Chapter 1
UNKNOWN
She felt a small spark in her chest two days ago. It happened again last night, but this time it was followed by a rush of energy.
By the excitement from the people at the pub that night, it was clear everyone felt it.
Last time this happen was just over 300 years ago. She had to go see her lord as soon as possible. If this went through everyone, that would mean he would be included. He would need her services.
She has been living on this planet since her birth. That was 657 years ago now, and in that time she has witnessed many things. She has also learned a lot, through books and through necessity.
Being so old she had the opportunity to watch history as it unfolded. Gaining a lot of insight into the ebbs and flows of the world.
Thinking of her lord she frowned, he has had a rough life, struggled over many hurdles. He may have been tough on his people, but he was never cruel. She had a great deal of respect for him.
She has been there for him since the day he was born. She would do anything for him, often thinking of him like the son she never had.
She straightened her jacket before briskly walking down the long hall. Following the glow of the torches that led deeper into the fortress. The sound from her boots hitting the hard grey stone floor echoing her arrival.
Guards stood at attention outside of his study. When they noticed her walking towards them; they straightened themselves and put their left hands over their hearts. She nodded her head before entering the room.
She saw him sitting by the fire nursing a brandy. It looked like he didn’t get any sleep, his hair messy like he had run his hands through it too many times.
Once he heard her enter, he started to fill the other glass that was sitting beside him on the table.
“Ah, you were expecting me, I see.” She said as she took a seat in the chair opposite him.
“I know everyone felt that. I knew you would be by, you always did take care of me” he said with a small smile.
“You know where that spark originated from, only you would. Will you share that information with me?” She asked while noting his bloodshot eyes.
“Earth” he responded quietly, his eyes started to look watery before he took another swig of his brandy.
“I need to go to see if I can locate the source. How would you like me to conduct my investigation?” She asked as she raised her glass for her first sip.
“You know what it means to us, I am sure you know well enough how to conduct yourself. You don’t need me to oversee your actions.” He said nonchalantly.
She saw the hurt in his eyes, putting a hand on his knee and she gave him a squeeze. “I will take care of this, I will also keep you updated. We don’t know what we are going to walk into, so I will play my cards close to my chest. Safely.”
He took a shuddering breath, “Thank you, I would trust no one else with such a task. Do me a favour or two before you go?”
“Anything.” She said seriously.
“Please ask Dahlia to come here to see me, take one of my guards to act as her escort for the trip. I need more people around that I can trust. She may be able to help me understand what’s happening, and what I need to do.”
He took a breath, it was obvious he knew that she wouldn’t be happy about whatever he was to propose next. “And.. I have someone waiting for you at the end of the hall. He is to go with you, like I said.. people I trust. He will look out for you on your journey.”
She scowled at him before nodding, then rose from her seat. After giving him a quick hug she stated, “for the record, I can take care of myself, but I will relent. I know you're just doing what you feel is right. Don’t worry, everything will work out the way it was meant to.”
She kissed the top of his head before she turned and quickly retraced her steps back down the hall.
At the end of the hall she saw who was waiting for her. She took a breath, and said while walking by. “Three Rules.” She didn’t stop but could hear him following behind.
“Rule #1... You’re to keep out of my way. That means you can keep distant surveillance only... Don't get cheeky with me.”
She held up two fingers on her hand beside her. “Rule #2... Do not under any circumstances talk to me before my first coffee in the morning is done... to its last drop.”
The third finger raised. “Rule #3... Only use our mind link if it is an emergency. I will make sure you can’t have kids if I have to hear about your life during my quiet time.”
She stopped immediately, he had to back up to face her again. “Do you understand?” she asked.
He nodded, not saying a word. She rolled her eyes and put her hand to his forehead. A soft red light emitted over them both and she nodded.
“Only in case of emergencies!” she repeated.
She turned again and walked ahead. The guards they passed all put their left hands over their hearts.
