by Zoe Parker
Now I can think.
I’m used to being surrounded by noisy creatures, but I’m also used to being able to get away from them. Lately that hasn’t been an option. If Zag isn’t there, Ciar is and if neither of them are there Fluffy is wobbling around somewhere. I know that it’s part of being in a family and all, but things are changing—drastically—with Ciar and… there will be more.
Two more problems in fact.
Since I’m Awakened now—which I don’t really see the big hoopla about it—then Ciar is the Pinnacle, he can’t be anything but. Plus, I feel it. That means that one will be my Anchor and one will be my Hook. Both of them will probably hot and more than likely have attitude problems. I mean look at Ciar? He’s the epitome of broody bad boy. I can’t help but be curious about them, these strangers that won’t be strangers for long.
Holy meatballs how will I deal with three men? I’ve done some kinky stuff, but these ones I have to keep around. I have no idea how to be in a relationship, I’ve never actually had one. One-night stands or week-end stands is the sum of my romantic life. This is all unexplored territory for me.
A buzzing sound breaks the bubble of quiet around me. Well fudge. I know that sound, it’s a phone. Why is there a phone in here with me? Sitting up, the water sluices down my chest and I try to keep it from dripping onto the robe sitting next to the tub. I dig around in the pocket for the phone, that I’m betting Ciar had the foresight to put in my robe pocket.
Because somehow, he always knows stuff.
Ineffectually swiping on the screen to answer the call I use a towel to dry my hands enough to finally slide the green button.
“Are you in the bathtub?” Ciar’s voice comes through clearly before I say hello.
Laughing I say, “Yes, as you apparently expected me to be.”
“I saw the bath bombs in your purchases. Are you enjoying yourself?” There’s an undertone in this voice that gives me goosebumps.
“I was.”
“When you’re finished with your bath meet me in the park,” he pauses and then continues, “please.” The line disconnects and for a solid two seconds I stare at the phone.
Did Ciar just say please?
Leaning back into the tub I continue to look at the face of the phone. I might as well make use of it. Let’s look up information on Triads and such, more than the bits and pieces I know because in my idiocy, I didn’t think it was important to learn. I had in my head I’d never Awaken.
The Ley-net provides the answers.
Everything is about the Center, which is me. When a person Awakens it sends out a magical call to their Triad. Since Ciar is already here where are the other two? Who are the other two?
I flip through the next Ley-page, reading quickly through the stuff I already know. I’m looking for a specific thing and there it is—the call. When someone Awakens it sends out a magical call to the destined members of their Triad, but there’s a catch. If they’re reluctant to bond it leaves the bond open and susceptible for someone else of equal power that is compatible with the Awakened to hi-jack it.
However, they have to be accepted by the Awakened for it to cement. They can’t force it. No one can force it. This relaxes a worry in me that was causing me all types of issues.
‘See, it’s all about choices, monster girl.’ I startle at Ciar’s voice in my head and almost drop the phone in the now tepid water.
I was so lost in reading that I didn’t feel him return, but I feel him now. Standing a few feet from me in the doorway of the bathroom unabashedly staring at me with that knowing smirk on his face.
Shooting to my feet I toss the phone on the robe and grab the towel to hastily dry off, wrapping my robe around my chilled body. The phone goes back in the pocket and I brush past Ciar to grab a drink and crawl onto my bed.
I think it’s time he and I have that talk we’ve been avoiding.
“The Ley-net gives some explanation and then I know what I’ve been taught. Now old-man, what’s the rest of it?” The pillow goes onto my lap, mostly for comfort. Maybe a little for me to hide behind.
Strolling across the room he slides onto the bed beside of me, close enough to reach out and touch me with hardly any effort but not actually touching me. I don’t mind it, I like him this close. Plus, he can’t hide his emotions as well from me at this distance.
