When I woke up I knew that I had to go home. I couldn't possibly participate in the torture of the camazotz or Ulric. That morning, when I returned to his cell I’d expected to find that Ulric had fed and killed the human. I was shocked to see Ulric was still severely injured and had not fed. I was just about to enter his cell and pull the female out when I noticed his eyes suddenly shot open. I was too late, he was in full blood lust and his blood red were the proof.
He made this horrific gurgling sounds in his throat as he pulled the human into his arms. I saw his lips pull back and I noticed only one of his fangs were still intact. He tore into the human’s throat with a veracity of a crazed animal. I tried to open the door but Joe was suddenly at my side and held me back.
He forced me to watch Ulric tear into the girl. He didn't just drink her blood he chewed on her flesh and reveled in her blood. His face was coated in her blood. Then, when he'd gotten every drop of blood he could from her veins he tore into her chest with his claws and pulled out her heart.
I couldn't stop myself for from watching him through partially closed eyes. He sat sucking on her dead heart with a sick twisted smile on his face. I watched as his wounds healed in record time. In less than an hour he completely healed.
I assumed he was finished and I turned to leave when one I realised several other chiefs’ had joined us. One of the chief's I'm not sure which one said to me.
"Don't leave Óscar. You need to see what he really is. You came down here with the intention of turning him loose. I know because I heard you talking in your sleep. You need to join us in our cause. This nagual is the start of something much bigger. You knew this yesterday; don't let your heart go soft just because he was with you when your son died.
Trust us. We are right about him and all the nagual and camazotz. We can't have this nagual making this worse. You need to see what he really is. What they all really are. They are all evil, every last one of them even if they haven’t officially turned yet. This will prove it to you. Believe me when I tell you he deserves what you had planned. Watch so that you never again feel guilty for the torture we will do to him, the camazotz and the rest of their stinking dirty species."
Then I watched in pure horror as Ulric ripped open her stomach with his claws and pulled out her internal organs one by one. Ulric would twist and turn the girl's flesh in his hands so that he could squeeze the blood from them into his mouth. He had a look of pure bliss and pleasure on his face. I could almost swear I heard him humming a happy tune.
I’d never in my life seen anything so completely abhorrent. This was, in my mind worse than what I had planned for him. I couldn't stop my stomach from turning. The smell of her guts alone could have done it. Whoever had been holding me, let me loose and I dropped to the floor and emptied the contents of my stomach. I heard gagging behind me and I knew both of them were throwing up too.
XXIX~~ Seraphina's Perspective
I felt a little uncomfortable showing so much skin but Kealoha was clear that I needed to make sure I kept all eyes on me. I was going into a very dangerous situation and the only weapon I’d was my looks and my wits. I thought again about what Emilio had told me earlier in the night.
"Now remember Seraphina, this is no ordinary skinwalker tribe. These are mostly rogues and chiefs without tribes. They are very dangerous. Don't let your guard down for a moment. Now, they are going to think you are just a female in heat that wandered into their bar.
Every male in the place is going to be trying to win your attention. With the pheromone fragrance from the doc they won't be able to think straight. Just don't overdo it. One or two spritzes at most. Anyhow, make the skinwalkers think you want them so they fight over you. Once enough of them are fighting turn tail and get the hell out there. By then Kealoha and I should have Ulric."
I made a kissy face in the mirror and slathered on the deep red lipstick then I fluffed my bleach blond dyed hair one more time. I pulled the bottle of pheromone fragrance from my purse and spritzed myself with a couple of times. I sniffed but was a little concerned when I didn't smell anything.
Just to be sure I spritzed myself a few more times but still didn't notice any smell. Well, with or without the perfume I had a job to do. I just prayed the doc was right because without the scent I had no chance of getting and keeping the attention of so many male skinwalkers.
