by CJ England
She'd been bitten. Smaller bites on the arm, were made by the kelpies, but the really frightening one was a great gashing wound that could only have been made by the Kraken's poisonous teeth. Blood obscured the daily T-shirt motto that announced, If ignorance is bliss, you must be in heaven, trailing down her side to wet his own white robe.
Putting his hand on her soft breast, he willed himself into her body as he'd done with Kira so long ago.
Swiftly, he traced the poison to where it threatened not only her heart, but her very life force. His eyes whirled in with a sapphire rainbow as he sent spells against the miasma, uncaring of all that was going on around him. He didn't see the kelpie bear down on him, its mouth gaping wide, nor did he notice Lucas snatch it out of mid-air and tear the head from the body. All his attention focused on Brianna. He closed his eyes and powered all his healing magick into her, uncaring of what it might do to him. He had to save her ... it was the only thing on his mind.
His own body shook from the force of the powers he was using. His face paled, his blue eyes dimmed, but he refused to give up. He fought the poison as if he was fighting the devil himself. The Kraken's bite was one of the few things that could kill an immortal, but he wouldn't let it happen. Not to her.... not to Brianna. His own life force weakened as he took from his own strength and infused her with it.
"Danolas!” Koran's voice snapped him back to reality. “You must stop. You are losing your very essence."
Looking up, he saw the worried face of his brother. He frowned, and examined his own hands. They were almost translucent in coloring. He took a shaky breath. “I thank you. I was so intent on the healing, I didn't see I was fading away.” He touched Brianna's still face. “I can't let her die.” Stark azure eyes stared up at the prince. “She is too important to me."
Koran put his hand on the witch's shoulder. “I know. We all know.” He slipped inside Brianna's psyche and quickly checked her life force. “She is healing,” the faerie murmured after a long few moments. “You have succeeded."
Emotion rolled through Danolas as he pulled her close to him. He had been in time.
Suddenly, there was a screaming roar of water behind him. The Kraken uncoiled, its fins and scales shining a hideous gray-green in the lights of the pier, its mouth gaping wide open. Danolas reacted, throwing his body over the top of Brianna, at the same time sweeping his staff around to send a shield of protective magick between them and the monster that had risen again from the black of the sea. Danolas heard his brothers shouting, and a moment later spears of power lanced through the sky.
The Kraken screamed ... an almost human sound that reverberated though the night sky. Its eyes glowed with hatred; its teeth glistened as it ignored the powers slicing into its flesh and lunged at the company. Swearing, Danolas dropped the shield and added his own power, its blue light giving strength to his brothers. Still, the serpent kept coming.
They'd braced themselves for attack, when a low glow of violet magick added itself to the others. It changed once it intertwined with the blue light, growing brighter and brighter until its dirty color was of the same intensity as the other magicks, yet shaky as if it didn't have the control needed. The Chosen willed their strength to the new magick and it steadied, taking their help gladly. Together, the magicks drove into the coming beast with strength unlike they'd used before.
The combined powers were, finally, too much for the Kraken. It rolled its body, coiling madly, as it fought the agony consuming it. It screamed and thrashed, sending a wall of seawater crashing over the Chosen. Then, as suddenly as it had arisen, it disappeared, sliding back into the turbulent waters of the bay. Silence blanketed the rocking dock.
It was over.
After several long moments, noise intruded. Danolas could hear the laughter of the tourists on the main pier and was thankful the fight had taken place out of the sight of humans. There was movement behind them. Lucas growled, and pounced. When the witch turned around, he could see kelpies littering the dock, like matchsticks. Lucas had the last one in his hands and was squeezing its throat and growling.
"Wait, Lucas,” he said hoarsely. “Keep it alive. We have questions that need to be answered."
The wolfman snarled in the kelpie's face and then dropped it on the dock. He placed his clawed foot on its back and shook the seawater from his wolfish fur. “I hold."
Benjamin knelt down to where Danolas still cradled Brianna in his arms. “Is she..."
"She lives,” Koran answered him. “Thanks to the High Priest."
"Thanks to all of us,” Danolas added. The witch cupped Brianna's cheek in his hand. It was warmer and tears of relief pricked his eyelids. “Whatever she has or knows, they want her dead very badly."
