“Thank you, Goddess. What brings you here?”
“I have renewed powers in this realm thanks to Aeval and Aidin and their loyal witches.”
“Yes, they have been very successful in recapturing the powers of the Gods in this realm.”
“With the help of the promiscuous witches who worship them so faithfully.” She winked. “I decided to use my renewed powers to visit you. I wanted to speak with my beloved warrior.” Her bright blue eyes twinkled like jewels.
“I’ve missed you as well.”
“And I you.” She grinned. “But my handsome warrior, you seem troubled.” She gave him a fake pout. “I hate seeing such a gorgeous man as you so ...sexually unfulfilled. My darling boy, you need to find a mate. You have waited far too long.” She licked her full ruby lips. “I will make it my goal to find her for you. How old are you now?”
“Old, Goddess.” He grinned. “Very old. Perhaps too old to care.”
She waved her hand. “I seriously doubt that. A man is never too old to care about such things as a mate, the perfect sex partner.” She laughed. “Nah, you are an infant compared to me. I am concerned that an unmated male such as you would refuse a gorgeous Sensual Witch’s attentions. Your actions tell me you’re miserable. I truly do not like seeing you this way. I have never forgotten how you helped me find my beloved mate. And now look at me. I’m a Queen and a Goddess.” She lifted her arms as if posing.
“You are looking very well.”
“I am well.” The alluring Goddess gave him a knowing look. “But back to you. The witch had your cock in her hand, in her mouth for God’s sake, and you refused her.” Achtland shook her golden blonde hair. It resembled real gold in its luster. “I know you are a sexual creature. It is in your blood. You are passionate, one of the most passionate creatures of all. I remember when you were much younger. You were...insatiable, shall I say.” She chuckled.
He shrugged. “I have mastered my emotions.”
“Really? How is that possible? You were made to feel passion. It motivates you.”
“Yes. It does, but I have gained control over the centuries. I’ve had to. And if you are looking for a mate for me, I don't want one I'd share with others.” He grinned. “So, don’t think of pairing me with one of those Sensual Witches. I’m not interested.” He pushed his bangs out of his eyes. “Once I claim a woman she’s mine, only mine.”
“Judgmental, are we?” Achtland raised her eyebrow.
“Hardly.” He shook his head. “I only know what I want. I think those who are mated to Sensual Witches, like Conall McKnight, are fortunate. But, their life style isn’t for me. I’m…different.”
“From a dissimilar background for sure. Coming from a different Faery realm than McKnight’s, you and your clan are far different from his pack. Your wolves’ dispositions are unique, shall I say.” She smiled. “And, well, you are even more of a unique being, aren’t you?” She crossed her hands over her knee.
“Yes, true.” He smiled. “I can’t handle seeing other men touch what’s mine. I’m not made that way. By no means does she have to be a virgin. After all, at 1008 years old, I certainly am not.” He grinned.
“So seek your mate. Pray for her to be revealed.”
“It would be pointless.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Pointless?”
“Yes.” He leaned back in his chair. “I was told centuries ago I would pay.”
“Pay for what?”
“For my crimes.”
“What crimes?”
“Crimes of battle.” He looked down. “Goddess Macha sentenced me to loneliness. When I was a young man, she became displeased with my conduct in battle. She swore I would pay for demonstrating such lack of control.” He shrugged. “Her threat has become my life sentence.”
“Why did she do this thing to you, a beloved warrior?”
“She says I was too ruthless, always high from the kill.”
“You have changed now. You live among humans, you run a club. Plus, you are a leader of a huge pack. Gone is the fury which must have possessed you those many centuries ago.”
“Yes, and gone is the reason.” He looked down at his hands. “I don’t know if I can bring myself to love another.” He shrugged. “I’ve taught myself to live without a mate.”
“You never mated with Colleen, did you?” She leaned closer to his desk.
“No.” He shook his head. “Our time was stolen from us.”
