by Audra Hart
“You a vamp?” George asks. “I can smell it in your blood.”
“Not exactly,” hedges Morna. “I was raised as a Spell Weaver…”
“She’s being modest. She has a string of magical titles that will blow your mind,” whispers Brigid.
Morna ignores her friend. “But my father is… well, he’s the grandson of Odin and a giantess named Rind.”
“No kidding? Vali is your Gramps?” asks George.
“I am pleased you have studied other mythologies.” Morna smiles. “But then again when you are a mythical creature yourself, you don’t easily dismiss anyone’s mythology, do you?”
“Sure enough ma’am,” acknowledges George.
“Well Vali mated with a mortal named Enna, a Scottish chieftain’s daughter. They produced my father, Valiant. He has kept a low profile. Mostly he protects Ireland and Wales, but truly he protects all the 52 gates of Ari’s offspring. Anyway, Valiant found my mother appealing, and they conceived me in 1169.”
George lets go with a low whistle, “843 years old? I feel like a pup ma’am. I am only 402 years old.” Brigid chuckles and George wonders why, but keeps his attention on Morna. He needs to know why she smells like a vampire.
“Well, I am not exactly 843, it is confusing, yeah I guess essentially I am. Even after I die I am alive guarding the gates… oh this is hard to explain.”
“So how come you smell like a vamp?” George cuts through.
“George, do you have a prejudice against all vampires?” Morna asks in a calm, serious voice.
“No ma’am, I just know they are dangerous,” he replies.
“That is true, I won’t argue with you on that score, but my particular scent is complicated, be patient, please.” Morna steadily meets his gaze.
At that point Luca comes in with the pizza. Brigid gets Morna a plate and tall glass with ice in it. Luca looks at his mate, picks up her hand to re-examine her wrist. Morna assures him that it is okay. Luca nods but doesn’t seem mollified, and then he says, “Love, eat and I will finish the explanations.”
Luca looks at George, and says, “Despite the slight taint of vampire that my mate has, she is completely pure and good.” Morna snorts. Luca continues, ignoring her self-deprecating attitude. “She is indeed a Spell Weaver. She is a Weaver of the First Order of Airendell. She is the First Warrior of Airendell, Ireland, Wales, and the New World. In addition, she is the First Protector of the Gateway and Talismans of Airendell. She protects upper-world from any in middle-world and inner-world who would harm the mortal humans who live here. She is just like you, a protector of humanity. I assume you are a Stone Breaker?”
George nods. And Luca continues. “We have been given to understand that Morna is destined to take over for her mother as First Weaver and head of our Guild. Apparently her mother has been plotting against her for nearly six hundred years that we know of. But Morna is pure, even the Elvish council of Alfheim is working with her to break the curse on her so that she may assume her rightful place at the head of our Guild.”
“But she smells like a vamp,” George persists like a dog with a bone. Morna laughs quietly around her sixth slice of pizza.
Luca rubs his face with his hands and rakes his fingers through his hair. He stands up like he is going to break George in half. “Dammit man, she’s my wife, I love her, I accidentally infect… exposed her to my venom! She is not, however, a vampire! But the venom did increase her already impressive physical and mental capabilities!”
Morna and George are beside themselves with laughter. Luca looks angrily at George and then at Morna in utter consternation. “Sorry Luca,” says Morna through spasms of giggles.
George gets himself under control first. He stands up and extends his hand to Luca to shake, “Sorry man, I just had to be sure it was something that innocent. I fought beside your mate today. She is at least as fast and strong as those newbies, I had to know why.”
Morna gets up and hugs her mate. “I am sorry I laughed darling. You are just so protective of me and you were trying desperately not to tell George how I got exposed to your venom.”
George speaks up, “Since I raked you over the coals so badly, you want me to explain myself before I ask about your history Luca?”
Morna and Luca look at each other and reach silent understanding. “No,” replies Luca, “We have a good idea who you are, but I am thinking there’s a variation to your story we may not be familiar with. But I will explain my history so you can; perhaps, relax a bit in my presence.”
