Mark of the Goddess

Chapter 15 - Dark Memories - Part 1

Tesla’s POV

I ended up finding a light blue, lacy thong with a matching bra. Covering up my intentions I had in mind with Eldwin, I wore a black t-shirt that had a picture of a dreamcatcher on it. The jeans were a faded navy color and squeezed my waist and thighs, down to my ankles. They were slightly stretchy, which made them all the more comfortable. I had trouble looking for a pair of shoes that I liked. Normally, I preferred to be barefoot. Made me feel closer to the earth and feel any vibrations that nearby enemies would make. I was just more comfortable without socks and shoes, so with my new outfit on, I made my way back down to the party. 

The pack run was being postponed for later, so that Eldwin and Alpha Archek could get information from Amelia. I’m not sure what all was done or what to really expect, but from the looks on their faces, it looked like it couldn’t wait. L.J. and Kosovo were the ones talking as the two alphas hung on every word they said. 

“She said she wanted to see Tesla. I don’t think any amount of torture will get us any answers,” Kosovo said just as I reached them. He looked over at me and that caused the other three to look too. Eldwin took in a nervous breath. I raised an eyebrow. 

“Torture huh?” I said as I crossed my arms. “Is that what we do to prisoners?” No one said anything. “I see.” 

“Tes, she’s beyond any help. She drew on the wall with her own blood, for goddess’ sake,” L.J. spoke. I scoffed. 

“I’m very much aware of that.” I looked between them. “Let us see what she has to say then. Shall we?” I motioned for Eldwin to lead the way. Reluctantly, he began walking out the front door. I let the guys go first as other pack members were asking me more questions about the hunt. I let most of them know that It would take place a little later. There were urgent matters at hand here. 

Eldwin led us all down past the training grounds. A few more yards and we were met by a group of wolves. One of them shifted in front of us. She bowed her head respectfully. 

“Alpha King Archek. Alpha Eldwin.” She said as she bowed her head. I stepped forward to get a better look at her. She slightly lifted her head. “Apologies Silva Tesla.” She bowed her head again. 

“Stand up,” I said, irritated with the bowing. L.J. chuckled. 

“My alpha, Alpha Edward, is down in the solitary room. We were told to not let anyone else enter, unless it was Alpha King Archek and Alpha Eldwin.” I saw her pause for a moment. 

“Let him know that L.J., Kosovo, and-” Eldwin paused as he looked at me. I nodded to him reassuringly. I know I’ll be fine. I just wanted to help them get the answers they wanted and then they could do whatever they wanted to Amelia. “Tesla, are with us as well.” The she-wolf paused. Assuming she was speaking to her alpha through the pack link. 

“Alpha Edward said that he will be up in one moment,” The she-wolf spoke before she shifted. True to her word a man emerged from the bunker doors. I was shocked to see that he looked much like Eldwin. However, Eldwin was much more godly than he was. At least to my eyes. 

“Father, brothers,” Edward said in his own greeting. His eyes went to me. “Sister.” I couldn’t help but smile at that. “I apologise for missing the ceremony and missing the chance to meet you in a more suitable way.” I shook my head.

“I’ve grown used to such circumstances,” I nervously chuckled out. He gave me a tender smile. 

“Are you joining us?” He asked. Eldwin took my hand and squeezed it. I returned that squeeze. 

“I am. I heard that someone wished to see me. Perhaps just having me there will help everyone get answers.” Edward shifted a bit nervously. 

“I don’t think it’s a good idea, Tesla. She’s not herself,” Edward said as he looked back into the dimly lit doorway. I smirked.

“What is ‘herself’ exactly?” I sarcastically asked. “As far as I’m concerned, she’s always been a bit crazy.” Edward nervously chuckled. 

“Well, uh, her voice isn’t her voice,” He said as he looked back at us. 

“What do you mean?” Archek said as he took a step forward. 

“You’ll just have to see for yourself.” He turned and made his way back into the depths of the bunker. Everyone began to follow. Eldwin held me back. 

