The Mortal Goddess

COLD-CUTT PUB

(Finished Chapter)

CHAPTER 4

COLD-CUTT PUB

(Zachary POV)

Zachary was at the pub sipping his whiskey when his mobile rang. It was Lady Elena.

“Mum?”

“Zach, there is a Wriath in the second cott.” She said breathlessly. He could hear noises in the background like she was using her magic.

He was confused and alarmed. What was a wraith doing in Sorentis? Who would summon such a terrible creature?

“I’ll be there in a second!” he downed the rest of his drink and hurried his way out of the door. From there he ran. He used his senses to feel out the area for any malicious magic and felt the stink of the Wraith. He could also detect his mum’s magic. She really was fighting it. I can’t let her get hurt, though she is a strong sorceress.

As he reached the cottage, he drew his sword. His sword was made to take down any magical creature. It was a gift from the god og the spirit realm to his mum who then gave it to him and, in the course of his life, he used it on many enemies and was successful. This was no different.

He jumped over the small gate and entered through the front door. Using his senses, he examined the area. He could sense the wraith in the back cott and the usual cinnamon peppermint scent that belonged to his mum. But that wasn’t all. He detected a familiar scent. Fresh moss on damp forest floor with a hint of lavender. It was the new she-wolf. What was she doing here?

This new development made him nervous, and he didn’t know why. He shook his head and tried to slow the pounding of his heart.

Satisfied that this cott was clear, he took the back door to the next cott. There he saw his mum throwing fireballs from her scepter at a dark figure by the front door. Flashes of lightning hit it, but it was no use. The wraith consumed every attack.

“Mum! Let me handle this!” he shouted over the noises.

The wriath didn’t move from its postion at the pair’s close proximity which meant they weren’t the target. It wouldn’t move from there until the target had returned. Which still begs the question: who was the target?

Zahcary threw his sword at the wraith like a spear, killing it instantly. It body was sucked into the spirit realm once more. It was where they belong. It wasn’t a dead person, we just destroyed it body in this realm.

Relief, he went to the front door and ripped the sword from its frame where it pierced. He turned to his mum and asked her,” Mum, what in the bullocks is going on here?”

She was leaning on her scepter and breathing heavily. He rushed to her side and helped her onto the stairs. They sat in silence for a while. His mum broke the silence once her heavy breathing had eased.

“I’m getting too old for battles like this,” she said, chuckling. Sighing, she tightened the thick robe around her bust. The wind moaned and whipped at the few strands of curls that had escaped her braid. She didn’t look a day older than thirty. Her ivory skin glowed under the moonlight, giving her an otherworldly look. Looking at her gave him nothing but pride and love. He could never repay this woman for what she had done for him and he would do whatever it took to keep her safe. He smiled at her affectionately and followed her into the cott.

“Who did you rent the cott to this time?” he asked, still lost in his thoughts.

“Grace. That poor girl must have had a terrible scare,” she said, walking into the bedroom.

Zachary was troubled by this news. She rented the cott to the she-wolf? How could he not have been informed of this beforehand? His heart was back in its attempt to beat its way through his chest. He couldn’t help the way he felt for her. He was attracted to her and cared for her safety. He quickened his steps. As they took in the state of the room, it was clear that no one was there. Where could she have gone?

The covers were thrown to one side and the only window in the room was opened. He walked to the window to examine it. It led to the forest and he could see signs of paw prints in the wet flower banks. She left through here but where could she have gone? She hardly knew anyone here. He had to find her.

“I will take a look. Go and rest while I handle this.” he told his mum.

She grabbed his shoulder before he could leap out of the window and said to him,” Be careful. I’m sure she is safely hidden somewhere.” She kissed him on the cheek and left for her cott.

He followed her trail to the bakery. He stood back and watched as a grey wolf played tag with the baker's two daughters. The girls giggle and chase after the wolf around a treehouse their dad built for them.

(Grace POV)

The girls had fed her enough buns to fill her up. Her wolf had thanked them with a lick on their cheek and proceeded to sniff around the backyard. When she was satisfied that no other predator was nearby, she ran around playing with the girls, letting her ears flap around. She learned that their names were Stephanie and Sydney. They both looked similar except for their age. Stephanie was six years old and Sydney was four years old.

They were in a game of tag when a throat was cleared. Sydney stopped yanking her ears in an attempt to climb her ‘like a horsey’ and Stephanie ran pass her, shouting in excitement. Her wolf shook the dust from her fur and turned to the direction the girls were heading in. There she saw the handsome man that had helped her in the infirmary. Zachary.

The girls rushed to him, clinging to his legs, bombarding him with questions. They wanted to know about his missions and what bad guys he was fighting. The strangest thing was how they addressed him. They were calling him prince. Was he a prince? She didn’t know that. She thought of the state he found her in and cringed. It was quite embarrassing. She watched their interaction a bit more before transforming into her human self again behind the tree house.

He lifted Sydney up from his leg and set her down after a kiss on the cheek. The girl was trying to climb him like a monkey but he didn’t seem bothered.

“You lasses should be in bed. Where is your mum?” he chastised them, but the curve of his lips ruined the effect it should have. The girls instead giggled and dragged him by an arm to the back door of the bakery. Not wanting the girls to see her in her human form just yet, she let her wolf take over again. She raced after them with her tongue lolling out from the side. She passed Sydney, causing her to laugh and accept the challenge, who could get to the door first. The two of them leaped through the open door. Sydney landed on Grace’s back. Grace yipped as the mat she landed on slid across the polished floor, stopping in front of a pair of leather boots.

“Yay! Horsey!” Sydney cheered, still clinging to Grace’s back with her little limbs.

It's been a while since I’ve had so much fun, Her wolf said sitting on her hunches.

Grace could feel her excitement and bask in it as well.

Sydney slid off of Garce’s back and ran to her mother’s side.

“Oh. This is Grace. There was an incident at her cott this evening,” Zachary said, gesturing at her. Soft grey eyes turned to Grace with curiosity and concern.

“Oh Goodness. I’ve heard. Are you okay dear?” she asked Grace

I like how they don’t question whether we’re a real wolf or a wolfshifter, her wolf commented with a chuckle.

“Heard?” Zachary asked, confused,

“You know everyone is always up in Lady Elena’s business. News spread fast.” She said with a smirk.

“Of course. I almost forgot we live with a bunch of bloody nosy people.” he said, not hiding his eyelroll.

“Well, thank you for your hospitality and keeping her safe. We have to be going now.”

“Take care of yourselves.”

Before they could leave, the girls gave her affectionate pats and Stephanie gave Zacahry a dandelion which he tucked into his belt. Its yellow petals stood out against his dark clothing.

They left out of a side door into the cobbled streets, occasionally being stopped by the residence for a chat. He sure seems to be popular around here.

When they were close to the cottage, she took off. She jumped over the fence, dodged the rosebushes to the back and bounded up the stairs to the open front door. Once she was in her room, she changed and threw on her robes. She was bombarded with questions as soon as she exited her room,

“Are you okay? Did it hurt you? Goodness, who would summon such a terrible creature? Come have a seat.” Lady Elena encircled her elbow and guided her to a burgundy couch in the small living room. She sat next to Grace and handed her a cup of tea. Dry rosemary floated at the top, reminding her of logs on the river bank in autumn. A wave of home-sickness washed over her. How she misses the peacefulness of the forest surrounding the house. She had never missed it like she does now.

Sighing, she took a sip of her tea. Her life now was one dangerous step after another. She was going to have to deal with it and find her daughter soon. She couldn't bear to wait any longer.