"What was that thing?” Patrick asked. His clothes were covered in blood and he kept fading away to let the blood drop off him. “It was huge."
"It was a Kraken.” Danolas stared out at the sea. “And the smaller ones were kelpies. All very evil and very strong monsters to send after one young witch."
"Dan ... olas?"
His gaze jerked down. Brianna's eyelids flickered, then her blurry gaze met his.
"Leannan ... how do you feel?"
"What ... happened?"
"You are safe, my Lady,” Koran answered for him. “We heard your cry and came."
Her eyes widened. “Kelpies! Be careful.” She struggled weakly. “A monster ... in the sea."
"Be easy, Brianna,” Danolas soothed. “We are safe.
"Is it dead this time?” Lucas asked gutturally. He was slowly changing back to his human form, but his mouth was still full of long sharp teeth.
"No.” Koran answered as the witch pulled Brianna up into his lap. “The Kraken, like us, is an immortal. It is sorely wounded, but I very much doubt it is dead."
"I think we need to get outta here.” Benjamin looked around uneasily. “Someone might have heard all the noise."
"Not yet,” Danolas said firmly. “We have to question the kelpie. I want to know why it was sent after Brianna."
"It said ... it must kill me,” Brianna whispered, shivering in reaction now that it was all over. She snuggled closer to Danolas’ warmth, knowing somehow, in his arms, she would be safe. “I asked it."
"You asked—” Koran stopped himself. “Wait. Let me put a shield up to hide us from human eyes. Then we can talk.” He suited action to words and a wall appeared behind them with a sign that said Dangerous Chemicals. It cut off the damaged dock and corpses from the rest of the pier. “That should keep them away,” the prince muttered. He knelt down next to Benjamin. “Now, Brianna ... tell us your story."
She did, not going into the emotions of the evening, but staying with the facts. She told them how she'd walked down to the wharf to clear her head and been attacked by the baby kelpie. About how brave Buck and Jon had tried to protect her when the beasts had surrounded them.
"I asked it why it was trying to kill me,” she finished. “It said ... because we must.” Brianna shook her head. “I still don't understand."
"Fortunately, this time we have someone who can tell us.” Danolas motioned to Lucas. “Bring the creature."
The werewolf dragged the kelpie closer to the gathered Chosen. The beastie gnashed its pointed teeth and struggled furiously, but Lucas was too strong and finally it subsided, growling angrily.
Koran knelt close and stared into the creature's face. “Why are you trying to kill this woman?"
The kelpie narrowed its eyes and hissed. “I tell you nothing! Death to you! Death to all the light bringers!"
"I think you will.” Danolas pointed a long finger at the monster and sent a thin beam of magick into its chest. The kelpie yelped and tried to move, but Lucas held it firmly. The blue power enveloped the beast and then suddenly winked out. “Damn!” The witch looked disgusted. “I am too drained.” He looked up at Koran. “Brother?"
The faerie prince nodded. “Of course.” He sent an amber stream of power at the creature.
/> Suddenly understanding the weakness she was sensing in him, Brianna turned to Danolas. “What did you do to yourself? I can barely see your aura.” She narrowed her eyes and using her own frail magick, she checked him on the psychic plain. Her eyes widened. “You are almost empty! Your life force is dimmed. Danolas—"
"Hush,” Danolas stopped her. “You are under my protection and I did what was necessary.” His arms tightened. “You were close to death, and I brought you back. Let it go, Brianna."
"But—” she started to argue.
"Please, leannan."
She subsided, blinking back the tears in her eyes. She was experienced enough to know exactly what he'd done. He'd almost lost himself in healing her. It was all there on the psychic plain for anyone to see. He might not want to be with her, but he did care. And, he'd called her sweetheart ... again.
Koran brought her attention back to the matter at hand. “A truth spell,” he stated. “Now it will have to answer."
"Horrible faerie! Nasty creature! Hate you! Hate you all!” When Lucas squeezed threateningly, the kelpie subsided into Gaelic curses that had Brianna raising her eyebrows.
