Scent of the Heart

by Parker Williams

  A warm tingle ran through Casey’s cheek when the man stroked it. All the feelings he’d ever had growing up about not being good enough were shredded. In their place came the knowledge that he was exactly the man he was meant to be. He now understood everything the shaman who had come before him knew. He was finally a true and complete person for his people. But one thought still bothered him.

  “I have to know, are you my grandfather?”

  “I told you that you were our gift to your people. The gift had to come from somewhere, right?” He patted Casey’s cheek. “You have always been my favorite. The time I was given to watch you grow, short as it was, turned out to be something I will always remember.”

  “I won’t forget that.”

  The bright smile dimmed somewhat. “Yes, you will. You can’t be allowed to know of future events, nor remember most of this conversation. We believe you are hobbled by not having the knowledge of those who came before you, and agree there are some things it is important you know, so we will allow you to retain that new information.

  “As I explained, we don’t interfere under normal circumstances. I came to help you back onto your path and I’ve done that. Now it’s time for you to walk it with your head held high.”

  The arms that surrounded him may have been thin, but Casey could sense their power. “Find your heart, Caaaasey. It waits for you.”

  “I love you, Grandpa. Is it weird to tell a spirit that?”

  The smile returned, brighter than ever, and Casey got a pinch to the cheek. “Such a good boy to remember an old man. I will always be watching you and your heart. In the dark times ahead, cling to your people. They are all that will stand between you and destruction. And keep your heart close. You need each other, and your people will need both of you.”

  And with that, he was gone.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  The mass continued to pulse. Black eddies of energy rippled along the surface, and Casey shuddered. The ball was hate personified. Elizar thrived off the pain he caused to others, and the pain of his people was his as well. He wasn’t sure how he knew that, but it was true.

  “You’re a coward, you know,” Casey stated, his voice calm. “I’ve heard stories from the people about the horrors you visited on them. Starvation, rape, death, or worse. You never brought anything but misery to my people. I cannot, will not, allow that to continue.”

  What was left of the landscape groaned when the inky depths exploded outward, knocking Casey off his feet. He stood and turned to face Elizar once more.

  “I wanted to rip you apart and ensure you never hurt anyone again, but that’s revenge, not justice. I’m still going to do it, don’t misunderstand, but I no longer seek to soothe my battered heart. I want to put theirs to rest.”

  “This is my land, Shaman. My slightest whim is obeyed.”

  Elizar’s voice thundered and rattled Casey to his core. Still he stood fast against the onslaught.

  Casey shook his head. “No, this place isn’t yours. It’s mine. Jake is the Protector of the living. I’m the guardian of the dead. It’s my responsibility to ensure that they are safe to move on. I should have realized it when you couldn’t consume me. Yes, I remember now. You tried to keep me here, but Hakiim held you back long enough for me to get to my body.

  “Then Jake and I came here and you attempted to absorb us, but there was something that prevented you. You called it a tether and said it was what kept me from being pulled in. I get that now and I understand why you fear me so much. The magic I possess is nothing compared to the power that my heart gives.”

  “I ate your heart. And your family. They are part of me now.”

  “No,” Casey corrected. “They will never be yours.”

  He clutched the thin silvery cord that protruded from his chest and began to pull. Elizar’s screams should have brought satisfaction to Casey, but they only left him with a feeling of sorrow for a life that went off track somewhere.

  “Do you feel this? My heart is stronger than you. I get it now, and Sev will…be…free!”

  With a victory cry, Casey pulled with all his might. For a moment, there was nothing, and he allowed doubt to creep in, but the sky was rent asunder with a mighty crack as lightning flashed down and struck Elizar. In that moment, the black ooze peeled back, and Casey could see hundreds of eyes beseeching him for something. But the pair he was drawn to were the most beautiful he’d ever seen. He pulled once more and dragged Sev free from Elizar.

  He scooped his lover into his arms, noting the chill of his skin and the chattering teeth.

