Dragon 3 Chapter 6 (Patreon)

Morgana pulled back her frock for H to work at the wound better. “It started back in the seventeenth century, when my clan and others, including her, were pushed out of the alps.” She frowned as H cleaned the wound.

“Elven magic and our longevity are tied to our root trees, so when we were pushed out, we all moved or hid our trees. The only reason I was spared from battle and wasn’t slaughtered like the rest of my tribe was because I was moving our root tree. An army of templars augmented with cherubs decimated my tribe.”

I held up a hand for her to pause. “Cherubs? Like cupid?”

“No.” H frowned, staring at me for a moment before looking up at Morgana. “Is he stupid?”

“He’s a lost one.” Morgana explained, laughing lightly. “I was his ward.”

H’s mouth made a big ‘O’. I had a feeling the pieces of the puzzle were starting to fall into place for her.

She looked back at me, this time looking more patient. “Cherubs are the rank and file from the celestial plane. They are pretty much human, with two little dinky wings on their backs.” She flapped her hands for emphasis.

“They are still far stronger than a human and have a tiny bit of celestial magic. Think of them more like the strength of a werewolf.” Morgana was less amused. “The church had a stronghold in Western Europe and pushed east. They tore through Switzerland, pushing everyone east. I fled with my clan’s tree. We all did what we had to do…” She looked at H with sympathy.

“What my father did was his own doing, but yes, thanks to him, I survived, and so did many others. Not that they rewarded him for it.” H looked like she wanted nothing to do with whatever T had done to anger everybody.

Whatever it was, would have to remain a mystery for now as Morgana continued her story.

Morgana focused back on me. “The church didn’t go unopposed. Southeastern Europe was still very wild and had been a hotbed for some of the larger groups of paranormals, mainly werewolves and vampires. Cherubs coming en masse was exactly what they needed to unite all the fractured, warring groups together around a common enemy.”

“That’s what happened to you?” I asked, knowing she was turned around that time in history.

“Vampires didn’t really ask if you wanted to help. They just turned everyone they could find. Their army also benefited. The vampire that turned a person could control them to an extent.” Morgana’s lips twitched and a ghost of a smile flitted across her face. “The vapid bitch that turned me is no longer alive.”

“What happened to your tree?” I asked.

She hung her head slightly, exhaustion showing on her face. “At the time, I hid it in Austria before I ran into the vampires. So I got vamped, thrown in with their rank and file, and told humans were the enemy. Then I was a part of the war itself. Most of it was a big slaughter, focused between Vienna, Budapest and Zagreb.”

“Your tree was behind enemy lines, wasn’t it?” I realized if that’s where the battle was, most of Austria would have been in the hands of the church.

“Precisely. The war continued on, and my spatial magic came to life. Getting vamped fucks up a lot of things, apparently; people think that’s what changed my magic.” She winked, and I realized it wasn’t exactly true. “But with my newfound magic, fueled quite literally by the blood of my enemies, I became a larger part of the war. I began taking on missions that brought me deeper and deeper into enemy lines.”

“It was brutal; I killed tens of thousands. With how I could move in and out of battle quickly and without notice, I was often given assassinations or gruesome tasks by my sire, like burning down a fort with people trapped inside.” I could see the guilt play out on Morgana’s face as she spoke.

“One day, I was technically following orders, but once I’d completed the task, she’d forgotten to order me to return immediately. So I went to check on my root tree.” She paused, shaking her head in disbelief. “At the base of the Austrian alps, the templars set up a rear operating base where they were running a large project. They were connecting to the celestial plane to bring through cherubs, and they hoped, higher-level celestials.”

I checked to see if H was surprised at all, but by the bored look on her face, she must have already heard all of this. “Your root tree was in the middle of that, wasn’t it?”

“Yep. There it was, soaking in holy water fresh from the celestial plane. And they had no idea. It has a millennia's worth of enchantments on it. But our root trees shape our magic, so mine being part of this project of theirs connecting to the celestial plane had changed my magic.”

“So your magic has nothing to do with your change to a vampire?”

Morgana shrugged but then regretted it as she winced, earning an angry look from H, who was rebandaging her.

