Call of the Wylde

by Cynnara Tregarth

  “Riana trusts her.”

  “Riana is not you or I. Riana has her own way of dealing with people who betray her and trust me it’s not joyful. The question is whether or not you’re playing into the vampire coalition’s plans.” Eileen’s fingers tapped at the steering wheel. “I don’t like it, Colette.”

  “It’s not a matter of liking it or not. We need the information, not just for Owain, but also for the nemeton. Do you deny that this kind of information needs to be preserved, protected, and kept in case of an emergency?”

  “No, that’s what makes this a tough call, Col. Personally, I don’t like you going alone. I can’t leave because of my studies. Plus, it’s almost the equinox, Colette. Something about Chichen Itza deals with it, but I can’t remember. It’s not my specialty,” Eileen apologized.

  “It’s okay. The Mayans had a way of aligning their pyramids to solstices and equinoxes. The pyramid of Kulkulan is one of them. Though there’s no chance of seeing the snake enter or leave the pyramid because that only happens on the solstices, I don’t think I’ll be at risk. Plus, Kymaera isn’t an enemy.”

  “No, she’s a vampire with attitude. Granted she owes our nemeton some favors, but I still consider her a risk.”

  “Agreed, Eileen. Listen to me, come the morning, call Owain and let him know I’m okay and that I’ll be in touch with him once I’m done with my research. Tell him I’ve gone to see an old friend until this is over.”

  “Dr. Medallano’s wife?”

  “Yes. I know I’ll be seeing her on the way to Chichen Itza. Hopefully, she’s got more information for me.”

  “Will do. Anything personal you want me to tell him?” Eileen hugged her friend once she pulled over to the drop off area. “Anything at all?”

  “Tell him I love him enough to know I can’t be left behind like an incapable person.”

  “Will do. Be careful and call for backup if needed. I think one of ours is in Cancun vacationing.”

  “I’ll send up the flag if it’s needed.” Colette hugged the young woman back and got out of the car. “Thanks for the ride. Get some sleep and tell Riana that she’s not the only one with adventures to be had.”

  “Ha. I’ll let her know only after I tell Owain. You know she’ll call to kick your arse otherwise.”

  “Indeed. Take care, wish me well.” Colette closed the door and waved. Then she walked inside the airport.

  Eileen watched then dug out her mobile phone. Dialing a number memorized by heart, she waited until it was picked up. “Life just got complicated, Riana.”

  Chapter Ten

  >Listening to local Mexican radio, Colette drove towards the outskirts of Mexico City. Having slept most of the plane flight, she hadn’t returned either of the calls left on her voice mail. Knowing that both Owain and Riana were pissed at her, she figured it was best that she didn’t incite a riot with her idea. However, that was part of the problem as she wasn’t quite sure how to execute her idea. It all rested on Tony’s wife. Once she had his information, then it could be adjusted and other problems taken into account.

  Her cell phone rang and she glanced at the number calling her. It was Tony’s wife, Cicely. Picking up the phone, she pressed a button. “Hello?”

  “Colette? This is Cicely.”

  “Great to hear from you, Cicely. I should be there in fifteen minutes. Anything happening?”

  “Nope. I have the data you’ve requested from Tony’s files. Are you in any trouble?”

  “What makes you think that?” Colette made a left hand turn, the car eating up miles.

  “Just the way your last phone call sounded.”

  “Plus Riana called you.”

  “Yes, she did.” Cicely hesitated a moment. “This is about the discovery of the sacred texts, isn’t it?”

  “What sacred texts? Riana didn’t mention anything about sacred texts.”

  There was a slight pause. “She doesn’t know. Well, she didn’t until this morning.”

  “Oh shit. How pissed is she with you now?”

  “She’s threatened to come and take me and the boys away from Mexico for protection.”

  Colette paused and whistled. That was her sister, her best friend in action for protecting her family and friends. Whatever was on the texts was enough to make Riana overreact. “I take it that I’ll be given the papers of the text and translation then.”

  “Yes. What no one realizes is that Tony took the texts home. He knew that they needed to be protected more than the usual amount given by any museum.”

