The Curse of Oberon (The Inglewood Chronicles Book 3)

by Croston, Jeremy

  I smiled over at her. “So, are you going to tell me some of your story? And I don’t mean how you got here.”

  “You’ll never find out my true age, but my story begins a long time ago. I was born into an aristocratic Roman family of vampires.” That answered one question, born not made. “I married another my family selected and for a time we were happy. Then it all fell apart.”

  “What happened?”

  She was no longer looking at me, but reliving her past. I could see the pain in her eyes. “Choices were made by many people that ended up changing the course of history and my life. I went into hiding, knowing that there was nothing I could do from that moment on, at least at that time.”

  “So you decided to drift through life with no plan or person?” That seemed like a very lonely existence.

  “It was a lifestyle I was accustomed to living – hiding that is.” It was so strange to see this self-confident warrior vampire appear so vulnerable. “I was never able to be myself, even to the family I had.”

  Trying to keep the pity out of my voice (because no one wants to be pitied), “How did you survive all those years like that?”

  “You do what you have to. A survivor adapts to the conditions and landscapes they find.” Her face shored up. “You learn to blend in and observe without ever being noticed.”

  I got the feeling that was about all I was going to get. I was still curious how she ended up in England and crossed paths with my public enemy number one, old Johnny boy. Maybe a time and a day would bring that conversation to light, but I took another direction. “Back when we first met, you all but laughed at me when I told you I was out here to kill Oberon. How well do you know him?”

  “I don’t know him, but I know of him. He’s found a way to weave his way into most myths and legends.”

  Marko, just out of sight, grunted at that too. “What did he say?”

  He made a few more noises to Isa, not speaking like he had before. “Marko says he’s encountered Oberon once by mistake and that he recommends staying as far away as possible. The Old One doesn’t leave his sanctuary for good reason – it is the source of his power.”

  Of course it is. “Does he have any helpful tips for a cowboy that’s too stupid and stubborn to give up his task?”

  Marko understood my question. “Pain. Suffering. Mind.” He grunted and gestured a bit more, getting more across to her than me.

  She nodded at the conclusion of his little dance routine. “Oberon does more than just magic; he controls the very space and time of his dwelling. When you enter, you give up all control over everything you have.”

  “Hmph.” I wasn’t about to let that sorta talk get me down. “I refuse to be afraid of him. He’s a man after all; maybe a powerful one, but just a man like me. That means he has a weakness.”

  “If you say so.” The moon was starting to go down, giving way to the first peeks of morning. Dawn had arrived. “As much as I’d like to continue chatting about you getting killed by Oberon, I still need you to take down Pan and the Orcs. After that, go get killed all you want.”

  “What’s our first play?”

  Earlier in the night, Isa redrew her map of Neverland, marking all the important landmarks. She pointed at the X, our current location. “We’re just under a day’s journey back to Pan’s camp. I took into account Orc patrols and avoiding the wyrm’s territory already before you ask.” Smart girl. “We’ll need to use stealth, the skill of the quick kill will be vital.”

  “Not avoiding the patrols? You want to just kill ‘em on the way in?”

  Her fangs glistened in the rising sun. “It’s either them or us and I prefer us.” Well, I kinda do too. “The wolves are the wild card. I’m going to need your keen senses leading the way. I’d rather avoid a conflict with them as they are pretty evenly matched with us. But, if worse comes to worse,” and this time she really looked hard at me, “I’m going to need your assurances you can put them down.”

  I was torn on this. Killing isn’t my M.O. but survival came first. “If it has to be done, then so be it. But,” and I added a lot of emphasis, “only if it’s the only option. I won’t kill in cold blood for nothing.”

  It wasn’t the answer she wanted, but it was the one she got. “Fine, I’ll trust your judgement, just trust mine too. If I say we have to do something, believe me when I say it.”

  “I can do that.”

