by Trina Bates
“There are many things I didn’t know we could do. The basics yes, but I did not know we could call forth the metals in the grounds, and all around us,.” The wonder in his voice and wide eyes while he reads on has me moving closer to him and Torunn. I’m not able to read anything that’s on the page, but he is. “We can also venture into Tir na nOg, it is a land of the Fae. For Metal Fae, we are not simply limited to just the metal aspect, we are able to do much more magic than I would have known. We can completely transform ourselves into other beings, we can cloak ourselves and others if needed, and… oh my!” he exclaim with excitement, straightening his back and smiling from ear to ear, his pink eyes bright and full of exhilaration. “We can shadowmeld!” I’m confused at what that really means, but he seems so happy, I don’t want to say anything.
Thank fuck Rhydian doesn’t care about that, “What the hell is that?” Rhydian questions and it takes everything in me to still seem interested without going into fits of laughter.
“We are able to move through shadows. We can cloak ourselves yes, but if we see a shadow, we can move into without anyone ever noticing. We can stay hidden and jump from shadow to shadow with a thought. Though it does not say if we can bring others with us while we do it,” Gor says filled with glee.
“That actually is really awesome! That can work to our advantage when we go to Hell!” I exclaim. I can see the potential for all of these gifts, that not only Merrick and Gor have, but everyone else’s too.
We have a shifter that can turn into three different things, a Black Schuck that resembles a Hellhound, and is fierce as fire, a warlock, Metal Faes, a Blood Fae with witch powers, a Valkyrie and Gor and I are both duals with Demon blood! My little Agathion can either kill with touch or turn into a fucking pegasus. Things really are looking up. I have no doubts this is going to be anything but successful.
“Gor, can you tell Merrick all of this? I need the book you have and you would be best to explain all these new developments to him,” I ask, hoping he won't be offended that I’m continuing on without him.
“Of course, I can,” he says as he raises his large body out of the leather chair he’s so fond of and walks out with Torunn hot on his heels.
Mira:
Taking the chair he left, I start flipping through the pages trying to find the one about Demons again.
Finding what I need, I start to think out what I’m looking for and soon enough the words start to appear on the page, ever shifting and changing with the wants I have in my mind.
“Damn it book! I need to know what the risks are when you help another fucking Demon manifest! Not what manifesting is!” I shout in irritation.
“Bugs, maybe try asking, err, thinking nicely to it?” Ebbin says making me laugh.
“It’s a book that’s supposed to fucking listen to the wants and thoughts of the reader, or user. I really doubt it’s a sentient thing.” I’m smiling brightly at his cute face. One eyebrow was raised and half his other eye is shut. He sticks his tongue out at me and turns back around while shaking his head at me.
I peer back down at the book in my hands and the words start to shift once again. Things are finally looking up as I read aloud.
‘If you are unable to manifest, gain the help of another Demon. Not only will they help in bringing forth your true nature, they will be there to assist you with your first surge of power. No harm can come to the supporter. Depending on the Demon that is manifesting, the powers that are held inside, once released, you will never be able to cause harm to the one who brought forth your powers. Ever. If you are unable to obtain the help of another Demon, find the Elder of your race. They will have the knowledge, know how and correct training to further assist you on your journey.’
“Over and out. That's great news!” I blurt out before I knew the words that actually came from my lips.
-Well, that was fucking stupid…- I think to myself. I’m embarrassed, high emotions means I project my thoughts harder. Soon enough I hear the laughs. Ebbin, Rhydian and Merrick are in my head sending me an image of him laughing while shaking his head. His cropped hair falling in front of his eyes while they fill with tears from laughing so hard.
-Hey sexy man, how is it going out there? Did you hear the good news about helping Gor manifest?- I ask him, hoping he too will have a bit of good news about Rhett.
