Odin

Chapter 2

Odin held Marie close as he moved them through the shadows. “Don’t open your eyes.”

“Why?” she asked.

“There are some things better left unsaid and unseen between the world I move in, and the one humans move in.”

Marie didn’t argue. She just snuggled in closer and allowed Odin the lead in whatever he was taking her to do.

Odin stepped out of the shadows and Marie felt a breeze. She lifted her head from his chest to better feel the breeze on her face.

“This is where I live,” he said.

“May I look now?” she asked.

“Yes.”

She blinked as she looked around, giving her eyes time to adjust to the still dark night.

“This is Whispers. I am one of many who live here. We are all of another nature.”

Marie looked up at his face. “You mean, not human?” she asked.

“Yes. We are all here because we want to live in peace. We’re tired of being hunted and persecuted. We just want to be left alone. We only the last couple of decades began to allow humans to reside here, and only then as mates of those who are not human.”

Marie smiled tiredly and leaned her head on Odin’s chest again, but her eyes remained open and alert to all she could see.

Odin took his time as he moved from one part of Whispers to another, giving her the chance to see all she could. He showed her most of the homes from the beginning to the end, describing the people who lived in them, and the parties they sometimes had. He left out the part about him not usually attending, though he knew all were welcome. He wanted her to see him as accepted rather than lonely. It was important to him that she not feel bad for him. He showed her the bayous and the small inlet where Gaston and his family lived. He told her of Gaston’s family’s ability to change into alligators, which amazed her. He told her of the gargoyles and the vampires, and the fey and the banshees. He told her of Dima and he told her of the ancients. The ancients especially interested her, since she’d grown up educated on the deities and gods found in lore of all civilizations.

“Do you know that one of them is named Lore?” Odin said.

“Her name is Lore?” Marie asked, doing her best to exclaim her surprise with little to no energy left in her body to put behind her surprised response.

Odin smiled, his pointed teeth easily seen behind his lips. “His name is Lore.”

“Indicating that the stories and legends passed down are all part of him,” she said, smiling contentedly.

“Something like that. Or maybe they’re just named for him. I understand that he created a stir in all things in his youth.”

They grew quiet for a little while as he carried her through Whispers, her head fully resting against his chest now.

“Oh, look,” she finally whispered.

He looked down to see where she was looking and found her head tilted up so that she could see a bit of the sky despite needing his chest for support.

He raised his head to see slight ribbons of pink on the very edges of the horizon. “The sun is coming up.”

“Can we watch the sunrise?” she asked, her voice catching with emotion as she asked.

Odin looked down at her, realizing the reason for it. She knew this would be her last sunrise.

“I have a perfect place to watch it.” He stepped into the shadows once more. “Close your eyes,” he whispered, and in seconds was stepping out of the shadows and onto the sands of the beach where Enthrall’s fishing hut was. “Here we are.”

Marie opened her eyes, but was unable to lift her head.

“I think we should sit,” Odin said, not addressing the issue that she couldn’t lift her head to see, but working around it. He sat down on the beach; his toes being lapped at by the calm waters as they just kissed the beach. He arranged Marie in his arms until she was seated on the sand between his legs, then he leaned back, becoming her backrest. He adjusted his position until she had a perfect view of the sky before them, the waters stretching out in the distance, and her toes were kissed by the water just as his were.

“I don’t think there’s ever been a more perfect moment,” she whispered, her eyes taking in everything she saw, her soul memorizing the feel of the sand beneath her, the water on her feet, the pink, yellow and orange colors of the new dawn, and the strength of the male behind her gifting her the most wonderful goodbye she could have ever imagined.

“Thank you, Odin. My Orin.”

“I don’t deserve thanks. We should have done all this long ago.”

“I’m just happy that we have it now. That I didn’t miss it altogether.”

“Is there anything else you would like?”

“Just that I wish that I knew what happened to Michele and Simone. But I do believe that I’ll find that out soon enough.”

“Who are they?” Odin asked.

“My granddaughter and her daughter.”

“Why don’t you know?”

