The Viking Alpha

War

(Cassi POV)

'Alright. Are you ready?'
'Yes.' Cassi took a deep breath and what felt like the millionth time she hovered her hand over the wilted plant.
'Just breathe and feel the pressure build.'
The small flicker glow came from her fingertips. The heat flowing from her skin.
The orchid raised slightly before dropping. Cassi dropped her hand with a pant.
'I can't do it!'
'Yes you can. It just takes practice.' Ezri soothed.
They were sitting in front of flower beds in the backyard. Ezri was patiently trying to teach how to harness nature. Something simple, she said.
Cassi scoffed mentally.
If bringing back an almost dead flower with a touch was supposed to be easy Cassi would hate to see the hard lesson.
'Besides,' She continued. 'Your baby is also using up some of your magic too. But he gives back as well. I can feel it. It is just too bad he is not giving as much as taking.'
'What do you mean?'
Ezri smiled softly while sitting back on her folded legs. Stroking Humphrey who was dozing in the sun beside them.
'He feeds off your magic. But he also gives you some of his growing powers to nurture you too. Think of it like recycling.'
Cassi put a hand on her slight baby bump.
'My magic feeds him and in return he feeds me.'
'Exactly.'
'So simple but yet complicated.'
Ezri chuckled.
'What?'
Ezri laughed again. 'Humphrey suggests you try eating fish. Brain food, he says.'
'Is that what he said?' Cassi chuckled and stroked Humphrey's soft plump belly. He rolled over on his back and purred.
'Why don't I go make some tea for us and milk for him? Be right back.'
Ezri stood and went in the back door.
Stroking Humphrey's stomach and her stomach.
'Two mischievous creatures you two are.'
Looking down she addressed her unborn baby.
'Hey Sam. Do you think you could do mama a favor? Take it easy in there? Maybe be mama's little helper and give me a heads up if you need a little boost? I'm sure Grandpa Lucas or Auntie Ezri can help. What do you think, huh?'
A flash suddenly appeared in her head.
James embracing her. She pulled back his eyes flicked from green then turned black as coal.
It ended and she was left feeling dread.
'What the hell?' Looking down at her hand still cupping her belly she asked,
'Are you trying to tell me something?' She whispered to her baby.
'Do you miss your daddy? Is that it? We'll see him soon. Don't worry. He's coming back tonight to be with us. Now let's see if we can make this flower pretty again.'
Stretching her hand out, she took in a deep breath and pictured it coming to life. Her fingers glowed and then the flower slowly lifted again before standing up and blooming.
'Good job, buddy. Thank you.'
'You did it.' Ezri was leaning over the back porch railing with the tea tray.
'We did it. Turns out my little man can hear me and wants to help.'
'Good. Now come reward him with some honey cakes and tea.'
Standing she brushed the dirt off her shorts and walked over to the small wicker table.
'I think he misses James.'
Ezri laid a small bowl of milk on the ground for Humphrey.
'Well of course he does. I see him being a daddy's boy alright.'
Cassi paused in stirring the sugar in her tea.
'What do you mean? Do you actually see him and James?'
Ezri shrugged. 'Just bits and pieces. I'm adjusting too. At least my powers are. Being here in the human world seems to have thrown them off a little bit. But I still can get sneak peeks now and again. Unlike you I can't conjure on command. It takes focus and spells for me usually. Once you get control and learn you'll be able to conjure and not just vision.'
'What have you seen exactly?'
Ezri shrugged again. 'You and Samuel. Running around in the forest in the fae lands. Chasing and playing together. He'll be a lot like his father. Very alpha material. Even at a young age. Always need to be in the lead. Very determined.'
'What else?'
'Lucas finding love again.'
This made her freeze all together.
'With who?'
Ezri smiled softly. 'I see them in the fae lands. It's hazy but I see her. But since Lucas is still unaware at this stage I'm afraid I can't say too much. But rest assured you'll love her. We all will. She'll just fit.'
'Thats…that's great. It's good to know he has more to look forward to.'
'Oh yes. But something tells me that the happiness I see will have to be fought for. Unfortunately it's not for free.'
'Now what's that supposed to mean?'
'Just intuition Cassi. Nothing worthwhile is ever cheap or easy.'
'What about you? What do you see for yourself?'
'Oh I get the family I always wanted. I also see myself being truly happy. All thanks to you.'
'Me?'
'Yes. You are the center of it all Cassi. You'll see.'
'What are you two ladies talking about?'
Lucas came out the screen door.
'The future.' Ezri clued him in.
'Ah. Speaking of which. How is my little grandson?'
Smiling Cassi stroked her stomach again.
'Clever.'
Lucas chuckled. 'Well that is not surprising. He is my grandchild.'
Another flash appeared.
This one showed a silver box being opened. Black smoke shooting out.
Gasping when it ended. Cassi felt like she was being blinded in every way.
'What? What is it?'
Cassi breathed deeply. Her heart was beating fast.
'I don't know. I just saw something.'
'What?' Lucas cane closer.
