Nimara: Children of the Gods Book 1

Chapter 1 ~ Nimue

“Ta-Ta-Ta-Ta-Ta-TAA!! Puppy Power!!”

“Ta-Ta-Ta-Ta-Ta-TAA!! Puppy Power!!”

“Ta-Ta-Ta-Ta-Ta-TAA!! Puppy Power!!”

“Uh!! I’m up already!” I croaked to my alarm clock, hitting the off button. At that, it was 5 am and time to get up for training.

Thump, thump, thump.

“Nimue, time to get your ass moving girl!! Breakfast ready in 10 minutes!” Draven yells through my door.

“Coming!” I yelled as I jumped out of bed to throw on my black workout clothes and my hair into a ponytail. I ran out my bedroom door and slid down the banister just in time for Draven to turn around to catch me as I came flying off at the bottom of the stairs.

“Oof! Damn girl, you need to give a guy a warning next time! I need to protect the goods!” He says, massaging himself from my hip colliding with his groin.

“I am sure the goods are fine! Now what is up for today’s schedule?” I replied back as we walked into the kitchen and I took a seat at the breakfast island. The kitchen is light and open with huge windows looking out to the clan village. I start laughing as an image of Hobbiton from Lord of the Rings comes to mind. It actually is exactly how our community looks; we live in underground dens.

“Well, we have scent marking to do, training, border patrol, then breakfast and finally off to the conference at Tiger Lily Pride territory.” He says, handing me a piece of toast with peanut butter and banana slices on it. I eat it quickly; we need to be back and ready to go by 9 am at the latest. Though most of our mornings will take until 8:30.

“Hey what are we going to be eating?” I ask as I thought that another slice of toast with peanut butter and banana would be great, maybe also adding a piece of bacon on there too. Yummy!!

“Well, we are having breakfast nachos, pancakes, sausage and the works omelet. Why do you ask? Thinking about lunch already?” Draven replies, laughing at me as I drool over the menu. “Okay pup let's get going! The more laps around the clan border, the stronger the scent is the better. Oh, speaking of that, we need to talk to Onyx and Tilly, have them help bring in any Silver Shadow rogues, so that they can join the clan.” Draven mentions while shoveling his peanut butter banana toast into his mouth.

Draven has been an amazing role model and big brother to me, not an easy task to take on when you're a sixteen-year-old bear shifter. Yet he has handled it in strides and even found his mate, my friend Tilly. Draven is slowly moving into Tilly’s place. I think he is hesitating about it because he doesn’t want me to be alone all the time just yet. It’s always been him and me, no matter what is going on.

The best way to describe Draven, think Daniel Dae Kim from Hawaii Five-O. Draven, is the reserved type, always observing. Usually, he has completely scoped a place out, marked the best escape route if s**t hits the fan, and he has this done before you can find the bathrooms. He is more of a Winnie the Pooh though and loves his honey. He is soft and caring, just don’t piss him off. It’s like getting in between momma and her cubs. Not a suggested idea, and don’t play dead, because you will just end up dead. I saw a hunter do that once. I was hugging myself and laughing so hard, but at the same time thinking, how f*****g stupid can you be? Let’s just say he went home in a pine box.

Me on the other hand..... I look like a short ass elf! My hair is a long silver-white color, to the middle of my back and straight as a board. I stand a whooping 5’3” (see told you my ass was built too close to the ground) and roughly about 130lbs. My face is round like a chipmunk, with soft small lips and a gentle sloped nose, but it’s my eyes that give my bloodline away. They are ocean blue with silver streaks around the center. All clan members can be identified by their eyes. It doesn’t matter the color; all clan members have silver streaks around the center of them.

As we walk out the door and past the Memorial Cavern, I sigh as I look at the plaque that sits marking the entrance. It’s been 10 years since my parents died, and on my birthday in two months, it will be 10 years that Draven has been my legal guardian. My parents were smart and had left a will stating what was to happen to me, the pack and all the finances that my family and pack had accumulated over 9 years. I was seven, almost eight the night of the attack.

My parents were amazing leaders and made sure everyone was treated with respect. Just before my uncle took over, all the money that was in the pack account was divided among the remaining members. Then all the businesses and additional properties my parents owned were given to me. Draven helped me manage the businesses, something an almost 8-year-old would have no idea about, and we gave the properties to the pack members who did not want to stay with the pack under my uncle. Our pack went from being roughly 389 people to just under 100 when my uncle took over. Many also asked our allies if their younger children, who would not become Alpha in their own pack, would like to become their new Alpha. Many said yes, and in doing so, the Alpha, Beta and Gamma were in place immediately. In the end, there were five new packs created and they have all grown since then.