“And this is what caused your rage? Your devotion to the battle?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I think it is time you let go of the past to work on a future. The worry about rebounding is long past.” She laughed.
“You think?” He grinned. “When I loved Colleen I was 76 years old, a young man. I had many dreams. I wanted to have a family, be a father. Those dreams are irrelevant now.”
“I do not think so. Now is the time to find your heart. To make those things happen. You have no way of knowing if Colleen was your true mate. There is only one true test for such a thing among your kind, and evidently you did not do the deed.”
“Yes, I know. But I also know my own heart. My body would have complied.”
“I think I can convince Goddess Macha to consider your debt paid in full. It’s time you were freed.”
“Perhaps.” He drank down one of the shot glasses of whiskey. “I did slaughter many warriors. I was on a rampage, mad with anger. But, it was war.” He slammed his glass down.
“It was.” Achtland nodded. “You have always been a fierce warrior. All recognize this.”
“Exactly, but I used my immortal powers to devastate our enemy. I didn’t give them a fighting chance. So this is what Goddess Macha decided. Nevertheless, still today I can’t see where I was wrong. I’ll not repent for my actions. It was war. Isn’t winning the desired result?”
“Yes it is. However, Macha the Goddess of both battle and peace seeks fairness. She wants balance. Using your immortal powers over an army of humans disrupted the natural balance.”
“Precisely what Macha told me. I told her, fuck her balance. It only applied when she wanted it to. The creation of me and my kind disrupted the balance in itself. Anyway, the humans made war on us. So be damned the results.” He drank down the other whiskey shot. “This is why I was punished.” He grinned, knowing it did not reach his eyes. “Macha evidently forgot I’m more than a werewolf, as so many do. I’m a Zerphalin, an immortal being made especially for war: to fight, to win, to conquer. I was made by Morrigan, the Goddess of shape shifters and war. A Goddess who rules over sensuality and passion. I cannot change who and what I am.”
“That’s why you feel things so passionately, when you allow it. Morrigan created your kind to be passionate. To feel things deeply. To be fiercely loyal and loving as well.”
“Exactly, so she got what she created. Now, I don’t allow my emotions to rule me anymore. Over much time, I tried to put the Zerphalin part of me aside.”
Achtland shook her head.
“My passions, my fighting skills are of no use here in my new life. In this mortal world, no one feels emotions as I do or can. Besides, they have forgotten the Gods and supernatural creatures like myself.”
“Your passions may be necessary. The romantic ones.” She smiled.
“The rage I have felt for centuries wants to boil up in me once again. You must stop this type of discussion. Macha punished me. I’ll never fully understand why. I’ve stopped wondering. But, I’m no idiot. It was not just my war making or my use of power. It was something else, hidden to me, beyond me. Like all the Gods, one never knows what motivates them.”
“You sound so distrusting?”
“Forgive me, Goddess.”
“Then enough of this wretched history. I will talk with Macha and make sure your sentence is lifted. Then we will locate your one.”
“My one? My mate?” He shook his head. “I doubt it. Goddess, I do appreciate your concern. But certainly you didn’t
come here to see me over this insignificant issue? This is my problem, one which is hundreds of years old. I’m here now. I will survive with or without a mate.”
“Surviving is no way to live, my handsome warrior. It makes me very unhappy when one of my favored servants is unsatisfied. A good woman would love to have you as hers. And for my own reasons, I do not think this issue is insignificant.”
“I’m flattered.” He smiled.
“But, there is one thing.” She leaned back in her chair and uncrossed and re-crossed her legs, showing him a flash of flesh.
“I thought there might be. How may I serve you?”
“As you know, I was once an Earth Witch living in this human realm. My background is very different from most Celtic deities.”
“Yes, I know your tale. You married a giant from a faery realm who then transformed you into what you are now.”
“Yes.” She smiled. “And as I said, I have not forgotten you introduced me to my beloved.”
“The stories of our Gods used to be told often. Until they faded away into oblivion.”
