I pushed my eyes open despite the terrible pounding in the back of my head. I was face down on a dirty floor in a room that smelled of old sweat and sex. I could see movement out of the corner of my left eye. I tried to turn my head but pain forced me to remain still. I wracked my brain trying to remember where I was and how I came to be on the floor.
Then it hit me. The Vaettir had emptied several clips in the back of my head. Why was she still lingering about the dirty hotel room? If she had half a brain she would have taken off the moment I went lights out. In the least she should have been smart enough to try and cut off my head. Who knows that just might have killed me.
I watched her feet shuffle around the room and I realised she was actually taking the time to gather and tribe her belongings. Based on the size of the suitcase I could see on the floor she’d most likely left and gathered her other hidden objects and brought them back here. That’s when I thought of the spell. I wondered if it was possible that she had it in her possession.
I heard her move towards me and I quickly closed my eye tightly together. I felt her grab the small patch of hair that was likely left on my head and examine my wounds. Then I felt and heard simultaneously several more shots before the world went dark again.
The next time I came through I was shocked to see her feet stepping over my body. If I’d to guess I would have thought I was out for hours. However based on the minute progress the Vaettir made in her escape I would assume I was out less than a minute. I waited until she had one leg on each side of my body before I shifted. She fell abruptly to the floor. The moment she was on my level I used my strength to force her body beneath me and I growled in her face
“You will die today by my hand.”
I watched her swallow as she peered into my eyes. I could tell she was calculating her odds and didn’t like them. Then I extended my right arm as far as possible until I connected with the hilt of my samurai sword. I pulled it into the air and prepared to remove her head. Just as I made the downward movement she made one last ditch effort to sway me by shouting
“I have a spell. You could have your eternal heart back but you have to keep me and this body alive long enough for me to do the spell.”
I heard her words and could almost even smell the truth in them. I could recall the conversation my Nan had on the phone with me so many weeks before. It suddenly all made sense, no wonder why so many chupacabra had been unsuccessful hunting her. They weren’t using deadly force. They had been hoping to recover Taini’s body without injury.
I tried to stop the downward swing. I even tried to push her out of the way of my sword. None of it mattered. I realised what was done was done. I closed my eyes on impact. I felt my sharp samurai glide through her spine like butter. I heard, not saw Taini’s head roll off her shoulders and land with a thump next to my face. I forced myself to open my eyes. I looked through the stinging tears that had already started to fall at the sight before me. Then, I watched in horror as my eternal heart’s body turn to dust and disappeared.
XL~~ Waylon’s Perspective
“She is not going with strangers. She is coming home with us.”
I looked again at the chief before continuing in a professional voice
“My partner and I are more than capable of fostering her until Ulric comes home. I understand Seraphina has made it very clear that she doesn’t want the baby and that she is adamant that Kealoha and Emilio are nowhere near it. I can promise you that my partner and I are more than capable of taking care of the baby. I raised six of my own children before I even met Pau. With him at my side, this will be a breeze. Not to mention that I am a trained medical doctor and shaman and the most equipped to handle her unique medical issues.
Her heart and lungs are severely underdeveloped and she likely is going to have a very short life. She’s had four strokes already and her little brain is more than ninety nine percent damaged. We all know that she has no chance of making it to adulthood even if she is a nagual. She will be nothing more than a bedridden vegetable. I want to give her joy for whatever little life she has. She may have been conceived in pain but she shouldn’t have to live that way.
Pau and I can ease her pain and give her some tiny bit of happiness. Please let us do that for her. If it turns out that when Ulric comes home he too declines parenting her, then she will be adopted into a very loving family. If you give us the baby we promise to leave Arizona with her today and not return unless Ulric requests that we give her back.”
I stared down the chief and begged him with my eyes not to disagree with me. I watched him swallow several times before he answered
“I spoke with Ulric earlier today and while he said he was heartbroken that Seraphina still didn’t want interaction with the baby he understood. Said that given its medical condition it was probably better she didn’t get attached anyway. Then told me to allow the baby to be adopted but to a family outside of Arizona. He was very clear he never wanted to find out where the child went.”
He looked up and made a hand motion towards Pau. Then continued
“I’m going to do this against my better judgment. You can take the baby but you need to do the procedure on Seraphina first. Now, what do you want to name the baby?”
I looked over at Pau then we both said together
“Taini”
XLI~~ Seraphina’s Perspective
“Oh God Waylon, it itches so much! I had no idea that it was going to be this difficult. I’m really glad that it’s working and I am regenerating my body parts, but for some reason I didn’t expected to want to pull the damn thing out myself. Isn’t there anything you can give me to cut down on the pain?”
I screamed at Waylon for the sole purpose of driving my point home. I knew that he had plenty of ways to ease my discomfort he was just punishing me on purpose. He wanted to make me suffer for trying to kill the monster. I knew my chief had given him and Pau custody of it. I also knew that they were planning on giving it to another family up north to adopt.
