Mother of Black Hearthstone (Book 1 of the Northern Territories Series)

Mother of Black Hearthstone Chapter 1 Kara's POV I sit silently in the meadow, listening to the gurgling river and birds’ song. I’m supposed to be meditating, but my mind races and I’m anxious about joining the meeting with the Elders today. It’s my first since becoming Maiden of Black Hearthstone. It’s usually only the Mother and Crone that join the Elders, but we are discussing allying with a shifter pack against other witches. In cases such as these, all members of the hierarchy must be present and there must be a unanimous approval. Black Hearthstone is a naturally a peaceful coven, but we are charged with keeping and restoring balance. Our Mother has been in contact with the other coven, it is most likely they’ve agreed to some treaty and we can just end this war before it ever starts. She should be arriving at any time. “Young Maiden?”, I hear Anette, one of our maids, call from behind me. I turn to face her, “Has Mother sent for me?” She smiles and bows slightly, “Yes, Maiden. She has returned. She is quite upset with you being outside the ward.” I start to respond, but the color drains from her face and she screams. I turn back and spot the source of her fear. Wolves are darting across the meadow straight toward us. My heart races, “ANETTE, RUN!”, I yell as I turn back, running toward her and the border of our wards. If we can just make it back across, the wolves cannot reach us. I grab her arm as she stands frozen and pull her to follow me. She mechanically moves and soon follows my urging to run. We are still about 80 yards from the border and I feel the wolves closing in on us, we’ll never make it. A wolf grabs Anette by her leg, pulling her down and viciously tearing through her flesh. I draw power from the earth and hit him with all I can, sending him through the air into the group still coming at us. There are dozens of them, where are they all coming from? I grab Anette and pull her behind me and ripping her skirt and handing her the pieces to tie pressure over her wounded leg. As they close in, I stand, trying to keep Anette out of their path. I draw power from the earth and keep them back as best I can, creating a barrier around Anette and I. My power has not awakened, I do not have an element or my own power yet, and I don’t have my staff out here. Goddess, please send Tania, I pray as the wolves keep coming down on us. My barrier slips and I’m hit hard from the side and knocked across the ground. I kick the wolf in the chest, forcing him back off of me, and scramble to stand. 2 wolves shift back into their naked male forms and grab for me, this I can handle. I use the first’s momentum to toss him over myself and the air rushes out of his lungs as he hits the ground. Several others begin shifting and coming for me. I suddenly realize they aren’t trying to hurt me, they’re trying to subdue me. Why else would they shift out of their wolf forms to fight me? Three men grab me and start pinning my arms behind me. I panic and scream for help, one of their dirty hands slaps over my mouth and I bite into him. He screams and yanks back his bloody hand, bringing it back down hard across my face. Flames erupt from the ground all around me and relief fills me as the men begin screaming and rolling, trying to put the flame out. Tania is here! I turn toward the border and see her, crossing the meadow angrily. Her emerald eyes glow and the wind pushes her golden hair over her right shoulder as she runs. I grab Anette and pull her to me, guiding her arm over my shoulder and helping her stand. “Mother is here, we have to get behind her Anette! We’re almost safe, her flame will not harm us. Just a little further.” I urge her to keep moving. Anette looks up and sees our Mother coming for us and smiles as the tears pour down her cheeks. She moves as quickly as she can, leaning on me when she steps with her injured leg. I wrap my arm around her waist as we rush to Tania. Mother keeps her flame burning furiously between the wolves and us, never allowing them to near us. As we pass her, a wall of flame separates us from her and she begins fighting the wolves that are now focusing all their strength on her. “Hurry across the border, Kara. I will follow.”, Tania calls to me. I am worried about leaving her here alone, but also know she is more than capable of handling any were-creature that dares oppose her. It won’t be long; they’ll be running to escape her rather than attack. We cross our borders and the