Alpha Moon (9 page)

Chapter Thirteen

Summer, 1570

“
D
aciana, dear, thou art looking as lovely as ever.” Angelica welcomed her beloved daughter into the Lowell household with outstretched arms. They hugged briefly. “Ulric, darling.”

Ulric kissed Angelica’s gloved hand. “The pleasure is mine.”

Angelica blushed and waved him off. “Come now. Supper shall be ready shortly, and I know how hungry thou must be; feeding an extra mouth can be quite the burden.” She began to saunter toward the dining hall, her heeled shoes
click-clacking
against the wooden flooring.

Daciana frowned. “Mother, our child is not a burden.”

Angelica halted, then turned around. “Oh, dear, that is not what I meant. Thou art absolutely glowing, and being heavy with child suits thee well.”

Daciana was not wholly convinced by her mother’s absent apology, but she decided it best to keep her thoughts to herself.

“Tell me,” Angelica continued on, “has there been any news of thy brother, Ulric?” She gestured toward Ulric and Daciana’s seats at the dining table.

“I am afraid not,” Ulric responded, as he sat down next to Daciana.

Angelica grimaced. “Pity. I would have hoped he would have found his wits by now and returned home.”

“Aye, well, it seems he has other plans,” Ulric said. In an effort to improve the doldrums in the room, he asked, “What are we having for supper?”

Angelica livened immediately. “Ah, our cook has prepared a fine feast in honor of thy arrival. Roasted pork, herbed potatoes, and many other delectable items. Thou shall see.”

Theodore made his presence known by clearing his throat. “Daciana. Ulric.” He nodded to both of them. “I am happy to see the two of thee well, especially my dearest daughter. That handsome boy in thy belly will carry on both the Lowell and Conway lineage.”

Daciana pursed her lips, then answered, “I fear ’tis a girl. I know not how this came to pass, but I can feel her, like we are one.”

Theodore sat at the head of the table. “Nonsense. That child inside of thee is male, and he shall be adorned with offerings of which.”

“And if I am correct? What then? Will thou love this child any less?”

Abstaining from laughter, Theodore replied, “I will not stand corrected. Mark my words.”

Daciana knew better than to argue with her father; that never got her anywhere. Ulric thought it wise to keep his mouth tightly closed, for if he opened it, there was no certainty as to the devastation Theodore could cause Ulric’s growing family. Never mind that Ulric or Daciana could transform into beasts and slay Theodore before he had a chance to scream. He and Daciana, however, wanted the best life for their child, and if that meant remaining silent about their curse and not passing it on to the baby, then so be it.

~*~

Months had passed since Alaric fled Colchester. Since then, he had visited many towns and villages, ate the finest fare in all the world, and met a beautiful young woman, whom he had deep feelings for. Unfortunately, because of Lavenia, her curse forbade him from ever finding true love again. His darling lover, the woman he gave his heart to, died in a mishap after he confessed his feelings. He blamed himself every day he woke, because had he not aided in Lavenia’s death, the lovely woman of his dreams would still be alive. She would watch the days pass by with him, watch the sun rise and set with him. Now she was just a memory.

Assuming Lavenia’s apprentices remained at her cottage, he planned on confronting them about another plan, one that involved his dearest brother and his new wife. Aye, he knew of their wedding, even watched it from afar. He was also aware of the growing child in Daciana’s belly. She was due to have the infant any day within the coming month. His plans would benefit them all, would
save
humanity from Lavenia’s wretched darkness. All he needed was a spell, one which would salvage his final hope.

As Alaric watched from the forest near Lavenia’s cottage, the golden-haired girl left, carrying a basket. He smiled. ’Twas good, learning they still resided in the homestead. He would see to it they could not leave until he found what he needed—and something told him they had it. So he waited until the fair-haired maiden returned from her herb hunt before he threatened them.

“So good to see the two of ye,” Alaric said, as he let himself into their home.

The girls’ legs refused to budge, and the blonde-haired lass let the basket brimming with fresh herbs drop to the floor.

“What do ye want?” asked the other, willful apprentice.

“What I want,” Alaric began, “is a cure for this bloody curse Lavenia cast upon my family and me. I want to be rid of it, once and for all, and I know ye are just the help I need.” He paced around the dining table near the entryway, creating a direct path to the two young women. “Tell me, have either of ye figured out in months gone by where Lavenia kept the cure hidden? I know it must be here, somewhere.”

The girls shook their heads, and the fair-haired one stepped forward to respond, “Nay, we have searched and cannot find what ye speak of.”

Alaric grinned. “I was hoping ye would say that. See, in all the days I have spent away from Colchester, I accomplished much thinking. And since the two of ye do not have a cure, I am going to make another proposal. Should ye decline this one, I will rip thy throats out.” He paused for an added effect, but mostly to wallow in the wide-eyed expressions on their faces. “I need a curse more powerful than the one Lavenia cast upon my family and me. I need something which will banish us to another world, so we can live in peace and not fret over harming normal humans. Can either of ye do that? Remember, choose thy words wisely.”

“I am sure we could conjure some kind of potion,” said the blonde. She glanced toward the other girl, who was glaring daggers at Alaric.

He smirked. “Then, may I suggest ye work quickly? Ye have until sunset.”

“But that is not enough time!”

The more obstinate of the two girls, the one who looked as if she could kill Alaric, stepped forward. “I know just the spell ye are looking for, but be warned: it only gives a short window of opportunity, one which ye must use wisely. If ye do not recite the spell exactly as it says, the hex may fail, or cause disastrous consequences. ’Tis not for the faint of heart.”

Extending a hand, Alaric said, “Give it to me.”

She stood firm as they faced off. “What do ye want it for, anyway?”

“That is none of thy concern. Now hand it over.”

The stubborn apprentice narrowed her eyes, but then swiveled on her heel and disappeared into the back room. She reappeared moments later, with a small parchment between her fingers. As she gazed at the writing, Alaric noticed her features twisted into sadness, as if she was physically attached to that scroll.

“Take it. Do exactly as it says. Naught more, naught less. Do ye understand?” she asked him.

Alaric nodded. “I understand.” Before he reached the door, he turned around and inquired, “By the way, do either of ye know how to deliver a child?”

Chapter Fourteen

N
ightfall 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.”