by JF Holland
Then she raised her blood-stained hands to his chest, and painted the sign of infinity, the way to grant him his freedom and salvation on his chest in her own blood, right above his heart.
“Fly high my love, and enjoy your freedo…” She passed out, her breath rattling in her struggling chest, her pulse slowing.
Just as she’d have fallen to the ground, an overly loud crack rent the air and a jagged line appeared down the chest, and across the wings of Luc’s frozen form.
Lana had seen her Aunt Sophia coming into the back garden and had pulled open the door. She’d been waiting by the window, desperate for news about what had happened as the day had turned to afternoon and evening had closed in. She realised something was wrong as soon as the door opened. She smelt the blood and saw her aunt’s limp form leaning against Luc’s frozen form. She’d just stepped out of the backdoor, a cry on her lips, only to fall backwards as Luc ripped himself free of his concrete form. His arms shot out of the casing and around her aunt as he lifted her against this chest, wings beating double time. She had to shield her eyes as the dust swirled around her from the wind their momentum caused as he went skyward, into the dying sun. She couldn’t see him because the sun was still out, and he was heading straight up towards it. Luc’s anguished cry the last thing she heard as he shot up into the air, Sophia held tightly to his chest.
Luc had been beside himself since he’d seen them all disappear earlier in the day, although he hadn’t been able to say anything. He’d stood there silent and still as they’d all disappeared into the trees just before lunch. He’d dozed on and off, and then around an hour ago a feeling of dread and panic had washed over him, and he’d been silently seething ever since. His mind throwing up all kinds of scenarios until he’d worked himself into a state. He couldn’t pace physically, but mentally his mind had trodden the back garden, several times over.
Just as he’d gotten to screaming pitch, he’d become aware of Sophia entering the garden, although there was something wrong. Obviously, he couldn’t see, could only make out light, dark, and shadows, but his hearing was exceptional. Her breathing had been off as she’d made her way towards him, that and her gait. He’d heard her footsteps, and she’d seemed to have been all over the place, as if drunk. Then the overpowering scent of blood had hit him, so strong he could taste it at the back of his throat. Sophia was hurt, badly if her shallow breathing was anything to go by, and his heart had begun to beat double time in his chest. Panic had truly gripped him as she’s leaned against him, her hands touching him. Usually with Sophia he felt her warmth, but she was colder than normal. Then her words had registered, she was telling him goodbye, wishing him luck with his mate. What she didn’t know though, was that she was his mate, Sophia, was his, the one fate had sent to him. If he lost her… he couldn’t bear to think about it.
He was stuck, the curse holding him fast but mentally he tugged against its binding, desperate to move to wrap his arms around her. God, he could not stand here frozen when his mate needed him, he would not lose her, not so soon after finding her, and certainly not before he’d told her how he felt.
Growling in his head, he earnestly began to fight his binding, if he’d have been human at this point he’d have pulled all his joints out as he was tugging so hard to free himself. Her hands raised, he felt the wet stickiness of her blood over his heart as she drew the infinity sign on him, offering her life for his.
With a roar, he gave a final tug, and his stone prison shattered, his arms exploding out of their confinement and reaching for her as she went limp against him. Her heart was slowing, growing sluggish, he needed the sun, the needed to get her up to the sun before it was too late.
His wings began to beat double time and with her against his chest he pushed off with his feet, heading straight into the sky, her name leaving his lips on a cry. He could not lose her; he could not be too late. He felt the dying rays of the sun on his face, his wings warming, bathing in the heat as he got higher into the sky. The treetops now below him, clouds surrounding them, hiding them from prying eyes, the dying sun making its last-ditch attempt before it moved on.
“Sophia, mon amour, breath. Take a breath, open your eyes and look at me” Luc demanded, command and panic evident in his voice as he beat his wings. He hovered in the sky, suspended above the clouds, as they spread out below them like a fluffy rug beneath his feet. “Sophia, open your god damn eyes and look at me,” he shouted, lifting her higher in his arms, shaking her.
“Luc?” she queries, confusion evident as her eyes fluttered open, and his stomach dropped at the weakness of her voice.
“Stay with me,” he implored. “Do not leave me. If you go, I will follow,” he told her and she frowned.
“You are free, your curse, the sun,” she whispered, confused, blinking at fading light bathing them.
“Oui, I am free, thanks to you.” She sighed her lashes fluttering closed and her head lolling. Again, he shook her until they popped open again. “Non, stay awake, stay with me, mon amour.”
“Your mate, you can find your mate now,” she sighed, her voice sluggish and slurred.
“I already have,” he told her and she frowned, not grasping what he was saying, although her heart ached at the thought of never seeing him again.
“I wish you all the luck…”
“Non, you do not understand, you are my mate Sophia, you,” he told her. Take from me, live, stay with me.” He moved her until she lay over his left arm, as he banded it around her waist, holding her up. Then he turned his head and used his fangs to tear at his shirt, ripping it open. Once he could get to flesh, he bit into his own flesh, below his collar bone, just above his heart. “
“Sophia, drink, take from me.” He commanded, lifting her and putting her mouth to the ragged wound, holding her against him by her nape.
