Centaur Redemption (Touched Series)

by Nancy Straight

  I hoped Drake was right. I still felt nauseous. My feet were drawn toward the table as my hand absently caressed its smooth surface. A gruff voice sounded behind me, “A little ostentatious, iz it not?” French, definitely a French accent. I pivoted around in a flash.

  The man walked in and stood next to the chair in front of the Adolcio portrait. “Knowing za chairman, she will want to get directly to business and will skip introductions. I am Pierre.” The man offered me his hand; when I made a move to shake his, he grasped mine and brought it to his lips. “It iz my pleazure to make your acquaintance, young Chiron.” He then turned his attention to Drake. “You, you are za Warrior everyone whispers about?”

  Drake’s posture quickly stiffened as he looked star-struck. “Yes, yes, sir. It’s an honor to meet you.” Drake shook Pierre’s hand vigorously and probably a second or two longer than was customary.

  Pierre moved in close to Drake, then kissed both of Drake’s cheeks, “You are my family, young Nash. It does an old man’s heart good to know hiz children are leaving their mark on za world. You have made me proud.”

  My mind started moving at mach speed. Drake was of the Nash herd, but Nash wasn’t one of the original family names. Zandra had told me that hundreds of years ago the herds took on new names so they wouldn’t be too obvious to the humans. If Pierre believed Drake to be part of his herd, someone must still keep track of which herds belong to which of the original families.

  “We haven’t much time. My bruzerz will be here soon. What do you two hope to accomplish today?”

  I didn’t hesitate, “I am a young Chiron, but I am also a young Tak. My family has paid their price. It is time for the Tak family to be welcomed back into Centaur society. It is time for all Centaurs to band together and take a stand against Zeus’s ridiculous decree.”

  Pierre shared a thin smile. His eyes darted to Drake, then back to me. I waited for him to comment, but instead he laughed – not a happy laugh, but a dismissive one. I wanted to make my case to the Centaur Council to compel them to see things from my perspective. Pierre was giving me the chance to start the meeting with an advocate in the room. He was willing to listen before all the others arrived. This was more than I could have hoped for. I just needed him to see it from the right perspective.

  Pierre’s eyes were warm: no fear shone back at me when I looked at him. I cleared my throat and began, “Rupert’s children were murdered a millennia ago. One single Centaur from the Lost Herd survived – Rupert himself. He watched all of his children from all his Centaur wives slaughtered. A god took pity on him and allowed him alone to start the Tak line over. The descendants now should not have to pay for a crime that was paid in full a thousand years ago.”

  “My dear, Zeus did not include a. . . what do you call it? A statute of limitations on hiz decree. Za Tak line,” his eyes roved to the portrait on the wall, “is still honored in this chamber, but we are not immortal, and we do not go against za wishes of Zeus.”

  “Not even if other gods have already gone against his wishes?”

  Pierre scoffed. “What? No god would go against the wishes of Zeus.”

  “Really? The whole reason for Zeus’s decree is flawed. Phyllis of the Lost Herd placed a memory in King Sisyphus’s head, telling him how to become immortal, right?”

  “Yez, zat is what my fazer told me as a boy.”

  “That memory she planted was merely an idea. How did King Sisyphus cross the River Styx? He wasn’t a soul. He could never have boarded the ferry on his own.”

  Pierre looked at me a little sideways as if the thought had never occurred to him. While he considered this, I didn’t let up, “Phyllis didn’t help him cross the River Styx. A god had to have helped the King cross the river. Who has greater blame for humans not dying?”

  His answer was dismissive, “Zis proves nusing.”

  “Okay, but you have to admit it’s strange that Zeus would decide the whole Tak line would pay the price for one Centauride from the Tak herd simply inserting an idea in a human’s head. Yet he chose to ignore the fact that the King could not have crossed the river without a god’s help.”

  “Za gods are not known for their fairness; zey are only known for swift justice.”

  “Not all gods,” I countered. Pierre’s eyebrows arched, but he didn’t interrupt me. “If you don’t believe my theory about a god helping King Sisyphus, let’s try another angle. The reason everyone believed the Tak line had been hunted to extinction a millennia ago was because Zeus permitted all Centaurs to take human form except the Tak line, correct?”

