Chapter 4
4
It had been one very long day since Lucan arrived, and Rafael and he were restless. Even Morgan mentioned the growing feeling of impending doom this morning during their training session in the caves.
Rafael left his hidden sanctuary inside the tunnel and walked back into the living room, but it was empty. He glanced at the small alcove at the far end of the room, but Lucan wasn’t there.
Hearing the wolves out front, yipping and barking in play, he glanced out the window and stepped closer, his claws clicking against the bottom panes, not believing what he saw. The wolves pounced and tumbled like puppies all over Lucan, who lay on his back on the ground. Laughing.
Inching his way through the front door and around the Hawthorne tree he had planted almost one hundred years ago, he stood as still as a statue, not wanting to interrupt their fun. In all the centuries he had known Lucan, he had never heard him laugh like this. Carefree and relaxed.
As he continued to watch the playful romp, his stress and anxiety lightened at the fun they all seemed to be having. He, too, loved a good romp, but for far too long now, he had not been able to give in to the urge. Too many worries. Too many problems surrounded the only family he had left. Here in the mountains, Rafael could think. Down in the Immortals’ caves, his mind felt fuzzy and slow.
As he stood watching, he sensed a movement to his left. At first, Rafael thought it might have been a trick of the moonlight playing on the shadows among the trees, but as he glanced out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a sparkling apparition reminiscent of sun glints on water droplets.
Whatever this was ghosted along the forest floor, weaving in and out among the pine trees. Rafael watched as it drew closer to the small group, who were still completely absorbed in their play.
Inhaling the earthy smells of the surrounding forest, he sensed Morgan slide into position behind him, her hand resting in the middle of his back. What he wouldn’t give to have her touch his skin instead of the thick white fur. It would be so easy to shift into his human form, one he never used unless he knew no one would see him. He would never betray his brothers or their plight.
“I feel your grief, Rafael. A moment ago, I sensed a happiness in you I have never felt before,” she whispered near his ear, her soft voice barely audible. “Is it because I’m here? Do I bother you that much?”
Turning, he cupped her face in his paw and shook his head. “No, mi pequeno. I need you here with me. You give me strength. You make the insanity around me more sane. You make me believe this will all work out when I had no hope.”
“How do I do all of that?” Her whisper wrapped around him like silk, and he fought the urge to shift, which was getting more difficult the longer he was with her. With another subtle glance toward the apparition, which hovered just inside the tree line, he smiled down at her.
“We will figure all of this out soon enough. For now, let’s just enjoy watching Lucan with the wolves.” He turned as a five-year-old black male named Zeus chuffed at his pack brother Apollo, then, with a wolfy grin, pinned Lucan to the grass-covered ground with his two front paws in the middle of the vampire’s back.
Apollo followed suit, planting his large paws on the vampire as Lucan groaned, his laughter stifled by the weight of the two massive wolves. “Do the two of you have to be so heavy?” he asked, choking laughter sounding between each word. “You do realize I’m a vampire? And vampires are really strong…” Without warning, he turned over, wrapped his arms around each canine’s waist, and stood, his laughter stronger as the animals growled in dismay as they hung on either side of him.
Lucan’s gaze popped up, meeting Rafael’s. His smile slowly disappeared as he lowered the wolves to the ground. “Having someone sneak up on me hasn’t happened in a very long time.”
Rafael wrapped his paw around Morgan’s wrist and pulled her against his back, holding her behind him as he moved out from the tree’s thick shadows. “You don’t need to stop on my account. The wolves don’t get to play much anymore and seem to like you. You were having fun as well.”
“Fun.” He scratched both canines’ heads, his gaze far away as he stared into the forest. “I’d almost forgotten what that was.”
“Happens when you spend too much time in the dark.” Rafael raised one paw. “And before you get angry, I only mean I understand, nothing more.”
Lucan crossed his arms. “Are you going to introduce me to your female, or will you continue to be rude?” He leaned his head to one side. “My name is Lucan Serrano.”
Morgan peaked out from behind Rafael. He eased his tight grip around her wrist but kept hold of her…just in case. He never would have believed Lucan would hurt anyone, but he dared not trust him after what he had seen during the Inquisition. Not after the death and destruction he had left in his wake.
“It’s nice to meet you, Lucan. My name is Morgan DuBois.”
Lucan’s gaze narrowed. “You wouldn’t happen to be related to Gwyn Dubois, would you?”
Morgan frowned and, with a glance at Rafael’s profile, nodded. “She’s my twin sister. Why? How do you know Gwyn?”