"Sure, and it's got a nasty vocabulary,” she said shakily. “I'm a hoping none of those curses come to pass."
Patrick floated closer. “We ask again ... Why are you trying to kill Bri?"
The kelpie's teeth bared in a feral smile. “Hate her! Hate her we do!"
Lucas gave it a hard shake. “We've established you hate us. Now answer the damn question!"
Hissing, the beaten creature licked its dark lips. “She is the last. She must die!"
"The last of what?” Koran queried.
There was a long pause as the kelpie fought the truth spell and finally lost. “She is the last of the line. Demon killer! Bitch witch! Hate her! Hate them all!"
Brianna sat up painfully in Danolas’ lap. Her ribs ached from the Kraken's grip. “What demon? What are you talking about?"
"Amducious ... Eurynomous ... Death bringer ... Master.” The creature sneered at them. “Hate you!"
Danolas’ eyes widened. “I know those names. They belong to one demon, a high prince of Hell.” He looked at Brianna. “You know of him, too."
She gasped and then coughed as the movement hurt her abused lungs. “Are ye talking about Labraic? That demon?"
The kelpie struggled fiercely. “Worthless witch! Hateful woman! You should not speak his name!"
"Watch your mouth.” Benjamin cuffed the kelpie on the side of the head. “Tell us what Labraic has to do with this. He's dead."
"Never dead!” The kelpie grinned evilly. “Not killed."
"No. According to the story, he was sent back to hell.” Koran frowned thoughtfully. “But that does not answer the question. “Why Brianna?"
"Stupid, stupid light bringers. You know nothing."
"Tell us about Brianna, damn it!” Lucas shook the creature again.
"She is the last O'Maoilduan,” the creature spat out. “She must die!"
Brianna stared at the half-crazed beast. “I hate to tell you this, but I'm not the last of any line. There are more Muldoon's back home than there are potatoes."
"Stupid! Stupid bitch! You not know your own history!” The kelpie struggled again until another blow on the head from Benjamin stilled it, forcing it to go on. “Muldoon in name, O'Maoilduan in powers. You are only one who carries legacy. You are one who has the powers."
"Are you saying out of all the descendants of Cyric O'Maoilduan, Brianna is the only one who is a witch?"
The kelpie nodded and cursed again. “All others are nasty mortals. No good. No worry. Only she dangerous. She must die. She will die!"
Danolas turned to Brianna. “You are the only witch in your family? How can that be?"
She gazed at him. “I don't know. ‘Tis just the way of it. Each generation of Muldoon had a single person who carried the power. And none were immortal, so when a child was born with the gift, they would be the only ones to carry it forward. The other witch would die as any mortal would."
"Hateful, ugly Muldoons! Kill them all, we did ... all but her."
That statement made Brianna gasp out loud. “You killed them?” The monster stayed silent, but its face told the story and she bit her lip as she remembered the stories. “None of the witches in my family died of old age. All died in accidents, or were murdered.” She wiped her eyes as realization took over. “My Da, he worked for Aebh. He lived the longest, but was drowned in the bay before I was born. That is why Aebh took me in. My own mother was afraid of me, and no other relatives would come forward to claim a witch. Especially, one that turned out to be an immortal."
"Jesus...” Lucas growled
"'Twas just the way it was.” Brianna shrugged, barely feeling the twinges of loneliness anymore. “I had Aebh, so I was content."
"But all this still isn't answering the question ... why?” reminded Patrick. “Why is killing Brianna as well as the rest of the Muldoons so important?"
The kelpie snarled, but refused to answer. Koran used his power to tighten truth's hold on it. “Speak evil one ... now!"
A trickle of blood appeared at the corner of the kelpie's mouth. It spat and glared balefully up at the Chosen. “It cannot be found."
"It?” Benjamin's eyebrow raised in question.
"By the Goddess,” Danolas breathed out, as understanding shot through him. “He's talking about the Sceptre. The Sceptre of Power."
"It would be a weapon of great strength.” Koran's amber eyes glowed. “One we could well use in the war."
"But...” Brianna shook her head in shock. “It can't be. It's just a tale. I know nothing of where it was lost."
