Wolf of Sight

by Quinn Loftis

  Once they had entered the hall of justice, the five elders took their places at the front of the room. They each had a chair with an emblem on them that represented what their role was as an elder.

  “Will you allow me to see the proof I need, Thadrick?” asked Synica, the only one of their elders who could see the true memories of a person. She could discern the truth, no matter how badly one might want to hide it. Synica’s chair had the emblem of an eye with no eyelid. The implication was clear. Nothing could be hidden from her.

  “I will,” Thad agreed. He stepped forward and she met him halfway. Thad bowed his head as the elder placed her hand on his forehead. He relaxed and left his mind open. He had nothing to hide, and even if he did, it would be pointless to try.

  After several minutes, Synica stepped back and dropped her hand. Her face looked grave as she met his eyes and then turned to Myanin. “Why would you do such a thing? Why would you hurt someone you claim to care so desperately for?”

  Myanin’s eyes narrowed on the elder. “I was trying to protect his honor. Even humans are not worthy of us, let alone a witch. They are evil, vile creatures. They have no care of the others in this world. They are leeches who destroy everything they touch. Why should one of them have one of our strongest males? She is nothing, she—”

  “ENOUGH,” Clarion bellowed, his voice echoing off of the high ceilings of the hall. He took a step toward her. The elder’s eyes were practically glowing with rage. “The djinn have always kept to themselves, but we have never preached such disgusting beliefs such as those you just spewed. For thousands of years we have kept the history of all the other races, and we know that each race has spoiled offspring. Each race has its faults. There is none of such purity or innocence that they don’t bring darkness to the universe in some way. We also know the history of Desdemona and her sister. Jezebel is not a typical witch, if she can even be called that anymore. What has made you believe such nonsense?”

  Myanin was practically shaking with anger as Clarion cut her down to size. Her mouth opened and closed several times, but no words came out. Finally she turned to look at Thad. “Why am I not good enough? What more did you need?”

  For a brief moment, Thad actually felt sorry for her. Obsession could make a person do irrational things. But then he remembered the pain in Jezebel’s eyes, and his sympathy was gone. “Those are your words, Myanin. I never said those things. I said that I cared for you as a sister and friend. You chose for that not to be enough. This isn’t about me. It’s about you and what you wanted. You didn’t care who you hurt to obtain it.” Thad stared at the woman he’d considered a dear friend. How he’d never seen the contempt that obviously lived within her, he didn’t know. But it was clear to him now she was wicked through and through.

  “Synica,” Clarion said. “Could you please relay to the rest of us what you have discovered?”

  Synica turned to the other elders and explained all that she’d seen in Thad’s memories. He flinched when she got to the argument he’d had with Jezebel only a short time ago, hearing Synica’s description of the pain she’d seen on woman’s face. When she was finished, the eyes of all the elders were on Myanin.

  Myron, one of the eldest of their clan, spoke first. “This is a serious offense. We do not take it lightly. To lie to one of your own clan members, even by omission, is not tolerated. To lie to someone he was in a relationship with, someone he cared for, is equally offensive. It shows that you have no regard for your clan members.”

  “But…” Rouse spoke up. “This is not something that often happens, and therefore, we need to consider what the punishment will be. We will discuss this matter privately. Myanin, you will be detained in a null room. Thadrick, you will wait here.”

  Myanin’s face paled. “Why the null room? I won’t attempt to flee.”

  A null room was a room that neutralized a supernatural’s powers. It was like losing a piece of yourself, and the dread it caused was painful to the one enduring it. Their power was an extension of themselves, like an arm or leg. Having it removed, even temporarily, was like cutting off and appendage.

  “You have lost our trust,” said Synica. “You will be taken to a null room. Do not fight us on this. It will only make your punishment worse.” A guard entered the hall and took Myanin by the arm. Thad didn’t watch her leave. His mind was too focused on a certain witch he needed to get back to.

