Mortiswood: Kaelia Awakening (Mortiswood Tales) Read online

  ‘It must be the Dybbuk we tried to kill. It must have waited for the right time to steal my grandmother’s body!’ Kaelia was too shocked to cry. ‘But I can normally see the person whose body the Dybbuk is using. Why can’t I see my grandmother’s spirit?’

  Bran squeezed her hand, enjoying the buzz. ‘Your grandmother’s spirit has been cast out from her body. The Dybbuk weakened her and tore her out before she knew what was happening. We must kill it before it takes you, Kaelia. After all, it’s you it came for.’

  ‘I won’t let it take her!’ Calix picked the gun back up.

  ‘You can’t stop it!’ Bran laughed deeply. ‘You can’t kill a Dybbuk by shooting it. You’ll only damage the human body it’s possessing.’

  Undeterred, Calix fired the gun. The force jarred his shoulder and he stumbled backwards. The bullet blasted a hole through Cassie’s shoulder but slowly and steadily the Dybbuk moved the wrecked body forward.

  ‘Now!’ Bran shouted, interlacing his fingers with Kaelia’s and directing the union towards the Dybbuk. Shots of vivid purple light pumped from the joining of their hands, each bolt knocking the Dybbuk further back until the immobile body crashed onto the blood-stained bed.

  ‘Is it defeated?’ Calix’s arm hurt as he raised the gun again.

  ‘It was too easy.’ Bran held onto Kaelia’s hand, the power between them lowering to a simmer.

  ‘What do you mean?’ Kaelia struggled to ignore the frissons of electricity shooting up from the contact of Bran’s skin against hers. The feeling of power she had experienced when they had touched in the forest had returned stronger this time, intoxicating her.

  Bran anxiously surveyed the room, coal-eyes roving from the floor, up the walls and across the ceiling. ‘It’s still here. I can smell it.’

  The wolf growled and edged closer to Kaelia, pressing its weight against her legs.

  ‘How do you know?’ Suspicion knitted Calix’s blond eyebrows together. ‘Who are you?’

  ‘Bran.’ Bran pulled Kaelia closer, causing her to crash against his chest. ‘There!’

  From the pool of blood on the floor beside the bed, bubbles appeared. Rapidly, the bubbles grew in number and began to form the shape of feet and ankles.

  ‘Do it now!’ Bran pointed his and Kaelia’s hands at the bubbling blood.

  ‘What is it?’ Kaelia recoiled, inadvertently pressing closer to Bran.

  Being a pro at controlling his powers, Bran didn’t need to concentrate as hard as Kaelia did on emitting his light, instead he studied her face. His gaze flicked to Calix and his eyes narrowed. He noticed the Vallesm watching him and quickly refocused his attention. His and Kaelia’s combined light forced the blood bubbles down until just a small puddle of gloop remained.

  ‘Is it gone?’ Kaelia’s voice brought Bran’s thoughts back to the matter in hand.

  ‘Yes.’ Begrudgingly, Bran released Kaelia’s hand.

  Kaelia swayed forward, her body immediately missing the connection with Bran, acutely reminding her how addictive the power-surge was.

  ‘I’ve got you.’ Bran swooped in on the opportunity to support her.

  The Vallesm growled. Calix wove in from behind Bran, and snapped, ‘I’ll take her.’

  Bran held his hands up in a conciliatory gesture, concealing his annoyance behind a smile.

  Calix smoothed Kaelia’s hair from her sweat-beaded forehead. ‘You okay?’

  Kaelia closed her eyes briefly. ‘No. My grandmother’s dead, her spirit sent to I don’t know where!’ Her bottom lip wobbled, she bit it to steady it.

  Calix hugged her, making soothing noises.

  ‘Can you bring her back?’ Kaelia’s moist eyes turned to Bran.

  Bran shook his head. ‘She’s gone, Kaelia. Her spirit is lost, no doubt stolen. I can reanimate the body but that’s all it would be - an empty reanimation.’

  Calix snorted. ‘Great, a zombie, fat lot of good that is.’ Something whirred in his memory. ‘I know who you are!’

  Bran’s left eye twitched, puckering his scar. A shadow darkened his features before he composed himself. ‘Do you?’

  ‘Bran,’ Calix said slowly, enunciating clearly. ‘You’re the necromancer even The Salloki are fearful of. You’re The Dark One! I’ve heard all about you. You’re the most powerful of all necromancers but you won’t pledge your allegiance to The Salloki or to anyone. I was told about you when I was a child. We were warned never to speak to you.’