She fought his grip, not understanding what was happening, her mind slow, struggling to take a full breath.
“You are my mate, stay with me, please.” Luc implored, again putting her against him. “I offer all that I am, my immortality, my life for yours, take from me,” he told her. He then held his breath, his heart beating painfully in his chest, hoping he wasn’t too late. Closing his eyes, he waited for her to take from him. He could not force her to drink, it had to be her choice, but he prayed to every god he knew the name of in those few seconds as she stayed still against him. Holding his breath, panic running though his system as he watched the sun begin its descent, his stomach dropping at her stillness.
Sophia moved against Luc’s chest, her mind so sluggish she was having trouble making out what he’d said. Her mouth was dry, so swiping her tongue over her bottom lip she tasted his skin as she was mashed against him. His usual musky, citrus sent curled around her, but it was overlaid with a deeper darker scent. Breathing in, it intoxicated her, making her dizzy and her mouth water. Again, she swiped her tongue over the areas, the taste making her even dizzier, it was heady and tangy. Taking another swipe, she sighed as it helped to quench her thirst, filled her with warmth, when she’d been so cold, and offered her solace
“That’s right baby, drink,” Luc soothed, cradling her against him, a hand moulded to the back of her skull and the other around her waist. He groaned as her tongue once more ran over his skin, before her lips finally settled over it and she began to suckle. “Forgive me,” he whispered, nudging her top out of his way, then eyes staring into the dying sun he struck. His fangs lengthening as he sank them into shoulder, taking her into him as she took from him. He groaned again, his eyes sliding closed at the feel of her drinking from him, taking his strength, her heart beat picking up. He didn’t take much, just enough to bind them, as she’d already lost enough. He then retracted his fangs, licking over the area, sucking the skin between his lips, sealing it and leaving his mark. Then his eyes closed as he rested his chin on top of her head as he hung there in the sky, watching the sun sink lower.
Sophia nearly lost what she was drinking at the intense p
ain she felt as Luc bit into her. Gasping, she went to pull back but his hand at the back of her head held her in place. He sucked on the skin, sucking and the pain morphed into pleasant warmth, her limbs tingling as it spread throughout her body. Her breathing became easier as she continued to drink, her suction improving and her thoughts clearing. With a sigh, finally full and sleepy she released her hold on his skin, floating in a sea of comfort, no more pain as her eyes once more slid closed.
“Sleep now love,” Luc whispered to her, hanging in the air, watching the sun sink lower, before it vanished. He pulled her tighter to him, resting against her, holding her, breathing her in as the sky darkened. Then it was as if daylight had come out again, as the sky lit up in a flash, just as the full moon rose. Satisfaction strummed in his veins as he looked towards Upper Lunaton, the sound of celebrating wolf howls came to him on the wind. It seemed the bitch was finally gone, he looked down to the woman in his arms, his mate. He had a month to complete their ceremony, or he’d lose her, she’d live, but he’d lose his chance to keep her as his mate. He just prayed that when she awoke, she’d forgive him for what he’d done without her permission.
Wings beating, he again headed towards the earth, as Sophia needed to put her to bed to heal. A month was a long time, and with the threat to them gone and his curse lifted, he had days and nights to convince her that they were meant to be together. Kissing her hair, he landed back behind the property, scooping her back up off the floor and striding towards the back door.
“Aunt Sophia,” Lana cried running towards her.
“About bloody time,” Balin groused from his seat on the sofa, I was about to send out another search party.
“Everything okay?” Phillip James, asked. The coroner shifting from his place at the small table. He’d come over to lend a hand, watching over Balin as the others had gone out to put an end to the threat. Ronald, the dragon shifter had gotten the duty of watching over Lara and Davion, as the wolves were out of action for the evening.
“It is now, she needs sleep,” Luc told them making his way towards the hallway.
“Luc, your chest, her stomach,” Lana sputtered, hovering near them, but Luc spoke again alleviating her fears.
“We’ll both heal,” he told her, heading up the stairs to put his mate to bed, hopeful he could bring her around.
As he made it to the landing, he heard Lana shout, after her mobile phone had rung.
“Oh, my god, my dad’s woken,” he heard Lana say, as he shut Sophia’s bedroom door.
Tomorrow was a new day, and it seemed that it was going to be the chance of a new beginning for more than him.
To be continued…
Meanings and interpretations of each rune stone are shown below: -
FEHU - F: Cattle
Abundance through effort, inheritance of self and self-value, material gain, earned income. Success, happiness and wealth.
Reversed: Abandonment of plans, loss, disappointment, frustration.
URUZ - U: Brute Strength
Strength, home love on all sides, health, changes, a forceful masculine archetype.
Reversed: Missed abilities, weak will power, lack of motivation
THURISAZ - TH: The seeing of the future
Opening the door or gate to see the future, luck reflection for action, protection. You will see the truth.
Reversed: Not willing to heed information given, having a stubborn mind-set
ANSUZ - A: references the ancestral god, Odin.