I looked at the clock and realised it was show time. I stepped out of the hotel room and looked down at the pale yellow halter top that barely contained my large breasts. Despite the fact that I had ample cleavage showing, I pulled the halter top down a little lower and hiked the tiny black skirt I was wearing up just a little more. Then I slipped on the four inch high spike black pumps and clicked the hotel room shut behind me.
I glanced down at my watch and knew I was right on schedule as I walked across the street and headed directly for the bar. The street was quiet and empty and I didn't notice anyone paying attention to me as I pushed open the bar door. I paused a moment to let myself adjust to the light and tried to take in my surroundings. My eyes adjusted quickly to the dimly lit room but I was nearly knocked out by the heavy smell of cigarette smoke and stale beer. I couldn't help but wonder that even if the doc’s pheromone fragrance worked and if anyone could smell it over the heavy odors already in the bar.
Looking at the crowd of men reminded me of the past few weeks we'd spent on the road looking for Ulric. We'd been rattling cages and kicking in doors when we finally caught our break. It turns out there are a radical group of skinwalkers that have come together for a common goal. They want to rid the earth of camazotz and nagual and perhaps even chupacabra.
They claimed that chupacabra and camazotz in particular where the reason Tsohanoai the sun god created skinwalkers in the first place. Skinwalkers were charged with shining a light on the creatures of the dark and to keep the world safe from their evil. According to legend, Tsohanoai is the reason the chupacabra are allergic to the sun in the first place. Since the nagual are also allergic to the sun, the have concluded that they too must be evil and need to be eradicated.
My pop is a founding member of the New Order of Federation Skinwalkers. NOFS as they like to call it. As such, I knew who they were and exactly what their goals were. That’s why despite Ulric being a nagual, I called my pop the day Taini showed up in Vegas and asked him to help me. I told him the truth about Ulric and why I disappeared. He was so happy to hear from me, that he promised not to hurt Ulric, if I helped them to kill the camazotz and come home.
He swore he missed me so much that he could even accept a nagual as a son in-law. I was so happy. I always thought my pop would reject Ulric outright just for being a nagual. That’s why I hadn’t spoken to my father since the day I found Ulric. So I told my pop how to find Taini when we were still in Vegas. Then I sent them a fax of Taini’s farewell letter to Ulric in hopes they would find and destroy her in Haiti. Hell, I’ve been giving them updates on Ulric and Taini whereabouts since the moment they left Arizona together.
I was so stupid. I should have stuck to my guns, and kept away from my pop, but I was angry and bitter than Ulric was choosing Taini over me. I wanted him to love me the way I loved him. I wanted Taini dead and out of the picture so that I could have my happily ever after. I was so rash to believe my pop would keep his word. I knew better. I knew my pop hated nagual even more than camazotz. After all, it was a nagual that killed my mother. Even knowing that however, I never expected them to capture and torture Ulric.
I was as much as fault as my pop and NOFS. I would never forgive myself if they kill Ulric. That's why no matter what it took, or the cost to me, I was going to do whatever I could to help rescue Ulric. With my goals in mind, I took my time walking as sexy as I knew how from the door towards the bar. I made sure my breasts bounced and my buttock flexed with each step I took. I’d almost made it all the way to the bar before I caught the attention of the first skinwalker. I forced myself to smile at him like he was the best looking man I’d eve
r seen.
Then as if on cue I watched as every single male in the bar stop what they were doing and turned and looked directly at me. The reaction was a lot more than I’d expected. I know I am attractive but not enough to get the attention of an entire bar. I smiled to myself at the knowledge that the pheromone fragrance must be working.
I plastered the fake smile on my face and pushed myself to resume walking towards the bar. With each step I took more males moved closer to me. I could see them sniffing in my scent a visibly becoming aroused. The doc said they would be attacked but their reaction seemed a bit more than just desire. I heard several skinwalkers growling and I heard at least one howl. Something felt very wrong and I realised the hairs on the back of my neck were standing on end.
