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Chapter 11
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2020-11-13 02:42:55Chapter 11
>Lucas´ house. Living room. Night<
“Tank is dead?” It takes a moment to sink in. “Lucas!” Lucas bursts into the living room. Amelia is lying on the floor coughing up blood. “What the hell happened?” “They were attacked by black wolves. Tank is dead.” “What?” Lucas stares at his sister in shock. “Lucas, do something!” Lucas runs out of the living room. “Her wounds aren´t healing.” “Those weren´t any ordinary black werewolves that attacked them.” I think about Laurence and the wounds he inflicted to Liam, which also took time to heal. Are these werewolves magically enhanced? “I´ve seen this before. The wounds Liam sustained during his clash with Laurense took longer than usual to heal.” But this is worse. I didn´t want to worry Nolan further. Lucas returns with a vial of red liquid in his hand. “This will help her.” Lucas unstoppers the vial and moves it towards Amelia´s mouth. “Drink this, Mely.”
I look at Lucas. This is the first time I hear him call her that. I can see the worry on his face. “What´s in the vial, Lucas?” “It´s the same potion I made for Liam when Laurence wounded him.” Some of Amelias smaller wounds begin to heal. “It´s working.” Relieved, Nolan nods at Lucas. Amelia looks at Lucas. “Thank you.”
Suddenly, a light flash inside the living room.
(Laura) “What in the world--?” Seven materializes before our eyes. “Seven.” Seven is clearly distraught. “I take it you already know.” “Tank...” Seven nods. “I´ve taken his body to the Citadel. I was too late. I only sensed his death.” Seven kneels down next to Amelia. “I need to see what happened, Amelia.” Seven reaches her hands towards Amelia´s head but Amelia stops her. “No, I don´t want you inside my head. I´ll tell you what happened.” With Nolan´s help, Amelia sits up. “Can you stand up?” “I´ll be fine.”
Amelia climbs to her feet, holding onto Nolan for support. Nolan leads her to the couch to sit down. “Tank and I followed Laurence to an abandoned building where he met with Stella Dubois.” “This is bad.” Lucas said.
Stella? Isn´t that the name of the evil witch who had my parents killed?
“Laurence passed on information about Marie Claire Mormont.” Amelia turns to me. “That´s your mother´s real name. It appears that since Laurence can´t kill your mother, he´s aligned himself with a witch who can, even though he hates witches.” “That bastard.” “The next thing we know, the black werewolves were on us. We were overwhelmed. I saw Tank get killed. Then I was able to escape.” Nola turns to Seven. “How did you not see this coming?” “My visions are limited. And these witches have a way of evading an oracle´s foresight.” “What I don´t understand is that Stella´s been underground for a number of years. Why would she come out now?” Lucas said confused. Seven shakes her head. “That´s not true. Stella Dubois has been working in the shadows all these years. We believe that she is behind the black werewolves at Nexus Labs.” “How could that be?” “These werewolves have puncture wounds on their sides. In olden times, these marks meant their blood had been harvested.” (Lucas) “So why would you suspect that Stella has been harvesting werewolf blood?” “Back at the Citadel, I came upon a forgotten passage in a book. It discusses a three-part ritual for becoming an immortal. It involves the essence of dead vampires, the burning of a coven of witches, and an ablution in the blood of new-born werewolves.” “So... You´re saying that Stella needs to bath herself in werewolf blood to become an immortal?” “Yes, and she´s closer to becoming an immortal than you think.” “But what about the other two rituals. The ones involving dead vampires and burned witches? Surely she hasn´t done either of those or we would have heard about it by now?” “But she already did. A long time ago. After the Secret War, Stella had an entire houseful of vampires massacred.” (Nolan) “Yes, Frogcreek House. I´ve read about it in the history books. I believe Laurence belongs to that house.” “After that, several years ago, Stella returned home to Europe and burned her entire coven.” “This is unbelievable. The ritual began two decades ago? And you oracles didn´t do anything about it?” Lucas glared to Seven.
