Soul Inheritance (18 page)

In the cool autumn night they slipped through the darkness, not daring to even light a torch. The riders of the witch finders passed them as they crept silently through the trees. In the dim light they approached the edge of the fishing village where the ship would be waiting. The man Charles had sent appeared to lead the way.

“
There’s a ship on the far end of the village, waiting to set sail. It was like he was just waiting there for us. It was already stocked with provisions and crew. ” He spoke in wonder, feeling the new power that surged through him. They all felt it and were grateful. Charles watched them board with relief, feeling he had done the right thing. Several families joined them who knew the fate they would face if they didn’t and they set sail as the morning mist was burning off.

The homeland shrank into the distance as they left the only existence they’d ever known for an unrevealed destination. Standing on the decks, some wept, but all were relieved and watched as the dark clad riders of the witch finder general emerged on shore. The horses paced as if agitated with their riders yelling undistinguishable words in their wake.

This was the story that Charles told Miranda when they strolled under the stars several nights before the birth of their first child, a son. It made him that much taller and stronger in her eyes. It was scary. There was no mistake, but he’d done what he must. At the time she didn’t grasp what it meant for the family they began together. It was not until after Prescott was born she realized what he’d done.

That was when she began searching through her own magic for a solution. Some way she would not have to give up her husband, or surrender her son to this horrible future. The first thing she did was take the ring Charles had given her in love and made it into the most powerful charm she could manage. The silver wedding ring with the claw-like setting and a blood red ruby in its center worked perfectly. It was something he’d given her; therefore it would not appear to be suspicious. It would weaken any danger facing its wearer, sapping strength and the ability to do harm from an aggressor. It drew power from the opponent. The stronger the enemy, the stronger the ring..

Over several years she searched quietly for a way, for someone who knew how to help. Letters were sent to a friend far away. Strangers passing through town were questioned for news of her family’s location. She cast prayers that her family would know and return. The lake was like a bubble. It supped any magic like bread soaks up milk. Whenever she tried to reach beyond it’s boundaries she could feel herself being drained and weakened.

Another child came during her search and the desperation deepened. Until the day came that the dark ones called Charles from her side as they picnicked with the children by the water. The loan came due and he was called to pay the debt.

Taking Prescott by the hand and little Sandra clutched on one hip Miranda ran. Her long skirts slowed progress through the thick woods. Charles, in his new form as Greystone, stalked calmly behind as they scurried toward the road that led to town. She didn’t look back and had nearly breathed a sigh of relief when she not only saw the road, but a wagon meandering along with a neighbor guiding it.

Rushing forward she sprinted toward the road, dragging Prescott behind her. Sandra whined on the other side as her mother struggled to clear the last few feet.

“
Please, help us.” She screamed through the dappled light toward the driver. He continued on as though he’d not heard. Then Miranda ran into the invisible border of the land they called home.

It was as solid as any wall. She hit it at a run and was thrown back into the dense growth as her children sailed from her arms. Stunned she lay on the ground for several moments, trying to catch her breath. Prescott lay crying on one side and Sandra on the other. Greystone caught up with them easily, strode up and stood near as she wailed to the driver of the wagon, begged for help.

“
He can’t hear you. You meant to leave, so the old ones blocked your way. Don’t you think I’ve thought of leaving? Tried even? Others as well.” He studied her with those familiar, chiseled features. The eyes were still Charles’ and they still spoke of love for his family. “They’re my blood, they can’t leave.”

Something was missing from his statement. There was something cold and warning in the way he chose his words. Miranda looked up, got to her feet, drew Prescott close.

“
Sandra. Come here. Come to Mommy.” She reached out for the little girl. The child stood and stared blankly at her, then at the creature that was her father.

Miranda’s blood froze in her veins. It grated along her insides like glass, tearing at her heart.

“
Sandra. Come to Mommy,” she demanded.

Sandra only looked at her and then turned and ran to hide behind Greystone’s legs.

“
She knows I’m still her father. That hasn’t changed. She knows where she belongs.” He looked pitifully at Miranda then stretched an arm toward his son. “Prescott, come here.” The boy ran toward his father and out of reach before she could react. He took his father’s hand as he turned to look at his mother.

Absolute horror filled her features as she realized they wouldn’t ever be allowed to leave. She looked toward the road. Freedom was only a few steps away. She didn’t belong to the old ones yet. Her children stood one on either side of their father, holding onto one of the long talons as if it were normal. They weren’t shocked or alarmed. They knew who he was despite his appearance. They stared blankly as though they not only didn’t understand, but didn’t care.

Greystone turned and walked back toward the house, taking Sandra up onto one hip and leading Prescott. The wagon continued to wander off down the road, nearly out of sight. She watched it until it was gone, then turned and followed her children home.

Miranda was a virtual prisoner at the Victorian house where she’d been mistress. She hardly left her room except to be with the children, which was a closely monitored activity. He was always just out of sight, watching and waiting, hoping she’d come around.

At night he would creep into her room to watch her sleep. A rocking chair in the corner, cloaked in shadow, was his perch. She knew he was there, but didn’t acknowledge his presence. One night he came much later than usual. Instead of taking his usual place in the chair he came and sat on the edge of the bed. Long claws gently stroked her face and hair. The back of his hand brushed her cheek. She shivered despite herself. He withdrew his hand.

“
I’m still Charles. I’m still here, in this… this…
body
. Is my appearance so horrific to you?”

“
You’re no longer human.” She shrank back into the covers.