  “Y-y-you found me,” came the whispered voice he longed to hear.

  “I got a bit lost along the way, but I will always find you,” Casey promised.

  A thick laugh echoed across the plains. “You may have him. He wasn’t much use to me anyway. There was no hate or fear in him. There was only a certainty that you would come for him.”

  Casey met Sev’s eyes and waggled his brows. “After we get home, I think I’ll be doing that many times.”

  “But my brothers…”

  “They’re coming home with us. I have to tell you, I was wrong. I said that I wouldn’t bring you here because Jake was the one who gave me the power. He didn’t, though. That’s you. You are my spirit, and in this realm, you make me powerful.”

  Sev’s eyes shone with such love.

  “I need you to shift for me. It’s time we end this once and for all. To set free the people Elizar has been holding for all these years.”

  “My parents?”

  “Yep. And so many others. He can’t have my people anymore.”

  Sev was on his feet in an instant, transforming to his skunk form.

  “Am I supposed to fear that vermin?” Elizar mocked.

  “Not alone, no.”

  Casey placed his fingertips on Sev’s head and his world opened up. Bright colors flashed where he and Sev connected, swirling around them and bringing them together. Sev’s form grew; his gentle body became enormous and monstrous. Claws that could shred the hardest stone protruded from his feet. Teeth that would rend bone erupted from his mouth. It was like a nightmare version of his gentle lover, but Casey knew no fear.

  “My heart has always been my ultimate power, Elizar. It’s what kept me going even after I thought you had taken it from me. Now Sev and I will end you once and for all. There will be no going back. I’m not sure how I know, but when we’re done, there will be nothing left of you.”

  Elizar cackled. “You can’t harm me here. The people’s hatred gives me strength.”

  “Yeah, about that…” Casey moved to the undulating terror and put his hand on the surface, forcing himself not to recoil as the black ooze began to bubble and snake over his arms. “Be at peace,” he whispered. “I promise he won’t hurt you anymore.”

  In an instant, the black ball began to dissolve.

  “What are you doing?” Elizar cried.

  “Taking away your power. Their hate and fear sustained you. I’m removing that and giving them hope again. You might say I’m doing my job, finally.”

  As the mass began to lose size and shape, it reared up.

  “No, it won’t end like this. I won’t be defeated by you. You aren’t even a real shaman, just a boy playing with powers he doesn’t comprehend.”

  Dark tendrils flashed out and struck Casey, knocking him back. They rose in the air, preparing to strike again when a claw slashed out and sliced them, causing them to turn into inky pools on the ground.

  “Zak has his Protector. Meet mine,” Casey said, trying to keep the pride from his voice. “Sev is more than my mate. He is my spirit animal. My guardian here in the spirit realm. If I had known this months ago, I could have put an end to this before it ever began, and that’s something I will have to live with. But here? Today? It’s over for you.”

  “No. I refuse. I can still win. The people’s hate—”

  “Is gone. I took away their pain,” Casey said triumphantly. “I unders
tand my role in life now, and with Sev at my side, I won’t ever shirk that duty.”

  The ground rumbled when Sev moved to stand beside Casey.

  “You said I was a kid using powers he didn’t understand. I won’t deny that I really don’t comprehend my abilities. There wasn’t anyone who could teach me, but I did a damn fine job of learning on my own.”

  Casey held up a hand and bands of fire erupted, encircling Elizar. They drew together, constricting him.

  “I’ll give you a choice, Elizar. That’s more than you ever offered the people you hurt. I can take away your pain and give you a chance to move on, free from the darkness within you or I can destroy you. Utterly and completely eradicate you. There will be no second chance. The decision is yours.”

  The mass continued to dwindle in size as more and more people pulled free, but Elizar remained defiant.

  “I’m not going to be stopped. If your Protector couldn’t hold me back, do you really think you have a chance against me?”

