Chapter 37: Aftermath

UNKNOWN

Saoirse finds herself in a tent with Jenna. She’s been fed, bathed, and given fresh clothes. Lira has examined her injuries and found them almost entirely healed.

We all turn our attention to the pack, assisting the families who have lost someone. The two girls who had been enthralled are found dead in the cell, clinging to each other. It is a tragic sight.

Their parents are the most affected. Andrei has to go back to the caves to manage the remaining vampires, most of whom are new turns. His authority as king is what calms them, quelling the bloodlust that has been raging within them.

He is guiding them toward a peace that sends them into a deep, healing sleep. Their creators are now dead and gone, and only the king has the power to help them. They need to stay in the caves and hunt at night.

But it is Andrei’s responsibility to ensure they don’t drain the blood donors. This is going to be a lengthy process, and Andrei will be stationed here for weeks to get them under control. He is in touch with a coven in New Orleans in the States to send older vampires to aid in the teaching of these new vamps.

He plans to execute all the elders here as traitors. That is his first decree to all covens. Any followers of Mihai’s beliefs are to be beheaded.

A worldwide cleanup is under way. He has trusted vampires everywhere that he can count on. Boris calls Kaiser and informs him that Mihai is gone, and we are all just fine.

We are resting and the new day is beginning with a cleanup, and he will be headed back to the Royal Pack as soon as he has some answers. Willow sits in a camp chair next to him and hands him a cup of coffee.

“Mom, stop worrying?” she asks as she settles back.

“Mom will always worry, but right now she’s fine. I, on the other hand, am still dealing with an angsty wolf!”

Willow looks at him. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t know. Johannes has been out of sorts for a couple weeks now. It’s like he’s waiting for something.”

“Well, the danger has passed for now. The packs and the human cities won’t have vampire attacks on their horizons. Maybe you just need a small vacation after this. Allow Johannes to go out and look for his mate. When was the last time you allowed yourself to look?”

Boris sits back and thinks. “Honestly, I’ve never really looked. Figured if the Goddess intended for me to have one, she’d deliver her to me.” He snickers. “Yeah, I know I’m an ass.”

Willow giggles. “Well, Andrei has to be here with the new turns until help from America arrives. Then we are going home. How about when we get there, you go to America and check in with the alpha king there and take some down time? Tour some of their packs.

“I always have Uncle Boris and Uncle Ridge and Aunt Oliva to assist. We have it covered here. And Mom and Dad are always nearby.”

He starts to nod. “I think I will. Been concentrating too long on keeping the packs and humans safe here for so long I sometimes forget to even let Johannes out to run. I think I will. I’ll contact Uncle Roman and start with his pack. When I get home, he can help me set things up.”

“Sounds like a plan. Now, I’m going to check on my new friend and see if I can help her!” Willow stands.

“The redhead?” Boris asks. “What’s her story?” He looks up at her, curiosity in his eyes.

“I’m not sure yet, but I have an idea. If I’m right, then there are still trials and tribulations ahead for her, but I’m sure the gods have it figured out.” She gives him a smile and a pat on the shoulder. “You headed home today?”

“After my meeting with the alpha here. Then I’m going home. Eros and Lira will stay a couple more days. Tobias is moving on. He needs to check in on Haven, the rescue pack he established.” Boris finishes his coffee. “I need to look more into that and see what more we can do to help there,” he says.

“I agree. He is doing good work there. It’s not just for wolves or the Fae. It’s for all who need help.”

He puts his arm around her and kisses her forehead. “If I don’t see you before I leave, love you, sis.”

“Love you too, bro.” Then she heads to Jenna’s tent.

When she goes in, Saoirse is sitting on the side of her cot stretching. It is obvious she has just woken.

“Hi, you hungry?” Willow asks in greeting.

“A little bit. I’m more concerned with finding out if my two friends survived. I realize they won’t be human, but I’d like to know if they made it. They didn’t ask for this, but it would help settle me if I knew that they at least are out there thriving.”

“My mate has returned to the caves to put them all to sleep. They won’t wake for a few days, but we could go up there and you could walk through and see.” Willow smiles. “It will be safer as they sleep. They won’t smell you and try to take a bite. After all, for weeks you were what kept the pains of hunger away.”

“Can you ask him when a good time would be?” Her green eyes begin to glow again. Not brightly, but they definitely have a glow.

“I can, but I feel I need to talk to you about something first.” Willow pulls a camp chair closer and sits down. “Have you ever heard of a Phoenix?”

“Phoenix? You mean the mythical bird that is on fire?”

“Yes. Only, it’s not a myth. The sun god Ra had a daughter. Bennu. He had several daughters. But Bennu was sent to live among the people of Egypt and after five hundred years, she built a nest and set it and herself on fire.

“Then she was reborn into the magnificent flaming bird. She brings peace and health to a new world. She represents rebirth to all things. Her tears flow and bring healing. That’s why witches store them and hoard the tears, because they hold great power.

“There is only one Phoenix at a time. When the old one’s flame extinguishes, a new one is born. The last one died about twenty years ago. I’ll be honest, I think you may be the new Phoenix.

“There is something about you. A scent you carry. You smell of fire. You are more than human. The fact that you heal so quickly, and the vampires couldn’t turn you. I… I don’t mean to scare you. I just wish I had more information to give. Would you allow us to take blood samples and do some tests? Maybe find out a few more things?”

“Sure, if you believe it’ll make a difference, I’m in,” she says.

The nuns haven’t been able to provide much information about her past. “They found me by the ocean, naked and alone. No clues, no notes, nothing. I was just a castaway washed up on the shore.”

A local fisherman had been the one to discover her. “The authorities whisked me away to the nuns right away,” she continues.

She has never been deemed suitable for adoption, though she has no clue why. Her voice holds a note of melancholy that is hard to miss.

Then, her face brightens into a smile. “I’m ready to do whatever it takes. I want answers too.”

Willow gives her a nod of understanding.

She then guides her toward Lira, explaining what they need from her.