Fall of kNight (23 page)

Taking a step back from Gramps, I stared into his eyes. Wondering. Questions reigned in my mind. The one that baffled me the most was the greatest question of all.

“Why? Why didn‟t my father tell anyone?” I strained out between tears.

“Because he knew it wasn‟t safe for anyone to know of her existence. The Council didn‟t know your mother was a real Aniwayah. Wolf. She would have been considered a threat to them. Their ways have long since gone from the true ways the ancients left behind for them. This is what they feared. This is why your father kept her secret.”

Gramps spoke firmly.

I turned to Daniel, who was now standing by my side. My eyes pleading with him, hoping he could understand what I was feeling at this point. Daniel‟s hand tightly gripped mine. There was no need to hear his thoughts. He was just as shocked as I was, learning the news that my mother was an Aniwayah. Not just a shape shifter from the ancient line of Indians but from the original Indians who once lived on Fort Mountain, the area once known as the Land of the Wolf.

My emotions were as mixed as Daniel‟s. I could feel the turmoil and excitement in his heart. The joy was overwhelming. Soon his heart swelled with honor; a certain amount of pride filled every inch of his heart. I looked up into those beautiful hazel eyes.

It was then I knew Daniel was proud to have me. He was very proud of the bloodline that flowed inside of me. For in that instant, he knew I carried with me the real line.

Generations upon generations of great warriors flowed through me, the ancient bloodline of the Aniwayah itself.

A smile crossed his lips. His face reflected the revelation of the moment and his eyes glistened, even in the dark. His hand slowly reached for my face, his fingers ever so softly feathering against my cheek.

“I always knew you were special.” His voice was almost a whisper. “Now I know why.”

“Yes, she is.” Gramps stamped out proudly. “We are proud to have her back with us. She belongs to us.”

“Yes, she does.” A firm husky voice announced.

Daniel‟s head rose. His eyes peered over the top of my head, staring intently to the person behind me. The tension in his body told me it could only be one person. Taylan. I turned around slowly. Taylan stood beside Gramps. His expression was hard to read.

However, he never let go of Daniel‟s gaze. There was an immediate tension between the two of them. The type of tension I never wanted to see.

“She belongs with us. Not the pale face.” Taylan declared.

“Taylan!” Gramps warned loudly.

Daniel‟s eyes narrowed. His thoughts were clear. Taylan didn‟t recognize Daniel as being a Lycan. Nor did he see me as a Lycan. He saw me as an Aniwayah. His bloodline.

Daniel bristled at the next thought.

“She is where she belongs.” Daniel growled out. His warning clearly sent.

“I know who you are.” Taylan‟s eyes narrowed back to Daniel. “Lycan. The pale face version of our Great Spirit Wolf, nothing more than a weak imitation.”

“Taylan, stop it!” Aunt Tess warned him.

Taylan clearly showed his disapproval of the Lycans. His attention went to Aunt Tess. She gave him a scowled look that showed her own disapproval of his rude outburst.

“Daniel, it‟s late.” I turned and placed my hand on his chest.

Daniel‟s eyes darted back to me, the anger still welling inside him over Taylan.

Daniel didn‟t take threats very well. The dominance inside of him was growing stronger by the day. I saw more of Thomas coming out in him, the controlling aspects of the male wolf. Daniel was growing into his position as an Alpha Male. Each day, I could see him change, the nature of the wolf clearly emerging. He was showing signs of a good leader, a good protector.

“Yes, I do have a busy day tomorrow.” He leaned down and pressed his lips to mine, allowing them linger a moment.

My heart fluttered a few times. A rush of fever flew over me and I pressed myself into the kiss. Pressing against him as my hand lingered on the side of his face, the kiss had become a bit sweltering as my breath came in broken pants. Slowly we pulled back from the kiss. Daniel opened his eyes and looked up to Willie.

“Willie, I would like to come back. Bring Julie, so we may talk again.” Daniel began.

“I feel there is more than what you are telling us.”

Gramps nodded. “Enough for tonight. You have learned a great deal. There is still much she needs to learn.”

“Like what?”

