by Kimbra Swain
“Sure, we are,” Levi said tersely. Obviously not.
“Definitely,” Nick added.
“Whatever,” I responded. “Why won’t they shift? I know it is against the rules, but can it be helped?”
“It’s a teaching tool. If they shift, they are banished from the pack. It’s about controlling the beast inside no matter how dire the circumstance. While the wolf is strong, you have to convince yourself that you are stronger than it,” he explained.
“I see. Banishment seems rough,” I said, knowing my own experience.
“We haven’t had to do it. No one shifts,” he said.
We watched the two men fight for a little while longer until the quicker opponent wore down the larger one. Ingo eventually won with a hard punch to a much slower Phelan, knocking him to the ground. Nothing seemed to be off or untoward here. I couldn’t understand why Finley insisted that we come. I saw Tennyson and Remy exchanging money, but I wasn’t appalled by it. If Troy thought it was fine, then I wasn’t worried about it.
Stepping between them, Troy proclaimed Ingo to be the winner. The victor raised his hands over his head in celebration. The crowd cheered. The wolves were enthusiastic with their support. Dominick clapped lightly behind us. While the dark-eyed man across the way locked eyes with me again.
Suddenly the world swirled around me and my vision blurred.
“Grace!” Levi yelled. I felt his arms encircle me as I drifted into sleep.
Only it wasn’t sleep, it was darkness. Echoing footsteps approached me. The dark-eyed man appeared in the shadows with his focus on me. He walked slowly toward me.
“Who are you?” I asked.
“Gloriana, don’t you remember?” his deep, accented voice asked. Something middle eastern twinged along his English.
“No. You do seem familiar, but I cannot place it,” I said. At first, he intimidated me, but now even in the darkness, he seemed kind.
“My name can be spoken here,” he said.
“Where is here?” I asked.
“It is the place where the yazata walks,” he said.
“Yazata. Angels? Are you an angel?” I asked.
“I am a soul, separated from my body, forbidden to return because of the curse your father laid upon me,” he said. “The yazata allow me to walk here.”
“Why am I here?” I asked.
“Time has a way of making even us old ones forget,” he said.
“Couldn’t you just tell me? I’m sure Levi is freaking out by now,” I said.
He chuckled, “Then you don’t know.”
“Know what? I’m getting tired of this game,” I said.
He took several more steps toward me. “Would it help if I did this? I can only do it here,” he said kneeling before me. He cut his palm with a curved knife. “I am Palamedes, Knight of the Round Table, servant to my King Arthur. As his daughter and heir, my blood is your blood. I swear my fealty to you.”
“Your blood is my blood. I accept your service from this day forward,” I replied mechanically.
I gasped as a flood of memories overwhelmed me. My life before banishment. My friends above before the council kicked me out. I choked trying to say his name. When you were forsaken, your name was stripped from you and from all of those who lived in the realm. His name had been ripped from my vocabulary. At this moment, I wanted to rebel against the compulsion to not speak it. However, no matter how much I forced it. It wouldn’t come.
“My Queen. Do not stress yourself. In this life, I am known as Zahir,” he said.
“I accept your oath as given, Zahir,” I mumbled. “You chose Lancelot over my father.”
“I would again and again. Your father’s mind was poisoned by the very one who killed him. The one who killed him again. Gloriana, you are destined to break the cycle. I will breathe my last upon the sword that dares to bring you down. I will redeem myself,” he said.
“There is nothing to redeem. My father was wrong,” I said.
“Bold statement,” he replied.
I nodded. It was. Growing up, I knew the story of Arthur, his queen, and Lancelot. So many of the written tales, including those that Taliesin recorded painted Lancelot badly, but Guinevere as a whore. Yet, from what I knew now, they only had eyes for each other, and my father didn’t care until Mordred drove them all apart. Of course, when I read the stories, I was blind to the fact that my father Oberon was Arthur.
“I want to set right what once was wrong for all of you. For all of those in Shady Grove. Where were you when Rotsam was here?” I asked, knowing they were both of Persian descent.
