Odin

Chapter 13

Terrus’ mists began swirling just before he appeared outside the shelter Maura shared with the members of Whispers that preferred to remain on the darker side of reality. It wasn’t that they were bad or evil, just that they’d been accused of being so all their existence, so they tended to stay together, not quite so comfortable in the light of day so to speak. Brannaugh was their pseudo leader, and he guided them as Enthrall guided everyone to keep Whispers safe and free.

“Maura?!” Terrus called.

There was no reply, so he called again. “Maura?! It’s Terrus! Please come out.”

Still there was no answer, so he ventured a peek inside and saw that the shelter was empty. Scowling to himself, he misted away, his thoughts taking him to the only other place he knew to check for her. He could have located her in the same way he’d located Odin for Brannaugh, but felt it would be an invasion of her privacy to do so. So, he searched the old-fashioned way. Old fashioned for him at least…

Misting into the yard of Brannaugh’s home, very near the front door, he took a moment to notice the outside of Brannaugh’s home. “It is similar to Luci’s. I can create a beautiful home such as this,” he said confidently.

Terrus concentrated on the front door of Brannaugh’s home, then walked right up to it. He lifted his hand and knocked on the door in the manner he’d seen humans do when asking entrance to one another”s homes. He only waited a few seconds before Brannaugh opened the door.

“Welcome, Terrus. What brings you here?”

“I’m looking for my Maura,” Terrus said. “Might she be here visiting your female?”

“I am not your Maura,” Maura snapped from inside Brannaugh’s home. “This is not the first time I’ve told you so.”

“But you are,” Terrus said, peeking past Brannaugh uneasily before meeting Brannaugh’s direct look with a bit of a question in his own eyes.

Brannaugh nodded encouragingly and stepped back to wordlessly invite Terrus into his home.

“I wish to speak to my mate!” Terrus said a little more forcefully.

Brannaugh nodded and grinned. “She’s inside with my Kamilah. Please come in.”

Terrus followed Brannaugh into the living room of his home and found Maura sitting beside Kamilah. There were baby blankets and clothing strewn about and a platter of candies on the table between them, with a pot of tea and cups beside it.

“Maura, I would very much like you to accompany me this afternoon,” Terrus said decisively.

“No,” Maura said.

“Yes! I have had enough of this keeping me at arm’s length. It is time that we discussed what is really passing between us.”

Maura raised an eyebrow and looked questioningly at Terrus before making eye contact with Kamilah.

Kamilah shrugged and turned her attention to Terrus as well.

“No,” Maura said again, more firmly.

Kamilah reached out and placed a gentle hand on Maura’s forearm. “Terrus, what exactly did you have in mind?”

“I’ve made plans for us this afternoon. It is important that Maura accompanies me,” Terrus answered.

“To do what?” Maura asked.

Terrus smiled at Maura. Her blood red eyes, sickly pale pallor, and stringy blonde hair did nothing to detract from her beauty in his eyes. It didn’t matter if she was displaying her banshee persona, or if she was her original self — only visible when he touched her — she was always lovely to him. He saw the gentle, broken, lost creature beneath the outer appearance. “I’ve chosen a place to build our home. I’d thought to build the home. In fact, I did. But then I sent it away. It’s important that the home is a reflection of your wants and yourself. I need you to come with me so that you can approve the location I’ve chosen. If you don’t agree with it, then we’ll choose another.”

“A location for our home?” she asked, stunned.

“Yes. I think you’ll like the location. It’s near enough to here that you can visit your friends, but also near enough to the place I most prefer so that I can monitor the lifeline of Whispers and all of nature that both resides here and is in fact the very ground we stand on. It will serve both our needs, and it’s a lovely spot. If you’d prefer another, though, we can choose another.”

Maura slowly stood from her seat across from Kamilah.

“I would like you also to help me build our home. Not actually build it with your hands and body, but to describe to me what you’d like so that I can create it.”

“Why would you assume that I would do such a thing?” Maura asked, her voice quiet as she watched Terrus closely.

“Because you are my mate. You are the most enticing female I’ve ever found. You make me smile with just the thought of you.”

“Since when?” Maura asked.

Terrus shrugged. “Since always.”

“You’ve never said anything of the sort,” Maura said.

“Of course, I have. You’ve just not paid attention. I’ve taken you to see my most special and sacred places in Whispers. I’ve spent hours talking to you and explaining about the plants and animals and their histories — all the things that matter to me. I took you to meet Carrik and told you his story long before the Dragon Tree awoke. I walked you from one end of Whispers to the other and made sure that all creatures great and small and all flora saw you on my arm and knew that you belonged to me.”