  “Yez, it iz my understanding that the only Centaurs who did not transform to look human were of the Tak herd. It made it easy for za ozer herds to carry out Zeus’s wishes.”

  Almost issuing a challenge, I asked, “So how do you explain me? Or my father? Or my brothers? Zeus allowed all other herds other than the Tak line to take human form; how do the Tak members now appear in human form?”

  “You poze an intriguing question, young Chiron. Is zare more?”

  “I know how the Tak line has stayed hidden all these years, and it had nothing to do with Centaur magic. A goddess gave a human,” I struggled for the word, not wanting to betray Katherine’s confidence, “. . . family the power to protect the Tak line.”

  “A human family?”

  “Yes, a family of Lapiths was granted powers to protect the Tak line. With all these supernatural influences fighting for the Tak herd, why does the Centaur Council not take a similar stand?”

  Pierre took a seat in his chair. He leaned back heavily, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. The chair fit him, nearly molding itself to his body. Without dropping his gaze, he asked, “Young Nash, I am told you were gifted powers of protection, no?”

  “Yes, sir. I am able to protect Cami. I am able to transform into a warrior.”

  Pierre stopped studying the ceiling and asked, “I know your lineage. You are of my blood, young Nash. There iz no Tak blood in your body.”

  “No, sir, there is none.”

  “And you can do zis transformation at will?”

  “Yes, sir,” Drake answered earnestly.

  “Show me.”

  Drake looked around at the Council Chambers. He backed up several feet, as if sizing up the amount of space required for the transformation. He closed his eyes. I worried because he’d never made the change when it wasn’t necessary. At least he’d never made it when I wasn’t in imminent danger. Could he transform just because he wanted to?

  Drake’s eyes remained closed. I could see him concentrating, but the little dots of lights did not show themselves on his flesh. His eyes squinted closed as he tried to make his body morph – still nothing. Sweat began peppering his brow, but his body refused to cooperate.

  Pierre let out a huff. “It zeams you are not able to change at will, young Nash.”

  When Drake’s eyes opened, they looked defeated. I wanted to defend him. I could feel Pierre was on our side or at least he wanted to be on our side. My words came out like rapid fire. “He’s only changed when he needed to. Every time I’ve needed a warrior, his body has responded.”

  “Hmmm. I do not believe you.” His tone for the first time, sounded condescending, as if we were somehow not worthy of his presence. “I zink za stories I’ve heard were fabricated. What’s to stop me from ending your life, here. . . now?” In the blink of an eye, Pierre’s arm was around my neck, my feet dangling in mid-air. Adrenaline shot through my system as my feet frantically kicked at him. Although I was being held off the ground in a menacing way, my air wasn’t cut off. It’s as if Pierre’s arm were acting as a balancing beam for my chin.

  While in Cancun, the enforcer, Quinton, had held me off the ground while he attempted to choke the life out of me – that was different. That wasn’t what Pierre was doing. Oxygen still flowed freely to my lungs, but from Drake’s vantage point, it must have looked like Pierre was strangling me.

  Light flashed from Drake. Not the little spots th
at I’d seen pepper his skin before – but a bright light blinded us both as Pierre dropped me to the floor to shield his eyes. I lunged forward, toward Drake to stay out of reach of Pierre. Drake’s hands pulled me to his side – his warrior body standing between Pierre and me. He was a solid seven and a half feet tall, staring menacingly down at Pierre. One of his hooves gave a solid stomp that shook the chandelier above.

  Pierre gave an elated smile. He clapped his hands loudly once; it sounded like two dictionaries slamming together in an empty library. A rumble of laughter echoed in the quiet chamber as an enormous smile took over Pierre’s face. His hands clapped several more times. “Bravo, young Nash! I had to zee it for myself. Bravo!”

  Pierre wasted no time. He didn’t look the least bit apprehensive about being near Drake. Where previously Pierre and Drake had stood eye to eye, Pierre now looked up at Drake in an admiring way.

