mates. Which totally sucks bananas. Or could that be because of the spell my Uncle has the Sorcerer casting to make me claim that fake mate? I will have to look into this a bit more. I know Tania can’t give me much help, with her being Hecate, she will not mess with the Sisters of Fate and what they have planned. I will go to the next best source, Merlin. He should be able to help me, and luck would have it he is here, he’s the Elder Council member for all Spell casters.

  “Ok let's go and do rounds Scott, we need to check in with the border patrols. Rachel can you please see to lunch being prepared and for the rest of you, the council would like to speak to you and get your numbers. They want to get a head start before tomorrow and before the conference is in full swing, most of them want to go to the Life Celebration in Silver Shadow Territory to pay their respects. Especially with the recent attack on the Crystal River Pack.” Kenneth says and we all start to get up to leave.

  “Then they will be pleased to know that it was The Black Shadow Pack and the Northern Lake Pack that did the attack. Maybe then they will grant my declaration of war on my Uncle and any of his Allies.” I say finally stand up.

  “What?” A shocked look has come over everyone in the room. “Nim, your eyes!” Draven whispers.

  “Yea, we had some of the survivors come to our clan for sanctuary and my uncle darted them with poison to make them go into a bloodlust state. One of the darted wolves was able to get the dart out before all the poison was injected and telling me everything that happened once he healed. Morgana should be able to fill in more information, as she and Tilly interrogated the three men that were captured. They were all carrying guns and poison filled darts.” I say not attempting to hide my eyes. I know why they have gone glowing white, but no one else does. My mom and dad did, but they are no longer here because of the useless piece of fucking flesh I call an Uncle.

  “Nimue, we need to stay calm for now. It is not time yet to complete the bonding. We will need what energy we have to keep that Sorcerer and the Alpha from being successful….” Amara says, “We also need to talk to Merlin, he is waiting for us. I have already spoken to him and he says he has some useful knowledge and can help stop the Sorcerer without hurting him. You were right, he is not doing this willingly.”

  With Amara’s words, I start to calm down.

  Chapter 5

  ~ Nimue ~

  We all finish walking down to the main floor, and everyone's a little off. Probably because of my eyes, which have now returned to their normal ocean blue color. Once on the main floor, Kenneth, Scott, and Draven head out on patrol. It is common for either Draven or I to help with security when we visit Kenneth and his pride. It’s just something we always felt we should do, as they were offering us a safe place to stay. Rachel heads off to the kitchen and reminds Onyx and I that lunch will be at 12:30, that is when there is a longer time break from the arrivals of the attending groups and we even have a shiver this year. Although Seth is the only one to attend, he will send all information back to the others as it happens. Tenelle is here also to help with sending messages out to those who could not make it.

  Onyx walks closer than normal to me and he slows his pace, since his legs are miles longer than mine. Our hands brush each other a few times, and when they do Onyx glances at me and just smiles. Our peaceful walk to the conference hall is short lived as Alpha Nickolas makes another appearance and attempts to claim me.

  “Well, my beautiful gem, why is it you are avoiding me. I am
sure I would be better company then a smelly bear and a walking garden patch.” He says with a smirk. I look to Onyx, and snicker as he too is completely dumbfounded at the lack of originality. My Uncle Tit calls Onyx that, to piss him off and to this day, it still doesn’t work.

  “Well, one I happen to love playing in the fresh dirt and the way it smells when gardening. Second, you can say hi to my useless Uncle Tim for me and tell him, he is in for a huge fight. And of course, lastly…..” I say as I let the look of surprise rest on this arrogant ass’s face, “I, Nimue Simon, Pure Blood Silver Shadow Lycan and Leader of the Silver Shadow Clan, hereby reject you Alpha Eric Nickolas of the Northern Lake Pack, as my mate, Alpha and future ally. I hereby bar you and your willing pack members from ever entering my clan territory.” He falls to the ground holding his chest and gasping for air as I finish my rejection and exile. Using our bonded soul, Amara and I command Alpha Eric into acceptance of my rejection. With his acceptance a sudden wave washes out of me, as if suddenly released from an invisible force and it feels good. Everyone around us gasps at my actions, and then there is the sound of clapping and a warm older chuckle. Like one a grandfather would give when seeing his grandchildren do something amusing.

