The Dormant: The Elemental Witches (Book Two)

Chapter 2 : Thunderbird

~Selene~

The moon was at its highest, and finally, my feet were planted on this land I had never ventured before. I have heard the stories around it, but I had never had the time to come and see him myself with everything happening with the other gods, and my children. I´ve never found the time. I thought it would be a waste of time as Morrigan had made this trip numerous times, and every time she sought him, he would snub her out, not even appearing for a conference.

They both had a weird relationship. The eagle knew about us. Even some of his children were born as magical humans. He let her appear to them, teaching them a small amount about witches, but as she retold many times. He never showed himself to her, though he was always watching and her children answered to him and him alone.

I placed my foot on the red sandy dirt around me, a surge of magic running through my veins. ¨This God must be strong to be able to enchant such a big area like this.¨ Again, I took another step as I felt the surge in my legs traveling up. I have to admit I have only enchanted my clearing and the area surrounding it. So he will need to give me tips about doing this for a reference later on.

My face scanned the rocks and mountains around me in the far east; lightning struck, igniting the sky above. A few minutes later, a loud thunder followed. That was my destination as I could feel the air electrifying itself all around me.

I couldn't just travel to where he was and demand the use of his warriors. So, sensing my wolves in the area, I decided to go on a small detour to see what my children had learned about his people, the rules and limitations that, at least for me, was the best way to get to know a god.

I appeared in a small village where some of my children were staying. Huts littered all around the desert landscape. Here the magic I was feeling from the God became stronger, as if he was using it to keep this tribe secure, hidden and away from prying eyes. Even the rocks around the area felt magical. I walked down the compound and, as I did, went straight to where one of my children was. I felt her pain when she was bitten. How could a regular animal do that to a wolf? It was like he had his hand imprinted on everything around this place. I passed a hand through her hair. Her breathing was deep and resting. At least he had corrected his mistake and let his children save her. He couldn't be that bad if he took a creature, not his own, and gave her a second chance.

Giving her a kiss on her forehead, I exited the tent and walked to the other side. There sleeping peacefully were three wolves, two females and my Lucas. I kneeled beside him and entered his dreams. ¨Child.¨ I tenderly cooed and stroked his hair until he began stirring. ¨I need to talk to you.¨ He opened his eyes almost immediately and staggered up but now sensing it was me, he immediately bowed his head in respect and mumbled. ¨Moon Goddess.¨ I gave him a warm smile and motioned my hand so we could exit the tent and began walking, him behind me.

¨What have you learned about these people?¨ I asked nonchalantly as we sat down to look at the desert night in front of us. ¨Proud. The small amount I have spent with them, I haven't found one single thing to offer them so they could help. They have no need for material stuff, no need for wisdom in other kinds. Hell, they are even already talking about kicking us out!¨ I looked at him. Something in his eyes showed me a hidden secret, something my wolf hadn't figured out by himself. Nodding, I put a hand on his shoulders. ¨You are doing good, Lucas, and even if at this moment you feel like you are not achieving anything, you will become a key factor in our plan.¨ He looked at me with his eager green eyes, the question forming in his mind, a question I quickly left open. I couldn't answer it until I visited the God.

Putting my hand up, I just answered openly.¨Everything would be revealed at the right moment. Stop rushing the gods, my child.¨He gave me a small smile. ¨Everything is taking so much time. We need to help those wolves at Camp North and Green Moon now!¨ His mind was working a thousand miles an hour. ¨And if the information I got is accurate. The vampire broods are attacking other small packs around the country. We need to act, now goddess, with or without their help.¨

¨One thing at a time, Lucas, but we will, and I promise you everything I do is for the survival of you... of every one of you, my wolves. Even if now it seems I have abandoned your kind to your own luck, I haven't. Still, forces beyond your comprehension are working to destroy every single one of you, not only a pack or two. Hang in there and don't lose hope, and remember I am always with you.¨ Finishing talking, I gave him a quick nod and apparated.

I came back to the mountain ridge where you could see the lighting´s strike far away. Now I had to talk to him about the thunderbird clans, almost fuming at him about what I had learned. One thing is for him to keep his children safe. Another one is to use that same power to keep a true mate hidden. I was seething at what I felt. Moving quickly, I apparated just a few feet when the lighting struck again on the top of the mountain, the sky etched with small lines as if a tree of light had appeared on top of me.