Crone is running toward us with several warriors flanking her. She stops briefly, “One of you, take Anette to the clinic. Kara, Where is Tania?” I pass Anette to one of the warriors, he quickly lifts her into his arms and runs her toward the clinic. “She’s in the meadow, there are dozens of wolves, they came out of no where.”, I tell the Crone hurriedly. She rushes back toward where we came, yelling over her shoulder, “Warriors, 3 of you stay and guard your Maiden. Go to the house, Kara. Do not leave!” I watch as she hurries back toward the meadow and then turn, allowing the warriors to guide me back to the house. Meri and Tania can handle anything outside our border. I want to help them, but I know that I am not ready for battle yet. I pace on the patio, watching the trails closely for any movement. The warriors stand strategically around me, also anxiously waiting to see their Crone and Mother return. It seems like hours I’ve been sitting and waiting. My heart races and the tears threaten to fall as I recall waiting like this for my own mother and father to return. Tania’s POV These are rogues of varying were-species, but mostly wolves. I have no evidence of it yet, but I know they are employed by Scarlet Light. A few have already escaped back into the forest, the remaining will not. I focus my energy and power on the wolves still standing in the meadow, calling my flame from the earth to engulf them as they attempt to flee, sparing only one. There will be no regrouping and attempting this again. I approach the one I’ve surrounded in flame, “Shift wolf!”, I order him. His eyes dart around the field as the flames vanish, leaving only the seared flesh of his fallen comrades as evidence that they ever existed. He cowers slightly but squares his shoulders again, growling lowly at me. I draw my power in and scream, the high pitch causing him to flinch and shift to protect his sensitive hearing. He stands, naked and unashamed before me. He uncovers his ears and grumbles at me, I glare at him, “Why are you here, wolf?” He studies me closely before responding, “We are tasked with collecting the Maiden and returning her.”, he replies. I narrow my eyes, “Return her where?” He sneers at me, “To her rightful coven!” I study him closely. He doesn’t appear to be lying. “The Maiden was born and raised in Black Hearthstone.” He growls angrily, “YOU LIE!” I raise my brow, “I do not. She is my blood niece. Do not act as if you would care anyway. Since when do rogues care about the ancestry and living habits of witches? Who sent you and where were you taking her?” I hear the Crone approaching behind me and telling the warriors with her to hold back. “She speaks the truth. The Mother and Maiden are descendants of the very first of the Enchantress to form Black Hearthstone, their lineage has never strayed from our coven. Answer her questions and we may spare your life, wolf.” He directs his attention to Meri, his once stoic face shows hints of his confusion. “Scarlet Light, her birth mother waits for her there.”, he hesitantly answers. “That is not possible. Her birth mother is deceased, both the Mother and I witnessed her death. The Maiden’s only living relative stands before you. Describe the woman claiming to be her mother.”, Meri commands. He studies me momentarily then returns his gaze to Meri, “If I tell you, you’ll let me leave unharmed?” Meri glances my way, I nod approval. “Very well, wolf. Answer and you may leave unharmed, but you’re not to ever return.” The wolf nods his head so hard, I fear he may break his own neck, “Yes, I agree. The witch has short black hair, similar to your Maiden’s. Pale grey eyes, similar build to the other witch that was here with the Maiden. She is powerful, but not as strong as the 2 of you. She is a member of their hierarchy.” Meri nods to him, “Leave, wolf. The next time you ever see either of us, we will finish what was started today.” He shifts and runs swiftly toward the forest. “Simone, she is one of the Mothers. That is who he described.”, I tell Meri as we walk back toward our border. “In your discussions with them, did you have any reason to believe they would come for Kara?”, she asks as she walks alongside me. “No, they denied having any part in the deaths of those lycan wolves. I could tell they were lying. I told them, as warning, that Black Hearthstone was considering allying with Council of Wolves to hunt the coven responsible. Perhaps they thought to take Kara as a way to defend themselves against us.” Meri nods in agreement, “Perhaps. What