Kindred: Book 1 A Realms of the Otherworld Book (42 page)

(Ashlinn)

All hell breaks loose before we even have a chance to recover. I feel drained but Alaric is there beside me as we’re assessing the next threat. Out of the corner of my eye I see Declan ushering Lexie to safety. She’s looking as drained as I feel. The Fomorians don’t need any more provocation; they’re attacking while we are still trying to determine our next course of action. I look on in disbelieve as my enemy morphs into something. Something that nightmares are made of, they quickly take on monstrous hulking forms as they charge forward. Not one looks the same. They now wear the visage of beastly looking creatures. I vaguely hear myself mutter, “Oh my god, what the hell are they?” Before I can gather my wits about me, Jasmine and her sprite brigade charge forward as I scream, “No! Jasmine, no! Alaric she’s going to get herself killed.”

“She knows what she’s doing. Come on let’s get to a good vantage point so we can put that crossbow of yours to good use.” He calms my fears as we find a view point where I’m protect but can cause some serious damage. The battle rages on and its clear that from here the elves are at a disadvantage in hand to hand combat, I steady myself and take aim. I’m looking for an eye shot or a neck shot. I fire off two rounds as I see two familiar figures rush the enemy as they storm the platform we’re on. The figures are Tolin and Torin and before my eyes I see them change. What the hell? Oh my freakin god. They roar as their change takes over and I’m left to wonder what has become of the world I once knew. All around me I’m seeing these huge hulking figures that were once handsome young elves or so I thought, these are the Fomorians and I’m now seeing their dark side in action. TNT look like monstrosities in this form but I know that underneath it all I love them both. This is only part of who they are. This is who they become to protect those that are important to them. As realization dawns on me, something snaps, as I see the two brothers battle my enemy. Forgetting my crossbow I stand up and pace forward out from the cover that Alaric has moved us into, I walk with a grim determination as I focus on the threat. I raise my hands and summon fire balls one after the other designed to be a distraction and to blind. As soon as one appears they are flying toward my enemy. I begin launching one after the other in an attempt to either take them down or distract them from my brethren, my TNT. They are my Guard and I will protect them. Nothing matters more than protecting my family.

(Alaric)

She is fierce and she’s mine. I had feared that she would not be able to accept that the brothers were Fomorian but my fears were unfounded. Once she realized just how precarious the situation is she went into her warrior princess mode. Drawing my swords I prepare to defend my mate as she goes to war against her enemy firing off fireball after fireball aimed at those that would do harm to what is hers to protect. Only about five of the enemy have made it to the platform we’re on and we’re quickly taking them out as we outnumbered them here. The Fomorians in their berserker forms are able to take on five or more warriors at a time so the odds are really not in our favor.

Jasmine and the other sprites were able to dust the remaining enemy on the forest floor providing a distraction as their pixie dust causes disorientation but it doesn’t last long. They’re circling back around for round two when the platform is breached behind me. I ready my swords and prepare to battle the beast before me, once a handsome looking male that has now morphed into a creature with horns, claws, and fangs. He stands a foot and a half taller than me. I know that I’ll have to rely on my agility to take this berserker down. I lunge taking him off guard momentarily, landing the first blow to his arm as he blocks my parry, slicing him deeply in the forearm. It barely fazes him and I make my next move as we engage in battle, one on one exchanging blow for blow, blocking, evading, and delivering slicing cut after slicing cut. All seem to just piss this guy off. I change tactics as I reach out to my kindred thru our link and ask for one of those fireballs she is still delivering with wicked aim. She spins and whips a fiery missile right in the face of my opponent before turning back to the enemy in front of her. The fireball to the face takes him off guard and allows me time to land several more life threatening blows as my sword slices through vital organs finally bringing my opponent down.