A scent immediately engulfed me as I felt my pupils dilate. The smell was like eating fairy food. A musky scent between nature and rain engulfed me. The scent made every cell in my body light up and erupted like the thunders that were now echoing in my ear.

I felt the imposing figure creep behind me, his hot breath caressing the back of my neck. I couldn't turn, I couldn't move. For the first time in my existence, I felt like prey as a tongue came into contact with the side of my neck. It was like if an asteroid had crashed as he did this, every part of my body demanding more even though I hadn't even taken a glance at him.

A strong caramel-red-skinned arm snaked its way to my waist, picking me up and turning me around. I closed my eyes, not really comprehending my own feelings and what I had in front of me. ¨Mine.¨ His voice hoarsely whispered lowly in my ear, making me gasp and open my eyes as I took the sight of the one made for me looking straight into my soul. His dark smokey eyes pierced directly into my being, knowing everything about me in a single second.

¨Mine¨ His low manly voice again demanded, almost as if he was conquering me with that single word, but with that whisper, my eyes finally were able to break away from his and take all of his form.

He was taller than me. With caramel skin and ebony black silky hair that went to his waist, different feathers adorned it. His eyes, as black and mysterious as he had been to me until now, showed dominance, lust, and a glimmer of hope in them. I must say they matched mine in emotion. His high cheekbones and squared jaw made him look flawless, finishing with a hooked nose that gave him a birdly aura. His arms were covered with lines and different animal motives.

Everything about him was big, mean and imposing, and if I wasn't a goddess, this being would have scared me to death. Still, the only thing I wanted from him was to be engulfed in his arms and never let go.

But I couldn't. My eyes wandered down as I took a deep breath, then brought them back up to meet him. I had work to do, and I needed to maintain the natural balance of the realm, and as the older sister, this task relied upon me. I took a step back, stripping myself from his embrace, causing him to growl, and my heart ached at the loss of contact. ¨My God…¨ I spoke after I composed myself and looked straight into his black eyes; before I could say another word, he cut my monologue. ¨I have two questions, wolf. What are you doing here? I already told your sister I want nothing to do with you, outside gods.¨

That made my face fall, and tears welled up in my eyes, threatening to shed. I have never been a big crier, but this seemed like a rejection. ¨You talked to Morrigan?¨ He gave me a small nod making me whimper. ¨Then I came here demanding you to let my wolf's mate go. You have no right to tamper the way you are with true mate bonds!¨ He shook his head. Then he turned, giving me a look at his back and his broad shoulders. ¨So eager to answer, and you haven't heard my second question, female. Let me finish.¨

I stood up, planted on the ground as he turned around again, walking slowly towards me as if ready to pounce at any given moment. ¨Why haven't you come sooner, mate?¨ The thunderbird grabbed my waist again, bringing me closer to him. My body melted on his as he closed the remaining distance between us, pressing his lips with mine in a searing kiss, ravishing my mouth with hunger and want.

Finally, putting my hand on his chest and separating slightly. I looked up at his dark eyes again. ¨I guess I can't keep calling you thunderbird anymore.¨ He looked into my eyes. A small curve made way to his lips, making him look so much more beautiful. His eyes twinkling in expectation as he came back for a second kiss. ¨For you, my name is Wakiya, my goddess...¨ He again dipped into my mouth, demanding entrance with his tongue, leaving me speechless. ¨Selene.¨ I mumbled as he back off but never letting his arms fall from my waist, his hands taking claim of me.

~ Wakiya (Thunderbird)~

I knew they were out there. Quetzalcoatl tried once or twice before he died to take me out of my land and introduce me to them. I was about to comply, but it was then that it happened. When I had finally decided to leave the safety of my land, there was a change in nature, and the loss of balance was grave and hard on the land I called my own. The few of his children I accepted inside my tribe as this happened lost their magic, their dragon. They became human or died. That was when I had made a pledge to my people; I would never let something like that happen to them. If born on the land, they could not leave. Outsiders, unless they were in mortal danger, were banned completely.

We never exiled the remnants of the dragons, and I even vowed to find a way to restore some sort of their magic. I finally found it in this place. They went to become magical humans.They just had to stay inside the land and make their magic stronger with work and determination. Soon they were integrated into different eagle tribes, and now there was no distinction between the dragons and the eagles. We are one nation. There are not dragons anymore, there are only eagles and humans in my territory.

The real challenge came when other kinds wanted my land, the white men. The land I have sought to protect began losing its power as they started killing everything they could find. I lost entire tribes in raids and attacks. The rules I placed once became even more unflexible. I have kept this place protected, untouched and strong, and I am planning to continue doing that. The eagle must prevail against all odds.

