by Audra Hart
Luca looks at Morna and shakes his head no. “Good, maybe I am just a worrying old woman,” says Morna. Luca and George both snort at that.
George looks at Morna and says, “Are you empathic Morna?”
“Not exactly, but I can sometimes sense emotions and thoughts of enemies, especially in large groups. It’s a skill that has saved my life more times than I can recall.” Morna admits with a smile. “Breena is empathic. Very powerful, she can sense when someone she cares about is in distress over a great distance.”
Suddenly, George says, “Anyone else smell that? I don’t recognize it.”
“Dammit,” says Luca. “Someone lost a wild hog here at some time. It’s a blood boar, strike that, it’s a herd of blood boars.” When he sees the confused looks on the faces of his companions, he explains, “One of my kind was either feeding on a boar, and lost it somehow, or he did it on purpose. Our venom changes some animals into wild blood thirsty beasts when they are bitten.”
“It is possible that someone did it to set a trap for us. Be on your guard.” says Morna. “Breena, Aideen and Brigid, stay here. Father, Luca, George and I can take care of this.”
Valiant throws his head back and roars in laughter. “See how my daughter takes command? I told you she was magnificent!”
“Whatever.” mutters Morna. “Let’s go!”
When the group emerges from the gateway George shakes his head in surprise, Morna looks like herself again, she is readjusting her clothes and the weapons belt. In the distance Luca can hear snarling and grunting sounds, he looks around and sniffs the air. “This way.” He indicates they should follow him. The group jogs up a small hill, and then walks warily around a clump of trees and finds Damian trapped up in the high branches of a mighty native pecan tree. There are at least twelve blood boars at the bottom, fighting each other viciously in vain attempts to get at their quarry.
Valiant laughs heartily. George and Luca chuckle too, but Morna goes into protective mother mode and charges into the writhing mass of snarling beasts. She draws her sword on the run and kicks the first beast she comes to. It goes up into the air and she rends it in two with one slash of her sword. She brings her sword down mightily on another boar charging her on her left side. She reverses herself and slashes another on her right side. She leaps vertically and somersaults over the writhing mass of beasts, then comes down on the other side of them, turning immediately to slash two more beasts in two smooth motions.
By now Damian has jumped down from the tree after Morna distracted the snarling beasts, and has taken out two of them with his bare hands. Two boars broke off from the group and attempt to get away. Luca darts after them into the underbrush and takes them out quickly. When he returns his wife is slashing the head from the last remaining boar. George is nowhere in sight. Morna tosses her head to the left. “Help George, Darling.” Luca follows her direction and catches up with George quickly. He is dragging the headless body of a boar behind him as he kicks the severed head before him like some macabre soccer ball.
They join the others at the initial attack site. Morna and Damian have retrieved the two bodies of the boars that Luca had slain. Morna looks up at her mate and asks, “Did we get them all?” She piles the body she dragged back on top of the others in the pile.
Luca quickly counts thirteen bodies in the pile. “Yes my love. We did.”
Morna says, “George, please see to the burning of these bodies.” She turns to her father and asks, “Were you planning on helping at any point Father?” And then she chuckles.
“You didn’t need my help, Baby Girl,” Valiant smirks.
Morna wipes her sword off in the dried grass on the ground, and returns it to her sheath, and turns to Damian. “Come here, Son, I want you to meet someone. Damian approaches Morna and the giant man before her warily. “Damian, this is your Grandfather, of sorts. Anyway, this is my father, Valiant, Norse demigod and defender of the gateways. She turns to Valiant, “Father, this is my adopted son, Damian Summers.”
Valiant roars his laughter and then picks the young vampire up and crushes him in a bear-hug. “Welcome to the family, boy!” Valiant turns to his daughter and says, “So being mated to a vampire wasn’t enough of a challenge for you? You had to adopt one also?”
Morna shrugs and says, “I guess you could say that. He is my sworn and bonded protector.”