Before I can remove my sword from the enemy in front of me another Fomorian leaps over the railing between me and Ashlinn. I watch as he lunges for my kindred and the scene slows down as I desperately try to move to intercept the blow he’s about to deliver. She senses the threat and swings herself around just in time to see Garrick charge her assassin. He fully transforms in midair into his other form just before grappling with the enemy as the two go flying over the edge of the deck. Garrick? Where did he come from? Why is he here? Who cares at this point, he just saved my kindred.

Ashlinn and I both run to the railing to see what is happening below. Garrick is vicious in his attack and quickly takes the Fomorian out and roars his battle cry for all to hear. Tolin and Torin join in as their attackers have been taken down. The battle rages on. The Fomorians on the ground begin to gain purchase to the trees and we have to prepare for an impending breach of the platform. Three more of our enemy are clamoring over the railing as we back up trying to determine what our next move will be. As the first of many, makes his way onto our platform a dark shadow dashes toward the warrior that is after one thing, Ashlinn. I soon realize that Rhespen has shifted and is taking on this Fomorian. His panther claws and canines latch on to the enemy and the two are plunged backward toward the forest floor and out of sight. The two remaining Fomorians are beginning to hesitate as their numbers are dwindling. Rational thought is replacing their bloodlust as their survival instincts kick in. Ash pushes them back as she launches fire balls at their heads. I engage head on and attack each with my swords as they continue to cautiously advance. I slash at them repeatedly as my feline pushes to the fore front. My control is not what it should be so I push him back down. Soon they are all cornered and are doing battle with the Forrest Elves as they begin to realize that they are now severely outnumbered. We spin around taking in the scene and before we can even breathe easily, every Forrest Elf in the elven city begins whooping and cheering as the threat has been effectively taken out, for now. I look Ashlinn over making sure that she has not been injured.

About that time I hear horses crashing through the dark forest from behind us as the rest of my Guard rush into the clearing below. Ferg is in the lead, his red hair is unmistakable and I hear him say to no one in particular, “Damn, we missed all the fun.” Surviving this onslaught that The Morrígan has sent our way feels good, really good.

I watch as Ashlinn makes her way toward Tolin and Torin who are still in their berserker form. Normally, it takes some time for the change to take place as the adrenalin wears off. They’re not comfortable in this form with her and they fear Ashlinn’s reaction to their little secret. As she approaches both turn their heads not wanting to see fear in her eyes, or worse yet disdain. All I feel thru our connection is curiosity and love. As she reaches the two she gently lays a hand on both of their massive arms and says. “Look at me.”

(
Ashlinn)

“Why do you look away? What do you think I will do? You are both, my TNT. You are my protectors. I will love you no matter what form you take. Why did you seek to keep this from me? Did you think I would not accept you? Do you think so little of me?” I ask the two brothers. They shake their heads in unison. “Shift back brothers, I want you to answer me.” I say still holding each of their hands in my own.

The shift is fast and Tolin looks uncertain when he says, “My lady, I did not want to frighten you.”

“Tolin. Shame on you. Why would you think that I would ever be frightened of you? You are like a brother to me. Torin as well, I thought you trusted me?” I ask. I can’t help the hurt that leaks through and is heard in my voice. I hear Lexie come up to Torin as I address the brothers.

Lexie is in as much shock as I am as she addresses Torin. Each of us has taken to one of the brothers. Tolin is mine and Torin is Lexie’s. I know that we both feel a brotherly connection there and we’re both upset that this has been sprung on us.

“Tolin, any time you need to shift to your other form. Feel free to do so. As much as I adore this form before me I also accept your other form as well. Tell me you believe me.” I beg of him.

“I believe you, my lady. No one has ever been so accepting of us as you and Alaric and even Alexia.” Tolin says with his head bowed.

I cannot stand his self-contempt any longer and I throw myself into his arms. I wrap my arms around him as I say, “Tolin, you are a beautiful male that has so much to give to those around you. Never be afraid to be who you are. Okay? I love that you go all berserker crazy to protect those you care for. Never, ever, change. Okay?”

Slowly Tolin wraps his arms around me to hug me back as I hear him say, “Ash, what am I going to do with you? You don’t know how much this means to me that you accept me, all of me.”

