Ellida

by J. F. Kaufmann

  Ahmed was a month shy of thirty-one when his unit was sent to Khotyn. For more than a month, from the beginning of September until the first autumn snow in early October, the Polish-Lithuanian forces had been halting Sultan Osman the Second’s army advances. Having sustained heavy losses in several attacks on fortified Polish lines, the Ottomans had abandoned their siege, the Lithuanian commander died on the battlefield, and the Battle of Khotyn ended in a stalemate.

  “I was wounded on September 24, a day after my birthday. The last thing I remembered was the sky, blue and cloudless, and silence. Before I fell, I fought with three Polish soldiers. I brought down two, but the third one slashed me across the abdomen. It was a mortal wound. I still remember him: he was a big man, blond, with pale blue eyes. He raised his sword to finish me off, but then changed his mind. Did he take pity on me, or did he realize I wouldn’t make it anyway? Maybe he thought I could make it, I’ll never know. He left me barely alive. My last thoughts were about Mariam, my beautiful young wife. And the child she carried. I remember staring into that blue, clear sky, unbearably sad because I knew I wouldn’t see them again. I closed my eyes and died.”

  The rain had started that night and woke him up, Ahmed continued after a while. He didn’t feel pain. He could move his legs and his hands. Although his whole body felt weird, oversized, out of proportion, out of shape, it was connected to its surroundings, warm and bursting with life. “Even now I can’t describe my horror when I realized that my body belonged to a big kurt, a wolf… I learned to live with who I am long ago, but at that moment, it was something my mind couldn’t grasp. But beneath the terror, I was mad with happiness to be alive. Covered with the darkness, I dragged myself from the battlefield and stayed in wolf form long enough for my wounds to heal completely. Somehow, I knew from the very beginning how to change forms at will. And I wanted to go home. On my long journey I prayed to God to find my family alive and well; I kept imagining my wife, smiling, with a big bump. She was six months pregnant when I left.”

  Ahmed ran his hand across his eyes, lost for a moment in his memories. Astrid waited, afraid to say a word, afraid to touch him. After so many centuries, the pain was still there.

  “When I finally returned home, I found my parents dead. They’d died of a plague that struck Konya a month before. It was a local epidemic and it didn’t last long. Mariam was also dying. I came in time to try to save maybe her, maybe the child, maybe both, but she refused. I’m not sure she even understood what I was telling her. Wolves have always been an important part of the folklore and mythology of Anatolia. I hoped she would allow me to turn her, although I wasn’t sure how I would do that. I still didn’t know anything about being a werewolf. But Mariam was from a different part of the Empire, she was a Greek, from Rhodes. She was looking at me with such utmost horror and just kept saying no, no, no… To do something like that, to turn her into a wolf would be much worse than death for her. And she must have thought I’d lost my mind. The next day, she was dead, and my son with her.”

  Astrid’s hand touched Ahmed’s forearm and squeezed it gently.

  “I’m so sorry, Ahmed.”

  He smiled weakly. “It was almost four hundred years ago, Astrid. It’s a part of me, and it’s always going to be, and it still hurts sometimes, but I did come to peace with my past. Anyway, to keep a long story short, I left Anatolia and started traveling: Western Europe, the Russian Empire, the Middle East. I continued working as a doctor. I healed humans, but also werewolves, especially children. I studied wherever I had the opportunity, at Oxford, at Al Azhar, at University of Milan, Padua, Prague… Different subjects—history, art, engineering, and of course, medicine.

  “From time to time there was a woman in my life, but mostly I was alone. Sometimes I lived close to a werewolf clan, but was never a part of its structure. I was turned, and I felt I didn’t belong to any clan. Eventually I came to America, after the Second World War. I studied medicine at Berkley and later at Harvard. My father was so rich that even after all those centuries I’ve barely scratched the surface of that wealth.” He smiled. “Although I’m not bad myself at making money when I put a bit of effort into it.”

  “No wonder Dr. Falkenstein told me he’d hired a more experienced doctor,” Astrid said. “It’s impossible to compete with you. I knew you were special right after the first surgery we did together.”

