by C E Johnson
Mr. Jesse appeared to realize something was going on with Emily. He squatted down next to the cage, cocking his head to the side as he studied first her and then the puppy intently. “This one’s small, probably the runt.” He pointed toward the puppy’s feet. “Interesting though. She has what we call the Mark of the Warlock on her.”
“What’s the Mark of the Warlock?” Emily asked. The word ‘warlock’ sounded so wonderfully magical.
“There was once a famous Doberman named Borong the Warlock, who won countless specialty shows. Breeders would claim their Dobermans were related to him if they had black patches on their paws, and of course they would be paid more money for their dog.” Mr. Jesse pushed his forehead against the little bars and gave a low whistle, “Time to wake up, little one.” He whistled again. “She’s likely had a tough day.”
Emily edged closer until she was side-by-side with Mr. Jesse. The song in her mind ended and silence reigned supreme. “She’s beautiful,” she said in a hushed voice. At the sound of Emily’s voice, the puppy awoke and stood up. Her warm brown eyes were instantly drawn to Emily and time seemed to stand still.
Bondsmate, whispered Xena as blue sparks burst through Emily’s brain in a whirlwind of firecracker-bright lights that began changing her normal neural pathways. She threw out her arms to keep her balance, overpowered by the strength of the magic. The world was spinning around her, and she started to shake.
“Emily, are you okay?” Jean blurted.
“So much excitement today,” Emily managed to stay even though her tongue felt heavy. She hid the more forceful vibrations of her body from her parents. She didn’t want them to stop that which was in motion. Although she felt a raging force in her mind as tremendous as a swirling hurricane, something about the process seemed so right. Her body continued to quake, but her eyes never swayed; they remained wide open studying the little unsteady Doberman whose actions were mirroring her own. She could even sense a comparable maelstrom going on in her bondsmate’s diminutive head. As the process continued, and Emily remained on her knees, her parents both kneeled on the ground next to her.
“Are you dizzy?” Richard asked.
“Yeah, I feel faint,” Emily mumbled with a tongue that felt thick and foreign. Blue magus was flowing uncontested through her body. “But give me a minute … I’m feeling better,” she lied, still hiding the shaking as best as she could. New neural pathways were developing and connecting. She felt nearly blinded by the blue light flooding her mind, like a welding rod fusing metal in her brain. However, just as abruptly as the process began, the lights left her mind. The blue glow faded in her head, and an aura developed around her Doberman bondsmate, a rich and royal blue, with filaments suggesting intelligence, strength and unwavering loyalty.
Mr. Jesse stood slowly. He turned from the kneeling family to survey the shelter with wide eyes. “Why in the world are all the animals so quiet?” At that moment, the animals in the facility made a low whining noise. “I’ve never heard anything like this in my twenty-three years of working here.” His voice was barely above a whisper and he began shuffling his feet nervously.
“Are you sure you’re okay, Em?” Richard asked as he helped Emily and Jean to their feet.
“I’m fine now,” Emily answered, still fighting to speak distinctly. Her words felt thick and slurred.
My bondsmate, Xena spoke again in Emily’s mind, sweet and warm as honey.
“Can we please take this one home?” Emily pleaded. She found herself communicating with the puppy through a mind-link. There’s no way I’m leaving this building without you.
Our link is complete, Xena said, as if nothing could ever break their connection again.
Emily could understand what her bondsmate was thinking and she basked in the magnificent love coming from the small creature. “This is the one,” she said firmly to her parents. Her vision was improving. Incredibly, she found she could actually see through the puppy’s eyes if she strained.
Make them understand, Xena urged with love in her tone.
Somehow Emily realized that everything in her life so far had been leading up to this moment. A quote Dr. D once told her came to mind. She cleared her throat. “Dr. D taught me that to see what is right and not do it is cowardice.” Emily staggered slightly. She put out her hand to grab her parents to steady herself before pointing at Xena adamantly. “This puppy is right.”
