Havermouth, Present TimeThe refugees had been intercepted at the foot of the bridge into the town by some very suspicious locals, who had been reinforced by the werewolf army. Whilst things appeared calm and under control, there was an undercurrent in the expressions and body language of both sides that indicated that was fragile.The werewolves were on foot, and their possessions were carried. On the far side, various vehicles had been parked, but the newcomers had balked at crossing the train bridge with their cars and had instead walked across. There were animals amongst them – chickens, goats, sheep and cows.The chaos was impressive as none of the animals were enclosed, and whilst the Trayrock refugees had managed to drive them over the bridge successfully, they ranged wild on this side, grazing on the greenery along the riverbank.“Summarize,” Sigrid said to Rohan.“Lower-ranked wolves from Trayrock,” Rohan said. “Said they left soon after the Van Helsings moved in, and they sa
Trayrock, Present Time“Phew,” Aislen threw herself into the front seat of the car as the men piled in around her. “That got the adrenaline pumping. Now I’m starving.” On cue, her stomach growled loudly, and she grimaced, pressing her hand to it trying to still it’s churning.“Fucking hell,” Rhett laughed from the back seat. “Your stomach sounds like a horny alpha.”“Growing an entire person,” she reminded him.“At an accelerated rate,” Heath agreed. “We really need to keep on top of the food situation for Aislen. Our appetites are somewhat easier to manage - I’ve noticed that once a day is generally enough for me, and Talen needs even less, but Aislen is right – she’s pregnant. With human, and I am assuming werewolf pregnancies, it’s important that a pregnant woman get all the nutrients and vitamins that she needs, like folate, iron, and calcium…”“All of which can be found in blood,” Talen added soothingly. “So, we will ensure that Morgana feeds at least three times a day, and if an
Havermouth, Present TimeThey did not make it past the gate before Samuel landed on the footpath before them with an impressive thud. Ember’s wings lit the garden as she landed, more lightly, and Aislen blinked halos as the dragon folded them away again, dousing the garden back into shadow.“Ah, hi,” Cameron waved awkwardly over Aislen and Talen’s shoulders.“You should not head out on a mission without us, Emissary,” Samuel’s tone was respectful, but there was a scold not so hidden. “We are here to protect you, and to train you.”“I went out earlier without you,” Aislen pointed out practically. “I can’t take you with me everywhere.”“You aren’t obliged to take them anywhere,” Heath added.“But it is prudent,” Talen placed a big hand on Heath’s shoulder. “We apologize for not keeping you apprised of our activities, Samuel and Ember. We are not accustomed to doing so, and as such it did not occur to us to disturb you. As you have surmised, we are about to begin disrupting the local Van
Trayrock, Present TimeAs Talen eased open the sliding door onto the balcony, Rhett surreptitiously inspected the gunshot wound on his ribs. It was just a graze, but it had stung like a mother-fucker as he’d hauled the body up onto the balcony, and it had ruined his brand-new shirt, sticking it to his side with blood. He couldn’t tell if he was still bleeding, or whether the slick wetness under his fingers was just blood left on his skin from the initial wound. It smarted to touch the wound, so he imagined that it was still closing up.He poked his finger through the hole in his jacket. It might improve the look, he thought ruefully, if he got shot up a few more times. The store hadn’t exactly offered a wide range of clothing, and everything he’d chosen fit into the “basics” range. Basic dark or black jeans or slacks, basic dark or black tops and t-shirts, and the basic black denim jacket. None of it had any spice or attitude, and he didn’t have the accessories to add it.The bullet h
Trayrock, Present TimeTalen counted heads as they crossed to the next house, making sure all his mates were present, as well as Ember. The act amused him, despite the gravity of the night, as he felt like a mother duck keeping track of her ducklings. They were a somber group, and he ran an eye over Rhett and Cameron trying to determine what was bothering his mates. Aislen was distracted by Ember, who was trying to explain the powers that Morgana possessed as Emissary, and while that was of interest to Talen, the grim faces of his mates were more urgent, so he fell back in line with Heath.“Cameron seems…” He started.“He’s not comfortable killing while they’re in a magic sleep,” Heath knew the answer to the question without prompting.“Ah,” Talen nodded. “It is safer.”“Yes,” Heath adjusted the laptop bag that he held over his shoulder. “Definitely, and a handy trick that Aislen has in her arsenal, but…” He grimaced a little at Talen.“Understood,” he nodded and stretched his legs, c
Trayrock, Present TimeAislen realised that she’d fucked up when she heard the crash of the front door being kicked in. This wasn’t going to be a quiet attack, but one which all the neighbours would overhear. She could only hope that none of them were feeling friendly towards the Van Helsings enough to go banging on the third target house down the street.Heath pulled himself up onto the roof and grabbed her hand. “Shit Aislen,” he plucked glass out before bowing his head over her hand and licking the wounds closed. “Quick thinking,” he said as he released her hand and looked up with a grin. “And fucking hot. I had no idea you could move like that.”She had been expecting him to scold her, and her laughter caught her by surprise. “Me either,” she admitted.“Well, let’s get this done quickly. It’s the only way to keep the noise down,” he turned to the window and kicked in the last of the glass. “Careful as you get in.”“I could put them all to sleep…” She suggested.He shook his head.
