Norse Wolf Rising Rosie Chelsea-Black

6

We arrive at my cabin, leaving the car a few miles down the road. The Irish Pub was under observation but not by me, this situation with Ástríðr is more important. Plans change so I had to send someone else to cover for me, not as good as me of course but she could handle herself if she needed to. Her orders were to sit and watch, pest control had been told I wouldn't be arriving due to a change of plans, but they should arrive anyway so as not to tip off our suspects. A report will be emailed to me by the end of the morning tomorrow.

Before I gave permission for Ástríðr to separate from my body I knew I had to take a few moments for myself. Without having to say a word to her, she slips into the back of my consciousness and lays waiting for me call her back. Stripping off my clothing slowly, I ponder on all I have learned since she became a part of my life. Well since she was 'activated' into my life. Standing on the edge of the grass mound, my eyes scan the area making sure I am alone, once satisfied I take a step into the dirty water. Yes the water is dirty, yes there are gators in the Bayou. Normal human being are not words used to describe me. Besides the stench from the Bayou will at least cover my human bodily perfume once I am human again. Even though I know I am safe in this part of the Bayou, I am about to experience something intense, so covering my human bodies scent will allow Tri and I to focus on the reason we are here, and not worry about other predators in the area capturing the human scent I would be excreting. Gators coming to join me, not a problem I have wrestled with a few of them, even have a 'pet' gator that comes to visit so I am sure as soon as he knows I am here he will protect me and allow me some solace.

Laying on my back with my eyes staring up at the sky, I allow the memories of my past to return to the forefront of my mind, hoping I will be able to find some answers before talking with Tri.

"What are we making nanny?" Looking around it is clear to me we are baking afternoon Sunday tea. This means scones, fresh bread, a Victoria Sponge cake, and some biscuits. Nanny looks up at me with a raised eyebrow then looks over to the sink where there are a few punnets of strawberries. "Ok jam it is!" She still hasn't spoken to me but this will not deter me from the task at hand. Slicing the stalks from the strawberries I place them delicately into a colander ready for washing. When the radio plays a cheerful song, we used to sing together, I look over my shoulder and smile as I watch her hips move from side to side.

"Each time we have a quarrel

It almost breaks my heart

Cause I am so afraid

we will have to part

Each night I ask

the stars up above;

why must I be a teenager in love?"

Nanny turns and looks at me, the scowl on her face disappears as she moves around the kitchen to get to the refrigerator singing the next part of the song. When that chorus has concluded we both sing into the wooden spoon together, "Why must I be a teenager in love?" The air in the kitchen is much lighter, so much lighter my heart not only beats again but the Huskies are singing in the garden along with us. Looking out into the garden with our arms wrapped around each other, we watch Jackson and the Huskies singing and dancing together to the same song.

Once the song has finished I pour us both a glass of water, add some lime cordial and place her glass on the table in front of her, kiss her cheek and then continue destalking the strawberries before washing and cutting them in half. Once I have added the strawberries and sugar to the pan, the heat is turned on and I look to my grandmother for the next job. Already knowing she is going to ask me to whip the cream, I have to wait as this is her kitchen. I lean against the counter and watch her until she feels uncomfortable.

"Whip the cream you silly girl, you are old enough to know your chores in the kitchen when we bake!"

"Yes grandmother." Oops I slipped again, oh well never mind, there was no disrespect meant by calling her grandmother, rather than nanny, she will have to get over it.

"My charity work is going well, thank you for asking nanny. Antonia and Iona have been doing a fantastic job with the ladies we have saved." Smiling at my nanny showing her how proud I am, I move on with my news so she doesn't try and turn a wonderful moment into something of disdain, because she will do that.

"The Witches have been kind and helpful, have even offered sanctuary to species other than humans, especially when we discovered a nest of Vampires have been on the hunt." Pouring the cream into the blender, I change the blade to a whisk then turn the blender on, and turn to face nanny. "However, on one of my hunts I discovered it isn't a Vampire I am hunting." Taking the glass of water and lime I made earlier, I look into the blender then move to the stool opposite nanny. "Turns out I am hunting a wolf or a pack of wolves who have a fetish for Creole women, witches to be exact but they all have English ancestors." With that being said my nanny places her wooden spoon into the mixing bowl. Calmly places the palms of her hands on the work service and looks up, glaring into my eyes.