“Whoa there,” her father said gently. He reached out a reassuring hand to balance her. “Perhaps this puppy is just what we’re looking for.” A warmth had returned to his voice. “I like your quote.”
“I can see I’ve lost this battle,” Jean added softly. She checked Emily’s temperature with the back of her hand. Her voice had melted into something mild and sweet. “I hope you aren’t getting sick.” She gave Emily a kiss on her forehead and squeezed her hand. “I don’t mind vacuuming when your dog sheds black hair over my nice white carpets.”
I can’t imagine I’ll shed that much. Xena sounded amazed at the concept.
Emily laughed. Her heart was singing, and the orchestra resumed its symphony. Mr. Jesse wiped the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand and unlocked the kennel, pulling the little Doberman out. “I guess you found yourself a new home pretty darn fast.” He handed the puppy to Emily. “I think this sets some sort of an animal shelter record for the quickest adoption ever.”
I’m glad I found you, Emily said though their link. She hugged her bondsmate tightly, soothed by the warmth of the small creature on her hands, in her heart, and in her mind.
I’m glad I was found, Xena whispered. She began to sniff the air, and Emily closed her eyes, feeling nearly overwhelmed as she discovered she could discriminate new smells through her bondsmate’s nose—soap, deodorant, perfume, and the staggering aromatic scents of scores of unique animals.
Mr. Jesse turned and the Whaynes followed him back down the hall to his desk where he collapsed in his chair. “Dynamite comes in small packages,” he muttered quietly. He pointed to Xena’s stub tail. “The original owners must have docked it. Personally, I’m not fully behind the act.” Mr. Jesse continued filling out the documents before him. “Some people fix the ears also.”
“I don’t want Xena to have pointy ears,” Emily exclaimed to her parents. I’ve endured way too much discomfort with my own.
Thank you, Xena sounded relieved as she began to lick Emily’s fingers in appreciation.
“Xena, huh?” Mr. Jesse peered up at Emily.
She told me her name, Emily wanted to say, but she didn’t think her parents or Mr. Jesse would appreciate that fact at all. She closed her eyes and experimented. Floating back and forth between her brain and the puppy’s she explored the intricacies of her link and the wonder of her magic. They were one now and Emily had an unconditional friend and ally. At this point, she didn’t realize just how important her bondsmate would become.
CHAPTER 8
The Portal
A strong wind billowed around Austin, Texas, causing the branches of trees to scrape on the limestone wall by Dr. Andrew Dalton’s window like the nails of a great beast. Emily’s lesson over, he gathered his belongings in preparation to leave the office, and Earth, for the day. Time to go home, he conveyed through his mind-link.
Finally, Dax exclaimed while diving into one of the large pockets specially made for him. We have to prepare the way for her.
After his office was securely locked, Andrew proceeded toward a remote elevator in an old section of the hospital. He felt as if someone was watching him, and he glanced around furtively. Unfortunately, he had this feeling almost every day lately, and it was becoming more difficult to pinpoint the danger because often there were multiple sources. We don’t have much longer, he worried. Dr. D knew the Blacksky Team was investigating both potential terrorists and people with paranormal abilities. He wondered which list he was on. Possibly both.
We have to make this a quick trip, Dax advised. We need to return to prote
ct Emily. He whipped his small head out of his secure pouch and peered behind Andrew. Someone’s trailing us.
Looking back over his shoulder, Andrew identified a burly figure in a dark suit following him at a distance. He recognized the man as one of the agents that Emily had showed him in the dream-link. Quickening his pace and darting through several seldom used passages, he lost the Blacksky agent in the hallways he knew so well.
All clear, Dax reported after studying their surroundings for a time.
Breathless, Andrew went to a service elevator and placed a silver key in a corresponding lock permitting him access. Once inside, he pressed the button for the subbasement. The elevator descended, and when the doors opened, Andrew glanced cautiously into a room lit by flickering fluorescent lights.
No one around, Dax whispered as Andrew stepped forward.
Are we doing the right thing? Andrew asked. Doubts gnawed at him. Will Emily want to go to Acacia?