“One thing, you need to learn your spirit guide. He is an important factor to you.

You will know him when you see him. He will guide you into all truth.” Gramps stood firm.

I nodded to him. “And my mother?”

“I will tell you everything.” Aunt Tess shot in. “Don‟t worry, Julie. There is so much more you need to learn. We will take it step by step.”

I tried to force out a smile. I wanted to know everything now. It was hard for me to leave them. These were my family. Daniel could sense the conflict that raged inside of me. His hand softly brushed against my back, distracting me for a moment. He wanted to leave before he and Taylan ended up in a fight.

Suddenly a thought hit me, strong and hard. The thought caused fear to sweep over me. My mother died in childbirth. Was it the mixture of the lines? Did her body reject me? But if she was not human, then how could this happen? Was there something I needed to know concerning my own pregnancy? I was worried.

“I need to ask this question. The lines between the Lycans and Aniwayah, are the children different? I mean, would my body reject a child if the lines are crossed?” I blurted out.

Gramps and Tess stared at me a moment. The expressions on their faces were a mixture of concern and disbelief. And yet certain remorse seemed to cloud their faces.

“We are not so sure your mother‟s death was caused by your birth.” Tess began slowly. “

“What?” Daniel and I voiced out at the same time.

“See, our lines are ancient,” Gramps began. “Yes, they may get watered down a bit, but she would have been able to bear a child…” he pointed to Daniel. “Of that nature.”

“Okay wait. So if what caused my mother‟s death? If it wasn‟t the mixing of the lines?”

Gramps shook his head. “We don‟t know. I was hoping you would tell me.”

“Great!” Daniel snorted. “Now I guess we have another mystery on our hands.

Julie, I truly love you…but your father kept more secrets that I imagine.”

“Well can you blame him!” I snapped.

“No, but I think I would have handled things a bit differently. I mean, my dad…”

“Daniel, Martin didn‟t trust anyone with the truth. He was in love! Are you going to tell Thomas about me? The counsel?”

Daniel remained silent, contemplating his answer carefully. Maybe he would see the world from my father‟s eyes. It was ironic, but Daniel was now walking in my father‟s shoes and didn‟t even realize it.

“I guess you are right. I would protect you. But you have to admit, Dad has been pretty good about the vampires.”

“He wants to kill them for Fate‟s sake!” I shrieked.

“Vampires?” Gramps jumped in. “This isn‟t good. Our legend has it that when the moon-eyed people and the Aniwayah unite once again, a great war will take place,”

Gramps shot out. “I‟m afraid this is only the beginning.”

“What‟d you mean great war?” Jason finally broke his silence.

“What do you mean once again? Does it have to do with the battle on Fort Mountain?”

“There is evil, something which is pure evil, hidden in the mountain. If it falls into the hands of the werewolves, no one will be safe. We‟ll all be in grave danger.” Tess tossed in.

“According to legend, the great war will take place on Fort Mountain. The werewolves will not be the only thing fought that night. A pure evil will force itself through. In the words of the scribe, a
pure evil shall be reconciled by the hand of its one true
love.
Anyone who touches this item will be consumed by its evil power. This is what we feel the werewolves are searching for.” Gramps added.

My thoughts ran back to Richard. He said he believed the werewolves were searching for something. Still we have no idea what the item was. Something pure evil.

What could it be? Was it possible that the vampires who brought the item to the mountain were still around? Were they evil? I almost laughed at my thoughts. The vampires were not saints, by any means. They were cursed just like the werewolves.

Dear Fate, who would help us now? Could we really trust the vampires?

“And we still have no idea what the item is. We do not even know where it was hidden.” Daniel shifted still holding me tightly.

“No. The only ones who knew what the item is are the moon-eyed people, the vampires who hid it. Well, yes, the Chief knew. The ancient carvings give its location.

We fear the item. We will not remove it.” Gramps stood tall and still.

“Wait. You said you would not remove it?” Daniel narrowed his eyes toward Gramps. “Then if the werewolves get their hands on it they will become pure evil.

Unstoppable. How can you allow this to happen?”