“Hey kiddo, you okay?” Draven asked as we got to the end of the driveway.

“Yeah, just thinking about everything that has happened since mom and dad passed away. I miss everyone from the old pack.” I said, starting the pace for our rounds.

“I know Nim, but it was for the best. Did you really want to leave them in your Uncle Tit’s hands?” He asked me and I shook my head no while laughing.

Just like my old pack before, my new clan is a mishmash of different supernatural species. The difference with my new clan is that we are of a strong bloodline of protectors. The Silver Shadow clan is unique because we accept everyone, not just those of Silver Shadow blood. It was created by Gaia, to help protect the Gods while they walked here on earth. To be born with Silver Shadow blood, both parents must be pure blood, and it is not just limited to lycans and werewolves. Many of the supernatural species have it and each of us is born with a unique ability as well. Mine is minerals and metals. I can collect it from the earth with just a touch and use it as a weapon during a fight. Silver is the one I use the most. I know I shouldn’t be able to touch it, right? But I can and the only effect it has on me is a minor rash.

This is where the new territory comes into play. It has large deposits of both minerals and metals, making for easy access when needed. It’s a large area just south of the Tiger Lily Pride, the exact spot where Onyx laid my parents to rest. The Pride male (like an Alpha), Kenneth, convinced the council to give the territory to us two years ago. He extended it for us, taking some of his territory and adding it to the unclaimed land, so that we could grow here and be able to keep everyone safe. It took place while Draven and I were traveling to get the official numbers of Silver Shadow born supernatural’s. Since then, our clan numbers have grown, giving us the ability to safeguard ourselves against attack from anyone. We also let those who choose not to join, live just on the outskirts of the territory's borders, so that they are able to have help if they ever need it.

In total, there were seven bloodlines long ago, and each served a special purpose. Now, though there is only us left, possibly one other. Before the treaty, many supernatural species were hunted and almost wiped out. That included at least five of the bloodlines. The Black Moon clan was the only other clan I know of, and that is assumed. As of the last count, there were 71 in the clan and since then it is unknown how many members are left, because they all scattered into the wind.

The sudden thought of numbers came into my head. I wanted to know how many of our clan were part of the Silver Shadow bloodline.

“Draven, can you get numbers on our Silver Shadow kin? Species, whether they are mated or not and rank. Please ask each of the clan leaders in our mini-council for information. Thank you” I asked as we started heading towards the clan border just a kilometer away from the end of the driveway. It is here that we start our circuit around the perimeter. A full lap around our land is 27 km and is roughly a 30-minute run. We are 4 minutes into our run, when Onyx, Mac, Rilyn and Morgana join us.

Onyx is clan leader for the nymphs, a subdivision of our larger clan. Like Draven, Onyx is one of my oldest friends. He is brilliant and very in touch with all of his heritage. Onyx is not only Silver Shadow, but he is also a Cree native, one of our Indigenous tribes here in Canada. His tall 6’4'' muscular frame makes me look like a 4-year-old. His deep chocolate brown hair brings out the rich maple color in his skin. His sharp cheekbones and tapered nose bring out his dark green eyes. They are almost the same color as an evergreen tree, and absolutely gorgeous. He is also the only nymph to take the Warrior Head position in a clan and does it well.

Then there are the twins, Mac and Rilyn, who are total opposites. What I mean by that is Mac or Mackenzie took after her dad in both looks and faction. Making her the clan leader of the Yeti. She is 5’7”, she is taller than me but small for a yeti. Her hair and eyes are the color of a bright honey gold. Her face is slender, with soft rounded cheeks, a button nose and plump luscious Betty Boop lips. Even with her height, she is quick, strong and very smart. That’s why she is my tactical adviser.

Rilyn took after their mom and is the leader of the Golden Hind. As in Artemis’s Golden Hind. She carries both sacred bloodlines. Like her sister, Rilyn holds a position of strength and is the Weapons Master and Trainer. Unlike her sister though, Rilyn has midnight black hair and deep brown eyes, otherwise they look the same in facial features.

