Book 2: Chapter 57
Heidi
I woke up in the cellar in almost total darkness if not for the moon. I was cold, and I could see my breath, but no linen was laid down for me again. I didn’t know why I was wet and naked, though something didn’t feel right… it almost felt like I was IN Emerald, because the cage was open, and the bars felt like I was actually touching them…
It began to rain outside getting dark, but this was a memory that was fuzzy…. Until High Matron Ezabi came downstairs with a lantern, but I couldn’t make out who was behind her. “Doggie, look at you.” She growled. “Always getting into things… you’ve grown.” She grumbled.
“I didn’t mean to ma’am.” I said backing away. I don’t know what I did, but for her to come in person it had to be bad. She sighed. I blinked, and I was in the giant field they used for their rituals… It was a lush garden of well-manicured lawn that I used to clean… but the Horned One was there behind her now. His eyes seemed to cast their own light, and I was frozen….
“You can stop that. I came to… to apologize. I cannot atone for what I have done to you in life… I do not ask for forgiveness, for you would give it freely, and I do not deserve it.” She walked to me, while the Horned One had his arms crossed. He looked like a parent who was making their kid say sorry after doing something bad.
“You broke your word to the Master. I’m surprised he did not eat your soul.” Said Rahrraam, but I couldn’t see him. He sounded… louder. The Horned One glared at him, and I heard the thud of him impacting grass softly. He must have kneeled.
I turned around, and she was touching my face with both her hands, looking at me pleadingly. “As the sky above, as the Earth is below… you are my blood… and through our veins you will know.” She said quietly. She handed me a coin. It had a ram on his back legs on one side… and the symbol of a snake with a wolf’s head coiled around a staff on the other. “This is your blood…. You belong to the House of Hinds…. And the House of Grentalia.” She said Quietly, but I didn’t understand. That was her house…. I would have to look into this; it was a mistake.
“Are you ready?” He asked impatiently, uncrossing his arms.
“Yes master… I no longer have any regret.” She said quietly, and cuffs appeared around her wrists with a wave of his hands. She willingly walked back to him, but he yanked her chains like someone would a misbehaving dog.
“Rahrraam, I trust you to continue to eat her nightmares.” He said seriously, and my rat’s squeak as he appeared on my shoulder comforted me while I held the coin…. It attached itself to a tourmaline necklace I wore for protection, and glowed red for a second…
I woke up at home, with Rahrraam licking my face, holding the black coin in his hands. Finally! He squeaked.
I rubbed my eyes to see the sun was rising, but my mate was awake and worried. “Thank the Lady… Heidi please don’t do whatever that was again!” John hugged me tightly, smelling like he was afraid.
“What happened?” I asked, seeing him stiffen.
“You were out all yesterday and wouldn’t wake up. I was so worried, and your Rat kept biting m. He wouldn’t let anyone close once we laid you in bed.” He complained, but Rahrraam shook his head.
A deep demonic growl came from my familiar… he sounded like an upset tiger. “It is because your feeble mind cannot comprehend Master’s plan. Shit. I mean Squeak.” He said speaking clearly and normally… His voice rumbled with a richness that could be felt, though his body was much too small for that…
“What the Jentucky Fried Fuck?! You can’t just say ‘Squeak’! What does your master have planned?!” Screamed John, chasing him around the room with his claws out. His eyes were brown with his wolf, and Grandma came in the room with a snarl.
“What happens to my child?” She snarled, stopping and glaring at everyone in the room.
Shit! I didn’t know my true voice would come out! Heidi Help Me!” He screamed, wiggling under my pillow, and I sat up as quickly as I could.
“Stop!” I yelled getting their attention. They both were a second away from picking me up and probably killing my familiar.
“He said the Horned One has plans! We must know what it is.” Said John defensively, but I put my hands on his.
We need to stop him. Said Sparkle unsure what to do.
“He probably meant this…” I said taking off the strange black coin, and putting it in John’s hand. “I was given this by the High Matron… and the Horned One. It’s got the family crests of both my families on it… and one side is the High Matron’s.” I said quietly, and John flipped the coin around examining it.
“…. Heidi, I recognize this.” Said Grandma, being passed the coin by John. “Your Father was from the pack that developed Blessed Saline Water…. But Grentalia… I don’t know that House… But I do know that for her to have given this to you… she must have been a direct relative.” She growled.
“Like a cousin?” I asked, she shook her head.
“No, like a mother, grandmother….” She said quietly. “This must be important that you brought it back with you from the dreamworld. I can’t read Royal Demonic; I doubt your rat could either…. Do not ever take this off again because I can feel the protection spell on it.” She warned, and I did as I was told.