“Daniel, we can‟t touch it. You don‟t understand. The evil consumes those who touch it. We can kill evil only in its natural form. We can‟t kill an item.” Aunt Tess returned sharply.

“So you are saying you want the werewolves to retrieve it? So you can kill them with the evil it contains? What if you fail? “Daniel‟s frustration was now becoming clearer.

“We have faith, Daniel. Faith in our belief that good always overcomes evil.”

Gramps stated firmly. “We will be prepared. “ Gramps said, staring up into the night sky. “The scribe says to watch for the Blood Moon, a red moon. This will be the first sign of the beginning of this war.”

We all looked to the sky. The silver moon, shining bright and full had no appearance of any redness. I let out a sigh of relief. Daniel and I looked at one another carefully. What were we to do? Did this mean we were going to have to find this item?

Were we going to hunt for it in the middle of a huge pack of werewolves? Even if we did search for it, we had no idea what we were looking for. Something of pure evil. I didn‟t even want to think about it anymore.

Daniel let loose a sigh. He felt like I did. Not only did we have the clans to worry about with the Dark Wolves, but the werewolves and the evil that resided somewhere deep in Fort Mountain. This life just keeps getting better and better. The more the mysteries begin to unfold in front of us the more danger we found ourselves in.

With no more words to say, we graciously parted with my family. The sadness in their eyes proved their own concerns. Daniel made a promise to them to keep the secret safe. He also promised them he would do everything he could to protect me. I knew in their hearts they felt the torment of my mother‟s loss all over again. Watching me leave with Daniel was, in one way, a repeat of history.

I couldn‟t dare bring myself to tell them I was pregnant, to give them any more to worry about. My mother‟s tragedy dealing with Dr. Miller had brought shame and remorse to them. Not to mention, Taylan. Taylan was very proud. It was evident he was not thrilled with Daniel or the Council. According to them, the Council has gone astray from the old ways. Could Daniel rectify this? Could he be the one to bring peace to all the clans and unite the entire bloodlines? Was this even something my father had considered?

On the drive home, I remained silent in my own thoughts. Not to mention my own fears. Daniel knew he could never tell anyone what my mother was. Or who I was for that matter. Did Charlotte know? Did Thomas? She had said to Thomas and Daniel that she knew what my mother really was. Did she really know?

As I stared blankly out of the car window, I felt Daniel‟s warm hand on mine. I turned slowly to him and he glanced to me, a gentle and assuring smile crossing his face.

“It will be all right.” He assured me.

I nodded and wrapped my fingers around his. He knew he had a lot to deal with.

At this point we all did. It was left up to us to decide what to do with our newfound information. Daniel was already in the lead position for the Council. I wondered if he would wait until the Clans were united and the Dark Wolves destroyed. My thoughts were so distraught I couldn‟t clearly hear him.

Heather and Jason remained silent as well. I assumed they were chatting amongst themselves quietly, debating their own plan of action. I knew they were with us no matter what Daniel decided. There again, I had a few options opened to me.

Tomorrow, I was going to see Richard. That is, if he hadn‟t already left to meet with Mithras. I would take my chances that he would at least help us. Maybe Richard could find out what type of evil lurked in Fort Mountain. Maybe even find a way to destroy it.

Maybe, I thought, Richard was our only hope. I would try.

Daniel would have his hands full with the Council tomorrow, which left me to Richard. I was sure Daniel would take Jason with him. This was a battle they were preparing for. The strongest of the Alpha males would be present and there would be no need for women. Heather could go with me to see Richard. I knew it would be wise for my safety as well. Soon we would know where we stood.

Our Monday morning started out as usual. I overslept. The chattering of voices and smell of coffee drew me to the kitchen. Daniel was downstairs with Jason and Heather eating breakfast and drinking coffee. I walked through the kitchen, and Daniel‟s eyes lifted to me as I made my way to the coffee.

Jason glanced up, giving me a smile as he continued with his breakfast. I looked around the kitchen to see what Daniel had prepared. It seemed he went a little overboard with breakfast again. I grabbed my coffee and seated myself beside him at the table. Leaning over to me, he pressed a kiss to the side of my face.