She’ll want to go, Dax began encouragingly, and she’ll shine in her new environment like the brightest star in the heavens.
Andrew nodded, comforted by the steadfast support of his bondsmate. He was still breathing rapidly. Pulling his magic into action and questing out with his powers, he spoke the words of a search-spell. A bright blue glow streamed from his eyes radiating outward as a web of light, spreading through the storage areas and flickering over boxes and shelves. His energy immediately felt sapped away by his brief use of magic. He was not born with the degree of magic that Emily might one day command.
I need to plan for every possibility, Andrew vowed, knowing he had much to do. I must make sure the preparations are complete … and I have to deal with Ladon.
Are you sure she can handle Ladon? Dax asked hesitantly.
I can only hope she can win him over, Dr. D said with worry plain in his words. He was certain that Emily had the potential to be a student on the Island of Bashan, but he wanted her to receive a prophecy from Ladon to determine if that was truly her path. Until she was ready to go with him to Acacia, he had to keep her safe and hidden, hoping her talents would continue to develop rapidly. If she ever underwent training at the academy, he predicted she would be able to more easily deal with many of the challenges Acacia and Earth could throw at her.
Comforted by his magical search that told him no one was hidden in the first room; his heart began to slow to a more normal rhythm. Speaking different words of power, a small but powerful blue flame shot out from his index finger lighting the area, illuminating his path as he marched down another musty hallway.
I don’t smell any humans down here, Dax reassured him.
He strode past old machines and janitorial supplies to an apparent dead end. Halting at the blank wall, he waved his hand and murmured yet another incantation under his breath. A mage-locked door materialized from the gloom, glowing with a faint blue radiance. His unique aural signature granted him passage, and he included Emily in the mage-lock. Progressing through the entryway, he descended into a dank set of tunnels below the old building. The air was damp, and the walls were no longer made from wood and steel but from carved solid stone.
Passing through other doors sealed with mage-locks, he arrived at a great underground cavern where he was greeted by a cold draft of air that weaved delicately through his hair and flittered on his skin. The spacious room ravenously devoured his small light. He cautiously advanced toward the miraculous monument in the center of the room until it recognized his presence. Stimulated by his blue aura, the portal began to shimmer and pulsate with a mystic energy. The structure became charged with its own blue mage-light that steadily increased in intensity until the underground chamber was fully illuminated. Andrew looked in awe upon the detailed stonework that soared in all directions in the subterranean chamber, likely carved by ancient stone-mages or the dragons themselves. He stretched out his hand until it brushed against words carved into the archway that bordered the dark portal-entry void. The intricate script had been burned into his memory long ago:
Portals of power, enshrined in dark,
To pass this way, make your mark.
Take only your body and what you wear.
Take across more, and Traveler, beware.
Live. Die. Sink. Swim.
With this step let your quest begin.
He rubbed his palm over a blank rectangular region of smooth stone just beneath the carved words, the tablet-stone. With his finger that was still emitting his blue light, he traced an elaborate “A.” The blue light emanating from the archway became blinding. He quickly made sure there was no metal or plastic on his body before placing the key to the elevator near the base of the portal to await his return. He looked down into the furry face of Dax peeping out of his pocket, eyes closed in contented warmth from the flowing magus.
Deep breath, Dax. You know what we’re heading into, Dr. Dalton communicated to his bondsmate. He inhaled slowly through his nose, breathing in and out in greater releases of breath as he thought of what lay ahead of him. Respirations primed, he took a great breath of air and held it. Now. Man and otter jumped through the portal. Once they departed, the blue light immediately went out, and all went dark—on the Earth side.
CHAPTER 9
Droth
Looking out over Lake Travis, Droth cursed the slow pace of Project Blackbarb. When will this blasted endeavor be finished? The sun was sending tendrils of light between dense clouds in the sky, lighting up the green peaks of the hills. Oaks stood tall, like stately sentinels around the deep blue water. The green healers, the Dark Rejuvenators, had cast their spells on him, and his internal strength was charged for the day. Even though he felt physically strong, he was frustrated. Samil appeared no closer to locating his bondsmate and he was feeling used.