-I did, Gor and Torunn just left and I was listening in on Rhydian’s thoughts when you read the last part. I’m fine with you helping now that we have that information. Just keep us all open and linked together, okay love?- His voice in my mind sounds worried, but not as much as it previously had. -And with Rhett? Honestly I don't know, something is going on. Something none of us understand right now. I don’t know Blue, but that was obviously a long time coming for her. Rhett though?- I can feel the tension in his shoulders, the exhausted feel of his mind. I’m worried about us all, but my steady, strong, level headed Merrick? I need him at the top of his game for this. -I can’t tell you what his shit is about, he’s barely talking. He doesn’t remember why he got mad, or even how he acted toward you.-
-That doesn’t make any sense! That’s exactly what Blue said after...after everything happened. Do you think something happened when they did magic together?-
-I don’t know love. Maybe? But really, there’s no way we will know right now. I think we just need to get you to help your brother manifest and then we can figure this out after. If there’s one more incident, from Blue or Rhett, neither of them will be coming with us. We don’t need the distraction and the worry. There’s enough going on.-
I agree with him completely. I don’t like it, but he’s right...again. We have to think of the ‘what if’s’ and those aren't anything good.
-I respect your judgment, just stay safe and see if there is anything else going on with him. I’m gonna grab Gor and rush out the back before you guys get back in here. I want to do this before he has another… fit.-
-Stay safe love.-
-Always.- I tell him. I keep my mind open and tell the rest of our little group that’s still here what I’m going to go do. They all seem okay with it, Rhydian’s a little hesitant, but not after I tell him to watch through my eyes. He seems to calm slightly after that.
“Gor,” I yell, trying to find my giant of a brother. I’m hoping he’s somewhere in the cabin. I search every room and find nothing of him and Torunn, I really want them to have some space, to get through whatever it is that’s holding them back. Though now, it just isn't the time.
I search the cabin and still don’t find either of them, even after a few bouts of hollering each of their names.
I walk to the back of the cabin and venture outside.
I open my mind to all the men and asked if they’ve seen them.
-Last place I saw them was heading to the gym.- Rhett’s voice is a soothing relief and a welcome sound in my mind. He doesn’t sound angry. He sounds defeated and unlike himself. I’m still worried for him, and maybe a little frightened, but I’m not going to leave his side, ever.
-Thanks, handsome. How are you feeling?- I’m hoping soothing words and caring thoughts will help with whatever he’s going through.
-Like a total asshole. I don’t know what happened. I am so sorry Mira.- His mind is riddled with thoughts of self doubt and anger at what had happened. I feel terrible, but I also understand, this is something he’s going to have to figure out. I’ll be there to show him that he’s forgiven and he will never be alone, but the rest is up to him.
-No apologies, we will figure this out. Promise me something though?-
-Anything.- He said with hope in his heart.
-If you're mad at me, or something is bothering you. Anything at all...tell me?- I don’t know what had caused his anger towards me earlier, but if it’s something he’s holding onto, I want him to get it out.
-That’s something I can easily promise you.- He sends me one of his swoon worthy smiles and I instantly feel better with his lighter mood.
&
nbsp; -Good.- I send him an image of me scrunching up my nose and going in for a puckered funny face kiss. I feel some of his doubt ease and it helps lessen the worry I’m carrying around as well.
-I’m gonna go find these two weirdos.- I send to all of my guys, and then I connected with my lynx. -Cynide, would you mind coming with me?- I’m missing my little Agathion and I feel like I had been leaving her out of a lot of this. She’s family and hasn’t been involved or let to me much.
-On my way. Never a need to ask, just call my name and I will mist to you.- I shake my head at her, knowing full well she can't see. She has a way to always make me smile. Simple words and requests is all it took for her to become such a pivotal being in my life.
Within moments she appears right by my side and it takes me by surprise. She has yet to ever mist to me, so when she just ‘poof’ shows up, I scream and jump away from her. My actions make her do her strange little cat laugh, which still creeps me out, I laugh at my own reaction and kick a bit of snow at her.