“I don’t actually know.” She admitted. “But the spatial magic I have is very certainly an aspect of celestial magic. Not a whole lot is known about the higher angels, since they rarely are able to come to earth. But in my brief stent in the celestial plane, I witnessed them use magic similar to my own.”

Leaning back, I let what I knew catch up with what she’d told me so far. Morgana’s tree was soaking up holy water and connected to the celestial place, changing her magic and her elven nature. It was almost like she’d become some sort of celestial elf.

But she hid it, pretending it was all because she’d been turned into vampires. Nobody challenged it, because there weren’t any other examples.

I realized the story wasn’t finished. Knowing Morgana, I knew exactly what was going to come next. I ran my hand over my face. “You stormed into heaven, didn’t you?”

She grinned wide enough to show her fangs. “You bet I did. Drank lots and lots of angel blood. It was great while I was up there, snacking on them for days. I was burning through my magic as fast as I could recover, but I was surviving celestial magic they were throwing at me even though that killed most vampires on contact. I even took out a big player and stopped their operation. All in all, it was pretty successful.”

I knew there was going to be a ‘but’ to this story.

Sure enough, she continued. “The trouble started when I escaped back to earth. I’d been poisoned by celestial magic. And that became a problem when I didn’t have the constant infusion of angel blood.” She pointed at the blisters that H was wrapping. “Best thing I could do was hold back my magic and…” Morgana paused, biting her lip and debating if she should tell me the next bit.

“Whatever it is, it isn’t going to change my mind about you.” I pushed her.

Morgana hung her head slightly. “Cherubs aren’t that uncommon now. I hunt them and H here helps me make champagne from their blood. The low grade angel blood helps keep this at bay.”

But staring at the blisters covering her body, it was clear something was wrong. “Are you out?” I stood, ready to go find some cherubs, but H motioned for me to sit back down, giggling.

“We have barrels of the stuff.” H stated. “But it isn’t helping.”

Morgana sighed. “I think I pushed myself too far with Nat’alet.”

“Okay, so that’s not working. What’s plan B?” I was here to help her however I could. She’d helped me when I had needed it, and I cared for her. My feelings for her had only grown in the several days apart.

And while I still wanted to wring her neck for running out on me, I needed her to be healthy first. Soon I’d wrestle her to the ground and pin her into a bed.

“Before you so rudely tore my robes, I was planning to see if I couldn’t get to my root tree. It’s the right time of year to give to it and have it give back to me. The ceremony can have great healing properties.”

H nodded. “Tredelas has been known to heal the blind, restore limbs and even correct brain damage.”

I patted my knees as I stood up. “Then what are we waiting for? Jade, Scar and Kelly are here with me. We’ll wrangle something up and get you to your tree.”

“It’s in the middle of a templar headquarters.” Morgana reminded me.

“We’ll get you to the middle of the damn church itself if we have to.” I growled back.

She pointed to herself. “I’m not exactly going to be much help. It’s best if I do this one quietly on my own.”

I crouched down and put my face right in front of hers. “You’ll go nowhere without me. I’m your partner.” I glared at her. But weak as she might be, Morgana wasn’t one to cower. She just raised an eyebrow at me, daring me to try to take her down.

H giggled uncontrollably. “I like him. No one else would dare speak to the famed Morgana like that.”

“Yeah, he’s something special.” Morgana said it dryly, but there was a twinkle in her eye as she looked at me. “But that doesn’t mean you can take on the templars like that. You are already going to have enough trouble.”

“Not your call, Morgy.” Her face when I used the nickname was priceless, so I decided to add to it. Leaning down, I kissed her forehead, her face becoming fully stupefied. “Regardless of if I’m there or not, them coming after you means I’m at war with them. So I might as well back you up.”

Morgana’s face went through several expressions as she thought through what to do next. I could see her playing out all her options, but she knew how stubborn I could be. And while we hadn’t discussed it, she had to know I cared for her.

“There’s confidence and then there’s stupidity.” H scoffed.

“He’s young, but he’s tough.” Morgana corrected H. “You haven’t seen him fight a god. With a few decades of training, he could be a major player in the global game. He’s also married into the Scalewrights.”