He smiled with a large toothy grin. “I heard that you sent him out of here with nothing but his sword.”
My face blushed at the terrible game that I had played with Rotsam Dastan. “Well, he really was a horse’s ass.”
“That’s what made me decide to come here. I wasn’t so sure about you, but I liked your style,” he laughed. “That is something I could fight for.”
“Really?”
“Yes, my Queen,” he said.
“How did we not know you arrived? Levi feels everyone who walks past the barrier,” I asked.
“I came through this land. Not through yours, which I believe may provide a heads-up to a weakness within your safety zone. Now that I am here, I will monitor this realm for you,” he said. “It will be my sworn duty.”
“Zahir, I am so glad you are here, but we must go back. I can feel his panic,” I said.
“I will say one other thing before I return you to him. It is obvious that your memory has been tampered with if it took you so long to remember me. Ask yourself what else you have forgotten. Have you forgotten him?” he asked.
“I will never forget him. It is my curse,” I said. I also could not speak his name. Zahir spoke of another man forsaken that I had known.
“Are you sure?” he asked.
Before I could pressure him, I opened my eyes to see a panicked Levi looming over me. His dark blue eyes bore into me. The light tunes of his guitar tattoo flowed around me. Tabitha stood beside me watching me closely.
“Grace,” Levi muttered placing his hand at my neck. His power flowed over me sending a chill through me.
“I’m fine,” I said, pushing myself up off the ground. Someone braced me from behind. I turned my head to meet the concerned eyes of Dominick.
“What was it?” he asked.
I looked back to Levi, then over his shoulder to where Zahir had been sitting. Only, he wasn’t there anymore. “The man across the ring needed to speak to me,” I said, showing them my blood-stained hand.
Levi grabbed it to make sure it wasn’t my blood. “Who was he?”
“His name is Zahir, and he was once an old friend,” I said. “Where is Tennyson?”
Levi helped me up as I looked up to where Tennyson and Remy were seated. I raised the blood-stained hand to my father’s first knight. He nodded solemnly. He knew Zahir had been here, but I wasn’t so sure who all saw him here other than me.
“Let’s get you home,” Levi said.
“Are the fights over?” I asked.
Amanda spoke from nearby, “No, we still have the challenge fight.”
“I want to stay,” I said. Levi knew the look. We were staying, and there was nothing he could do to convince me otherwise. He sat back down, and I took my place beside him. “Carry on!” I encouraged Troy who stood on the stage looking down at me.
“We aren’t going home until you tell me what happened,” Levi said.
“You might have my father’s sword and stand by my side, but one day, you will learn that you don’t order me around, Levi Rearden,” I said.
“And you will one day realize that anything I order you to do is for your own damn good,” he said. My bard did have a backbone. Bravo. However, I meant what I said.
Troy walked around the ring drawing the attention of the crowd away from my episode. Most there would never know what happened to me, but I supposed I was good for a s
pell every once in a while. A spell was like a hissy fit, but instead of stomping and screaming, it involved fainting. Levi sat tensely, and I felt Dominick settle in behind me.
“For our final fight, we will have the challenge fight. Each week, we have this fight. The winner of last week’s fight picks his opponent from any wolf or shifter that has stepped into the ring before. Currently, our champion for three weeks running is Atohi,” Troy declared as the tall Cherokee man stepped into the ring. The crowd cheered his arrival.
While they cheered, I commented to Levi to try to ease the tension, “It seems a conflict of interest to have someone come into the ring that might challenge your leadership. If Troy has fought in the ring, what happens if someone challenges him?”
Levi started to speak, but Dominick leaned between us. Anger rolled over Levi’s face like an asphalt packer. I squeezed his hand to calm him. “No one will challenge Troy or me. It’s just the honor of the pack. If they challenge Troy, they would regret it. He’s never lost.”
“He’s been challenged before?” I asked.
“Early on, yes. He had to establish his dominance. Being an alpha isn’t enough. You have to prove it,” he said.
“Have you been challenged?” I asked.