  Once alone, he walked over to one of the seats that lined the wall. During a public hearing they would have been full of clan members ready to defend or condemn the one on trial.

  Thad leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. He was tired, which surprised him. He tried to remember the last time he’d felt tired and frowned when he realized it had been when he’d found Jezebel and the male in his bed. He’d been angry for so long and then he’d just been numb, refusing to even acknowledge that she’d existed. But since seeing her, it had stirred up all sorts of memories, and he honestly hadn’t been expecting it. He felt as though he’d been blindsided by a wolf paw to the temple, and he couldn’t regain his footing.

  As he sat there he reflected on his time with Jezebel. He couldn’t pinpoint when, during their romantic entanglement, he’d fallen for her, but it had shocked him. The possessive feelings he’d had when he saw her with the other male had truly taken him by surprise. He wondered if that was how the wolves felt all of the time toward their females and then puzzled at how it didn’t exhaust them to be continually bombarded with such strong emotions.

  After half an hour, Thad leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes. He let himself drift into a light slumber. Within seconds he was pulled into a dream that he quickly realized was actually a memory.

  “You prepared a meal for me?” Thad asked as he entered the small cottage where Jezebel lived.

  “Why are you shocked?” she asked, wiping her hands on the apron she wore. “We both eat. I just thought it would be nice to share a meal together instead of just jumping into bed.”

  A smile spread across his lips. “I like jumping into bed with you.”

  She laughed and her eyes lit up with amusement. “I would hope so, considering it’s becoming a bit of a regular thing.”

  Thad stepped closer to her until he was able to wrap a hand around her small waist and pull her to him. He could smell her lavender scent just beneath the aroma of the food, and it was her that had his mouth watering. “I have to admit, it is nice to have someone else feed me, instead of having to do it myself.”

  “You might want to reserve judgment until you’ve tried it. It might taste like ash in your mouth, and then I bet you’d have wished you’d prepared your own meal,” she teased.

  “I highly doubt it will taste like ash, and if it does, I will simply replace it with the taste of you.”

  He loved the beautiful shade of red on her cheeks as she blushed at his blunt words. Jezebel wasn’t some innocent, young flower, but she was easily embarrassed and it was an endearing quality. He’d seen her completely naked, and yet he could still shock her with words, and he did it as often as he could get away with it.

  “Come,” she said as she took his hand and led him to the small table. “Let me feed you and then we can enjoy dessert.”

  “I’m really hoping by dessert you mean se—”

  Jezebel shoved a roll in his mouth to keep him from finishing his sentence, and the act was so surprising that he couldn’t help throwing his head back and laughing. He pulled the roll from his mouth and continued to chuckle as she fixed him a plate.

  “You’re an impulsive wench, Jezebel,” he prodded.

  “And you’re an insufferable ass.”

  “We’re quite the pair.”

  “That we are, Thadrick. That we are.”

  The dream shifted and they were in Jezebel’s bed. Candles had been lit all around the room, and darkness had fallen. Jezebel was sprawled across his bare chest, and he was running his fingers through her hair. The
y both looked thoroughly satiated. Of course, leave it to his luck for his dream to skip the best part.

  “Does it bother you?” Jezebel asked, her voice soft and tentative.

  “You’re going to have to be more specific than that, Jezzy,” he said.

  She sighed. “The fact that I have witch magic in me. Does it bother you?”

  “If it did, I would not be in your bed. You are no danger, my sweet. You’re too kind to ever be evil. It’s why the spell the fae and I did on you worked.”

  “I wish she’d never done this to me.”

  “Your sister is a selfish creature. There is no point in wishing for something to change that cannot be changed. You simply must accept it and make the best of it. That’s what life is. Taking the worst situations and making the best of them.”

  “And what about when things aren’t bad?” she asked.

  “Then you must soak it up like a dry sponge because that’s what gets you through the hard times.”

  “Thadrick?”

  “Yes, my sweet?”

  “Would you consider us something you’re soaking up?”

