by J. M. Davies
“Look, when this is done, let me run some tests, so we can establish a date when this baby is due, and check that everything is as it should be.”
Ella nodded, unable to speak for the moment. She hadn’t allowed herself to truly explore how she felt about being pregnant again. Everything between her and Marcus seemed a challenge and having another baby wouldn’t make it easier. She rubbed her forehead.
“I’m not an outsider, which I feel sometimes, and it doesn’t help the team one bit to exclude me. Being pregnant is important, Ella. You can’t just brush it under the carpet. And besides being your doctor, I’m also your friend.”
Ella sat up.
The doctor squeezed her hand, and she let out a long breath. “Now, what do you need me to do?” Elizabeth asked.
“Right—I’ve only done this a couple of times, but I’m going to slow my heart down as if I’m about to die.”
The doctor made no sound as Ella started to undress.
“The first time, I was naked and cold. I’m going to recreate that, removing everything except my bracelet. I just need you to make sure I’m not unconscious for too long, and if necessary, to pull me back.”
“Exactly how do I do that?” The doctor smiled sardonically.
“Call to me. I will hear you, Elizabeth. I will be fine.”
The doctor held her clothes, unflinching, and placed them on the table a short distance away. She brought the resuscitation cart closer, checking the drawers before turning around to face her. “I want to place a cannula in your arm just as a precaution.”
“Okay. If I’m gone more than an hour, do what you can to wake me up.”
She lay back down, naked, and her body shivered with the cold.
“I will give you some time, but if there is any sign of distress, I’m putting an end to this. Now, I’m going to attach you to a heart monitor, so I can establish what’s happening.”
The doctor disappeared only to return moments later, wheeling a machine. Ella lay still as the doctor placed sticky pads over her breasts and attached the wires to them to record her heart rate. The machine beeped a steady rhythm, and she stared at the screen as her heart flashed sixty-five. Lying back and staring up at the ceiling, she tuned into the sound of her heart as it beat in a regular rhythm. Ella let the sound fill her mind—beep, beep, beep—and she closed her eyes, slowing her heart rate down. The monitor reacted: beep—beep—beep—
Her thumb rubbed over the center stone in her bracelet. The sensation added to the absolute sense of peace and relaxation. The heart rate on the monitor slowed again and she focused on its steady, slow beat until she slipped into unconsciousness and drifted far away. Recalling Steel’s dream, she pictured the garden, the bushes, and called out to him as she stepped over the grass barefoot. She imagined herself dressed and her clothes surrounded her. The sun shone high in the sky and she shielded her eyes from the brightness.
Steel. She called out and studied the empty gray patio and the open doors that led into the sprawling mansion. A wave of unease rippled through her. Birds chirped and a light wind brushed the ends of her hair.
Steel.
She stepped onto the patio, taking small, tentative footsteps. The hair along her neck stood up and she shivered. The light faded and a darkness descended. With the warmth of the sun gone, Ella clasped her hands over her arms as the coldness reached right through to her bones. The exterior of the mansion vanished, and Ella stood on snow-covered uneven ground. On the horizon, a purple mountain range loomed. Trees flanked her and sitting on the branches were dozens of black silent crows. Her breathing increased, no longer in control of the scene. Someone had intercepted her.
Ella, daughter of the Moon Goddess Ariana, welcome.
She spun around and faced an amazon of a woman with long raven hair and black stained lips, dressed in her burgundy leather outfit with a thick silver sword strapped to her hip. The Morrigan.
“It’s time we met, don’t you think? I’m the Morrigan, goddess of war, and the reason you’re here. You cannot defeat me, child. Don’t you realize that? I am the beginning of the end for all, and only those who join me will survive the war that is inevitable. As we speak, your beloved is fighting shadows. His allies will lose more of their people for taking his side, and those you believe are your friends will betray you. You would be best served to surrender now, if you wish to save those, you love. You’ve witnessed my power and reach. Humans are easily swayed and manipulated like puppets. I took your baby once, and I can do it again. Do you really want to go up against the likes of me?”