They think because of what happened to me that I’m stupid. They couldn’t be more wrong. I’ve always been smart and now that I’ve suffered and come through the other side I am also cunning. I almost got away with getting rid of it and making it look like an accident. If not for Ulric’s interfering parents I would have succeeded in ridding the world of an atrocity. It’s a shame that Emilio had been lingering around outside of my apartment. If he hadn’t smelled the blood the damn thing wouldn’t have survived. Instead Emilio burst through my door and dragged me back to his place so Waylon could save it.
I still smiled just thinking about my Chief’s reaction when he learned. He was so angry that he had spittle coming from his mouth when he came to collect me and the monster. In fact, he was so angry the he refused to allow Emilio and Kealoha to keep it. He was furious that they kidnapped me off of tribe territory and he agreed they had no rights to a tribe born baby. In fact, he only relented to have Waylon and Pau take the baby after they promised to never allow Emilio or Kealoha to have any no contact.
“Well, I suppose I can give you some of the blood orally, that should make you feel euphoric enough that the itching shouldn’t bother you at all. In fact, I will leave a pint in the fridge; you can rub it on your lips whenever you feel pain or discomfort.”
I watched Waylon pause and look around the room before his eyes resettled on mine. His lips were pinched together showing clear disapproval before he said in a voice so quiet I had to strain to hear it.
“I used to think you were sweet girl, just a little misguided. I know now that you are twisted and were even before this happened to you. I know you were the ones that called the NOFS in the first place. I’ve always known who you were and I know who your daddy is…”
He paused and used his hand to highlight my missing limbs. Then he continued with just a bit more bite to his voice.
“In a few weeks you will be physically perfect again. No one looking at you will ever be able to tell what you were fo
rced to endure. Your demented attitude however will remain exactly as it is. I strongly suggest that you take the time to get healed emotionally and mentally.”
Waylon’s words boiled like lava inside of me. How dare he speak to me in that condescending tone? Had he been forced to walk in my shoes for even a short period of time he would be singing a different tune? In my anger I said louder than I intended
“Don’t be so smug Waylon. You think I don’t know that you took my offspring and made it your own. The Chief only agreed because I let him. If I asked to keep it, the Chief would hand it back to me in an instant. I wonder what would happen if it was to lay it in a crib, while I took a good long nap. I’m wondering if its little heart could take the separation.”
I knew he understood what I was insinuating. I saw him take a deep breath and his face paled slightly before he said loud enough for even the guard outside, sitting in the waiting room to hear.
“You’re not just twisted your evil! I know you took something to force yourself into premature labor. I saved that baby and he is family to me now. If I ever think that you are trying to harm her I will come back in the middle of the night and cause you more pain than you could ever imagine.”
I watched as he flung the door wide open and stepped out of the room. I saw my guard look over at him. He nodded in his direction then said loudly most likely so that I would hear him
“My partner and I are leaving tonight with our new daughter Taini. We will never come back to Arizona or this tribe unless we are personally invited by the chief.”
I cackled loudly at his words and screeched at his retreating back as he left the tribe doctor’s office
“Good luck Waylon with the beast. Just remember bad things happen to good people all the time.”
XLII~~ Taini’s Perspective
I am not sure how I knew; maybe it was because the body and I’d been together for so very long. Or maybe it was because I felt my eternal heart’s pain cross space and time. For whatever reason, I knew. A huge part of me wished I didn’t know. My body was gone and all hope for our reunion died with it.
If I had physical eyes they would have had tears leaking from them. Instead in my non-corporeal form the only thing I could do was mentally cry. I wailed and stomped and rattled. My heart vibrated and thrummed in pain. Then to my relief I felt myself slipping from reality and knew that like my body I would soon dissipate into nothingness.
I felt it tugging at my heart and at first I fought the pull with all that I’d left inside of me. As the seconds clicked into minutes a loud roar filled my head. So loud I was barely able to hear myself think. Then I saw Gaho and Waylon enter the room. It was clear both of them had been crying. The moment she saw me her eyes grew three sizes and reminded me of milk saucers. Gaho tried to speak but for some reason I was not able to hear or understand her. Her hands and arms were flapping around and I wondered if she was asking me to hang on or let go.
Waylon looked calmer and seemed to have a purpose. I watched as he pulled out an old dirty book and flopped it open on the floor in front of him. Then like Gaho’s his arms started moving as his mouth opened and closed. Suddenly I felt my heart being tugged and pulled in two separate directions. I tried to concentrate on what Gaho and Waylon were doing and realised they were attempting to cast a spell that would allow my heart to remain in this dimension without a body to anchor it.
I knew deep down inside of my heart, that wasn’t something I was willing to live with. It was time for me to move on from this world and leave my pain and sorrow behind. So with the roar still booming loudly in my ears and my vision blurring I decided to give up the fight and try to leave this world.
I pushed with the last of my strength against the spell I felt Waylon and Gaho weaving and instead I allowed myself to drift with the original pain. It was like lying on you back in the ocean and slowly drifting from the shore. I relaxed and imagined myself saying goodbye to my loved ones.