  Bran dipped his head. ‘I’m strangely flattered people still speak of me.’

  Kaelia grasped Bran’s hands, the expected kindling of energy immediately sparking with the contact. ‘Can you find my grandmother’s spirit and help her move on to where she should be?’

  Bran closed his eyes in a moment of bliss, enjoying the prickles of electricity whizzing inside him. ‘Yes,’ he answered honestly.

  Kaelia’s heart lifted, not noticing the fall of Calix’s face or how the Vallesm moaned before hanging its giant head, the light in its amber eyes dimming. ‘How will you find her spirit?’ she asked.

  Bran reluctantly removed his hand from Kaelia’s grasp and drew to his full, imposing height, chest puffing out a fraction.

  Calix surveyed the pair’s interaction with apprehension. Bran had mastered the knack of absorbing all detail around him; he didn’t need to use his eyes to know Calix’s face was saturated with mistrust.

  ‘We must travel to Niflheim and into Hel’s realm,’ Bran said. ‘She will be the one holding your grandmother’s spirit.’

  A cold shiver licked Calix’s spine. ‘Hang on, how do you know?’

  ‘You don’t have to come, Calix,’ Kaelia replied gently. ‘But I must go.’

  ‘He can’t venture into Niflheim,’ Bran cut in. ‘He doesn’t wield any power. As to how I know, well ...who else has the capability to capture a spirit and keep it? The Salloki? No, their leader can only turn spirits into Draugar, not imprison them. The Salloki would need Hel’s help for that. You don’t have to believe me.’ Bran looked at Kaelia. ‘I’m only trying to help, I gain nothing if I help you.’

  ‘You could be lying,’ Calix snapped.

  ‘Are you willing to risk not believing me?’ Bran countered. ‘To condemn Kaelia’s grandmother’s spirit to an eternity spent as a prisoner?’

  ‘I still don’t trust you,’ Calix snarled.

  The wolf whined, padding heavily to Kaelia, it pushed its giant muzzle against her legs.

  ‘I may not have powers but for once I think you should listen to the Vallesm.’ Calix smiled wryly. ‘I reckon it thinks it’s a bad idea.’

  The wolf’s fur was soft against Kaelia’s fingers. ‘What’s so bad about Niflheim?’

  Calix pursed his mouth. ‘It’s not Niflheim worrying me, it’s Hel herself. She’s a goddess worshipped by The Salloki.’

  ‘There is no question of me not going to Hel. Maybe my mum is there too,’ Kaelia said.

  Bran looked quizzical. ‘You really don’t know anything about The Salloki, do you?’ He turned to Calix. ‘Didn’t you or her grandmother tell her?’

  Calix dropped his gaze to the floor. He mumbled, ‘Cassie wanted to protect to her.’

  ‘By not telling her anything?’ Bran’s voice was suddenly sharp. ‘The Salloki worship one of the greatest Norse gods, Loki. Hel is his daughter but more importantly, the leader of The Salloki, Thom, was one of Hel’s mortal lovers before his death and rebirth as a Draugr.’

  ‘The Salloki want me to pledge allegiance with them,’ Kaelia’s voice broke. ‘So that’s why my grandmother’s spirit has been taken to Hel’s realm. The Salloki know I’ll want to find her. It’s a trap!’

  Calix nodded maniacally. ‘Then stay here!’

  ‘I won’t give up just because I’m afraid.’ Kaelia lifted her chin. ‘Bran, will you show me the way to Niflheim and into Hel’s realm?’

  Bran lifted his own, square jaw, his dark eyes shining from within his pale face, illuminating the rough scar. ‘I will.’
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  The wolf howled and Calix clenched his fists so hard the bones threatened to break the skin.

  Kaelia nodded. ‘And you’ll help me if The Salloki find me there?’

  Bran raised his left palm, a soft violet glow emanating from its centre. ‘I promise.’

  Kaelia lifted her own left hand, a blue-white glow emanating from its centre, and pressed it against Bran’s palm. The glow merged into an iridescent smoke which coiled thin tentacles around their hands, weaving in and out of their fingers.

  ‘It’s a sealed promise,’ Bran said. ‘But first you must learn to harness your powers properly and the place to do that is Mortiswood.’

  ‘Mortiswood?’ Kaelia asked, remembering how she had first met the Vallesm there. ‘But it’s merely a forest.’