“Some bodyguard I am,” Damian laments. “You just saved my ass!”
“Nonsense,” says Morna. “You would have come up with a solution to your problem, sooner or later.”
Valiant laughs heartily. “Don’t worry, Son, she doesn’t mean to embarrass us men folk. She’s just a warrior, through and through. She forgets we like to take care of our ladies.”
Luca has joined them by now and adds, “And she’s reckless as hell too!”
George laughs and says, “She was just being a Mama.” He comes up to the group and acknowledges Damian with a nod. “So you are her bodyguard?” When Damian nods, George says, “Wow, I am not even believing all I have been seeing since I met this woman!”
Morna snorts and heads back to the gateway to get the girls. She returns soon. Brigid runs to George to make sure he is okay. Aideen and Breena are both intently watching Damian. Morna points to each woman in turn, introducing them as she goes, “Damian, this is my daughter, Aideen, my sister Breena, and my dear friend, Brigid. Ladies, this my adopted son and protector, Damian.”
“Son?” asks Aideen, looking very confused.
Luca hugs her again and says, “We have sort of adopted him little-girl. Your Mama and I haven’t really been procreating new siblings for you.” He says with a grin.
Morna removes the green jacket and uses the sleeve to wipe sweat from her face and neck before tying the sleeves around her waist. She takes her mate’s hand and says, “Luca, you and I should go into town and rent a car. We won’t all fit in the Jeep. Damian can you take everyone else to our home on Maple Street?”
“George can take my car to visit his grandmother.” Says Luca. Damian takes the set of keys out his pocket and tosses them to George.
Morna doesn’t wait for a response from Damian. She kisses her daughter on the top of her head and turns to fish her phone out of her purse. She had left the sword and shield in the gateway, and retrieved her purse where she had left it by the entrance. She dials The Bridge and puts her shoes on while the phone rings. Enya answers on the third ring.
“Enya? Is that you? This is Morna. So good to hear your voice! Is everything okay there?”
“Hey Morna! Yes, we are all fine, bored out of our minds, but fine.” She assures Morna. “Bronwyn and Brian are here too. Elias and Micah should be here momentarily. What’s the plan?”
“Honestly, we aren’t sure yet. We need to get back to our house. I guess we need to all get together for a strategy meeting. I am sure you guys have some information we need and I know we have tons to tell you.” Morna turns to look at Luca. “Luca, should they all head to our place in a few hours?” asks Morna.
“Tell them to meet us there in four hours,” he suggests. “We still need to get a car, and drive to back to town ourselves. The others have already left and your father went back through the gateway. He said that he would come to our place at 11:00. We are thinking everyone needs to get together too.”
“Enya, did you hear all that?” Morna asks. “Well, good. See you guys at 11:00? Fine. Bye.”
Morna hangs up and then dials another number. “Mike, hey this is M… Deidra. How are you feeling?” She is quiet while she listens to Mike on the other end. “I am sorry this round of chemo is so rough on you. Yes, Monica did close The Shack on my instructions. We have some heavy stuff going on right now and I can’t be around to help her. We should be able to reopen soon. But more importantly, do you have everything you need? … Your helper is with you? … Good, ok call if you need me. Do you have Carlisle’s number? Good call him if you can’t reach me. He has my power of attorney and can do anything legal
for you that I could. You are welcome. Try to get some rest. Bye.”
When Morna hangs up she turns to Luca. He is watching her very intently, with a look on his face she knows so well. She chuckles and says, “I am corrupting you! We don’t have time love.”
He takes her in his arms and kisses her feverishly. “We will make the time!” He hisses. “Let’s move away from this smell, I see a little clearing inside that thicket over there.” He takes her hand and leads the way to a sheltered clearing about 250 yards upwind from where they started. He takes her into his arms and starts kissing her passionately.
She pulls back a little bit and asks, “What brought this on? Not that I am complaining mind you, just curious.”