H gave me a new, appraising look. “Doesn’t mean he can do much right now.”

I stood to give H a taste of what I could do, but Morgana jumped in. “Fine.” She spat it out like it was admitting she’d lost a sparring session. “We need to get transportation, and I run this mission. You do as I say. The templars aren’t all like Jared; he’s practically just an honorary templar because of his sister.”

I raised a brow at that.

“Nephilim.” Morgana grimaced. “Another one of the ways that they are trying to bring celestials down to earth.”

“Doesn’t that mean Jared is—”

“Half sister.” Morgana corrected herself.

“Give me the robe while you go.” H said. “I’ll fix it up and get the blood out of it.”

Morgana kissed H’s hand. “Thanks. Don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Most likely die.” H’s tone was like a blunt hammer to the face.

“What happened to the cheery barmaid?” I teased her.

H stood, wiping her blood covered hands on her gown and gathered up some of the scattered supplies.

Morgana propped herself up, working herself to a standing position. Then she slipped the gown off right in front of me.

She stood there in just her bra and panties. Normally, I would have been checking her out, but I could only focus on the wounds and bandages scattered across her body. The beast in me desperately wanted to destroy what was hurting her, but it was more complicated than that.

She fished out a pair of leather pants and a dark leather jacket to wear.

“No corset?” I joked.

“Rubs the bandages.” She said seriously, pulling her hair back and pushing me out the door.

I pulled the earpiece from my pocket and put it in my ear. “Did you get all of that, Scar? Come pick us up. Apparently, we need a ride to Austria.”

Morgana yanked the earpiece out of my ear, placing it in hers. “No, you need to get me to 493 Gaxlix drive. We’ll pick up a car there.”

I thought it would be a moment, but apparently Scarlett had tracked us as we’d moved because her car quickly whipped around the corner.

Her tires screeched to a stop in front of us and the back door popped open with Jadelyn waiting. “Get in.” She seemed excited to be part of the action.

I grabbed Morgana and picked her up, bringing her into the car.

“I’m not made of glass, you know.” She crossed her arms, but she also didn’t try to escape my arms. We both knew she’d just get injured if she flailed about.

“You ran from me once; fat chance I’m letting you do that again.”

“Blue bitch.” Kelly popped over the back of my seat by way of greeting.

“Fur Ball.” Morgana glared back. “What are you doing here?”

Kelly stuck her nose up. “Didn’t you hear? I beat you to his harem.”

“She’s just trying to rile you up.” Jadelyn played peace maker, putting her arm on Morgana and pushing Kelly back into the back seat. “I’m so sorry to hear what you’ve been going through. But you should have stayed, not ran.”

To my surprise, Morgana didn’t fight Jadelyn on that, she just stayed quiet, listening. Her lips were pursed, but she was just taking it. I realized she was letting them clear the air.

Scarlett spoke from up front. “Never run from a dragon, Morgana. it only makes things worse.”

“Well, if it makes you feel better, I’m not in much shape to run now. And it made a lot more sense for me to try and break into a templar base on my own. It still does, and I stand by that.” Morgana argued.

“Dressed as a nun.” I supplied for the rest of the group.

Kelly covered her mouth, but it did little to smother the snort.

“Well, we’ll just have to figure this one out as a group now. Where are we headed now?” Jadelyn asked.

Morgana pointed down the street. “That auto body shop. He’s the guy who outfits all of my custom cars.”

“Like the van?” I asked, thinking back to the armor plated minivan that was more akin to a tank. Morgana had once said it was the most expensive car in her garage.

It drove like a sports car and had deflected more than its fair share of bullets.

“Yeah, Marco is the best in the business. But he’s also flighty, so let me go in alone.” Morgana sat up from my arms and opened the door to the SUV.

I hopped out right after her.

She almost argued, but instead just sighed. “Don’t get used to getting your way. I may not be able to fight you now, but I will sure as shit remind you who’s the better fighter later.”

I just smiled and followed her, satisfied that she wasn’t leaving my sight.

The sound of drills and clinking of wrenches filled the shop. Half a dozen goblins were moving around, working on three cars up on lifts. But the lifts only needed to be up a few feet.

