Cecy Robson - Cursed By Destiny

Martin acknowledged us with a slight tilt of his head and spoke. “Thank you all for joining us. We have unfortunate news that we need to act upon. The depletion of their numbers has forced the Tribe to take more desperate measures. In an effort to destroy us, the most formidable among the Tribe have sought to raise Ihuaivulu.” I didn’t know who or what Ihuaivulu was, but judging by the grim faces of Uri and the Elders, the news was worse than I could have imagined. Martin gestured to Aric. “Please ask your Warrior to explain.”

Aric looked to Danny and motioned him forward with a jerk of his head. “You’re on, Dan.”

Danny remained where he stood, trembling. We waited, but he wouldn’t speak or move. Aric nodded encouragingly. Still nothing happened. Bren gave Danny what he’d probably intended to be a soft nudge. Unfortunately, it sent him flying forward. He stumbled and slid across the polished wood floor and just barely missed barreling into Anara.

Koda grabbed him by the collar and lifted him to his feet before any of us could blink. Danny was nothing short of a hot, frazzled mess. Sweat dripped down his shivering form as if he were fighting the flu. If so, the flu was winning. He cleared his throat a few times before finally speaking. “A Chaitén volcano recently erupted after being dormant for a millennium. I found it suspicious considering this same volcano is said to house Ihuaivulu—a seven-headed fire-breathing demon.” He paused to wipe his hands against his slacks. “I brought my concerns to Aric. He thought it was worth investigating and encouraged the Alliance to send spies to Patagonia—”

“Where the hell is that?” Bren muttered. I was glad he asked. Geography and I were mortal enemies.

Danny regained his confidence—academic matters had that effect on him. He smiled. “Patagonia is a region that encompasses Chile and Argentina—that’s where Chaitén is located. Our spies discovered the Tribe found scriptures to raise the demon.” He stopped smiling then. “That’s why the volcano erupted. They’ve awakened Ihuaivulu.”

My mouth went dry. They awoke a seven-headed fire-breathing demon? Was he kidding?

Misha stiffened next to me. “Can we halt the demon’s rise?”

Danny shook his head. “We’re too late. Ihuaivulu has already broken through the first part of the mountain.

Bren held out his hand. “Wait—did you say he broke through a mountain ?” Danny nodded. “How big is this asshole?”

Danny scratched at his moppy curls. “I’m not sure. Maybe the size of an average office building?”

My heart skipped a beat, then a few more. Seven-headed demons would do that to a gal. “So he could be bigger?” I asked.

Danny nodded and Taran swore up a storm. Around us, the pack of wolves growled. Aric stepped forward. “How do we kill Ihuaivulu?”

“He can’t be killed, Aric.”

Emme moved next to me and took my hand. She was scared—rightfully so. Some scary monster that couldn’t die had just been roused from sleep. I squeezed her hand tight. “What can we do then?” I asked, hoping there was something.

“There are two ancient rocks called the Sacred Stones of Mughal. They both need to hit Ihuaivulu at least once.”

Gemini rubbed his goatee. “Do they need to hit at the same time or in the same area?”

“No, but the second must hit him within twenty-four hours after the first. The first stone is only meant to weaken Ihuaivulu. The second will force him back into a dormant state for at least the next millennium.”

“Do we know where to find Mughal’s stones?” Bren asked. He chuckled slightly when he thought about what he’d just said. That earned him a smile from Makawee and a dirty glare from Anara.

“The Tribesmen who performed the awakening are guarding one in Chaitén, believing they can control the demon with it.” He shook his head. “But they can’t. No one can.”

“Where’s the other stone, Dan?” Aric asked.

“It’s at the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. They have to be stored far apart—on separate continents—otherwise they blow up like atom bombs if they’re not used for their purpose. The Tribe is trying to locate the one in Tanzania to keep it from us. But the map that describes its location is written in ancient Mapudungan and difficult to translate. According to what the spies uncovered, I believe they have the wrong location. It gives us time to find the second stone.”

I grinned at Danny. I couldn’t even repeat the name of the language he mentioned. But I knew he could, and a lot more. “You know where the second stone is.”

Danny’s obsession with ancient magic, myths, and languages was paying off. He raised his chin in all research-geek glory. “Yes, Celia. I know exactly where it is.”

Makawee tilted her head, bowing respectfully. “Well done, young Daniel.”

Martin faced Aric. “You will take your Warriors to Chaitén and obtain the first stone.”

Uri in turn addressed me. “Celia, we’re counting on you to locate the second stone. Young Daniel will accompany you. The Elders have also agreed to send one of their fiercest weres to aid you on your quest.”

I looked to Koda, Gemini, and Liam, expecting it to be one of them. I wasn’t expecting nor happy to see Tye step forward, flashy dimple and all. “What’s the matter, dovie? You can’t go to Africa and not get some lion action.”

“ No .” Both Aric and Misha growled at once.

“We’re not asking for your permission or advice,” Anara snapped at them. “This is the plan whether you wish it so or not.”

Makawee placed her hand on Aric’s shoulder as he continued to growl. “Tye has been chosen based on his fighting abilities and his many talents. He is among our most valued Alliance members and will no doubt be a tremendous asset to Celia.”

Misha’s blatant disapproval swept into the room like a breeze—a really annoyed, possibly menopausal breeze. “I insist on accompanying Celia.”

Uri adjusted his ridiculous opera cape without bothering to acknowledge him. “No,” he said simply.

“Then one of my family, Grandmaster.”

I now pictured myself hiking across the plains of Africa with Catholic schoolgirls in tow. It wasn’t a pretty picture. Neither was the way Misha continued to argue with Uri.

Uri’s stare softened, to my relief. Misha’s actions could have been interpreted as a challenge. I considered the extent of Uri’s power. Whether he had a soul or not, I wasn’t positive Misha could take him. Uri grasped Misha’s shoulders. “My son, no vampires shall accompany Celia on her journey. Many days may pass without any human contact. I will not risk one of us acquiring bloodlust, nor can I allow those on the expedition to be used as food. That is my final order.”

Aric glowered at Tye with enough resentment to burn. “Celia cannot go with just Danny and . . . him. We don’t know what she’ll face and her safety is of tremendous importance.”

Anara locked eyes with him. “Celia is welcome to bring any additional Alliance members she wishes— except you .”

Taran tossed her hair back. “She doesn’t need Alliance members. She has her sisters. We’ll go with her.”

Their wolves tensed. Koda and Gemini appeared on the verge of changing . The muscles in their faces twitched, but both managed to keep their control. I started to object, only to have Makawee interrupt with her soft, reassuring voice. “Taran, I deeply admire your love for your sister and ask your forgiveness for the request I am to make of you.” Taran relaxed her stance—whether to be respectful or from surprise, I wasn’t sure. I only knew Makawee appeared to appreciate her less defiant posture as she continued. “I wish to ask you to join Aric and his Warriors on their mission to Chaitén. We have learned that one of the Tribesmen guarding the sacred stone is an extremely powerful witch. While our Warriors are gifted in many ways, sorcery eludes them, and so does the fire. The demon wields flame as a weapon. I fear we need a fire wielder of our own to assist them. You would be a tremendous advantage, and I have no doubt that, with Gemini as your mate, you will be kept from harm.”