“I have,” he replied.
“Have you ever lost?” I pressed.
He grinned, “I never lose.”
Levi grunted, clearly proving to Dominick that he was losing the battle for me. But since the wedding, I hadn’t felt the same vibe from Dominick. As if, he had changed his strategy somehow. I wasn’t sure what he was up to, but it didn’t seem like he was trying to catch my attention in that way even though Levi still felt threatened by him.
“Atohi, please pick your opponent,” Troy said, waving over the crowd. Several of the wolves around us boasted that they could take him, but I had the feeling that Atohi was formidable in the ring. He paced around the fencing looking at the opponents in the crowd. When he reached where Levi and I sat, he nodded to us, then moved around the ring. He paused in front of a group of men who seemed to be the younger crowd in the pack. Atohi lifted his finger to point at the smallest one in the group, Callum.
“Callum Fannon, I challenge you to fight me in the ring,” Atohi’s strong voice boomed around the area. The crowd grew silent as the smaller young man stood.
“No, he is no match for him,” I hissed. “I’m tired of this bullying.”
“Grace, stay out of it,” Levi said.
“You saw what he did to him in the diner,” I said.
“He’s right, Grace. You should stay out of it, but don’t underestimate Callum. He’s a good fighter,” Dominick interjected.
“I accept,” Callum’s unsure voice answered the challenge.
“Can he refuse?” I asked.
“If he wants to be disgraced,” Dominick said.
“This is hazing,” I said, jerking my hand away from Levi.
“Grace,” he grunted as I stood.
Callum walked past me as he made his way to the gate to the ring. “Callum,” I said calling out his name. His back straightened as he turned to face me.
“My Queen,” he said dipping his head in respect.
“Don’t do this,” I said.
“I fight for my honor, my Queen,” he said.
“At what cost?” I asked.
“At whatever cost,” he answered nobly. His voice and demeanor sounded confident even though his body language told me different.
“I would intervene on your behalf,” I said.
“I beg you not to. Instead, may I ask for your favor to win,” he said.
He wanted me to bless him. To cheer for him as he stepped up to what was sure to be an easy win for Atohi. I stepped up to him, seeing the resolve in his eyes.
“Callum, may the goddess aid you in this fight so that you may emerge victorious,” I said.
He sighed with a smile, “Thank you, my Queen.” Dipping his head again, he turned away to enter the ring. Levi pulled me back to my seat, and I sat on the edge of it, hoping that by some miracle, Callum didn’t end up hurt or worse.
Blood ran from Callum’s nose where Atohi had landed several punches. I felt each one of them in my bones. From what Dominick said, there was no mercy rule. They fought until Callum either couldn’t fight or reached a point where he felt like he could tap out honorably. He was still dodging punches and kicks by his opponent who was clearly on a different skill level.
“It seems dishonorable to choose an opponent for a for-sure win,” I said.
“Callum has never lost, but he’s never been in the challenges before. This is his chance to prove his level,” Dominick said. “We heal up quickly. He will be fine.”
“What is it about him, Grace? Why are you so concerned?” Levi asked.
“I dunno.” I couldn’t place it.
“Motherly instinct,” Dominick supplied.
“Is it?” Levi asked.
“Maybe,” I said. There was certainly a part of me that felt he was too young and weak. He needed protection. All of these people including Atohi were under my protection, but should they be? At the moment, I wasn’t so sure as the crowd jeered and cheered each movement in the ring.
A cracking noise drew my attention back to the action as Callum hit the mat.
“Are you done, Runt?” Atohi jeered him. “I’m not even bleeding.”
I growled as Levi slipped his arm behind my back. He leaned into my ear. “He will be fine, Grace.”
“Let go of me,” I said through my teeth.
“I won’t, but I promise that I will intervene if I think it is necessary. Please trust me,” he pleaded.
Callum gathered himself up, then lunged at Atohi hitting him quickly three times in the ribs. Atohi grabbed his ribs in pain, lowering his guard. Callum punched twice again at Atohi’s face drawing blood before Atohi moved away. Now the younger wolves cheered for Callum, who seemed as though he could barely stand. Stumbling backward, I saw his face contort like he was fighting himself as well.
