Wow, friends! I have done a basic compilation of the first two weekends of tweets. Good job. We’ve written over 5800 words of a crazy story that actually seems to have somewhat of a plotline. Tomorrow, before Ray and I hit the road for Dust 2 Dawson weekend to head out to the cabin to enjoy the summer solstice here in Alaska, I will add on this previous weekend’s additions. For now, I thought I would re-post this along with this week’s prompt word. For those of you following along (and wishing to jump into the insanity next week), read-on below.
Aleksandr Devir rode his Harley down Taylor Highway at a comfortable speed. The lightening dawn approaching lent a kind of eerie spectacle to the surrounding landscape and the chill wind swept his long raven hair back like a flag in a hurricane. He wasn’t in a rush, god knew he had enough time, being immortal and all. His real name, given to him by God when he was born out of the void, was Azrael and he usually tracked down those that had truly offended his father, and dealt with them. Often called the angel of death, that title really got misconstrued as the centuries went on. He was more of God’s hound — killer hound, but hound all the same. He was on his way to Dawson for the annual ride and decided to go through Alaska instead of through Canada. He was on a Harley-Davidson FXDWG, the Dyna wide glide, and had been riding for days through this beautiful country side. He had never been through this part of the state before, usually staying around Anchorage, but he had to admit, it was breathtaking.
Probably stop at the next town, what was it called? Oh yeah Chicken…hilarious, he thought, as the sound of Hold On Till May by Pierce the Veil came over his I-Pod. He hit the throttle and speed off, faster than he had been going, just to get the rush he so craved. As an angel he had to get his thrills where he could, mainly because most other forms of thrill seeking failed to get his blood pumping —it was hard when you didn’t have blood. He smiled at his own joke and took the turns like a pro. I hope there are some women in this little town I’m travelling to, I could use some distraction, he thought as he climbed a hill and saw the glorious horizon. The sun was coming up and it reminded him of the first sunrise; hell, they all did.
Aleksandr parked his bike. He was travelling to Dawson, & stopped here for some fun. He saw a women with wheat blond hair blew her a kiss as walked in the bar. He had to hide his smile, as she looked at him; he loved doing that.
Arrival
Ashley smiled as the 3 British tourists raised a toast in libation to her. She nearly dropped the bottle when she looked to her left. “Sam! You-you trimmed your beard!” “So?” He replied, pouring himself a beer. “You haven’t trimmed that since-you look almost hot”
* * *
“Can I at least get one of my B’s in?” Butler asked over the radio in their helmets.
“We’re on a mission, which B do you-” Gentleman began, but Butler cut him off as he pulled into a little bar’s parking lot, yelling his reply at the top of his lungs.
“BOOZE!”
It was already too late to argue. Pulling a quick 180, Gentleman sidled alongside his brother.
“Just one pitcher.” Butler chuckled. “I need to keep up appearances.”
It was as good as any place to get a feel for the locals, Gentleman Begrudgingly concluded. “Already my kind of place.” The boisterous spy snickered as he peered up at the ceiling, and the rather shredded underoos.
* * *
Aleksandr walked up to the bar & looked at the woman behind the counter. He needed to quench his thirst & he needed a drink too. “What can I get you?” she asked “Beer is fine. By the way gorgeous, what do you work till tonight?” he asked with a smile.
Before Ashley could reply, her brother Sam nudged her aside.
“What can I get you?” he asked, eyeing the mysterious dark haired man.
“Just your ale on tap, friend,” he answered easily in return. He took his beer and headed out onto the porch.
“Really Sam? Are you going to do that to every guy that comes in here?”
“Ashley, he didn’t want just a drink from you.” Sam retorted.
“Come on Sam. You know guys don’t look at me like that. Not even Mike,” her voice trailed off as she rubbed the scar on her shoulder. “That’s why he wanted to get rid of me. Replace me with something better. But now I’m free and he’s in jail.”
“Ashley, you’re too sweet. You don’t know how guys are.”
“Sam, you’re too protective, give me some space. I’m a grown woman.”
Sam sighed. Ashley was right, he needed to stop worrying. She was a grown woman, able to make her own choices. And that Aleksandr guy didn’t seem half bad. He was startled out of his reverie when Aly brushed by him, a veiled smile on her lips.