I looked at the white-haired blue-skinned goddess in front of me. She could have been from another realm as to how different from me she was. She white-haired, I black-haired. Me towering on her form, I was red, she blue, and for the small conversation I had with her, she did had something in common with me. We both do anything for our children, and we were both dominant, so I had to play it smart if I wanted to keep her protected too.

¨So why are you here, Selene?¨ I asked as I paced in front of her, her stormy white eyes looking straight at me as trying to figure me out. ¨I was going to ask you for help, but I think I changed my mind after I sensed a true mate bond.¨ I grinned, sitting down on the ground with my legs crossed and motioning for her to sit in front of me. ¨Ours?¨ I asked, hoping she would say yes.

¨One of my wolves has been staying with the nearest tribe. I sensed his mate in your tribe. She is a witch. I looked at her, not really knowing. ¨Healer...¨ She changed the wording so I could understand what she meant, then added while showing me an image of the kind. ¨ As why my sister Morrigan comes to visit you...¨ Realization struck me. ¨Yes, in the tribe, they are called spirits, and the reason I have masked the smell of them is that they are sought after. The spirit can't leave with your wolf. They worship me, by all senses and purposes, they are under my protection. Either way, these spirits are needed by the tribe. Without a spirit to guide them and cure them, they would be lost.¨ I explained as she sat down in front of me.

¨He can't go around unmated, not when he has a true mate bond. Would you wish for me to leave and never come back?¨ She asked, straightly making me screech. ¨You are going nowhere either.¨ I silently mumbled, looking directly at her. ¨You are mine now.¨ She stood up, pacing using her arms. ¨Wakiya I can do whatever I want. In fact, I am not yours and yours alone. I am my children foremost, as you are yours and my children are in mortal danger. Right in this instance, there's a danger lurking around trying to destroy nature's balance again.¨

Even if we still hadn't mated, we were godly bonded, and I could feel everything she felt. I could see everything she wanted me to see. ¨What dangers?¨ I asked, and immediately she gave me a sight I never thought I would see Quetz killed by the draining of his light, his children losing their magic, the persecution of the magic kinds. My kind included.

I had always been headstrong and never wanted to know how it happened. If I stayed in this place, it would never affect me. I have lost a few magical over the years after the imbalance happened, after the first surge. Still, it seems other magicals were being persecuted as mine once were. ¨Not only that, my God, Once I had the strongest magical kind there was, and I had to stop creating them for the safety of the whole pack, you are not the only one who has been persecuted.¨ She raised her voice. Making me squint my eyes, closing them in thought.

There was only one answer to her plea. If her children died, then she would die. I would not let her die. ¨I am going to help, and my eagles are yours to use.¨ She beamed at my answer, making me point my finger at her. ¨But if they would fight alongside your children, at least their leaders must be the strongest wolves you can create.¨ She stayed silent, her face dropping, and sat back down in front of me. ¨I don't have twenty years to create a lycan.¨ She blurted out, making me laugh and motion around me. ¨You don't need twenty years to create a lycan, my eagles start as small as a common bird, and each and every one of them goes through a grueling process to enhance their spirit. You don't need twenty years, you need this land and the wolves of your choosing. I give you six slots. One of those would be for the wolf you claim to be the spirit's mate. Choose wisely because not every creature can withstand the ceremony and once they become stronger, their children will be stronger too. Until they are done, you must remain with me in this place. You too, my goddess, will be tried in every step they take.¨

¨Fine, I accept your terms. They are all on their way here.¨ I stood up, making her look at my imposing figure. Offering my hand, she placed her delicate one inside of mine. Lifting her up and setting her up in front of me again, I looked into her eyes. She was perfection in a small form. ¨I need to go to the tribe and speak to the spirits about what we have talked about tonight.¨

A small grin appeared on my lips as I turned around and looked at her. ¨What are you waiting for mate, let's go for a run.¨ She smiled back at me, instantly changing into a white wolf, her fur shining like silver as she darted down the mountain fast. I flexed my arms, and as soon as I did a lightning stroke where I was standing, I lunged forward. I could only see beneath me as the white spot ran as fast as it could. I plunged from the sky. Selene turned her head and looked up at me, hovering on top of her. Electricity was flowing through my feathers, making the sand around her shift and swirl. She turned back up and began running as I cut through the sky and thought about my perfect mate below.