“Yes grandma.” I said quietly, but she kissed me on the forehead.
“Come, let’s watch the news together before I go… I have matters that must be attended at the castle, but I will be back Sunday.” She mumbled, and I went with her. Rahrraam jumped in my hands, and wouldn’t leave them as he slept like a rock.
“Why is he so tired?” Asked John, sitting next to me, while Ann came in with Garnet, and sat next to grandma.
“He spent the night protecting me from you while also existing in the dream world… he also eats my nightmares.” I patted him between the ears, and he squeaked softly. John’s stern look at him softened.
“Then I guess if he keeps you safe, I can’t hate him too much… but it still bothers me what he said.”
“I am not.” Grandma chimed in. “… He is not a god for long plots and grand schemes…. He is more than powerful enough to simply Do if he really wants to.” She said being handed tea by one of the Shadows who came with her.
“… I just don’t want her to end up in danger.” He mumbled, and she patted his back.
“Rahrraam is a demon general; I’m sure even in that form, he will be useful.” She smiled, patting his head.
“How do you know that?” I asked, looking at him. He was just a small black rat… but I trusted her words.
“He speaks High Demonic.” She said getting up, and there was food brought to the door that she got herself by Xavier. He held at least five bags of food, and his mate held one in each hand. “Please come in, and share waffles, steak and eggs with us. Bring your mate too.” She commanded gently.
“Your highness… I am a Betrayer… I humbly did as you asked, but I could never do something so despicable as mar your table with my presence, It is Law.” He bowed, and she petted his hair.
“That is too much of an honor we do not deserve your majesty...” Hanna said quietly, but I could tell she really wanted too. However, Xavier’s status would always be taken into consideration on anything she would do now… they were outcasts.
“You tried all night to help my grandpups, and the night before; your presence is welcome. Law be damned” She said quietly, and he growled softly submissively coming in.
“Lady Damnit.” He grumbled, but she motioned for him to rise. Most of us all sat at the table, while Xavier still protested. It smelled too good to ignore… and I didn’t eat since yesterday, so I secretly wished he would hurry up. I put my rat on the table, letting him sleep soundly.
I just couldn’t believe that the Horned One would lend me a general…. Or that this one would follow a half witch. Demons were known to even turn on their masters if they smelled weakness, and return them immediately to their master… but Rahrraam seemed genuinely invested in my wellbeing…
“Don’t be ashamed, come, sit, and stop avoiding me.” She half growled, pushing him to go sit at the table, and he reluctantly did so. It broke me from my train of thought, and everyone waited for grandma to sit and eat before eating ourselves. That wasn’t something we had to worry about though. She behaved more human than most of the wolves I knew, instincts of eating first didn’t rule her, but we did it out of respect.
The others treated him respectfully, eating near him, but not saying anything. The room was silent if not for the sounds of eating and my rat’s snoring. Even the smells of the wonderful food from the diner didn’t wake him.
“I have some plans to discuss with you now that you have some free time Alpha.” Said Xavier, reaching into his pocket, and getting out a small booklet with a million bookmarks in it. It was dull, worn black leather, and was only as big as the back of a hand.
“Betrayer…. What do you give his grace?” Asked Emerald with a small sneer, but the Queen put up her hand.
“Notes.” He said flatly. “They aren’t the sacred texts, but as their former keeper, I don’t want the boy getting himself killed. Every page is summarized, and any technique that a moonborne was known to perfect, I bookmarked in green, any ones too dangerous are red, and the one’s I’m not sure about are yellow. Before the pack was exclusive, we used to train those born under the moon as well, but it was too specific. They also can’t phase, making them vulnerable to being spotted.” He said eating a waffle.
“No linking threats at the table either Emerald.” Corrected grandma, and he bowed. “By order of the Queen, Xavier is to be called the name his mother gave him. He is allowed to share knowledge with my grandson, and anyone else who thinks of him as less will be reprimanded by me. It’s starting to annoy me.” She growled, and we all bowed pretty much on reflex.
“Yes, your highness.” They all whispered.
“Also send word to Zander that his brother is pardoned by the royal court in his pack, and to remove the execution order. I will not overturn Alpha Stone’s ruling, as it would cause discourse.” She mumbled.
“How?” I asked.
“He did this ruling not only to protect him from other shadows, but also from himself. He aided one who would hurt You, his mate: It would almost be like saying that you aren’t important. Ultimately, she wronged you, and dying twice was too charitable. She growled.
“…. Let’s speak on lighter things.” Said Xavier to try and change the subject. “I’m going to train you while the Queen is gone these next two days.”
“Lady damnit.” He grumbled.
“No complaining. It was her majesty who insists.” He smiled.
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