  Ahmed’s hand reached out and lifted her chin. “You’re the best of the best, Astrid. Tristan valued you above anyone else. By the way, where are they? The Blakes?”

  “In Seattle.” Astrid laughed. “You should thank Tristan for your job. He sent your predecessor to California.”

  “Ah, that’s how it works. Brilliant! Jack told me they are coming here, to be close to you.”

  Astrid confirmed it with a quick nod of her head. “My grandparents are coming soon, too. And Ingmar, my close friend.”

  “And Ellida Morgain’s husband, I’ve heard.”

  “Jack and James are raising an army, Ahmed,” Astrid said quietly. “There’s going to be a war.”

  “I know. That’s why I’m here. And we’ll be ready. Only a little bit of fear keeps Seth in power. Once Darius returns, it’s going to be over soon.”

  “Tell me about him.”

  “Darius Withali is a good man. And very capable. He doesn’t want to be an Einhamir, though. He’s terrified he would become like Seth one day.”

  “Did Jack tell you why it’s not possible?”

  “He did. It’s unfair Darius doesn’t know that Seth’s isn’t his father. Morgaine insists on keeping it secret for the time being. She must have a good reason for that.”

  “It seems so cruel, Ahmed,” Astrid said, shaking her head. “It’s like you know your patient is healthy, but you deliberately let him believe he has a horrible disease. But you’re right. The Ellida probably knows what she’s doing.”

  “Being one, you should know there’s no way to question her decisions.”

  Astrid made a dry snort. “That actually terrifies me. Nobody’s immune to making mistakes, not even Ellidas. The good thing is I’m still an apprentice, at least for a few more weeks, so I’m spared making big decisions.”

  “You’ll be fine, Astrid.”

  Astrid looked fondly at her unexpected guest, the first person who would sleep in her parents’ house after a quarter of a century, and smiled. “Are you going to be all right here, Ahmed?”

  “I am all right here.”

  “Good, then. I’ll leave you now. The workers won’t touch your bedroom, bathroom and the kitchen. You’ll eat with us most of the time anyway.”

  “And I’m coming with your family to Goblin’s Hollow tomorrow night.”

  “Oh, God!”

  “Come on, I’ve heard you sing before.”

  Astrid tilted her head. “When, if I may ask?”

  “In your office, particularly after complicated surgeries.”

  Astrid smiled. “I thought it was too quiet for anybody to hear.”

  “For others, yes, but not for me.”

  She stood up. “I’m so happy to see you here, Ahmed. And thank you for telling me about your life and your wife and child.”

  Ahmed’s fingers brushed her cheek, in a gesture that felt friendly and familiar, with a gentleness that reminded her of Tristan’s affection. “I had to. I still don’t know why, but I knew I had to. Off you go now. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  JACK WAS awake when Astrid came back. He lifted the cover and she slid in. “I fed Blueberry. She’s sleeping now.” He braced himself on his elbow. “Astrid, I know we said we shouldn’t be testing our limits, but do you think you can handle some gentle kissing?” Without waiting for her answer, he covered her mouth in a long, tender kiss.

  “Being almost naked under the cover won’t help,” she murmured on his lips.

  “Emphasis is on almost. I have my new shark boxers on.”

  “What! Let me see,” Astrid jumped and pulled off the blanket. “Oh m
y!” She said with a satisfied smile. “What else did you buy?”

  “Everything you’ve ordered me to: bear, tiger, dolphin, shark, snake. Two pairs of each.”

  “How about Santa Claus?”

  “That too, but you’re gonna wait to see that one. It’s April.” He pulled the cover back. “Sorry, we’re closed.”

  She dipped her head down until her mouth found Jack’s. She kissed him gently, running her fingers through his hair. “I love you. Never leave me, Jack,” she whispered. “Promise you’ll never leave me.”

  “I will not, Astrid. I promise.”

  Astrid closed her eyes and rested her head on Jack’s chest.

  “THANK YOU for this distraction,” she said a bit later. “I needed it.”