Morgana, both beautiful and feisty, can be a handful and I often wonder how her mother, Tania, hasn’t gone bat s**t crazy. She is named after the infamous sorceress of the Arthurian legend, Morgana le Fay. Just like her namesake, she is a sorceress, but she has a true heart of gold. Morgana has floor-length white hair, and purple eyes. She is the same height as me, but has a much smaller figure, less muscle definition. Because of her heritage, Morgana is an adviser to Mac. All magic casters are very highly respected and hold a position of great importance in their pack, clan, pride and so on. They act as healers, advisers, and historians. The great covens are scattered around the world. There are usually 3 in every country. Morgana’s mom, Tania, is the recorder's keeper and historian for the entire Silver Shadow clan. Tania is over 200 years old but won’t tell us exactly; saying it’s rude to ask a woman her age, she doesn’t look a day over 34.

“Morgana, can you please let the other advisers know that we have a clan council meeting scheduled for as soon as the conference is over. Thank you” asked her through a mind link.

“Sure thing, Nimue.” Morgana replied cheerfully.

“Oh, that reminds me, Onyx and Morgana??”

“Yes Nimue?” They replied in unison.

“Can you two please speak to Tania about the Life Celebration week coming up? I will be at the conference and I just want to make sure we are ready for it.” Usually, the conference is a full month ahead of the celebration, but at last year's conference it was voted to change the conference date. Putting it closer to the celebration, making it easier for those attending both for travel and safety.

“I already spoke to mom, Nimue. She said that all the advisers have sent back messages about who will be traveling to attend this year.” Morgana said. “Some have said that they will be attending both, even if they find their goddess given mate.”

“ OK, awesome. That means Onyx will need numbers to form the temporary living dens.” I said, “have you spoken to Tania, yet Onyx about the living dens?”

“Yes, we spoke this morning before training. Roughly 700 dens will be needed. That number may go down though, with those who find their true mate within the clan.” Onyx replies.

“Speaking of the celebration, Nimue, I have spoken to the council and the team of hunters that is providing security for the conference, would also like to come.” Draven mentions.

“What? Are they cracked? It's bad enough for them to be doing security.” Rilyn shrieks.

“Many of them knew my parents, Rilyn, and helped fight to get the treaty.” I said, coming to a stop.

“I still don’t trust them.” Rilyn grumbles.

“Do you hear that?” Mac asks.

“Hear what? I don’t hear anything!” Rilyn says.

“Would you shut the f**k up and listen!!” Morgana hissed through the mindlink.

“Help! Help! No momma please don’t hurt me!!”

“That’s a child crying!! Wait, where the f**k is Nimue and Onyx?” Mac says, finally noticing that we are no longer standing there with them.

“The rest of you get back to the hospital and clinic and be prepared!!” Draven orders as he runs off towards the border, shifting into Thrash, his Kodiak bear.

“Morgana!! Get to the border now!! Nimue said there are bloodlust rogues attacking travelers! They need healing!!” Tania yells through the mindlink. In a clearing just northeast of the living dens, horrifying screams can be heard, as Draven, Onyx and I burst through the surrounding tree line. The scene’s so similar to the night of the attack that I slightly froze up. Children, women, and older men are running in all directions, while some are pinned to the ground and ripped into by rogues. I am quickly brought back, as a little girl no more than 4 years old, grabs my legs and hides behind me, as the rogue chasing her comes to an abrupt stop.

“Onyx!! Get the other nymphs to help you take the children and elderly away from here!!” I say through mindlink as one of the rogues becomes airborne.

“Already done!!” Onyx relies, as he grabs the small girl from my legs and disappears into a cavern taking them directly back to the clan houses.

Thud!! A rogue from the waist up lands just in front of us. Where the other half of him is, who knows, but that is Tanner at his finest.

“Tanner!” Morgana yells, slightly disgusted, as his talons tear another struggling rogue in half.

I am running full on into the chaos, letting Amara take control and shift, slamming into a rogue. The look of shock on her face is temporary, and soon she turns her head and snaps her jaws at my left shoulder. As we both get back to our feet, another two rogues have joined in on our fight.

“Do what you do best Amara! Rip them apart!”

“With pleasure Nimue!” She replies, as her 6-foot-tall wolf lunges. The first rogue barely reacts to our sudden attack, but the other two meet her halfway. Amara whimpers as one sinks its teeth into her left shoulder and the other rakes its claws down her ribs. The pain is noticeably short lived, as the rogue on her shoulder screams from taking in a mouthful of silver dust from Amara’s fur.