Marie sighed. “We lost touch. I never knew what happened to them.”

“I can find out for you,” he said, starting to adjust his position to be able to stand without disturbing her.

“There’s no time, Odin. By the time you returned, I don’t think I’d need to know any longer.”

Odin settled again, knowing it was her time to go, trying to be strong, wanting to do whatever he had to for her to be at peace as she moved on. “I will find out what happened to them.”

“Make sure their lives are their choices,” she said.

“I will.”

“I wish that I’d lived here. It would have been glorious,” Marie said. “Maybe I can be buried here.”

“I don’t want to do this. I don’t want to let you go again,” he finally admitted after a moment of silence.

The sky burst with colors suddenly, the sunrise coming alive with the new promise of another day. Birds were singing, waves making little splashing noises. The breeze moving her scant grayed hair around her face, the warmth of the sun on her skin.

“This is everything,” she whispered, just barely loud enough for even him to hear. Her hand grasping his held a little tighter for just a few seconds, then little by little her fingers relaxed, her body relaxed, her slight weight shifted against his body for the last time, and she was gone.

His brow furrowed, his eyes squeezed closed and his lips pursed, trembling as tears streamed from his eyes. He struggled for breath, fighting in vain against the sobs threatening to break free as he leaned his head against hers. He wrapped his arms around her body, holding her tightly as he kissed the back of her head and gave in to the grief of losing Marie all over again.

~~~

Hours later Brannaugh woke to the sound of light tapping on his front door. He checked to be sure that Kamilah was still sleeping, then slipped quietly out of bed to deal with the person who was disturbing his lazy morning, thinking he was leaving Kamilah undisturbed. When he reached the front door, he didn’t even hesitate to pull it open, knowing exactly who was standing on the other side of the door.

“Odin?” Brannaugh asked, looking questioningly at Odin.

“I need to bury her,” Odin said, his voice filled with pain.

“Need to bury who?” Brannaugh asked.

“My Marie.”

“Oh, Odin,” Kamilah said from behind Brannaugh, “did you make it in time?”

Odin stood on their doorstep, fighting the trembling of his lips, struggling as he waited for them to tell him what he needed to do next.

He nodded.

“Does her family have a crypt?” Brannaugh asked.

Odin looked at him with a horrified expression on his face. “I’m not burying her in a cold, gray cemetery where she’ll be forgotten and her grave left untended. She lived her entire life in a small colorless room within a cold, lonely building made of gray stone, with nothing exciting except her children who eventually forgot about her. I was not there either! I will not have her grave a lonely, sad place.”

“But you didn’t forget her. You remembered her every single day,” Kamilah said.

Odin looked at Kamilah, at first his expression stunned, before it softened a bit. Then he nodded hesitantly. Kamilah was right… he had remembered her every single day.

“Where is she?” Brannaugh asked.

“The beach. She liked the water and sunrise. She loved it there.”

“Is that where you’d like to bury her?” Brannaugh asked.

“Can I?” Odin asked. “Enthrall has claimed the area.”

Kamilah thought about it quickly. “He and his family fish there sometimes. A lot of other families do, too. We could build her something that everyone could enjoy.”

“Like?” Brannaugh asked.

“I don’t know. What do you imagine?” Kamilah asked Odin.

“That she was still here,” he said sadly.

“We will think of something. Allow me to speak with Destroy first, then we’ll take care of your Marie,” Brannaugh said.

“I’ll be with Marie,” Odin said, walking into their yard, stepping into the shadows of a water oak, and disappearing before their eyes.

Brannaugh extended his hand to Kamilah. She took his hand, stepping closer to him as he put an arm around her waist, and together they faded into thin air.

~~~

Brannaugh could hear the laughter of children playing before they even fully materialized before Destroy’s home. He looked around as he and Kamilah completed their transport and lifted a hand in greeting to Destroy, Rowan, Murder and Lucitari as he and Kamilah started their way.

“Brannaugh! To what do we owe the pleasure?” Destroy asked.