“Sorry man, I was a bit of a bastard to you. I have already figured out your wife is surely a pistol; I could already imagine how she got exposed. I should not have pressed you so hard,” apologizes George. “I don’t understand why she isn’t a vamp like you though.”
“No problem,” says Luca. “Morna has been telling me for centuries to loosen up, but I am not very good at it. I have had to keep a very tight rein on myself to keep her safe all these years. It’s a hard habit to break. Plus, I respect her more than any other being in the history of the world, so I am prickly about her honor. As to why she didn’t become a Stone Cold vampire like me, we have no idea. But I digress, so about me... I too am a complicated story, as I am sure you have surmised.”
“I was born in the mid thirteenth century, somewhere in Italy. I am approximately 770 years old. My father was a mortal, an Italian soldier. My mother, I am told, was Bellona. Her father, Mars, made her give me up to an orphanage. I met Morna in 1260. She challenged me when I stumbled into the gateway. She detected my magic and decided I was fair enough to allow into her realm. She later became my lore mother and ascension guide. She led me to ascension in 1265.”
George interrupts with a low whistle. “Only 5 years. You must have been very pure and very talented. I figure your ascension rites and rules are as strenuous as ours are.”
“He was and is,” asserts Morna.
Luca doesn’t respond to either, but continues with his story. “This amazing woman married me in 1316. However, in 1435 I was attacked by an ancient and powerful vampire. Morna interrupted him before he could finish me off. She destroyed Marcus, the ancient vampire and fed me her own blood and kept me alive long enough for the venom to change me and save my life. The silver haired witch the young vamp mentioned tonight is Kyera; she was mate to the ancient Marcus. She was sent to destroy us, we believe, by Morna’s mother, Magdrid.”
“Kyera, the witch, could not outright kill us without forfeiting her own immortality so she cursed Morna to into a semi mortal state. She has been born and reborn into different life times over and over. It has been my proud honor to find her over and over. And to be to her whatever she needs me to be. In between these incarnations, she returns to her father Valiant, and works tirelessly to keep the 52 gateways of Ari’s offspring guarded.”
“Astonishing!” says George. “I am honored to know you both sir.”
“You stood shoulder to shoulder with my mate today,” says Luca. “If she allowed you to do that, you must be honorable. If she had perceived any evil in you she would have taken you out before she took on the attacking vampires.”
George looks at Morna, “You could have taken all three at once?”
Morna snorts loudly. “Probably not. Brigid would have had to help some. She had woven the iron-lion spell. She is not a trained warrior, but she is still fully capable of defending herself. All Spell Weavers have some warrior training.”
“My little Irish Faerie can fight vampires?” he asks in astonishment.
Brigid stirs from where she is lightly dozing and says, “Not so much, I am not a warrior, but I could have helped. But yeah, I can fight when I need to, all Spell Weavers are trained to fight. Morna ordered me to stay put. I think she wanted to see what you were made of sweetheart.”
“What is an iron-lion spell?” George asks.
“Well it makes a Spell Weaver’s body harder than iron, so a vampire cannot bite us. And faster than a lion. But it’s nothing wh
en compared to Morna’s and Luca’s abilities as warriors. They are a whole other class altogether,” answers Brigid.
“I bet,” says George, “I saw Morna in action today. But I have a few questions for….? Luca? How did that vampire get the drop on you in 1435?”
Luca extends his hand to shake,” Lucian Michaels. I was in a spiritual trance. But that should not have been enough to allow him to overtake me. We believe Morna’s mother was holding me in a binding spell.”
“You mean what Morna did to young vamp tonight?” George asks quietly.
“Yes,” confirms Luca.
“Morna, may I ask why your spells did not hold tonight?” asks George.
“Well George, my friend. I only remembered who I am a week ago. I am out of practice,” admits Morna.
“And you are already this strong? That is amazing!” enthuses George.