Then I recalled Emilio saying something about just one or two spritzes. Too bad I never was very good at following directions. This time it just might cost me my life. I never made it to the bar. I never even had to say a word. In fact I never did more than bat my eyelashes and make a few huffing sounds before the bar erupted in a wave of violence.
Some men shifted completely, others partially shifted but all of them fought to cause maximum damage. I was petrified as I watched them tear into each other each man for himself. Blood splashed me in my face and I decided it was time to get out of her. That's when I realised the huge flaw in my plan. The fighting men were between me and the exit. I knew things were going to get a lot worse before they got better. I felt the first set of hands grab me off the floor and thought to myself ‘I guess Karma was a bitch after all.’
XXX~~ Taini’s Perspective
Setting the building on fire had been an even bigger disaster than being stuck in the abandoned warehouse. The locals did exactly what I told them to do and within minutes the entire building went up in flames. For a few hours I was sure I would be released, but then the fire died and I was still stuck in the rubble. The fire died out days ago and still my heart lingers in the same place.
I was allowing my mind to roam over the possibilities for escape when I felt a certain vibe. It felt something familiar yet again. The same feeling that reminded me of home. I focused my attention on my surrounding and that’s when I spotted him. Pau! My Pau was searching through the rubble looking for something. Most likely some indication of what happened to me.
I allowed my consciousness to move as far away from my cage as it allowed me. I was able to get within feet of him. I shouted and tried my best to touch him. At times, I thought he might have heard or felt something since he would completely still himself and breathe deeply. Then as if he was unable to see or hear anything he would start moving the debris around again. He’d taken three passes through the rubble before I watched him sit down in the middle of the fire damage and clear his throat then he said in his particularly knowing voice
“Taini, I know you’re here somewhere. I’m not sure if your consciousness is trapped or if you are afraid to leave. If it’s fear keeping you here, I beg you to let yourself move on. Ulric will be fine, I promise. If you are trapped, I give you my word I will figure it out and set your heart free. You may not have been made from my blood but to me you are still one of family. I promise I will not rest until I know you are at peace and your death has been avenged. I love you Taini and always have.”
Then I watched as he lifted himself from the ground and once again stood absolutely still as if listening for me to reply. I know he couldn’t see or hear me but I jumped up and down and shouted anyway. After an hour or so Pau eventually let out a sad sigh and left the building.
If I had eyes, I would have been crying as he left. As it was, my heart begged mercilessly for him to come back. I knew my heart and soul would yearn for his company until he returned. I also knew with every fiber of my being that Pau would return. Pau was often problematic and generally tended to take things into his own hands that were better left alone, but once Pau gave his word he never went back.
Today that brought a sense of security and hope to me. If Pau said he would not rest until he knew my heart was at peace then he would help me to move for this world to the next. I found that single thought to be refreshing and I allowed it to carry me through the next several days.
XXXI~~ Pau's Perspective
I was looking through the debris from the building fire when I know I felt Taini’s presence. It wasn’t the first time I felt her around this building. I’m not sure where she is but I know she’s here somewhere. I wish I could tell if she lingered because she was afraid of the afterlife or is she was trapped here.
I sifted through every piece of rubble I could find inside the burned out building but could find no evidence that Taini had even been here. Finally after exhausting myself I sat down in the middle of the floor and started at an old Arawak marble sculpture that had managed to stay undamaged in the fire.
The more I sat there the more I was convinced Taini’s presence was still in the building. I wasn’t sure what could possibly have her anchored here but I was sure she was here. It was like a mother that knew when her child needed her. I could feel Taini’s need for me and I simply couldn’t just walk away again. I sat there on the ground thinking about what my next steps should be. It was then that I realised I was going about this all wrong. I needed Gaho here so that if Taini’s presence was lingering my Gaho could communicate with her.
There were so few people who could actually see someone’s aura. There were even fewer people who could actually communicate with someone’s aura. Most eternal hearts could see each other’s aura and even communicate with them. Sadly, Ulric however was also missing so he couldn’t come and try to find Taini’s aura for me. Gaho however could see everyone’s aura and communicate with them, regardless of their species.
