Nightfall brought a hellacious thunderstorm, which put Alaric in a grave mood. He had not let the spell out of his sight since leaving the cottage. He knew what must be done, and he hated the way he had to go about doing it, but if this would be what saved humanity from ever learning of their affliction, then he would be willing to pay the price. And a hefty sum ’twas, indeed. Should the enchantment work, Alaric, Ulric, and Daciana would be banished to another world. A world where werewolves were not hunted. A world where they could finally be at rest. Forever.
But the inner demons sprang forth inside Alaric’s mind. They questioned whether this was the honorable thing to do, whether stirring Ulric and Daciana’s future into his devious concoction was moral. He had, after all, never asked them for approval, nor did he explain the task he would perform, or why he would perform it. They were completely in the dark.
His laugh was bitter, as cold and menacing as his heart. Completely in the dark. Aye, the darkness surrounded them all, courtesy of Lavenia. Though he was glad she died, her memory still haunted him every day, just as she said ’twould. He hated her for ruining their lives, and possibly the lives of others, should he and his family become uncontrollable.
Nay, this was something which had to be done. Taking heed of the apprentice’s warning, he would read the spell as best he could and banish them. Earlier, he asked for their help in removing the child from Daciana’s belly, as disgusting and ethically wrong as that was. He did not want a child to live this life, to become a monster like them. And if Ulric and Daciana thought bringing an infant into this world was acceptable, they were mistaken. They just did not realize it yet. Well, he would make them see their foolishness.
He turned up his tankard and finished off his ale. Enjoying what would be his last taste of brew, Alaric exited Murdock’s amid the protests of old friends. The fewer farewells he spoke, the better. He would only damage his conscience if he talked to the regulars at the inn, and he could change his mind, which he did not approve of.
As he strolled out of town and toward Lavenia’s cottage, rain drenching him from head to foot, his stomach knotted up; there was no turning back. He had sent a messenger to the Lowell residence, knowing Ulric and Daciana were in attendance. The note asked that they meet him at the edge of the forest, just outside of town. Away from Lavenia’s cottage. Away from the Lowell residence. Someplace nobody would see or hear what would transpire.
A deal was struck with the apprentices, though only one agreed to tag along for the mysterious reunion—the pig-headed girl. Her job was to deal with Daciana, to remove the baby from her stomach before Alaric banished them all. She waited, under a veil of hood and cloak, outside of Lavenia’s homestead.
Alaric only nodded in passing, and she followed. The details had already been arranged. Her purpose was evident.
As the forest loomed ahead, Alaric could make out two figures near the tree line, patiently waiting for his arrival. He fished the spell out of his pocket and firmly held on to it. He would have to act rapidly, if his plan was going to work.
“My dear brother, ’tis good to see ye again,” Ulric stated.
Daciana smiled at Alaric, but he could not return the merriment. Instead, he opened the rolled-up parchment and began reciting the text. Wind rushed all around them, in a swirling whirlpool of dark magic and leaves. The apprentice moved quickly, tackling Daciana to the ground and cutting her belly wide open. Daciana screamed and fought back.
“What is this? What is happening?” Ulric yelled. As his temper flared, he began to shift. His eyes glowed yellow—a sight Alaric was all too familiar with. Ulric’s clothes ripped from his body, his nails grew into claws, and patches of fur sprouted all over his flesh. One thing was certain: Lavenia’s apprentice was correct about the window of opportunity. He did not have much time before Ulric would attempt to take her life.
Alaric continually spoke in the language he was unfamiliar with, hoping this event would soon be complete. The apprentice was successful in removing the infant from Daciana’s stomach. Whispering an enchantment, she ran her free hand over Daciana’s belly, which bound Daciana’s skin and healed her wound. Just as Ulric sprang toward her, the apprentice ran, and Alaric finished the final verse.
Dark shadows slipped out of the earth’s surface, circling Ulric and Daciana. Alaric was too frightened to think. These beings represented darkness itself, and though they had no faces, he could feel their cold, watchful eyes upon him. Alaric could see the confusion in Ulric’s golden eyes, even though he was not in his human form. Daciana’s tearful expression centered on Alaric, and he fought to look away.
“What have ye done?” she cried out.
Those were her last words, as she and Ulric vanished into thin air, with the shadows, leaving Alaric standing alone. He glanced over the piece of paper in his hand, as if it might hold all the answers to life’s questions. This was naught more than a trick! What had he done? ’Twas a good query, for he knew not why they disappeared and he remained.
In a desperate attempt, he jogged back to Lavenia’s cottage, back to the source of the spell. The apprentices were caring for the new baby when he barged inside, working their magic to heal the child. Neither glanced up immediately, as if they knew he would come.
“This . . . this did not work as ye told me,” he said, tossing the parchment to the ground. “Now my brother and his wife are gone forever, and I stayed behind. Why?”
The dark-skinned girl responded, “Because all magic comes with a price. The price ye paid was knowing that thy family is someplace ye will never be. Thy guilt and disgrace will eat ye from the inside, and, for an immortal, there is naught worse than reliving the past for eternity. Ye shall carry this burden through the end of days.”
Alaric could hardly control his frustration and anger. He gritted his teeth and pointed a finger at the lasses. “Ye said naught of this consequence. I shall make ye pay.”
“Ye shall do no such thing,” said the blonde. “Leave now and we shall forget this ever happened. Should ye stay, just know there are far greater issues at hand than ye banishing thy loved ones. Ye do not know who ye are dealing with, I am afraid.”
Alaric had heard enough. These two young women were grating on his every nerve. They were delusional, thinking they could stop him. He would transform into a hideous beast and slay the both of them. “Nay, I am afraid ye do not know who ye are dealing with.” A shuddering quake rippled down Alaric’s spine as the curse began to grab hold of his body. He would best them at this game, once and for all.
Before he could finalize his transformation, the apprentice who helped him steal Daciana’s baby stepped forward, her eyes glowing the familiar yellow he had seen so many instances before.
“Be gone, fool!” she shouted. “From henceforth, ye shall not have a single memory of Lavenia, of this cottage, or of the children and us. I curse thy recollection until true love finds its way back into the hearts of a Lowell and a Conway, just as thy brother and the Lowell girl found their love. Until then, thy families will forever be foes. If two souls can surpass the impossible circumstances against them, Ulric and Daciana will return, but only inside the couple. They shall be the ones to break the curse, as true love disbands even the darkest of spells.” She paused to consider adding more, but this seemed sufficient. Should the need ever arise to alter the curse, all she must do is speak the words.
As a strong gust of air smacked into Alaric, he stumbled backward, then seemed puzzled as he absorbed his surroundings. “Where am I?”
“Ye were lost,” said the fair-haired young woman. She offered him a compassionate smile. “I suspect ye should be returning home now. Thy father must be looking for ye.”
Alaric nodded. “Of course. My apologies.” As he staggered outside, he shook his head. He had never seen the dwelling before, nor did he remember how he came to stand inside. Only moments ago, he was drinking ale at Murdock’s. Mayhap he had a little too much. ’Twas most baffling.
Chapter Fifteen
Alpha Moon (Silver Moon, #0.5) Page 15