“Well, the venom probably has a lot to do with that.” Morna says with indifferent shrug.
Luca looks at Morna and smiles, “Doubtful love.” He turns his attention back to the Stone Breaker and says, “Ten months ago Kyera attacked her and her children, and spouse in a car crash. Half of Morna’s body was crushed; she had a massive head injury, and was in a coma for months. Her and her family were returning home from her youngest son’s funeral when the witch attacked them. Morna has come back from incredible odds in a very, very short time. She is, and always has been, amazing,” Luca assures George.
“And you dear man, are beyond biased,” Morna snorts. She gets up and starts to clean up her pizza boxes; she ate all but four slices, and drank half of the 2 liter bottle of soda.
George watches her and shakes his head. “May I ask what is up with your appetite ma’am?’
Luca speaks up, “I infected… sorry Morna, exposed her to my venom on Sunday morning. I can only assume she will be very hungry and thirsty for a while. Fortunately, she doesn’t thirst for blood. Just water and soda.”
“Gee ma’am; you really don’t lead a quiet life do you?” George asks when she comes back from throwing her trash away.
Morna laughs, “Would you believe me if I told you that I was a teacher in small school district in Oklahoma for nearly 20 years before the crash? A week ago, I thought I was middle aged, small town widow who had nothing to live for because my children were dead. Now I know my babies are safe and will probably stay that way if I can break the curse and stop whatever force has been working so hard to tip the scales between light and dark magic in the world?” George looks very surprised at this admission and emits a low whistle.
“Speaking of the battle between good and evil, Would you like to meet a couple of envoys from the Council of Alfheim?” Morna asks with a grin.
“Alfheim, that’s the light elves, right? The good guys?” George asks.
“Yep, that would be the same ones,” confirms Morna.
“Yes ma’am, I surely would,” he says excitedly.
“Good, because I am quite certain they would probably like to meet you. You can tell your story to them. Luca and I already have a good idea who you are. We have been here in the west before. We were great friends with a Stone Breaker named Montoya when we lived in Wyoming.” Morna supplies.
“No shit? Sorry ladies, that was crude. Montoya is my uncle,” George added hurriedly.
Morna laughs, “We suspected that was the case. Isn’t it a small freaky world after all? Let’s go folks.” She slips back into her shoes and heads for the door without looking back to see if anyone was following.
Morna and Luca drive back to the hotel in the rental car. Brigid rides with George in his pickup truck. “I can’t believe I just fought three vampires with Montoya’s nephew. We were about 15 seconds into that fight when I remembered Montoya and remembered the stories he used to tell us about young George. How funny, don’t you think Darling?” Morna asks Luca.
“Morna, I have something very serious I have to discuss with you,” Luca says in very stern voice. “You should have stayed in the building until I got there. What hell would have happened if George had not have been there?” he asks in a tortured voice. Luca pulls the car over and turns to face her. “Dammit woman, I am so angry with you, and so damned scared. You must stop being reckless, is that clear?” he demands.
“Luca I am sorry, Brigid and I were talking girl talk, and she’s really in love with George. We were walking down to the lobby to wait for you when George sent her a text and said he was waiting out front to see her. I am sorry, but I didn’t think about the possible danger. You are right, I should have been more careful. But if George had not been there, Brigid could have kept one of them busy for me while I took out the other two. It would have been close, but we would have had a shot at coming out of it alive.”
“A shot!?! A shot!?!” Luca yells. “That is unacceptable Morna! Do not risk the life of the woman I love more than anything else in existence by being reckless! Don’t you see? We truly have a shot, as you put it, at ending this madness this go round. A chance to end the curse. You must be careful Darling, you must!”
By now Morna is crying silently. Luca’s obvious fear for her safety has moved her greatly. “Luca I am sorry, I really let you down darling. I promise I will be more careful. I am still getting my bearings. I don’t always think like a warrior yet. Please continue to be patient with me,” she asks softly.