  “Did you just purposely make Drake transform? Why would you do that? If the other Council Members walked in right now they would believe we were going to attack.” My mind couldn’t make sense of Pierre’s action. “Drake, you need to change back. We need them to hear us out.”

  Pierre looked at me and shook his head. “He must remain in zis form.”

  Just as the question started to form on my lips, Pierre continued, “Za Council cannot deny zat magic was involved, strong magic, maybe even immortal magic. Zey will listen to you because you are Chiron’s daughter, but they will be open-minded of your request if they zee Chiron’s magic staring at them. Zis changes everything. Your grandmozer is Chairman out of respect, but we now have a viable Chiron Centauride to lead the families. I pledge to follow you if you can convinze my bruzers to do za same.”

  My heart leapt in my chest. That was one. One of the six supported us. Would it prove to be an empty victory? Zandra would never see my side. What would the results be if I could convince all the heads of families as easily as Pierre, but Zandra still chose to stand against us?

  Just as my worry began to consume me and I was ready to beg, or demand, or throw whatever hissy-fit or whatever else might be necessary to get Drake to transform back, I heard Drake’s confident voice addressing Pierre. “Your support means more to me than I can express. I have heard of your greatness my whole life. My family adores you, and we are grateful to be part of your herd. I hope I live to see tomorrow, so I can tell my father he was right about you.”

  Pierre took each of Drake’s forearms in a tight grasp, “Young Nash, it iz my honor to lead such a distinguished herd. It iz my honor to call you one of Adolcio’s sons.”

  Pierre let go of Drake’s forearms and turned his attention toward me. His voice lost some of its boisterous volume when he spoke, “I always zought the world of Angela.” He paused, letting his words register for me. Pierre had known my mother. “You received more zan jus’ your mazur’s beauty. I can zee her spirit shining srough yours. Angela was ze rightful heir to the Centaur Council. It is lucky for us she left this world zuch a treasure before she went to za pasture. Azide from your Tak request, it is time for Zandra to retire. I will support you as our new Chairman.”

  We had done it. We had an advocate on the Centaur Council. Would it be enough to make the others listen? Pierre gave me hope that it would.

  Pierre had forced Drake into transforming into a Centaur Warrior by pretending he was going to hurt me. Before we left the resort, Drake and I had both decided if Drake transformed it would be seen as a horribly aggressive move. We had stayed up late into the night trying to think through all of the possible scenarios we could come up with. Yet Pierre, in just a few short minutes, completely changed our game plan. I could only hope that Pierre was right.

  Chapter 10

  (Camille Nash – Centurion, South Africa)

  Pierre seemed genuinely to admire Drake. He had been nothing but kind to me, even when he was pretending to hurt me while tricking Drake’s body into transforming. Pierre eased back down into his chair as if there weren’t a seven foot tall Centaur Warrior standing in the Council’s chambers. “Take a deep bres; my bruzers are very close. Convince zem as you have me.” Pierre winked at me and gave me a sly smile.

  The door opened. A set of eyes bulged from the doorway fixed on Drake. “What the bloody hell is this?”

  Wide eyes looked back at us as a brute of a Centaur appeared through the door. He towered over me, well over six feet tall, and his shoulders spread wide inside the doorway. Pierre stood from his chair gesturing toward me with his outstretched arm. “Charles, allow me to introduze Miss Camille Chiron. She iz za late Angela’s daughter. The warrior to her left iz her husband, Drake Nash of the Adolcio herd.” Pierre then pointed toward the enormous Centaur in the doorway, “Camille, Drake, zis is my bruzer, Charles Fjord. He iz za head of the Fjord family.”

  Charles grunted. His eyes were wild as he turned away from Drake and me. He looked squarely at Pierre and asked, “Did this bloke try to attack you?”

  Pierre scoffed, “No, of courze he did not. I sought zat we had all ‘erd za rumors, we would like to zee for ourzelves. I asked za young Nash to change before my bruzers arrived. You do not agree?”

  “No, I don’t agree. When the others arrive, they’ll see him and do the same thing I did. They’ll think he’s ready to fight.”

  Pierre shook his head. “No. Zes two have too much respect for ze chamber. Both are here to share information wiz us. Neizer wishes for a battle today.” Pierre gestured toward the chair in front of the Fjord portrait. Take a zeat. When ze oserz arrive we will hear zem out.”

