Awakening - The Morrigan Chronicles

by N. A. Montgomery

  “This is so fucking bizarre,” Daur said, now sitting on the edge of his seat like we were telling campfire stories.

  “I know it’s fucked up,” Emrys agreed. “And here’s the kicker. They believe themselves to be part of an army in order to save the Earthly realm. To save this realm and the people in it.”

  “Okay, now that is the fucking craziest thing I’ve heard in centuries,” I couldn’t help adding.

  Emrys held up his hands as we all started to speak. “They do not see themselves as saviors or heroes. Humans are their food source. The vampires don’t kill the humans they feed on. They only take about as much as when a human donates blood. Less actually. They have enough magic in them to erase the memory from the human, replacing it with a pleasant experience. The marks still remain, which is why they are usually not on the neck but on the wrist or the femoral artery.”

  I could see Daur was clueless so I grabbed his inner thigh. He nodded and winced at the same time.

  “And the werewolves?” King Conall asked.

  Emrys continued, “The werewolves feed upon the flesh of the demon-possessed humans once they kill themselves. So the vampires, werewolves and demons need the humans. But that doesn’t explain why they feel adamantly that they are an army in the cause of saving the entire human race.”

  “Obviously there is much we don’t know.” King Conall paced and stroked his chin. “So how did this vampire you questioned get picked to be a vampire and not a werewolf? Did he know?”

  Emrys was already answering before the King finished his question. “Apparently that’s any easy decision. If the person is an average Joe, say, never having taken a life or committing any horrific act, then they become a vampire. To become a werewolf is much more difficult which is why there seem to be fewer of them. Again, the person possessed must withstand the demon’s demands to kill another. The difference is that prior to the possession, the person must have taken a life, or lives, in a manner that was not in wrath or revenge. For instance, a warrior, soldier or assassin would make a likely candidate. They do not kill for personal gain, they’re not emotionally invested and probably don’t even know who they’re killing. That is the kind of person that would become a werewolf. That’s why they’re more deadly. Soldiers, like the pack animals, work together for the greater good, put more value on their compadres lives than their own, and are fearless.”

  “And they are not wolves,” I said, seeing as this was as good a time as any.

  “Werewolves. They are werewolves. What part of that word makes you think they’re not wolves?” Aiden said in his crisp, pretty little voice.

  “Because while you were admiring your reflection back in the hotel, I was in a room with them.” I respected Aiden as a warrior and his loyalty to our people. As a person I thought him shallow and arrogant. To say the least, I didn’t care for him.

  I continued. “I saw two shift into their werewolf form in the bar. They stood about ten feet high and on two legs. Their canine faces, the blood red eyes, the blackness of their fur, their smell. They, like the vampires, are part human. But the other half are definitely hellhound.”

  There were a few gasps but nobody said anything. Hellhounds were some of the fiercest demons. The fact that they were fused with experienced hardened soldiers probably made them more deadly rather than their human blood diluting their strength.

  “How did they fight?” King Conall asked, worry reflected in his eyes.

  “I didn’t get the chance to engage them.” I glanced at Emrys, he was captivated and I knew he would question me relentlessly later about everything I could remember. “When I went back into the bar there were five vampires and the two wolves.”

  I told them the story as accurately as I remembered. Every detail.

  The King absorbed every ounce of information. Unlike Emrys, the King wasn’t one to acquire information just to have it. He planned to use it and exploit it. That’s why he was King. “So the vampires you experienced were untrained fighters. They rely on their strength and speed, but we are faster and stronger. More skilled and experienced. That’s good. The werewolves, though. They could’ve easily pounced on you while you were in a skirmish with the vampire but did not. They only observed.”

  The King stopped but we could tell he was not finished with his thought. “Then one howled, I assume to communicate to the others. They didn’t move towards you until you ran towards the back door.”

  “They didn’t know what you were. They were curious,” Emrys interrupted.