Luca chuckles and says, “Look at yourself woman!” Morna looks down and is shocked by what she sees. Her cotton pullover is soaked in perspiration and is clinging to her newly upgraded breasts. Her nipples are erect atop the perky globes. Morna groans and Luca chuckles.
“Holy cow! Did anyone else notice?” she whispers, feeling embarrassed.
“Yes, they all did.” He laughs. He laughs and then lowers her to the ground as he is kissing her.
He lifts her blouse to suckle the gloriously aroused breasts. She moans loudly and presses his head in closer as he nips the sensitive flesh with his teeth. Luca places his hands on her backside to knead her ample flesh, and then slowly moves his right hand down her hip and leg until he can get under her skirt. He slowly works his way up her strong left leg and moans loudly when he realizes she isn’t wearing any panties either. She undoes his pants and they come together urgently, without removing any clothing. Morna works her way on top of him, where he could freely knead and suckle the breasts that had started all of this. And when they finally achieve their mutual release she collapses into him, breathing raggedly and feeling totally spent and satiated. Luca chuckles and lies back on the ground with her in his arms.
Luca strokes her damp hair and kisses the top of her head. After her breathing calms enough that she can speak, he asks, “Why aren’t you wearing any undergarments? Not that I am complaining, just curious.” He chuckles because he’s using the same line she used on him earlier.
“I forgot to take any into the bathroom when I showered last night. And if I had gone back into the bedroom to get any, well we might still be there right now. I am sorry; I had forgotten I wasn’t wearing a bra when I took that jacket off. I was just too hot to wear it.” Morna is mortified that everyone saw her like that.
Luca gently rubs her back and then hugs her to him. She tilts her face up to his and they kiss passionately again, “I am certainly not complaining my love.”
She strokes his cheek and kisses him quickly. “I need food, water and sleep. Sorry love, we better get moving.” She rises fluidly, and smoothes her top and skirt back into position. She fingers the leaves and grass out of her hair. She starts laughing at herself. “I bet I make a sight.”
He growls and says, “We won’t talk about what kind of sight you are unless you want to join me here in the grass again.” Then he laughs richly and stands to right his own clothing. Their eyes meet and they both start laughing. Morna picks some grass and leaves out his hair and he gets the bits she missed in her own hair. She stretches up and kisses him again, and then reaches down to pick up her bag. He takes her hand and they start running toward town.
They are only 15 miles out of town so they get there pretty quickly. They find a small café. Morna orders a ham and cheese omelet, a small stack of pancakes, 6 sausage links and cup of coffee. The waitress looks at Luca and he says, “She needs a glass of milk too, please. That’s all we need. Thank you.” Morna goes to the bathroom to use the necessary, washes her hands and face. She had put the jacket on before entering the café and she is hot and miserable. She can’t wait to get home and bathe.
When Morna returns to the table the waitress arrives with her food. Luca leans over and says, “Enjoy your breakfast. I am going to go get a car.” He kisses her forehead and says, “I love you Morna.”
“Me too!” she says around a mouth full of food.
CHAPTER 23 – ROBBER’S CAVE
After Morna finishes her food, and gets her third refill of coffee. The waitress asks, “May I join you?”
“Sure.” Morna says as she indicates the seat across from her. The waitress sits and says, “You are Mulder’s friend aren’t you?”
Morna looks more carefully at the girl. “I am friends with someone named Mulder. Who are you?” Morna asks thoughtfully. The girl and her aura looks familiar but she can’t place her just yet.
“I am Mulder’s granddaughter. I have seen you at Grandfather’s work, but you look different than I remember. But your aura is unmistakable. It looks stronger today, but it‘s the same one.”
“Lila, right?” Morna asks. “Now I remember you. How are you dear?”
“I am good, Morna. Did you see my Grandfather today?” She asks.
“No, we didn’t see him when we came through. No one was there. I was concerned. Anything wrong?” Morna inquires.
“I am not sure. I haven’t seen him in 3 days,” Lila admits.
“Who has been taking care of things at his work?” Morna asks.
