Coven of Wolves (16 page)

I look at Fenrus and see something in his eyes. I somehow know that with his help we can tap into the strength needed. I tell Tobias, "Let's do it."

Tobias grins at me and says, "Oh, and before I forget, your Greek and Italian background explains a lot."

I blush from embarrassment just before he kisses me on the cheek.

The next 30 minutes fly by as Tobias and I prepare a ceremonial space just off of the kitchen area. We both know Mika has her own room for worship similar to Anna's in her own apartment, but as she's never officially shown it to us we think it better not to invade areas still meant to be kept private.

Our ceremonial circle is drawn in chalk so that we can easily clean the space once the ritual is complete. The necessary candles, herbs and stones were already stocked in Mika's pantry so that was pretty easy to collect. Tobias and I go over our plan and begin meditating. I sit at the south position like before and see that Tobias is again sitting at the north position. When I open my eyes I see that Fenrus is sitting at attention in the west position, the same position Anna had taken earlier. In the center of the circle rests the sword. Once Tobias' eyes are open I know he is done meditating. His eyes meet mine, seeing I am done as well. He causes the candles to light, signaling the ceremony to begin.

We each take our turns thanking our goddess for any blessings she's provided, and include a gift of thanks to Artemis and Apollo, Mika's chosen gods, as it is in her space that we are using our Craft. We then say the necessary chants and focused energies required of our mission. Soon the sword begins to rise into the air and slowly spin, similar to how the photo of my father had before. I then sense power pulsing like a heart beat from Fenrus to my left. Tobias notices it too as he takes a quick side glance to his right. The energy Fenrus provides solidifies the circle, overwhelming us both with strength and power.

Suddenly I'm not in my own body anymore. My spirit self is now standing beside the spirits of Tobias and Fenrus in a grand arena, different from the one in Anna's vision. In front of us there are many teenaged werewolf warriors dressed in full battle garb. They all look physically exhausted, as if they had just finished running a marathon race. Doors at the other end of the arena open and I see my grandfather Jason enter, along with four other authorative looking men similar in age. I assume they, like my grandfather, are the other Archons of the American clan of wolves. They walk to the center of the field. Trailing behind them single-file are more werewolves, each holding long black boxes across their arms. When the exhausted young werewolves see them, they all gain their composure and stand in a strict military style line. The werewolves with boxes each take their place in front of the teenaged wolves, facing them but staring straight ahead into nothingness.

One of the Archons stands forward and says, "You've all performed well. We're all very proud of you. You've survived the trials and have earned the honor of being given the title of Emissaries to the Synoro Clan."

Smiles break out on the faces of the young werewolves but they keep their rigid composure and stance.

Jason stands forward and says, "In these boxes you will find your reward for all of the hard work and diligence you've shown: your official swords as Emissaries. Only the most skilled and trained wolves are given these swords. To all other pack members they represent that you are the most devoted and elite citizens of our people. They will open a lot of doors for you, but, always keep in mind that with these gifts also come a great responsibility. You are no longer pups. You are now men and woman representing a great history behind you. Your actions will tell future generations of not only your bravery but also any failure you bring to the clan. You are also now no longer simply acting on your own behalf. You and everything you do is a representation of the clan as a whole. You are our arms, doing whatever is necessary for the good of the pack. Always keep in mind that if one of our arms ever acts against the will of the whole, that arm can be severed. No one is above this Sacred Law, not even we Archons. You should be proud of your accomplishments, and I personally will be keeping an eye on the few of you who prove by your actions to be true exceptions to all others. For those few, great rewards lie ahead."

After he says this I can see he gives a brief look to one of the young werewolves standing at attention. I then realize the young wolf he looks at is Nicholas, now barely 17 or 18 years old.

One of the other Archons then speaks. "Soldiers, arms forward!"

At this the young wolves each hold out their arms.

The Archon continues. "Bearers, present!"

The solemn soldiers holding the boxes then place the gifts into the arms of each soldier before them. After releasing the boxes, the bearers then make a military turn and march single file out of the arena. Before they leave I notice that the bearer standing before Nicholas gives him a slight wink before leaving. It's something I've seen many times before. I then realize that Nicholas' bearer is my father.