  The King added to the thought. “Yes, they were curious, and they wanted to capture you rather than destroy you. Emrys, you said that the vampires and werewolves couldn’t smell us. That we smell just like humans to them. I imagine that the wolves had never seen a human move faster than a vampire, nor match its strength.”

  “So much for the element of surprise,” Aiden said, opening the door for the King to chastise me in front of all the Teulu.

  The King’s blue eyes stabbed into Aiden’s. Without even speaking, the King forced the pretty warrior to shrink into his chair. He was on him in an instant and bent over to within an inch of Aiden’s face. Barely above a whisper he said, “We have lost no element of surprise. Because of Morrigan’s actions we have gained more information than I’d hoped for. What did you find out, Aiden? What piece of knowledge did you bring back?”

  Aiden was no fool. He kept silent.

  The King stood up straight, still looking at Aiden. “That’s enough for now. Everyone go.”

  We all rose and began walk out. The King gently grabbed my arm. “Morrigan, stay a moment, will you?”

  I heard the politeness in his voice. I imagine this was for the others’ benefit. Not mine.

  The last Teulu left, shutting the door behind him.

  King Conall walked over to an overstuffed leather chair and plopped onto it. He looked tired. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. I walked to the chair and sat on the edge of the armrest. He was beautiful and I loved him. I was in love with Neil, but I loved my King. He would always hold a special place in my heart. Keeping his eyes closed, he held his hand out for me to take. I took it and held it in my lap. He slowly drew circles with his thumb on the back of it.

  I softened at the gesture. I was afraid to break the silence. To end the moment. But as all moments do, they pass.

  King Conall kept his head leaned back but opened his eyes. “Morrigan, Morrigan, Morrigan. Woman, you will be the death of me yet.”

  “Don’t say that. Not even in jest, Conall,” I said in all seriousness.

  He did his little half smile. The playful one I was sure of. “I am serious. We needed the information that you were able to gather. But by The Creator, did you really need to be so rash? I warned you. Hell, I ordered you to be careful. You and I know damn well that was careless.”

  I opened my mouth but he beat me. “If Aine were to have done as you did? Or either of the boys? Would you let them?”

  I stayed sitting on the arm of the chair but I turned, putting my feet onto his lap so I could face him. “No. I would not. I would not let any of them do as I did.”

  The King’s face welcomed my concession but still held concern.

  I softened my voice as best I could. “Conall, I wouldn’t have let any Tuatha do what I did. Which is why I was the one that did it. There is something, something realm-shattering coming. I feel it. I took a risk that even I was not comfortable with. But I have this feeling deep within me that we are in a giant puzzle that is shifting and moving, and we need to figure it out quickly.”

  The King kept his hand on mine and his other he rested on my boot. He didn’t look regal at the moment. He looked harried. He reminded me of how my father looked at times when he was King. The weight of not only his people, but the entire realm, on his shoulders. I would do anything to help lighten that burden.

  Conall nodded. “Morrigan, I feel it too. I’m scared.”

  There was no use of either of us trying t
o mask what we were feeling. We worked well together because we were always honest. Even when it was hurtful. But the King had to show strength to his people, to his children, to Deidra. He could just be himself with me. I cherished these moments even when they were in times of distress. I felt that I had a piece of Conall that nobody else did. That nobody else ever could.

  “Be scared, Conall,” I said, stroking his golden hair. “Be scared tonight. But by the time you leave this room be done with it. By the Creator, we did not survive this many centuries, through hundreds of battles, to go down now. I know you hate taking unnecessary risks, like what I did in New Orleans. Hell it’s my ass on the line. I hate taking those kinds of risks. But you have to give me leave to do so. We are at such a disadvantage right now. Not only are there forces we don’t know or understand at work, we live in a damn world that we don’t even know anymore. I feel like I’m in a bad dream. Sent to a far off realm, and I just want to make my way back home. There is no more home, though. It’s over a thousand years away. It’s not a place we can ever go to or visit other than in our memories.”