  “If you’re wondering if my time with you will be something that will get me through dark times, you would be right. This time I have with you will be something I always treasure, even long after we’re through.”

  Thad’s eyes snapped open as the dream faded away. He rubbed at his chest where pain suddenly throbbed. He hadn’t wanted to admit it to himself that night in her bed, because he’d been afraid, but he was in love with Jezebel. He’d watched so many relationships over the centuries and how they destroyed people. Some of them people of great power, and the damage those relationships had done had led to great destruction. What would that kind of pain do to someone like him with such power? Apparently, it simply made him a moody recluse.

  The doors at the front of the hall, behind the chairs of the elders, opened. Thad stood and straightened out his clothing. He had no idea how long he’d been asleep and hoped that, for the sake of Jezebel and the healers, it hadn’t been too long.

  “Thadrick,” Clarion said as he and the rest of the elders filed in.

  “Yes.”

  “We apologize that it took so long.”

  “How long has it been?” he asked.

  “Twelve hours.”

  Thad’s jaw clenched, and he forced himself to remember that these were people who were very well respected in their clan. “Why did it take so long when you had the proof you needed?”

  “Myanin’s sire showed up when he realized she wasn’t at her post. He was worried she’d crossed into the human realm. Once we explained the situation to him, well, let’s just say he was less than happy that his offspring was being detained.”

  Thad forced himself not to roll his eyes. Myanin’s father was a pompous ass. It was no wonder it had been twelve hours, and he was actually surprised it hadn’t taken longer than that with him involved.

  “Have you made a decision?” Thadrick asked the elders.

  “We have,” Synica answered.

  “Myanin will be removed from her post as guard of the veil,” Lyra said. “Her willingness to deceive one of her own clan members has made her untrustworthy. She will be demoted to a servant of the elders. She will receive a small pay, obviously, as we don’t condone slavery. But it will be much less than what she was making. She will be watched closely. And she will receive counseling from one of our empaths. It is obvious she has emotional issues that need to be dealt with.”

  “We are sorry that you and the female you cared for suffered for Myanin’s indiscretion,” Clarion said solemnly.

  “I am as well,” he agreed. “I am also sorry that Myanin was hurt by my rejection. I never realized how strongly her emotions were. She obviously hid much of her feelings from me.”

  “Just because you have certain powers does not make you all knowing, Thadrick,” said Rouse. “We aren’t gods. We are flawed just like every other species in existence.”

  Thad bowed his head. “Thank you. I appreciate your wisdom and for hearing my grievance. I must be on my way. There are serious matters at hand.”

  “We have been informed of the situation with the high fae, Volcan,” said Myron. “We cannot interfere. Our power could be more of a hindrance than a help. But we wish you well in this battle and pray that evil will fall.”

  “I understand and thank you.” Thad turned from the elders and left the hall without a backward glance. He needed to get back to Peri’s and finish helping the healers with the spell, and he needed to make things right between him and Jezebel. He just prayed she still wanted him.

  ***

  Volcan stood atop a small hill in the draheim realm. Next to him was a stone altar. He was flanked by Evanora, Morfran, and two scaly beasts. Volcan and Evanora had just returned from the human realm, and they hadn’t come back empty-handed. Ten women knelt before him. Some whimpered. Some smiled beatifically. Others just stared around wide-eyed.

  “Impressive,” said the vampire.

  “Did you expect anything less,?” Volcan asked, daring the vampire to question him.

  “You know that these won’t be as strong as your gypsy witches.”

  “Oh, how I know, Morfran. Nothing can stand against the gypsies. But I’m not one to put all my eggs in one basket. The more witches, the merrier, I’ve always said. And my gypsy commanders will need an army to command. These will be the first. I would have loved it if the gypsies would have been able to create more witches before we took on Perizada, as they would have been even more powerful, but I think these will be sufficient to bring the bitch low.