  “This is not making things any easier. Why isn’t a museum the place to protect the texts?”

  “Because it shows the existence of vampires and of a god named Xilan who can be reached at Chichen Itza on only 4 days of the year.”

  “Aw shit. This is getting worse and worse. Look Cicely, let me hang up. I’ll be there in five minutes and you can fill me in on the details. But one last thing, in the texts, does it say what Xilan does?”

  “Yes, it does. He’s the god of vampires.”

  “Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! I’ll see you in five.” Colette hung up the cell phone and thought about these new revelations. Right about now, she could use Owain at her side, but there was no way in hell it would make this any easier beyond having someone to lean on.

  * * *

  Owain hung up the phone cursing in Gaelic. “I cannot believe that woman!”

  Shane stood at the door. “Which one?”

  “Huh?”

  “Colette, her Irish friend, Eileen, or the woman you were speaking with on the phone?”

  “Yes!” Owain packed his bags, tossing Colette’s spare bag on the bed.

  “Seriously, Owain, you okay? What’s going on?”

  Owain sighed and kicked the bed. “Colette is in Mexico and heading to Chichen Itza on her own. There were sacred texts found nearby the area recently by Dr. Medallano, and they deal with Xilan and vampires.”

  “No fecking way!” Shane exclaimed. “What are you going to do?”

  “My flight leaves in two hours. I can only hope that I can get to Chichen Itza quickly and stop Colette from doing anything foolish.”

  “Anything I can do to help?”

  “Take care of the bill. Use the main account for it. I need to get out of here. Let Finn, Donal, and Miach know the latest.”

  “Miach is going to roar over this.”

  “Can’t be any worse than listening to Dr. Riana Sinclair bitch about the whole situation. She does remind me of Miach in many ways though.” Owain ran his fingers through his hair. Originally when he woke up, he had thought Colette had gone for a walk to think about things. It wasn’t until he saw her bags gone and received Eileen then Riana’s call that he realized the truth of what was going on.

  “Whatever you need, I’ll help out with, Múinteoir.”

  “Thanks Shane. I’ll call you later once I’m in flight.” Owain patted Shane on the shoulder, then made his way downstairs to the car. Once everything was stowed away, he headed towards the airport. Luckily he bought his ticket online, so that was waiting for him. He cursed that the Concorde still wasn’t running. That could’ve cut his flight time in half or more. Pulling into the VIP parking, he left the car there for Shane or Patrick to pick up. Rushing, Owain went through the airport security quickly, picked up his ticket and made his way to the VIP lounge area.

  Once settled in the lounge, he picked up the phone and dialed a number that he had received from Riana. He really didn’t like the problems this invoked, but he was without a choice in the matter. “May I speak with Kymaera please?”

  “This is Kymaera. Whom am I speaking to?”

  “Owain Maraigh. Dr. Sinclair gave me your number. She said that you might have information regarding Colette Wylde.” Owain bit back a sharp retort. He was sure that Kymaera knew well and good who he was and why he was calling.

  “Yes, Riana mentioned you’d be calling. What can I do for you?” “Prevent Colette from opening the portal to Xil
an at Chichen Itza.” “I see.” The voice hardened. “May I ask why I should obey your demand on this?” “Because I’m part of House Morrigan, third rank. I’m also working with Ola Mahdi.” The pause was filled with many emotions, one of them curiosity, Owain thought. He wasn’t

  going to give in and fill the silence. Finally, the voice on the other end spoke. “Then I’ll help you as I can. Why do you feel it’s dangerous for her to go to Chichen?” “This is hard to explain to an unbeliever, Kymaera. My patron goddess warned me that if she

  goes there, she might be killed and her death cause more pain for mankind.” The sigh on the other end was heavy. “She is on her way here. I am meeting her at the site

  itself. I don’t think she knows what to do or expect yet. How long til you arrive?” “I’ll be there tomorrow, early morning.” “I can put her off until tomorrow night before she gets raring to do something foolish.” Owain grunted. “Good luck.” “She’s part of Saille Nemeton and mortal. Did you really think she’d have considered all

  consequences? She’s scared that something will happen and she’ll lose everything from what I could sense while talking with her earlier. It makes us do desperate things, love and fear do.” Startled, Owain replied, “Yes, it does. Sometimes to the detriment of all else if we’re not careful. Even when you’ve seen all the consequences, sometimes we choose the wrong thing because

  it’s the safest path, not the best one.”