The bond is getting stronger and now that I’m no longer denying it, which was stupid of me to begin with. I do need to figure out how to understand it and use it. I wish I could say I’m one of those people who can read emotions on someone’s face like a book but, I’m not.
Especially with someone like Ciar who can snoop inside of my head like he’s watching a TV program. That gives him an unfair advantage, so I have to work with what I can.
Ciar leans against the wall and crosses his arms over his chest, giving me a slow half-smile that’s full of the audacity of the man and says, “you know the logistics of an Awakening.” His smile broadens. “The moment your teeth sank into my skin instead of a simple bond you claimed me, monster girl.”
“And that claiming Awakened me?”
“Yes. Your Awakening sent out an irresistible call to your Triad and since you claimed your Pinnacle first, the call was potent.” I suck at reading faces but there’s no mistaking the abject satisfaction on his face.
“Why are you so happy about it? You don’t strike me as the sharing type.”
He leans forward, intensity saturating the air around him. Uh-oh.
“Because I have waited almost two decades for you to be ready for this, Keri. A Triad is a sacred privilege that most creatures don’t get to experience, so I count myself blessed by Faerie for allowing me to be one of the fortunate ones. And,” the smile blooms into something that’s all teeth and promise and instantly makes me flush with heat. “This bond between us is not a surprise to me, monster girl. I’ve had decades to accept the implications as well as everything that comes packaged with it. Besides, jealousy is not common among a Triad, especially one as powerful as this will be.”
Leaning away from him I rest my back against the rough wood of the wall and mull over what he’s said so far.
“Now, what are you really worried about, Keri?” His voice is soft coaxing, how can I resist that? The bond between us in a tangible thing I can see it crossing the short space between us, dark and tight thread connecting us together.
“I don’t want to lose myself because some wahoo magic says so. You have been hard on me my entire life and never once did I think you liked me as a person. Now I’m supposed to just accept that I’ll be sharing a life-bond and more with someone who didn’t like me a week ago.” It spills out of me like verbal vomit and I don’t even try to stop it. It needs saying.
His green eyes are luminescent in the fading light of the room as they study me, swirling with emotions I can’t read yet but can feel the seriousness of.
Finally, after staring at me an uncomfortably long while, he says, "You have to be strong for what’s coming and to be strong, one of us had to be the bad guy and push you. Mada didn't want to do it because she considers you her daughter. In her eyes you’re her fragile little butterfly.”
He’s not wrong, Mada is horrible about babying me. “Nagan won’t hurt a hair on your head—let alone push you to be who you are today. Which left only me and so I did what needed to be done. I pushed you until I knew you'd survive anything this place can throw at you, until I knew that you could handle anything this fucking world throws at you," he moves close to me, the energy rolling off his body brushing against my skin, "I pushed you so that you can survive being bound to me."
"How," I lick my lips as my voice quivers, "scary are you really, Ciar?" In a blink his face morphs into the monster I know him to be, but I'm not afraid—not anymore.
Achingly gentle, his warm soft lips touch the very tip of my nose while simultaneously running a finger over the point of my right ear. His touch sends a shiver through me. He's flipping dangerous
alright… to my libido. His face melts back into the one I've grown rather used to seeing.
Hiding a smile, I look away from his eyes before I’m trapped by them. He might have accepted everything, but I’m not sure how I feel about being someone’s property. Fae males are all about ownership.
"Never in a million years will I consider you my property, monster girl. If anything—I belong to you." With those quietly spoken words he slides to his feet and walks out of the room.
Well, fudge, that's a twist on things. He’s upset with me, I can feel that but I’m not sure why.
“You accused him of wanting to own you, after he’s technically done nothing but sacrifice for you. That is insulting for such a creature as he, mistress.” Zag crawls across the wall like the shadow he is. More than likely he heard our entire conversation and I guess since he’s my Familiar that’s something I’m going to have to get used to.
He’s also probably right about Ciar.