The goddess stood several feet away one second and the next, right in her space, wielding a magnificent iron sword. A dark fury rose inside at the Morrigan’s words. She brazenly admitted, she was behind, her abduction and Nate’s terrifying delivery. She screamed unable to contain her fury.
I will kill you.
I’d like to see you try! The Morrigan kept her eyes trained on her as she crept around sizing her up and down. Ella’s heartbeat pounded. The Morrigan was taller and stronger than she was, but she didn’t care. The painful memories of the past flashed before her. Nate’s delivery. The anguish of the funeral. The argument’s with Marcus. Isabella’s transformation. Was the Morrigan responsible for all the pain she had suffered in her previous lives? Staring at her opponent, the woman smiled.
Use that anger to channel your energy, Ella.
Ariana’s voice filled her mind and as she relaxed her posture into a crouching mode, a heavy sword appeared in her right hand. She clutched it tight, absorbing the strength that radiated through her arm.
Use the power that runs through your veins.
I am not as strong as she is.
Maybe not but you are of pure heart.
Without any fear or thought of the repercussions as the lithe woman arched her sword and aimed, ready to strike at her, Ella moved. Her body twisted and circled like a dancer. She lifted the sword high to block her and down low to clash with her steel. She shielded herself, striking out as the woman’s sword leapt dangerously close. The clang of metal echoed and the force of the blows sent her reeling back as chills trickled down her spine.
The Morrigan wanted her dead.
Ariana, I’m not strong enough. She’s going to kill me.
My dear child, she cannot do that in this form, and besides, my blood runs inside your veins. Now, lift your sword and strike her. Move forward and never back down. Fight back, and strike hard.
A resilience and a surge of adrenaline alongside incredible power sped through her. She could do this. She was immortal. Ella moved deftly and charged at the woman, pushing her way forward. She sliced her blade down, cutting the air and hitting the intended target. The blade hit the woman’s side and at first Ella thought she missed, but the goddess stared down at her side. She rubbed her hand above her hip and lifted it staring at the blood. A high-pitched wail vented from her lips and she charged at Ella with her sword raised.
The Morrigan ran at her with the tip of the blade ready. Ella swerved and twisted, dancing around, light-footed as she wove around the woman who propelled herself forward. She stabbed the sword and lunged at her. Ella dodged the pointed blade and swung hers, deflecting the sharp edge away. The woman stepped and thrust as Ella ducked and twisted in a graceful circle.
Steel, where the hell are you? Wake up.
You’re here for the human? How strange that you are concerned about a mere mortal. Why?
Because he’s a good man, and I won’t let you destroy him or anyone else. I’m warning you. I’m a sleep-deprived hormonal woman who is beyond pissed off right now. You took my baby, and you’re going to regret that for the rest of your days. You’re going down bitch.
As Ella whirled around and lost her footing, the sting of the woman’s blade penetrated her shoulder and she dropped low. She threw her hand out to regain her balance. Tilting her torso upright, she pushed, and righted her footing to stand tall again. Not stopping to examine the wound, she didn’
t have time as the steel blade waved right in front, barely missing her chest. She shifted to the side and stepped back to avoid the tip of the sword as the Morrigan thrust it at her. She missed, and at that exact moment, Ella surged forward and stabbed the Morrigan in her chest. The blade sliced through the material. Bright-red blood dripped on her white skin. The goddess whirled around and swung her sword in a complete arc. Ella deflected the sword as it clashed with hers and pushed back, thrusting all her weight into her assault on the Morrigan.
Steel, wake up. Boss, this isn’t real. Wake up. We need you. Raine needs you.
The Morrigan pushed at her and revealed another smaller blade in her left hand, which she used to slash at Ella’s side. She screamed as the knife cut her and she dropped to her knees. The air knocked from her as the woman kicked her side. The Morrigan stood over her with the sword aimed right at her heart as she lay sprawled on the ground.
