by Audra Hart
Damian chuckles and says, “Leave her alone Breena. I bet she would have only injured me enough to make me stop had I started drinking his blood.”
Breena looks at her sister and sees the truth in her eyes. Morna looks away from her sister’s face to her mate’s. She thinks, “Oh shit! I am really in deep trouble now.” Luca reads the look on his mate’s face a then laughs, he can easily understand what she is feeling. “Oh crap! I am so stupid!” Morna says in frustration, “Luca bite me! Drink! The antibodies!” Luca starts shaking his head no, “Don’t you dare argue with me. I am First Weaver and I insist that you do everything your can to heal yourself so that you can rescue my sister. The Guild needs the leader of its warriors in one piece.”
Luca laughs, “So I am not the only one who’s not above using guilt over duty to get their way?” Morna laughs and shakes her head no. Luca gets serious and accepts the arm she offers him. Morna gasps softly when he bites but can’t help but smile as the hot venom spreads through her body slowly. After over a minute, Luca pulls back with a questioning look in his eyes. He has been watching Morna’s eyes while he fed and she showed no evidence of experiencing any pain. “Are you feeling dizzy? Did I drink too much?”
Morna shakes her head and clears the pleasant sensations out that have been fogging her brain. “What? No, no. Of course not Luca. I feel fine.” She looks away and focuses on his arm. “It’s nearly healed. How are you feeling Darling?”
“I feel strong, vital and very, very alive!” He smiles at his mate and says, “But I have a bone to pick with you Woman. You are a bit of a liar. That venom hurts like hell!”
Morna sticks her tongue out at Luca and says, “Damian is not your mate and your sire… of course it hurts. However, it does not hurt when you bite me. You know exactly what….”
Valliant clears his throat and stands up. “Morna, there are some things that a Father just really doesn’t want to know.”
“Sorry Daddy. I forgot we weren’t alone.” Morna says as her face turns scarlet.
“Yes, I realize you were in your own world just then.” Valliant turns to walk away when he suddenly turns back to his daughter. “Did you just call me Daddy?” Valliant asks incredulously.
“Oh Father, I am sorry. I slipped. If you don’t like my calling you that I won’t do it again.” Morna says softly as she looks at her mate trying to hide her embarrassment from everyone else in the room.
Morna squeals when Valliant scoops her up and into his arms and holds her close. Then he holds her away from him and looks into her eyes, “Did you mean it Baby Girl?”
“Of course,” Morna says with a huge smile. “I have felt that way about you for centuries. I adore you Daddy, don’t you know that?”
“Morna I have always known that you respect me, even love me. I just didn’t think you had that strong of a connection to me.” Valliant smiles and draws her back to his body for another hug.
Morna hugs her father back and says, “Daddy, I do love you, but right now I need to focus on my mate. He’s going after Val tonight instead of me.”
Valliant hugs Morna again and kisses her forehead before he sets her down. Valliant looks at Luca and says, “Son, I have always respected you, even liked you, but right now I hold you in the highest esteem possible. How did you talk her into it? I was thinking about suggesting that we drug her and you go in her stead, but I figured you had had already thought of that and just knew it wouldn’t work.”
“You are right Valliant, drugging her wouldn’t have worked. Morna is hardheaded and driven to protect those she loves, but more importantly she is duty driven. I reminded her of her duty to stay alive for her children and her Guild.” Luca says with a laugh.
“You are wrong, Luca. I wanted to let you have your way all along. I know how much it tortured you that I had to risk myself and wouldn’t let you do it. When you proved that you wouldn’t combust… well, then I agreed. You have just as much chance of surviving this as I do.” Morna leans down and kisses him. “You damn well better survive!” Morna breathes into his mouth.
Luca nods and says, “Yes Ma’am.” He laughs and takes the hand she offers him and the lovers stand up holding each other close.
Kyle clears his throat and says, “We need to have a serious talk when you get back Dad. You two have to learn to use your words.”
Morna laughs and picks her son up and hugs him fiercely. “Honestly son there was no other way for Daddy to prove to me that it is safe for him to rescue Val. I never would have consented to testing him for non-combustibility. He honestly had no choice but to put me in a binding spell while he did it.”