In general, it seemed like any ordinary car repair shop.

One of the goblins noticed us and went and nudged another that was head-deep under a car.

A green grinning face popped out, covered in grease streaks. “Morgana!” He shouted with a flare. “My favorite customer. What are you doing in town? Back to your old street racing days? I have a new one in the works. You’ll love it.”

He was already grabbing a set of keys from the back wall.

“Marco, I’m not here for that.”

“Street racing?” I asked, suddenly feeling like her driving was making much more sense.

But the moment I spoke, Marco froze like a deer in headlights and narrowed his eyes as he lowered his shoulders and stepped back. “Who is this?” He took a few more steps backwards, getting closer to the other goblins.

“My partner.” Morgana said, quickly showing her palms in a sign of non-aggression.

The other five goblins had stopped what they were doing, moving alongside him. They congregated like a pack with their hackles up.

“I don’t like the looks of him.” Marco said, stepping to the side and starting to circle me.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I stared right back. “You have a problem with me being here?”

Morgana snapped her fingers in Marco’s face. “Snap out of it. I want a car.”

“This is all I’ve got, and it’s pricey.” He dangled the keys out for her, still keeping his eyes locked on me.

“Fine.” Morgana took the keys, pressing the button. Lights flashed under a blue tarp as the car chirped.

She tore off the tarp, revealing a car that had a custom paint job. Dark black paint bled into a streak of neon green flames by the back of it. It looked like it had come right off the set of a car racing movie. It was even complete with a little back fin and neon undercarriage lights.

“It’s got a V14 engine in there; built it myself. Thing only takes ultra premium gas though. It’ll go from zero to sixty in one and a half seconds. I even rigged it with something a little special.” Marco gave a little chef’s kiss as he walked up and opened the driver's side door.

Talking about the car he’d come to life and ignored me once again.

“Fully enchanted exterior. Cops won’t get a radar on you, and the paint will never chip.” He slid his hands along the doorframe, as if he was about to make love to it.

“All leather interior and this… this is the real prize.” He pointed to a clear canister full of blue liquid just under the radio. “Mana charged. It’s only got one go though, maybe two if you’re careful.”

I started to ask what that did, but Morgana put a finger to her lips.

I nodded. Best not to spook him again. He seemed to have forgotten about me in his love for that car.

“I need something with a little more durability to it, Marco.” Morgana said, though her eyes lingered on the canister.

“It’s all I’ve got toots. Business isn’t what it used to be. I don’t sit on half a dozen ready cars anymore.” Marco shrugged casually. But he was still a salesman. “It’ll block small arms fire with that enchantment to prevent paint chipping.”

I had to wonder if Scarlett had something better. She had more mainstream equipment, and probably more legal enchantments, but they might still do better than the racing car.

I looked around. Something about Marco’s shop made me feel like it wasn’t all entirely legal.

“Fine. Bill me.” Morgana snatched the keys from him and slid into the car.

I had to run around to the side as the engine revved. I did not trust her not to drive off and leave me in the dust.

The second my door was closed, she gunned it. The wheels spun out as she turned ninety degrees, barely clearing the shop door.

Marco was grinning ear to ear as she tore out of his shop, as if it was exactly what the car was meant for.

“Where to?” Morgana asked.

“Jadelyn’s place. We can get some gear there.” I knew Morgana would want to go in armed to the teeth.

“Good. Give me directions.” She punched the gas, and the car lurched forward. I looked back, seeing Scar’s SUV sliding into place behind us.

I was glad she’d know where we were going, because Morgana was hard to keep up with. Eventually they fell behind, and we beat them to Jadelyn’s place.

While we drove, I inspected the little canister. It seemed to have a little line that ran up to a big red button behind the turn signal.

“Don’t touch that. Not in the city, or even outside of it. Why the hell Marco would put that in this car, I’ll never know.” Morgana stopped the car just shy of Jadelyn’s place. I noticed the guards were more alert than before, not quite sure what to do with us.

I waved out the side with a smile, hoping they remembered me.

The first frowned, but the second nudged him and whispered something. They both relaxed and opened the gate to Jadelyn’s mansion, the big SUV pulling up behind us as the gates fully opened.