Dagda cursed your bastards, Ariana, and he died because in the end, despite everything you did, he still loved you. But I forgive him his weakness. I will wipe out all your kin and restore life to my beloved using that handsome warrior of yours, little soul-shifter. I will give him pleasure and power beyond his wildest dreams, and he will never want to return to you. Love is a weakness, and I will destroy yours.
Steel, where the hell are you? Ariana, you said I couldn’t die!
The sharp blade pointed through her thin shirt and pressed into her breast, but a rustle in the distance made the Morrigan glance over her shoulder. Taking that moment of distraction, Ella plunged her sword deep into the Morrigan’s chest. A scream rent the air, and the woman vanished. Left in the vacant space stood Steel. She pushed up off the ground and grabbed his hand.
You’ve rested long enough, Steel. This shit is about to get real.
The monitor beeped fast and frantically. Yells sounded out as the fuzzy room sharpened and came into clear view. Standing there next to Elizabeth was Raine. The alarms buzzed and Ella opened her eyes. She pushed to sit up but flopped back, light-headed.
“Steel—is he awake?”
Footsteps tapped around and try as she might to remain conscious, the faces in front of her blurred.
“Ella—Ella. Yes, Steel is fine, but you’re…”
A smile broke across her mouth and she collapsed.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Entering the portal that led to the Veil of Shadows seemed effortless. Marcus and his team stepped through the opening Huron created at the boundary of Steel’s property. One minute, they stood on the cliff and the next, a doorway appeared and foliage peered at them from the other side. Reaching the Veil took seconds. Marcus stepped through first into a dense and humid forest that buzzed and chirped with exotic life. Birds flew around, screeching and swooping low to investigate the arrivals. Perspiration trickled down his back.
“We’re a couple of days from the city, and we need to move before we lose light to find camp,” Huron instructed.
Marcus nodded and dropped his backpack on the ground to remove his outer layer to cool down. Jake followed suit. Lucius and the two vampires who accompanied him weren’t affected by the rise in temperature, but they studied the surroundings, on guard and anxious.
“We will need to feed later,” Lucius said.
“Lady Tenille agreed you could hunt the animals, but be careful—some woodland creatures might bite back.”
Jake laughed but the vampires didn’t. Lucius was less demonstrative than Roman, and his communication skills contemptuous at best. Before they had left the command center for the Veil, he had questioned the vampire regarding Isabella. His guarded response annoyed him.
“The team is desperate for news of Isabella,” Marcus asked before the vampire stepped into the dining room with Jake.
The vampire studied him with a glacial face devoid of emotion. “The prince is attending to her needs, and she is adjusting as well as can be expected, but this is a private matter and no longer your concern as she is a vampire.”
Marcus wanted to deck Lucius there and then, but forced himself to remain calm.
Huron led the way, using a machete to slice through thick bushes and dense shrubbery that grew as tall as trees. Exotic flowers in bright colors as big as his hand leaned over, facing him, and he bent to sniff the fragrance.
“Don’t—that is a leaping dragon. If you get close enough, the flower sprays you with a poison that will paralyze you for hours.”
“Shit.”
Twenty-four hours later, the Assembly guard stopped at the edge of the flat plateau that dropped hundreds of feet into a steaming gorge below. In front of them stood a powerful waterfall, which fed from an enormous lake. The only way over meant crossing a narrow ledge no more than a foot wide that bridged over the fast-moving water. Beyond, more vegetation and mountains on the horizon beckoned.
“We cross here and the city is several hours away.”
Marcus wiped his brow and removed his backpack, discarding several heavier items to make his load easier to carry for the sake of balance.
Jake stepped around him to view the scene, and scratched his head. “Fuck—you mean to tell me, you can hide your world with magic and slip through portals, but we have to trek across this tightrope to get to your city? Are you fucking kidding me?”
Huron laughed. “Are you a pussy or what?”