  Bran tut-tutted. ‘You really don’t know anything. There’s an academy in the heart of Mortiswood run by Harriet Barton. She’ll be able to help you.’ He briskly rubbed his hands together. ‘I can’t join you there but when you’re done with your training, I’ll find you and take you to Niflheim. And you, if you want to tag along for part of the way.’ He cast a glance in Calix’s direction.

  ‘Will you come?’ Kaelia turned her eyes to Calix, who was standing stiffly by, watching them. ‘To Mortiswood and as close to Niflheim as you can?’

  Calix frowned, a niggle beginning to hurt his head. ‘I wouldn’t miss it for the world.’

  * * *

  Six

  Three Months ago ~ Leaving Perriwinkle Cottage for Mortiswood

  Kaelia and Calix packed their belongings at first light on a morning two long months after Bran had departed. Cassie’s body had finally been laid to rest following an intensive investigation and post-mortem. The authorities, after failing to agree on a logical explanation for the grotesque corpse, had released Cassie’s body for cremation eight weeks after her death. Kaelia couldn’t bear to bury the body in the local church without first burning the remains. The twisted limbs were not who her grandmother had been. The cremation on the main land had been a small affair with only Kaelia and Calix in attendance. The crematorium had arranged for the ashes to be sent back to the Isle of Stone’s church to be laid to rest.

  Father Peter had begged Calix to persuade Kaelia to allow him to pay respects to Cassie’s body but Kaelia had been adamant no-one else needed to see the horror of what had happened to her grandmother. In the end, the Father had accepted Kaelia’s wishes and settled for being responsible for interring Cassie’s ashes. Calix had dealt with it all; Kaelia could not erect a facade of capable strength. It was difficult. She had found a grandmother and now lost her. Pain was raw and she only trusted Calix, and the Vallesm, not to emotionally scrape at her further.

  Kaelia packed the most important items: the small book of Vanadis, her grandmother’s amber amulet, and a backpack stuffed with a change of clothes. The key was stiff in the lock as she bid Perriwinkle Cottage goodbye, then it stuck in the lock and she sensed the cottage didn’t want to let her go. She knew it would be there waiting for her when she was able to return. Correction, if she was able to return. The thought frightened her.

  ‘Are you sure we’re doing the right thing?’ Calix, leaning against his car, knew how frightened Kaelia was. He was terrified too.

  ‘We won’t know unless we try.’ Tears pricked Kaelia’s eyelids. Damn it, when would she learn to control them? ‘I have to find my grandmother’s spirit and my mum. What if my mum’s still alive, waiting for me to rescue her?’ She roughly brushed a rogue tear away, determined not to cry. She had to be strong.

  Calix nodded slowly. ‘I understand and I promise to help you as much as I can.’

  The Vallesm walked in Kaelia’s shadow as she joined Calix beside his car. She thought of how Calix had been a wonderful pillar of support in helping deal with the aftermath of Cassie’s death. Together they had practised, Calix his physician skills with herbal potions, Kaelia with learning how to summon her light power at will.

  ‘Thank you for everything.’ Kaelia touched Calix’s arm.

  He smiled gently at her; they had grown close over the time spent together. Now they were able to leave for Mortiswood to find the woman, Harriet Barton, of whom Bran had spoken.

  ‘There’s no need to thank me,’ Calix replied. ‘For me there was never any choice. If The Chosen One lived within my lifetime, I would aid. The Salloki must not be allowed to reign. I will follow you to the ends of the earth, Kaelia.’

  Tears of happiness flooded Kaelia’s eyes. ‘You are a truly wonderful friend.’ Sadness swept over her, washing away her smile.

  ‘What’s wrong? We will return.’

  Kaelia shook her head. ‘It’s not that,’ her voice broke, ‘I was thinking of another dear friend.’

  ‘Bay.’ Calix nodded understandingly, having been told about Bay by Kaelia.

  Kaelia bit her trembling bottom lip to steady it. ‘It is for him I do this too. Let’s go.’ She briskly clapped her hands.

  Calix held the passenger car door open for Kaelia. ‘We’ll be in Mortiswood by nightfall.’

  ‘You drive the car. I’m taking the bike.’

  ‘I knew it was a mistake teaching you to ride a motorbike. You ride like a demon!’

  Kaelia hugged him briefly. ‘Stop being a worrywart.’