"Warning you to stay away from the French Quarter Witches wasn't enough for you Rosie, you have to involve yourself in their fight now too?"

"Nanny, Jackson and I are the co-owners of the Paranormal Hunters, it is our job to help the supernatural and paranormal community when needed!" My eyes do not leave hers, she forgets it is from her and my mother that I have inherited my stubbornness. "You of all people know how we were raised, was it not YOU who told us to be kind and helpful to those who need us? To always do good unto others? Oh wait..."She tries to interrupt me but I can feel her anger growing as does the displeasure of her granddaughter throwing her words back at her. So I continue before she can begin her rant.

"Wait, what was the one rule you told us we should live by?" My eyes remain on her while I tap my forefinger onto my lower lip. "Oh, that is it, do no harm. So I assume when you taught us that you meant, do no harm to others unless they are French Quarter Witches?" By now I am yelling at her but do not give her time to shout back at me. "You can finish the baking yourself, I have a bad taste in my mouth from double standards floating around this room!" Storming out into the garden I yell at Jackson to come for a run before I commit murder.

That was the last time I saw nanny alive. The deep regret I had, and still have, over our last interaction has been eating me alive for too long. Once I have answers to questions discovered after her death, I am sure I will be able to put that day behind me. With a smile, another memory slips into my consciousness. Warmth and love are wrapped around me while this memory flows;

"My darling grandchildren,

The two of you have always been the joy in my heart. The laughter in my soul and the tears I shed on a daily basis when the two of you left to fulfil your destiny in New Orleans. I knew I had to fight for you both to stay. You see my babies, you two are the most precious beings to walk this earth. When your parents died, it fell to me to educate you in the ways of our people, a secret society that I didn't want either of you to be a part of. The day Oliver came to our home and told me my daughter, Madeline, and her husband Jackson Snr had been killed, it wasn't my anger you witnessed..... It was hurt and pain because I knew the two of you would one day follow in their footsteps. This is the way it has always been, but I thought due to the nature of your lives, you would be spared. Never did I think the two of you would WANT to carry on the legacy your parents were building.

Because of my hatred for the French Quarter Witches, (no Rosie, I will not tell you the reason behind the hatred), and the anger I have always had towards the Paranormal Hunters and yes your father, I refused to teach you all of the ways of my people. Both of you have learned from me the skills I felt you needed to survive this world. However, I have seen a shadow following you Rosie, a battle is to come and you are not prepared for this battle. Jackson, my blessed and wise boy, it is your duty to watch over your sister. Make sure Matthew helps you Jackson, for your sister is about to embark on a path that will test not only her temper but her heart and soul. If she walks down the wrong path you will lose her forever and not in death.

Once my final farewell has ended, I want the two of you to enter the attic and rummage to your heart's desire, all you will need to know about your past and future are held up in the attic. Do not sell this house, or the Romanian compound, one day you will know why, but this house is to always remain in the family. All I ask is that you take the wolves with you, look after them and they will forever guide you when you need it. Rosie, I know you will be carrying my death on your shoulders, but know this...... you are NOT to blame for my death. Your words of anger towards me are because you love me so much that you are frustrated with my answers. Yes, I wrote this letter while you were at Matthew's house, do not ask why and how, just know you are not to blame.

When the time is right, all the answers you seek will be yours to know.

I love you my babies, see you soon

Nanny"

Aunt June gave Jackson and I this letter not long after she had died. Aunt June was not only kind and loving to us during this time but was also one of nannies best friends. Later when some answers were revealing themselves, we discovered Aunt June was also part of a coven. A coven of Romanian and Celtic Witches based in London. All immigrants who had a common dislike for a group of people. These people we discovered were not just the French Quarter Witches but also enemies of a coven related to the Meleki Pack. I have no idea who they are and this is one reason I still hold resentment towards nannie, June and the coven.

