by Audra Hart
CHAPTER 24 - BATTLE ON THE SPIRIT PLANE
When Morna awakens five hours later, Luca is sitting on the bed next to her watching her very intently. Sammy is gone. “Where’s Samantha?” she asks groggily.
“I believe she is following Elias and Micah around. They both seem quite taken with her. Especially Elias. She seems equally enamored of both of them.” Luca chuckles.
“Is she behaving? “ At his nod, she asks “And the others?”
“Bronwyn is teaching Damian, Breena and Aideen some defensive drills, as you suggested to her yesterday. Brigid and George were heading out to join them when I came in here. I believe Sammy and your godsons are planning to go as well.”
“George’s grandmother, Maria, is with your father, Ari and Almeda. They are in deep discussions about different kinds of magic. I was afraid that Maria would not like being around Damian and I, but she said our spirits are pure.” Luca chuckles at that. “Carrick and Enya are napping after being on guard duty last. Brian and Mulder are on guard duty now.”
“Mulder is here?” she asks sitting up.
“Your father found him. Someone had lead him off from this gateway and had held him in a binding spell of some sort. He had been there for over three days. He was very angry, but didn‘t recognize the woman who trapped him.” Luca informs her.
“Did Mulder contact Lila to let her know he is okay?” she asks.
“No, he said Lila has been acting strange for a while. She’s been disappearing for days at a time, he thinks she has a lover that she is keeping secret. He’s not really sure what is going on with her, so he doesn’t trust her completely right now either. Your instincts were good, once again.” Luca assures his beloved.
Morna is watching her mate intently, and says “I need you.” as she reaches for him. She stretches her mind out to build a buffer spell when she detects his already in place and chuckles softly.
“I need you too love,” he assures her as he kisses her hotly, passionately. He tugs the tank top up her body and over her head. He reaches behind to unhook the cheap, uncomfortable bra. He struggles with the poorly made hooks and becomes frustrated, so he rips the offending garment off her body. She chuckles, and says, “That’s the only bra I have with me.”
“Well, it was worthless anyway,” he shrugs as he drops his mouth to her right breast. She moans loudly as he takes the breast into his mouth and nips it none too gently with his sharp teeth before suckling hard on the nipple. The treasured burn and tingle rip through her body. She clasps his head closer to her body and leans down and kisses the top of his head fervently. He moves to her left breast, lingers there a bit before traveling back to her mouth. He gently pushes her to lie back on the bed and reaches down to unsnap the snug jeans and pulls them down with her panties in one smooth motion. He takes a few seconds to enjoy the sight of her naked body as he stands up to remove his own clothes. “Morna, I could look at you all day.”
“Please don’t! I have better things in mind than just looking,” Morna smirks as she rises up onto her knees on the edge of the bed as he starts to take his pants off. She pulls him closer to her and starts caressing his abdomen, hips, and splays her fingers around to grip his buttocks. She enjoys the warmth and the absence of the stoniness she perceives now. He feels more like living flesh to her since her change, very hard living flesh. She moans loudly as she revels in the feel and scent of him, and drags her hands down to his erection and slowly takes him into her mouth as far as she can. Now it is his turn to moan loudly. He clutches at her shoulders and head with his hands as she slowly savors his scent, his taste, and fleshy texture until he can take no more.
Luca finally pulls her up to take her in his arms and hold her close to him. He kisses her deeply. “I still can’t believe I can really kiss you,” her murmurs and then looks into her eyes. They are glassy, and she looks intoxicated. He sighs contentedly because he can clearly see her deep, abiding love for him in those eyes. He lies her back onto the bed and trails his mouth down to her left breast to suckle freely, without hesitation or fear of hurting her. He lingers there a few minutes before moving his mouth lower.
She opens her legs widely in anticipation. He puts his hands behind her thighs and pushes them up gently to gain free access. He gently pulls the outer lips of her labia back to savor the sight and scent of her there. Then he licks her clitoris and sucks it into his mouth gently. Nipping at the sensitive button. The familiar burn and tingle drive her wild. He uses two fingers to check if she is ready for him, he is delighted that she is and in one fluid motion covers her body with his.
