As he entered the clearing, the gray and black streaked wolf caught his attention first. He was the size of a Mac truck and looked as fierce with his teeth bared at the newcomer. He could see the moment his scent reached them. He had been upwind and had taken them by surprise. Muzzles dropped slightly as they afforded him the respect of a traveling alpha. Her scent permeated the area and had all heads turning. The beautiful lady in white from the ice hotel now stood before him in her true form. The vision of majesty as a pure white wolf and tawny eyes. He lowered his head in the traditional greeting to the alpha of the current territory. One that had already saved him twice.“Rise my cousin,” she chuckled. Beecher rose and went to her in the more familiar greeting of his kind. They nuzzled heads, his under hers. The subtle action was noticed by all in the clearing, and approved. They had accepted him. Without one word spoken, they all nodded in agreement, they would figh
Perched high up in her tree, Katalea swayed, the fog swirling around her. Above her, the muted greens and pinks of the northern lights seemed to fight for control of the pre-morning sky. It wouldn’t be long before any vampire trapped outside would have to flee or risk being turned to dust without any help from their adversaries. The sun still had a few minutes to go before it began its assent into the sky but the sky had visibly lightened. It was coming. Katalea wondered if the sun was filtered through the fog if the vampires would be able to stay out longer. She imagined they could. It might be time to dial back on the mist.Light bursts could be seen from just past the crop of trees they were currently resting in. Katalea wasn’t sure if it was from lightning or a dragon blast, but they were drawing closer to their hideout. They would have to move soon.Dakari must have had the same thoughts, for as he touched her arm, she read the alarm in his eyes. It wouldn’t do to be so hig
“The journey is the treasure.” Lloyd Alexander~~~“The true secret in being a hero lies in knowing the order of things. Things must happen when it is time for them to happen. Quests may not simply be abandoned; prophecies may not be left to rot like unpicked fruit. The happy ending cannot come in the middle of the story.” The Last Unicorn~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just before dawn, before the light beat back the dark, before anything or anyone stirred, Katalea found herself in the place that she considered her sanctuary. Her terrace, all fixed and new, boasted new deck furniture in shades of sea green. She lounged alone for a few moments, enjoying the solitude. As she watched, the sky turned pink and pale over the horizon. The first gulls stirred and began their relentless search for food. Her stomach rumbled in unison to signal it was time for her to eat as well. Rather than messaging someone to bring up food, she set out
They neared the Literature building with its massive alabaster columns and marble staircase. The red brick was in stark contrast to the white window trimmings but spoke of old money. The grounds were immaculate and well tended. Students lounged on blankets under trees. Others sat by a man-made pond reading their texts. Strewn backpacks were the only debris that littered the thick green grass. Brick pathways, bordered by purple jump-up johnny's, meandered this way and that. As they came upon the main entrance of the Literature building Zinnia changed course and turned down one of these brick lanes. A small building that Katalea hadn’t noticed before stood off to one side of the main hall. Katalea remembered looking in this direction when they arrived and seeing a massive plum tree in this general area. Not only was the tree no longer present, but the building Zinnia was gesturing to for the group to enter didn’t quite match up with the pathways. The door was a little a
The air was so still and quiet you could hear the inhaling and exhaling of all present. The ominous sound of a whippoorwill sounded through the open window and broke the silence. The heaviness of the repetitive call brought on a somber mood as the bird’s song was believed to warn of impending death. “I’m Aquin….”“Nice to meet….”“Greetings….”Everyone spoke at once which brought smiles and released the tension. With a twinkle in his eye, and mischief on his face Beecher gestured towards the food.“It seems we have stumbled onto quite a bounty, why don’t we sit, raise a glass, and introduce ourselves.” A dimple winked on his right check, and he bowed to Zinnia who stood near the head of the table weighted down with food.Dakari reached for Katalea’s hand and they sat near the open window. Aquina stayed standing and eyed everyone suspiciously. Beecher, in a grand gesture, started piling a plate up with food. He winked at Aquina, “Mind what you eat, blue, I would hate to think
All eyes were on the newcomer. Luca came in, and with a flourish set down his bag. He wore a sports coat over jeans, sporting sunglasses that he now held in his hand. He looked every bit the modern day professional. Katalea clutched her hands together under the table to keep them from shaking. As she tried to gain composure, she knocked her plate to the floor. Dakari caught her as she began to sway in her chair. Her eyes rolled back and her body went limp. As fast as the vision took her it released her. She sat up straight in her chair, noticing Dakari’s arms around her. Pushing aside her arousal, she turned and addressed the group. Her eyes intense, she looked at each one directly. “We are six, we are gathered. Make your choice, and consider your options. If you take on the quest, you risk all. There is one still hunting, who would stop at nothing to destroy us. An evil god gone mad, he seeks the prophecies to advance his bloodlust. He must be stopped.
The emergency lights came on only after a few seconds had transpired. In that time, not only was the book gone from its elaborate air-controlled clear safe, but the elderly man now held a gun to Luca’s head.“What in the actual hell is happening?” Beecher demanded.Katalea responded by instinct. After training so long with Dalya, it was second nature to disarm a foe. Instantly the gun flew from the man’s hands and streamed towards her outstretched hands. Before the deadly projectile landed however, Dakari surprised everyone by removing them all from the room. Zap! Including Luca.They stood in a tight circle back in the room of their earlier meeting. Questioning eyes darted everywhere, and as far as Katalea could see, the security detail had not made the journey.“I didn’t know you could do that!” Katalea exclaimed. “Nor did I….in fact, I don’t think that was all my doing.” He turned to Zinnia. “I could feel you with me on that, how much of that was you?”She smiled shyly, “I
The hands on the clock ticked loudly while the group stood still. Outside, the light was beginning to send long shadows as the sun reached its last stretch of daylight. Dakari yawned. It had been a long day. He had been looking forward to getting to know his mate, but now suddenly he had five new best friends. Katalea saw his yawn and felt the same exhaustion. “Why don’t we get some rest, and meet for a late supper somewhere. Are you all staying nearby?” “I have only to dip a toe in the water to be home.” Aquina remarked. Turning to Beecher she chuckled, “I’m sure we can find you a nice den to settle in, pup.” “Don’t you worry about me, I suggest you worry more about staying out of the jaws of a hungry shark tonight.” He turned to Katalea. “I think a little rest is a great idea. Are we all in agreement to meet tonight? I know a great restaurant off the beaten path. It would be a great place to sit and brainstorm.” One by one they voiced their agreement. D