Spirit walker, p.10
Spirit Walker, page 10
Vaun: She’s pulling my bear out in fucked up places, like the middle of the restaurant last night. It’s taking all my control as it is, and she seems to be getting stronger.
I take in this text, my blood running cold. My mind rushing through various degrees of disaster in the blink of an eye. This is bad. I decide we must move now.
Me: Okay, bring her in. We can’t have her pulling a spirit animal out of anybody uncontrolled or un-trained. We will tell her when you arrive.
Vaun: I’m not looking forward to that. It’s too fresh.
Me: What’s to fresh?
Vaun: Us. Last night.
I just blink at the screen. Is he saying what I think he’s saying? Fucker.
Rubbing my tired, burning eyes, I let out a slow breath as I read the last text from Vaun. It feels like I have been researching non-stop for days. Her being Auki makes it even more obvious. I run my hand along the ancient script, re-reading the line again. I cannot grasp how I missed it. Such a simple word, Auki, the descendant. She hinted at this long ago. I just never put it together until it slapped me in the face. My beloved has returned, but it’s going to be so different I’m afraid.
I turn to my bank of computers and input the formula again. This gives me new appreciation for just how good Idunn was at her potions. How did she get it right all the time when I can barely formulate one with written instructions and a computer doing all the calculations to help me?
She never made anything easy, that’s for sure. My mind wanders again to the fact she’s awake and so very, very close. I’ve let the others know. We need to be cautious because if she’s awake, the Darkness might be as well. Frowning, I move to a thick leather-bound journal where I’ve kept all our findings about the Darkness. Idunn committing the ultimate act of sacrifice by sealing herself in that cave, effectively making it her cairn, was just the beginning.
That’s the day we vowed to find him and make him pay for his evilness. We found out everything about him and his many believers. He always seemed to elude us right until we couldn’t feel him anymore. We thought, no hoped, he had simply faded away as his magic got weaker. But we were never certain. That pulse of magic, the Calling Andie sent out, would certainly awaken his black heart as well, if it was possible. At this point, I wouldn’t doubt anything.
My mind shifts to her, the descendant. I pass my finger over her photo clipped to the file our investigator worked up. She’ll be protected here while we train her. While we help her magic return. I’ve kept meticulous records. All I have to do is just… teach her. Sounds so straightforward, but I worry I’m not up to the task. We each carry a portion of her magic, keeping it safe for her return. I’m impatient to have her here, to breathe her in, feel her near me again.
Groaning, I stand, striding out of my office, down the hall as I scan the keys on my keyring, finding the one for the ceremony room. Unlocking the door, I enter into blackness that automatically turns into a soft, warm glow as the lights come on. It’s stuffy in here, smelling of old dried herbs, smoke, and soil mixed with various liquids that I can no longer identify. I proceed to the hörgr, gazing upon it, shaking my head.
Roughly the width of a desktop, the pale Alabaster stone altar is smooth under my hand. Various runes carved and dyed black with use, run along the edges telling of prayers and gifts to the Gods. In the center, a brass grate covering sits over a hollowed-out area. This allows the burning of wood and herbal bundles for smoke offerings. Little dips mar the surface near the grating for various ceremonial bowls to sit, allowing them to be in the cleansing smoke from the brazier. The fragments of the last spell we tried and failed are scattered across the surface still. I pick up the charred end of a sage, rosemary and thyme cleansing bundle and sniff. It brings back such fond memories.
Perhaps that’s why I locked this door and haven’t returned until now. I move to one of the ancient, inscribed ash wood cabinets along the rear wall, opening it, my eyes quickly taking stock. All the rare herbal items are stored in here, preserved and safeguarded from any foreign influence. I notice only a few items missing that will need to be replaced.
Getting a bin, I start to clean the altar from our last use. Like I was trained to do so long ago, I make certain every shred of dirt, grim, dust is cleaned away. My hand runs reverently over the polished top as I trace each inscribed rune. I recall when each one was engraved. I was, after all, her first. I admit to myself that I had given up. I had lost hope in her ever returning with that last try. Now everything’s changed and the hard part begins. We must be very careful until we are prepared to bond the magic to her before anything happens. Uneasiness fills me again as my mind swirls with the many possibilities.