“As I´ve told you, these witches have a way of concealing their actions from our sight.” “So how do we stop this?” Seven directs her gazes at me. “Why are you looking at me?” “Because you are the key to stopping all this.” “But why? How?” “I believe it´s time you learn about who you really are, Laura.” “Then tell me, Seven. I want to know who I really am. I want to know why all this is happening. Why I´m cursed with this life.” (Nolan) “You are not cursed, Laura. Don´t think for one second that you are.” “But all these deaths that surround me, it all started when I discovered I was a werewolf. I can´t help but feel that if I didn´t turn, none of this would have happened.”
I turn to Seven, my voice cracking as I speak. “Please, Seven. I need answers.” “She made me promise that I would bring you to her as soon as you were ready to know the truth.” “Who is she? Who are you talking about?” “Come with me to the Citadel. She will answer all your questions.” “Take me.” Nolan steps forward. “Laura, I´m coming with you.” I look to Lucas and he nods. “Go with Nolan. I don´t want you to go there alone either. I need to stay here and take care of my sister.” I move to Amelia´s side. I take her hand in mine and give it a gentle squeeze. “Get well real soon. We´ll be back.” Amelia smiles softly. “Take care, Laura.” I let go of Amelia´s hand. I turn to Lucas. “Whatever happens, I forgive you.” Lucas smiles. “You´re going to the Citadel, Laura. Not to a warzone. You´ll be all right.” I smile back at him.
I take Seven´s outstretched hand. Nolan does the same and he holds mine with his other hand. Seven´s eyes glow white and suddenly there´s a blinding flash of light.
>Citadel. Courtyard. Night<
As the light fades, I find myself standing outside a dimly lit courtyard. An old monastery looms before us. “Welcome to the Citadel.” “This is your home?” Seven nods. “Follow me.”
Nolan and I exchange glances before we follow along after Seven. She strides across the courtyard towards the large double-doors of the Citadel.
>Citadel – Interior – Night<
Seven leads us to another set of doors, opening onto a large chamber. At the other end of the chamber is a raised dais. An elderly woman is sitting there upon a carved wooden chair.
As we move towards the dais, Seven bows down before the elderly woman. Nolan does the same, and I reluctantly follow suit.
(Old Mia) “You have returned, child.” I´m shocked to realize that the old woman isn´t talking to Seven. The old woman is looking directly to Nolan. “It´s nice to see you again, Old Mia.” I look at Nolan, confused. He knows this oracle? “Laura, this is Old Mia. Old Mia is the elder of the oracles.” “Nolan, I´m confused. How do you know Old Mia?” Old Mia laughs. “Oh, that troublemaker sought refuge with us a few years ago.” “Old Mia is a good friend of my grandmother, Helen. She worked closely with her when she was younger.” “I taught her everything she knows about making potions. But enough with the pleasantries.” Old Mia´s tone becomes serious. “Laura, I know you are here because you want answers.” “Yes, Old Mia. I want to know who I really am.” “Laura...just like the moon. A namesake of one of the original werewolves.” “Original werewolves?” “There were five original werewolves: Silas, Abel, Barnabas, Tabitha and Laura. Among the five, Silas is the first. He is the one true Alpha. Silas mated with Laura and they started a line of werewolves. You are descended from this line. You have the blood of the first wolf. That makes you special. A powerful breed of werewolves, whose powers will only grow in time. The line of the first wolves live incredibly long lives, and there were only a handful of them in the olden days. But a witch was determined to eradicate them.” “Stella.”
Old Mia nods as her expression grows darker. “When Stella couldn´t find the last descendants of the First Wolf, she instigated a war. She wipes out countless innocent werewolves in the process. Your mother, Penelope Rose, was believed to be the last descendant of the First Wolf.” So my mother´s real name is Penelope Rose. I´m a Rose. Laura Rose. “When Stella finally found out, she had your mother killed during the war. Jeremiah, your father, died trying to protect her.” “But why? Why would Stella want the last descendant of the First Wolf dead?” “Because of a prophecy that only the last descendant of the First Wolf can kill her. Stella thought that the bloodline of the First Wolf ended with Penelope, but she was wrong.” “I survived. My adoptive mother, Claire, found me.”