He enters her as he covers her mouth with his own. He is kissing her deeply as he drives fiercely into her repeatedly. Seeking the release they both are eager for. Her strong hips drive up to meet him stroke for powerful stroke. Her head thrashes on the bed and she moans in ecstasy as he nips her neck with his teeth. Finally, they achieve their release at the same time. He continues to rock in and out of her to drive them both through the waves of their orgasms. She clings tightly to him as she wraps her legs around his hips in those last seconds.
They lie silently savoring their closeness and mutual satisfaction in each other for several minutes before Morna says, “Duty calls.” Luca chuckles as he rises up and brings her with him. She reaches up and strokes his face tenderly. He kisses her quickly.
Luca walks over to the cabinet that is built into the wall where there is a bowl of water. He stirs it with his finger, weaving a spell to warm it for her. Meanwhile she is gathering clean clothes. She retrieves the shredded bra and laughs. He laughs too and says, “Sorry love, but it didn’t hide anything anyway. I think your breasts are just going to be in a permanent state of arousal from here on out.”
“I think you are right, but I must admit that I am very self-conscious about them.” Morna says as she looks down and cups the impertinent breasts, feeling somewhat bewildered. She uses the warm water to wash up, and dons a snug gold tank top. She looks down and groans self-consciously, “This will never do!” She quickly tugs on a clean pair of panties and the snug jeans from the floor. She retrieves a bright green button up shirt and dons it over the tank top.
Luca laughs and says, “That doesn’t help much, but it does offer a bit of concealment.”
She brushes her teeth and hair quickly, then remembers to put some deodorant on. He smiles and says, “I can’t understand why you still perspire. You are such an amazing and mysterious mix of human and vampire now.”
She shrugs and says, “Yeah, a mixed up mess, that’s me.” He laughs and takes her into his arms and kisses her briefly, before he smacks her rump as he follows her out of their quarters. “I hope there is some food ready. I could eat a whole cow I think.” She says enthusiastically.
When they come into the dining area Valiant, Almeda and Maria rise to greet them. Ari is in his original form. Morna’s heart contracts agonizingly as she is reminded of how much her Aiden looks like him. She longs to hold her children, to assure herself that they are really alive and well. Ari is seated in some sort of chair that looks like a mini padded throne. She smiles warmly at him, kisses her father’s cheek, and then turns her attention to Almeda and the newcomer, Maria.
Maria is assessing Morna with a critical eye. She holds her hands in front of her as she walks around Morna. Luca steps away to give the Shaman free access to his mate. Maria nods and says, “Good! I am glad you were able to perceive my George’s heart that day you met. You could have certainly destroyed him if you had thought him a threat. You are indeed as powerful as my grandson said.”
Morna has been assessing Maria as well. It is obvious that she is a very potent magical being. George’s grandmother only looks to be about 30 years old. Maria is almost as tall as Morna. She has jet black, straight hair, with one wide streak of white hair coming from her left temple. She wears her hair pulled back in a barrette. Her eyes are dark, dark brown. Morna sees strength, wisdom and kindness in those ancient eyes. Her body is strong and lithe.
Her hands are powerful and rough from hard work, much like Morna’s. She is dressed simply in jeans and a red cotton button up man’s shirt and jeans. The shirt is hitched at her trim waist with a silver and turquoise concho belt. She also wears a simple turquoise bracelet and an elaborate squash blossom, silver and turquoise necklace. She is wearing low heeled cowboy boots that look like they have seen a great deal of work in their day.
Morna is pleased with what she perceives. “You are a formidable woman too, Maria.” acknowledges Morna. “I am very glad you have joined us.” The two woman easily recognize each other as allies and equals and embrace heartily. Maria sits back down and urges Morna to get her food and join them quickly.