“C’mon, let’s Go!” Butler encouraged, heading towards the woman behind the bar.”Psst, Hey, bro?” Butler whispered to his companion. “Let me do you a solid. That bartender kinda looks your type.” And once more Gentleman was too late to stop Butler, who slid in beside Sam, flexed his arms so his temporary tattoos were prominently displayed. And no sooner did he shove a spearmint gum in his mouth, than he winked, blew a kiss, and asked the man, “So, sailor, been waiting long to find a port to slide your sub into and release your sea-men?”
Sam winked at Ashley as he draped his arm around the guy who’d saddled up next to him at the bar. “Those are some purty tattoos, maybe I can buy you a libation, take you out to see Toad. He gets really lonely out there on his claim. Loves nice young tourists.”
“I,” Butler stumbled over his tongue. “I honestly did not expect a counter offer like that.” He admitted. “But, if you’re still offering to offer a drink, I won’t decline. Just be advised, I have a very high tolerance to roofies.”
“And yes.” Gentleman added as he ordered a shot of black label whiskey or scotch. “He knows from experience.”
Sam shouted over his shoulder toward the deck, “Hey Toad! I got somebody I want you to meet. I’ll even buy you a shot!” A shadow crossed the doorway as a man shambled into the bar. His once mountainous frame weathered by age and hard work. “Why don’t we go outside and chat sonny”
Ashley handed Sam a bottle of Yukon Jack. Toad was already on a roll before they even got onto the porch. “Alaska was different in my day kid…” Ashley gave his companion a grin as she poured. “Don’t worry. Toad will just talk his ear off and make him drink that gut rot booze.”
“Oh, I’m not worried for my ‘Friend.'” Gentleman said softly, saluting their exit with his drink before he sipped at it, letting it rest on his lips and tongue. “My pal is a very extroverted Texan from a rancher family. All that talking might make him homesick.”
“Well, then Toad will have an audience after his own heart. Hope you weren’t planning on going anywhere soon. Once he gets going, it’s hard to make him stop.” She put the bottle away and began washing glasses behind the bar.
As predicted, Butler poked his head back inside. “Do you have any white Tequila?” He asked. Gentleman, meanwhile, smiled into his shot, shaking his head. “Charming decor.” He noted, as he doled out the payment for a round for all. “Reminds me of my college years.”
Ashley shrugged as she poured the Patron Silver then took them out onto the deck. She gave a gracious smile to the dark-haired man who took a seat at the back. “What college did you go to where they stapled panties to the ceiling?” She asked coming back into the bar
Aleksandr watched her walk away & sighed. Without a soul, things were harder to get over & her smile would be with him for decades. He got up & followed her, clearing his throat. “So miss?” he asked, “Are you free later? I would love to take you…out.” he said coyly.
Ashley resumed washing glasses behind the bar. This guy had to be messing with her. “Out?” She asked smile growing wider. “Just where do you think you will take me? It’s not like there’s a drive-in around here.” She paused. “They still have those, right?”
He leaned on the bar, her smile like a drug. “I am being perfectly serious. And I thought we could take a ride on my bike and see the sunrise. It’s one of my favorite things to watch…besides you walking away.” His wings ached to release, yet he kept them in.
The intensity in his gaze made her fumble with the glass. She smiled back at him, body inexplicably hot. “Ha-have you seen the Lost Chicken Dredge?” Why am I stammering? She took a breath, willing herself to pull it together. “We could ride to the trail head and walk to the view”
“I would love that. It’s been awhile since I’ve had a good walk, & never with one so gorgeous.” He drank his drink & slid his hand over hers, raising it to his lips. He kissed her hand gently, blessing her silently as he did. “I’ll just hang out over there till you’re ready.”
Although he pretended to study his glass, Gentleman was instead following the reflection. Whomever the strange man was who had practically seduced the bartender, he wasn’t local. The speech pattern and mannerisms were straight from a far older period.
The emergency scanner sounded. Ashley muttered, “Oh no.” Already picturing the scene as she read the accident report. MOOSE COLLISION, RV, FUEL TRUCK, DRIVER TRAPPED MP50 TAYLOR HWY She donned her jacket as she shouted for Aly in the cafe.
