by J N Moon
“What is the Mither O’ Sea?” I questioned.
“Ah, I’m glad you asked,” Ethan answered. “The Mither is the sea spirit, during the Vernal Equinox she rises and takes control of the sea from Teran, the winter spirit. Legend has it that they battle for control, she wins and resides over the seas of the Orkney Islands during spring and summer. Come autumn, they battle again, but the Mither, or Mother, exhausted from her reign looses and so Teran resides during autumn and winter months. Every year, the same. Or so the legend says.”
“So we think that this time she’s lost the battle?” I questioned. “And if so, this Teran, if he’s sent this demon to wipe out your kind, why would he do that? Who pissed him off, you know, if it’s real?”
Everyone was silent contemplating the situation, I asked, “What about Holy Water? If it’s demonic, maybe that’d do it?”
Conor caught my eye and held my gaze, “It might Emma, but there’s one prerequisite with using holy tools to fight demons, you have to believe. If you don’t, they simply won’t work.”
I looked down, I never believed in anything external to me, “What about if I believed I could kill it-as opposed to believing in something else?”
He ran his fingers through his thick hair as he looked up, running his tongue over his lips. “Maybe, I don’t know.”
“Isn’t there any Wolf Born who believe in God?”
He smirked, his eyes sparkled and I noticed they subtly glimmered yellow. “What do you think?” he grinned.
“So, all our ancestors wrote was that fresh water would kill it? I’m not sure I’m confident in that. Like Conor says though, it still doesn’t explain why, all of a sudden, the thing is attacking us...Hang on, look over the page. There’s more, but it’s roughly scribbled, it says the creature is distantly related to the Fae and as such dislikes iron. The only way to kill it is to cut off its head with an iron sword,” I said.
“Oh, that’s ok then, I’ll go get mine,” Conor snarked. “Sorry Emma, that wasn’t aimed at you, but an iron sword! Who has that? And, which head? It has two...”
Everyone took a breath and looked around. “Nope, I don’t,” I replied.
“Ok, so we know what will kill it. Between us we know enough people-we may have to commission a sword which I’m thinking would take a few weeks or less. But, Conor with your contacts in Scotland we should look at that today. We need this now, and even if we can get someone to create it, it’ll still take time. Everyone will have to chip in, it won’t be cheap and we need it fast,” Ethan advised.
“I have friends up North that know a good sword-smith. He’s the best, he’s human but he can manage this. But we only have this scribbled note to go by. I don’t know anything about swords, I should post something on the S. web, maybe someone can help. We can’t be the first to come across a Nuckelavee.”
“What’s the S. web?” I asked.
“It’s an underground web for Supernaturals-it’s huge. We all have our own groups, areas, info on there,” Conor replied matter of factly. He looked back to the book, then back at me and winked. “You may have thought your world was changing Em, but it’s a whole lot bigger than you can imagine right now. Ethan, I’ll get on it now, but we should get ready to go to my house. I have a few more weapons stashed there and I can ask others to bring some, too.” He looked at me and flashed me a smile. “Most of us live in close proximity to one another-don’t think ‘pack’- that’s outdated. There’s no alphas or betas, we share responsibility but we do listen to our elders, those like your uncle who have more knowledge.”
“That’s because, young man, before my run in with that beast I could’ve kicked your ass, if not as a human, then as a wolf,” my uncle laughed.
Seeing my uncle laughing, my mum smiling, was soothing but I also now noticed how much they’d aged. Crease lines and weather worn skin made my uncle appear hard, but he was a powerful force to be reckoned with when needed and he could bend and twist around all the problems life threw at him. Even now, I saw as I had the other day, the walking stick the hospital had given to him was tucked in a corner of the room untouched. No way he’d use that, let alone crutches.
“What do you need Ethan?” I asked.
“I’m not keen on fleeing my home, you all know that but I’ll stay a few nights at Conor’s. Conor-how many rooms do you have?”
“Enough. Bring your gun though, the more the better.”
So, I helped my uncle get his gear together and we followed Conor to his home. Ethan couldn’t drive so he travelled with Conor, and me with mum.
