…
A few hours later, Morgana handed the instructions to a group of her men. “Bring me everything that I have asked for.” They scurried off down a corridor as she watched them. “Soon the stakes will rise,” she said coldly.
CHAPTER NINE
CAPTURE
On a dark cold night, three hooded forms crossed an old church yard on the far east corner unnoticed. In front of an old pile of stones in a section separated from the rest of the graves, they stopped and started to dig into the damp ground. Within an hour they had secured the graves contents wrapping a worn collection of bones carefully within a cloth. By daylight, the cloaked figures were gone leaving a gaping hole in the earth.
Morgana paced awaiting her servants return, they had not been the only party she had sent out the night before; another body had been brought in earlier. Morgana had plans for that one, and already had her best dark wizards carrying out her instructions. The remains she waited on now, those would be brought to her own personal chambers and left under her own care. She whirled when the door to her chamber opened.
A servant stood just at the threshold never meeting her eyes, “The men have returned with the remains just as you have asked, enchantress. Would you like them to place them anywhere particular?”
“You fool; I made it quite clear to have them brought to my room when they returned!”
“Right away, enchantress.” The servant scurried down the hall and out of sight. A few moments later, he returned with the three cloaked figures following him with the remains.
Morgana sneered at them, “You have done as I asked?”
“Yes, enchantress. Everything is intact as you have asked.”
“Then leave the remains and go, we are done here. I wish to be alone.”
The three walked over to a stone table that had been prepared for this moment. There they laid the bones as one of them carelessly dropped the skull from the cloth where it landed on the hard floor with an echo. Morgana’s hand shot out and caught the frightened servant by the throat. She slammed him against a wall with feet dangling in the air. “You dare act in such a careless manner again and I will rip you to shreds and have your own remains fed to the buzzards. I will show no mercy or hesitate to do so. Do you understand me?” He nodded as she released her hold and let him drop to the floor. “Remember that should you decide to enrage me again.” The man scrambled sideways away from her, almost tripping over his own feet in the process in his escape. On all fours, he crawled out the door as the other two rushed after him.
“Insolent fools!” she said dryly. Looking towards the bones on the cold stone, her demeanor changed. She knelt by the table, her face twisting in anguish. With a trembling hand she touched them gently. She stroked the fragments, she felt alone; heart aching for what it had lost. “You do not belong in the earth, you never deserved death. You shall soon return, and vengeance will be yours, my son.”
…
A fae stood staring at the night sky.
“What has you lost deep in thought, lad?” asked Magnus.
The fae continued to look up with a sense of nervousness. “Winds of change, and something else,” the fae dropped his voice to a whisper. “There is much more going on, something else is coming.”
Magnus only nodded, “I know, lad. I feel it as well.”
“This will be a fight for our life,” said the fae solemnly.
Magnus stepped closer, and much to the fae’s surprise said, “It is true, we may not all live to see Avalon and her lands.” They glanced at each other, and then Magnus reached up and placed a steady hand on the fae’s shoulder. “But we must fight for those who would.”
“Then we will die with honor,” the fae said with certainty. “Our people will sing songs of our courage and bravery for years to come.”
“And we will honor them all,” Magnus said proudly.
“You are half blood to the fae, Magnus. but you are just as fae as any full blood. I would fight at your side as a brother in arms any day, old friend.”
Magnus looked as if he wished to say something, but only glanced at the fae and started to walk away before he spoke. “Thank you for your acceptance.”
…
Cora feeling overwhelmed by all of the news from earlier slipped quietly out the door for a walk. The silence would help to think and clear the mind. The cottage had too many people around; the fresh air would do her good and give her some time away. She thought of the sea shore, it was quiet, peaceful and beautiful. She saw no harm in taking a stroll along the shore by herself. So while everyone was busy talking of plans and strategies, she had slipped out quietly unnoticed. The fresh night air was a welcome and brought a calmness that stilled the nerves. The moonlight shone brightly enough to give her a clear path down to the water. At its edge, she stopped, taking in a deep breath of the salty sea air. Closing her eyes she listened to the soft laps of the waves and surf.
There was a different sound that caught her attention, “Maybe a wave or a dolphin?” she was not sure. Then she heard another sound, someone behind her. Turning thinking that Sean had followed her, her heart almost froze when she saw him. Sean’s Father.
“Danger, big danger,” screamed a voice in her mind. She struggled to force her feet to move, her eyes locked on the creature in front of her. She heard movement from further down the shore, running. She could hear the sound of Sean’s voice screaming at her, but her fear was so intense that the words did not register. She shook her head to clear her mind of the loud roar in her head. “Run!” Sean screamed, and she did.
Her mind went blank as she lost all sense of direction. She did not know where to run.
The creature smiled at her, evil and darkness dripping from it. it rushed her catching her by the arm in a tight grip. He yanked her helplessly towards the water, fighting against her attempts to free herself.
She could hear Sean in the distance, still screaming her name. So far away… she screamed. She slapped at the creature, but he refused to let her go. With one hand the creature wrapped it around her throat, she could not breathe. She struggled and fought but the creature was stronger, and her world went black.