  “You’re right, Morrigan.” He smiled up at me. “So was that your ‘get your head out of your ass’ and ‘let me do what I damn well want’ speech all rolled into one?”

  I couldn’t help but let out a long overdue laugh.

  “I miss that laugh. Your laugh comes from deep within.” He patted my boot.

  “Well if you weren’t King you could go out on missions with us like you used to.” I winked.

  The King’s fiery eyes met mine and I knew if I gave the slightest indication that I’d let him kiss me he would. I loved him, but that kind of love was not mine to have. Not now.

  I tried to think of something to pull his attention away from his current thoughts but for the second time tonight he spoke first. “Do you remember when we were tracking that incubus demon across Scandinavia? We got caught in that blizzard but managed to make it to that little village.”

  I knew where this conversation was going. I saw the lust in his eyes and could feel the bulge under my foot growing.

  “We were both just soldiers, early in our years. Wild in our ways. You were a fierce warrior and now you are a great King.” I slowly and nonchalantly swiveled off the chair and stood. “I’m going to go get some rest, my King.”

  I felt like the mouse must when the cat has batted at it and let it slip away… momentarily.

  Chapter 14

  It was early afternoon and the sun shone brightly. Spring, the smell of life, held strong in the air. I closed the door to my room. Neil was still in training. I hoped he would return here, rather than his room, once he finished. The breeze caught the curtains as they danced along the wall and I fell into the down bedding.

  I woke startled. The room was pitch black. I looked at the clock—the red numbers glared back at me: 11:22 pm. I stayed still, my ears and eyes alert. What had woken me? Once I’d deemed the room safe and myself alone I turned the lamp on. I still missed candlelight. I still missed what I used to call home. Or rather the time that I had called home.

  I knew Neil wasn’t here before I scanned the room. I felt silly doing it anyway. I was only gone a few days but the distance I felt from Neil felt like a canyon. My heart ached to touch him. To just be near him. This was not the homecoming I’d expected.

  I was still in my clothes from earlier. I got up and undressed myself. I was so immersed in my pity party I paid no attention to the steps coming down the hall or the doorknob turning.

  “Well hello there, beautiful,” Neil said, dropping his gear and quickly scooping me up.

  I wrapped my legs around his waist and kissed him.

  He finally pulled back a little and sat down on the bed. I kept my legs around his waist. I couldn’t let him go.

  He pushed a stray strand of hair away from my face. “I’ve never seen you sleep so hard. I came back after dinner and was afraid I’d wake you. I found Brian and he agreed to help me with some additional… Well I’m not going to tell you.” His grin reached his eyes. “I’ve learned a few things. I’ll just have to keep those up my sleeve for the next time we spar.”

  He grabbed hold of my butt to lift himself up enough to roll me on my back and kept me pinned securely under him.

  He kissed me lightly and leaned his forehead to mine, closing his eyes. “I wish you could stay right here in my arms for always. I’d never have to worry about you. I love you with my entire heart. It’s yours, Morrigan. I cannot imagine living in this world without you in it. I’m sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean to seem like I was yelling at you. I… I wasn’t mad at you. I was scared. Terrified at the reality that I could lose you. I know you can fight. You’re my mentor, for crying out loud. I’m not an idiot. I just want you safe and with me.”

  We didn’t say another word that night. Nor did we sleep much.

  We were slow to wake the next morning and I finally dragged myself from the bed to the shower. My heart swelled. That’s the only way I can describe it. I only realized I was still smiling when my cheeks began to tire. I didn’t care that I was acting like a schoolgirl. I was happy. It had been a very long time since I was happy in this manner.

  The door opened and Neil got in the shower. “So what’s the plan, boss? Wanna go for a horseback ride and find that little cabin at the edge of the forest?” He kissed me again. I couldn’t help but laugh.