  “Well done Nimue! I see I didn’t have to give you all the answers to help you win this fight!” A taller, slender built older man, with long white hair and beard says to me. He also has a mischievous glint in his eyes and I already know this is the one and only Merlin.

  “Elder Merlin!” I smile and walk towards him; I then bow, and Onyx follows suit.

  “Oh pish-posh none of that, you make me feel old!” He says chuckling.

  “Merlin, you are old.” I respond with a full smile that reaches my eyes.

  “Oh, you little devil! I will get you, mark my words.” Merlin says, continuing to laugh. I can only imagine what he is going to do and how long this game will last. As we recently just called a truce from the last round of “Even Steven.” Still, I enjoy being able to cause some mischief and it’s even better when it’s towards an esteemed Elder like Merlin. He truly is like a five-year-old at heart.

  “Come you two, we need to talk, and I believe you need to give me and Elder Rant-claw your clan numbers.” Merlin says, leading us from the collapsed Alpha. “Oh, can someone please take this young man over to the infirmary. He will need to be seen by a healer and elder Sorcerer/Sorceress immediately” He continues as he walks away, Onyx and I are following close behind.

  We enter the conference hall, where the council is already sitting and waiting for us at a large circular desk. From the looks of things, they have already gathered information from other leaders, as there are at least 6 large file boxes sitting off to my right filled with files and each has a group’s name on it. I look to Onyx, as I have no files for the council, and all the information is on a Scandisk portable USB, which I am thankful Onyx has in his pocket. Merlin clears his throat as he takes his seat.

  “First off… It is always a pleasure to see you Miss Simon, and congratulations on your first victory in the fight to secure your clans safety.” Merlin says. Murmurs can be heard from the other council members.

  “Can you please explain as to what Elder Merlin is talking about Miss Simon?” Elder Rant-claw asks with a look of interest. For as long as I can remember Elder Rant-claw has always reminded me of Patrick Stewart when he played Captain Picard on Star Trek, and yes I know that was before my time, but I also have seen every season of 4077 M.A.S.H too. Got to love the oldies. He is the Elder of the yeti. So, this is who Mac talks about so much, with the greatest amount of respect and admiration.

  I spend the next hour telling the council everything from the start of this morning’s attack to the visit from the “Goddess”, to what the goddess Hecate and god Hephaestus told me and finally to the rejection of my “fake” mate. We called in Morgana, to give all the information she learned from the 3 men and their roles in poisoning the remaining Crystal River Pack that were headed to our Clan for safety. At one-point Elder Sutherland, Nymph elder, was pissed and all the flowers in the conference hall died in their pots and came back several times over. Questions were asked by both the council members and myself, and they were all mainly aimed at Elder Merlin. I felt bad for putting him in such a position.

  “Don’t feel guilty child! I have answers we all need. I would rather the questions be asked to get knowledge from a credible source that actually is allowed to give the needed information. The Sisters of Fate have allowed me to give you some answers, as well as some answers to the council so they can make a proper decision based on that knowledge.” Merlin says with a smile and I stand there with my mouth agape because he basically read my thoughts!

  “Not basically, I did read your thoughts.” He says laughing at me.

  “Ok, so now that we have all of that out, do you have your clan information files for us?” Elder Rant-claw asks.

  “We do but they are on a Scandisk USB. Is there a computer that we can print them for you?” I ask looking around to see if there was one in the room. “Oh, and there was an addition to population numbers of the clan as of 11 am too.” I add looking at my phone’s clock, it’s so that they are aware of the increase, whether it's permanent or temporary.

  “No, but Elder Merlin will take care of that, don’t worry. And how many new clan members were added? Do you know species also?” Elder Elenora says as Onyx hands Merlin the USB drive, Elder Elenora is the council member for the Cat shifters, so this is Kenneth’s elder.