Sean went cold as dread crept its way through him. He watched helplessly as his father dragged Cora’s lifeless body into the water. He ran to the water’s edge, stripping off his shirt and shoes and tossing them to the ground. His mind raced as he jumped into the water. He swam as fast as he could, right into the deep part of the sea. He could feel warmth, water reaching around his entire body. He changed, a bright shimmer through his entire form.
Thick blue scales sprouted from his waist down to his feet. His remaining clothing dissolved from his body as his legs merged to become one, leaving in their place a merman’s tail. Water filled his lungs as he took a deep breath of the mother sea through gills that opened on his neck. He swam hard, fast, pushing his body to the extreme. He could sense her, feel her. He embraced it, emerging deeper within his bond with Cora. The ocean came to life. Seals, dolphins and fish darted past him and alongside him. He ignored them all, his mind only on Cora.
He saw them up front, a mere forty feet ahead. His father had her body in his arms, carrying her alongside him as he swam. Sean could see a makeshift mask on her face, and knew then that Cora was being fed the precious air to survive such depths. The enchantress must have changed her mind and wanted Cora brought in alive. That was at least one thing on Sean’s side in this dark game.
But as Sean swam closer to them, he felt another presence in the water, one of darkness. He slowed, turned and then saw it. he found himself staring into the face of another of Morgana’s creatures. It smiled and shoved a knife towards Sean’s chest.
…
“Cora, wake up,” she knew that voice. “Cora,” Magnus’s voice. She sat on a floor, white and cold. All around her, floors and ceilings of pure white. There was no sound, no person, only the familiarity of Magnus’s voice. “Why can’t I see you, Magnus? where are you? Help me, Magn
us, help me, please!”
“At the moment, you are beyond my reach, Cora. My vision is blocked from seeing you or even where Morgana is keeping you. The ring you wear is the only thing providing me with some small link to you.”
“Am I dead, Magnus?”
“Not dead, Cora. You are only in a deep sleep, one induced by Morgana.”
She buried her face in her hands and began to cry, “I should not have wandered off, and this is my entire fault.”
“Now child, there is no time for regrets and self-remorse. You must fight and keep your wits about you, and above all, you must learn to use your power!”
She began to cry again, “I have no power of which you speak, Magnus.”
“Not yet, child. Now pick up that chin and you prepare to fight! Your power builds but is not ready yet. You subdue it with this not good enough attitude and woe is me. How can such an amazing power live in such a place if one has so little faith? When you are ready to stop feeling sorry for yourself then your power will come to full bloom, then you will know when the time is right to use it. My dear girl, allow the power that has chosen you to give you strength. Allow it to vibrate through you. And when it comes to you, Cora, you fight with your heart. You put the fear of God into Morgana! This is your fight, child. This is your fight and that of your guardians, the fight for all of us against those that would try to bring darkness to this world. The prophecy has been written, and now you must fulfill your part!”
Cora’s eyes opened, and she did wake. Magnus’s words still echoed in her thoughts as she became aware of her surroundings. A small room, no window, but a cell with bars. She glanced down, she still wore the ring. The silence was frightening, almost eerie and cold. A voice cut through like a knife. A voice that was both dark and sinister. “Cora, the Seer of the Blue Moon.” Morgana.
She shook her head, clicking her tongue as she watched Cora with enthusiasm. “So weak, so helpless. People like you are food to me, a power to feed off of. And your power, so new and fresh will soon be mine.”
“You don’t scare me,” Cora mumbled.
“Oh, but you should be scared of me. Such a naive child.”
Cora shot Morgana a cold look. “You feed off of the good to benefit your own dark needs. You are a monster, Morgana.”
“Is that what Magnus has told you?” she asked as she ran her fingers along the outside of the bars.
“Yes,” Cora admitted. “Why else turn Sean’s father into a cold hearted creature?”
Morgana inclined her head. “But Sean’s father came to me. Power is a marvelous thing to have, Sean’s father knew that.”
“Liar,” Cora yelled. “You have been having Sean’s father hunt down innocent people and kill for you. He has no power; you pull the strings and control him like a puppet.”
“That my dear, is a risk we must all take. With power and magic come consequences. Sean’s father only paid the price for his.”
“You are wicked,” Cora sneered.
Morgana laughed. “But that is the way, my way.”
“Your power will backfire on you. Sean will come for me, watch and see. Then you will be sorry.”
“No one will come for you, my dear. As for Sean, he has already played the game and lost.” And with that she turned to leave. “Sean is already dead.”
Cora jumped to her feet and lunged herself against the bars screaming hysterically.
Morgana laughed, “So much for prophecies, nighty night my dear.”
CHAPTER TEN
UNFORESEEN
It was hours before Cora heard a sound. She had been sitting in the cell, numb and not believing Morgana’s words. She did not believe Sean was dead, could not. They were only vile words used to break her down, she would not let them.
Morgana returned much later that evening, but not alone. “I want you to meet someone, Cora. I call him, Bruno.” Bruno smiled at her. Morgana stood back crossing her arms, she gave Bruno a nod. The cell lock clinked open and in stepped Bruno. “I think I will leave you two alone, I am sure you will become great friends.”