The world around us morphs into a series of flashes. In each scene we see Nicholas growing gradually older, using his swords in a series of battles and slayings. As each scene progresses into the next, his skill at killing seems to improve. Soon his swords don't even seem to be weapons but mere extensions of himself. In one of the scenes I see Nicholas sneaking into a mansion compound at night, easily maneuvering around bodyguards without being seen. He eventually makes his way to a high window and removes one of his gloves. Once the glove is off, his hand morphs into a razor sharp claw. With his pointer finger he lightly scratches a circle on the glass big enough for him to fit through. When the circle is fully made, he taps the bottom of the circle and the round cut piece falls onto the palm of his hand. He then holds it as a discus and throws it soundlessly into distant shadowed bushes. After Nicholas' hand reverts back to human, he places his glove back on. He easily fits through the newly created hole and falls, landing on his feet many feet below. He is then in a massive bedroom, moving to the oversized canopy bed against one of the walls. Horror grips me as I see one of the two sleeping figures in the bed has a familiar face: my mother's father from the previous vision. When Nicholas raises one of his swords I quickly turn away, knowing what is coming next. Helplessness overcomes me as I know there is nothing I can do to alter what has already happened. After a few moments, I turn back to see Nicholas galloping up the wall and out the hole he just created, disappearing back into the outdoor shadows.

Several more similar scenes play out, each depicting Nicholas using his swords in some cruel, unforgiving way. Looking at Tobias I see worry in his face. Fenrus' voice can be heard in my head saying, "He's worried about Mika".

The realization that she could be entering harm's way hits me too. I instinctively turn to hold Tobias in my arms. He reciprocates tightly. We turn back and see many of the killing scenes have faded and only one solitary vision can be seen. In it, Nicholas is sitting in a claw footed bath tub. The only light comes from several lit candles scattered around the room. Their light causes the water in the tub to sparkle with each flicker. Nicholas has a stoic look about him as he stares off into space. He appears to be deep in thought when a single tear falls down his cheek. Slowly, he reaches for one of his swords leaning against the tub. He takes it in hand and looks over its details. He then quickly twirls the sword in his hand until the blade's tip is pointed towards his chest. He plunges it forward into himself, the silver beginning to sizzle the flesh around it. He opens his mouth, wanting to shout out in pain but makes no sound. Slowly his eyes begin to close and he slumps forward.

Tobias and I are too startled to do anything but look on in shock. A few moments go by before there is a knock at the door. After several knocks a voice is heard saying, "Nicholas? Nicholas, are you in there?"

When there is no response the door slowly opens and I see my father's face peer around the door. "Nicholas?" Once he sees the state Nicholas is in, he rushes over to his cousin and pulls his naked body from the water and onto the once white plush bathroom rug. He then lets Nicholas fall back into his arm and pulls out the sword lodged in his chest. My father Adam then bites his own arm, drawing blood. He pours the crimson liquid over Nicholas' wound, watching it slowly close the puncture hole until it becomes non-existent. Nicholas remains unconscious as my father shouts for help. Guards rush in and the vision goes dark.

I can still see Tobias and Fenrus before me, but everything else around us remains pitch black. A single light then begins to appear between the three of us. It starts to take shape and before long the light transforms into the form of the Synoro sword used in the ritual. It dangles in mid-air before us, a weapon made of pure shining light. I become transfixed by the object and feel my legs becoming weak beneath me. I reach out to grab the handle and see Tobias has done the same. The moment we both grab hold, we are both overcome with the sword's light. It quickly surges through my arm, into my chest, up into my head, then down into my remaining appendages.

Suddenly I realize that something potentially dangerous has happened as I no longer feel quite myself. The surrounding darkness begins to fade as Mika's kitchen comes back into view. I then can see that my right hand is holding the sword's blade and blood has begun streaming down my arm. I look toward Tobias and see he is in the same situation. We both instinctively let go of the sword and watch it clang onto the ground below. I feel very light headed and fall to the ground unconscious.