Moving to another of the ash wood cabinets with the same protective carvings running over it, I murmur an oath as I pull it open. My eyes scan the numerous scrolls and tomes held within. Made of different hides or plant fibers, each one serves a specific purpose. My heart gives a lurch when my eyes don’t find what I’m looking for, fearing I no longer have what I need. I reach in, moving scrolls aside. Relief flashes through me as I spot the Scroll of Binding. Carefully pulling it out, I turn, gingerly laying it upon the altar. That complete, I start to set out the various ceremonial items we will require. Once everything is set up, I pull down a sage smudge, lighting it, I circle the room, cleansing every part ready for her arrival.
Finished, I toss the smudge on a burner by the door as I leave, locking it behind me. My steps carry me back to my office, my mind clouded. I stare down at the research littering my desk, running my finger along the portrait of Andie. “Soon, my love, soon I will finish it,” I whisper out loud as I settle in my chair.
My fingers tap the grimoire containing the many pages of details and research we’ve gathered over the ages about that fool that turned the village against us so long ago. How one obsessed person can cause so much damage I still, after all this time, find it baffling. Even to this day, I can clearly see his face…
As I lay awake staring into the rafters of the house, I can hear her softly arguing with him yet again. It’s invariably the same. He wants her to marry him, to be her one. The one who would have full control over her in ways she would never tolerate. I feel such resentment building against him. Why does he press her so? I do not intrude because it would appear I see her as too weak to take care of herself. She would not stand for me disrespecting her in such a manner, yet always he is at her, pushing and pushing.
My frustration builds to the degree I now fantasize about strangling him just to shut him up. She must see the divide that is building within us all. Surely, she knows we can hear every word, scent every emotion? The anger acrid and burning in the air, permeating the whole of the dwelling until it’s no longer tolerable to stay inside. No matter the weather. I burrow further into my furs and attempt to sleep for the millionth time.
“Enough!” she roars, like a thunderclap it shakes the very walls. We all sit up now, no one pretending to sleep. Her power pulses through us as she attempts to gain control.
“I will no longer have this argument. I am decided. It is finished.” Her eyes flash dangerously, but even still he dares to push her further.
“Idunn, I only wish to make you happy,” he simpers, the fool. Can he not plainly see how un-happy he is making her. I shake my head at the sheer stupidity of the man.
“Ulf, I’ve had enough.” She twists away from him, her gaze searching and finding each of us. Her delicate brows draw together, her face filling with pain. We all sit, watching, waiting. “You are no longer a member of my household. I banish you.” She spins her back to him completely, an ultimate sign of disrespect, signifying she’s not afraid of him in any way, and a deathly silence descends upon the house.
Ulf glares at us and begins to gather his meager items. Lashing out, he kicks Carr’s bedroll and Carr flashes him a challenging grin. “I pray to Odin for the day she lets me place my hands upon your scrawny neck, little man,” he taunts.
Idunn says nothing at this challenge, but her magic is still pulsing around the room, keeping us all solidly in place. Ulf must recognize this because he spits in Carr’s direction, and you can hear Vaun emit a deadly furious growl. Fenmore silently follows the whole exchange, taking in every little gesture, storing it away for later.
Softly, Idunn commands “Go now or I will release them upon you.” This makes us all smirk or out-right grin at the fool, and he rapidly rolls his items in a bundle, rushing out the door throwing a furious hate filled scowl at us one last time. Idunn turns, taking us in. Gradually, the magic holding us eases and we move to her, comforting her. I know she was expecting he would fit in with the rest of us, but it was never going to happen. We all breathe a collective sigh of relief at this outcome, not knowing then that we would live to regret this night for many, many years to come.
The hatred in that last gaze back at us before he left should have warned us all. I open the journal on Ulf and the darkness he is allied with that we’ve gathered over the ages. Everything is contained in this book. Once she has gained her full powers, this will be the first place she will want to visit. I’m almost ready. It’s almost time. I have but to train the girl, restore her magic, bond her to us all again. My mind spins on that last item. Snorting, I mutter “No small task, eh, Brakken old man?”
