One werewolf was at the main gate, presumably a guard. I had Steve run him over. He was a tough son of a bitch, though, shifted and tried to tear the engine out of our car. That’s when I snapped his neck, and Steve ran him over again. That time he stayed down. The gate post broke after that, and Andrew heard the girls. So I swung got back into the car and we took off.
We arrived just in time to hear…to hear that smug, overconfident, mutt. Ken challenged him before we got there, a duel for leadership of the pack. She had to let him bite her, to become a werewolf to do it. And…I can see why she did it. The wolves were there in force. A fight would’ve been bloody on both sides. But they had us where they wanted us, and the odds that one or more of us would be slain in the battle were higher than anyone would like. So she risked herself; the danger of the bite, the dangers of the hunt, isolating herself in single combat against Krieger. She made herself vulnerable so we could get out of that bind.
And I had to let her do it.
As much as I wanted to do something, anything, to stop it from happening…I couldn’t. I couldn’t incite a battle with the girls trapped in the house like that; I couldn’t take the choice from Ken. For all my divine power…capabilities beyond anything a mortal could ever hope for, burgeoning command over the elements, influence over death itself…there was nothing I could do. And I hated the feeling. I can’t lose her, I won’t. The Norns still weave this thread into their tapestry, I will be sure to make my mark on it before it’s finished.
Krieger, accursed mongrel, seemed to be enjoying the chance to mock us, gloating as if he’d already won. He directed it mainly against Ken and me. I think he was trying to provoke me, get me to do something rash. As if I were so stupid, like I’d give him the pleasure. But he did succeed in rousing my temper to a white-hot fury, the likes of which I last felt back in Alaska, Rigvar. One way or another I will see him dead, soon. Perhaps I can glean the answers we came for from his shattered corpse.
We had one more observer, as well. I noticed a raven perched atop a building some ways away, it started paying a lot more attention to us once Krieger bit Kennedy’s wrist. I read up on all the Divine Parents of the Band after Whittier, it wasn’t hard to figure out that the Morrigan was watching. And as if there was any doubt Ken’s phone rang as soon as the wolves left.
It was Ken’s second biological mother, apparently. I could actually hear the call. When I was in the courtyard my senses just…sharpened. Njord’s supposed to have extraordinarily keen senses; I guess that aspect of my ichor finally stirred. Anyway, it was confirmed that the Morrigan was indeed watching. She also seemed to be…upset, and wanted to speak to Ken immediately.
That shook her up pretty badly, it’s the first time I’ve ever seen her scared. Which, of course, only frayed my nerves even more. I tried to put her at ease as best I could…but I’m just not as comforting as the Morrigan is fearsome. Ken’s other Mom, Rhiannon, met us outside and told Ken that the Morrigan was waiting inside. Then she stayed to talk to us while Ken went in to speak with the Morrigan.
I wasn’t paying much attention to her for most of it though, because I contacted my Mother. I know what we’re going up against now is outside of her area of expertise…but I had to call her anyway. Even if it’s just grasping at straws I had to give it a shot. Speaking of…I also asked if she could get me in touch with Fenrir. Another thing she told me the Æsir won’t like, and something she might not even be able to manage it. But, desperate times…
The Morrigan stopped briefly to talk to us when she was done with Ken. Well, it seemed directed mainly at me. I’m not sure she understands the concept of weregild that well. So yeah, she basically threatened consequences if Ken died during all of this. I told her that she should already know I’d lay down my own life before I let them kill Ken.
Maybe someday I’ll learn to watch my tongue around gods.
But I said it because I meant it with every fiber of my being. I won’t stop her from stepping forth for the challenge she issued, I won’t deny Ken her fights. But those vile designs Krieger has? Not as long as I draw breath. The Morrigan didn’t say much after that, but did remark that I was the one “taking her daughter’s virtue.” She didn’t really sound all that happy about it, but I won’t pretend to be able to read her.
I think she also did…something. After I made that oath, spoke so boldly, there was a rumble of a distant thunderclap. I don’t think anyone else heard it.
I only hope that it’ll help me aid Ken somehow.
No comments:
Post a Comment