She sent the response: CKN EMT ENRT
“Aly, you’re in charge. We gotta go.” She gave her would-be suitor a peck on the cheek. “Sorry. I’m going to have to bail on our date. I just hope to God we get there before that fuel ignites.” Sam ran in tugging on his coveralls. “Luke and Toad are loading the extractor in the wagon. We’ll follow you and Toad in the firetruck. Tok FD and troopers are 2 hours out” “Gotcha, let’s roll. Sounds a bad wreck.”
Aleksandr hid his smile. She had said the right words. He closed his eyes, still feeling her kiss in his cheek, and concentrated on the surrounding area. There. He could see the RV and with a thought cleared the roads so they could get there.
As an aside he also shut the flames down a tad so they would get there before it went up. The people would be saved, all thanks to his gorgeous date. A date he still planned on having come heaven or his brother’s realm. “Oh my Dad she is hot.” He said as he followed them
*****
Having already settled the tab, Gentleman waited until his subject of interest had left the building before he stood and walked to the exit. Butler was close by, a look of genuine regret on his face. “So?” Gentleman asked politely, noticing that Butler’s drink was untouched.
Which meant, he felt he was on duty. “That Toad knows everything going on around here. He’s got stories going back generations.” The Butler paused to wipe a tear from his eye. “It was like the old ranchers back home. I gotta hang out more with him. What did you find?”
“Something, suspicious, in mannerisms only.” Gentleman admitted. “And it looks like he’s enroute to the urgency. Think we should lend a hand? We are supposed to be incognito.” Pouring his tequila into a flask, Butler tossed it in the saddlebag.
“I got this.” The ivory skinned partner said. “My medical skills are superior to yours. Get some rest. Let’s start rotating shifts.” “Understood.” Gentleman said as he walked towards his bike, but he paused to caution his brother. “Remember, low profile.”
*****
Bryce was like a kid with a new toy in this RV thing, Shannon thought, staring out the window, wondering about the lack of buildings. He spent more time playing with the controls on the dash, than paying attention to her, or the road.
“Bryyyyyce!” Shannon had shrieked when she saw some huge, shadowy beast look up from the road, right into her eyes it seemed. She nearly fainted. Used to her hysterics, Bryce, alas, looked up too late.
*****
It took over an hour of weary, muscle straining work, but they finally got driver out of the wrecked cab of the semi and onto the gurney. “Alrighty kids, you guys take care of him,” Toad said. “I’m gonna start butchering that moose. no use wasting good meat.”
The lady from the RV burst into fresh hysterics, “You’re going to eat road kill! That’s-” her words trailed off into a scream as a low growl came from the nearby spruce bog. Ashley drew her pistol and fired as the grizzly charged them. “Well, old-timer.
Looks like our night just got a lot longer. You got it in you to butcher a bear tonight too?” “Nothing like good bear stew to motivate me baby girl. Let’s get to work. We’ll teach your new cook the in’s and out’s of game meat.”
Aleksandr pulled up as she drew her pistol & fired. Flashes of his brother Michael were vivid in his mind as she stood as a warrior. He eased the bike over and smiled. “Need a hand cleaning and skinning?” he asked, keeping an eye out for the over protective one. Just in case.
Toad replied for him, as Ashley scanned the bog, looking for signs of other bear activity. “Always happy to have a hand, son. How’s about you start on this griz while I work on that moose?” He nudged Ashley. “The Troopers from Tok should be here soon, get our driver ready to go”
‘Son’ Aleksandr laughed to himself. He loved when people did that. “I’m on it,” he said, still looking at the woman. He dressed the bear forgetting to hide his strength…that is until they were staring. “I…I work out…”
Ashley threw back her head and laughed, “Apparently! You’ve definitely earned your portion of the stew Toad’s going to teach Aly to make.” She went back to administering the IV and fluids to the driver on the gurney as the Troopers and ambulance pulled into view over the hill.
Ashley spoke to the couple who stood standing watching the scene, wide-eyed. “You can go ahead and get in the back of my ambulance; I’ll drive you into Chicken. Luke has a cabin you can stay in at the RV park. You’re lucky that moose went under the RV instead of through it.”
