The First King

Lorelei felt heavy as she laid there. She had trouble finding the strength to lift her arms or even turn her head. With a groan, she slowly opened her eyes, but her vision began to twist and turn. Her stomach started to churn, but all she could do was grip the covers that were over her body. A hand went to her arms, helping to turn her on her side. As a bucket came into her view, she began to violently expel her dinner from hours before.

"There, there. You're alright," Vihaan whispered as he rubbed her back. "You drank quite a bit of wine. Your body probably isn't used to it."

"It hurts," Lorelei whimpered as she collapsed back onto the pillow.

"I shall have the kitchen make you something for your hangover," he chuckled as he stood from the bed.

"No more food, please," she begged as a hand went to her stomach. "I don't want to waste it by throwing it back up."

"But, it might make you feel better," he suggested.

"Fine, just a little bit, though," she conceded.

Vihaan smiled as he opened the door to the corridor. But then he froze. A man and a woman in long black robes stood there, waiting. He hissed as he released a deep exhale.

"Evie. Thayer." He greeted curtly.

"Anthony said that you claim to have one of the nine," Thayer stated, his voice smooth and deep.

"Yes," Vihaan nodded as he stepped into the hall. He quickly closed the door, ensuring their conversation could not reach Lorelei. "I have a wolf who rejected her mate."

"And what makes you think she qualifies as one of the nine?" Evie questioned with a frown.

"Her fated mate is the King of Kings," he explained with a smirk. "If that doesn't qualify her as one of the nine, then no one will ever be."

"Let us see her, and we shall make the final determination."

"One thing before you speak with her," Vihaan stated as he stood between them and the door. "She is very eager to please and has been very forthcoming with information; things that might prove useful as you continue to conquer the land. So, don't go in there ready to intimidate her. Be kind and gentle, and she shall give you anything that you want."

"Intriguing," Evie remarked as she looked up at Vihaan skeptically. "How did you manage to get her so complacent?"

"A wolf recovering from a rejection is very pliable," he replied as his hand went to the doorknob. "Also, I want to warn you. She is a bit hungover and weak."

"Did you drink from her?" Thayer hissed as he glared at Vihaan.

"I couldn't hold myself back," he shrugged. "She was rather enticing last night."

With a smirk, he pushed his doors open. Lorelei was still in bed, her body still recovering from vomiting moments ago. Vihaan walked over to her and gently caressed her cheek.

"I've brought some friends for you to meet," he stated softly.

"I feel too sick," she murmured with a weak shake of her head.

"They are going to be the ones to help you bring down the Leader Council," he explained. "They will be the ones who help you make Konrad suffer."

Lorelei's eyes shot open at the sound of his name. For a while, she had forgotten about her heartache and betrayal. But with just one word, it all returned to her. She winced as she tried to sit up. Vihaan put an arm around her, offering her support so she could lean back against the headboard.

"Who are they?" She questioned as she looked at the darkly dressed people in the room.

"This is Evie and Thayer," he introduced. "And this is Lorelei."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lorelei," Evie commented as she stepped closer. "We were told that you rejected the King of Kings himself. Is that true?"

"How do you know about that?" Lorelei questioned with a frown.

"News of your rejection has traveled all over," Vihaan interjected with a quick lie. "It is said that the wolf has been boasting about it with the human on his lap. He claims that he has been freed from the weak pup."

"He did?" She whimpered as tears brimmed her eyes.

"Yes," Evie added with a solemn nod. "Even we have heard about it at Thresnora."

" Thresnora? Y-you're witches?" Lorelei stammered as she leaned closer to Vihaan.

"We are. Does that frighten you?"

"A little," she admitted.

"Well, we've come here seeking your help," Evie explained as she sat at the foot of the bed.

"H-how can I h-help you?"

"The witches have been victims to the humans, just like you," Vihaan explained as he gently patted her head.

"Really?!" Lorelei exclaimed with wide eyes.

"Yes," Vihaan nodded sadly. "The humans are the reason the witches have attacked wolves. But no one realized until recently that wolves and witches were being played."

"So what can I do to help?"

"Come with us to Thresnora," Evie stated with a gentle smile. "Tell us everything you know about the humans and their forces. And while you are there, you can speak for the wolves, help us mend our relationship between the two species."

"I'll do it!" Lorelei proclaimed confidently. "But I have one stipulation."

"And what would that be?"

"I want Konrad to suffer," she answered with a sour expression on her face. "I want his human wife to die. I want all those he loves to die. I want him to know pain as I have."

"Gods, child," Thayer murmured in shock.