“I didn’t know that’s what you were doing,” Maura said.

“And that is my fault. I assumed you knew my mind and my heart. I didn’t imagine that you couldn’t sense what I was feeling and thinking. I have never spent a great deal of time with anyone — not even my sister and brothers. I always preferred nature to anyone’s constant company, except yours. I have apparently bungled our entire relationship though it was not intentional. You are my mate, Maura. And were you not, I’d refuse all others until there was only you. You are the only female I long for. Please forgive me for not making my intentions, my wants, and my desires clear to you from the onset. I vow to be a better version of myself. I will always speak my mind to you so that you’ll know what I’m thinking and feeling, and I’ll always ask for you to do the same so that I’ll know your thoughts and desires as well.”

“Terrus…” Maura said, blood red tears beginning to pool in her eyes.

“Do not cry, my beauty!” he exclaimed, rushing across the room to her and taking her gently in his arms, his face only inches from hers. “If you want me to go, I will. Whatever it is that you want, you shall have.”

“You. I’ve only ever wanted you. But you didn’t seem to want me,” Maura said. Her voice was soft, no shrieking tone, her eyes were a beautiful blue, her hair shining waves as Terrus touched her.

Kamilah watched them with wonder in her own eyes as she realized that the touch of Maura’s mate negated the nature of the banshee she’d been cursed with. It was clear that Maura, when she’d been human, had been a beautiful woman. And it was equally clear that whether Terrus was touching her or not, beauty was all he saw when he looked at Maura.

“I am a clueless male in the ways of all relationships. You will have to guide me. I am a willing pupil if you don’t mind teaching me.”

“I will teach you.”

“And I will happily follow your lead.”

Terrus pressed his lips gently against Maura’s, then eased back and looked into her eyes. “Will you accompany me to build our home?”

“I will,” she said tearily.

Terrus smiled and held her close, pressing a kiss to her ear. “Good. Because I am anxious to claim you as my mate, but I cannot do that until our home is finished. I wish to have all things regarding our bond solidified within its walls. If that’s acceptable to you.”

“I would love nothing more!”

Terrus released Maura but clasped her hand in his. He gave Kamilah a little bow, then turned toward Brannaugh and repeated the gesture. “We are away. I apologize for any intrusion.”

“No apology necessary. I’m very happy that you visited today,” Kamilah said.

“And me,” Brannaugh agreed.

“Come, my beauty,” Terrus said, leading Maura from Brannaugh’s and Kamilah’s living room.

Maura giggled and tossed a glance over her shoulder to Brannaugh and Kamilah who were now standing together watching them go. “I’m going to help build our home!” she exclaimed.

“I’m so happy for you, Maura!” Kamilah said, as Brannaugh pulled her close and they watched Maura happily follow Terrus.