Jake slapped the guard on his shoulder. “Nope—I love the thrill of death-defying aerial assault courses. Bring. It. On!”
Lucius pushed his way to the front and used his inhuman speed to fly across to the other side, smiling at the others before anyone moved. After crossing and marching through fields of tall grass, bordered by snowcapped mountains, as multi-colored birds followed their journey screeching in the hazy sky, eventually the city dawned upon them. Little by little, an enormous sandstone wall rose higher and higher into view. At the entrance, mile-high wooden doors creaked open and beyond lay a bustling city and streets filled with noisy life. The guards at the entrance stood still, but nodded as Huron passed through.
As Marcus peered at the sky, the vivid blue reminded him of Ella’s stunning eyes. Not a single cloud appeared in the sky today, and as he traipsed on in his boots and combat gear, he longed for a cool shower to rid himself of the dust and grime. Huron marched ahead in his linen outfit, with his hair tied back into a ponytail, leading them to Lady of Tenille. They passed through the cobbled courtyard filled with people, animals, and an array of smells from food to other more earthly scents, which filled his nostrils and made his stomach rumble. He quickened his pace, with Jake next to him eyeing their surroundings as smiling young women in revealing dresses passed them by.
“Wow, I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.” Jake winked at the giggling women, who huddled together and stared at him, laughing.
Marcus smiled at his friend and wondered whether he thought about the witch at all. “You know, when Isabella returns, things will not be the same.”
Jake stopped and tugged on Marcus’s jacket collar, staring over at the vampires. “Sparkles will always be Sparkles, no matter what.”
It occurred to Marcus that Jake was in denial about the witch’s transformation and what that would entail, or what it would mean for their relationship.
“Maybe—but she’ll be a vampire, Jake. Her needs will be different and you have to consider the person you knew may no longer be the same.”
Jake strode away and Marcus charged after him, walking by his side and studying him. “Do you love her?”
Jake stopped and raked his hands through his short, messy hair. “I’ve never been in love, man, so how am I supposed to know?”
“You know, because the life before you met her doesn’t exist anymore. You cannot imagine being without her, and you’re willing to do anything to keep her, no matter what.”
Marcus strode away, his mind preoccupied with Ella and the colossal mess he made. The need to hold her right now was strong, and he reached out inside his head to talk to her. But nothi
ng happened. Being in the Veil, the connection with his mate vanished.
He studied the palatial Gothic castle that claimed his entire view. As the sun sparkled on the sprawling building, it glinted like pale gold. He studied the impressive architecture, from the many sweeping windows to the multiple tall, pointed towers that sat above the city with a neat courtyard below. They all marched up the row of at least fifty steps that led to a flat stretch where a garden sat in front of the castle.
The main entry door stood at least ten feet tall and wide, made of burnished oak with heavy black iron handles and bolts. Guards stood on either side of the doors, with shiny swords secured at their hips. Above them stood torches that flickered continuously despite the light breeze. As they walked up the stairs, six tall columns rose high above them. Marcus stared back down over the crowded marketplace, observing the many stalls and men, women, and children as well as a variety of livestock milling around. The inhabitants of Arandell smiled, looked well fed, and their clothes were colorful and of a superior weathered material similar to Huron’s. Gazing back from the top of the steps, it afforded him an amazing panoramic view of the breathtaking land with a series of magnificent waterfalls to the west of the city. At another time, it would be a wonderful place to explore.
“Marcus, welcome.”
He spun around and standing there with an entourage of warriors and maids stood Lady Tenille. She wore a light-blue veil over her long tresses and she smiled, holding her hand out to him. He dropped a light kiss on her extended hand.
“You didn’t bring your wife, I see?” She studied the men who followed him.
“Not this time.”
She smiled. She will forgive you—in time.
He caught her words inside his head and before he could respond, she moved on to greet the others.
“Please, follow me. I will take you to the great hall. Food and drink has been set out before the meeting gets underway,” Huron announced.