"Stupid woman! Stupid witch! You do not even know your own powers! Foolish! Stupid woman!” The kelpie hissed and cursed madly.” Hate you! Hate you I do! Kill you now!"
"Shut up!” Lucas gave the creature a hard slap. He looked at Brianna. “Are you sure? I mean, maybe it's a part of the legend or something, and you've forgotten."
She shook her head. “Only what I've told you. I know the area where the Sceptre was lost, but I've no idea what came of it. Where exactly my ancestor lost the thing."
"Perhaps you know more than you think,” Patrick said quietly. “Sometimes things are hidden from us until the proper time."
"But why here?” Danolas asked, suddenly. He stared at the angry kelpie. “Why wait and kill her here? Why not back home, as you did the others?"
The question surprised the kelpie and its face blanked for a moment, before its eyes narrowed. “We not know. Not care. Kill the witch! That is what we are told.” It struggled and lunged at Brianna. “We will kill! Here. There. Wherever. We kill the most powerful witch."
Another cuff on the head silenced it, as the company all stared at each other. Brianna sighed. “I swear to you. I knew nothing of this. I wouldn't have brought this danger to your door, if I did."
"You did not,” Koran muttered. “Your High Priestess did. Now we need to find out if she knew of the threat before she sent you."
"If she did,” Danolas mused thoughtfully, “she would have a purpose for it. Aebh would not put us in danger without reason."
"This all started in Ireland.” Benjamin stared out over the now still water. “I'm thinking maybe we should let Kira and Gallegar know what's going on. Maybe they can find out some things."
"I think,” Brianna said slowly, “we should do more than that.” She looked into Danolas’ handsome face knowing instinctively he was the one to convince. “If this started with me in Ireland, I should be the one to finish it.” She swallowed hard, suddenly feeling terrified of a place she'd known and loved her whole long life. “The answers are there. I think I need to go home."
Danolas’ eyes blazed heatedly. “You will go nowhere, alone. If Ireland is the place to solve this mystery, then we will all go. And, as soon as possible."
He held Brianna tighter and her heart beat faster, before she realized he was only prepar
ing to stand up. As he did so, the kelpie gave a sharp scream and lashed out at Brianna's face with its sharp webbed feet. Danolas pivoted quickly and the nails caught his shoulder, ripping through his once white robe and into the sensitive flesh beneath.
Brianna screamed in anger, and without thinking, sent a bolt of power at the beast. For once, her aim was accurate, catching the kelpie square in the face. It writhed in agony for several long seconds, hissing wildly, before it went limp in Lucas’ arms. She paid no more attention to the monster as the wolfman tossed the charred body to the dock. She pulled away Danolas’ torn clothing with weakened, trembling hands, frantic to see the damage. “Does it hurt? You great buffoon! What were you thinking?"
Danolas submitted to her not-so-tender-care with an amused smile. “I was thinking to protect you from more harm.” He stopped her when she started a healing spell on him. “No ... we are both too weak to do anything more. We did too much this night.” He glanced at the other Chosen. “Let us get back to The Keep. We can talk more and do any healing needed."
"Sounds like a plan,” Lucas growled. He kicked the dead kelpie into the water where it landed with a resounding splash. “Better clean up here first."
The Chosen nodded and together, they all swiftly cleared the dock of the corpses. A quick wash of power cleansed it so no one could see anything had happened.
"We will have to go home by normal means,” muttered Koran. “Danolas has used too much power to help me get us home, and after the battle, I'm not sure I have enough on my own. I've called for the limo to pick us up."
"I guess we head up to the street then.” Benjamin suited action to words and started for the alleyway above the pier. “Follow me."
"Ummm, guys?” Brianna glanced over to where Lucas was standing, human now and quite gloriously naked. Her lips quirked in appreciation. “Not that I mind, but I think we need to find Lucas some pants first."
* * * *
"You were right, Brianna,” Benjamin said as he stepped from the small bus they had rented to drive from Dublin to Galway, and then down to the small town of Kinvarra. “This is a beautiful country. So green and somehow more ... real. I can see why you hated leaving it. I've wanted to come here for a long time. Too bad it's under these circumstances."