• • •

I'm back in the Los Angeles mansion. I realize I must be dream traveling again as I can hear Malik laughing somewhere off in the distance. As I try to gain focus, I can see Luke sneaking off toward the mansion's supply closet. I follow him as he looks around to make sure no one is watching. He opens the pantry door and eyes the many magical tools inside. His hands are shaking and all color has drained from his already pale skin. He quickly throws several herbs and sacred stones into a black felt bag. When he is finished he pulls the drawstring, sealing the bag and closes the pantry door. When he does, Zack is revealed to be leaning against a far wall with his arms crossed before him, staring coldly in Luke's direction. Luke flinches and takes one step backward.

"Well, well. We wouldn't have another runner in the coven, do we?" The sound of Zack's voice makes my skin crawl.

"Nuh-no, not at all. I'm merely getting some supplies for Malik. He-he wanted to have the alter set-up and ready for the ceremony."

Zack gets a devilish grin on his face and says, "Funny, I've never known sage to be of any use for what he has planned. Seems to me the things you packed away in your bag are only good for blocking evil and hiding someone's location."

Luke slowly begins reaching for his cane, affixed to his side. Zack notices and electricity begins to form in his eyes. Luke takes a slow side step to the right and says, "I-I can't keep Malik waiting. He s-said he wanted the alter set up right away."

The electricity in Zack's eyes grow brighter. Luke looks down to Zack's hand and sees that electricity has begun to form there as well. By this time Luke has gotten a firm grip on his cane and is eyeing a nearby counter to possibly duck behind. Zack can see what he has planned and shoots electricity in Luke's direction. Luke uses his cane to form a small shield, blocking the bolt. He lands to his side behind the counter. Zack quickly races over to the counter, eyeing Luke on the floor. In the distance I can hear the sound of feet running toward our direction.

Luke is frozen with fear as he watches Zack raise his power filled hand into the air. A part of me wants to stay to see what Luke has coming to him. Another part of me however knows this would be wrong. In my spirit form I'm very limited with what I can do, but something inside me snaps into action. I will Zack to slam against the wall behind him. He does, but not strong enough to knock him out. Instead his face strikes a mirror, causing it to break. The shards cut Zack just below one of his eyes, disorienting him for a moment.

I run over to Luke and say into his ear, "Run Luke, this is the only chance you'll have. The others are coming into the room now!"

Reality sinks in as Luke takes his cane and slams it into the ground beside him. Darkness covers his body then disappears, taking Luke along with it.

Not wanting to stick around either, I will my dream self to return to San Francisco. Instead of arriving back in Mika's apartment though, I find myself on a busy city street. Ahead of me I can see the entrance to a store. On the glass window beside the door is printed 'Curious Collectibles &emdash; Odd Items of the Unexplained'. I hear a woman scream from inside so I will myself to glide through the wall to have a better look.

From inside I can now see Mika battling against a group of 10 or 12 large men. From behind the counter I see a scruffy young man in his mid-twenties. One of the Initiators is holding him from behind, one hand covering his mouth and the other holding his body in place so that he can't use his hands or run. I look on in amazement as Mika seems to be holding her own. She quickly takes out two opponents at once and immediately starts in on a third. Something about her fighting seems very familiar though. After a few moments I realize that she is using some of the same fighting techniques I had seen my father use in our vision quest into the past. Can she copy any fighting move she sees? She makes it seem so effortless. Another wiccan gift perhaps?

When one of the large men seems to shrug off her blows, she lets loose with her magic, scattering small daggers of light at various opponents. It does the trick as the previously immovable attacker falls to the ground in pain. Out of nowhere it seems, she is struck from behind by a magical bolt. As she falls to the ground, the men left standing pin her down. One of them snaps a large metallic disk around her neck. The disk is filled with various runes and unknown markings. I sense very old magic emanating from it. Instinctively, I will the attackers holding down Mika to experience intense pain. The spell works, but in my dream form the potency of the magic isn't very strong. From out of the shadows steps a slightly older middle aged Asian man. He obviously senses my presence and slams me with a spell of his own. It causes me to land back into my own body again, this time with a feeling that someone had just punched me very hard in the stomach.