Cora’s heart lurched in her chest. She felt ill and wanted to puke. She moved to the back of the cell trying to find some kind of protection from the towering man. “Don’t leave me alone with him,” she pleaded. A big hand came down toward her.
Morgana smiled, eyes dark, so dark. “Don’t worry my dear. He is of my own creation. He is not venomous, not much. He just has shall we say… a strange appetite for blood.”
Cora forced herself to look at Bruno. His eyes were even darker than Morgana’s. His teeth, poking over his bottom lip were like two sharp fangs. A cold shudder ripped through her.
“Do try to play nice my dear. It was hard enough restoring him after what the fae did to him. And Bruno, do try not to take too much blood. I don’t wish to turn her, that would only defeat the purpose.” She walked to the door and shut off the light, “Nighty night.”
“No,” Cora yelled. But it was too late; Morgana had already gone and left her with this diabolical beast.
Bruno’s hand shifted, sliding up to Cora’s neck. She tried to move away, but he gripped her even tighter. Arching her neck, she lay vulnerable and exposed to him. And as she watched with terrified eyes, Cora felt the sickly breath touch her skin. Sheer horror clawed at her as she screamed. And then he bit her. His fangs sunk into her neck piercing and hungry. She felt the intense pain as his cold lips pressed against her, savagely drinking from her. When he had finally finished, he released her as she fell to her knees hunched over and cold. She wanted to vomit.
Morgana returned, “Now that you have met Bruno and know the pain I can put you through, it is time to get down to business.”
Cora choked on her words, “I was wrong, you’re not a monster. You’re the devil in disguise.”
“Oh now, my dear. We have already been through that. I am not so bad. I made sure that Bruno did not have the power to turn you… yet.”
“You will die first,” Cora choked.
Morgana turned and smiled as she brushed the skirts of her dress with her hand. “Perhaps,” she looked back towards Cora. “But not for many, many years yet. You on the other hand will not be around to see it.”
Cora watched as Morgana’s face contorted. She lunged for the ring, Cora jerked away. Morgana did not strike a second time. As Cora hunched down holding the ring tightly against her, the ring began to glow, singing ancient melodies around her body and soul. The ring had thrown up a shield around Cora, one that would protect her.
Morgana screeched at the top of her lungs, “Stop this magic, and give me the ring!”
“Never,” Cora screamed back.
A noise came from beyond the room. “Bruno, go see what the commotion is. I will deal with this little wench myself.” Morgana waved her hand and Bruno was gone. She then turned her attention back to Cora. Just as Morgana was about to reach for her again, a large crash could be heard right outside the door.
Cora looked up as a smile crept across her face. “Sean,” and alive.
Sean moved across the room so fast he was like a blur. He slammed into Morgana knocking her across the room in one single hit.
Cora scrambled for him, she kept expecting someone to make a grab for her, but she made it to Sean who took hold of her hand and led her towards freedom. Doors leading outside closed and bolted in front of them. they were trapped. Cloaked figures surrounded them and took them to the floor. They fought but it was of no use.
They both arched their necks to look up and see Morgana standing above them. “Lock them up.”
…
They were placed in separate cells, each across from the other. Here they were prisoners of Morgana’s once again. And only after that one brief moment of freedom.
“We have to think of something, Sean. There has to be some way out of this horrible place.”
He looked at her; he couldn’t protect her like this. His heart almost lurched as he stared into those eyes, so full of pleading. “I
need time to think, Cora. I will find a way.”
Outside the cell room, a scream tore through the darkness. There was pain and agony in the cry. There was also a sense of familiarity, rage. Sean’s heart about broke in two; his father. he pressed his hands to his ears as his father screamed again. The sound brought back distant memories; long swims at twilight, resting on rocks off the cove as water crashed the shores. He remembered the scent of sweet salty air, a strong hand teaching him the life and ways of the mer; just a boy and his father. Morgana had not cared whether his father may have had a life, all she wanted was a slave; one she could manipulate and do with as she wished.
Sean tested the bars. He closed his eyes, listening to that part within himself, the sound that resonated from the soul. He drifted on the sweet notes, the love. His thoughts spread deeper. He listened to the steady rhythm of his heart, the rush of blood as it pumped through his veins; deeper yet, the magic within himself. These were the things his father had taught him. Sean used this now; he would and could do this. He calmed, taking in deep breaths of air.
He heard the sound of approaching footsteps. He straightened and opened his eyes. The door opened revealing a man as big as a house. His hands were covered in blood, a blood stain running down the corner of his mouth. He smiled as two fangs protruded just above the bottom lip. Sean looked over at Cora, “Stay calm.” All he saw looking back at him was the fear on her face, the dread in her eyes as she watched the huge man walk closer.
Bruno looked at Cora and licked his lips. A few moments later, Morgana was at his side. She stared at Sean for one long moment, the silence between them disturbing. Then her eyes turned to Cora. She fixated on the ring. “I believe you have something that I want, my dear.” Cora said nothing. Morgana sighed, “Oh come now, you have no use for its magic. Give it to me and I will release you, I promise.”
Blue Moon: The Ring of Mer (Seer's Of The Moon) Page 8