made you come after sending Anette to collect Kara?” Meri slows to heal the damaged lands from Kara pulling its power. “I’m not sure, Crone. I reached my office and had a strange feeling. I felt the pull of power and saw the damaged land when I looked out the window. I knew it was Kara, as that was the direction Anette had gone when she left to retrieve her. When I entered the meadow, I saw the wolves trying to hold Kara down. You arrived not long after I had.” Meri nods as we exit the trails into the back yard of the main house. Kara flies down the steps off the porch to meet us, wrapping her arms around me. “I’m fine, were you hurt?”, I step back from her and hold her shoulders as I look her over. She shakes her head, “Maybe some bruises, they weren’t trying to hurt me. I don’t understand what was happening, but I’m fairly certain of that.” I release her shoulders and take her hand, pulling her to walk alongside me. We are late for our meeting now and I’m exhausted. We need to get this over with so I can rest. Kara's POV I follow alongside Tania with Meri just in front of us. We cross the yard and over to the Elders' home. Meri enters first and informs Elder Starlit, Tania's mother and my grandmother, of what took place in the meadow. She studies both Tania and I before nodding and holding the meeting room door open for us. The others are all seated as we enter. Elder Starlit opens the meeting as soon as we take our seats, “The Mother believes that Starlit Light is corrupt and cannot be stopped without dismantling the hierarchy. She gave a firm warning; Black Hearthstone will be allying with Council of Wolves to hunt the witches responsible if it isn't stopped immediately. Upon the Mother’s return, our Maiden and her maid were attacked in the meadow. The Mother arrived on time and was able to save both our Maiden and her maid. The Crone questioned a rogue spared by the Mother. He claimed to have been sent by Scarlet Light to retrieve the Maiden." Elder Rivers purses her lips, “Are we assuming his information was accurate?” Tania glances briefly at Elder Rivers before responding, “He described Mother Simone, of Scarlet Light, as the person that hired them. We haven’t investigated it further, as it occurred just before entering this meeting. I do believe what he said. While I would not usually agree to allying with lycan shifters of any kind, it may be necessary in this case. Scarlet Light is getting out of hand. They are not only threatening to disrupt the balance, but also plotting against Black Hearthstone when warned. We need to take a stand now. At the very least, our presence alongside Council will dissuade others from joining them. Inaction will have this grow to be more than we can stop.” The six elders look between each other before Elder Rivers speaks, “It would seem Scarlet Light wishes to obtain our Maiden to corrupt her during her transition. It was foreseen by two of our Crone Elders. We waited to see if the Mother’s presence and warning would discourage it. We need to discuss the protection of our Maiden until we have a plan for handling Scarlet Light.” Crone Meri replies, “I shall contact Head Councilman Clay and inform him. As for the Maiden’s protection, she will remain at my side until the Mother has rested and can take over. With the number of rogues sent on the first attempt, we cannot risk keeping our Maiden here for long. She can’t remain stationary with them plotting to abduct her. They will eventually find a way to get to her. We must hide her.” The Elder Crones all nod in agreement. Elder Starlit speaks, “Go and rest, Mother. We will consult with our seer and consider our options. We can make a final decision on relocating our Maiden at the end of the week.” We all stand and exit. After returning to the main house, Tania goes to her rooms to rest. The Crone and I stopped by my office so I could collect my laptop and a few files before going to her office. Rayne's POV I’ve caught his scent. It is fresh, he passed by not long ago. I glance over and see Jayce has picked up on it as well. We race through the forest and splash across a stream, losing his scent in the water and picking it up again on the other side. “He is moving toward the cliffs, he may have holed up there somewhere.”, Jayce speaks through our mind link. “Stop here.”, I reply. We pause at the tree line, kneeling low to remain unseen and inspect the cliffs for any movement. “He’s there, just beneath that ridge… Goddess, Rayne! He is carrying her f*****g body.”, Jayce groans