"Do you agree?" Lorelei questioned as she crossed her arms.

"Yes, of course," Evie commented as she glanced back at Thayer. "We will see to it that the wolf suffers."

"He shall suffer indeed," Thayer agreed.

"Good," Lorelei smiled. "When do we leave?"

"Now," Evie answered as she stood from the bed. She held her hand out to Lorelei.

"Are you going to go with me?" Lorelei inquired to Vihaan.

"No, little wolf," he sighed. "I must stay here where I am needed. But don't worry. I shall be here, waiting patiently for you to return."

Lorelei nodded her head to Vihaan as she gripped his hand tightly. She leaned up, giving his cheek a little peck. If Vihaan could blush, he would have done so right then. This display of affection, of vulnerability before the witches, was demeaning for him. But he could not fight her because the she-wolf needed to be accepting of what was to come. The nine must be willing.

Once Lorelei was off the bed, she took Evie's hand without hesitation. She was excited at the opportunity to help, to end the suffering of her people. Evie led her over to Thayer, who placed a hand on both of their arms.

"Close your eyes," he instructed. "The journey can be sickening to watch."

Lorelei looked up at him, confused, but she closed her eyes tightly as she felt herself becoming weightless. Her body felt as if it were flying, but there was no wind rushing around her. There was no ground beneath her feet for a few seconds, but then she was suddenly standing on something. She gasped once she looked down. Below her was not the wood flooring of Vihaan's bedroom but clay.

"Where are we?" She gasped as she looked around. It was dark; the only light source came from torches on the dirt wall.

"We are inside of Thresnora," Evie answered as she glanced down at the girl. "This is a tunnel deep within the shell of the volcano."

"Oh," Lorelei murmured as she nodded her head. She knew that these witches resided in a volcano, but she always assumed it was a castle built beside it. Never had she imagined they would live directly within it. "Right. Sorry."

"No need," Evie chuckled as she motioned for Lorelei to walk with them. "If I weren't born and raised here, I might think the same as you."

Lorelei walked a few paces behind them as they went through the mazes of the tunnels. She looked around, but they passed no rooms nor other witches. It was just the three of them walking through the volcano. As she looked at Evie and Thayer, she could not help but sigh at them. They were holding hands as they walked.

"What is it?" Evie inquired curiously when she heard Lorelei.

"Oh, it's nothing," Lorelei replied. Thayer looked over his shoulder at her. His piercing gaze caused her to look down as they walked. "The rejection is still fresh, and it hurts seeing you two in love."

"Even though you were the one to do the rejecting?"

"Yes. Part of my soul was still ripped from my body. It will take some time to heal."

"I am sorry to hear that," Evie expressed sadly. "I can only imagine the pain that you are feeling. If I lost Thayer, I would be broken beyond repair."

As they went around a curve, a young boy ran up to male witch. A note was passed between the two before the boy ran off. Thayer read the letter before turning back to Lorelei with a frown.

"I find it interesting how you are still suffering from rejection while your ex-mate is currently in Huthwaite," he said after passing the note to Evie. "Are you sure that it was not you that was rejected?"

"I rejected him!" Lorelei growled as she balled her hands into fists. "And, of course, he is in Huthwaite! The humans made him go. He and the witches he found are going to fight your people."

"Witches? What witches?" Thayer questioned with a confused look.

"I-I-I don't know," she shrugged angrily. "It was a man and a woman. They were from a coven called Lode something. All I know is that they wore these weird, white outfits."

"Jude and Sofia," Evie scowled as she looked at Thayer. "They went to offer aid to them."

"Did any other witches come to help?" Thayer inquired.

"I only saw the two," Lorelei answered as a thought came to her mind. "You say that Konrad has been spotted in Huthwaite. What about his wife?"

"The note does not mention the Queen of Queens," Thayer stated.

"Then she is in the kingdom of Guilford," Lorelei smiled as her blue eyes darkened. "And his pack is in the giant forest amongst the sequoias."

"Oh yes, the agreement," Evie nodded as she pursed her lips. "Before we send some of our own out there, will you pray with us?"

"Pray? I don't think I know how to. We praise Bil, but I have never once asked her for things." Lorelei admitted reluctantly.

"Then we shall show you how to pray," Evie insisted as she took Lorelei's hands in hers. "It is easy, and it shall bring you some peace. How does that sound?"

"Peace sounds wonderful," Lorelei murmured.

Evie pulled the she-wolf to her side and wrapped an arm gently around her. The three of them continued to walk through the tunnels until they came to a pitch-black room. After taking several steps, they stopped. Evie helped Lorelei to sit down. Then she and Thayer sat on either side of her.