  ‘Promise me you’ll be careful.’ Calix glanced warily at the Vallesm standing a small distance away, its amber eyes fixated on him. ‘I’ll never get used to the Vallesm. I swear it hates me.’

  ‘You’re wrong. He hasn’t bitten you yet so he doesn’t hate you!’ Kaelia deftly plaited the fiery curls of her hair, unhooked the motorbike helmet from the machine’s handlebars, and thrust it on her head.

  Calix made a disbelieving noise. ‘Do I have to put the back seats down so it can travel in the car with me?’

  In answer, the wolf lifted its grey-furred head and howled before dashing off in the direction they needed to take.

  ‘It knows the way.’ Calix wondered why he was surprised. ‘Is there anything the creature can’t do?’

  ‘You’re not jealous of the Vallesm, are you?’ Kaelia kick-started the motorbike into life. ‘Come on, I’ll race you to Mortiswood.’ She took off in a cloud of dust, dirt spraying up behind her.

  * * *

  Kaelia pulled into the car park at the far end of Mortiswood, noting with relief the only other vehicle was an empty, dusty four-by-four. Tall trees cast shadows, chilling the air. A thin layer of gravel scrunched under the motorbike’s tyres, pushing the sharp stones into the soggy ground beneath. She eased the helmet from her head and hitched her rucksack over her shoulder, withdrawing the small book of Vanadis. Opening its pages, she ran a palm across the blankness.

  ‘Please help me, Vanadis, I need to find the academy hidden in these woods. Guide me.’

  More scrunching of gravel signalled the arrival of Calix in the car but Kaelia kept her eyes firmly on the book.

  ‘Awaiting divine instruction?’ Calix mused as he approached.

  Kaelia nodded. ‘It’s not appearing. This is one temperamental goddess. Do you know where the academy is?’

  Calix shook his head. ‘This is the first time I’ve been to this neck of the woods, so to speak.’ He looked around. ‘Where’s your pet? Did we beat it?’

  Bracken at the edge of the parking area rustled and the Vallesm slunk into view, its fur damp from the moisture of the shady woods. It loped to Kaelia and lowered its head, pressing it against Kaelia’s hand before turning around and staring at her over its shoulder.

  ‘I think he knows the way.’ Kaelia eased the motorbike helmet back on.

  Calix snorted disbelievingly. ‘I don’t think it understands, Kaelia. It’s a Vallesm and they understand simple instructions like a domestic dog You should know that by now.’

  ‘Curb your green-eyed monster.’ Kaelia started the motorbike. ‘Are you coming or not?’

  Calix ran back to the car and pulled his bag out, slinging its strap over one shoulder, he reached
onto the back seat for the spare cycle helmet. Roughly, he forced it on, flattening his pale blond hair. He clambered onto the back of the machine and wrapped his fingers around the small bar above the rear of the seat. Pillion passenger wasn’t really his favoured choice of transport.

  Kaelia hesitantly edged the motorbike through a tiny break between the trees. Branches scraped at the machine, scratching it and her jacket, whipping from her into Calix. Daylight grew fainter as the wolf led them further into the heart of Mortiswood.

  A sudden image flashed before her eyes and Kaelia could clearly see the way ahead through the shadows. Her sight sped ahead of her at an alarming pace, enabling her a peek into what lay before them. It took a few minutes for her brain to realise the unexpected upgrade of vision, once it did, Kaelia spurred the motorbike into full throttle. She pushed the machine hard after the wolf, which, although a little surprised, picked up its pace and whipped easily through the trees, fluffy tail billowing. Holding on tightly, Calix wanted to cross his fingers for good luck. Terrified to even peel a single finger from the bar, he closed his eyes and for the umpteenth time since he’d met Kaelia, wished he had powers of his own.

  * * *

  The Vallesm stopped in a small clearing. Sunlight struggled through the gaps in the dense foliage of the trees, palely illuminating a circle of grass and a faint spattering of daisies. The motorbike’s wheels tore into the soft ground as Kaelia screeched it to a halt, the back end twisting around. On the pillion, Calix finally dared to open his eyes.

  ‘There’s nothing here!’ Kaelia lifted the helmet from her head and shook her hair out.

  Calix’s legs, weakened by the thrill of the ride, buckled as he climbed off the motorbike. ‘The wolf’s sense of direction leaves a lot to be desired,’ he remarked.

  The Vallesm paced the circle of light, its nose lowered to the floor, sniffing loudly. It stopped; snout pressed hard against a particular spot then it lifted its head and expelled a lengthy howl.