“Me, too!” Maura said, giving them a little wave as she left.

~~~

Malice, Simone, Malign, Bitter, Venom, and Loathe stood outside Enthrall’s home, looking up at the door.

“Are you sure this isn’t a trap?” Malign asked for the tenth time since he’d delivered Enthrall’s message to Malice.

“It is not a trap. I started communication between us, and it is for the best,” Malice said confidently.

“Why? We’ve never, not once, had any interaction with others like us,” Loathe pointed out.

Malice took a deep breath and let it out steadily. “Because I say it is. And we’re going inside.” He stepped up and knocked firmly on the door.

Almost immediately the door swung open. “Malice! Welcome. Please come in,” Enthrall said. He stood beside the open door, nodding and greeting each male and Simone as they entered. “Welcome to my home. Thank you for accepting my invitation.”

Felicity and Ezekiel walked into the room and Enthrall smiled at them. “This is my mate, Felicity, and our son, Ezekiel.”

Malice pushed his hood back off his head, allowing himself to be seen fully. “I am honored,” he said, bowing to Felicity and Ezekiel. “I am Malice. This is Simone. My males are Malign, Bitter, Venom, and Loathe.” As he introduced each male, they inclined their head. Not all were sure they should be accepting an invitation from a Vampire, much less a Master Vampire. It was clear Enthrall was from another time, just as they were.

“Welcome, gentlemen, and lady. We’ve prepared food and drink for you. Please make yourself at home while we get acquainted,” Enthrall said, gesturing toward the formal dining room he and Malice had shared a meal in only a day or two prior.

“I’m assuming that you’ve found some information on the subject we spoke on previously,” Malice said.

Enthrall smiled. “I have. I believe I have the answers you are looking for, but I also have another reason for calling you here.”

“And that would be?”

“Someone wishes to speak with you,” Enthrall said.

All five of the males tensed, thinking that they were right and had been lured to Enthrall’s house under false pretenses.

Then heavy footsteps sounded as they came down the steps from the second story where the bedrooms were. Bare feet with clawed toes came into view first, the skin blue-gray in tone. Trousers were next, then the upper torso, until finally the entire male stood just a few steps up from the floor level, scowling at the lot of them.

“Carnage!” Malice rushed out.

“General!” his males said in unison, as they struck an arm over their chests and bowed their heads.

Carnage stood in character, back ramrod straight, chin held high, eyes sharp and focused, making it easy for Enthrall and his family, and even Carolena to see the respect he once commanded.

Malice struck his arm over his chest and bowed his head as well, making it clear that though he’d once been a General, Carnage had outranked him.

Carnage walked down the last few steps and right up to Malice. “Malish!” he said, embracing the male and pounding his back ferociously.

Malice seemed a little unsure of what to do next.

With his arm still around Malice’s shoulders he turned them to face Malice’s males. “No a’my! No battle. ‘Arnge. Malish, no gen’l.”

“You’re right,” Malice said. “We’re just males now. No army, no battle, no generals, no soldiers.”

Carnage nodded and grinned, hugging Malice again.

Malice himself grinned and pounded Carnage’s back as hard as Carnage did his, and before long he and Carnage were talking over each other, reminiscing. Malice gestured to all those who still stood at his side though their days of battles and military life were over. “My males. They have remained at my side since we left our sovereign.”

Bitter, Loathe and Venom all stood still, almost as if their feet were planted in place waiting for some indication of acceptable behavior. There had been a time that Carnage would have yanked them up for not following regulations. But Malign was the only male that seemed a little nervous.

“Beetah, Benom, Loat, Malin. Goood males,” Carnage said.

Surprised that Carnage knew their names, as they certainly knew him, they each bowed their heads and slammed their right hand over their chests once more in a show of respect and loyalty. Except Malign. He bowed his head, but only half-heartedly crossed his chest with his right arm after he’d seen everyone else do it for the second time.”

“General Elite Carnage!” The three of them said, with Malign bringing up the rear again, just barely pronouncing Carnage’s name.

Carnage shook his head. “’Arnge.”

“This is our daughter, Carnage. Simone,” Malice said.

Carnage’s brows rose as he looked at the girl who was obviously human.

“We took her in as a child and raised her,” Malice explained.

Carnage nodded and reached out to pat her on the head affectionately. Then he pointed toward Carolena. “Mine maate,” he said, reaching for her.

Carolena started toward him, taking his hand and standing beside him within the safe circle of his arms. “Mine Lenah,” he said, proudly looking at her.

All the males, including Malice bowed their heads to her.

“Oh, no. Please, I’m just lucky enough to be Carnage’s mate. You don’t have to bow your heads to me. I’m so pleased to meet all of you. I’m Carolena.” She extended her hand to Malice first since he was the closest.

Malice made quick eye contact with Carnage to make sure it was alright to touch his mate’s hand. Carnage gave a quick nod and Malice took her hand, bowing over it. “I am honored to meet you.”

“And I you. I understand you and Carnage have quite the history. You all do,” Carolena said.