'A box. A silver old looking box. Symbols on it. Like the one found all over James's castle.'
'Runes?' Ezri asked.
'Yes. The box opened and I saw…smoke? Or maybe…I don't know. It was black. But I don't think it was anything good. I feel…lack of a better term. Bad. Very bad.'
Ezri and Lucas looked at eachother. As if they knew exactly what she was talking about. From the expressions on their faces Cassi was right. It was very bad
'What? What is it?'
'Only one way to find out for sure.' Lucas grabbed her hand. Closing his eyes he scanned her mind. After a few moments his eyes opened with a gasp.
'Yes. It's a spirit box.'
'A what?'
He looked at Ezri who now looked from worried to horrified.
'What is that?' Cassi asked impatiently.
'Cassandra. Long ago a box was created to contain powerful malevolent spirits. One that would not move on. Only reserved for the most dangerous and insane. If the spirits were released they'd look for the nearest host that shared the same bloodline.'
'So…?'
'Its been released. That means James is now possessed by it. It's a fate worse than death.'
Cassi shot up. 'Then we have to go! Now! Save him.'
'Wait Cassi.' Ezri's tone was gentle. 'We don't know who released it. They can be put back. But this could be a trap and since you're carrying the next generation Sam is a target if something goes wrong.'
'Okay. So you, Lucas, and I can make some sort of protection spell or potion for me. I'll drink it or cast it, which will protect Sam. Vince and Rex can get us into the kingdom. They must know a few ways to get in besides the front entrance.'
'Cassandra. We will essentially be going in there blind. We don't know who did this or how many are in on this. For someone to do it they had to be desperate or seriously pissed beyond rational thinking.'
Cassi paced away. Her mind going warp speed.
'Alright. So you guys make the spell or potion. I will…' Eyeing the stone bird bath an idea clicked. 'Cast a spell to take a look at what's going on in there. I can use a body of water as a window to look into other worlds.'
Despite the situation Lucas's grin was full of pride.
'You have been reading the books I've been leaving you.'
Cassi rolled her eyes. 'Yes. I just havent had the practice. But no time like the present. So one of you starts working. The other calls the guys and get them home. I'll see if I can see or try and conjure a vision. Move!'
Cassi whipped around and ran to the bird bath.
'Okay.' She hyped herself up. 'First um drop of blood for magic.' She looked around frantically before spotting the rose bush. Ripping one off by the stem she felt the thorns tear through her skin. Holding the rose over the bath she pulled the stem through her closed palm. Drops of crimson pelted the water.
'Okay second something from the world you seek.' She ran in the house and plucked a small rock carved into a wolf from her dresser. James gave it to her the last time he was there. He said it was a love totem for her. One he made himself from a rock from the garden of his home. Running back she dropped it.
'Third is a spell.'
She desperately begged her mind to remember the spell. By a miracle it obeyed.
'Here it goes. Um. O…ostendam…quod peto!'
The water swirled and turned dark.
Her eyes widened when she saw it. Then slowly the image of James appeared. He looked disheveled. Wild. His eyes were no longer green. But completely black. He was collared by a chain attached to the floor. His wrists and ankles shackled.
'Leave my family alone! You can not have her! Cassandra!'
A woman stepped from behind him. A whip lashed across his back bringing him down to his knees.
'Your mate is not here. But something tells me she's coming.' The woman's smirk was cruel. Her eyes suddenly moved as if she was looking at Cassandra. 'Come and get him.' She taunted before she whipped him again. James' agonized shout seemed to delight the woman. She laughed and set the whip down. Picking up a long silver sharp blade she held it in the air before bringing it down and slicing through James's achilles heels.
The water shot up in the air sending Cassi to fall back on the grass.
Tears swam in her eyes. Not sad. Angry. Beyond pissed off.
Standing up she ran into the house.
Ezri and Lucas were in the kitchen over one of her cooking pots.
'Potion is almost ready. The boys are on their way.'
'Good. You might want to make more potions. To enhance powers. I want the equivalency of a bomb. Tell the boys they need to prepare with what they need too.'
Turning she went to her room and sat on the end of her bed. Cupping her womb again she spoke to her son.
'I know I told you to take it easy earlier. But now I need you to be strong for me, Sam. Mommy is going to get your daddy. I'm sorry you have to go through this. I wish you didn't. But with your daddy and I as parents we will protect each other and you. But now I'm going to need you to bring your A-game. Can you do that?'
She felt a sudden burst of love wash over her suddenly. Mixed with a desire to protect. She was feeling that before but now it felt amplified.
'Is that you?' She asked toward her womb.
Breathing deep She remembered the woman's face. Cassi was going to get her. This woman had no idea who she was fucking with or the kind of hell she just unleashed by messing with her family.