“I should have gagged her first.” Luca says as he bites into the third bag of blood.
Valliant laughs at that says, “Son you better shut up before you bite off more than you can chew.”
“He already has, I‘ll wager” says Kylor. “I can’t imagine Mother will let it pass that he deliberately caught his own arm on fire just to prove a point.”
Luca drains the bag of blood and tosses it in the trash. “Okay Morna, I am nearly healed. We don’t have all night. Robert let’s get busy modifying our plans. Also you need to mind share what Val looks like so that I can weave the finding spell to get there.”
Suddenly Luca and Morna are both all business, strategizing, and considering possible spells Luca might need. They quickly modify the plans Morna and her children had spent months making in the Neophasic dimension. About ten minutes into their discussion of plans Luca feels little arms wrap around his waist. He looks down and sees the twins have latched on to him. He puts an arm around the shoulder of each girl. “Nalla? Nerri? What’s wrong?”
Both girls are crying and they release his waist and reach up for him. He bends down and scoops the girls up into his arms. He presses kisses to both girl’s cheeks and speaks soothingly to them until they both stop crying. Luca looks at the twin in his right arm and asks, “Nerri, why were you crying? What can I do to help?”
Nerri sniffles and says, “You are saving Mama. Nalla and I are empathic. We know from being around Rebecca that Mama was going to suffer horribly. We love her so much, and we love you because you are going to face the dragons in her place.” Nerri kisses Luca’s cheek wetly and says, “Thank you Daddy.” Then Nalla kisses him and says the same.
Luca is nearly moved to tears by his daughters. “Don’t worry girls, Daddy will always try to take care of Mama, and you too.”
Nora laughs and says, “I told em that Daddy, when you followed Mama to the bathroom. I knew you would convince her.”
Luca shifts Nerri a little bit and somehow manages to pick Nora up as well. She kisses his nose and whispers, “Thank you Daddy, that was a pretty desperate move, but you did it. And miracle of miracles, it worked.”
Luca kisses his daughter’s nose, “I am surprised it worked. I thought I was going to have to drug her. But now it is time for you three to go to bed.” The girls groan but Luca says, “My three beauties need their beauty rest.”
“Gee Dad, that’s not corny at all.” Nora says as she rolls her eyes. Luca is again overwhelmed by the amazing set of contradictions that is his little Nora. She’s so tiny and so sweet. Her voice sounds like the tiny little girl that she is. She still has trouble with snaps and shoe laces and isn’t too proud to admit it, but she has seen so much because of her visions that she is almost worldly in her knowledge and expectations. It can be more than a little unsettling dealing with a small child who knows your every move before you make it. He has been walking toward their bedroom as he and Nora spoke. “Daddy, you surely know we won’t be able to sleep.”
“I do, but you can take your baths and someone will be along soon to tuck you in. I promise Nora… I will do everything possible to come back.” Luca says as he sets the girls down. “By the way, I am glad you three decided to share a room. It will be nice to have you all so close to Mama and me at night.” Luca kisses the girls again and turns and walks away, hoping they don’t cry before he can get back to the
dining room.
Morna is waiting for him around the corner. Luca is focusing so intently on managing his emotions that he almost runs his mate over. He scoops her up into his arms and starts kissing her. “Those girls of ours really got to me.” Luca admits when he stops kissing her.
“I know, you big softie.” Morna chuckles breathless from the kiss. “Let’s go outside and you can show me how well you remember my ice spell.”
“Will you wait for me with the girls?” Luca asks quietly.
“I will. I have three new books to read to them. So hurry back. They will not be able to contain themselves for long. And honestly I am so scared that I am having a hard time keeping myself calm.” Morna admits.
“Contact Rinda to come sit with you.” Luca suggests.
“No. She would just hypnotize me and I must be alert and ready to come to help.” Morna says.
“No Morna!” Luca hisses.
“Like hell, Old Man. Many things could go wrong that would change the outcome of the visions. If Nora says you need me, I’ll be there in a heartbeat. Count on it.” Morna says as she turns and kisses him. “Live! Do you hear me? Live?”