“So that means Laura can stop Stella on her path to immortality?” (Seven) “The ritual that Stella started twenty years ago is forbidden. I´m afraid that once the ritual has started, we cannot stop it.”
(Old Mia) “This ritual requires sacrifices that deal with dark energies. If this ritual is interrupted and the dark energies are released, the effect will be catastrophic.” “Then we have no choice but to let Stella finish the ritual? We have to let her become an immortal?” “Fear not, for we have Laura who can kill her.” Seven said facing Nolan.
“However, Laura still needs time to grow. She has to become powerful enough to face Stella.” “Do we even have the time for that before Stella attacks us herself?” “Stella is not aware that Laura is a descendant of the First Wolf. And it will be a while before she can perform the last part of the ritual.” “Well, what else does she need? What is she waiting for?” “The ritual requires the power of a unique celestial event before it can be performed.” “The eclipse!” I let out. “An eclipse will happen just a few weeks from now.” “Laura, you need to ready yourself for that day, when Stella will resurface as an immortal.” “How can I prepare myself?” (Seven) “You need to train to fight. Take control of your abilities, hone them.” (Old Mia) “I believe Nolan can help you with that. Trust him. He´s an ally. I´ve seen him in your future. He´s destined to protect you.” I turn to Nolan who nods at me. Perhaps I should start trusting him more. “You should stay the night here at the Citadel. Bringing you here took a lot of power out of me. I need to recover first before I can take you home. You can stay for Tank´s funeral rites tomorrow morning.” “I´m so sorry for your loss. I know he was a good friend of yours.” “Thank you, Nolan.”
>Citadel. Sleeping quarters. Night<
After extending my condolences to Seven, we are led to our sleeping quarters. The room is bare. Except for a bed and a chair placed against one wall, it is devoid of furniture. I lay in bed, thinking about my real parents. Penelope and Jeremiah. I wish I could remember them.
A couple of hours passed, and I still can´t sleep. My head is full of questions. My thoughts are drifting from one subject to the next. Worrying for Amelia, and missing Lucas. I think about Liam. Where could he be right now? When is he going to come back?
Then there´s Patrick. His betrayal. Did I make the right choice in pushing him away? Nevertheless, I still feel betrayed by his actions.
I think about Robert. He´s so different from the last time I saw him. What could have gotten into him, saying those things and trying to hurt me?
Then my mind strays to thoughts of Nolan. That kiss at the bar. He can be uncouth sometimes, but there´s another side to him. A side I find mysterious.
I suddenly feel an urge inside me rising to the surface, a lust that has begun to boil over. I want to touch myself. I rub my breasts with my hands and try to relax. I close my eyes.
I picture Liam kneading them, grinding on top of me. I miss his lips. I yearn to kiss that mouth. I know its shape all too well.
I feel my body heat up with desire as I imagine Liam´s naked body pressed against mine. Those hard, muscular arms. I´d really like to kiss them now.
I bring my hand down to the hem of my skirt and hitch it up. I slip my hand inside my panties, rubbing my fingers against the wet slit of my vagina. I insert my finger, seeking my clit. I start to work it. I insert another finger, driving it deep to my female core. I imagine it´s Liam´s cock fucking me.
Liam. I whimper in pleasure as I feel the walls of my vagina starting to convulse, my fingers stimulating the flesh inside. I writhe in pleasure as I explode with a powerful orgasm, sending ecstasy throughout my body. I lay there, staring at the ceiling.
I had initially thought that playing with myself would exhaust me and I would fall asleep. But now I´m more awake than ever.
I climb out of bed and leave the room.