Morna walks over to the serving line and finds sausage gravy, huge biscuits, fruit, and bacon. She piles her plate high and gets a cup of coffee and glass of water. She sits down beside Maria, and says, “I can only assume you made the biscuits and gravy?” When Maria nods, Morna says, “Thank you. It’s been ages. I have had no reason to cook since my children were taken from me. I bet our friends were delighted with the new treat?”
Maria chuckles and says, “They seemed to like them.”
“I bet!” Morna says as she dives into her breakfast. She makes very short work of her food and would like to get more, but wants to talk to Maria more than she wants to eat. She starts to rise and clean her dishes and get more coffee when Luca takes the dishes from her and says, “I’ll take care of it. You and Maria have business.”
Maria follows Luca with her eyes. “You are blessed woman Morna. I was pleasantly surprised by him.” Morna smiles happily. She knows how blessed she is by her mate.
Luca sets a fresh cup of coffee before Morna with just the right amount of cream and sugar that she likes. She smiles her gratitude at him and turns back to Maria who is speaking to both of them; “Forgive me Morna and Lucian, but I expected to have to put her through a purification ritual to remove the vampire taint, but it will absolutely not be necessary. There is actually very little blood thirst in Lucian, and none at all in you Morna. You seem to have taken on most of the race’s enhanced mental and physical traits without taking on any of their darker ones. Astonishing!”
George had come up behind Maria at this time, and says, “I told ya Granny. They are very surprising aren’t they? We will have to rethink some of our long held beliefs about the race we have sworn to destroy. Perhaps our mission should only be to protect humans from the ones who seek to kill them, and not to broadly seek to wipe all Stone Cold vampires out. There may be hope for the race.”
“Perhaps,” Maria concedes, “But in my experience, these three are the exceptions and not the rule.”
George sits beside Luca who had returned and quietly sat beside Morna. Morna is amazed at how comfortable the Stone Breaker seems with her mate, the vampire. “Funny little freaky world we live in,” she muses to herself.
Maria says, “Morna I am curious about one thing though. Are you venomous?”
“No,” says Morna.
“What are your teeth like?” Maria asks. When Morna shrugs, Maria hands her a sturdy stick and says, “Humor the old lady and bite this.”
Morna looks at her incredulously, “I’ll break my teeth off.” she sputters.
“I don’t think so, try.” urges Maria. Morna looks doubtful but complies. She sputters and spits out wood fragments when her teeth cut through the stick as easy as they would a cracker.
“Damn!” whistles George.
Valiant laughs and looks at Luca, “Gives a whole new meaning to bite your head off doesn’t it, Son?” Luca chuckles thinking about her passionate ministrations towards him earlier. He is again thankful that he asked Ari to sever their mental connection for the duration of his stay here.
“I was not aware I could do that,” admits Morna. She stores the knowledge away as just another weapon for her personal arsenal. And reminds herself to be more careful with Luca in the future.
“I want to lead you to the spiritual plane so that you can battle the NA’YU’NUWI or a stone coat. I taste his taint in your memory. I think that is who has been attacking you,” says Maria.
George gasps, and Luca asks, “Why would an armored spirit cannibal be after Morna? Because she can no longer bear children?”
Valiant interrupts, “Child? You cannot have more children?”
Morna shrugs, mutters “Well…” and looks away from her father’s gaze. She doesn’t want to share what Brigid had told her about the changes in her body in front of everyone. It is something that she should share only with Luca. She feels Luca stiffen with anger beside her. She touches him gently on the arm.
“No child,” Valiant says compassionately. “Do not say sorry to me. I am sad for you. I know you love children. But I take heart. You have birthed four fine specimens and adopted at least two that I know of. I have enough fine grandchildren from you. You have more than pleased me.”
Morna smiles at her father and is relieved when she feels Luca relax. She returns her full attention to Maria, who is thoughtfully looking at Luca and Morna. Then she continues as though she had not been interrupted. “Once I have led you to the spiritual plane you would have to do hand to hand combat with the NA’YU’NUWI. But all of your physical attributes and the magic you currently command will follow you to the spiritual plane. You are well able to meet the challenge.”
“Okay, how do we proceed?” Morna asks.