“Good morning,” Brannaugh said, taking a moment to make eye contact with Rowan, Murder and Lucitari, smiling and inclining his head.

“Kamilah, how are you feeling?” Rowan asked, smiling as she approached Kamilah for a hug. They’d all recently learned that Kamilah was expecting and were excited at the aspect of a new baby in the community.

Kamilah blushed. “I’m very well. A little tired here and there, but very happy.”

“If you need anything, let me know,” Rowan said. “I’d be happy to be there for you to help you through anything you need.”

“Thank you, I will.”

“What brings you here today? Is all well on your end of Whispers?” Destroy asked, slipping easily into his role as guardian of Whispers in Enthrall’s absence. Brannaugh was his counterpart and assisted those who came to him as well, but since Brannaugh rarely ventured too far away from home anymore unless needed, Destroy was suspicious that this was not a social visit.

“I’ve come to discuss something with you,” Brannaugh said.

“Alright,” Destroy said, gesturing to Brannaugh so that they could walk a few steps away and freely discuss whatever it was that was troubling him.

“Enthrall’s fishing hut on the beach… is it claimed by Enthrall and forbidden to all else?” Brannaugh asked.

“No, it’s not at all forbidden. He does maintain a spot there, and as you know, all call it Enthrall’s, but everyone at one time or another both with and without their families in tow have spent time there. It’s a favorite way to pass an afternoon.”

“We would like to build a more permanent structure there.”

Destroy raised his brow in surprise, but didn’t speak, giving Brannaugh the chance to continue uninterrupted.

“Odin has lost a dear friend. In her last hours he brought her here and she experienced the greatest peace there on the beach, passing just as the sun rose.”

“So, what do you propose?” Destroy asked.

“He wants to lay her to rest near the beach. I thought perhaps we could build something to commemorate her memory, that would still make the area welcoming to any who wish to visit it. I don’t know the woman, but Odin hints at a long, lonely life. He doesn’t want her buried in a, and I quote, ‘cold, lonely cemetery in which her grave will go forgotten and fall into disrepair’. I think he’d like to believe that her spirit would have company and life taking place around her.”

“You know you can’t build right on the beach. With the next storm, the sands will shift to some degree,” Destroy said. “Enthrall’s hut has been returned to its place and rebuilt time and again.

Brannaugh nodded. “I thought to find a place within view of the beach, back within the trees and flora to some degree.”

“If you built it of stone, it might last through any natural onslaught. Larger stones particularly,” Lucitari said from just a short distance.

They both turned to look at Lucitari.

“There aren’t many stones of that size nearby, and none that I’m aware of near the beach,” Destroy said.

Lucitari raised a hand and gently swirled a finger, causing a midnight blue and silver mist to appear before dissipating.

Brannaugh smiled at Luci. “I appreciate that, but I believe that Odin wants to bury her himself. He feels that he owes her as much. I believe that it will give him closure.”

“I understand. But there’s no reason I can’t make the materials he needs available. It will be easy for me to simply move them here from where they lay naturally — a matter of seconds — as opposed to Odin having to search for them and bring them back a few at a time.”

“She’s right,” Destroy said.

“Do you think Enthrall would have a problem with it?” Brannaugh asked.

“As long as it doesn’t prevent anyone else from using the area, I’m sure he won’t,” Destroy said.

“That was my feeling as well, but wanted to check with you first to see if you agreed,” Brannaugh said. “We’re off to help him, now.”

“Kamilah! Surely, you’re not going off thinking to spend a day of physical labor outside,” Rowan scolded.

“I… well, yes, I was going to be there for Odin. He’s very distraught. I’ve never seen him like this.”

“Stay here with us. Relax, rather than taxing yourself. If there is to be a ceremony, I’m sure Brannaugh will return for you,” Rowan said.

“Oh, I don’t wish to impose,” Kamilah said.

“You are my friend. How could you possibly impose? Please? Stay with me,” Rowan said.

“I’ll go with you and offer my services,” Lucitari said to Brannaugh.