She stopped and asked one of them to follow her. “Yes, my lady!” The guard said as he took position behind them.
The man followed quietly beside the woman out of the fortress, with the guard walking behind.
~~~~~~
HEX
It’s been two weeks now since Kelly was taken. Jeremy hasn’t been sleeping, barely eating, and we are all worried about him. The children are devastated, luckily Cindy stepped up and is acting as a full time caregiver to Stephanie and Matilda.
I have visited them both every day, and gave them updates on the search when I receive any. They are wonderful girls, I feel horrible they are going through this so quickly after their parents death.
They keep asking to see Jeremy, and he tries to visit. Unfortunately, he is not in the right frame of mind with his mate missing; so his visits are infrequent.
Maxim helped with the search while he was here, but eventually had to go back to Crescent Shadow Pack. He has been gone a week so far, I haven’t heard from him and I miss him terribly. Sometimes I hear Lilith in the back of my head scolding me for not going with him.
In the week since he left, my time has been spread between meetings and lessons. Covering everything from the search for Kelly to a re-education about the world.
I feel like I am back at home when I was a teenager with all the training and schooling. The problem is to unlearn everything I have been taught in my studies is extremely difficult.
So far, I found out Shelly told me the truth about the mate bond. Though I wondered why she didn’t correct me with some of the misinformation I acted out on, or talked to her about. She would shrug her shoulders when I brought things up through the years.
I learned about Gamma’s, I had no idea what they were. We didn’t have one in our pack. I now know, they usually take care of training the guards and warriors. But also they protect and take care of their Luna.
Sadly I knew Luna Maria could use a Gamma who would be in her corner, to know one wasn’t provided to her hurt my heart.
More lessons included... Yes... vampires are real! They don’t drink blood to survive, and they don’t burn in the sun. They are very different from what the human culture would have you believe.
Actually, there are vampires out there in human society that don’t realize what they are. They live long healthy lives without ingesting blood at all. They live a human life and die at a human age.
The reason why vampires drink blood is because it makes them stronger, it can also activate some of their gifts. As well as slow down the aging process. Some vampires live long lives based on donations from people that know of their existence.
I asked Keiren about the story of how vampires and wolves came to be. He shook his head and said, “that would be a story I would love to hear too. Only I wouldn’t know where to find it.”
A witch was a magical person that could have up to three gifts from their Goddess Hecate. These gifts would be from one of the three tiers, first - being; Knowledge, Telepathy, healing, empathy. Next came - elements; water, air, fire, earth. Then finally - nature; flora, sunlight, animals, and weather.
Even though one witch could have up to three gifts, one from each level of magic, that didn’t happen often. Usually you would find a witch with one or two gifts. They all seemed to enjoy potion making and spell casting. Those were some abilities they all had in common. Very few could create and use portals.
I grew up thinking that there were only wolf packs and humans. Now I’m learning that there are also witches covens and vampire sect’s scattered around… it was blowing my mind.
I couldn’t sleep with everything I learned flowing through my thoughts. I fisted the shirt I was wearing and brought it to my nose as I laid in bed. I could still faintly smell Maxim on it.
I had been wearing the same shirt every night since he left. I got out of bed and crouched at the hope chest. Opening it, I grabbed another shirt that was tucked under my clothes on the right side. After quickly changing; I placed the worn one back into the bottom of the chest.
I took a moment to gather the shirt to my nose again and took a deep breath. My lungs were filled with the scent of my mate. I felt my shoulders relax and the rest of my body followed.
I took another breath while sending out a silent nudge ‘I love you Maxim.’ I felt a warmth envelope me as I smiled.
Getting up, I crawled back into bed under the covers, now my mind stilled with the scent of my mate with me. I closed my eyes as I thought about what Maxim was doing and if he was missing me as much as I was him.
I sighed and snuggled up to the pillow on his side of the bed. Letting sleep quickly overtake me.