  “As much as I’d rather do that, I’m afraid not.” I kissed him again just because he was near me. “I have some planning to do with Emrys. You’ll continue to work with Brian and your men. You need to learn to work as a unit, so you must train as one.”

  “I’d still much rather train with you.” He began washing my back. I’d already washed it. I didn’t care. I let him.

  Still caught up in the high I felt this morning I tried to continue. “You are all learning and will continue to learn fighting but you must learn the strength of working together. Did you know the Spartans didn’t care if a soldier lost a helmet or weapon on the battlefield, but if he lost his shield he would be killed upon returning? The helmet and weapons were to protect the soldier. The shield, though useful in battle, was one of their greatest strengths. It was a single piece in building a shield wall. To protect the entire unit. They valued the group over the individual. Pay close attention to Brian. I don’t only mean just what he’s teaching you. Study how he acts, how he commands. You are the King of Erin, Neil. Never forget that.”

  Somehow escaping without having sex one more time, I went straight to Emrys’ room. He opened the door, in typical Emrys style, with magic, before I could even knock.

  “I swear sometimes you sound like an elephant tromping through the jungle when you walk,” he said, not even looking up from the desk.

  “I do not. I’m as light as a hippo,” I said, walking to his side to see what he was studying.

  Notes on vampires and werewolves from our recon mission. From the looks of him he’d been up all night, which explained his foul mood.

  “You need coffee and breakfast,” I said, trying to snap him out of it.

  Once again, without looking away from the papers, he snapped his fingers and a carafe of coffee and a tray of muffins appeared on the desk.

  “I’m not amused, asshole.” I had no humor in my voice. He finally looked at my face to see my expression. I was smiling and he rolled his eyes.

  I could tell he was not in the mood to be toyed with, so I tried to mirror his energy. “Emrys, put the notes down for a minute and listen to me. I know we need to learn more about the vampires and werewolves. But I also know that you could study them for a hundred years and still not be satisfied you have enough information.”

  He held his hands up to stop me. He was tired but his face radiated gentility. “I know, Morrigan. I know I can get carried away. I just…”

  I cut him off, knowing my news would lighten his mood. “We’re going to get all of your questions answered. Okay, well not all of them. You no doubt hav
e thousands. But we’re going to figure out what we need to know.”

  He leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest. “I’m intrigued. Go on.” He smiled.

  “Brian is training Neal along with the Knights. It’s time they begin fighting together. Brian can handle that. We need to start focusing on the vampires and werewolves. We have about six months until Samhain. That time is now dedicated to this mission.”

  He stood and circled me as he talked. I could tell he was eager but hesitant. “And your King? You think he will go along with this?”

  He stopped in front of me raising an eyebrow, watching me closely. “I spoke to King Conall last night after we debriefed. He agreed to let me do whatever I needed in order to attain the information.”

  “He did?” A smile pulled at his lips but he held it back. “Conall hit on you didn’t he?”

  “Oh for crying out loud, Emrys.” I unleashed my eyeroll at him.

  “HA! I knew it!” he exclaimed. “He hit on you and when that didn’t work he agreed to let you have what you wanted. I swear that man will do anything to get you into bed. Does Neil know—”

  Once again I cut him off. I didn’t want him to finish his question. “Don’t bring Neil into this,” I said, too harshly.

  “Okay no need to get your blood pressure up.” He was done teasing me. “I won’t bring it up again.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you.” I shook my head.

  “No need for apologies, love. You just made me the happiest man in the realm. When do we start?”

  “Today.” I beamed at making him this happy.

  Chapter 15

  The next three months were busy. We had devised teams of Tuatha to go through the Great Oak into various cities around the world and identify as many vampire and werewolf nests as we could. We’d report back to Emrys and he’d click away on his laptop, detailing every piece of information. When he wasn’t doing that, he was busy training the Druid descendants in using their magic beyond healing. They would need to learn to defend themselves in the coming war.