“Normally I would teach you our language and perform several ceremonies to bring you to state where I could lead you to that plane, but we are limited on time, and I think your magic is mature enough to handle it once I get you there, but I will need help getting you ready to travel there. You have a hypnotist in your ranks, do you not?”
“Yes, Rinda.” says Luca. “I will go get her.” He takes off so quickly no one sees him go.
“Damn! That must be weird to live with,” says George.
“My mate is a show off,” Morna mutters. They all laugh when they hear Luca’s rich laughter echo off the walls from the training area. “See what I mean?” she giggles.
Morna and Maria continue to quietly discuss the creature she will face on the Spirit Plane. And then Morna gets up to get more coffee for herself while they are waiting for Rinda. When she and Luca enter the dining area, Rinda is looking at Maria and Morna expectantly. “Luca says you need help from me?” Rinda asks skeptically.
Maria quickly sizes up the beautiful Spell Weaver. She is short, like most of the females in this group, about 5’4”, slender, with short blond hair and bright blue eyes. She is a very open and honest person. Maria can tell she is a powerful healer, and her love for Morna is obvious. She says, “I need to get Morna in a relaxed state so that I can transport her to the twelfth spiritual plane to defeat the NA’YU’NUWI who has been attacking her. Can you hypnotize her? Will she go under enough to be truly relaxed?” asks Maria.
Rinda looks at Morna, “Are you willing, love?” At Morna’s nod, she says, “I believe so, but it may be very risky for Morna. Luca will have to remove his spell from around her brain. She will open to attack again while I am hypnotizing her. So her attention will be divided, she will have to fend off the attacker and pay attention to me. It won’t be easy for her.”
Elias had followed Rinda and Luca in from the training area. He speaks up now, “I would need to examine her when Luca drops his spell to make sure she is fully recovered. Would that be okay, Maria?”
Maria evaluates the young healer. He is almost six feet tall, very well built and strong. He has sandy blond hair and blue eyes. He is a very handsome young man who appears to be about 26 years of age, but she knows he is truly much older, being an ascended being. His heart is pure and his love and admiration for Morna are very similar to bonds between parent and child. “Yes, that would be fine. But you will need to be quick about it.” Elias nods his understanding.
“Maria,” says Luca. “What if I removed the spell around her brain and weave one around Morna, you and
whomever else might be needed to care for her on this end. That could protect her from outside attack, but would it interfere with your transporting to her to the spiritual plane?”
“No, that will not do. It would be too much interference, but I think Morna is strong enough to fend off any attack and focus on Rinda and me long enough to achieve our goals and still leave her strong enough to face the NA’YU’NUWI on the plane.” says Maria thoughtfully.
Morna turns to Luca and puts her hand on his cheek and reassures him. “Darling, I feel strong enough to accomplish these things. This stone cannibal thing went after you the other night through me, I will find him and destroy him. He will not be able to defeat me, I give you my vow Darling.”
Maria smiles. “Yes, there is no bragging or swagger in you. Just the confidence of a lioness with a duty to protect her own. You will do Morna, you will do just fine.” Maria turns to Luca. “We need a large open area, preferably within this magical gateway. She will need at least twenty square feet to do battle in and it would be helpful to her if many of you could observe and be there for her to draw power from. Her greatest strength comes from her love for every one of you, and her sense of duty to protect you all.”
“The training area is more than adequate for the needs you have described,” assures Luca. “Rinda, Elias and I just came from there.” says Luca.
Morna stands up and says with a smile, “Well, I need the human necessary then I will be ready Maria.”
“Good,” says Maria. “Meet us there in thirty minutes.”
Morna walks to her quarters. Luca follows. Once inside their room he takes her into his arms. He is confident in her abilities, but still fearful for her safety. He holds her gently, savoring her gentle, loving presence. They stay like that for ten minutes or better, when she finally reaches up and kisses him gently, “I really do need the necessary,” she giggles. He steps out for a few minutes. She opens the door when she is finished. She giggles again, “It is so funny I still can’t pee around you after all these years.”