Hurrying to my feet I dig in the dresser for clothes and shove my feet in my shoes without untying them. Grabbing that steel thread that ties us together I leave the room at a jog and head right for him.
It’s the weekend so the Menagerie is mostly deserted. I’m not sure where everyone goes but I do know they can’t go home, it’s one of the many dumb rules here. There’s an entire book on them that I haven’t read all yet.
I probably should.
Behind the school is a small wooded area and that’s where I find him. Sitting on a bench with his elbows resting on his knees, head down in thought. It looks almost like a pose of defeat, like the weight of the world is heavy on his shoulders.
Given everything, maybe it is.
On quiet feet I approach him. I know he senses me, but he doesn’t move.
“You know, when I was little and afraid of something, you were the one person I always ran to… even when I worried you’d grouch at me for it.” Sliding onto the bench beside him I rest my leg against his. “You were the one I always ran to, regardless of the reason. It was always you.” The words leave me feeling lighter, the truth of them removing a weight I didn’t know I carried.
“I followed you everywhere, I realize how creepy that sounds, but I did. When I was older I didn’t understand why the Fairies giggled when you walked by or why they whispered about you behind their back. You were this big bad wolf, you know?” Slowly, carefully, I slip my hand into his larger one. There is no hesitation as he grips mine tightly.
“To be honest, I was a little jealous once I realized why they tittered. I always assumed that you had a Fae form, but I didn’t think about it too often. Thinking about it led to other questions and feelings I didn’t want to explore because even though I ran to you when I was afraid… I was afraid of you too.” His hand tightens on mine to the precipice of painful then relaxes.
“When you reached adulthood, I wasn’t sure I could control my impulses concerning you, so I stayed transformed around you. Your smell, your closeness pricked at my Fae nature like a rusty nail. It was not because of magic or your Awakening—it was… is because of you. Your quiet strength, your humor. The little noise you make when you eat certain foods or the kindness you show to everything, even the things that don’t deserve it.” He turns his head to entrap my gaze with his own, “Magic has nothing to do with my wanting you, monster girl. You’re the reason I want you and you can’t get any more real than that.” His voice is hoarse towards the end and the emotion in his words is raw and unfettered.
There is no room to doubt the truth of what he’s saying.
And in my lamely graceful way I say the only word I can think of, “Okay.”
By the moon, we sport and play, with the night begins our day. ~ Author Unknown
We sit there for a long while, enjoying each other’s company while watching the sun set and the night come alive around us. As a treat, the Fairies getting ready for their busy night at their various jobs, dance around with their glowing glitter leaving flickering trails behind them.
Most types of Fairies are under four foot tall, delicate beautiful and gentle natured. They have a variety of hair colors ranging from pastels like mine to bright oranges like the sunset we just witnessed.
They’re also some of the horniest Fae in existence. Ciar had an entire troop of unwed Fairies who pursued him fervently in the forest. Smiling, I wink at one who gets close enough to blow a kiss to Ciar.
Anyone magical can see the tie that binds us. If I look hard enough I can see it. Dark red lines run from my aura to his, whereas his much darker aura wraps and entangles it in rootlike appendages. There is no breaking a bond like that.
Not that I want to.
“The other two will come, soon I imagine.” It’s the first time he’s spoken since giving his rather impassioned speech. Pulling his hand onto my lap I absently play with his calloused fingers.
“How does a Fae who can heal themselves get callouses?” Letting him in is all I can handle right now, thinking of two others? Complete strangers? I’d rather be in denial about that a little while longer.
“I chose to let them remain. They remind me of how hard I worked to learn to fight.” That’s a very honorable reason. Gods I’m a tool bag. I open my mouth to apologize and a quick meeting of his lips to mine shuts me up.
Part of me is disappointed it’s over so quickly. Maybe because he senses my disappointment he gives me another quick kiss. The giggling of the Fairies pulls me out of la-la land. And his warm lips away from mine.
“No more apologies, monster girl.” The tone of his voice stops me from insistently doing it anyhow.