Luca cups her face gently and then kisses her, “I am sorry I yelled at you,” He whispers. “That really wasn’t necessary.” He kisses her again.
She sniffles and says, “Yeah it probably was necessary, I deserved it.”
“You did, but I never want to hurt you love,” he assures her as he brushes her left cheek with his thumb. “I truly am sorry love,” he promises.
“We better get to the hotel. I am sure Brigid figured out why you pulled over. They may all be thinking we are fighting and making up or something ridiculous like that,” Morna sniffs. She is more than a little embarrassed that her friend realizes she had probably been chastised like a child for her error in judgment. Never mind that she had it coming, it still stings that someone else might have figured it out.
“How are you feeling physically?” Luca asks once they are back on the road.
“Good actually, very good!” Morna assures her mate. “Better than I have felt in a very, very long time, if not ever. I feel strong, mentally clear and focused. How are you doing with the whole I-exposed-my-wife-to-vampire-venom thing?” she asks.
“Oddly enough, now that it seems it hasn’t done you any harm, I am rather excited. You just smell sexy to me now. Your scent doesn’t make me as thirsty. I don’t think I will ever have to torture myself again with fears of losing control and drinking your blood.” he admits.
“I never believed you would ever do it anyway,” Morna states flatly. “You are too good and you love me too much.”
“True I do love you too much, but I have been turned into a truly dark creature Morna, the pull of your blood scent was so strong on me,” he admits.
“Look, I know I really can’t fathom the pull that blood has on you, but I know you. Your body was turned into a dark creature, but not your mind, soul, or your heart,” she assures him. “I know you would never have harmed me. I just really hated it because I knew it was a torment for you, to essentially make love to your favorite meal all the time.”
Luca laughs at the way she describes it. “I admit that was hard. But I am also excited because I don’t have to worry about crushing you with one wrong move now,” he smiles. “You have always been stubborn about not protecting yourself with the appropriate spells, and now, I suspect you may have to be careful not to hurt me for a while. In many ways, I suspect you have the attributes of a newborn vampire.”
“That’s a scary thought darling,” she says fearfully. “We both know I do not have one tenth of the control you do, especially not when we are loving.”
“So what if you crush me once or twice between those delicious thighs. I think I could get used t
o that.” Luca winks at her.
Morna groans, “Oh Luca, I wish we hadn’t talked about this. I want you so badly,” she softly wails.
They have arrived at the hotel and Luca chuckles as he walks around to open her door for her, “Me too! I can‘t wait to get you to myself Morna,” he whispers into her ear as he helps her out of the car. She gasps and eagerly clasps his face in her hands and kisses him deeply. He returns the kiss with an ardor that surprises and delights Morna. After a few minutes, he pulls away from her reluctantly and smiles at the drugged appearance of her eyes, and obvious love and devotion he sees in them. “I love you Morna Michaels. But we need to join the others now.”
They maintain an unspoken no touch policy all the way up in the elevator to their room. It doesn’t help. They both feel like there is a tangible current between them. They keep looking sideways at each other. Finally, right before the elevator opens, Morna starts giggling and Luca soon joins her in his own deep laughter. The occupants of their sitting room can hear them before they open the door.
Aideen leans over and whispers into Brigid’s ear, “See, I told you they would make up before they made it back to the room,” she says smugly.
Aideen is out of her seat in an instant embracing her parents. She hangs onto her Daddy while they turn to talk to everyone else in the room.
Morna and Luca look around the small sitting room. Almeda and Ari are gone. “Where have the envoys gone?” asks Morna of the room in general.
Breena speaks up, “They stayed long enough to meet George here, and ask him to join our little party in Oklahoma.”
George smiles and says, “I am going back to my old stomping grounds. I lived about 80 years near Fitzhugh. You know it? It’s not too far from where you folks live.”
Morna says, “Yeah I know it, I taught school there for a couple of years when I first moved to Oklahoma. George do you really want to get into the middle of this mess?” she asks sincerely.