  “Wise words from a wise man.”

  “No, from a man guilty of doing just that.”

  “And I’m a woman who’s just as guilty and with no way of making recompense, Owain Maraigh. I shall keep Colette from doing anything stupid until you get here. You have my bond.”

  “Kymaera, go raibh maith agat. I appreciate this. I’m hoping once things are settled, you and I can take the time to acquaint ourselves. I know that House Morrigu doesn’t have much to do with the rest of the vampire world.”

  “It would be nice to begin bringing House Morrigu into the fold instead of being outsiders.” A smile shone through over the line. “Truly, that would be great, Owain. Call me when you get into Mexico and we’ll go from there.”

  “Will do, Kymaera, and thanks once again for your help. Just be careful. We have some problems with Taranis and his minions.”

  “They won’t stray near Chichen. No one dares risk the wrath of the Mayan gods.”

  “That makes one less issue to worry about.” The overhead speakers announced his flight. “My flight’s been called. I’ll call you later on. Until then, Kymaera.”

  “May the night provide you cover and bless you in the full light of the moon.”

  “May the dark moon glow in your eyes and your soul be your own.” Owain hung up his phone and headed towards his gate. Handing over his ticket, he thanked the airline attendant and made his way onto the plane, nodding at his fellow first class passengers.

  Sitting back in his chair, Owain fastened his seat belt and prayed the flight would be on time or faster. The vibration of his cell phone captured his attention.

  “Hello?”

  “What the fuck is going on, deárthaír?” Miach demanded.

  “Joy, I should’ve known you’d call. Things are going on. I’m getting to the bottom of it all.”

  “By having our Patroness slay you? Is that what you call getting to the bottom of things?”

  “Miach, listen to me and listen well. I had to do what was needed to get these answers. Do you know there is no cure for any of our conditions? Did you know that?”

  Miach paused and Owain counted mentally to fifteen. “Are you sure?”

  “That’s what Morrigu hinted at and what I’m aiming to find out. Do you realize what that means to the innocent victims, Miach? It’s an unacceptable answer and one I plan on rectifying in some manner.”

  “Just be careful, Owain. Niam won’t like being the only living half of twins if you get yourself killed.”

  “I’ll take care, mionnaigh mé, Miach. Look, we’re getting ready for takeoff; I need to shut this down. Expect a phone call once this is all over, all right?”

  “Until later then. Slán.” The dial tone rang in Owain’s ear. Shutting off his phone, he took a proffered blanket and closed his eyes. Sleep, he needed sleep in order to handle what would be coming for them both. He only hoped that Kymaera would keep Colette safe until he got there.

  * * *

  “Kymaera?” Colette looked at the blonde woman with some trepidation. She moved with an unnatural grace and dark eyes that hunted the area.

  “Yes. Colette?” The woman extended her hand. They shook. “Good to meet you. If you want to look around, I can tell you a bit about Chichen. Otherwise, we can head for the place you’ll be staying while you’re here.”

  “This place is huge. To be honest, I’m feeling a bit paranoid after my visit with Cicely. Can we go to the house so I can rest, get something to eat, and ask some questions?”

  “Sure, we can talk a bit while we walk.”

  Kymaera spoke about the history of Chichen Itza. She spoke of the time when the Mayans abandoned the city and the Toltecs briefly lived there until the return of the Mayans around 1000 AD. Pointing out the Temple of the Warrior as well as the Kulkulan pyramid, she went on describing the two cenotes, or wells, that were so important to the Mayans who lived there. Pointing out the various points known and little known except to historian and archaeologists, Kymaera helped Colette to understand some of the history of this sacred place.

  “What about the Caracol?” Colette asked. “Was it only an observatory?”