“Yes, as we did. At least, until now.” She smoothed her silky dress over her legs. “It seems we are back and vibrant in this world. Things are about to drastically change.”
“Aeval and Aidin have done much with the support of the Sensual Witches to regain power in this realm. Sex magic is far reaching. I’ve even seen some of my powers strengthen or restore too. I can travel through space again with a mere thought. I’d forgotten how useful those powers were.” He smiled.
“Is it not nice to have your full armory of abilities back?”
“Definitely. But please, tell me what you wish me to do. I know this visit was not just about me.”
“What I want from you is…to find a relative of mine.” A tall glass with light amber liquid appeared in her hand and another materialized next to him on the desk. “It is so nice to have my full powers restored here in this realm.” She took a sip from the glass. “This drink,” she held her glass up, “will knock your socks off. Have some.”
“Thank you.” He lifted the glass from the table. “A relative? Anyone in particular?”
“Yes. My mirror.”
He sipped the sweet amber liquid. “It’s got a kick.” He grinned. “Your mirror, you say?”
“Yes, approximately every two hundred years a female from my lineage is born. She has many of my characteristics. Some are visible, some are hidden. She will have the powers of an Earth Witch. She can be as powerful as I was or even more so. And so carries on my legacy in so many ways. When the doors to this realm were blocked to me, I was unable to locate these daughters of mine. I wish to find the one from this time. I need her for a very special task.”
“I see. May I ask what you want her for?” He rested his chin on his hand. “How will I be able to find this needle in a hay stack?”
“Simple.” Achtland crossed her legs again giving him a nice glimpse of her thighs. “I have a ring which will reveal her to me. It will glow bright red when it is in her presence.” She held out her hand showing him the ring on her finger. “It is a mystical diamond as clear and as uncolored as ice.”
“I can feel its power. It is strong.” A vibration of energy passed through him as he gazed at the gem.
“When she is near it will turn red and it will sing a sweet tune that only you will hear. Once you recognize its message it will cease singing.” She turned her hand. “Isn’t is gorgeous?” She gazed at it, then examined her perfectly manicured nails. They were long, shimmering ivory to match her dress. When she looked back up at him, she appeared almost angelic.
“Yes, my Goddess, the ring is almost as lovely as you.”
“Here.” She waved her hand, and the ring appeared on his desk attached to a golden chain. “Wear it around your neck and be alert for this precious female.”
“Okay.” He reached for it. His experience with the Gods gave him reason to be aware of their temperamental natures. So he dared not challenge her assignment.
“I have things to bequeath to her. Now that my powers grow daily in this realm, I wish to bestow my gifts upon her soon. To make her even more powerful, to protect her, to give her a piece of her heart she does not realize is missing. I want you to protect her too. This is my request of you.”
“Of course.” He grinned. “I can do my best. Is there something she needs protection from?”
“You know there all sorts of dangers which lurk.” She twisted her lips.
“I see.” He frowned.
“Liam, you know I hate to be questioned…but I will tell you this. Finding her will enhance my powers similarly to how Aeval and Aidin have been enhanced. It will be beneficial to all those who choose to worship me. You do this, my handsome warrior, and you will be given the perfect one, your mate to enjoy your days and nights with. She will make your cock throb, and your passions will grow hot once more. Colleen will be but a faded memory replaced by your true love. Perhaps the one who was always intended for you.”
She smiled, her eyes as blue diamonds, then in a puff of snowy white smoke she vanished.
“Promises, promises,” Liam said to a now empty room.
CHAPTER TWO
“Oh, Dr. Kerrigan, can you fix my kitty?” The little girl had tears in her eyes, and they tugged on Ragen’s heart.
“Let me see.” Ragen listened to the calico cat’s lethargic heartbeat. “Poor little cat, you’re getting old.” The frail feline purred as if pained.
“Ms. Fluff-Face isn’t old,” the little girl protested.