Smiling, I stand up and run towards the remaining Fairies who scatter in all directions, their laughter floating behind them. I do love their playful nature. Ciar can have one too. When I was very young he used to chase me through the forest.
“Come find me,” I whisper, knowing he can hear it and then I run.
In that moment I feel free, running through the trees dodging the grasping hands of a man I sorely misjudged. A man who will never leave me, no matter what happens.
Maybe all of this isn’t so terrible?
Hitting the ground hard enough to knock the wind out of me makes me question that conclusion. Spitting out the moss that I inadvertently ate when I slid into the tree base reminds me that I didn’t completely misjudge him.
Rolling onto my back I look up into his wolf smile and laugh when my foot connects with his chin. Rolling backwards to my feet I run again. He has no one to blame but himself since he taught me the move.
As my hand pulls away from a tree, I feel something cold and alien to this hot evening. I flitter a glance at it—It’s a leaf with frost on it. Ciar’s closeness pulls me away from the curiosity and I discard it and let it fall from my thoughts like it fell from my hands, and keep running.
I had a big bad wolf to outrun.
The wall is silence, the grass is sleep
Tall trees of peace their vigil keep,
And the Fairy of dreams wit the moth-wings furled,
Plays soft on her flute to the drowsy world.
~Ida Rentoul Outhwaite
The weekend is over way too soon. I swat at the blaring alarm clock and end up catching a little Zag in the process. He squawks loudly for something so small and falls off the edge of the bed.
“Sorry, Zag,” I mutter, rolling over to bury my face in my pillow. Which is suddenly jerked away, the movement dragging me half-way off the bed. Hanging mostly upside down I look up into Ciar’s amused face.
“Why are you yanking me out of bed?” I allow myself to slide the rest of the way off the bed onto the floor. Maybe if I can blend into the carpet he’ll leave me alone and let me sleep.
“If you don’t get your ass moving, monster girl, we’re going to be late for these ridiculous classes we temporarily have to attend. There’s only one that I’m looking forward to and we have to practice for it today.” As he speaks, his voice fades away and then something soft hits me in the fa
ce.
Oh, pants.
Calling him at least twenty names not his own, I climb blearily to my feet and head towards the bathroom. I’m already half-way done with my morning business when I realize the water in the sink is running and Ciar is standing there with a toothbrush in his open mouth staring at me.
“What? I had to pee.” Finishing up my business, I slip by him and wash my hands.
“I’m pretty sure your eyes were closed the entire time.”
He’s probably right, otherwise I’d have noticed him in there with me. Shrugging, I put on the pants he tossed at my head and grab my own toothbrush. My mouth tastes like Fluffy pooped in it.
Rolling my eyes at his laughing face I brush my teeth and go in search of a shirt that is clean. I forgot to do laundry over the weekend, so my clothing choices are limited. I could use the laundry service, but I don’t want strangers touching my clothes. Something about it feels icky.
Washing clothes isn’t hard to do, the machines do most of the work. I don’t have that much to do anyhow.
“Why are we doing this since I already Awakened? Aren’t we supposed to report it to the Headmaster and be “chosen” by some fancy such and such to serve their house or whatever. Not that it’s what I want to do.” It sounds legible in my head but he’s looking at me puzzled, maybe it didn’t come out as clearly as I wanted it to? I’m a slow waker.
“No one but us know right now. I cleared the memory from the Healer and the other witnesses. We need to continue like normal until we can establish our own power base. I will not be a servant, and neither shall you.”
The insistent knocking on the door wipes the last vestiges of sleep from my brain. Who in the world is that?
Ciar glances at me before casually strolling towards the door. He yanks it open and blocks the uninvited guest from seeing me. Which is good, because my pants aren’t buttoned and I’m pretty sure my shirt is on backwards.
“Message for student, Keri Nightshade,” a small voice chirps. A messenger Seraphim for me?
