Wicked Rage of the Moon: Book Three of the Airendell Chronicles (25 page)

“Daddy, Mama, I keep seeing the woman that I assume is Valgullveig staked out in the sun… being tortured horribly. I have been getting this same flash since before I arrived in Asgard.  It’s very confusing.”

“Mama, I also have seen Valgullveig trying to rescue you from your parents… Roxie, I mean.  That doesn’t make any sense.”

Morna gasps, “Yes it does!  I remember the night I died as Roxie, there was a blond lady… she tried to get me out of there.  But a dark woman and several vampires stopped her.  Later the vampires killed my parents and me… but that was after… Someone is definitely controlling Val!”

Morna stands and begins to pace.  Her excitement is plain to see and nearly overwhelms the empathic abilities of her sons.  “This Dark One, when she arrived with the vampires, she held out her hand to Val… and uttered something… and then ordered Val to put me down and walk to her.  Val obeyed, but it looked like she was being dragged physically to the Dark One, but no one was touching her.”  Morna shakes her head, and looks at Luca; “I don’t remember anymore after that until my Deidra incarnation.  I have no memory of the limbo period.”

Ewan has returned with Valliant and comes to Morna, “Describe the Dark woman in your memory.”

Morna shudders, “She was almost as tall as Val, very thin and very dark.  Her hair was jet black and reached nearly to the floor.  It was a wild mane of curls.  She was very beautiful, but very frightening.  Her eyes were dark, black even.  But they glowed, somehow.”  Morna shakes her head.  “I don’t think I have ever seen that woman before.”

“Sounds like Nyx,” Ewan growls.  “I told you, she’s behind this!”

Luca nods, “I am willing to concede that it’s possible.  But we still need to be on guard against Val.  I guess now I need to learn more about Nyx.”

“Valgullveig had an affair with Nyx when she was married to Lootz.  I think that was a very sad marriage, and Val sought someone to make her feel better about herself.  I don’t know, she wouldn’t confide in me,” Gullveig speaks up.  She turns to Ewan, “You really think my girl has been under the dominion of Nyx for over six hundred years?”

“I do,” Ewan says quietly.

Morna shakes her head sadly.  “Well, we don’t know about that, yet.  We need to do everything we can to find out though.  We need to get Heimdall to look for Nyx.  But in the meantime, Rolan has demanded his rights under the Paternal Code.  I can’t ignore it.  She looks at everyone in her family.  “Is everyone on board?  Shall we call the Paternal Bond Hearing?”

“Mom, we do not have a bond.  He has not seen fit to recognize me as his offspring, why should I want to maintain a legal bond with him as father.  It makes no sense, especially since Luca is more of a father to me than Rolan ever could be,” Aiden says quietly with a small smile on his face.

Morna stands up and takes her three youngest children into her arms for a little group hug.  “You kids are amazing, you know that?”  They all laugh and Morna says, “Daddy and I will set up the witnesses for as soon as we can.  Probably tomorrow or the next day.  But first we need to get Mordir in here to look at Aiden,” When the boy starts to protest Morna says, “Baby, we are just being careful.  You look excessively tired.”  Aiden shakes his head but doesn’t argue.  “When Mordir gives you a clean bill of health, we have a few other matters to discuss with him and Rodrigo.”

Aideen says, “Uh Mom, I am a healer, a medical doctor.  Hell, I am a world class surgeon even, I went to his room and checked him over before he joined the group, and I examine him every single day.  He’s fine.  Better than fine, he is getting stronger all the time.”

Morna looks at Aideen in surprise.  “Sis, Mom didn’t know you did that.  None of us have ever told her because she’s been crazy busy lately.  And most of your exams have happened while she‘s been out defending the Guild and her kids.  Besides, she does her little healer thing too every time she sees me.  She thinks I don‘t know what she‘s doing, but I do.”  He chuckles and says, “Dad does it too.”

Morna looks at Aiden and Aideen and says, “I am sorry, there is no excuse for my not knowing that.  Forgive me, both of you.”  Both hug their mom and says, “Nothing to forgive.”  Morna looks at Aideen and says, “Damn, woman, I find something new to admire about you every day.”

Aideen chuckles and says, “Yep, I can say the same, Mama.”