Satisfied that I’d come up with a plan I took on more deep breathe. That’s when I suddenly identified the smell that had been teasing my awareness. Vaettir! The smell was undeniably and absolutely Sjövættir Vaettir to be exact. I’d been locked up next to two of them during the war. I was shocked to my core since I thought the Nazi’s had killed them all when the Americans liberated our concentration camp. I suddenly had a very sneaky suspicion of exactly what happened to Taini. I quickly pulled myself from the ground and ran at my top speed back to my hotel room. I punched in Gaho’s number as quickly as the phone would allow me. I would need her come as quickly as possible if I was going to confirm my suspicions. Once I had Gaho’s agreement I quickly called my partner Waylon and filled him in as well.
“Waylon, do you recall me telling you about the final days of the war? Do you remember me saying that the Nazi’s were using the Vaettir to create a body snatching spell? The Nazi’s wanted displace a person from their body so they could slip in and use someone else’s body for their purposes.”
I heard Waylon take a deep breath before answering in a quiet but inquisitive voice
“Yes.” I too took a deep breath before continuing
“Well, I am pretty sure that’s what’s happened to Taini. I think a Vaettir used a spell and snatched Taini’s body. Now, I think Taini is trapped in an object somewhere in a burned out warehouse here in Haiti. I know you have some pretty powerful magic. Do you think you can find a copy of the spell so we can reverse it? We have to do something she’s trapped and probably in enormous pain. Waylon, we are Taini only hope.”
We conversed for several more minutes before we finally said our goodbyes and hung up. Waylon said he would inform the rest of the family and find put out feelers for someone who might have a copy of the spell the Nazi’s created. Waylon managed to keep his tone and his words sounding positive. But I knew the truth. Chances of finding the spell were slim to none.
Chances are we are not going to be able to restore Taini to her own body. In fact we were probably not going to be able to get Taini into any body. I might just have to come to grip with the fact that the best I could hope for was finding a spell that could release her from the trap she was in and allow her to move on to the afterlife.
I sat on the bed in my hotel room beating myself up about Taini’s situation. I felt tears slip down my cheeks unfettered. The truth was, I felt responsible for Taini’s condition. I pushed her too hard to accept Ulric as her eternal heart. I tricked them both into meeting.
I masterminded the entire Vegas shindig. I allowed Ulric and Taini to think that I was actually willing to end Taini life. I would never have agreed if I thought there was even a small chance that Ulric wouldn’t have rushed into the desert to save her. I figured the moment she looked into his eyes that she would finally give in and accept Ulric.
I’d been a fool to push Taini so hard. I knew the things that happened to her in her youth. I knew the scars she still wore on her heart. I’d been so sure that being with Ulric would finally heal her pain and make her whole. I used her desires against her and forced her hand. It had been the wrong thing and Taini was paying the price.
XXXII~~ Ulric’s Perspective
My emotions were on overdrive. The past few days were more than I was equipped emotionally to handle. My head was a mess and I was still desperately trying to make sense of everything that happened. My life had become so complicated ever since I walked into that cheesy Italian restaurant in Vegas and spotted the dark hair beauty that momentarily stopped my heart.
The part that hurt the most is that I made a terrible mess of my life in pursuit of a foolish and impossible dream. I wanted the heart shattering love that I knew my mum and pop had. I wanted to kind of connection that my nan talked about. I wanted it all. I didn’t want to settle mediocre I wanted perfection. Now, because of my stupidity I would probably have neither.
It took my family almost a month to find me. Then it was another full week after rescuing me before I finally was able to shake my blood lust. I looked over at my pop who was still holding his hands in his lap and shaking his foot in anxiety. He was holding back and I needed him to spit out the rest. I stood up and started pacing the room and finally managed to force myself to say
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