  We put out the fire and returned our makeshift campsite back to nature. We left nothing behind that would indicate our next move or give the enemy any advantage over our current physical or mental states. Surprise was our best weapon. Gathering our supplies, we began to move out.

  Isa and I stayed in a tight knit group, with Marko far enough behind us so that no one would know he was there. It was slow moving through the cold damp forest, but the morning provided a wind into our faces; good for tracking and finding out our enemies locations.

  The smell of orc hung over us like a thick blanket, which you thought would’ve hindered me. However, it made them easier to track as small pockets of Orc’s stuck out a tad different from the overall cloud. The first two patrols we encountered were small – easy enough for the two of us to take out quickly and quietly. Actually it was mostly Isa. Her abilities far exceeded mine and she was much more proficient.

  The third group, probably around midday was significantly larger. “This ain’t like the last two. “I’m guessing there might be ten to twelve in this one. Suggestions?”

  She took a knee and motioned for me to do the same. Quietly, “As we get closer to the main camp, the groups will get larger undoubtedly. If I ask, Marko would handle them, but the noise from his attack will most likely alert the others nearby. We’ll have but a few moments.”

  There had to be a better way. Looking around, I wanted to see what the island provided us to take out a squadron of Orcs this large. Then it hit me, I knew this place. We were back under Isa’s old hut in the trees. “Instead of sending in Marko, why don’t we just bring the house down on ‘em? Me and you can clean up the ones that survive easy-peasy.”

  With a hint of surprise, “Why my dear Victor, you’re proving quite useful after all.”

  “Yeah, yeah. C’mon, let’s get into position.”

  Chapter 23

  With the trap set, Marko pulled the rope like vines he had tied around the treehouse supports, freeing the platform from its bonds. It was a thing of beauty watching a plan come together so perfectly. The Orcs below had no idea what was happening and were all but helpless to escape. Isa was all smiles, clearly enjoying the mayhem a bit too much. She was one weird, but hot, vampire lady.

  I watched in awe as the structure fell from the tress on to the tightly grouped Orcs. Marko’s role continued as the wood fell all around us, making horrible noises that no critter should ever make. Any Orcs close by might assume the wyrm was on the rampage and stay away.

  Nine of the eleven Orcs were crushed to death. One was seriously injured and I put him out of his misery. Another avoided being crushed, but couldn’t avoid Isa. She chased him down quickly and upon catching him, snapped his neck. It was quick, brutal, and efficient.

  The smells of blood and death filled the air, triggering something wild inside me. The Warg was hungry for destruction and itching to get out. The urge to transform actually became painful before it subsided, causing me to lean up against a tree for support.

  A cool, soft hand touched my arm. “Victor, are you okay?”

  “Yeah, had a spell where the beast inside nearly got the best of me and forced a transformation.”

  She appraised me, looking a tad concerned. “The Warg is a powerful daemon. It was only a matter of time before it began trying to impose its will on you.” She squeezed my arm, showing a little compassion. “The longer it lives inside you, the more likely it’ll begin to influence you.”

  That didn’t sound pleasant. “Any ideas on how to not let that happen?”

  “I can’t say I do, but on a side
note, we’ll probably need him soon. Storming the camp will be no easy task.” If I didn’t know any better I’d say I saw some bloodlust forming behind her eyes.

  Well my inner daemon dog would be useful. I’d be able to sleep much easier - not. “I guess I can worry about controlling the Warg later. We should probably keep moving. You know, just in case any of those Orcs grows a wild hair and wants to check this out.”

  As the afternoon wore on, we kept moving closer to Pan’s camp, careful to avoid the wyrm’s home this second time around. We had to stop around midafternoon due to an incredibly large group of Orcs moving out, towards the area we came from. I couldn’t be one hundred percent sure, but based on the sounds, I reckoned there was at least fifty of ‘em. Even Marko wouldn’t have been able to help much in a fight like that. Good news was they were headed away from Pan.