~ Andie ~
Banging in my head pulls me from sleep. Groaning, I roll over, sitting up. Argh my head. Too much wine last night. Grabbing my phone, I take in the time, 9:13… too early! I huff, falling back onto my pillow.
A heavy knock on my door makes me realize that’s what woke me up. Groaning as I get up, padding my way to the door, wondering who it is. Opening the door, I hiss out in pain as sunlight blasts me in the eyes. Blind, I’m blind. Grabbing my head as I shy from the bright sun, I growl out “What?”
“That’s no way to greet a person.” The deep chuckle that rumbles out makes me wince, recognizing in an instant that it’s Vaun. Great, I must look fantastic. Crapola. I mutter out a simple, “Good Morning,” as I turn heading back to my bed. He laughs, following me in, closing my door.
“I brought you a gift as I guessed you might need it after last night.”
I just wave at him over my shoulder as I make it to my bed, groaning, pulling a pillow over my head.
“Not a morning person, I see?” He questions but I don’t answer. I sit up, taking him in. No hang-over for his godliness, I see. He’s looking well sexy. His jeans hugging his fine ass, paired with a soft-looking dress shirt with the top few buttons open revealing a little chest. I scowl at his grinning face. His smile falters.
He reaches a hand in his pocket, pulling out a little clay bottle. He holds it up, giving it a gentle shake as his eyes dart back to mine, watching him. “Come now, this will help with all that. Ancient Chinese secret,” he teases.
“What is it?” I ask, reaching out to take the tiny bottle from him. Pulling the cork top off, I take a sniff. “Argh, that’s vomit inducing!” I gag. Quickly handing it back.
His booming laugh hurts my throbbing head. I narrow my eyes at him, and he shuts up, his brows furrowing.
“Trust me, just gulp it down. You’ll be glad you did.” He pushes my hand, still holding the bottle back at me. I don’t have the temperament for this today, so shuddering, I do as I’m told, holding my breath as I gulp the vile concoction down. Hair of the Dog girl, suck it up. I flop back to my pillow, feeling my bed give as he sits next to me. He rubs my back in little circles, making me moan in relief. That’s perfect. I drift back to sleep only to jerk awake moments later. Horror filling me as drool runs down my chin. Wow, so sexy.
He’s still rubbing my back and oddly. I feel...better…Like wait...totally better? How the fuck?
I roll over. My once burning eyes find his warm chocolate gaze staring back at me.
“How am I all better?”
“Here’s where I get to say… Told you so.” He gives me a cheeky wink.
“No, I mean, my head doesn’t hurt at all now. How is that possible?”
“I told you Ancient Chinese...”
“What was that stuff?” I interrupt his bullshit answer. Fucker tell me. I glare. He shrugs.
Huffing, I roll over, getting out of bed. My eye catches on my shirt, realizing I’m only in a nightshirt with little socks and I’m pretty sure he can see my panties right now. Serves him right. I smirk as I try to ignore the fidgeting need to stretch the hem of my shirt down over my panty clad ass as I quickly pick out clothes for the day.
Outfit firmly in my arms, I spin to head for a much-needed shower only to freeze. His heated gaze was glued to my ass, and I swear his eyes flashed gold again. I give my head a slight shake to clear it of that thought and walk into my bathroom, kicking the door closed behind me. His booming laugh echoes down my hallway as he heads to my kitchen.
A few minutes later, I emerge from my steam-filled bathroom, refreshed and ready for the day. My nose draws me to the kitchen with the heavenly scent of coffee and bacon as I realize I’m starving, my stomach rumbling in agreement. As I round the corner into my kitchen, my eyes go wide at the sight before me. Scrambled eggs warm in a pan, a plate full of bacon resting nearby and fresh strawberries sit off to the side in a little bowl. Leaned back against my counter, legs crossed, Vaun casually pours a cup of coffee.
“Holy C... where did you get all that?” My mouth hangs open.
“The store,” he answers dryly.