I was taken aback, Conor also had a cabin, or a lodge more like. Not like my uncles. Trying not to look impressed I followed my mum, who was nudging me, grinning. Conor was gentleman enough to ignore it.
Ethan had been there many times before, “Nice little shack Emma, eh? He built it himself-well mostly.”
“Let me show you to your rooms?” Conor said.
“Oh, I won’t be staying. I just wanted to make sure my Em was ok,” mum answered him. “In fact, I think I’ll leave now, I don’t want to drive back when it’s dark.”
Suddenly all the air left my body, my face dropped, “Now Emma, you’ll be fine. Remember I’m not as strong as you all and I think I’m probably more scared than you.”
Nodding, I hugged her tightly, “Text me when you are home mum, ok? Otherwise I’ll come looking for you.”
“I will. Take care of her Ethan, and Conor.” Ethan hugged his sister and we watched as she went back to her car and pulled away.
“Come on Em, Conor’s going to show you your room. Others will be arriving soon, we need to get settled in.”
My pulse beating hard at the thought of my mum out there, where that creature was, of staying in a strange house and now having to meet a load of strangers, I braced myself to try and look in control. I threw on a fake smile and went to grab my bags, but Conor had them.
Softly he said, “This way. Don’t worry-everything will be taken care of. Not everyone from our community will come here this evening, just a few. My closest friends, they’ll pass on what we’ve learned so far, and if you need some space don’t feel you have to stay downstairs chatting with them. You’ll find plenty of things in your room. I’ve made a room up downstairs for Ethan to save him from the stairs with his leg cast.”
“Thanks. You have Wi-Fi I guess?”
“Sure, I’ll hook you up. There’s no tv in the bedrooms I’m afraid. But there’s lots of books.”
“I don’t really watch tv, just DVDs, and right now they would be more of a worry than a comfort.”
He smirked, “Why’s that? Into werewolf movies?” he grinned mischievously.
“Yes.”
“I bet you prefer vampires to werewolves though,” he sighed, almost resigned to the fact that in the movies he would always, even with his rugged good looks, play second best to the vampire.
“I love vampires-well in the movies but I’m not so sure Conor. I mean, they are dead, they’re cold. Werewolves might be part animal, but I imagine they’re warm and they are alive. Being alive is a bonus, surely.”
“How you humour me, Ms. Blakesley but no, I believe you. For now,” he teased.
Opening the door to my room, he paused. “I hope this is ok?”
My eyes widened, it was stunning. Oak floors, panelled and stone walls, a bed almost as big as my own bedroom.
“There’s an en-suite through that door over there,” he informed me.
Suddenly he put my bag down, turned to me putting his hands lightly on my arms, then pulling them away-confusion on his face. I felt it, too, the tension between us, but I’m a scientist and I know it’s just hormones, chemicals. Other people would say it’s a spark. But it’s not, it's hormones, though I did love it. Trusting it in the past had led to all kinds of nasty.
“Your name, Blakesley, do you know what it means?” he asked.
“Uh, no. You do I guess?” I must’ve frowned, such an odd question-had he looked t
hat up?
“It means dark wolf. Ethan told me, it’s a name that’s been in your family for generations.”
“But it’s my mother’s married name, so no?”
“Ah,” putting his hand on his chin he realised he knew something I didn’t. “No, actually your mother never changed her last name when she married your dad. It’s a were thing, too. Seeing as your dad was human, but your mum came from the Wolf Born lineage,” his face flushed and his eyes squinted, “It was common for her to keep her last name,” I could almost see him grimace, I just answered, “Oh, I never knew that. But she’s not Wolf Born.”
Relief softened his face, he smiled and added, “It’ll be about an hour before my friends arrive so I was going to get us some dinner. You have any preferences?”
“Thanks, yes I do. What were you thinking of cooking?”
“Vegetable stir fry?” he answered.
Then he laughed, “Oh, you think I eat raw meat or something. I’m pretty conscientious when it comes to food. And this place.”
“I noticed, the solar panels. Well it figures, you know being close to nature. Need a hand?”