Trayrock, Present Time“If clothing wasn’t such a precious commodity at the moment, we could shift,” Heath observed as they walked quickly along the pavement heading back to where Talen had parked. “It’s a beautiful night for it.”He was right, Aislen thought. The sky had that clarity that made the night bitterly cold but foretold a pretty morning and calm weather the next day. Which would make being out and about nicer than being in a thunderstorm but wouldn’t provide as much cover as one, Aislen thought.“There’s Ember,” Cameron pointed to a spark high above them. “Which means that Samuel’s probably up there somewhere. He disappears into the night sky.”“Do you think they’re right, and that they’re the last of their kind?” Aislen wondered.“They would know better than we would,” Heath answered. “But I hope not. I like the idea of a world with dragons in it,” he smiled as he watched the speck move in the sky. “I guess we grew up so isolated within the pack, that other supernaturals d
Trayrock, Present Time"It is unusual for us to be alone," Talen said softly stroking his fingers through her hair."I would ask if you felt we needed adult supervision," she teased him. "But I am not sure if the Triquetra counts as a single adult let alone three."He laughed, a low chuckle of sound. "They are slowly maturing. Another hundred years or two, perhaps?" He arched an eyebrow."Maybe two," she agreed. "Quick now, Daddy, before they get back. Not that they're ever unwelcome, but it's nice sometimes...""Hmm," his eyes were warm. She didn't need to elaborate. He understood and didn't judge her for wanting one on one.They stopped by their room to grab towels and toiletries before tiptoeing down the hall to the bathroom.It was not a big room and was going to be straining at the seams in the morning Aislen thought as Talen closed the door between them and the hall. The wall with the door held two toilet cubicles, and the opposite wall two shower cubicles. An island of sinks an
Havermouth, Present TimeAislen was looking down at a chessboard. She was holding a little statuette of Verina in her hand. She shook as she set it down on her side of the board and looked up at the woman who sat across from her. This time, the handmaiden or goddess, whatever she was, wore gold. Not some cheap and tacky replica, or some misleading named yellow, but true gold.An elaborate metal headdress began on her forehead, framing her face and covering her hair, continuing from just below her chin to spread over her shoulders and down her chest. The dress was made of fine chain link that draped like material, clinging to her curvaceous body, before dripping away into the aether that crept around their feet. Her lips were painted gold, and so were her eyelids and eyebrows. Golden rings encircled her fingers, and her wrists and arms were heavy with bracelets and cuffs. The tips of her fingers were dipped in gold.She was magnificent and regal and there was a formality to the way tha
Havermouth, Present TimeThe room stank. They could smell it the moment they started down the hallway. Old blood, rotten flesh, and rodents. Connery made a noise in the back of his throat and fished in his pockets producing a handkerchief and stuffing it full of herbs from a pouch. He held it out to Meguitte who smiled and shook her head ruefully. She had smelled this particular scent before, many times over the centuries, during plagues and in the dungeons where people were tortured and left to rot.“I guess it’s a good thing that no one has been here to clean up after Leighton, as the ward will be untouched,” Connery commented, his voice muffled by the handkerchief.Blow flies greeted them. The cages were empty, but no one had scrubbed the room, and there were buckets sticky with congealed blood, stains of it on the floors and walls, and other biological matter in the corners of the cages where the prisoners had relieved themselves. The room rustled with bugs as a result.“Hmm,” Meg
Havermouth, Present Time“You’re doing great,” Heath was breathless. He and Rhett had run, dragging with them several screaming witches. They had been pursued, by Mer, by zombies, by the few Van Helsing soldiers who had survived, but they’d been able to put some distance between them with help from the dragons in the sky. It had been very weird to see the dragons sending bolts of lighting and fire to hold off pursuit. One of them had done something that had made the earth beneath Heath’s feet tremble with a clap of thunder that had his ears still ringing.The timing had been perfect. They’d headed towards Leighton’s warehouse, and just as he’d started to debate which warehouse was likely, the door of the Stock Feed and Animal Supplies warehouse had opened revealing Phillip Salem. When he’d entered and seen Aislen on her hands and knees in a clearing within the filthy warehouse, he had not known whether to be relieved or despairing. The warehouse was so precarious a place for his mate