Lucan shook his head. “I don’t know her. I only know of her.” His gaze moved to Rafael. “This is part of the news I need to tell you. More is at stake here than just the Dark Fae following through with his curse. When I was in Afheimr?—”
“Wait.” Rafael interrupted. “How and why were you in the Norse Elven Kingdom?”
“That’s a long story for another time, my friend. As you already know, the curse has been activated. What you don’t know is that Fer-Diorich has an even more devious plan than creating an army of werewolves. He plans to unite the Seelie and Unseelie Courts once his vendetta against Morrigan ends.”
“Oh my gods.” Morgan laid a hand on Rafael’s arm. “If he does that, the chaos would destroy all worlds, no matter how remote. There’s a reason the courts can’t be combined. Not only do the queen and king not get along, but those contained in the Unseelie Court are the darkest, most dangerous creatures. The horrors that would be unleashed…”
Lucan nodded. “I agree with most of what you’re saying, but many others trapped in both worlds are no different than you or I.” His gaze darted to Rafael, and he shrugged. “Maybe I’m not the best example, but there are both people and creatures trapped in the Unseelie Court who desire nothing more than to live their lives and love those they left behind after their capture. We all have both dark and light inside of us. You should also know that an entity has taken control of several death realms, stealing their souls. The Norse goddess Freyja and the group of amazing people she has helping her haven’t discovered who’s behind the thefts.”
“What realms?” Rafael asked in a strangled voice.
Lucan’s gaze turned to his. “Egyptian, Greek, and Norse.”
Morgan frowned up at Rafael. “Why is that important?”
“My people are from the Basques and the Celts. Not all of them were good, including my father. That’s why I spent so much time at Lucan’s home. His wonderful family made me feel like I was part of a real family.”
“I’m so sorry, Rafael,” Morgan whispered.
A sharp bark interrupted them, and they turned toward the forest where a white wolf exited the trees and raced toward them, followed by a cream-colored male and a light-brown male. Skidding to a stop, the wolf growled as the two black wolves on either side of Lucan rose, their ears straight up. The white wolf’s eyes narrowed, and the brothers lowered their heads but stayed upright instead of showing more signs of submission to the obvious female alpha.
Rafael knelt on one knee, his arms resting on his thigh, making a growling noise in his throat. “Isabella, are you certain? Where was the last place you saw him?” The wolf chuffed and nodded her head before giving him a soft bark. Turning, she loped into the forest and stopped beside a massive oak tree, waiting for him to follow.
“What is it? What is she telling you?” Morgan asked.
“Her mate has disappeared. None of the pack have seen him in several days. It isn’t like Solitaire to go off and leave his mate or pups behind. She wants me—us to follow to where they last saw him.”
Lucan nodded. “Lead the way then. With you in that form and my vampire senses, we should be able to find even the smallest of traces.”
Rafael let the power of his wolf surge to the forefront. The night’s pull intensified—the shapes, shadows, and soft sounds grew crisper and louder. He sensed Lucan’s stillness as they entered the forest and followed the white wolf to a small clearing near their den. Kahlua, the light-brown male, sniffed the ground and whined, picking up the scent of whatever stalked them. And something was stalking them, Rafael’s wolf’s instincts screaming at him.
The young wolf stopped near the far side of the clearing beside a thick Rowan tree and shook his head. Kahlua’s cream-colored littermate, Mezcal, moved closer to his brother and let out a soft growl, his bright gaze never moving from the forest’s dark interior. Both males were the younger brothers of Zeus and Apollo, but their hunting instincts were stronger.
Isabella’s fur bristled, and her ears lay flat against her head, telling them whatever was in the forest wasn’t friendly. She growled, barring her sharp canines. Rafael stepped beside her as the pack formed a loose semi-circle around Morgan and Lucan. Zeus and Apollo, named appropriately for their aggressive and arrogant personalities, slowly inched forward, keeping pace with whatever moved inside the trees.
Rafael caught quick glimpses of a black mass, sometimes shimmering like the apparition he had seen earlier, but it disappeared almost as fast. Whatever this thing was, it moved silently, so it knew the forest well.
Maneuvering himself between it and the pups, the shimmer reappeared and then morphed into a shadow creature almost as tall as he was, but he couldn’t tell what manner of being it was—man or werewolf.
He touched the minds of the two black-and-white wolves nearest him as they closed in around Morgan, guarding her as they waited for someone to make the first move. Behind him, Kahlua and Mezcal stood guard.
The power surrounding them increased as he caught sight of a shimmery black form, but he couldn’t tell anything more than height, which was close to his and Lucan’s. The creature’s power was off the charts, pulsing against him like a battering ram. If the amount of power he felt was any indication of the wielder, the wolves wouldn’t have a chance.