  The one thing that did concern me was the lack of any telltale sign of the wolves. I would’ve figured by now that the Silvers would’ve been very close and we’d have to skirt around the edges to avoid detection ourselves. Yet their traces were barely pinging on my senses radar. Were they on the far side of the island looking for us? I didn’t like it one bit.

  As the sun crept down and the night sky began to take over the scenery, “This is going to be our best chance Victor. I’d love to go after Pan, but the Orc Chief is a powerful creature. When we go in, you go after the boy vampire and leave the Orc Chief to me.”

  Sounded good to me. I’d been chomping at the bit to get my hands on Pan. “I guess you’re ready to do this thing?”

  She gave a short nod and we were off. The perimeter of the camp came into view and all was quiet. Talk about eerie, nothing could be heard, not even the bugs on this island. As we crossed over from dense forest and passed our first building, an explosion happened in my ears, like when you don’t chew gum on the plane ride and the pressure from the descent is fully built up.

  Sounds, smells, and even the taste in the air opened up. Clutching my ears, “It’s a trap!”

  Whatever magic they’d used to protect themselves from me, it must’ve surrounded the camp. The wolves were here front and center, a squad of Orcs jumped down from the tops of the buildings, and laughing high above us was Pan and the Orc Chief.

  Pan’s evil boyish face greeted us. “Welcome to the show! It seems my Orc friend’s disguising trick worked!”

  As my bearings reassembled, “Well you pulled the wool over my eyes. I guess you deserve a round of applause for that.”

  “I do don’t I?” He reached around and began patting himself on the back. “It’s good to be as smart as I am.”

  The two Silvers, both in their wolf form, began to snarl. The Orcs surrounding us took to pounding their spears into the ground. We were in a bad situation. There was just one wild card yet to be played.

  Pan seemed none the wiser to our own ace up the sleeve. “Before the two of you die, can anyone tell me who the female vampire is? I was expecting that meddling Sphinx.”

  Isa, who I noticed was not nearly as worried as I was, “I believe the term is screw you.”

  “Feisty huh? Well, we’ll see how long that sharp tongue holds up against my friends here.”

  The wolves began their approach, slowly. I looked up to the Orc Chief and saw something glowing on his forehead. So that’s how he was keeping them in his thrall.

  I pulled out Pan’s old knife, ready to defend myself. The circle of Orcs began to tighten up, their grunts and howls gave me the impression they were ready to feast on our dead bodies. Unfortunately for them, there was one last problem to that plan.

  “RAAAAAWWWW!!!” The battle cry of Marko erupted all around us as he busted into the opening. During his initial charge, he scooped up two Orcs and bit them in half. Pandemonium ensued, scattering the rest of the foul green monsters into different directions to escape the rampaging troll.

  From above us, panic flooded from Pan. He pushed the Orc Chief, signaling below. “No more games! Make the wolves attack before the troll finishes off your warriors!”

  On his command, the two Silvers came after Isa and me. The larger male decided Isa was more of a threat, leaving Caroline to begin her assault on yours truly. Two powerful snaps of her jaw came awfully close to my face and she walked me down.

  My first break came when a dead orc slammed into the side of the female wolf. I wasn’t sure if Marko had intended to help me, but I’d be forever grateful to the big lug. The green projectile knocked her off her feet, giving me the chance to strike. I ran up and reared back with all my weight, sending a fist full of knuckles into the lower part of her jaw. It was like hitting a damn bowling ball. Her head snapped back and a tooth flew out. At least it hurt her too or that would’ve been a waste.

  A follow up punch caught the wolf in the shoulder as she twisted her way back to her feet. It was pure muscle and if anything, just annoyed her more than any sort of pain. One of her back paws hit me in the chest, creating an opening between the two of us. Quicker than me, she pounced, landing her full weight on me and driving me to the dirt.

  Using my forearm to shield the mouth full of teeth away from me, my options were limited. Closing my eyes, trying to think, a gurgled voice entered my mind. “Free me!”