“I will.” Luca assures him. They quickly go over the plan again and Luca demonstrates that he is just as skillful with Morna’s ice spell as she is. He also reminds her that can weave a great many other spells that might be helpful. “I’ll be fine. Go read to the girls.”
Morna nods, and walks over and takes Robert into her arms. “Robert, do you remember the spells I taught you?”
“Ma, you know I do. I will stay out of Luca’s way. I know, I am just the ride back. I promised that I wouldn’t take any stupid risks.” He hugs his Mother and they say, “I love you.” At the same time. Luca and the other siblings chuckle at the same time.
Aideen hugs Luca and says, “Daddy...” she kisses his cheek and hugs him hard.
“Okay little girl, it will be alright, I promise.” Luca assures his oldest daughter. Aideen gulps hard and nods. She is totally unable to speak. Luca turns to shake hands with all of his sons. Kylor and Kyle both hug him. Then Luca turns to his newest daughters, not sure how to proceed with them. Rebecca hugs him and says, “We wanna be Daddy’s little girls too.” Luca laughs and happily hugs Rebecca and Cirona. He steps away and wraps his arm around the waist of his new son Robert, smiles at his mate as he weaves the finding spell.
Morna collapses in a heap and stares at the place her one true love was just standing, with his arm around their son. “God I hope I did the right thing.” she whispers. She sits staring into space for a minute and then gets up.
“Where are you going Mama?” Aideen asks.
“I promised Daddy I would read a story to our little girls.” Morna walks into the house without looking back. Aiden and Anson follow.
Everyone watches them leave in silence. When they are gone Aideen says, “Rebecca what do you see?”
After a minute or two she shakes her head. Nothing.” Rebecca says softly. Then she adds, “Sometimes it takes a minute to get a new vision. But my last vision showed Luca, sorry, Father, Daddy… I don’t know what to call him. But he’s an angel, I know that.” Rebecca chuckles at herself. The group falls silent in the wake of Rebecca’s nervous chatter. They are looking to each other for comfort. Some of the siblings are holding hands, while others just look from face to face, searching for reassurance.
After what feels like ages, Rebecca gasps and looks around. “Move closer to the house. They will pop in right here.” Everyone hurries to heed her warning. Suddenly Rebecca’s eye snap open and she barking orders. “Get Ready! Kylor, go get Ma. She may have to go get Daddy! Something has happened and he’s not waking up. Oh no, he‘s being attacked….”
Kylor is nearly inside the building when Robert and Valgullveig materialize where they had been standing right before Rebecca told them all to move back. His father isn’t with him, so he starts shouting for his mother.
Gullveig steps forward and starts healing the burns on Robert and Valgullveig. She concentrates on Robert first. Michael is helping and shaking his brother, “Where is Luca? Oh hell Robert! Where is Father? Ma will curl up and die if he doesn’t come back!”
Morna runs out of the house and takes one look at Robert, he’s unconscious. Valgullveig is too. “Kylor, walk through your brother’s mind and find out where your Father is. If he can get back on his own, I won’t go after him… if not…”
“Ma… he fell off in the dimension they had to travel through. It’s… it’s a place of nothingness.” Rebecca says. “He’s unconscious and fading fast. No! He didn’t fall off, he was ripped off by that beast and he‘s being attacked too!”
Morna nods and says, “Take these two to the Healer’s Hall, that’s where I am taking Daddy.” Morna weaves the finding spell and is gone before anyone can reply.
Kylor picks up Robert and cradles his brother tenderly. He looks over as Valliant picks Valgullveig up into his arms, Kylor can’t help but think that he certainly hopes she turns out to be worth all that he and his siblings may have lost tonight in order to save her.
Valliant and Kylor set out at a run for the Healer’s hall. He is grateful that Kyle taught him the iron-lion spell. He wishes his mother had taught him the finding spell. He would go after his parents. “Vali and Bellona with the little ones?”