“No, you rest up, settle in. I’ll shout when it’s ready.”
So while this wolf man went to cook us dinner, I did just that. I scanned his books first, you can tell a lot by someone’s books. Some people like to show off with books by Keats or Homer and the usual high grade lit, even if they haven’t really read it. But these were mainly fiction, some nature, some history.
I took off my boots and laid on the bed, it was like lying in clouds in heaven. Soft but not too soft, and with my boots off I noticed my feet were warm, underfloor heating. God, I could live here it was so lovely. I felt a bit out of place, my home is a bit ram shackled in comparison. But I’d be willing to bet I could get used to this.
There was a tapping sound at the door. Slowly opening my eyes, I saw Conor standing there calling me quietly, I hadn’t realised I’d fallen asleep.
His huge smile and flushed cheeks made me feel at home. Fumbling to come to I said, “Sorry, I didn’t realise how tired I was. This bed is so comfortable.”
“That’s alright. You can stay sleeping if you want, I’ll put your dinner aside for later. It’s no problem.”
That was tempting, just undress and fall asleep here, who cares about a demon. If I’m under the duvet it can’t get me anyway.
But obligation made me feel like I should go down and do all the things. “No, I’ll get up.”
A cold shiver tingled down my back, and I was acutely aware that he sensed how I felt. Animals can sense that, how we feel. He strode over so fast, yet so lightly, I almost had to do a double take, “Please, just rest up. Get some sleep, you can meet everyone tomorrow.” He gestured with his hands to indicate not to get up. “I’ll tell you what, you rest. I’ll... umm... bring you a snack up later. If you’re wake, then fine. If not, you’re safe here.”
His eyes were slightly golden again and his gaze was intense but not intimidating, rather it was tempting. He fumbled a bit, slightly tilting his head and then as he turned almost tripped.
Before I could speak he spluttered, “It’s alright, I’m fine.” I knew he was embarrassed, he looked one last time before leaving, a little smile on his face and I got up, grinned as I got undressed and climbed into that big bed. A wolfs bed, now I felt like Red Riding Hood in the wolf’s lair.
What a Tender Young Creature, What a Nice Plump Mouthful.
Dreams came fast and violent, contrasting to the comfort of my legs and body in that bed. Skinless, tendons and sinews showing, black blood dripping from its mouth, as it opened its jaws so close to my face. Its breath foul like rotting flesh, no now it wasn’t the demon, it was him, Conor, half man, half wolf. Those golden eyes and huge fangs, saliva dripping as his animal jaw nuzzled my cheek, but a human hand grabbed at my arms.
Terror paralysed me, my heart hammered against my chest, my lungs empty, I could only turn my head slightly to see my uncle, what was my uncle, my mother and this creature, this man or thing laughed as he got closer, pressing his deformed body against me.
Screaming, I sat bolt upright, sweat dripping off me and Ethan and Conor standing on either side. Apparently, they’d been trying to wake me. I jumped, startled, fear still coursing through me like bolts of electricity.
I wanted to shout, “Don’t touch me!” but I knew that was the nightmare talking. All of this, in a few days.
“Here, take this. You’re alright.”
I noticed then that they had obviously been sleeping and woke up upon hearing me, my uncle in his brush cotton pj’s must have hobbled up the stairs, and Conor in sweats, hair tousled, a robe around him.
He handed me some tea which smelled fragrant, not the sort of thing I’d usually drink. Sudden thoughts about Henbane flashed into my ever-cautious mind.
“What’s this?” I mumbled.
“It’s chamomile tea, it’ll help you relax.”
I didn’t want to sound ungrateful, but the smell made me gag, so I took it and put the cup on the table next to the bed.
“Why not leave the light on Em? That’ll give you some comfort,” Ethan suggested.
“Ok,” I squeaked.
“I’ll sleep in the chair over there and watch over you,” Conor suggested.
Rather loudly, which I didn’t mean to happen, I yelled, “No, no it was a nightmare. A really nasty one, but I’m fine-thank you. No, you should rest.”
After a few seconds of me convincing them, they left. Climbing out of the bed, I went to the cupboard and found some fresh sheets.