Shannon recovered enough to say, “Thank you,” to the kind, but admittedly intimidating young lady. Bryce continued to stare at the wrecked RV. Shannon kicked him. “Oh, uh, yeah, thanks,” he stammered. “Can we bring our bags?” Shannon inquired,
“Sure,” Ashley replied. “Hey Sam, when you’re done, can you give us a hand?”
*****
Sighing with relief, Butler took his eye off the scope of his rifle. The other eye had remained open, watching the headset that broadcast a panoramic view of his surroundings.
While he felt a tinge of respect for the apex predator, Butler had been prepared to drop it with a .50 cal through the heart had it gotten any closer to the crew, whom he had come to respect even more as he watched them work.
His gut instinct told him that those who inhabited the bar, were no threat to the public, nor sellers nor buyers of any new recreational drug. That said, their establishment was doubtlessly going to be the place to look and listen.
Grumbling to himself, the spy made a note on his phone, one that
he knew his compatriots would read. It disgusted him to use the people he had
come to respect, but he saw little choice. “WE BUG THE BAR.”
Confident she was alone, Ashley stripped down to just her tank top and lace underwear and let the cold water of the creek rinse away her aches and the reek of blood, diesel and sweat. Weary, she dragged herself onto the blanket and detangled her hair. What a night. Did Shannon really have to bitch the whole way back that the ambulance smelled like diesel? Sheesh.
She lay back, letting the warm sun caress her skin as she thought of Aleksandr, in his black leather as he dressed the bear. She lay back and closed her eyes. Just five minutes, she thought, then I’ll go in. “God, I wonder what it would be like? To be held be someone with strong arms like that?” She whispered aloud as she drifted into a deep sleep.
Then she said it…her prayer. He beat his feathered wings once, twice, drifting over to her & slowly descended down towards her. He kneeled beside her and wrapped his arms around her gently, startling her but let his wings show. “It would be heavenly, as a matter of fact.”
Her sea blue eyes widened in wonder. Instead of pulling away, she reached out with trembling fingers and touched his wings. He noticed the deep, purple scar on her shoulder as she continued to stroke his feathers. “What are you?” She asked as he pulled her closer.
He traced her scar lightly with his fingertips, the electricity of her being arcing through him. “I’m an angel & it seems I may have been sent to you for a reason,” he said softly, holding her close. She had been hurt and he knew she needed truth. “I am Azrael, angel of death.”
“Angel of death? So were you there the night he tried to kill me?” She asked, still touching his wings. She believed him. She shivered as he pressed her against his body. Was he here to kill her again? She looked up into his eyes, and saw only desire. Maybe that’s what death was.
“No, I only usher souls to heaven when it’s their time,” he answered her. Tracing his fingers down more across her tank top. “If I were, he never would’ve hurt such a beautiful woman in the first place.” He leaned down then, staring into her sea blue eyes and kissed her deeply.
Ashley tangled her fingers in his raven hair and pulled him down onto the blanket on the soft moss by the swiftly flowing creek. Veiled by the budding rose brambles and willow branches she gave into the healing fire flowing from his body into hers.
Aleksandr gave in completely, knowing that they both needed this. He enfolded his wings around her as they came together and he was lost in her warm soul. Wings trembling, she brought a kind of peace to him he had never known.
*****
Sam bit his lip and tore his eyes away from the rhythmic sway of Aly’s hips. He smiled and waved as the group from the night before sauntered in. “Glad you made it back. Thanks to our accident last night, we’re serving moose and bear”
“Sure, Chupacabras are terrifying little bastards with big teeth and nasty attitudes, but they’re also tasty cooked over an open fire and dipped in BBQ sauce. Pair with a good, dark beer, and you’ve got a great free-range organic meal.” A tourist from New Mexico joked, chomping on a spoonful of bear chili as he joked with Toad about Bigfoot and the Chupacabra.
Shannon sat with Bryce off to the side, listening to the conversation around her. She heard someone talking about legendary creatures, and recalled the beast in the road. “They’re probably eating one in their stew right now, and they don’t even know it.”
A magic silence fell over the bar as Anja crossed the threshold. “Need drink.” She mumbled as her head spun and she blacked out. Butler and Gentleman caught her before she fell to the floor.