I know you told me that under no uncertain terms, unless on pain of death, was I to ever talk to you through our mental path, but I think this could be considered a good death scenario if the power I am feeling right now is allowed to be unleashed, mon frère.
Rafael winced as he caught the last of Lucan’s thoughts. His childhood friend knew he had a massive task in front of him regarding his relationship with Rafael and regretted what had happened so long ago. He wanted to make amends but had no idea how and only knew it was time—past, rather.
The image in Lucan’s mind mirrored what Rafael had experienced. For centuries, Lucan, too, had wandered and longed for someone who wouldn’t shun or disrespect him. While Rafael was furious about the circumstances of his life—what he had been forced to endure—Lucan’s situation seemed worse. At least Rafael had his pack brothers; Lucan had no one.
One final thought slipped through to Rafael’s mind. Lucan was hopeful that, for the first time in what felt like ages, he might have something resembling a brother again. It was a feeling he longed for, and he was so weary of being alone. However, his only chance was for Rafael to be willing to forgive and forget.
Rafael closed his eyes, inhaling the varied scents of the forest as he tried to calm the chaotic feelings from hearing Lucan’s voice in his head. Pausing, he raised his head and sniffed, recognizing the fading scent of cinnamon. What is this thing, a baker? Why would it smell like fresh cinnamon rolls?
I don’t know about a baker, but if you don’t answer me soon, I won’t be liable for my actions. Lucan replied in a clipped voice.
Keep your boxers on — and don’t call me brother. What do you suggest?
I don’t wear boxers, and we are technically brothers—blood brothers, whether you like it or not. I have erected a protective shield around the clearing, but Kahlúa and Mezcal also need to be shielded. The power I’m sensing is beyond anything they can handle. I’m not sure any of us could. It’s that powerful. Can you tell what it is?
It’s corporeal but cloaked—like when you go invisible.
If I throw a shield around it and myself, I should be able to hold it that way. Worth a try anyway.
If you fail, I can always tackle it. Rafael added. Take out some of my pent-up frustration at finding you here. The image of a silver-eyed alligator snapping its jaws filled Rafael’s mind. He chuckled. Lucan still had his sense of humor and, evidently, his fascination for alligators. As a child, they were all he talked about after hearing a story about them from a traveler. He swore to travel to Africa one day to see them and wondered if he ever had.
Rafael knew the minute Lucan expanded the shield, not only through the blood tie he had with him but also because Isabella went crazy. She kept jumping up against the invisible wall about a foot in front of the entity.
Rafael looked at the thing directly in front of him. He could feel the buzz of power emanating from it in waves. Opening his arms wide, he brought them around the shimmering lights and directed a holding shield between his arms, trying to pin the being.
Rafael. I have a small problem.
Rafael looked over his shoulder at Lucan and swore under his breath. The vampire was suspended in mid-air. His head was thrown back as if being choked, and his arms were thrown wide. The wolves were all lying pinned to the ground, twitching and squirming as they tried to help him, sensing his distress.
Rafael’s anger simmered, building until he struggled to keep it under tight control. No one messed with his family, and even though he didn’t consider Lucan part of that anymore, at one time, they were brothers.
He turned back toward the entity. “Whatever you are, release my friends. You are here uninvited and have no right to attack anyone under my protection. Show yourself. I’ve seen some ugly creatures in my life. I don’t think you’ll surprise me much.”
“Battle tactics, Rafael. Battle tactics. Would you let someone try to sneak up on you without fighting back? I think not. This was just my countermove to your first play.” The voice that answered was low and gravelly. There was also amusement underlying the gruffness, but it did not reek of evil. “Now, the question is, do you sacrifice another pawn or counter with something bolder—say the queen?”
The voice seemed familiar somehow. A sense of doom settled deep in his gut, but he wasn’t sure why. He didn’t feel as threatened as he thought he would when confronted by an evil Fae. If that’s who this was. He sensed Fae magic, but also demon blood, leaving him confused.
If this was one of Fer-Diorich’s men and he attacked, Rafael would not be able to save himself or anyone else. Although he had some gifts from his Fae blood, his only teacher had been trial and error. The one thing he could count on was his wolf. It wouldn’t be enough against anyone as powerful as the Fae gods.
Through the haze surrounding the figure, Rafael thought he saw the sheen of something metal, close to silver, which was reminiscent of his own. “You reek of Fae magic, and not in a good way. You are from the Unseelie Court.”
A strangled groan sounded behind him, and he fought the urge to turn around to find Morgan and make sure she was safe. If she remained out of the Fae’s light of sight, she would be. Lucan, are you okay? This could get kind of touchy. Can you see Morgan? Is she safe?