  “I know. I felt the same when Ahmed told me about his wife and child. He’ll be fine, Astrid. Sleep now. I’ll never leave you, baby.”

  “I love you so much,” she said sleepily. Jack gently wrapped his arms around her and kissed her hair until Astrid’s deep breathing lulled him into sleep.

  Twenty

  Jack

  WE ARRIVED at Goblin’s Hollow two hours before Astrid’s eight o’clock début. I knew she’d be fantastic once she started singing, but right now she was on pins and needles, pacing across a foot-high podium packed with the guitars, a keyboard, upright piano, drum set and cables.

  The band was also excited. It was going to be their first performance after a long winter break, with a new singer and a different repertoire.

  They didn’t expect a big crowd tonight, not right away, at least. Stuart Crowe, the current manager, had been ecstatic with the idea of Astrid singing with the band. Business had recently slowed down, and weekend nights at Goblin’s were barely better than the rest of the week, when the pub was two-thirds empty anyway.

  Astrid had spoiled his happiness telling him that she didn’t want any kind of publicity before she started singing, and Stuart had reluctantly had to agree not to advertise Rawhide’s new star.

  Although I’d spent some time with Astrid and the guys while they practiced, I didn’t know what she would sing tonight. Their stock of songs ranged from jazz and blues to rock’n’roll and pop, even some country.

  “Jack, can you find me a barstool?” Astrid interrupted my thoughts.

  I went to the storage room to fetch it.

  She pointed to the spot where she wanted it. So, she was going to sit through the first few songs. That was a smart move. She’d look more casual and relaxed sitting than on her feet.

  Stuart had used every single table they had. Extra chairs had been piled alongside the wall. “Before Astrid’s done with the first song, the entire town will know what’s going on here tonight,” he said and rubbed his hands, satisfied. “Goblin’s will be packed in no time.”

  Maggie had decided to come home over the weekend. She, Betty and James arrived an hour after me, with Peyton, Takeshi and Ahmed. They joined Lily, Drew, and Alec at the table reserved for the family. Right in front of the stage.

  James asked her how she was and kissed her cheek.

  She kissed him back. “If this turns out to be a disaster, you’ll still love me?”

  “Sure, we’ll just pretend for a while we don’t know you. Don’t worry, Astrid. Goblin’s Hollow’s survived much worse.”

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence,” she said, laughing.

  “Dad, for Pete’s sake, how can you say a thing like that?” my sister snapped, but James just laughed and rubbed Astrid’s shoulder. “You’ll be fine, kiddo. It’s in your blood.”

  When Morgaine walked in, James went to greet her and usher her to our table. Astrid brushed my cheeks with her cold lips, waved to Maggie and Peyton to follow her, and the three of them disappeared into the staff room behind the bar.

  The lights turned off.

  I could see the movements on the stage as Sid, Mark, Bernard and Eamon took their place. I could see Astrid walking to the barstool and sitting on it.

  Then a single, wide blue beam lit her up.

  She looked very young and cool in faded blue jeans, fashionably ripped above her knees, and a tight white T-shirt with a fluorescent-green inscription I’m with the Band! I caught a glimmer of the silver wolf-pendant necklace around her neck. Her gorgeous hair was pulled up into, well, an elaborate ponytail. Some kind of retro 1950’s look. Her feet were propped against the footrest. Holding the mike in one hand, she touched the pendant with her other.

  “Two… three…four…” I heard Eamon, and then the first instrumental measures, three guitars and the drum, and then Astrid’s soft, velvety, sexy voice.

  Ah, Black Horse and the Cherry Tree. What a brilliant choice for the opening song!

  Astrid’s eyes briefly found mine. She winked and smiled.

  Even under the blue beam of light I could see that Astrid’s eyes were brown. She’d brought up her wolf tonight, to cope with her stress and anxiety.

  She had an incredible voice: powerful, confident, sensual, flexible and clear. She’d said she was a soprano, but that classification referred to my blue-eyed girl. With her wolf in charge, she sounded deeper, heavier and darker.