"Close your eyes," Evie instructed. "Thayer and I will do the praying for you. After a moment, you will feel yourself transcending."

"Transcending? To where?"

"The Astral Realm," Thayer answered. "It is the plane of the gods. It allows for us to be closer to them, to hear them. Are you ready?"

"I am," Lorelei whispered as she closed her eyes.

Evie and Thayer reached around Lorelei, clasping their hands together, encircling the girl between them. They leaned their heads back as the sound of humming filled the room. It echoed across the walls, bouncing back onto Lorelei. She gritted her teeth as her body shook and vibrated. The air around her suddenly went cold as she began to feel weightless. It felt like she was floating on top of water, but she didn't feel wet. The sensation was odd, and she finally opened her eyes to try to orient herself. Around her, there was only darkness and stars. She was no longer in the volcano, but in the astral realm.

"Another one," someone whispered in the darkness. The words seem to come from every direction, disorienting Lorelei and her senses.

"Who are you?" She questioned as her body trembled in fear. The light of the stars began to disappear as a cloud circled around her.

"I am called Erebus," the voice stated, the sound echoing across space. Lightning flashed in the clouds with each word, illuminating the darkness. Lorelei could barely make out a figure that stood only feet away from her. "What God has blessed you?"

"Bil," she answered hesitantly.

"Ah," Erebus mused as thunder rumbled through his chest. "You're a wolf. Tell me, wolf, what have you done to go against Bil?"

"I rejected my mate."

"Interesting… I have known others who, like Bil, can create these mate bonds, forcing two people together. Sometimes this works out, and sometimes it fails. But for you to go against the will of the Goddess, it is interesting. Why would you do that?"

"He loved another," she admitted as she looked down.

"Love," Erebus hissed as the word left his mouth. "You mortals do not understand love. You muck it up with lust and desire. Whims and emotions guide your choices, clouding your judgment. Were I a God over mortals, I would take away your free will, for all it does is cause havoc and despair."

"Have you loved?" Lorelei inquired to the darkness around her.

"I am in love. For nearly a million years, I have loved someone, and this love is the reason why I am here; the reason why you are here." Erebus explained as his voice seemed to creep closer to the girl. "The woman who I love, Nyx, is trapped on Eorpe, but I cannot get to her. So, I have tasked Evie and Thayer with finding nine people blessed by the nine Gods of this realm. Except, through trial and error, we have learned it could not just be any person blessed by a God. It must be someone who has actively gone against their deity. Someone like you, wolf."

"The woman you love, why is she trapped?"

"Fear has trapped her!" Erebus bellowed, his voice sounding like thunder. "Mortal whims and emotions took hold of her. But I can save her. Your sacrifice shall help me save her."

"M-my s-s-sacrifice?"

"Yes, wolf. Your sacrifice." Erebus repeated curtly. The dark cloud that swirled around Lorelei suddenly converged on her. The darkness forced its way into her, seeking out her essence and magical aura. Erebus held out his arms, calling Bil's blessing from her body. Lorelei's scream was muffled as her life was drained away. The last thing that she saw before her eyes closed was a flash of lightning that showed the face of the man before her.

Evie and Thayer's trance was broken at the sound of a thud. They opened their eyes to see Lorelei lying lifeless on the floor. It was done, Erebus had feasted upon her.

"That is eight of the nine," Evie stated as she glanced up at Thayer. "Finding a witch blessed by Labraid is all that remains."

"And that is easier said than done," Thayer scowled as he rose to his feet. "We have been doing everything in our power to attract a witch of death, but all efforts have failed."

"What if we have been attracting her in the wrong way?" Evie questioned as she stepped over Lorelei's corpse to get to Thayer. "You heard the she-wolf; witches have begun to side with the King of Kings. How about, rather than senselessly killing random humans and wolves, what if we attacked the people closest to the King? He will call for the aid of his witch friends, and should a witch of death be among them, Tressa will reveal herself."

"Yes, you might be right," Thayer nodded as he wrapped an arm around her. He placed a gentle kiss on her temple as he thought to himself. "Send some witches out to Guilford. Find that pack of theirs and slaughter them. I will have others watch from afar. If Labraid's witch comes out, then we will grab her."

For those of you that have not read "The Blind Witch", it explains in further detail who Erebus is and why he is after Nyx.

For those of you who have read the first book, the third book, "Unwavering Darkness", will center around Nyx and Erebus and what happens to get us to where we are now.