“No one. My father and brother fell to Trolls two weeks back. I am not… er… qualified to cover it.” she admits. “I am afraid no one has been there to keep an eye on things for 2 or 3 days. That could really be a problem, couldn’t it?” Lila asks.
“Yes, that‘s definitely a problem,” Morna admits. “You worried about your grandfather?”
“Very much so, I didn’t know who to turn to. He doesn’t do things like not check in with me or his wife. Our clan is very small and close knit. We were nearly wiped out during outlaw years around here. I am really glad you are here.” Lila says quietly.
“Let me get someone down here to cover for your grandpa, and then we will see what we can do to find out where Mulder is. Okay?” asks Morna.
“Thank you,” Lila says.
Morna fishes her phone out of the side pocket in her purse. She calls Breena. “Do you know how I can reach Elias or Micah?”
“Sure, they are both right here. We are at your place, well downstairs anyway. Tell Luca that his is buffer is perfect.” Then she laughs. “You want to talk to them?”
“Yes please, I need someone to cover the gateway out here. We have a bit of a mystery on our hands. I am worried about my friend Mulder.” Morna admits. She hears Breena call Micah to phone, and say, “Morna needs to speak to you.”
“Ma’am, this is Micah. What can I do for you?”
“Hello Micah. Would you and your brother mind coming to keep an eye on this gateway. The one who should be there is gone. I am worried.” Morna informs him. “Damian can bring you down here.”
“Yes ma’am, we can do that. Damian’s here too. You want to speak with him?” Micah asks.
“Please, and thank you. I am eager to see how you boys have grown up. It’s been a long time.”
“Yes ma’am, it sure has. Here is Damian.”
Morna hears Damian’s voice on the line next, “Everything okay Morna?” Damian asks.
“I am not sure, Damian. Could you lead Micah and Elias back down here? I want them to bring their own vehicle. Come back to the place where we met up earlier today. I will fill you guys in when you get here. Be on guard, all three of you. Something is way off here. Okay?”
“We will be there as soon as we can.” Damian assures her, and hangs up.
Morna snaps her phone closed and looks at the worried young woman seated across the table from her. “Reinforcements are coming Lila. Is there some place close by where I can buy some clean clothes and a place to take a shower?” Morna asks.
“There is a dollar store right down the road. They don’t have much of a selection, but the only decent clothing store is over an hour away. But you can shower, rest, and eat whatever you need at my place. I get off work in an hour. I can take you to my place or the st
ore, whatever you need. I am grateful for your help.” says Lila.
Morna hears a very loud car pull up out front. She looks out the window, and sees Luca behind the wheel of a rusty 1969 Dodge Daytona. She laughs, and sees him shrug through the windshield. “Lila, it looks like my chariot has arrived.” She pays her bill and tells Lila they will be back by the time she gets off.
She goes out to the car, and says, “I take it that you couldn’t find one to rent, so bought this little gem instead?” she asks, laughing nearly uncontrollably. He shrugs again. “Oh well,” Morna giggles. “If all else fails, we can run.” Then Morna directs him to the dollar store and fills him in on the latest developments.
“Morna, I am sure this means our enemies are already in place here.” Luca says worriedly. “Our allies are scattered, we haven’t made good plans. I am worried about our friends.”
“Me too,” Morna admits. “I told those boys to be careful coming down here but now I worried I should have asked their parents or someone with more experience to come watch the Gateway.”
“Morna those boys as you called them are fully grown, fully vested warriors and healers. They are both first order weavers and are actually stronger than their parents.” Luca assures her. “They know their duty and are eager and capable to carry it out.”
“I forget they aren’t boys anymore.” Morna admits.
When they get to the lovear store, Morna buys a few changes of clothes, for herself and Luca, including sneakers, socks, and undergarments. The clothing were cheaply made, but they are clean. She had certainly worn worse over the years. She also gets toiletries, beef jerky, granola bars, a twelve pack of cokes and a case of water.