  I quickly scanned the bar. Every single pair of eyes focused on her. People were smiling, spellbound by the girl on the stage and her voice.

  When she finished, Goblin’s Hollow exploded with whistling, clapping and cheering. Astrid jumped down from the stool, bowed slightly and whispered, “Thank you”.

  After Eamon introduced their new band member, Astrid moved the stool to the end of the stage. Her inner tension eased and her eyes resumed their sapphire-blue hue.

  It was mostly a jazz and blues night: Astrid was toggling masterfully between Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin and Billy Holliday.

  She looked and sounded confident. Her voice was alternating from satiny, smooth and warm, to a rich, spinning and ravishing sound. It was an instrument in itself, capable of producing a whole range of different vocal characteristics, yet unmistakably unique. She sang other singers’ music, songs that had made them widely popular and recognizable, yet she didn’t sound like any of them. She sounded like Astrid.

  The last song was Eddie Colley’s Fever. They added saxophone to the second part of the song, giving it an unexpected twist. It sounded fantastic!

  It was almost three o’clock in the morning when the lights were finally turned on again. I looked around. Goblin’s Hollow, half-empty at the beginning, was jammed. All the extra chairs were used, and some of the guests who’d arrived later stood along the walls or sat on the edge of the stage.

  Amazed, I watched Astrid chatting with the guests, stopping by the tables, smiling. She was happy. Her audience was happy as well and, still enchanted by her beautiful voice, reluctant to leave.

  LATER AT home, we celebrated Astrid’s smashing success with a late night feast. James’ idea, of course. I’d been hoping for a more intimate party in our room, but this time James was right. It was Astrid’s night, and I didn’t have the right to keep our new star to myself. At least not for the next few hours.

  I looked at her smiling face and sparkling eyes, thinking how much she had changed in the last two months. I’d met a reserved, no-nonsense girl, with a sharp tongue, dry humor and a cool, sensible mind. I remembered the day she’d cried in her room because I’d told her we were bonded for life. She’d cried because she wanted me to be her choice. She wanted to be loved for who she was. Well, those wishes had been granted to her. Our love was more than the bond that had tied us together. Astrid was my mate, my friend and my partner. She would soon be my wife and one day the mother of my children.

  This relaxed, chatty, fun-loving Astrid had always been there, along with the rational and logical Miss Spock. Her two natures, which always coexisted side by side, had started emerging as a single entity, even greater and more fascinating than the sum of its parts.

  IT WAS almost dawn when I was finally able to drag her to the room. She locked her arms around my neck and kis
sed me fiercely. “This is one of the best days of my life!” she said excitedly, looking at my eyes with so much love that my heart almost burst with emotion.

  God, I should probably sleep in my room tonight.

  “What’s at the top of your list?” I said in an attempt to distract myself from her warm, soft body that smelled and felt so good.

  “The night I found you in my garden,” she said without hesitation. “That’s the best and the most important day of my life. Then, in second place, is the day when we went hiking to Cricket Falls. Then our first date, then when we fought with those Tel-Urughs—”

  “How does fighting with Tel-Urughs qualify for a best day list? That was one of the scariest days of my life. I didn’t hear your heart for a few moments. I thought you were dead. I wish I could erase that day from my memory.”

  Her fingers pressed over my mouth. “Shhh, don’t go there. My heart never stopped. It qualifies because we did it together. You were ready to give your life to save mine. That’s why.” She smiled. “But don’t think you are solely accountable for my best days. There are my family and my friends on that list, my patients, my university days, Ingmar—”

  “Can we skip Ingmar?”

  “And the day I learned that my mother has been protecting me all these years. My list is very long. I’m a happy woman, Jack. What about your best days?”

  I wanted very much to take her through my list, but I restrained myself. If I mentioned her red dress, for example, which was very close to the top, things could easily get out of control. Instead, I kissed her gently, careful not to spark the fire. “Some other time, baby. You should sleep a bit now. You know that Master Nakamura won’t accept your sudden stardom as an excuse for ditching your next kung fu lesson.”