Suddenly, a shrill scream pierces my ears. Massive hands wrap around the other rogue’s body and start to squeeze, crushing every bone. As Mac squeezes the life out of the rogue, its eyes pop and blood oozes from its ears, nose and mouth, I turn back around to go after the first one I was fighting. I came to an immediate stop, as I see her encased in vines. This is either Tilly’s or Rosalyn’s handy work, as I notice others are in the same condition.

Amara and I have changed positions, and I have come forward to take control. I am furious and want answers now! Because I can smell others of our bloodlines, and they were the ones that were attacking children, families and elderly trying to get to our border.

“Morgana, can you see if there is anything we can do to be able to get answers from them?” I ask as I shift back, and Tanner lands beside me, pulling his shirt over my head to cover my naked body.

“We wait.” Morgana replied.

“WHAT?” Draven roars as he comes back into his human body.

“We have to wait, I can smell the poison. They have been injected with something. Whether it was willingly or not, we will have to wait to ask.” She says, giving Draven a cold stare.

“It couldn’t be willingly. Some of the children said the ones that attacked were their parents or other family members, like brothers and aunts.” Tilly says as she comes from a path off my left-hand side. Tilly scrunches her face up as she’s hit with the smell. “It’s a combination of poisons mixed together.” She says as she chokes to the point of gagging.

“What is in it? How will it affect those of us who were bit?” Draven asks while rubbing Tilly’s back, helping to calm her choking/gagging fits. He looks worried, it has to be something bad for just the smell to affect Tilly.

“Morgana and Tilly, please take them to the medical cells. They can burn the rest of the poison off there safely and have any help they may need.” I asked, anxiety creeping up throughout my body.

As they all nod in response, Morgana opens a portal directly into the cell level. Onyx has opened the cells up, and Tilly uses creeper vines to move each of the affected rogues into a cell. Once inside, Onyx closes the doors and Tilly removes the vines. Draven passes through the portal to help calm Tilly while she helps keep the poisoned rogues safe.

“Were any of the rogues killed part of our bloodline?” I asked, looking at the bodies that littered the ground.

“A few of the innocents were, unfortunately.” Tanner looked at me with tears, “I only went for those attacking that I could smell were not our kin.” I gave Tanner a tight hug and knew he was hoping his mate was in the group.

“Collect those of Silver Shadow descent, so that we can give them a proper resting place. Burn the others, so that the smell will dissipate.” I said while still holding Tanner in a hug.

Rogues smell like they have rolled in dead worms after a rainstorm. It stinks, but bloodlust rogues smell of death and true evil. At least those who have chosen to become pure evil do. The ones from today didn’t smell like that. They still smelled of their natural scents and heritage. This is probably because of the poison.

“Nimue?” Surrey mindlinks me

“Yes Surrey?” I respond.

“The first of the poisoned rogues has healed and you are able to speak with him if you wish.” She states.

“Thank you, Surrey, I am on my way.” I said, heading towards the path Tilly came from earlier. I passed by Ivy. She is moving quickly and starting to burn the rogues that have been left. The others have already taken our fallen kin to be placed in the clan’s tomb and a ceremony will be held tomorrow.

I look back one last time to take in what has happened. That’s when I saw him. A large figure just past the northern tree line, just outside of our territory. When we lock eyes, he bows, then the image of a dagger enclosed by wings is sent to me. Knowing the crest of the Highland Tribe, Amara whimpers and I bow in return, sending the image of our clan crest. A silver dagger surrounded by a howling wolf fills me with pride, as it was the mark Gaia gave us.

The others noticed the figure as well and all bowed, showing their respect. With this, he leaves and then there is a sudden whooshing sound, a large creature flies towards the Tiger Lily Pride.

“A gargoyle? Or a dragon?” Ivy asks, a little confused.

“I don’t know. What do you think, Nimue?” Tanner asks, looking at me. We started heading back again. I shrug, not knowing what to say, and Amara makes a comment.

“That was truly a gift from Gaia.”

“I know, but how was I able to receive his mind-link of his clan crest?” I asked Amara, as I was still feeling a little shocked by the experience.

“It’s because he is an alpha. But why is the Highland Tribe this close to our border? Their tribe is a three-day trip to the East. They are part of the tribe that came from Ireland and settled in the Maritime provinces.” Amara’s statement and question have me thinking about it too. It seems strange, but I am sure we will get answers at the conference.