Nora hops up and says, “Look, Mom and Dad have business with Mordir and Rodrigo.  Grandpa promised to help me build a tree house today.  Are we done yet?”  Everyone laughs and Nora skips out of the room.  When they return to the main hall Nora is sitting on Valliant’s lap.  Morna looks to Auggie and Sammy, both nod.  Morna walks up to them and says, “You know what we have planned?”  They nod again, “And it works?”

Sammy laughs and says, “Yes, but you end up having to protect that pig Rolan.  He gets hurt and goes to the Healer’s Hall.  Eventually he and one of Mordir’s healers hook up, he gets interested in medicine.  I see him as a pretty decent guy in about three years, all things considered.  Thor rides his ass every day for him though,” Sammy laughs happily at that image.

Luca and Morna can’t help but laugh at that idea too.  By now Nora is dragging her grandpa outside when suddenly she stops and looks at Auggie and says, “Don’t forget to make one of those venison steaks rare and one medium rare.  Everyone else wants them medium.”

Auggie chuckles and says, “I saw the same thing you did you little chit.  Go play with your Grandpa!”

Everyone laughs when Nora giggles and resumes urging Valliant outside.  “Someone please help me.  This little girl wants a tree house, and I have never built a tree house.”

Damian laughs and says, “I worked with a carpenter for a couple of years before I was changed, maybe I can help.”

Kylor joins him and says, “I am a pretty decent builder myself.  I would love to help Pumpkin build a tree house.”

Breena gets up and quietly follows them out.  Morna looks after her thoughtfully and then follows her.  “Bree, you okay?”

“Yes Morna.  I am going to keep an eye on the carpenters to make sure they are careful.  I suspect Nora will have them plenty distracted.”  Breena smiles at her sister and says, “Are you okay?  How are you taking the new Luca?”

Morna stammers at this and Breena smiles.  “I saw his face flush.  I haven’t seen that since before the change.  I don’t know exactly what has happened, but I know he has been changed, irrevocably.  His emotions are all over the place, but mostly on cloud nine.”  Breena chuckles at that.

“I am not sure what has happened either, but yes you are right, something has definitely been changed.  We need to talk to Mordir.  We may have to go to the Healer’s Hall.  Thank you for watching out for Nora.”

“I love her too, sis.  I love all your children, you know that.”  Breena assures her younger sister.  “Well, go do what you need to do.  You guys will obviously have to answer a lot of questions at dinner time, judging from the cryptic comments of Nora and Auggie.  Besides, you have to talk to Maria.  She is chomping at the bit to tie into you.”

“Yeah, even I can feel that one,” Morna rolls her eyes and wonders what the hell is going on now.

Ewan stops Morna and tells her that six of the dead invaders are Shape Shifters.  He recognizes two of them as belonging to the Clan Gregory.  He also tells her that he is going to talk to Heimdall.  He wants someone to help him find The Primordial.  “Be careful Ewan, she might be the one who created the Stone Cold vampires.  They say she is deadly and dark in her soul.”

“She’s an evil bitch, there’s no doubt about that.  I will be careful.  Good luck sorting out your little family drama,” Ewan says with a smile.  Morna chuckles and tells him to keep in touch.

Morna goes back to join Luca as he chats quietly with George and Rodrigo.  They are discussing the problem with Rolan.  Morna looks around and asks where Aideen and Kyle have gotten off to.  “They have gone to Kyle’s room to watch a movie.”  Luca says absently.

“What?  Watch a movie?  How?”  Morna stammers.  “I guess Ingrid got a TV for him?”

“No, Tena did.  And two boxes of DVDs.  She said it wasn’t natural for modern human children to have to read all the time for entertainment.” Vali says with a laugh.  “I am going to go check on the treehouse builders.”  Vali and Bellona walk out of the room, both are wondering what is going on.  You couldn’t cut the tension in that room with a sharp knife, it‘s that thick.

After they leave the room Morna finally gives Maria her full attention, “Lady Maria, you have been busting at the seams to scream at me about something.  Let’s hear it.”  Morna says gently.

“I don’t want to scream at you Morna, but I do want some answers.  And if I don’t like those answers, I may kick your warrior goddess ass for you.” Maria says stonily.

“MOTHER!” Rodrigo hisses.

“Granny, have you lost your damned mind?” George says softly.