“Well,” Gentleman whispered as they lowered Anja onto the floor “Do you think you can keep eyes on you and her?” “Bro, despite my attitude you know I wouldn’t touch someone without consent.” Butler replied, playfully disgusted. “I got this.” He added, with a wink
“Is there an EMT in the house?” Butler yelled. “Besides me? I’m supposed to be on vacation.” His voice was loud and sharp, made to command in the heat of battle. Seeing everyone looking Butler’s way, Gentleman snuck about, slipping microphones and cameras in nooks and crannies.
“Yeah, let me grab my first aid kit from the back of the ambulance,” Sam said. ” Why don’t we carry her there just in case. I’ll help you lift her.”
“Sounds fair.” A smirk crawled its way across the spy’s face. “We’re getting to be real besties here. I hit on you, you returned the favor, and now we’re carrying bodies to your car together. Lift.”
Sam grinned back as they heaved the woman off the floor and around the back to the ambulance. “Let’s set her on the picnic table for a minute, while I get the gurney out of the back.”
*****
Aleksandr stood basking in the #romantic encounter with Ashley. A noise made him spin, seeing the #Legendarycretures of old. The Cet’aeni. His wings flew out as he leapt at the monsters with tails as they grabbed her. “You cannot have her!”
Ashley dug her nails into the damp moss as a tail coiled around her ankles dragging her toward the shadows of the forest. Aleksandr growled in a language she couldn’t understand, wings flaring as he leapt at the strange creatures. They hissed back
*****
Back at the RV, Butler and Gentleman sat beside each other. Gentleman was ramrod straight, hands in his lap, while Butler slouched, his legs wide apart, an open beer hanging from his fingers.
“Are you certain?” A sultry voice leached from the tablet they talked to. On the screen, Lady adjusted her glasses as she typed on another computer or tablet beside her. “Positive.” Gentleman replied. “Butler formed an instant rapport. Yes, it’s best to let him lead.”
“I understand.” She acknowledged. “As for the drugs?” “I don’t think we’re going to find them locally made.” Butler pondered, pausing to sip his beer. “None of the locals give me the bad heebie geebies.” Nodding her head, Lady concluded,
“Then it’s best to stick around until the riders arrive and see if the rumors bear fruit. Enjoy and establish until then.” Then she was gone. Getting up from his chair, Butler tossed his beer into the refuse and walked to his gun cabinet.
“Plans?” Gentleman asked.
“Establish ourselves better. Join the EMT’S, and wait for the bikers to arrive.” Butler explained as he holstered only a shoulder pistol, a gun at his waist, and one on his leg. “And I’m going to go establish myself.” Butler chuckled.
“And me?”
“Your discretion. How about some urban bonding? Let’s grab a bite to-” His voice trailed off as he looked out the window. Concerned, Gentleman was about to investigate when his brother spoke again.
“Are moose supposed to be that big?”
Curious, Gentleman triggered the exterior cameras, and his brow furrowed in disbelief. “No, that can’t be right.” Gentleman agreed. “It’s as big as a truck-”
“And it looks really pissed.” Butler concluded as he ducked beneath the window. “Hey, G?” Butler whispered. “The mess the other day, they schmucked a moose with an RV…” The .50 cal was just out of reach. Crawling slowly, he made his way towards it. “Think this one’s out for revenge?” Butler shrugged, as he inspected the exterior camera.
Just as the moose lowered its head and charged the closest RV, flipping it effortlessly, throwing it clear across the park. A snort, and it turned towards their RV. “RUN!” Butler screamed, throwing himself towards the trap door in the middle of the floor.
Together, they fell onto the dirt, and rolled into a depression as the RV disappeared from overhead. Neither spy dared to move as the moose snorted, paced back and forth, and finally disappeared. Gasping, the two spies looked at each other.
“I think,” Gentleman said, sitting up, looking at the distant dented and trashed RV, “We’re going to need some bigger guns.” For once, Butler had nothing to say.
*****
Smoke rose from Toad’s Marlboro while Sam helped the two men out of the ditch. Luke scanned the area with his rifle. “A big moose, you said?” Toad asked, taking the cigarette out of his mouth to take a swig of Yukon Jack. He proffered the bottle to Butler.
“Yup.” Butler replied before he took the offered bottle and drained it to the last drop, stopping only long enough to backwash a shot, which he offered to his brother, who in turn, politely declined.