“I can’t. I can’t let you go down there, Tesla,” he said with sadness etching his voice. I couldn’t help but feel guilty for acting selfish, but I felt like I needed to do this. 

“Eldwin,” I said as I cupped my palms against his cheeks, tenderly. “So long as I have you, I know I’ll be ok. I know that we can do anything. You’ve proven that to me.” Our foreheads touched and I got an image of us. We were wolves. Showing each other affection as we just stood there in the darkness. We were the light among the dark. We both howled and the darkness faded. 

Eldwin jumped back confused. I gasped as if I had been holding my breath. 

“W-What was that?” I asked as I looked up at him. 

“Image sharing. Only ones who can do that are alphas. I’ve never really known another alpha who could do that though,” he said as he rubbed his head. “I’m not sure exactly how it works.” I nodded as I approached him again. 

“I guess it’s because we love each other so much, huh,” I said smiling up at him. “C’mon, cinnamon bun. Let’s get this over with, so we can go on that hunt.” He sighed but smiled at me. Worry didn’t leave his face, but he reluctantly walked with me. 

Entering the bunker It didn’t look too old. Maybe a decade old. Give or take a few years. It smelled like the cleaning chemicals that hospitals used. Was odd, but I didn’t dwell on the thought too much. Everything was made up of concrete and steel. Made me feel slightly claustrophobic, but I imagine anyone who came down here would feel the same way. There were multiple werewolf warriors hanging out on the two levels that we walked past. They’d bow to us respectfully as Eldwin and I passed by them. I nodded my head to them. 

Eldwin had gone down the last bit of stairs first and held me behind him. I could hear soft chatter ahead. 

Walking on my tip-toes, I looked over Eldwin’s shoulder. I could see L.J., Kosovo, Archek, A man that looked similar to Eldwin, Edward, Allen, Alex, and a few other people I didn’t think was a part of Eldwin’s pack were hovering around the cell door. Edward and, who I assumed was, Erron, both looked at us as we walked up. Erron leaned over to me.

“Hey, Tesla. I’m Erron. Eldwin’s brother,” he said, followed by a side hug. I returned it. 

“Nice to meet you, Erron,” I said to him. 

“If only it was under different circumstances.” Erron pulled away and turned to look into the room. Everyone leaned to the side, so that Eldwin and I could see in. I gasped as I saw the chimera symbol. Amelia was dressed in a hospital gown and swaying back and forth in front of it. Her back towards us. 

“That’s a lot more blood than I thought,” I said in a hushed tone. Amelia suddenly stopped and straightened her posture. Eldwin pulled me back behind him. I let him. I knew It would make him feel better. Archek sighed and walked into the room, followed by his sons. I stayed with L.J. and Kosovo. I said I would come, but now that I was here, I figured it’d be best to let the alphas handle the questioning. 

“Amelia Silverblood!” Archek spoke with power behind his voice. Amelia didn;t say or do anything. “Do you know who I am?” The temperature seemed to drop suddenly and the hairs on my body stood on end. 

“We know who you are and we do not care,” Amelia’s voice echoed into the room, but it was deeper. It was as if other voices were speaking with her. L.J. placed his hand on my shoulder. I looked up at him but he was watching Amelia with rage and a hint of fear. Looking back at Amelia, I noticed that she was starting to sway. A chilling melody softly came from her. 

“You are still a part of the Misty Mountains Pack and you WILL answer with respect,” Eldwin growled at her. She stopped her melody and turned her head towards Eldwin. I gasped at her eyes. Those were the same eyes I saw in that alpha Varg. Those glowing sickly eyes looked over at me. 

“We will only speak to you,” The voices spoke as Amelia pointed at me. Everyone, but Archek, looked at me. 