Morna looks at Maria incredulously and then she looks at Rodrigo and then towards Luca.  Understanding is dawning in her face and her eyes are wide in shocked surprise.  “OH SHIT! Rodrigo is changing too?”

“Too?” Demands Maria, “Who the hell else did you knowingly do this to?”

“Okay, wait a minute.  I didn’t knowingly do anything to anyone.  I am trying to heal Rodrigo, at your request I might add.  But something has happened and there are some changes taking place to Luca too.” Morna says uncertainly.  “What is happening to Rodrigo?”

“He has become like you Morna Glynn Michaels!”  Maria rants.  “My son, the Stone Breaker, has become a vampire.  You did it to him!”

“That’s not exactly correct,” says Mordir.  “As well as healing the DNA that changes him into a blood thirsty, uncontrollable beast during a full moon, your antibodies are also making him more like you are Morna, physiologically speaking.”

“I think the same thing is happening to me,” Luca says quietly.

Mordir chuckles and looks at Morna with admiration.  “God I hope I find a woman someday with half your zest for life, Madam.”  Morna blushes to her roots at his words and even Luca flushes at little at the remark.

George lets out a low whistle.  “I thought I saw him flush earlier and I know I did just then.”  George walks over to Luca and looks at him intently.  The room is silent.  George stands quietly listening and sniffing.  He tentatively reaches out and touches his friend’s hand.  He pulls back quickly and then touches him again. “You are becoming like her!  You are not icy cold, not quite as hard to the touch and you smell differently.  Hell I smell blood in your body and hear your heart beating!”  George whistles low and says, “Man, you damn near seem human!”

Morna looks at Maria and takes her hands into her own.  “Friend Maria, how could I knowingly turn your son into a vampire?  I don’t even know what I am for sure.  I had no idea my antibodies would make him like me.  I am sorry if that is a bad thing in your view.  I didn’t realize you saw me as a vile creature to be shunned,” Morna says sadly.

Maria’s angry face crumbles, “Oh God Morna!  No sister, I do not see you that way.  There is nothing vile about you.  You are loving, honorable, caring and a giver not a taker of life.  Even though you are an amazingly proficient warrior, you are far happier healing, teaching and nurturing.  I have seen the evidence of your true nature ever since I first met you.  Forgive me for screaming at you and accusing you of changing my son on purpose.  God, I am an idiot, I should have immediately known better.  Can you forgive me?”

Morna laughs happily and hugs her dear friend, “Nothing to forgive.  In your place I probably would have kicked ass first and then asked questions.  I am a mother too, I understand completely.”  Morna kisses Maria’s cheek and says, “Let’s see what’s going on with these guys.  Maybe we can do some damage control or something…” Morna says uncertainly.

Mordir laughs and says, “Well, I can’t say for sure without examining Luca and continuing Rodrigo’s treatment, but I don’t think there is need for damage control of any kind.  The prophesy Heimdall found about Morna and Breena told that they would give birth to an entirely different race of magical beings.  I think this is what is happening.”  Mordir smiles and says, “Vampires are not magical beings, they are supernatural, rather super-human beings.  Experts on vampire history and physiology believe the species came about by accident.  Others believe they were conjured up to act as minions to an ancient power.”

Mordir is obviously warming to the subject, “Someone way back in time was probably experimenting with alchemy or magic.  The resulting change led to an entire race of immortals that survive on blood.  They have unfortunately given in to their more selfish natures over time.  They no longer feed only enough for survival from humans.  They choose instead to gorge and feed on the mortals as though they are cattle meant for the slaughter.  They have no regard for any life, but their own.  Most of them have no regard for any laws other than the ones that protect their race.”  Mordir halts his tirade and looks at the other occupants of the room.  “I apologize, but I am excited about this.  This might be a cure of sorts.”

“Please, all of you return with me to the Healer’s Hall.  I will ask Heimdall to summon my friend Octavius.  He is a very, very ancient vampire.  He has long since learned how to survive on animal blood and food.  But it has been a very long, arduous process.  Not all of his kind are willing to suffer as he has to achieve this.  But he is also an expert on the physiology of vampires.  He will be most interested in you Morna.  Most interested indeed.  I think Luca will be a beacon of hope for him,” Mordir says excitedly.