  The mound shuddered and began to grow in size again as it lashed out and dragged begging spirits back inside of it.

  “I told you, I rule here,” Elizar crowed. “My will fuels this place.”

  Faster than he could comprehend, Casey was mashed beneath the mass, which covered and threatened to crush him.

  “I will tear the tether from you. I will rip your heart apart and dine on it. You are not my equal. None of you ever have been.”

  Distant thunder rumbled and Casey couldn’t help but smile. Sev was coming for him. And he was pissed.

  “Show me your fear, Shaman. Show me the loathing you hold in your heart.”

  “That’s the thing. I don’t fear you, and my heart is my shield against you.”

  A horrific shriek rent the air as talons shredded the mass, sending bits flying everywhere, before gently pulling Casey free, and placing him back on his feet. Casey rubbed his hand on Sev’s head and turned back to Elizar. “This is my strength.”

  “It’s not enough. It will never be enough,” Elizar wheezed.

  “It’s always been exactly what I needed it to be,” Casey corrected.

  Placing his hands back on Elizar, he sent gentle thoughts to the spirits still held within, coaxing them to let go of their pain and once again step out into the light. Elizar cried out in rage as more of Casey’s people bled out of him, shrinking his mass further. When Vadim and Mikhail were freed, Sev shifted and clutched his brothers to him, tucking their heads into his chest, kissing them, and murmuring words of love.

  By the time it was over, Elizar lay on the ground, weak and pale. His eyes held defiance, but his body had given up the fight.

  “You think you’ve won, but there will be others. When the seeds of hatred are planted, I will be there to harvest them and again rise up.”

  Casey squatted down and placed a fingertip on Elizar’s forehead. “No, you won’t. You were given the option and you chose to continue on this path. I won’t allow it.”

  A glow appeared where they were joined and grew into an intensely bright light. Elizar threw back his head and cried out. “Stop. What are you doing? It burns!”

  “Your time is over. The people you tortured need to be at rest, and they won’t be able to move on until you have been punished. When I came here, I wanted nothing more than to destroy you. To wipe you from every memory and thought. I would have been perfectly content to never hear your name again. For some reason, I don’t feel like that now. I pity you more than anything else.”

  “You’ll serve me. All will serve me,” Elizar screamed.

  “No. That’s done. You have no power here anymore. The people no longer feel anything but pity for you. Their hatred has been expunged. They’re ready to move on, to find out what the next step is. You could have been a force for good here. Learned from your mistakes and moved on, but you continued down the twisted path you created and hurt the people you should have cared for.”

  “They serve me. They all serve me. You will be on your knees begging me to spare you.”

  “Sev? Can you bring your brothers over here, please?”

  Sev beckoned to Mikhail and Vadim who approached cautiously, then knelt nearby.

  “I need to ask the three of you a question. How do you think Elizar should be dealt with?”

  “Kill him,” Mikhail snapped. “He tore my life from me. He left me with nothing.”

  “Are you sure? You have your brothers, you have Tiam, and you have me. You received an Alpha and Protector who would willingly give their lives for you. Do you really have nothing?”

  “My parents—”

  “Will always love you and be with you. Nothing Elizar could do would be able to take that from you. That day in the woods, do you remember asking me to show you your parents?”

  Mikhail nodded mutely.

  “Do you still want that?”

  Mikhail wrapped his arms around his waist and hugged himself. “More than anything,” he replied, his voice like that of a small child.

  “Come closer. Stand by my side.”

  Mikhail and Vadim both stood and moved near Casey, who peered down at Elizar and patted his cheek. “We aren’t done, but I need to undo some of the damage you caused. Don’t get up, this won’t take too long, and then you and I can talk without interruption.”

  At Casey’s command, roots sprouted from the ground and bound Elizar tightly across the chest and legs. Elizar cursed as Casey led Sev, Mikhail, and Vadim toward what he knew they needed to put their anger to rest.