“Of course I accept you.” I say as I pull out of the hug to look up at my friend, my brother. “So you’re Fomorian, I take it and this is what Fomorians do? You know you’ll have to educate me on your race. I thought you were just an elf. When I saw you transform it kind of threw me for a moment. I really wish you had of given me a heads up.” I pause as I look up at his handsome face. “Thank you for bringing the big guns to the fight. Without you two and Garrick we may have had a very different outcome. By the way, you need to go a little easy on Garrick, Tolin.” I say in a chastising tone. “He definitely had my back during our little skirmish. Where is he anyway?” I ask looking around.

Garrick appears over the railing of the platform with a big smile on his face. He huffs as he hauls himself over the banister and then says, “That was fun. In all seriousness, it felt really good to be on the right side of things for once.”

Garrick looks none the worse for wear as I say, “Thank you Garrick, for having my back. Is my father still down there?” I’m worried now that I have a chance to think about everything that happened.

“You are very welcome, from this day forward I am in your service. Your father is fine my lady, he is speaking with the king of the northern territories and filling him in on what transpired before they arrived.” Garrick replies.

Alaric is at my side and he wraps his arms around me as he plants a kiss on my temple and says, “You were amazing. I had no idea that you mastered the fire element today.”

I retort, “You would have known if you had of been there when I finished my session with my mother and Dagda!” I’m still a little pissed.

“You’re right. How about I make it up to you? What do you say?” He asks.

Thru our link I can tell that he’s feeling frisky. I’m just not there yet as I respond in a hushed tone. “It’s not going to be that easy, Elf Man. You need to be punished for your actions this evening.”

Alaric laughs and then asks, “What did you have in mind, álainn?”

I can’t help but laugh at this beautiful male that is all mine as I shake my head and say, “Later, Elf Man. We still have work to do and I’m really tired but amped up at the same time.”

Tolin, Torin, Declan, and Garrick are all speaking amongst themselves as we break apart. I see that Lexie is seated close to us but she has her head in her hands and for a moment I’m worried. Declan turns his attention to her and announces, “This evening has been exhausting for Alexia. I’m taking her back to Glenndale Loch.” With that he sweeps her up and disappears through the trees the way we came. I’m comforted in the fact that she has him to take care of her.

Evidently there is one prisoner from the battle that we just fought and an interrogation is going to take place. Suddenly, all I want is to go home. My pull to this place has been appeased and I know, as I listen to my instincts, that my time here is done. I look around to see the leaders of the Forrest Elves, “Ilthuryn, Talindra, I am no longer needed here. I am so very sorry that my presence here in Faerie has brought this to your door step. The Morrígan has made her point here this night. But know this. I fight for Faerie. I fight for all the Realms. I am the Tree’s champion and I will do whatever it takes to save the Realms from the actions of The Morrígan. I will leave you to your discussion of the turn of events from this evening.” Dagda and the goddesses were in deep conversation before I interrupted. I know that everyone will be fine from this point forward. I turn my attention to Alaric and say, “Take me home.”

Chapter 37

(Ashlinn)

Everyone else is busy doing heaven knows what. Jasmine has signaled that she’s heading back with the rest of the sprites. I’m suddenly exhausted as the adrenalin of the battle begins to wear off. I pull on an internal strength that I have not really utilized before and that is of my cat. She’s comforting in her presence and I have not really allowed her free reign. Yes I’ve let her out here and there but we have not run free. That ends tonight. As we descend the last of the stairs to the forest floor I look to my mate and he grins at me. Knowing what I’m thinking as we both move to shift. I don’t want to shred my clothes so I move to disrobe behind a tree. As soon as I have removed all my clothing and weapons I fold everything and place them together. I allow the shift to take place and let her free. She’s so very happy to be outside in the forest, especially at night. Night is when she is most active. I pick up my belongings in my mouth and walk toward the male that was left to tend to our mounts. I lay everything at his feet as he inclines his head to me acknowledging my request.