through the link. I see him, he is moving up toward a cave. I get a pain in my chest watching him. Jayce and I are monozygotic twins, as well as partners on an elite team of Enforcers under the Council of Wolves. We take on a broad spectrum of assignments. One of which is hunting and putting down the poor deranged lycan wolves that have lost their mates, thus themselves. Lycan are semi-immortal. We cannot die by age or disease. We must be killed by severing our heads from our bodies or by the loss of our mate. Lycan that have lost their mates often die shortly after, like all their energy just escaped their body and floated away leaving only the shell of the man behind. The ones that survive turn into wild beasts fueled by anger and pain, destroying anything and anyone in their path until they’re put down. This man was a Council Warrior. We have been hunting him for 4 days. He had killed 6 other lycan wolves, 2 lycan bears, and about 50 werewolves. Now we watch him struggling to climb, still clinging to his dead mate. These are the cases that Jayce and I do not enjoy. Something about looking into the eyes of a man that had everything taken from him, then having to end his life... snatching all he has left. As we see him enter the cave, we begin moving up the ridge much faster than he did, as we have only ourselves to carry. Once we quietly sneak up on the cave entrance, I stand blocking it to prevent him from escaping. Cases like these will eat you alive inside, so we Enforcers take turns. This time it is Jayce's turn to end the lycan’s suffering. Jayce moves in on him slowly. We spot him along the back wall, settling his mate on the cold ground… the poor broken man. Jayce waits for him to see that we're here. Neither of us have the heart to attack him while he holds her. He has her gently placed on the floor before spotting and lunging at Jayce. Jayce dodges and the lycan slides by him crashing into the wall. He turns quickly and lunges again, Jayce side steps him and turns to face him. The warrior attacks several more times, missing Jayce as he moves and tries to get a good angle to grab him from. He barrels at Jayce, Jayce dipped under him and shot up at the last second, latching onto his throat. He thrashes around, trying to escape Jayce’s massive jaws. Jayce has him pinned down by the shoulders and chest, forcing him down onto his back. Jayce shakes his head viciously, snapping the lycan’s neck. Jayce stood as the lycan wolf went limp. I grab him and hold his body firmly while Jayce twists his head off and sets it on the ground. We go outside and build a large pyre, placing the lycan with his mate on the pyre before torching it. We like to believe that they thank us from the heavens when we send them to be reunited. Neither Jayce nor I speak. We don’t need to. Finding your true mate is a rarity and we all pray for it. Lycan wolves live hundreds of years without finding their mates. We both long for our mate, seeing this man lose his just as he had finally found her is devastating. It is one of our worst fears. A witch coven, by the name of Scarlet Light, is targeting lycan wolves. We have come across them many times, we capture them for interrogation then we kill them. More just keep popping up. They find the mate prior to her being marked. They don’t want to take on a lycan capable of shifting so they must get to her before her body completes the change. They give her location to hunters or rogues. They butcher the mate and leave them at the lycan’s door. Out of respect, we watched the fire dwindle before heading back now for a new assignment. I’m not exactly sure what Council has in mind for us, but they said it will be an extended assignment. We race back to safe house we have been staying in. We have little time to pack and head to meet Clay, the Head Councilman. “I’ve had about enough of this, Rayne.”, Jayce links. I understand his feelings. We are 497 years old and have dedicated our lives to Council. Being warriors for half a millennium is no easy feat. “We are only 3 short years away from being nominated for Council.”, I reply to encourage him some. Tania’s POV It is now Saturday, we have sworn our alliance with Council of Wolves and it has been announced across the lands. Many of Scarlet Light's allies have dropped their allegiances, forcing Scarlet Light to go into hiding. The Crones are meeting today to devise a plan. We have been waiting all afternoon for an update. “Mother…”, Kara interrupts my thoughts. I look up at her, “Yes, Maiden?” “Are you