>Citadel. Garden. Night<
I walk down a narrow corridor, not knowing where it will lead. As I turn the corner, I find an entryway that leads to a garden. I pick up a familiar scent. I step outside, surprised to find myself looking out into a sky full of stars. It´s breathtaking. “Beautiful, isn´t it?” I already know Nolan is there before I step outside. Admiring the view, I don´t turn to him. “I´ve never seen anything like it.” “Can´t sleep again? That´s two nights in a row.” “Have you been keeping tabs on me?” “As your protector, it´s my job.”
I turn to Nolan. Sitting on the balustrade, Nolan is smiling, shirtless. “It´s Old Mia, isn´t it? She´s foreseen that you are meant to protect me.” Nolan just nods, staring at me with those deep-set eyes. “In what way are you going to protect me?” “Does it matter? All I know is that I have to.” I laugh. “Nolan, you can´t just do things because an oracle tells you.” Nolan gets off the balustrade and moves to my side. “I´m not doing it just because an oracle told me so. I can feel it in my soul. This connection I have with you. I´m pretty sure you feel it too.” I look the other way. He´s right. I have felt it before. Back at the bar when I first saw him. There´s something about me that draws me. And I feel it right now.
“I´m here now, Laura. And I´ll always be here from now on. You won´t get rid of me.” I smile in spite of myself. “Thank you, Nolan. I really appreciate it.” Then, I turn away and look into the sky full of stars. “Damn, this is a beautiful view.” “From where I´m standing, it sure is.” I glance at Nolan and he´s been staring at me all this time. “For what it´s worth, Nolan. I´m glad you´re here.” Nolan takes my hand. “It´s my pleasure to be here.” He brings my hand to his lips and gives it a kiss. I stare into his eyes and the connection pulling me towards him becomes tangible. Nolan slowly leans closer. It takes every ounce of my willpower to resist him. I turn my head away and look out over the stars before me. “Maybe we shouldn´t. Maybe it's not the right time. It´s not the right place, either.” “I understand, Laura. But please know that next time, I might not be able to hold myself back.” I laugh at his audacity. “What are you gonna do? Steal a kiss from me?” Nolan grins mischievously. “Sometimes it´s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.” “You´ll be asking for forgiveness from my fist when that happens.” Nolan laughs. “I expect nothing less from my little wolf.” We both laugh.
We then watch the stars, and after a few moments, Nolan slips his arm over my shoulders. “I´ll allow you free pass this time. But next time I´m cutting your arm off.” “That´s a risk I´ll have to take then.” I glance at him for a moment. He´s relentless. We stay like this until it´s time to say goodnight.
>Citadel. Courtyard. Day<
The next day, we attend Tank´s funeral rites. The oracles set fire to his body on an altar. Nolan stands next to me as we watch the fire.
I just stand there, dreading what I´m about to face. “When we get back, we need to get ready. I can´t let Stella continue to kill the innocent, especially the people around me.” “I´ll help you in any way I can. And I won't let Stella harm you.” I look at Nolan. “I guess I should start trusting you more.”
>Lucas´ house. Living room. Day.<
Seven transported us back to Lucas´ house and then she disappeared again to scatter Tank´s ashes in his hometown.
Lucas is here, together with Amelia. Amelia has finally recovered from her wounds. “I´m glad you´re back.” “And I´m glad you two appear to have finally made up.” “Shut up, Nolan. I´m talking to Laura.” I wrap my arms around Lucas. It really does feel good to see him, knowing that I´ve forgiven him for his transgression. “Your mother was here. She told me that she´ll be gone for a few weeks. She didn´t say where she´s going.” “Does she know about Stella?” “I told her about it. But I think it only made her more determined to leave. She left you a letter though.” Lucas hands me a letter. I open the letter and begin to read it:
“Dear Laura... The dark days are near, just as we feared they would come. Don´t ever let Stella find out who you are. You must protect your secret, just as I protected you from her all these years. This secret will be your only weapon until you are ready to face her. Stay safe, my little moonbug. Mom.”
I fold up the letter after reading it and look at Lucas. He gazes back at me expectantly. “Well, what does it say?” “She knew. She knew all along and she never told me.”