  “From what we know, yes. But did they sometimes observe other things? We’re not sure. wish there were more notes left by the ancients, but there aren’t. How do you like this place?”

  Colette rubbed her arms. It was warm here in Mexico, but there was something about this place that made her feel a bit unusual. Something in her body wanted her to leave this place before anything happened to her. “It’s unusual. It’s not like the Celtic places I’ve been to or like some of the Native American sanctuaries. There’s a bit of darkness here that I’ve not seen elsewhere.”

  “You’re a sensitive then. Has Riana tested your sensitivity to various sacred areas?”

  “She has. I am about a 3 on the scale. Why?”

  “Some humans are of use to the vampire community and their heightened psychic skills help them to integrate and work well with vampires. You seem to be one of those people. Have you worked with a vampire before?”

  Colette hesitated. She didn’t want to share Owain, but knowing the vampire community, she probably was aware of the man’s existence. “Yes, I worked with Owain Maraigh, a Celtic vampire.”

  “Good doctor, too. He’s trying to help the vampire and human races.” Kymaera looked around the parking lot as they went through the fencing area where many people sold replicas and goods of the Mayan ruins. “Where are you parked?”

  “About thirty yards that way,” Colette pointed out. “Where are you?”

  “Not far from you actually. Let’s go.” Kymaera led the way, speaking to a couple of Mayans in their native tongue.

  “You speak Mayan,” Colette commented with surprise tingeing her tone.

  “I speak many tongues. When you’ve been alive as long as I have, you learn to speak the language of the people where you live.” Kymaera smiled to soften the harshness of her tone. “I’ve been a vampire for a very long time. Long enough that even the Maraighs acknowledge my presence.”

  “But you only look like you’re in your mid-twenties!”

  “Thank you for the compliment. Why don’t you follow me and we’ll get you home.” Kymaera waved as she climbed on her Harley Davidson Night Train© softail motorcycle. Colette unlocked her rental car, climbed in and started the engine. Giving Kymaera a thumb up, she waited for the vampire to lead the way.

  Once they left the crowded parking lot, Colette let out a sigh of relief. Though she enjoyed looking at the various
ruins, there was something vaguely disturbing that lie beneath the feeling of history. It wasn’t the idea of sacrifices, she’d been to other places that had that. It wasn’t because of Choc Mool, the Mayan god. Yet, there was something vaguely menacing beneath this reality that tugged at her. A feeling of darkness and perhaps a bit of destruction.

  Her phone rang and Colette ignored it. Now that she was here and had spent time talking to Cicely, she realized there was more going on than had been admitted to. The texts had spoken on the vampire god and the yearly tribute as well as the various times of offering and requesting. Though she and Cicely didn’t understand all of the Mayan hieroglyphs, just the feeling of magick was enough to make Colette wary.

  She wasn’t sure what she’d do, but somehow, at the equinox rising, she’d be on that pyramid.

  Her mind reeled with all the things she’d found out. She wanted nothing more than to hear Owain’s voice, yet that wasn’t going to happen. Not with how she left. I love you, O. I do. Whatever happens, please know I do this out of love for you. To give us a chance to be together, not apart.

  Her phone rang again and after glancing at the caller ID, she decided to answer it. “Yes, Riana?”

  “Why the hell did you leave your vampire sex god behind?”

  “It doesn’t matter, Ri. I’ll get the information needed and handle what needs to be handled.” Her voice grew cold. “Did Owain put you up to calling me and giving me a hard time?”

  “No, I’m the one who called him. I can’t believe you’re running off like this with no fucking backup, Col. This is stupidity at its finest!”

  “Thanks for being so damn understanding, Sis. I should’ve known it’s okay for you to get your ass kicked but not for me. Did I tread on your sacred territory?” Colette sarcastically retorted. There was a slight pause then soft chuckling. “Well?”

  “Is that what you really think or are you assuming, Col?” Riana’s voice lost its harshness and there was a hint of something else instead. “Listen to me, this has nothing to do with you being unable to kick ass. It has everything to do with the fact that a mortal cannot stand up to a god alone. Not without risking their life. Are you willing to die for being hardheaded?”