The image of the letter, the comfort I felt wrapped around me with that memory lingering has gone. Inhaling the potent stench from the water I know it is time to get this show on the road with Ástríðr .

With my naked body glistening in the moonlight, my hair shaken out and now damp. I find myself trying to calm my brain from the mental anguish it is starting to form. Being at my cabin I know I am safe, the gator that has adopted me will also protect me if anything happens, and stench coming off my body is a great deterrent in itself. Feeling the calmness spilling from Ástríðr, my body and mind release the tension and feel nothing but love flowing through.

"Are you ready Rosie?"

"Yes." The voice replying to Ástríðr cannot be mine, it sounds sweet and loving. Not to mention carefree. Wow this is going to be one experience I am not going to forget.

"You won't have to worry baby girl, this is the only time we will separate. So enjoy it the best you can"

"Will it hurt?." Even I can hear the wobble in my voice.

"No idea baby girl, I haven't done this before"

Pinks, Blues, Yellows, Whites, Purples, these are the colours that burst before my eyes. A shock of electricity pushes my body into a stiff upright position, holding me in place when my mind screams from the pain deep within my soul. My body is fighting this strange sensation that has my soul and mind screaming in pain, the mouth I have always been told can out cuss a sailor is wide open trying to force the scream from my body, yet my ears can only hear the powerful sound of blood rushing hard around my body.

Raising my hands as slowly as I can, my eyes try to see past the colours dancing before my eyes. Dizziness and nausea take over this body, but the electricity buzzing through my blood mixed with the soul searing pain, doesn't allow my body to do anything but remain in this stiff upright position. Trying to focus on my hands I wonder if what I am seeing is real or simply my mind playing tricks on me. The skin is no longer the porcelain colour I am known for, but black fur jumping across my skin. The breeze caught between the tips of the black fur enable me to see that the flesh is jumping, wait jumping? I can see the blood jumping under the flesh, jumping as if they are on a race tracking jumping over the obstacles in the way. My brain is trying to process all these bits of information, but then the black fur crawls up along my arms, across my chest and down my torso leading to my legs and feet. The ripple effect this fur growth has on me is strange. I can see the rippling of fur growth but it is not the same as when I shifted the first time, there is no physical sensation (probably because my body is still trying to scream out in pain), yet I can see my skin pulling from my body. Trying to slap the skin back into place with my right hand, my left arm is then stretched out towards a Suicide Oak tree followed by my right arm. The bloody sound in my ears has dissipated, the electricity flowing in my body is stronger with each pounding of blood. With both arms outstretched, fur and skin forcing itself off my flesh, my head is thrown back with words leaving my soul through my mouth, words I recognise but don't understand.

"ᚾᛟᛏᛏ ᛒᛚᛖᛋᛋ ᛏᚺᛁᛋ ᚢᚾᛒᛟᚾᛞᛁᚾᚷ ᚹᛁᛏᚺ ᛃᛟᚢᚱ ᛈᚱᛟᛏᛖᚲᛏᛁᛟᚾ ᛟᚠ ᚾᛁᚷᚺᛏ" While the words leave my mouth I can hear the translation in my mind. " Nótt, bless this unbinding with your protection of night"

Thrown forward, my face lands in a puddle of mud, I don't care my body is finally pliable and my own. The left-over vibrations from the electricity is keeping me warm but the most beautiful sound in the world is all that I need to keep me from screaming out in fear. The sound of Ástríðr howling into the night sky.

Smiling to myself my head moves so that my right cheek is resting in the mud, body sprawled out in an undignified position while my breathing slowly returns to normal from the panting. Loving the feel of the nights breeze tickling and cooling my sweating body, my eyes open to see a magnificent wolf standing tall and proud. Her head slightly raised with her mouth formed into the shape of a cone, she lets loose her howl to the world.

"Ástríðr." Her name on my lips is the last thing I remember before I black out.