  “Yes, as of 7:28 am there were 41 wolves, some of the Silver Shadow bloodline and some not. They were some of the survivors of the Crystal River Pack. Nine of them died during the poisoning, so the remaining 32 joined. I am hoping to help them find out if anymore were able to make it out and bring them back together. The choice will be theirs whether they stay and become part of the clan or if they go to other packs where they have family. Then there were 200 gargoyles that arrived at 10:40 am this morning, from the Highland Maritime Clans. They are here because an Alpha’s mate is within my clan.” I say as Elder Elenora writes down what I am telling her.

  “Ahh Elder Grendel, that must be your grandson and the group that came west with him.” Elder Brenton says. Elder Brenton is head of the Vampire covens, which I am suspecting we will meet later tonight, as they prefer to do their traveling at night to keep from being seen.

  “Must be, as I saw Prince Thane and Bronx coming back here to the Tiger Lily Pride, at roughly quarter to seven this morning. That must have been just after the attack on the travelers coming to Silver Shadow.” Elder Grendel says in a deep stone voice and then continues, “I have one question for you though Miss Simon, since doing the rejection, how was it that Alpha Nickolas accepted it instead of refusing it? Even if it is a spell that is making him your mate.”

  “Nimara, sir.” I respond. Everyone’s looking at me questioningly, now I have to explain.

  “I was born already as a lycan pup and shifted into my human form when I was three days old. Amara has always been with me, and when I turned five. There was a fight, a single rogue, came to the pack and tried to take one of the girls who just turned 13 that morning. So, she hadn’t shifted yet. I gave control to Amara and we shifted but we were losing, and I told Amara that no matter what her and I were of one heart, soul, mind, and spirit. In doing so we bonded and became one. When it happened, I killed the rogue just as warriors and my parents got there. I still hadn’t shifted back yet, so that’s when my mom named me, Nimara. A combination of our two names as one. My eyes are the first sign that the bond is happening, they glow white.” I say looking from the council to Onyx, to make sure he still has the same smile he has always given me, one of love and admiration. True to the man I have come to love, he is smiling so brightly at me. There is a new emotion showing through in his eye, pride.

  “The bonding has happened a few times since then, mainly during fights and I am trying to help someone weaker. The last time was the night my parents were
killed. It was Nimara, that was fighting, it was the only way we could help. Amara and I were in such pain from the thought of losing my parents, that we bonded through anger and rage. That shift only lasted long enough to help kill off the bloodlust rogues.” I say making sure not to leave anything out.

  “Nimue, it’s a rare occurrence for a complete bonding to occur, but it does explain a few things that the council have been wondering for some time now. Like for instance how you were able to shift at such a young age, during the attack that claimed your parents. It also explains why your Uncle Tim is after the Silver Shadow Clan. He must think that all the members are able to bond completely to their other half.” Elder Elenora says.

  As the discussion continues, I see Merlin smiling brightly at me. I scrunch my eyebrows together and wrinkle my nose, because I know he has something up the long sleeves of that robe. Then he walks over and hands the Scandisk back to Onyx. I look at him funny and he laughs, Onyx just chuckles as if he knows something I don’t. Then out of nowhere a large file box appears with our clan name on it and it’s full of files. So that’s the little secret Onyx and Merlin were laughing about. The three of us leave together for me to continue my talk with Merlin. As we head off to the lake to the east of the Pride house. Morgana comes running at me screeching, bouncing and just really excited. That’s when I see the same guy from the attack. He walks over to us also; I start to smile but it soon fades as I hear my heartbeat stay the same. Incomplete.

  “Nimue, this is Prince Thane of the Highland Maritimes Royal Gargoyle family. He’s my mate!” She says while bouncing up and down on her toes.

  “Yes I know who he is, he was at the clearing this morning, after the attack. It’s nice to meet you, if you will excuse me, I have to go talk to Elder Merlin.” I say almost defeated as I walk away. I thought I had broken the spell and would be able to claim my mate, but I was wrong.