Sure thing, Rafael. I love hanging two feet in the air. Wow, look, there’s Orion. Haven’t seen that constellation in a while. But then, I haven’t gone around with my face stuck in the up position either. I don’t care how touchy it gets—get me down!
Temper, temper. I don’t think you realize who we possibly are up against. With the figure obscured, I can’t be certain, but I believe we are standing in front of a Fae. I don’t believe it’s Fer-Diorich, but I haven’t seen him face-to-face in a very long time.
I thought you had a run-in with him last May?
I wasn’t in the cellar when he attacked. I was trying to save Morgan’s life. If this is the Dark Fae, I would like to know how he escaped the Unseelie Court so soon. Something is off, though. While the creature talks like Fer-Diorich, I don’t sense any evil.”
Merda.
Through their mind link, everything momentarily went dark before the moon’s light poured back in, and Rafael realized Lucan had only closed his eyes. Could things get any worse? You’d better refresh my memory. I don’t know much about him other than he was the one who cursed you into your current form.
In fact, I don’t know much about the Celtic Pantheon at all. After my trial, the demon, Coroc, mentioned the dark court was rising again, and Earth would need to be watchful and prepared. I believe he may have been talking about this.
I take it this was also something you needed to tell me? Rafael heard Lucan’s loud choking sounds but forced his expression to remain neutral, knowing the vampire didn’t need air to breathe and wasn’t in any actual harm. You couldn’t tell me this sooner?
Rafael stifled his groan, still looking at the hazy figure in front of him. Taller than most men, this person was thicker in his chest and legs than Rafael remembered the Dark Fae to be. His gaze moved to the nondescript face, knowing what he should see but could not.
Fer-Diorich was a handsome man, as all Fae were, but unlike the others, his eyes were mercurial, and he wore his black hair long and straight, but hair and eye color could be changed. In all honesty, Fer-Diorich would never present himself as anything but perfect, and since the being he faced looked as if he was bald… He almost laughed at that last thought since the Dark Fae was narcissistic about his looks. Shaving his head would never happen.
“Are you through talking with the vampire?” the image mouthed, although it was impossible to tell if he was talking or projecting his thoughts since the voice boomed through the clearing. “It was rather enlightening if I say so myself. I’m here for a reason, but whether I fulfill it or not remains to be seen. I don’t have much time left, so I would appreciate it if we could dispense with the formalities and get on with the question-and-answer routine.”
The blurred surface covering the face darkened as if the creature was growing testier. Every few seconds, though, Rafael caught a glimpse of mercurial eyes staring back at him. He would give just about anything to see the Fae’s face clearly—to make sure.
Something seemed off, but he could not pinpoint what it was, especially since, like the Dark Fae, this man was also a smart-ass. “Will you tell us your name? It would at least break the ice.”
“I am Zhivko.”
“Well, that’s a start. I’m also relieved you are not who I thought you were. Can you tell us why you’re here, or are we supposed to find out the hard way?”
“And you’re calling me a smart-ass?” Zhivko said, the haze clearing from his face as he tipped his head. From the twitching of his lips, he was trying not to show his amusement.
“Yep. Damn proud of it too, but it takes one to know one. Are you going to answer the question or not?” Rafael repeated, trying to keep calm for both him and Lucan. Everything inside of him screamed to turn and make sure Morgan was okay. He didn’t dare reach out to her through their mental link, although he would like to know why he hadn’t been able to reach her before Zhivko’s appearance. Where was she? It wasn’t normal for her to remain silent for so long, and it worried him.
“I’m not here to hurt anyone—only scout things out. If I release the vampire and wolves, will they behave?” A thin circle of gold swirled around his silver gaze, and the red center seemed to be a circle of flame surrounding the molten pools. They were mesmerizing.
“Lucan will behave. The wolves have worn themselves out trying to help him. They also feel what I feel. If what you say is the truth, then I am not quite so worried.
“Will someone get me down!” Lucan yelled from behind them, making Rafael’s mouth curve into a slight smile. “I’m right here and can hear you both. Why don’t you ask me if I will behave, hmm?”
Zhivko slowly turned his head to look at Lucan and then the wolves, who once again froze in place. From the way his eerie eyes roiled as if they were made of liquid and being stirred, Rafael recognized that he was reading Lucan’s mind. Achieving such a feat took great power, and once again, he wondered what this being was.
There was little effort and no energy drain in the clearing as he explored the vampire’s mind. Of course, this was an educated guess, but Rafael would have made the same assumption in the Fae’s position.