“We do,” Malice agreed. “He and I were Generals in service to our Sovereign’s army. But Carnage was General Elite. It is because of him that we are all free. Had he not taken the stance to resist further oppression, we would likely not have done so on our own.”

“Loook!” Carnage suddenly exclaimed, realizing they didn’t know that he had new wings. He turned his back to them and unfurled his wings. “Winns!”

He looked back over his shoulder and grinned at them as they looked at his wings.

“How?!” Loathe asked. “I saw them torn away myself! I just couldn’t get there in time,” he said regretfully, his voice taking on a strained tone.

Carnage reached out and took hold of Loathe, pulling him into a bear hug. “’Kay! My Kay!” he said, grinning and patting Loathe’s back.

“I’m so happy you’ve got them back,” Bitter said.

Carnage nodded and hugged him, too. He grabbed Venom and hugged him, then surprised Malign as he grabbed him and used his clawed fingertip to force up one side of his face to make him smile lopsidedly.

Malice started laughing. “You are a much different Carnage.”

Carnage nodded and instead of the wide grin, he just ever-so-slightly smiled. He patted his chest. “Goood ‘Arnge, hahpee,” he gestured toward Carolena. “Mine Lenah.”

“Maybe we all need what you’ve found,” Malign said.

Carnage turned and looked at Malign. “Maate. Hahpee.”

Malign glared at Malice.

Malice didn’t respond but it was clear from the look on his face he’d like to drag Malign outside and beat him.

“Leelee!” Carnage suddenly said excitedly.

“Yes! I met your daughter by chance in the square. I recognized the writing on her ring. I was very pleased when she told me who her father was,” Malice said. “We didn’t know for sure where you were or if you still lived.”

“Do you know of any others and their whereabouts?” Venom asked.

Carnage nodded enthusiastically. “’Stoy, Mu’dah,” he said slapping his chest.

“They’re with you?” Venom asked.

“’Es!” he said.

“Destroy and Murder and their families all live in Whispers. I’ve made the offer to Malice that all of you are welcome to settle there as well,” Enthrall said.

“Our community is here. Unless something drastic changes, the people here need us. Those who don’t have much have no one to protect them,” Malice said.

“S’eep? Carnage asked.

“We have a place. A hideaway that’s served us well for many, many years,” Malice said.

“Neew,” Carnage said.

“Perhaps one day,” Malice said.

Carnage shook his head irritatedly and walked across the room, lifting something from the corner and carrying it back. The moment Malice saw it, he knew what it was. Carnage tried to hand it to him and Malice shook his head, taking a step back.

“Taake eet!” Carnage said, his voice edging on the forceful tone all these males knew from him.

“It’s not mine. I can’t take that,” Malice said.

“’Es! Malish!” Carnage insisted, shoving the box at Malice again.

“It’s yours, Malice. He located a hidden treasure trove and reburied it all in case anyone ever needed it. He wants you to take your share of it. You should use it to purchase a better place for you and your males. And for Simone.”

“Isn’t Simone going to Whispers?” Malice asked.

“What?” Simone asked. “I’m not going to Whispers.”

“Simone, this is Enthrall. Whispers is his community. He rules over it, keeps it and his people safe,” Malice said. “Carnage lives there as do several others that we once knew. And from what I understand many other paranormal families and people.”

Simone closed her eyes and shook her head. “I know what you’re doing. I am not going back there.”

“I asked Enthrall to take you there,” Malice admitted.

“You had no right,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I had no choice. You haven’t been the same since you returned, Simone. You’re not happy. You’re not even at peace. Everything about you has changed. You should allow Enthrall to take you to Whispers so you can settle things with your Demon once and for all,” Malice said.

“He’s not my Demon! He doesn’t want me,” Simone said.

“She’s not going anywhere near that male again!” Malign growled.

“This has nothing to do with you!” Malice shouted at Malign.

“It has nothing to do with you either!” Simone insisted. “It has nothing to do with any of you!”

“Simone, I believe that he does want you. I’ve been to Whispers. I’ve spoken to those who know him best. He is inconsolable, out of his mind with grief,” Enthrall said.

“For Marie!” she said.

“No. For you. He believes that he’s saving you from himself,” Enthrall said.

“He’s a fool!” Simone grouched, folding her hands over her chest.

Carnage sidled up close to Simone and sniffed.

She turned her head and looked at him with very little patience.

Carnage grinned and nodded decisively. “Oodin mate!”

“I am not his mate!” Simone insisted.

“’Es! Goood Oodin.”

“Oh, good Lord. He doesn’t want me. I will not humiliate myself further. I will not speak of it again!” Simone insisted.

“Not even to rail at him until you’ve released all your frustrations?” Enthrall asked. “I’ll take you there, let you say your piece, and bring you back.”

Simone’s gaze focused on Enthrall as she weighed his offer.

“I give you my word. No tricks. Nothing other than the opportunity to have your thoughts heard, then I’ll bring you back.”

“Perhaps,” she finally snapped. “But he’s made it perfectly clear that he doesn’t want me. Just leave it alone.”

“He believes that to force you to be at his side would be the ultimate evil. He thinks he’s sacrificing for your happiness,” Enthrall said.

“Why would you believe such nonsense?” Simone asked.