-I thought we were going to work on your manners, Mira. That was rude,- she says while she somehow figures out how to stick her tongue out at me and know the meaning behind it.
I laugh at her antics and start walking to the barn.
-Says the little shit that just scared me and then stuck her tongue out at me.-
-You do it all the time. Fair is fair,- she says as I laugh again, more due to the truth behind her words than anything else.
-You’re such a pain. But you’re my little pain, and I love you.- I say with honesty in my words as I lean down and rub her soft white and grey fur atop her head.
Finding our way through the snow, we get to the barn entrance, and I get a little worried seeing that the door has been left open. Peering in, I’m thankful that it was.
I look in and there, right in front of Cynide and me, is Torunn and Gor. Making out with a fervor that has even me, impressed. Hands everywhere and mouths attacking mouths. I gross myself out by watching this for even a moment, and I feel even worse when I remember, this is my brother!
I quickly turn my head, and shoo Cynide away. We scurry a few feet before I fist pump the air, and jump up, sloshing back down into the soft snow.
-Holy shit! Can you believe it, Cynide?! I didn’t think they were going to get this far, this soon.-
-It was only a matter of time. They both deserve this.- Cynide’s glee filled voice is the icing on the cake, so to speak. I know how much she loves Torunn, and she also seemed to take to Gor quite quickly.
-That they do. I don’t know about Gor’s life, but it seemed dismal while we were there. Torunn hasn't taken a lover in years. You could tell how lonely she was, but this is... amazing.- Grinning from ear to ear, even Cynide takes part in my excited state. She starts spinning her little body in circles and jumping a few times before calming down and looking up to me with her dark eyes. Not only do I now have a brother, but a sister too. I already think of her as such, but knowing she is going to be in my family, with my brother… my heart is full. I’m more than ready to take on my father. After we turn Gor that is.
The End of Book 2
Other - Supernatural Creatures
Hollow - Humans
Rare - Dual bloods of two pure, supernatural parents
Ternary - A triple shifter. One of the most powerful beings, a child of two Alphas
The Fall - When the Supernatural world outed themselves, along with every other creature or race.
Yggdrasil - The world, or realm, of the original Valkyries they were once just a race of warriors but now pride themselves on having the strongest Valkyries in existence.
Kalikor - The realm of the Gods that took the Warriors and bred the Valkyries into Existence.
Agathion - A Demon’s familiar after they have manifested their Demon powers. Always have two forms and are very powerful in their own right.
Unwanted - A child that has been abandoned, given up. Usually, Others but can sometimes be Hollow. The Conclave takes them in and experiment on each one to find out their abilities.
Conclave - Eight Others that run each major city, controlling and watching over all the supernaturals (Others).
Spriggan - Tree spirits that can speak into the minds of people that touch them.
Mira:
Rushing away with Cynide following at my side. I laugh the entire way back to the house. I can’t hide the splitting grin on my face as I rush in the back door and slam right into a big hard chest. I know Ebbin is supposed to be packing, so I peer up into his gorgeous blue-green eyes, still smiling, lift myself up to his lips and crush him with my mouth. He pulls back looking at me like I just grew a second head but then thinks better of whatever was about to fall from his lips and pulls me back into him. This time crushing me with his mouth getting me hot and bothered before I can get out all of my good news.
-Gor and Torunn are making out in the barn!- I shout into his head, making the kiss end and watching as his face falls and mock disgust takes over his strong features.
“You seriously just ruined that kiss to tell me about other people kissing?! Thanks, Bugs,” he says as he leans down and swats the side of my ass, making me jump and rush under his arm to get away from another swat.