“That is a hard NO. You will not do any more harm to her,” Eldwin snarled as he blocked her gaze at me. L.J. tapped my shoulder. I didn’t look at him as I kept watching Eldwin. Suddenly there was a loud screech and all four alphas were sent flying backwards into the concrete walls. I screamed out Eldwin’s name as I ran into the room. He coughed at the sudden impact of the wall. I looked him over, to see if he had any injuries. I slowly sat him up as he rubbed his head. When he pulled his hand back there was blood. Rage boiled in my chest as a growl slowly escaped my throat. I noticed a soft, silver glow on Eldwin’s chest. I rose to stand up fully, as if my body had a mind of its own. I turned to see Amelia fully facing me. 

“You want to talk? Let’s f*****g talk,” I growled out. 

~~

“How?” I growled. Getting right to the point. 

“How what?” Amelia asked with her echo of voices. 

“How did you inject me with wolfsbane?” Amelia took a step towards me.

“She used a ring,” Amelia spoke. I raised a brow at the comment. Was it truly Amelia I was currently speaking to? 

“Where did-” I paused for a second. “Amelia get the wolfsbane?” 

“From us,” The voices said as Amelia smiled viciously. I growled low as I took a step forward.

“Who is ‘us’?” Amelia tilted her head at me. 

“You know.”

“No. I really don’t and I don’t like what you did to my family!” I snarled. Amelia burst out laughing. She suddenly stopped and looked at me without a smile on her face.

“We are your family,” a single voice spoke louder than the rest. I took a step back, shaking my head. 

“Soloman,” I almost whispered. “YOU”RE DEAD!! You can not hurt anyone anymore!”

“The Silverbloods will always be connected. We will always be one. We will reign,” The voices spoke in unison. 

“You’re wrong,” I said as a tear of anger trailed down my face. Before I knew it Amelia was directly in front of me. Just inches from my face. A flashback of that vampyre hybrid came to my mind. 

“Are you ready, love?” His voice came from Amelia’s mouth. 

“Tesla!” Eldwin’s voice called out to me. I didn’t dare turn my head from Amelia. Those green eyes of hers looked over to him. 

“Don’t,” I whispered to the vampyre that was possessing Amelia. The smile that contorted Amelia’s face sent chills down my spine. Just as her hand was raising. I grabbed it and held it down on instinct. I felt my hand burning slightly at the touch of her cold skin. The voices screeched as a force tried pushing me off. The smell of burning flesh made my nose wrinkle. I saw her other arm raise as if to attack me. I grabbed her wrist in an instant. Feeling the same soft burning sensation as she screeched louder. The force that came from her almost knocked me away. I leaned in close to her. 

“How’s that burn, b***h?” I growled out. Slightly mimicking the words that she had sort of spoken to me the other day. 

“You hold the key to everything,” Amelia’s voice came through. Her voice was mocking and amused. “They’re going to come for you, and I can’t wait to see you suffer.” She laughed out. I smiled at her. 

“And I can’t wait to see your corpse.” I snarled as I head butted her forehead. Forcing her head to go back. My canines forcing themselves into the flesh on her neck. Her blood tasted like a Varg’s blood. Something, I had not expected. Her screams were gurgled as I felt her begin to fall to her knees. I dug my fangs into her throat deeper. All I could think of was the torment she had given to me. All the hate that she had given me. All the pain she had caused. 

As the blood flowed into my mouth, I began to see something. 

~~

What is this? Where am I? 

I think it was me back at the Silverblood Pack house. Although I was slightly older. I didn’t have control of my body, as it moved up the staircase. 

This once led to my childhood room. 

“Oh, sister!” Amelia’s voice came from my mouth. No. This wasn’t me. This is Amelia. Is this a memory? I saw her beat me that day. 

Stop it!! I screamed out, but it was no use. 

Now I was in the kitchen, or rather, Amelia was in the kitchen. I watched her pull out a tiny satchel from her pocket. It was red and had that same chimera symbol on it. I could feel her smiling as she poured the contents of the satchel into the coffee pot. I recognized the powder. Wolfsbane. That’s when I saw myself. My ten year old self walked into the kitchen with my head hung low and full of fear. 

DON’T! I screamed in vain. I watched through Amelia’s eyes at the scene of myself and my father. Him on the floor and me glowing as I howled before falling over. Amelia stood over us, sighing with disappointment. She jumped when our father gasped as he rose, clutching his chest. She forced out tears almost immediately, as she cried fake tears. 