For just a brief second I felt complete and whole. Serenity and peace wrapped itself around me and I found myself wondering if this was the satisfaction I would have had if Ulric and I’d been able to complete our commingling. Then too tired and afraid the pain would return I allowed myself to slip completely into the darkness.
XLIII~~ Ulric’s Perspective
I threw the final bag into the trunk and looked around the empty dark alley. I took a deep breath and let out a sigh as I thought to myself how it was time to go home. I knew it as clearly as I knew my own name. I wasn’t ready… and I still had unfinished business… but given the circumstances I knew I’d to head home.
The past several days had been too painful and too chaotic to keep going at this pace. I needed family to help me forget the things I’d seen and worse the things I’d done. Killing the Vaettir had been the final straw. I was morally and emotionally bankrupt. There was nothing inside of me that I was proud of anymore. I needed to go home and rediscover my place in the world.
I pulled open the car door and dropped myself into the seat. I felt a warm hot tear splash onto my cheek and knew that I’d failed. I’d started out thinking what I was doing was noble and would avenge the wrongs done to Seraphina. Now however I know nothing that I’ve done was honorable and all I’ve managed to really accomplish was destroying my own heart.
I am covered in blood. I am as guilty as the Vaettir and the members of the NOFS. I have allowed my own pain and suffering to taint my actions. It’s time to go home and begin the healing process for me and Seraphina. I’ve become twisting and sick and so has Seraphina. At least she has a good reason. She suffered unmentionable horrors that have caused her pain beyond my imaginings.
I can’t say the same for myself. I have nothing but shame and self-loathing to blame my actions on. I didn’t want to be a real man and take responsibilities and help Seraphina heal. I ran to hide my own disgrace. I didn’t kill the members of the coalition for Seraphina’s honor I killed them for my own selfish purposes.
I was angry and bitter that I lost Taini and was forced to bond with Seraphina. I was furious that the NOFS members dared to defy Seraphina and that I’d been helpless to stop them. I was maddened by the fact that I allowed lust of my Taini’s flesh to cloud my mind enough that they Vaettir fooled me. I was enraged at my own stupidity and foolishness. Then to make matters worse I was ashamed to see Seraphina’s belly swell with the proof of my shame.
I allowed the tears to continue to roll down my face unstopped as I thought of all the things I would now need to take responsibility for and to make right. At our core, I knew both Seraphina and I’d started out as good people with morals and ethics. I knew with time we could both regain what we have lost. It would take work and time but it was possible. I am not proud of what we’ve become but I know that it is within us to change and move past this.
I turned the key in the ignition and pressed down the gas pedal. With each mile that I moved closer to Arizona I knew the task before me was going to be the hardest thing I’d ever done in my life. I needed to go home and find a way to learn to love my eternal heart again. To forgive myself for the pain she suffered and to forgive her for the part she played in my life.
It took nearly two days of driving virtually nonstop to hit the top of Arizona. It could be as much as another six hours before I arrived home. I looked down and realised I would need to fill up the tank before getting onto the highway. I looked around and even squinted to see if I could see any lights up ahead. I saw something blink and decided to give it a shot.
I went just over a mile and was pleased when I saw a flashing light that said ‘OPEN’. I slowed down and pulled into the service station. I pulled up to the pump and pulled out my bank card. I realised that I would need to go inside to prepay and started towards the door. I’d only made three steps when I felt a strange tingling sensation move up my spine.
I swung my head from left to right desperately trying to identify the sensation. Then just as I was going to give up I smelled him then I sa
w the both of them. Waylon and Pau were exiting the store with an infant in their arms. I knew immediately that it was Seraphina’s baby. I felt my stomach flip and felt vomit hit the back of my throat. Part of me wanted to rush back into the car and pull away without ever looking back but something demanded that I stand my ground. To my surprise Pau adjusted his stance and took on the appearance of a man ready to defend his family.
Waylon who was now behind the bulk of his body managed to somehow safely tuck the baby firmly under his arm. I could tell he was prepared to fight if necessary. I was surprised how both of them saw me as a threat. I’d agreed with Chief that the two of them would make excellent parents for the child. They should be thanking me not preparing to fight with me.
I cleared my throat with the intention of telling them exactly what I thought when I was suddenly bombarded with the most amazing scent. Lilacs and vanilla. Taini’s scent. I felt my eyebrows pinch together in confusion as I stared into Pau’s eyes. I watched as he took a step towards me showing me his fangs before he hissed at me
“You will not come near her. She will have the opportunity this time to have a normal childhood. If you ever loved her you will leave her alone until the time is right.”
I felt my insides become jittery as I realised what he was saying to me. I had a million questions running through my mind and my body was shaking in excitement and fear. Was it possible that my heart was correct? Could the tiny nagual carry within her the heart and soul of Taini? I licked my lips and forced myself to ask the question that was imperative I knew the answer to.
“How?”
Pau gave me a look of disapproval before he barked at me
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