  Charles tentatively went to his chair beside Pierre. Pierre comfortably took his seat again, but Charles was less comfortable in our presence, preferring instead to stand behind his chair.

  Within minutes of Charles’ arrival, a smaller Centaur with red hair, fair skin and freckles emerged through the door. He was much smaller than Charles or even Pierre, about my height. His surprise registered as well, but he didn’t register the same fear Charles had. Without any prodding from Pierre, he took the seat in front of the Barber portrait. Since Pierre didn’t offer to introduce us, I walked around to his side of the table to introduce myself.

  As I drew closer, I was struck by the brilliance of the green of his eyes. This man looked familiar to me, but I couldn’t place from where. I was sure I had seen him . . . somewhere. I held out my hand, “Hello, I am Camille Nash.” I gestured toward Drake still near the wall, “This is my husband Drake. Thank you for agreeing to meet with us.”

  He accepted my hand with furrowed brows, and when I touched his hand, he spoke to my thoughts, “Correct your introduction. Identify yourself as a Chiron. Quickly!”

  I did as I was told. “My apologies, sometimes I forget myself. Drake and I were just married last week. My father instructed me to introduce myself by my mother’s name. I am Camille Chiron.”

  The Centaur nodded with an understanding smile, “It has been many years since I was a newly-wed, but I do remember the excitement of it. It is a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Chiron. I am Byron Barber. He looked across the room, sizing up Drake as he spoke, “Mr. Nash, thank you for joining us today. I hope you are comfortable?”

  Byron took his chair in front of the Barber portrait. Drake nodded and in his most charming voice responded, “Thank you for asking, Mr. Barber. I don’t believe it is possible to be comfortable in this chamber without an assigned seat.”

  Drake’s answer struck Charles and Pierre as funny, as both released a light chuckle. Byron merely smiled before he added, “Quite right, Mr. Nash. Sometimes I’m not comfortable here, and I have an assigned seat.”

  It struck me odd that the head of each family was a Centaur rather than a Centauride. From the moment I found out about our ancestry, it was clear that the Centaurides made the decisions. Where were they? I didn’t want to be disrespectful, so I asked Drake telepathically, “Why are the heads of all the families Centaur, not Centaurides?”

  Drake smiled and shared his wordless response, �
�Centaurs have traditionally been the warriors. The Centaur Council was formed to deal with disputes between families. The matriarchs, or Centaurides, settle most disputes long before they would be elevated to this group. For as long as I can remember, this has been more ceremonial than anything.”

  “Any idea why Byron Barber looks familiar to me?”

  Drake cocked his head to the side, registering his surprise, “No. I’ve never met him. His accent is definitely American. For some reason I think he’s from California.”

  California. My God that seemed like a lifetime ago. In reality it had been less than six months since I left. My brain began scanning every face I could think of growing up: every male school teacher and principal, customers who had gone through my line when I was a cashier. He was familiar, and it seemed as though I had spoken with him. There was something familiar in the cadence of his voice.

  Pierre Adolcio, Charles Fjord, and Byron Barber had all been friendly to both Drake and me. As I looked at the remaining empty seats, I knew there were only a few more to walk through the door: the heads of family for Schwieken and Owens, maybe my uncle Angelo for Chiron. I couldn’t imagine anyone coming from the Tak herd. I took a deep breath, bracing myself for the moment when I would be face-to-face with Zandra again.

  Two more Centaurs filed into the Chamber. Drake angled his body so he was facing the door. He had pulled me in close to his side closest to the wall. This position ensured that my body was partially shielded by his, yet gave both of the Centaurs arriving a clear view of me.

  Pierre didn’t even stand to greet the others as they entered. Instead he fanned out his arm gesturing toward Drake and me. “I stopped by a few minutes early. It iz my pleazure to introduce you to one of my sons. Zis warrior standing before you is Drake Nash of my line. The Chiron Centauride protected by my son is Camille Chiron. Zey have graciously stopped by to anzer our questions today. Camille, Drake, zis is Wayne Schwieken and Ryan Owens.”