“Daddy!” She cried. “I was so scared! Tesla, has poisoned you! I thought I was too late to warn you!” She wrapped her arms around his neck as she hugged him. “I did everything I could to get you back!” 

I watched as warrior wolves brought my limp body out of the room as Amelia clung to our father. He barked orders with all the crazed fury he had. These memories seemed to be skipping over a few scenes. 

“I want to know where she got this poison, and I want to know NOW!” He snarled. Amelia was smiling at his rage. She cleared her throat and switched on her innocently worried facade. 

“Daddy,” She said as she tugged on his shirt. He looked down at her and his eyes softened. I had never seen that look on his face before. He looked completely different. “I-I know who helped her.” Amelia’s voice sounded scared as she spoke. I however knew better. Now I knew that she had manipulated him in some way. 

“Tell me sweet heart,” He said as he knelt on one knee. I saw a faint green glow reflect off his eyes as Amelia spoke her next words.

“Talisma.” Our father blinked for a moment, before growling. 

“FIND HER!” 

Another scene of that night in front of the bonfire. Talisma’s death. My own screams. I felt Amelia almost jump with joy and satisfaction. I snarled and growled. I wanted her dead. She took satisfaction at the sight of pain and sadness. 

Suddenly we were in a dark room. It appeared to be an office of some sort, but it had no windows. I felt Amelia bounce excitedly. What the hell is she so excited about? Suddenly a door opened and a very familiar man walked in. Allure, the vampyre-witch hybrid. Presumably. 

“So you used to be in the Silverblood pack,” He said as he looked into a file that he held.

“I still am,” Amelia’s voice rang out. “My mark isn’t disfigured. I can still contact others who share our old packs' bonds.” Allure nodded. 

“I see. Sounds useful.” He walked over to a Victorian style desk that I hadn’t noticed before. He looked up at me, or well, at Amelia. “Why are you here then?” Amelia smiled as she giggled. 

“I have done my research. I have practiced the wonderful practice of magic. I may not be a hybrid like yourself, but I still hold a power of my very own.” 

“Huh, is that so?” Allure said as he looked Amelia up and down. I could feel her giddiness. She thought he wanted her. Clearly he didn’t. 

“Yes. I would’ve been successful in taking over my father’s pack if it weren’t for my sister. She’s always had it out for me,” she said as the lie was mixed with truth. This made Allure’s eyebrow raise. 

“Interesting. So where is your sister now then?” He asked as he walked around to the front of his desk. Leaning back against it. His arms crossed over his black suit and purple tie. 

“Don’t know and don’t care. She probably got killed in the battle. Or perhaps got her soul sucked by a wendigo. Either one is painful. Either one is… satisfying,” Amelia spoke as she shivered with ecstacy. I mentally gagged. 

“I see. So what are your powers then? What can you contribute to our cause?” Allure said as he tilted his head. Amelia slowly approached him. I could feel her trying to seduce him. 

“I can control Vargs. I can control certain lower cryptids,” she cooed. “But even those cryptids can still take down a few were-beasts.” Allure looked intrigued. Amelia smiled wider as she caught his interest. “I am also very good at making potions. I’ve been able to poison a few werewolves.” Allure looked as if he was thinking. Amelia thought that she had him in the palm of her hand. I, however, knew that he was using her as a pawn. Maybe that’s what she wanted. Maybe that’s what her intent was? I couldn’t really tell. I did know that she felt that she was in control of the situation. Her narcissism was gag inducing. 

“Alright. I think I could use your talents,” He finally said. His hand gently went to stroke her cheek. I took notice of the chimera symbol on his wrist. He swiftly grabbed Amalia. I felt his fangs sink into her neck as he sucked her blood. I felt Amelia’s ecstasy of the pain skyrocket. I felt the blood drain from her neck. Allure pulled away from her and held her hair. “Welcome to the-” That's when I was forced out of her memories. 

~~