“Yes.” Valliant snuffs and wipe his nose. “Dammit grandson, I certainly hope I didn’t just trade an honorable daughter and son in law for one that has been wreaking havoc around the nine realms for six hundred years…”
When they arrive at the Healer’s Hall, Kylor is very scared that his parents are dead because they aren’t here. He was sure they would be here before he could arrive with his brother. Mordir goes to work on Robert. Surth begins working on Valgullveig. “Mordir… get ready, Mother is bringing Father in. I think he will probably burnt very badly, probably near death.”
Mordir nods and says, “When they get here, take him to treatment room next door. It’s set up with items I would need to treat him and the Lady Morna, as well as her sister.” At Kylor surprised look. “Well Kylor, they have different needs than other beings here and well… they don’t exactly live dull lives. I keep that treatment room set up for them.”
Kylor nods his understanding for that little comment and looks at his brother. “Is my brother going to be alright? He’s burnt pretty badly.”
“Your brother?” Mordir says in surprise. “Who is the woman?”
“Valgullveig. Luca rescued her from the Dark One. My brother Robert’s job was to bring them back. He’s a dimensional jumper.” Kylor says.
“Where are Luca and Morna?”
“I’m not sure. Rebecca thinks Father was lost in the dimension that the jumpers travel in from dimension to dimension. Mother went after him…” Kylor says uncertainly. He rubs his face hard and then drags his hands through his hair.
“Your Father does that when he is worried about your Mother, which is frequently by the way.” Mordir says with a half-smile. Kylor nods to acknowledge what the healer had just said. “Look Kylor, if anyone can find Luca and bring him back it’s Morna… Those two are connected in a very uncanny way.” Mordir and the other healers have been steadily working on Robert and Valgullveig. Mordir knows Kylor needs some good news, “This young man is going to be fine. He’s very strong and the burns aren’t too deep. We have him in stasis right now for his own protection. To protect him from the pain.”
Kylor nods and says, “Thank you Mordir. That’s truly good news.” Just then they hear the sounds of many people just outside of the treatment room. Mordir sends an assistant to check on the fracas. “Sounds like my siblings. I will go to them.” Kylor strides quickly out into the lobby.
Nora rushes up to him and wraps around his legs, “They aren’t here yet are they?” Kylor picks her up and holds her close. “No sweetie, they aren’t here yet.” He strokes the back of her head while he sends up another silent prayer for their parents.
&nbs
p; Nora pulls back and says, “Set me down Ky. We must get them back. I have an idea.” Kylor complies and watches to see what Nora is up to. He feels in his gut that little sister is truly something special among all these special people. He watches as she gathers everyone together. “We need to call them home.” When everyone looks at her strangely she continues; “We can join our powers and call them home. Aiden, Kylor… you two are excellent teleporters… use our energy to amplify your abilities and bring them here to us.”
Aideen says, “I should weave a finding spell and go after them.”
“Mom already did that Aideen. If she can’t fight her way back, what makes you think you can?” Kyle says in frustration. “Sorry Aideen. Look I should have said we just don’t need anyone else to go M.I.A. We all need to work together to get them back.”
“Kyle, magic doesn’t work like that. We can’t tap into another’s power.” Aideen says.
“Aideen, look Mom says you perform traditional Spell Weaver magic but those of us who don’t have the training that you do use the magic that resides in our bodies. We all have the same green eyes that Mom has… that means we all have the same magic in our bodies that she has.” Nora says calmly.
“That doesn’t make any difference.” Aideen insists. “Eye color doesn’t mean a damned thing!”
“Enough Aideen!” Breena says calmly. “It does. I’ll explain later. She looks at Kylor, “Kylor… you’ve been in your Mom’s mind, you know where the magic resides in each of you… explain to your siblings.”
“Our magic is not just in our eye color, it’s in every fiber of our bodies. Open your hearts and your minds and reach out and collect that power, concentrate it. Visualize gathering it up, feel it get stronger and stronger and then offer it up to Mother to use to bring them back. Call out to her, let her feel our support. Aiden and I will reach out to find them and try to pull them back, but we need Mother to help… Clear your minds, let go of any self-doubts, just trust in Mom’s magic that dwells in each of us.” Kylor nods in satisfaction when the remaining twelve siblings join hands and close their eyes to concentrate and follow his instructions.