afraid of lycan?”, she asks. I close my laptop and sit back in my seat, “I’m not afraid of lycan, no. I don’t particularly like them. They see the world in black and white, with very little grey area. Their practices are… archaic.”, I answer. She nods, “They don’t like us either?” I can’t help but laugh. My phone chimes with a text message, it is Meri summoning us to her rooms. “No, they don’t like us either. Meri is ready to give us an update.” We both head upstairs to her rooms. We enter to find her sitting at the table on her balcony, watering her flowers. Kara and I step out and sit at the table with her. “Mother, Maiden… I appreciate you joining me. Upon completing our meeting, the Crones have come up with a plan to protect Kara. It has been decided that once the war begins, you both will return.” Kara and I look at each other, “We BOTH will return, Meri? Who will be here to help you?” I ask the Crone. She smiles at me, “We Crones can protect ourselves child, I know that is what you’re really concerned with. Kara needs your protection and your guidance. You will go with her. Keep her safe and don’t allow Scarlet Light to pollute her mind or her power.” Kara glances at me then back to the Crone, “Meri, I am thrilled to not be going alone, but where are you sending us?” Meri pats Kara’s hand, “That, I do not know, Princess. The Council of Wolves has offered to assist us, they have a vested interest in Scarlet Light's downfall. They know the importance of both your and Kara’s roles in this war. They are sending two of their best Enforcers to keep you both hidden and protect Kara. These are lycan wolves that have trained longer than any of us have even been alive.” Kara looks stunned, I’m heavily annoyed, “Lycan wolves, Meri!? Really? Lycan… that is your grand plan? I know I agreed to helping them fight Scarlet Light, but that never required us to live with them. I know you have an affinity for wolves, but I do feel this is too far. The lycan species, in general, fear us. They’re closed minded, volatile, and barbaric. Being a lycan WOLF does not change that, which makes them a threat to literally anyone that opposes them in any way. They hate magical creatures of all forms! You Crones have clearly been burning much more than sage, have you lost your mind? It is inevitable that I end up having to defend Kara and I from our assigned guards. Go ahead and find out what the consequence is for killing one or both. I may just sign up for being burned at the stake right here!” Kara now looks horrified, Meri just chuckles. “I know, it sounds crazy, Tania, but their seer has named these men specifically for you and Kara, that is why Council has offered their assistance. You will conceal both your and Kara’s scents and you will change them every time you move. It is very important that your remember to change them. We will be meeting the lycan tomorrow at one of their safe houses. You must each go and pack lightly. Tania, you will also take any books you may need. Call me if you need something from a book not taken or from the grimoire.” This woman has lost her mind. Why am I listening to her? She is going to get us killed, “Meri, seers do not know the future, they only see possibilities. You’re sure this is a good plan, is there no other way?” Meri shakes her head, “No, Mother. There is no other way. You must do this. Go now, pack.” Kara and I both stand and leave. Kara grabs my arm once we are out the door, “You were angry, do you think the lycan wolves will hurt us?” I pat her hand and release it from my arm, keeping it clasped in my own, “I hope they won’t, but don’t be afraid. I will protect you, Princess.” Kara smiles back at me, “I love you, Tania.” I hug her, “I love you more, now go pack.” I push her toward the stairs leading to her rooms. I rub my hands over my face. I need to make a shielding powder to protect Kara and I from any mischief the lycan could be leading us to. Our locations are shielded by our amulets, but I’m not sure how much good shielding our location will even do. No lycan would willingly give his blood to a witch, so I can’t shield them until we are in a fixed location. I need to go to bed early tonight so I’m well rested in case we must fight. I walk down the stairs to my room to pack. I knew calling her “Princess" would ease Kara’s nerves. I’m certain that is why Meri did it also. Kara’s parents always called her that and it has a calming effect on her. I wish I had something to calm my own nerves now. Please, Goddess… don’t make me fight these lycan.