Havermouth, Present Time“Stella was anticipating that your mates would attack the ward,” Phillip commented mildly as he riffled through the cupboards. “I am curious to see what happened when she found Leighton instead of them. He did not seem happy.”“Leighton was there? Shit,” Aislen’s heart picked up pace. “We really don’t want him to find us, Phillip. We tried to turn him over to the Mer, but it failed. Verina died though, and Leighton’s pissed in a big way. He came to kill me.”“Possibly, or to steal the baby,” Phillip agreed indifferently inspecting a steak knife before returning it to the drawer. “I think you over value yourself, Aislen, and undervalue what you’re carrying.”“Gee, thanks. Hopefully, Stella took Leighton out,” Aislen added thoughtfully. “She was well set up there, with a massive coven behind her. However powerful Leighton is, I doubt he’s as powerful as them.”“That is true. But then, Stella will have discovered that you are not there, and will know that I betra
Havermouth, Present Time“I’m fine, my darling, truly, cross my heart,” Connery pressed the heel of his hand to his chest earnestly. Meguitte narrowed her eyes at him with suspicion. He was still paler than normally, with shadows pressed deep into his under eyes.“Have a sandwich and a cup of tea,” the werewolf Diana insisted offering both from a tray. She was going around the lower floor exchanging food and drinks for blood, and Meguitte sent her a side-eye. “I won’t take his blood,” Diana added hastily. “I can see that he can’t spare it. Perhaps you could, though?”“Me?” Meguitte was astonished by the suggestion.“It won’t take more than ten minutes, and I’m very gentle, I promise.”“It’s not that,” Meguitte explained. “I’m just… not an ordinary vampire. I have none of their normal powers.”“All blood is good blood at the moment,” Diana had sensed surrender and was preparing the kit.Meguitte sat next to Connery and rolled up her sleeve.He smiled at her. “How generous you are my be
Havermouth, Present TimeRhett and Heath did not speak as they wound their way through the streets of Havermouth. There was little opportunity to talk, slinking through the shadows, down the little alleyways between houses, and cutting through back gardens, but there was also a heavy sense of silence between them so that Rhett knew that even if they had been able, they both would have been too lost in their thoughts. Or lost in their worries, would be more accurate.They had searched the area around the smoke thoroughly, even venturing into the still-burning buildings. There had been no sign of Aislen. And no response to their mental calls for their mate. An icy fist of dread had a tight grip on Rhett’s heart. Why was she not answering? She had to be unconscious or…They would know if she had died. He refused to believe otherwise.Had Leighton found her first? What would Leighton do if he had found Aislen? He still struggled to see Leighton as dangerous, whatever mental voodoo the man
Havermouth, Present TimeThere were some languages that were universal, Sigrid thought grimly as she examined the Mer weaponry and made sure that she was familiar with its function. She could tell from the way the Mer moved, from the set of their shoulders, that they were uneasy with the alliance between herself and Niarthen. Their tolerance was thin, and only their respect for Niarthen, and the other two Mer generals, Benethin and Aeylira, kept them obedient. The moment word was received from above that Havermouth was to be destroyed, her life was forfeit.“Do not fear,” Niarthen said quietly. “Aeylira, Benethin, Lyric, and I will ensure that you reach your mates. There is a building which has been declared sacred. Lyric thinks it’s the hospital. That is where your mates are, yes? You should be safe there.”“I am with child,” she told him. “Triplets. The life of four rests on your promise.”“I understand,” he was grim. “Lyric also carries our child.”“If the tide turns,” she regarded
Havermouth, Present TimeMagic was in its very nature an invisible thing. You did not see a spell cast, but rather the effects of the spell once it found its victim. Therefore, the warlock Leighton appeared to do very little other than stand with his hands pressed to the surface of the ward, the energy blowing back his hair and causing sweat to break out on his forehead, but Samuel could FEEL the power, and see the reaction of the ward, its opaque surface shifting like water, areas clearing so that the dragons caught brief glimpses of the witches below scurrying about like ants as they tried to reinforce their magic by scattering herbs and arcane objects, and drawing runes on the bitumen.Samuel’s memories of the gloves were still fragmented, but he could recall the power they had given him – not just increased speed, strength, and stamina, but also a magic that was unnatural to him. He could feel a similar magic burning through his veins towards his heart and brain, poisoning as it b
Havermouth, Present TimeIn the front yard of the witch’s house, Jules caught Harry’s hand, pulling them to a stop. “I should shift,” he explained as he released Harry’s hand and began to strip off his clothing. “We can fly over the trouble.”“Aren’t you the clever one, my beloved,” Harry reached out and began to collect Jules’s clothes as Jules undressed. Jules looked up from stripping off his jeans to find Harry’s eyes hot and his smirk smoldering, and laughed, pulled from the seriousness of the war around them into a moment of pure joy as they celebrated what existed between them.“Okay,” Jules blushed as he finished undressing. “A moment.”Harry stepped back onto the porch and Jules focused on his shift. It was still a foreign experience, one that his body and mind told him shouldn’t be possible despite his entire life as a werewolf. Becoming a werewolf was a redistribution of his body – what existed simply moved to a position more appropriate for the shape that he wished to posses