  ***

  Sev’s pulse raced, which surprised him considering he thought he had died. His mouth was dry as he followed Casey and his brothers. In the distance, he saw them, tall and regal. He instantly recognized his parents. Their memories were all that kept him sane during some of the darkest times. When they came fully into view, Mikhail stopped.

  “They’re waiting for you.”

  “I can’t,” he whimpered. “They’ll be so disappointed in me.”

  Sev clutched his brother’s hand. “Why would you think that?”

  “I nearly tore our family apart. I hated you. I didn’t want my brothers. I-I wished I could trade you for them. I’m sorry, Sev. I’m so very sorry.”

  Sev gripped his brother’s chin and forced him to meet his gaze. “I would have gladly traded places with them a thousand times over. I promise you they will not be disappointed. You are a fine young man, and I’m proud to call you my brother.”

  “Come on, they’re waiting.” Casey put his hand on Sev’s lower back and guided him toward his parents.

  They were exactly as Sev remembered them. His mother’s gentle smile chased away the clouds that darkened his life during the worst of times. His father’s quiet strength, that of the shifter Sev had become, propped him up when he found he couldn’t go on. They stood looking at one another, until his mother broke into a run and grabbed them all to her, peppering them with kisses.

  “I thought I would never see you again. I missed you all so very much. I can’t believe how much like men you are now.”

  “I’m sorry, Mother,” Mikhail whispered, turning his eyes from her.

  “Ah, Mikhail. You always were the one with the softest heart. You take everything so hard. When you fall in love, it will be deeply and forever. You feel more than anyone I’ve ever known. That is both your curse and your blessing.”

  “We’ve always been so proud of you, Mikky,” his father beamed. “Without your help, Tsvetok would not have been able to keep the family together. The three of you are bound by blood, but it’s more than that which makes you family.”

  “I’ve done so many things wrong,” he sobbed.

  His mother clucked her tongue. “That’s part of growing up, I’m afraid. Trust me when I tell you that your father made more than his fair share of mistakes,” she said with a laugh. “Did you learn anything from them?” she asked gently.

  Mikhail nodded. “I don’t hate Sev. He and his mate have shown me nothing but love
and patience. I think I finally understand.”

  “Mate? Tsvetok, you found your mate? Who is it?”

  Sev stepped forward and propelled Casey toward his parents. “Mother, Father, I would like you to meet Casey Scott, our shaman and my mate.”

  Sev’s mother recoiled and stumbled away from him. Casey shrank back, appearing uncertain, his pain evident through their link. Sev followed his mother. Anger bubbled inside him that his family would treat the man who had helped rescue them this way.

  “That is your mate?” she said urgently.

  “Mother? Is something wrong? I thought you would be pleased—”

  She glanced over her shoulder, and Sev noticed her staring at an old man standing a distance away, shaking his head.

  “Who is that?” he asked.

  “No one important,” she replied.

  “Are you not pleased with my mate? It won’t change anything if you aren’t, you know that, right?” He knew he sounded petulant, but Casey was his.

  “Oh, my love, I am. I’m just—I don’t know what to say. Your mate is…special. More than you will ever know. He will need your strength to guide him in the future. You may think he is powerful, and don’t get me wrong, because he certainly is, but there is a weakness in his heart that some will seek to exploit. You must hold him strong against them.”

  “He thinks you hate him. I can feel it.”

  “No, Sev. Never. I’m sorry if it seemed that way.”

  She glided toward Casey and swept him into a hug. “Welcome to our family, Shaman. It is our honor to have you here.”

  Sev’s father broke away from his sons and joined the group hug. “My son is mated to the shaman. I have always said that my children were bound for greatness. Wait until Mikhail—”

  Casey’s mother touched his father’s lips. “They will learn in time. Let them go at their own pace.”

  “You’re right, of course.” He turned to his sons and gave the most radiant smile Sev had ever seen. “Our time is short and we have so much to say to you. I don’t know where to begin.”