Awakening

136

Eric was sleeping for the day, surrounded by the smell of his mate, even if she was currently on the porch, watering some of her potted plants, occasionally touching one of the dying leaves, which caused them to perk up in an instant, something that made a smile form. Her gaze turned toward the road, watching as a familiar car drove toward the large, victorian style house. She lowered the watering tin, her eyebrows furrowing slightly when Arlene and Holly stepped out of the car,

"Oh, Morgan, thank God we caught you" the redhead said, relief in her voice as she walked up the porch

"We need your help" Holly added

"After the stunt you first pulled with Marnie, I only trust two witches" Morgan replied, continuing to water her plants

"Morgan, it's Terry" Arlene said "look, I don't know if he's off his meds or if he's just gone crazy, but he thinks a woman he killed in Iraq has cursed him"

"Uh, tell her about the fire monster" Holly said

"Oh, also, he thinks a demon made of fire is hunting him" nodding slightly

"And you came to me because . .?" Morgan asked, walking past them to water her other plants

"Morgan, you and I both know that there are things in this world that are beyond explanation" Holly said, following her "and even if it isn't real, and Terry is off his meds, he still believes it's true"

"So what am I supposed to do about it?" glancing at her "you have no idea how much shit I'm dealing with right now, what do you want me to do that will just add on to it?"

"Convince him it's not true" Arlene said "you're a medium, aren't you? We'll all sit down, you try to make contact with this woman's spirit, and then you tell him she's agreed to lift the curse"

". . . Bitch, you did not just call me a fucking medium" looking at her as if she was an idiot "I am a witch, Arlene" walking toward her, causing the redhead to walk backward "the only time I ever communicate with spirits is when they want to communicate with me, and even then, the conversations are very brief" Arlene stopping when her back made contact with the banister of the porch "I am not a medium, that's Lafayette's thing. But, considering the shit he's been through, don't bother asking him if you haven't already"

"What could you possibly have on your plate that more important than helping your friends husband?" Holly asked "all you probably do is sit in this house all day and --"

"Don't make me put a bind on you" glaring at her

". . You wouldn't" shaking her head slightly

"I'm a gray, bitch" a smirk forming on her lips "I was born with my power, so fucking try me"

Holly looked at her for a moment, letting out a huff through her nose before grabbing Arlene's hand and leading her down the porch steps, Morgan watching as they climbed back in the car, and drove down the road.

∆

Alcide's arm wrapped around Morgan's shoulder as he drove down the road, making a right turn toward Jackson, not really knowing why he was heading there, and he wouldn't say anything about it. She wasn't sure if he was going to Jackson because he wanted to pay Janice a visit, something she didn't mind, and she also knew Eric wanted to figure out his next move on his own, but would call her if he needed help. Morgan understood why he wanted to do it on his own, he had promised Godric that he would protect Nora, and when he was high on Lilith's blood, his spirit made him snap out of it. The dead vampire even went as far as mentioning Morgan, which made Eric realize what he was doing was downright stupid, and the blood from the humans he fed from tasted sour. It was the first time that's ever happened, and Eric wasn't sure if it was because of the spell Morgan cast, he would have to ask her when they returned home.

The day eventually turned to night, Alcide driving down a dirt road, past a chan-link fence that surrounded one lone trailer, the fence still needing some work. The werewolf parked the truck, turning off the engine and getting out, Morgan following, a few steps behind him as he walked toward the front door. He opened it without knocking, holding it open for his mate, who entered after an unsure second, Alcide following. A slightly older man laid on a small bed, a beer bottle in his hand as he watched the small TV across from him,

"Dad" Alcide greeted

". . Beers in the fridge" the older man informed "grab me one while you're in there, will ya?"

Alcide gave him a small nod, opening the refrigerator at his left, looking inside for a moment before grabbing two beers, knowing Morgan didn't care for the taste and only preferred an Old Fashioned. He let the door close, opening both beers and handing one to his father, leaning back against the wall as he looked at the TV,

"How much you got on this?" gesturing to the screen

"A hundred" he replied, not moving from his place ". . Four . . five"

"That's your whole disability check" shaking his head slightly ". . That's nice"

"It's a long drive to come out here and give me another lecture" keeping his eyes on the screen ". . So you're a lone wolf. Just like your old man"

"I'm nothing like you" taking a drink of his beer

"Sure, you're not" sarcasm in his voice "you gonna introduce your woman, or are you just going to make her stand there all night?"

". . Dad, this is Morgan" holding an arm out

The woman with white hair walked toward him, Alcide wrapping his arm around her shoulders, holding her close,

"Morgan, this is my father" he continued ". . Jackson Herveaux" looking at his father "she's my mate"

This seemed to snap him out of his thoughts, looking over toward the woman with white hair with slightly furrowed eyebrows. He took in her appearance -- pale skin, hair that resembles the color of snow, wearing all black with a shawl draped around her arms, dark eye makeup, nothing else on her face and three necklaces around her neck. She looked like the total opposite compared to Alcide, but opposites tend to attract. Janice talked about her all the time, and was glad to call Morgan a sister.

"You helped my daughter with her beauty parlor" he said, pointing to her ". . gave her the money she needed to rebuild it, but asked for nothing back. Why?"

"I saw how devastated she was when it was burned to the ground" Morgan replied ". . and I know what it's like to have a dream stolen from you by someone who did it just because they could. Plus . ." shrugging slightly "I consider Janice a sister, I do what I can to help my family"