“I had to, and quit spankin’ me! Unless you're going to do it right, and hard… don’t do it all. It’s rude and makes you a shitty tease.” I know once the words left my mouth I should have been running, but I can’t get my feet to listen, instead, my hand lifts and my middle finger raises up to Ebbin’s shock filled face. He growls and tears after me with heat in his eyes. My feet finally register they should be moving, and I once again duck under Ebbin’s arms right before he’s able to catch me and run down the small hallway, into the kitchen and slam, again, into another hard body. This time, arms grasp me tightly around my shoulders, and I get bent over. I hear the slap before I feel the sting. The swat Ebbin just landed jolts my entire body forward and the moan that slips from my mouth at the pleasure and pain, makes whoever’s holding me, snicker.
I try to wiggle free, but the arms encasing me, trapping me in the awkward position only tighten.
“Nope, that’s only one out of twenty-seven, twenty-six more to go for the birthday girl. Don’t think we forgot love,” Merrick’s deep voice says above me. His words unintentionally making another moan slip from my lips in anticipation.
“Fuck off. There’s no way I’m letting y’all spank me that much! You’ll hurt Alyria!” I know it’s a low blow, but it works. Merrick’s arms fall from me, and as I stand, I feel immediately horrible. He seems so worried. His eyes are wide, and his hands are held out in front of him like he was trying to show me that he isn’t a threat. I lean into him and wrap my arms snuggly around his neck and kiss him twice. He still hasn’t moved. His arms still to my sides, not embracing me back. Leaning away and looking into his eyes, he looks so torn. I kiss him once, quick and try to smile at him.
“It’s fine, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. We’re both fine. I promise,” I say as I move my hands to around his waist, tickling his sides, making him come out of the trance he seems to be in.
He bats my hands away with a smile and shakes his head at me.
“You're right, that was shitty. No more of that unless it’s truth. I know we can hurt her, but don’t use it like that.” His plea makes me frown, and I nod my head while peering at his chest instead of his eyes with a pout.
“Sorry,” I mumble again under my breath.
I feel hands come around me from behind, stopping on my belly that I can tell has gotten a little larger. Ebbin’s head comes to rest on my neck, and he whispers, “That's going to get you more than you bargained for… Dirty games get dirty rewards. I hope you're ready for that, Bugs.” He nips the bottom of my ear and I feel his hands slip away while I hold on to Merrick, trying to squeeze my legs together to keep the wetness that is already starting to soak through at a minimum.
“Quit making me horny. I wanted to give Torunn a
nd Gor some time alone. I’m sure you heard, but they finally started something, something permanent. I didn’t want to stand around and watch, so, Cynide and I raced in here to shout the good news,” I say in a huff to them both, removing my arms from around Merrick and crossing them in front of me.
“Well love, we really need to be going. We’re all ready so…” He lifts a single eyebrow to me before he watches over my head to the back door and yells, “GOR! Get your ass off Torunn, we’re ready to go, and you need to get your demon on with your sister!” The last part makes me snort and then groan. I don’t know how to take that sentence and from the grimace on his own face, neither does he. Ebbin laughs behind us, and when I turn, he shivers with a grimace as well, making all of us laugh.
The back door slams open and in comes a flush-faced Torunn and a grinning Gor with his arm slung over Torunn’s shoulders. The feathers on her wings look like they’re caressing his arm and encasing him in their white billowy protection. The smile on my face only grows, and when Torunn peers up at the three of us, her face reddens further and she turns away quickly trying to cover it.
I walk over to her and surprise her when I throw my arms around her which makes my brother grumble since he has to move his own arm so that I can hug her.
“I’m so happy for you!” I whisper fiercely in her ear.
Her arms wrap around me and she whispers back, “I’m happy too, thanks for the push.”
“Anytime, always,” I tell her honestly, letting her go.
I look up to my brother, the giant of a man peers down at me with affection and I smile at him while I take his forearm in my hand and pull him away from his love and out the back door to start a new chapter in his life.
Becoming a Death Demon.
Back out in the cold, still holding onto Gor, I notice him giving me sideways glances every few seconds, I finally turn to him, wondering what he has to say.