By the time I’d changed them I felt quite awake. Grabbing the cup, I went to the bathroom and emptied the herbal stuff out and replaced it with water. I wanted a quick shower but I was conscious of waking them again, so I just changed into a t-shirt.
As I laid back down, the light on, all sorts of noises from the forest echoed lightly in the background. Before this trip, I would’ve enjoyed them, found them soothing but now I found them unsettling. Other things crawled and prowled out there, things that I wished didn’t.
But sleep must have fallen onto me, the next thing I knew dim sunlight peeked around the wooden shutters and all I heard was birdsong, it must be dawn breaking.
The next thing I was aware of was Conor shaking me roughly and almost crying my name. I fought with my eyes to open them, my chest suddenly tight, as my vision cleared my mind became confused. Conor was on my bed, bloodied face, shirt torn and a wound on his arm weeping badly. Hunched, looking down at it first, he didn’t realise I was awake until I sat up. Catching my breath, I squeaked, “What’s wrong? Where’s Ethan? Where’s my uncle!”
But in the pit of my stomach I knew where my uncle was and a twisting agony as my gut wrenched its way around and around. “No!” I yelled.
“Emma,” Conor called. He fell forwards, bloodied arms outstretched and I fell forward from where I sat into him. “How? Why Ethan?” I sobbed.
“It came while we slept, I heard Ethan, rushed in but it had hold of him.”
“In his bedroom?”
“No, when I ran down the stairs, I found him outside. He must’ve heard something; his gun was a few feet from him. Emma, I’m so sorry! Others heard it and came running, shooting at it but it fled again. A few of us pursued it but we lost it which is no mean feat,” he croaked.
I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t feel, let alone comprehend that he was gone. I remembered I’d had a text from my mum saying she got home safe, was she still safe? Why was it after my uncle? Nothing made sense. I let my numb body fall limp into Conor, he was the closest friend I had right now, here in this horror. My mum, I would have to tell her. My mind buzzed with a thousand thoughts, gasping, I said, “Where is he, I want to see?”
His voice firm, he sat up rigid, “No! Absolutely not and he wouldn’t want you to see him like he is. Emma I can’t allow that, I won’t do that to you. My friends are downstairs-we will tend to him.”
Anger welled up in me, I knew he was being protective but this was my uncle and I wanted to see what that bitch of a monster had done. I went to get up but he gripped my arms firmly, “No! No one should see that, you must remember him as he was and use your anger to channel into defeating this demon. I won’t let you Emma, it’s not alright.”
“That’s not your decision, he’s my uncle and I want to see him. Why the hell didn’t anyone wake me? I could’ve saved him,” I yelled, struggling to release his grip. He tried to pull me into him but I was determined, no one was keeping me away from my uncle.
“Let me go! You don’t have to protect me, I’m not a child!”
Finally, he relented and I leapt up, sprung across the bed and opened the door. The smell of death hit me, but I plunged on.
Running down the stairs my eyes darting frantically around a group of people, my uncles body lay there in the doorway. They’d covered him up with a sheet. With the shock-my legs gave out, grabbing the banister I plonked down on the bottom stair.
Something caught my eye, further back in the entrance, partially out of site as it had rolled under the table. It was the walking cane the hospital had issued my uncle. He had refused to use it and had hobbled on his cast, but now I realised that he had used it, just in secret, always strong and powerful, he hadn’t wanted anyone to know his vulnerability. Tears ran down my face, then compelled to honour his secret, I leapt up on unsteady legs, swooped up the cane holding it close to me and put it with his stuff in his room.
His room smelled of him, earthy and musky-he was like a dad to me. Sitting on his bed I couldn’t face those people, Conor’s friends, the looks they’d give me, their condolences.
Conor came in, said nothing and sat next to me, putting one arm around my shoulder. I didn’t react, my heart was a void, hollow and empty like my soul.
Voices buzzed around outside, I heard vehicles pull up, feet trampling around and Conor got up silently and left the room, then speaking to someone outside. Creaking slightly, the door was pushed open and a head popped round. Quietly, a policewoman walked in.