“He’s going to shift!” I yelled in Levi’s head.
Levi jumped to his feet. “Fight it, Callum! Fight!” he yelled.
Callum waved his head back and forth like he couldn’t. Atohi laughed at the younger wolf struggling to fight back his creature. The skilled fighter lifted his finger in what seemed like a taunt, but I felt the magic move as it had the night Aydan was blessed. A different source. A native source.
“Atohi is forcing him to shift!” I yelled again.
“Stop the fight!” Levi yelled over the crowd. Troy’s hands went to Driggs, as he turned to look at Levi shouting. I rushed toward the ring trying to pull power but felt blocked by the power that Atohi pulled.
Before any of us could get to Callum, his wolf form burst out of his body in the blink of an eye. A solid white wolf stood with snarling teeth. With a few quick steps, Callum pinned Atohi to the ground who placed his arm in front of his face only to encounter Callum’s teeth.
“Stop!” Troy yelled at Callum, who rolled on his side in a whimper. Blood poured from Atohi’s arm where Callum had dug his teeth into the skin of his arm. Troy leveled one gun at Callum who didn’t move. I didn’t think as my magic rushed back to me. I just skipped to the small white wolf blocking his body with mine.
“No!” I yelled as the fire grew in Troy eyes. I looked down the barrel of Dylan’s old gun with pleading eyes. “Please don’t. It would be a mistake.”
“No one shifts!” Troy growled.
“He used magic,” I said.
“Who?” Troy asked.
“Atohi,” Levi said running into the ring. I felt him pulling power as the Celtic knots on his shoulder began to glow.
Troy lifted the other half of Driggs and pointed it at Atohi. “Explain!”
“I only used it to protect myself. He was struggling with the shift. We all saw it,” Atohi feigned innocence.
“No, he pulled power before that. My power was blocked,” I said.
Troy dropped the gun pointed at me but kept the other trained on Atohi. “You’ve got two seconds,” he snarled.
“I need more than that. Please. I’m begging,” Atohi said. His confidence waivered with Levi and I standing against him.
By now Amanda and Dominick had entered the ring. Amanda moved up behind Troy in a solid show of support. Dominick rushed to Callum, trying to coax him back to human form. I felt the whoosh of power as the boy shifted back.
“Clear the arena,” I told Levi.
“Alright, everyone. The fight is over. Time to move out,” Levi instructed. Tabitha walked into the ring with Tennyson on her heels. He held his sword in his hand and stood in the doorway.
“May I look at his wound?” Tabitha asked.
“No. He will heal,” Troy said, keeping his focus on Atohi.
“I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry,” Callum whimpered behind me.
“I’ll take Atohi to the house, but Callum shifted. It’s the rules, Grace,” Troy said.
“Then I vouch for him. He comes with me,” I said.
“Grace,” Levi warned.
“I mean it. I claim him,” I said. “You kick him out. Then I’ll make him something in my household. I don’t care, but you aren’t kicking him out of Shady Grove.”
“If I’m not in the pack, I’m no one,” Callum whined.
“You will be in my pack,” I said.
“You promised not to interfere,” Troy said.
“I’m only interfering on the behalf of an innocent man!” I said. “This is my town. I have trusted you with this pack. I get the need for these fights, but this is different. He cut off my power.” I pointed to Atohi. “Do you understand the implications of that? Of cutting off Levi?”
“I get it!” Troy yelled back at me. “I deal with the shifters!”
“I’m pulling rank on this one,” I said firmly.
“Fine. Take him. Callum, you are banished from the pack. You no longer are welcome here,” Troy said. “It’s the rules, Son. I’m sorry.”
“Yes, sir,” Callum replied. His fearful eyes locked on me, and I nodded. Dominick helped him stand, and I took his small hand in mine. I’d forgotten he was naked as a jaybird, but it didn’t matter. He needed help.