“Tell me Chicken has a stash of Howitzers, and I’ll sleep better tonight.” Butler continued.
“Odd though.” Gentleman noted aloud, although he talked mostly to Sam. “It ignored the bikes.”
“And the cars and cabins.” Sam replied, motioning to the RV lot, where the two RV’s lay in a heap, but the cars with travel trailers and motorcycles lay untouched. Campers stood by their tents, gaping at the wreckage and whispering. “Luke how many more RV’s you expecting tonight?
Toad lit another smoke, pondering the situation. Sure seems to be a lot of supernatural convening on Chicken in time for the solstice. First that Aleksandr rolls into town. He remembered him as Ox, strongest man on the Pedro Dredge back in ’59. There was also a picture of him up at Ft. Egbert in Eagle, helping to install the WAMCAT’s with old Billy Mitchell. Now the Cet’aeni were whispering in the shadows, and giant moose were tearing through the 40-mile. That kid Butler is right. It’s time to bring out the big guns.
After a long pause, Toad laughed and shook his head at Butler. “Kid, you don’t fight an immortal creature with a man-made weapon. We need a legend of the forest. Follow me.” Sam and Luke followed without protest. “You two coming, or what?” Toad called.
Butler only waited long enough for Gentleman to crawl from the already smoking wreckage. “What took you?” The pale spy asked in indignation. “I was calling in your loyal steed.” His brother answered. “Where are we going?”
Butler shrugged. “Probably to challenge my non-existent religious beliefs. C’mon, we got a moose on the loose.” They hurried to keep pace.
They were already following Toad to the creek, but when Sam heard the sound of rapid gunfire, he took off at a sprint. “Ashley!”
“Hurry!” She screamed back.
*****
Aleksandr threw one skyward as two more entangled his arm.
“Ashley run…” he said as he grabbed the throat of one trying to get by him. He threw another into a tree with a sickening and spun the other away with a buffeting if his wings.
Where was Michael when you needed him?
As the creature released her ankles she rolled to her feet and grabbed her pistol and a handful of bullets from her backpack. She dropped six of the creatures then stopped to reload. Three were still clinging to Aleksandr.
“Ashley!” Sam shouted.
“Hurry!” She cried back plugging 2 more eyeing her from the forest. Aleksandr bested the ones attacking him, tearing them to shreds. He moved beside her while the forest grew still once more. At the sound of footsteps, Ashley lowered her weapon and snatched up the blanket, covering her naked body. Aleksandr wrapped his arms around her, enfolding her in his embrace.
“No way,” Ashley whispered, surveying the carnage. “The Cet’aeni are just a myth. “
“So were angels,” Aleksandr whispered as Sam came thundering in.
*****
“Not now,” Toad clucked at Sam as he barged into the clearing by the creek, Luke, Butler and Gentleman on his heels. Without stopping, he crouched down by the creek and reached under his shirt, pulling out an old golden amulet on a long chain. He held it over the water, muttering a string of words. He dipped it in the creek and it began to glow. He extended his weathered calloused hand, and a fair slender limb reached from the water. To call the ethereal creature that emerged a woman would be a gross understatement. A river of copper hair flowed down her back and over her ample curves. The dress of moss green doing little to conceal her bounty. Her lupine-purple eyes narrowed and she pursed her lips as she took in the bodies of the creatures on the forest floor.
“Toad,” She admonished, “You should have summoned me sooner. I didn’t know the Cet’aeni were in this part of my forest too.”
“Yes, and other evil spirits are about,” Toad replied. “We’ll need your brothers.”
She nodded. Her eyes passed over the group, growing wider as she took in Azreal’s possessive grasp on Ashley. The girl’s glow brought a gasp to her lips. What had he done to her daughter? “Leave us,” the Naiad ordered Toad, gazing at the Angel. Sam took his sister by the arm and pulled her up the trail toward the cabin. Butler, Gentleman, Luke and Toad followed.
Once they were alone, Aleksandr looked at the Child of Ariel and smiled. He never thought to see one this far north. “You protect this forest good lady?” he asked, watching the trail where Ashley went. He was glad that there were others with Sam to watch over her.