“Any of us who know Odin, know that he is a good male. He doesn’t have a lot of belief in himself, but that’s never stopped him from doing what’s needed to be done for the good of anyone else in need.”

“I’m in need!” Simone burst out.

“So is he,” Enthrall said.

Simone gave Enthrall more than a little side-eye as she considered what he’d told her.

Carnage looked back and forth between them, and when neither of them said anything else, he decided it was time to eat. “’Mon! Eeet!” He took Carolena by the hand and gently led her to a chair, pulled it out and waited for her to sit before he picked her and the chair up off the floor and put it closer to the table. He turned around and looked at everyone else expectantly, until they all approached the table and sat as well. As the conversation turned to more lighthearted things, Malice reached out and placed his hand on Carnage’s. “I cannot take your gold.”

“’Es! Malish goold.”

“It’s not. And even if it were, it does us no good. I can’t walk into a place of business with nothing to prove my identity and hand them a box of gold and silver in exchange for a place large enough for all of us.”

“We’ve thought of that,” Enthrall said. “They believe you’re monks already. The monastery we discussed is far enough out of town that you won’t be bothered. If we erect a large wall around its perimeter, similar to those convents have, no one will be able to enter. You can exit at will.”

“It’s too much of a risk. And who would purchase the monastery for us? We can’t.”

“I can,” Enthrall said.

“Or Lily can. And she can glamour it just as Whispers is glamoured to keep humans away from it,” Carolena said.

“’Es! Leelee!” Carnage exclaimed.

“She can do things that almost no other can. She can have it repaired and in livable condition with little more than a thought,” Enthrall explained.

“I believe that rather than put any property in any one’s name, it should be deeded to the order who will be living in the Monastery going forward. That way the death of, or anticipated death of one individual or another, won’t affect the deed. The religious order who is purchasing the monastery will own it forever,” Felicity said.

Enthrall smiled at his mate and leaned closer to her, kissing her lips quickly before he looked at Malice and his males. “She was a lawyer before she fell in love with me.”

“Your daughter isn’t even here to agree or not, Carnage,” Malice said.

“If we call for her, she’ll come,” Carolena said.

Carnage nodded.

Malice looked around the table at everyone gathered to help him and his people. “I can’t accept that gold.”

“You cannot continue to live underground. You need to provide for yourselves so that you can continue the work you do for the less fortunate. Imagine how many more you could feed and shelter if you accepted this gold. You have to provide for yourself first, so that you can better provide for others,” Carolena said.

“She is right, Malice. I’m tired of living underground,” Bitter said. “Is it not enough to have to hide who we are, must we live underground as well?”

“Same,” Venom added.

“I feel the same. But I’ll do whatever you choose,” Loathe said.

“Take the gold,” Malign snapped.

“How would we provide to others any more than we do without them finding our true nature?” Malice asked.

“Again, let me make it clear. Any and all of you are welcome to come to Whispers. You are free to be yourselves there, fly when you wish, not hide yourselves away,” Enthrall said.

“We have those here who are less fortunate that depend on us,” Malice said. “It is our duty to care for them as much as we can.”

“Malish no bad no mo’e” Carnage said.

Malice looked Carnage directly in the eye. “No, I’m not bad any more. But I was. We were, and this is how we make amends for that behavior.”

“You could build a different place for others. Keep your monastery for yourselves, and purchase another some distance away for those who need it while they get back on their feet,” Carolena said.

“She knows what she speaks of. Her childhood home is exactly that and she set up the foundation that oversees it,” Enthrall said.

“With Felicity’s help,” Carolena said.

Malice sat there, looking from one to another of them, considering all the possibilities. “I do not see how I can say no.”

“Excellent! We’ll help you set everything up. Take care of all the details,” Felicity said.

“Lily will help get the monastery in shape and provide all you’ll need in the way of privacy. I’m sure of it,” Carolena said.

I have a question,” Bitter said.

“What is that?” Enthrall asked as he refilled their wine glasses.

“How did you find and win such wondrous females?”

“They were destined to be ours and we were lucky enough to stumble across them,” Enthrall said.

“Schwamp,” Carnage said, nodding to himself as he took a huge bite of the food on his plate.

“Swamp? You found your mate in a swamp?” Bitter asked.

Carnage looked up and nodded, grinning at Bitter.

“Maybe I need to visit the swamp,” Bitter said.

They all sat for the remainder of the evening, visiting old memories, sharing tales of bravery, most of which touted Carnage’s prowess in battle, and Malice’s as well. And by the end of the night, they’d rekindled old loyalties, reinforced friendships, and the future was a brighter place for not only them, but for some of those less fortunate who had no idea of the strange reunion taking place that night and how it would affect their lives.

“Mr. Enthrall?” Simone asked.

“It’s just Enthrall.”

“Enthrall… I think I’ll take you up on your offer. I’d like to have the opportunity to say a few things to Odin.”

Enthrall smiled at Simone. “Let me know when you’re ready and we’ll go straightaway.”