“Right, of course,” I mumble as I reach for a piece of buttered toast. He holds out a plate piled high with scrambled eggs and bacon.
“You’re in my awesome book right now.” I smile, tucking hair behind my ear as I take the plate from him heading to my little two-seater table. He carries over my cup of fresh coffee as he joins me. “You’re not eating?” I question and he shakes his head, observing me.
He seems to enjoy watching me eat and I briefly wonder what he’s thinking. Shrugging and starving, I dig in, eating my meal in the companionable silence. When I get close to finishing, he breaks the silence.
“I’d like to take you out for the day.” His chin is resting on his arms that are laying over the back of a chair. He’s turning on the big puppy dog eyes and damn if it isn’t working.
“Oh? What do you have in mind?” I ask, swallowing down the last morsel of my toast.
“Actually, I want to take you over to Brakkens. He’d like to see you.”
“Oh?” I deflate. I was hoping for a more romantic outing.
“He’s got more information for you that I think you should know,”
“Right, okay.” I fill with resignation. “Well, today actually works for me. What time?”
“When you finish eating? If that’s good?”
“Why so early? What’s the rush?”
“No rush,” he hedges, “Just something that needs to get done.”
Agreeing, I tidy up from breakfast and get ready. After I’m all set, Vaun escorts me out to his car and we make the drive to Brakkens, mostly in silence as my mind drifts to what might happen. The world rushes by out my window turning from town into forest. Before long it seems, we’ve arrived at Brakkens as we turn down a winding paved road, artfully bordered with immaculately trimmed hedges. They lead the way to a large open space with an imposing old brick mansion that looks like something just shy of a castle.
My eyes bug out as I crane my neck to look out the window. We pull up to a cottage house on the side and park. Vaun retrieves me from the car, and we walk to the front of the mansion. The lawn is stunning, the grounds decorated with beautiful roses in every color. Vaun takes me inside and sets my jacket aside as he calls out for Brakken. As I turn, taking in the entryway, I rub my hands together to warm them, but also to ease my nerves.
“I don’t know why he hasn’t gotten a butler,” he mutters.
I snort, thinking he’s joking. But then I catch his look, realizing he’s serious. I duck my chin to hide my surprise. Butler? For real?
“Give me a moment, I’ll go find him.” He walks off, leaving me to look around. Craning my neck to take in the huge tapestry that decorates the main wall, I move a little closer until I can make out the details. It’s a scene of a woman wearing a black armor plated bustier with black linen sleeves encircled by thick leather bands. She wears skirting, overlaid with heavy leather plates etched with runes along the edges. Her platinum hair running past her waist, is braided with little chunks of ornamental metal and stone.
She gazes down at you haughtily from dark eyes made even blacker by a thick line of kohl surrounding them. Her face is painted ghostly white with black runes in circles at her temples with a larger inked design on her forehead. From her neck, across her collarbone, running down her arms, there are little runes decoratively painted all along her skin. The fierce gaze she’s giving seems to follow you no matter where you move to. Very creepy, but somehow familiar.
Stepping back to take in the rest of the tapestry, I notice cleverly hidden animals just poking out of the forest, coming to either follow her or attack her? I can’t decide. My gaze travels down to a rich walnut accent cabinet near the entrance. Various sized framed photographs are artfully displayed, catching my eye as I move closer. A smiling Vaun with his arms around two other guys. Really good-looking guys. Leaning in even closer, I see one is Brakken, only he looks younger, and happy? The man I’ve seen looks aged with time and... sadness, I realize now staring into this happy face in the photo before me. I wonder what’s happened to make him so.
In another photo, there’s two guys dressed in armor for some cosplay event. They have the full regalia on, and you can’t make out their faces with the helmets, but the eyes show through, a stunning hazel gray and soft chocolate brown. They look like they just won a prize. Ambling along the hallway I take in the many pieces of artwork hanging on the walls. It’s a weird collection seeming to go through many different eras. Heading along the hallway Vaun went down, I take it all in when I hear voices in what sounds like a hushed argument. I can only make out bits and pieces until I move a little closer. I know it’s Vaun and the other voice sounds like Brakken.