Golden sunlight danced off the Naiad’s copper hair. “Azreal, did you not know she was one of my daughters before you lay with her? She was in the gravest of danger before, being only half human, half immortal. But now your seed grows in her,”
“The Cet’aeni and other evil creatures can use her to create dark magic. I have summoned my brothers, the men of the forest to watch over this area until solstice. Someone has unleashed the Cet’aeni, made it so they are not restricted to the night. The waters are restless, The Gguux are stirred up and angry, seeking blood. They have brought me strange things, man made things. I need to find answers for this or they will start pulling people under.” She shook her head, her dress of moss fluttering in the breeze. “Something strange is coming,
“Those other two, with their metal horses. Before you go to watch over Ashley, send them to me. I have questions I must ask of them of their quest in this region. They know something of the strange things the men are dropping in the water and hiding in the caves.”
Aleksandr gaped at her. His child. “I will let them know,” he said in a daze. Would she live…and half immortal? “Well that would be why,” he said to himself as he walked back to find the two men. Dad was going to be pissed! Not to mention Michael, though they would not take her.
“One more thing,” she said, touching his arm as he turned to go. “Come back here at the sunset tonight. There is to be a gathering of me and my siblings. we have much to discuss.” We may need your help, and your brothers to combat the evil that is spreading.
“Most definitely child of Ariel, though they are a fickle bunch. You have my help regardless.”
“Thank you, Azreal. You have my gratitude for your help.” She kneeled near the water’s edge, trailing her fingers in the cool rushing creek. An air of sorrow clung to her as she gazed at the way the midday lights and shadows danced on the water.
“Dear, whomever.” Butler muttered to his brother as they walked. “Did you see that ethereal Edna? They don’t make spirits like they used to.” Gentleman would have rolled his eyes, if they weren’t already busy looking everywhere.
He had holstered his sidearm, but bad drawn his Ka-bar. Bullets might fail, but he had a hunch that few things could resist the cold steel of his combat knife. “Once we recon the cabin,” Gentleman whispered, “I’m going back for the bikes and bags.”
“Why wait?” Butler asked. “The cabin’s behind the bar-” “Because part of the recon is asking Toad and that fellow I found suspicious the other day, what we’re going up against, and if explosives or your 75 will do anything.”
Butler pondered, chewing his lips. “I see.” He finally
said, but then his humor returned as he asked, “Di you think Lady can find
us some holy relics to bring to this party?” He was only half joking.
He watched from the woods, tongue lolling from his mouth as he eyed the lovely woman on the porch of the cabin. She sighed and rested her chin against her hand. The gems on her perfectly manicured fingers and wrists created a dance of color. She sighed again and wiped away a tear. He assumed a human disguise. He had plenty of time until sunset to meet his siblings by the creek. He couldn’t resist a lonely, classy, beautiful woman. “Well, hello there,” he said strolling out of the brace of willows. “Are you new to Chicken? I would have noticed a lovely woman like you before.” He tugged at his fitted blue jeans, watching the color rise to her cheeks as her eyes took in his black t-shirt over his six pack abs and the tattoos on his lean muscled arms.
Startled out of her reverie, Shannon looked at the young man. Attractive was an understatement! He must take as much time with his attire as any man in her high society circles. None of them cultivated a look as sexy as the young man in jeans and a T standing before her, though.
“Just visiting,” she said, with a small laugh. She knew she didn’t blend in with the Chicken scenery, but the look he was giving her was completely unlike the raised eyebrows she’d encountered so far. No, his look she recognized. It spanned class and pedigree. She liked it.
*****
He rolled his eyes as he watched his brother charm the pretty woman. He growled, shifting from his spirit form of the bear into a man standing nearly 7 ft. tall. Laughter danced on the air as a gentle voice said, “Jealous, big brother?”
He turned so see his younger sister, the Spirit of the Still Waters emerge from a pond. She coiled her inky black hair on top of her head, the sun gleaming off her copper skin. She blinked dark jade green eyes at him and said, “Wouldn’t hurt you to cut loose a little too.”
Thanks for reading. Tomorrow morning before we hit the road, I will add in last weekend’s pieces of the story. But the theme for this weekend will be:
SOLSTICE
We’re now hitting our peak sunlight here in Alaska. After this, it’s all down hill as the days start to get shorter again. You don’t have to use the exact word, but just incorporate the theme of the summer solstice. Have fun!