He looked around at the kids still running and playing chase. “I don’t wish to disrupt your day.”

“Nonsense. I’d be honored to be of help,” Lucitari said.

“As would I,” Destroy said.

“And I,” Murder added.

“You have guests,” Brannaugh said. “Besides, we aren’t even sure what we are doing at this point in time.”

“You will let us know if we are needed,” Destroy said, his sentence sounding more like a question.

“We will.”

“Is Odin at the beach now?” Lucitari asked.

“He is,” Brannaugh said.

“Please come back for me when it’s time to tell her goodbye,” Kamilah said, looking up at Brannaugh.

“I will, love. Rowan is right, though. You should rest here.” Brannaugh kissed Kamilah’s forehead and disappeared, sending himself to the beach where he knew Odin would be waiting.

“I’ll be back soon,” Lucitari said, kissing Murder quickly before her midnight blue and silver mists gathered and she faded from view within them.

Not five minutes later Carnage, Carolena, and Boon with Commander at his heels came into sight, walking up the path through the trees toward Destroy’s home.

“There you are! We were about to start without you,” Rowan called.

“Can’t start without me! I have the biscuits!” Carolena called back teasingly.

“Stawbe’eee!” Carnage added.

“And the strawberries,” Carolena clarified.

“True, but I do have the sweet cream,” Rowan said.

“I want biscuits and strawberries!” Saige exclaimed.

“Same,” Boon said.

“First you have to eat something substantial,” Rowan said.

“Really?” Marauder complained. “The only part I want is the strawberries and cream.”

“Yes, well, you’ll have sausages and corn first,” Rowan said to her son.

Carnage saw Kamilah and looked around for Brannaugh. “Huh Banna?” he asked, shrugging animatedly.

“He’s helping Odin. A childhood friend of Odin’s passed away, and Odin wants to bury her near the beach,” Kamilah said.

Carnage tilted his head just enough to show that he was both curious and paying attention to Kamilah.

“I think she’s the reason he’s been alone all this time, and he found her just before she died. He brought her here and was with her when she passed away,” Kamilah said. “He’s very upset.”

Carnage shook his head, then turned to look at Carolena when she placed her hand on his shoulder.

“We’ll be fine if you want to go help,” Carolena said.

He leaned over and kissed his mate, then looked at Boon. “Goood Boon!”

“I’m always good, Papa,” Boon said, letting his father know with his tone that he was offended he thought he wouldn’t behave.

“Mama,” Carnage said.

Boon nodded, letting Carnage know that he’d keep his mother safe while Carnage was away.

“Soon,” Carnage said.

“Take your time,” Carolena said, knowing that it meant a great deal to Carnage to help those who needed it.

Murder stood fidgeting, watching his friend take flight and leave them all behind. It was clear he wanted to go assist as well, his mate — Lucitari — was already there.

He looked over at his daughter, Bliss, then at Destroy.

“I know, I do. But there are more than enough and if they need more, they’ll let us know,” Destroy said. Destroy looked around at his family, and the families of his two best friends — Carnage and Murder — and then back at Murder. “Some of us need to be here.”

“True enough,” Murder agreed, sighing deeply. “And if Luci needs me, she’s just seconds away from coming for me.”

Destroy nodded.

“Can somebody give me a sausage so I can have strawberries and cream?” Marauder asked dramatically.

“Can I have two sausages, one for Commander, too?” Boon asked. He grinned when he glanced over toward the sound of soft barking and growls to find Commander involved in a wrestling game with Ruffian. They were brothers from the same litter. “And I’m thinking Ruffian will want one, too.”

Destroy lowered his voice. “Ruffian already had two.”

“I’ll bring out the food so the kids can come get it whenever they’re ready to stop playing long enough,” Rowan said.

“I’ll come help,” Kamilah said.

“You don’t have to,” Rowan said.

“I want to. I’m not helpless yet. Maybe, when I’m really big, but not now,” Kamilah said.

“Well, come along, then,” Rowan said. “Carolena, you want to put the biscuits and berries on the table? We’ll be right out with the rest.”