Message from within (listen to your 'little voice'), advice from others, chance encounter, careful thought so you will know what to do from this point in time
Reversed: Watch out for trickery, the dark side of yourself when others interfering with your plans, or there is failed communication
RAIDHO - R: Journey
You're about to embark on a journey - either in the physical world or a journey of your soul to heal something that needs healing.
Reversed: Unexpected, unpleasant journey, transit problems, upsetting plans, lost tickets, communication
KENAZ - K: Beacon or torch.
When you feel in the dark - this rune will bring an opening, to help you open to who you are and your highest possibilities. From the darkness - light will come.
Reversed: withdrawal, anxiety, closing, loss
GEBO - G: Gift of Harmonic Relationships
Unity with self and all others - especially with our higher selves, nature and all things around us. Cannot be reversed.
WUNJO - W or V: Bliss and Glory
You do not Need anybody. Peace, pleasure, self-worth, joy and serenity, happy results, harmony, prosperity
Reversed: Sorrow, dissatisfaction, disappointment, friction, delay, possession by higher forces
HAGALAZ - H: Destructive forces
This refers to the destructive forces of nature, and things that are out of our control. Cannot be reversed.
NAUTHIZ - N: The Negatives of Human Needs
Caution, hold, coming in touch with a side of you that you may not like, resistance, distress, delay, constraint or restraint. Reflect on how bad things can and appreciate what you have.
Reversed: Improper course of action, think twice before acting, don't make hasty judgments!!
ISA - I: Ice
Frozen in time, calm, non-action, everything on hold, letting go of ego and seeking your inner truths, you are blocked by your emotions. Cannot be reversed.
JERA - J or Y: The Cycle of One Year
Reaping of a reward when your world seems stagnant, harvest the seeds you have planted, gain, fruition, things happening in their own time and space when they are supposed to! Cannot be reversed.
EIHWAZ - EI: Yew Tree
Stability, doing the right things, patience, perseverance, endurance. Decided what is the right way to get the things accomplished in your life. Cannot be reversed.
PERTHRO - P: Initiation, Things Unexplained, Something Hidden
A hieratic or mystery rune pointing to that which is beyond our frail manipulative powers.
Perth is associated with the Phoenix, the mystical bird which consumes itself in the fire then rises from its own ashes. Its ways are secret and hidden. Powerful forces of change are at work here. Yet what is achieved is not easily or readily shared. After all, becoming whole - the means of it - is a profound secret. On the side of the Earthly or mundane, there may well be surprises, gains or rewards that you did not anticipate. On the side of human nature this Rune is symbolized by the flight of the eagle. Soaring flight, free from entanglement, lifting yourself above the endless ebb and flow of ordinary life to acquire broader vision - all this is indicated here.
Perth stands for the heart of Initiation - Nothing external matters here, except as it shows you in its inner reflection. This Rune is concerned with the deepest stratum of our being, the bedrock on which our destiny is founded. For some Perth means experiencing some form of death - or transition. It is a letting go of everything, no exceptions, no exclusions. Nothing less than renewal of the Spirit is at stake.
Hidden information and truths, mysteries, esoteric, that which is unknown on a conscious level, it could come into the light and you would understand the 'higher meaning' of things.
Reversed: Events stalled, you need to clear out something - unpleasant surprise - the old way must come to an end, do not focus on outcomes, nor bind yourself with memories of past achievements or you will orb yourself of the true present. When your inner being is shifting and reforming, on a deep level, patience, constancy, and perseverance are called for.
Do no repeat the old - let it go!
The initiation - the veils of the illusion are being lifted - let the old ways go!
Stay centered, see the humour and keep your faith firm.
ALGIZ: Z
Spirit guides - protection, fortunate new influence, making the connection with spirit and working through your issues.
SOWILO - S: The Sun
The circle is completion -
wholeness, the sun, the path to awareness and self-knowledge. See you 'dark side' - that which makes you destructive to yourself and others. Seek change to heal and be complete with yourself. Cannot be reversed
TEIWAZ - T: Tyr, the sky god.
To be successful in competition, very motivated, finding the spiritual or transcendental self.
Reversed: Low energy and lack of enthusiasm
BERKANA - B: Birch-goddess
To be prepared, cautious in what you do. Also, references your family and home.
Reversed: An unfortunate domestic situation - so use caution.
EHWAZ - E: The Sacred Horse
The balance of things in the universe, stability, move forward carefully focusing on the tools that will help you get there
Reversed: Sudden unexpected change that is not wanted
MANNAZ - M: The nature of Humanity
The self and its place in the collective conscience of humanity. We are all part of the collective unconscious - we are all One. Your attitude towards and their attitudes towards you. Take this time for personal reflection. Cannot be reversed.
LAGUZ - L: Water - Emotions
The moon, the flow of emotions and all things into the collective unconscious - all bodies of water - Aquarius - feminine energies - higher mind, spirituality, health and healing - a time of cleansing.
Reversed: Not listening to your inner voice, tackling something you know you should not do - or are not capable of doing.
INGWAZ - NG: Fertility
Fertility of the joining of human beings, usually for a new life - a pregnancy. Finish what you are doing, tie up loose ends and start something new. Cannot be reversed.