“Jenny, cats age differently than we do.” Ragen patted the child on the head. “Why don’t you go outside to wait in the lobby with your mother, then I’ll see what I can do.”
“Okay.” The child reluctantly left with her mother, exiting into the waiting room.
When the exam room door was firmly shut, Ragen laid the cat out on the exam table. It could barely lift its small head. “So, Ms. Fluff-Face, I’m going to help you. But this will be our little secret, okay?”
Ragen caressed the cat’s fur. A warmth passed through her hands into the limp body. The cat began to move her little legs. Encouraged, she picked it up and held it close to her chest. Another much stronger surge of energy passed through her into the small creature. The cat meowed loudly as if it had received a shock. She placed the furry orange bundle back on the examination table. Ms. Fluff-Face was noticeably perkier and moving around with much more energy. “You’re cured for the moment. I’m as clueless as you are, but, lately I’ve had this gift of a healing warm touch.” Ragen picked up the cat and looked her eyes. “I know it’s crazy, but I’m not complaining if you’re not. It’s a miracle.” The cat purred as if answering her. Then she carried the now lively pet out to the waiting family. When Ragen opened the door, Jenny’s expectant eyes brightened.
“Is she better?” The child rushed to her.
“Yes, she is.” Ragen nodded. “All that was needed, this time, was a little shot. Now, if she starts to act sluggish again, bring her back.”
“Okay, Dr. Kerrigan.” Jenny took her pet from Ragen’s arms.
“You’re amazing.” Her mother smiled. “Thank you.”
“No problem. It’s what I’m here for.”
“I’ll pay your receptionist on our way out. Thanks again.”
Ragen walked down the hall and entered the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. Bright green eyes gazed back at her from the mirror above the sink. They seemed to glimmer more than usual. Her fingertips still tingled. She was warmer all over. “What’s happening to me? I don’t understand.” She examined her hands closely. Nothing looked out of the ordinary, at least in their appearance. A dying plant on the windowsill caught her eye. The plant was withering away from dehydration. She reached up and touched the leaves. In an instant the plant became vibrant, a bloom appearing amidst the leaves. “This can’t be. Whatever this is, it's getting stronger.” She moved back to the mirror, her expression apprehensive.
My abilities are changing. I touch something and it seems to come alive. A green thumb and a way with the sic, is one thing. But this is much more than that, so much more. She examined herself for several moments more, then turned and left the room. She walked down the hallway, her mind in a fog. She had so many questions and nowhere to get answers.
“Dr. Kerrigan, you have a call on line one waiting in your office,” a vet tech called out from the center work station as she passed by.
“Thanks.” She hustled to her office and picked up the receiver on her desk.
“Hey girl, it’s Patty. Just a reminder call. Don’t be late getting home. I’ll be at your house at 4:30 and we have to be in Chattanooga by 6:00. They’re serving cocktails. I so want a drink.” Patty giggled.
“I’ll be ready. My clothes are all laid out. I’m wearing my black cocktail dress. I’m excited too.”
“I’m nervous. I hate speaking to groups,” Patty said.
“You’ll do fine. Everyone wants to help animals. So they’ll listen, they’ll have a few drinks, then make big donations. No worries. The animal hospital will be finished before we know it.”
“I hope so, see you soon.”
***
“Look, there’s a place to park. “ Patty pointed to a spot between two large vehicles. “We’re going to be late. Hurry, hurry, park there.”
“Okay, hang on! You’re making me nervous.” Ragen angled the car to pull into the parking space. “And we’re not late. We’re right on time.”
“Same difference.” Patty checked her phone again for the time. “I’m late to be the guest speaker.”
“It’s a tight fit.” She attempted to pull into the spot. When she did, little room was left to open the doors. “This is not going to work.” Maneuvering again, she was still unsuccessful. “I don’t want to hit anything.” She backed out of the spot. “I can’t park here. It’s too snug.”
“Yeah, I agree, I couldn’t even open my door if we did park here.” Patty agreed.
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