  The Warg, he wanted out. Seeing if I could have a conversation with him, “Will you work with me?”

  “FREE ME!” It wasn’t English that was yelled this time, but I understood it. The voice was loud, primal.

  A snap of the jaw was awfully close. The spit from her exposed mouth fell on my face. This wasn’t the time to get into an internal argument. “Just remember, I’m the boss.”

  As the fires inside opening up, I heard a laughing sound, one that seemed more amused than actually happy. “So be it.”

  The Silver jumped off me as the painful transformation took shape. Bones snapped as my human form began to slowly morph away, growing in size to my daemon-dog shape. My yellowing eyes looked up to Pan, hoping to see his reaction to my new found ability. The impish boy’s smile faded away and a desire to flee the scene was evident. In fact, he got up to go when the last of the dead Orcs knocked him back, falling to the ground. Marko’s battle cry and my howl happened at the same time.

  The War for Neverland was in full swing.

  Chapter 24

  **Liz**

  Our little group of five was getting closer to the end of the road. The traces of magic lingered in the air, letting us know the Dullahan and the O’Byrnes were close. I wondered just how many witches were down here, waiting. And why would they have stayed after summoning their creature from the Pit?

  Connor called a halt for a moment. “Before we make contact, does anyone have any ideas for attackin’ the Dullahan?”

  “What if we kill the witch that summoned it?” Bernard looked around the group like he proposed the best idea on the night.

  Kristie just shook her head. “Once the contract is in place, the creature will fulfill its obligations before returning.”

  These were not the problems a werewolf from Arizona was used to facing. “Well that just sucks.”

  “We have an old sayin’ in the clan that if ye get inta a fight with a bigger bugger than ye, go for the eyes.”

  “Fergus,” Kristie was about to light into him. “That might be the dumbest idea…”

  But it was not dumb at all. “I do believe he is right.” Everyone stopped what they were doing to look at me. “No I am not insane. The thing’s face constantly moved, shifting at all times except the eyes. There has to be a reason for that.”

  “Even so, what about the Hellfire and brimstone that was being spewed every two seconds?”

  Connor had a reasonable point. “I do not have all the answers yet, but if there is one thing I learned from someone who was very dear to me, the best plans happen on the fly.”

  Bernard lit up when I said that. “Damnit Liz, did my moron of a brother rub off on you that much?”

  “He did.” Without the memory of him, this
mission would have no chance of success. “In honor of him, we go in guns blazing.”

  “We don’t have any guns lass. That woulda been a good thing ta invest in.”

  I let Bernard explain the colloquialism while I took in what I had to work with. Myself and the two Irish vampires had the speed necessary to possible outrun the creature. Fergus and Bernard provided the brute strength. Depending on how many witches were just around the bend, we might have a decent shot at pulling something off. “Fergus, can you sneak down to the end and get us an exact count?”

  With a wink, he transformed into the wolf and left. Hopefully the Alpha could get in and out quickly with no attention drawn to himself. If we knew our enemies numbers, maybe some confidence could be injected into the group.

  The minutes under the cover of night came to a stand still waiting for Fergus to return. I was beginning to fear the worst when the large Red wolf appeared and was calmly walking back towards us. Once back as a man, “There be three witches, a vampire, and of course that foul creature. Two of the witches be young with the third bein’ Anita.”

  A vampire though? This was rather surprising. Could Jonathan still be here? I tried to contain myself but it did not work. “Can you give me details on the vampire? Male or female? Could you estimate an age?”

  “Aye, it’d be a male, older lookin’ guy by what I could see. Grey hair, manicured goatee.”

  That certainly did not fit Jonathan’s description. “Do either of you know who this might be?”

  Connor rolled his eyes. “Was he dressed funny? Maybe like an ancient Druid?”

  “Yeah, he’d be wearin’ some sorta brown cloak and all.” He stifled a chuckle. “If he’d be wearin’ a white suit, he’d be lookin’ like the America chicken guy.”