The Ancients (9 page)

              "Come here, girl," his voice is like nails on a chalk board and the compulsion to move is great.

             
You are stronger than him, my child.  Take what I give you.

              The Goddess' voice comforts me as I finally risk looking into the creatures eyes.  "No."

              Weynard seems to weigh my answer, "I don't believe anyone has ever said that to me before and ended up still alive."

              "I will not allow you to drag our world down!" I yell.  "By the Goddess, I will stop you and send you back from where you came."

              "So passionate," he begins.  "Your Goddess is strong within you, but you are no match for me, girl."  He starts to move towards me, never breaking eye contact.

              I gather as much of the Goddess' power as I can and begin to channel it all around me.  "The witches motto it is, to harm none shall we, the wolves motto it is, to protect all shall we, by the blending of my soul, the hybrids motto it is, do what is right shall I, destroy if I must, heal if it is earned, and banish those who mean harm, so mote it be, so mote it be, so mote it be, by the will of the Goddess of three."

              As the last words left my mouth, Weynard grabbed me by the throat.  "My servant is correct, you are a fool.  And now I will taste that sweet nectar of life flowing through you."

              His fangs pierced my skin, but as soon as he tried take a sip, blinding white light shot from my hands into his chest.  "You do not get to take, that which is not offered willingly," I whisper in his ear as he stumbles away from me.  "Weynard, creature of Osiris, never shall you harm again."  The power of the Goddess flows through my arms and out towards the Ancient.  It causes his body to erupt in flames as he wails to Samara.

              The young woman is stunned at what is happening. "No, no, this cannot be happening," she says as she rushes to his side.  She turns her hard stare to me, "This isn't over."  She begins to chant holding her amulet around her neck and then they are gone.

              There is no sound in the clearing anymore.  I turn in every direction trying to find a trace of Samara and Weynard.  "I have failed," I fall to my knees, exhausted.

             
You have not failed, my child.  This is what fate has in store.  Soon you will unite the races and lead an army to destroy the Ancient. 

              "But I wasn't supposed to allow them to rise!" I bellow out with rage.

             
Only one did.  Destroy the other bodies you must.  Weynard will have to feed, but his strength will not be full until your blood runs through his body.  Be strong, my child, this is only the beginning.

             
I sag my head wanting this to be the end.  "I am so tired," I sigh.

             
The bodies.

              Knowing that I needed to get this done, I force myself to my feet and complete my task.  These Ancients would not rise again.

Kristoff

              I had to let my wolf take over as the hours past.  I could no longer control the rage within me with her missing.  Even Henrietta felt my control breaking and allowed me to lay on the back porch standing guard.  My mate is out there somewhere, and I can't find her to protect her.

              Kevin and Michael were in the house watching over Riley and Henrietta.  I couldn't bear to be around anyone.  The hour had to be past midnight when Riley walked out to the porch sitting next to me.  She tentatively reached out and ran her hand on my head.  I could smell Kevin watching her from the door, protective as always.  "You don't know my sister like I do, Kris," Riley says.  "She is stronger than you think.  She wouldn't want you to be stuck like this.  She would want you to get some rest, so that you can deal with her when she returns."

              I know she is trying to be helpful, but I can't bring myself to change back to human form.  "Just let me know if you need anything," Riley sighs and starts for the door.  Just as she entered the house I caught a scent and jump up to my feet.  Kevin noticed, "What is it, Alpha?"

              I bolt from the porch with Kevin yelling at me to wait.  It is her.  I know it is.  I see a figure walking down the driveway.  She looks tired and there is blood on her neck.  My wolf lets out a howl, startling her.  I run towards her and in moments shift.  I reach her and pull her close.  "Rian, what happened?  Are you okay?"

              Her eyes are glistening with tears, but she has a small smile.  "I think you need to put on some clothes, mate."

              "This is not the time to joke, Rian.  I have been frantic," I say as I hold her close and place a kiss to her forehead.  "Let's go inside."

              As we walk to the porch, the door opens and Riley sprints out.  "Rian!" she shouts as she pushes me aside to hug her sister.  "What the hell happened?  And why don't you have any clothes on?"

              "Uh, well, I can't exactly shift my clothes," I say not the least bit embarrassed.  Kevin comes out from behind Riley holding a pair of sweatpants and a tshirt.  "Thanks."

              Henrietta is the last to greet Rian, "What happened?" She asks as she places her hand on Rian's neck.

              "Let's go sit down, it has been a hell of an evening," she says.

              I sit on the couch and pull Rian to sit in my lap.  I lean into her ear, "Not letting you go."

              She shivers with a nod, "Well, I met Samara, talked to the Goddess, burned Weynard, Samara and Weynard escaped, and then I destroyed the other three bodies."

              Everyone sat there in silence.  Henrietta spoke first, "But it looks like he bit you?"

              "He did, but that was when he is the most vulnerable. That is when I struck with the power the Goddess gifted me with.  He didn't get a drop."

              Riley shook her head, "I thought he needed your combined blood to rise?"

              "No he needs my blood to regain full strength.  Samara disappeared with him while he was being burned alive by the Goddess' fire.  I wasn't able to finish.  The Goddess said this was only the beginning."

              I nod, "It seems like it.  We will have to gather all of the other paranormal leaders to a summit."

              Rian agrees, "This is where the prophecy begins, not ends.  We have a long way to go."

              "Alright everyone, we need to let Rian get some rest," I instruct.

              Everyone clears the room, but Rian stays snuggled on my lap.  "I can't wait any longer, Rian.  I would have been able to find you if we were mated."

              "When I was under Samara's spell, all I could think about was you.  That we would never have the future we wanted."

              "Let me make you mine, forever.  Then we can take on this new challenge together," I practically beg.

              "Okay," she says softly.

              I grasp her chin and pull her face to where her eyes could meet mine, "Told you."

              She laughs, "Yes, you did."

Epilogue

Charles

              My workshop doesn't feel the same anymore.  It feels tainted by that witch.  Part of me thinks I should be grateful to her, after all it was only because of her I got to see and know the Goddess marked.  "Fred? I am home," I say as I walk to back room.  "Fred?"

              I hear the dog whining.  "What is wrong?  Sorry, I haven't been around to feed you, you wouldn't believe what happened."  I round the corner to see Fred cowering in the back corner.  "What is it?"

              "I believe your dog doesn't like me," the man from a few nights ago is sitting in my store again.

              "What is it you want from me?  You never did say," I try to stay lighthearted.

              The man smiles, "Don't worry, Charles.  The powers that be understand what happened here.  Your punishment will not be death."

              I snort, "Yeah, well you and I both know there are punishments out there worse than death."

              "You are quite right," the man stands.  "Servitude to the Queen."

              "For how long?" I swallow.  Of all the punishments, it wasn't the worst. 

              "100 years," he says solemnly. 

              I nod.  "And Fred?"

              "I will ensure that he is taken to a new home."

              "Don't suppose I will be brining anything with me, so let's just get it over with," I say not wanting to prolong things.  "What is your name by the way?"

              The man smiles, "You may call me Terp."

              "Alright, Terp, let's do this," I say as we begin walking out.  I couldn't help but think of the Goddess marked Lady.               In the pit of my stomach, I know we will meet again when it matters the most.