“Sir, Marcus Tate has arrived from Acacia.” A warrior with a gun at his hip entered the room and stood at attention.
“Show him in,” Droth commanded.
Marcus strode into the room, his yellow aura was powerful with cord-like fibers of courage and might, but also with faint undercurrents of malevolence. He was tall, with coal-black hair, golden eyes, and a pointed beard thick with oil. Marcus came to a lackadaisical position of attention before Droth, flashing a mocking smile that rippled and flittered upon his face. “General Droth.” Marcus inclined his head with a half-hearted attempt at respect. Marcus was one of Samil’s captains who went back and forth between Earth and Acacia.
“At ease,” Droth ordered. Marcus relaxed his broad shoulders, which easily filled the entirety of a black cotton tunic. A black dragon was emblazoned on his chest, Samil’s sigil. The warrior with the gun nodded to the men, turned on his heel and marched out of the room, leaving them alone.
“How does Blackbarb go?” Marcus asked. He stood proudly, his broad bulk dominating the room. A hint of a smile still played upon his lips, suggesting he knew more than he was letting on.
“Slowly,” Droth answered wearily. He didn’t want to speak too long with Marcus. He didn’t like the man, he was entirely too smug and too beholden to Samil. Once Samil had offered him a cave lion as a bondsmate, Marcus had awarded Samil his dragon-oath. Now, he would be forever in the arch-mage’s service.
“You must feel as if you will never get a bondsmate,” Marcus said. Although he was putting on a show of feeling pity, Droth could hear the joy laced through Marcus’ words. At least Marcus’ bondsmate was too large and aggressive to come to Earth, and Droth didn’t have to witness the creature prowling around his quarters.
“My commander position allows me little time to spend with a bondsmate currently,” Droth lied. “I’ll bond when Blackbarb is finished.” He knew Marcus was jealous of his rank and he wanted to rub it in his smug face. Droth turned from Marcus to look out the window at a golden eagle gliding above the lake. He yearned to bond with a flying bondsmate and to live on an island called the Bird’s Nest near the Alitis Sea. Many of his relatives were bonded to birds and sometimes bonding to a certain type of creature ran i
n the blood.
“Samil wants me to help you,” Marcus teased as he walked to stand next to Droth. “He thinks I’ll be instrumental in finding the elven girl or the missing Doberman.”
“Perhaps one day you’ll be coming to Earth instead of Samil altogether,” Droth said while giving Marcus a suspicious stare. “Ever since his motorcycle wreck, he hates Earth even more and his trips are less frequent.”
Marcus grinned. “Although Samil’s injuries have been fully repaired, his anger at the loss of the girl and female Doberman are like a festering wound that will never heal.” Marcus shrugged. “He wonders if the Doberman has undergone a vinculum and might somehow represent a threat to his plans.”
Droth sighed. “I’ve been searching for them both and I haven’t found either yet.” He wasn’t about to tell Marcus that an agent supposedly had found a promising candidate for the Doberman this very morning until he investigated the sighting himself. He hadn’t even told Samil about that fact.
Marcus whirled from the window to study a painting of three Dobermans on the wall near his position. “I don’t understand why you like dogs.” Marcus snorted at the artwork. “Lions are much more powerful beasts.”
“Xander, Xanthus, Xeno, come!” Droth called his three Dobermans to him and they stood together in front of Marcus. Even though these animals had no inner magus, he had found a way to draw their true names from their minds. They were killing machines, all trained by his hand. Each had their tails docked and their ears cut and pinned. Although they stared at Marcus, the three sets of ears were currently trained toward Droth waiting for his command. “What do you think of Marcus?” Droth asked the Dobermans. The three demon-looking dogs turned to Marcus and emitted a low growl. Droth didn’t wait for Marcus to answer. “I like them, because they’re intelligent and they never talk bad about me behind my back.”