“
No. I’m not. I’m more, so much more. You don’t understand, but you could. You will. If you don’t wish to leave our children behind you must accept this, you must embrace this, become this.”

Miranda shrank further from him, to the other side of what had been their bed. He crawled toward her, clutching the covers so she could not move further.

“
I love you. I meant it when I married you, I mean it now. I want to spend forever with you. And this is our chance. You’ve felt the power, shared it, tasted it. I could do anything I want, control anything or anyone I want. And it’s forever. We’ll never die. We’re eternal. Imagine, being together forever, watching over generations of descendants.”

Tangled in the blankets she shook uncontrollably. Unable to imagine eternity here, as one of these things. She struggled to get free of the covers, but found herself cocooned.

“
I don’t want to be here forever. Don’t you understand what forever is? We’re not meant to live forever as one creature, but over and over again. There’re other things waiting for us in other places, other times. This isn’t right, it’s unnatural.”

“
Says who? Why can’t we control our own destinies? Who’s ever said we cannot?”

Miranda could take no more. Finding the edge of the blanket she let herself slip from the edge of the bed into the floor. She gathered her skirts, ran out the door and stumbled down the steps and into the night. She fled down the shore with Greystone not far behind. In the distance the wolves sang to the night. Many an evening had been spent listening to them as the two lovers strolled by the water. Tonight the sound was not romantic, but menacing. They were closer and seemed to call to the primal instinct within.

Greystone was the predator and she the prey. The language of the wolves meant different things to each of them, but survival to both as they crashed through the forest toward the little rustic, run down cabin the family had stayed in when they first arrived.

Katherine recognized the scene from her experience at Dora’s Place. Her arms throbbed as she thought of that night, in Greystone’s clutches inside the little ivy covered cabin. Something in her remembered more. Remembered a feeling of exhilaration. Miranda’s love for the man inside the beast. The thought of his embrace made her heart race, despite the pain it inflicted. As Miranda she’d still loved him despite it all. As Katherine she could not afford to.

Chapter eleven

Nigel drove until late afternoon. After leaving the interstate he trolled along highway eleven looking for the turn to Shin Pond. Impatience nibbled at him until the turn finally appeared between a tall stand of trees and a dilapidated old barn.

“
Finally,” he grumbled as he made the turn and noted the road sign. “Shin Pond 15 miles. Shin Pond Village 18. Damn, I was beginning to think I was lost in the goddamned twilight zone or something.”

It was getting late and he was anxious to get to the cabins where he thought Katherine languished alone. After a little rest he’d have them making up before he went out to check on this lake property.

“
Ah, yea. Dear little Kathy. After driving all that way cross country alone and being stranded in the wilderness you’ll be getting desperate for a little company. Someone to keep you
safe
.” He chuckled to himself as that foreign sensation stirred.

The sun began to fade, leaving a dull sprinkling of light in its wake. Nigel saw movement out of the corner of his eye; too late as a dark shadow rushed into the road. Slamming on the breaks was useless as car and animal collided. Screeching tires and crushing metal filled the quiet woods, sending birds to the air and the animal flying.

“
Damn it to hell!” Nigel shrieked, beating his hands on the steering wheel. “Fuck. Fuck. Fucking shit!” He scrambled to get the seat belt loose, finally succeeded. Climbing out of the driver’s seat he stood in front of the vehicle, surveying the damage.

Steam flowed from the top of the radiator and fluid from the bottom. The hood was crinkled and drawn up toward the windshield like tin foil.

“
What the f…”

A groan came from the side of the road. Nigel sprang back in surprise as the animal moved.

At the very edge, nearly in the ditch, lay a large hairy dog big enough to be a Shetland pony. It writhed, then lay still, allowing him to approach. The head was much larger than anything he’d ever seen. Its fur was thick and layered different shades of grey. The eyes lay open, a deep foreboding amber. The expanded legs were long, the paws huge.

“
Damn. That thing must weigh close to a hundred fifty pounds,” Nigel speculated aloud.

“
More like two hundred.” A large figure formed at the edge of the trees. He strained to adjust to the shadows where the stranger stood. 

“
Oh, man. Is that your dog? Ya really need to keep a thing like that on a leash. Look at what ya’ve done to my car!”

“
What I’ve done?” The voice was followed by spine-chilling laughter. “You’re about to find out that’s no dog. Meet Mangler.”

Nigel stared in the direction of the stranger. Greystone stepped from the shadows into the fading light, clucking to the wolf. It rose to its feet with no effort. Its amber eyes took on a light of their own – burning from within, as Nigel backed feebly toward the car, tried to run.

The creature had him pinned down in one leap, claws and teeth tearing into his legs.

“
Not too much, easy boy. I might need him later. Just put him out of commission for now.” The wolf seemed to understand as it walked up Nigel’s body, bit into his neck, shook his head just enough to tear the flesh and bring blood oozing out. “Enough,” Greystone ordered and it back away, disappeared into the shadows. “I can’t have you slowing her down. She’s almost home and we’ve waited so long.” With a flurry of wings he was gone, leaving Nigel bleeding in the road.

‡

Shin Pond Medical Center got the call just before dark. The patient arrived thirty minutes later badly mangled with trauma to the legs and neck.

“
What’ve we got?” Dr. Stafford asked as he reported to the trauma unit.

Two of the emergency crew members accompanied the patient.

“
It appears he hit something. Judging by the tracks at the scene and some hair in the grill it was a dog.”