  “Ladies,” said Volcan, “arise. The time is nigh. I’m about to make your wildest dreams come true.” He nodded to the first one in the line, and Evanora and Morfran took the girl by each arm. This was one of the whimpering ones.

  “I’ll go,” said another of the women, raising her hand.

  “Love the enthusiasm,” said Volcan. “In due time, my love. We all have to take turns.”

  The woman held by Evanora and Mofran began to protest, but Evanora waved her hand in front of her face. The woman went mute and wide-eyed. The girl tried to yank free, but Morfran clamped down hard on her bicep and hissed. “Be still, fool.”

  “Do not try to run, my pretties,” said Volcan. “If you get too far, I have to let loose the dragons.” He indicated Grus and Volaman. “They so seldom get to eat humans and they do love it. But I’d much rather you join my forces. You’re much more valuable to me as witches than as dragon meat.”

  The dragons let out matching snarls making it perfectly clear that they agreed with Volcan on the whole don’t get to eat humans nearly often enough.

  Mofran lifted the first convert like she was a throw pillow and sat the girl upon the altar. Evanora cast a spell to stop the woman from squirming.

  “There now,” said Volcan. “Much better.” He lifted the girl’s shirt so her stomach was exposed. He slit his own hand and let the blood drip down upon her stomach. “Let us begin,” he said and placed the knife upon the woman’s exposed flesh where his blood was pooling and drew a long red line there. “Bloody work this witch creation,” he said to no one in particular as he began chanting the spell to transfer a portion of his power to his latest convert.

  ***

  The five healers sat in a circle around a small campfire staring at one another. It was midnight and the forest was still. Their mates watched from a distance. Though it had been difficult, the girls had finally convinced the wolves to allow them this time together. The air was thick with tension. All the waiting, all the preparation, was about to come to fruition one way or another. They could all feel it.

  Occasionally, one of the girls would pat the leg or the arm of another. They spoke in hushed voices, afraid speaking loudly might make the reality of the situation become a little too clear.

  “Are you sure the sacrifices will work, Jewel?” asked Kara.
>
  “I’m not sure about anything anymore,” she replied.

  “I guess we’re about to find out,” said Stella.

  “I’ve never called up a goddess before,” said Heather. “Any suggestions?”

  “Neither have I,” said Jewel, “but I do think she will answer us.”

  “I feel that way, too,” said Kara.

  Stella turned and looked at Heather. “Are you sure about this, Heather? Yours is the greatest sacrifice.”

  Heather was looking at the ground. Had she wanted to, she could have opened the bond to Kale and seen that he was currently talking to Gustavo. But she kept it shut tightly, which meant she could see nothing at this moment. Heather shook her head. “Mine is not the greatest sacrifice. What good will it be to see the world if it is burning down around me and I'm one of the ones helping start the fire? No, I think Anna's sacrifice is the greatest. I can't imagine not knowing who my father was.”

  “It's not great,” said Kara.

  “See there,” said Anna, “at least I have had one parent. And since I’ve never known my father, I really won’t be giving up anything. I don’t know what I’m missing. It’s practically no sacrifice at all. Kara will bear the greatest brunt. I cannot fathom knowing I could never have children.”

  Tears glistened in Kara’s eyes, and the other girls saw them fall. She sniffed and wiped them away. “This world is no place to bring up children anyway. It’s better this way.” The words sounded hollow to Heather, much like her own had been. But she said nothing. Kara continued. “Besides, it’s like Anna said. I don’t really know what I’m missing. Stella has the greatest sacrifice. She and her brother are close. Giving him up is unimaginable.” She turned to Stella. “I know you love each other. It will be like losing your best friend.”

  “Nobody ever said this would be easy,” Stella replied. “In fact, I believe the Great Luna specifically told us this would be difficult. But it will be for the best. He doesn't need to know about this world anyway. I've already realized the people who are awoken to the supernatural world don't live very comfortable lives. I can spare him from knowing about all the hidden dangers out there. For that, I’m grateful.”