by N M Thorn
As the Junior Enforcer led him through a chain of brightly lit hallways with identical white doors lined up on each side, the only thing he could think of was that a few centuries later, nothing had changed here. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as the old memories he worked so hard to keep down flooded his mind.
The young man stopped in front of a door and bowed again.
“Commander Blake,” he said, pointing at the door. “Your room is all set for you. In your closet, you’ll find your uniform, armor, and a few sets of civilian clothes.” He took in Damian’s state of undress, and a bright grin split his face. “Lord Magnus said you’d need a shower and fresh set of clothes.” Since Damian didn’t smile back, he sobered up and added, “As soon as you’re ready, please summon me, so I can escort you to see him. He’s expecting you.”
Shivers ran down Damian’s back, but he just smiled and nodded. “Thank you, but I still remember my way around the facility. I know where Lord Magnus’ office is. I’ll see him as soon as I’m ready.”
He waited until the young man turned the corner, disappearing from view, and then pushed the door open. The bitter odor of Turkish tobacco hit his nose as soon as he crossed the threshold, and the corners of his mouth twitched in a smile.
Cossack lay on his bed, his feet up on the small table positioned next to it. His black shirt was unbuttoned on his chest, and with a smoking pipe in his hand, he looked relaxed, at ease. Glancing at Damian, a smile hid in his thick, black mustache.
Damian crossed the room and sat down on a chair across the table, waving his hand through the air to dispel the smoke.
“I can’t believe you still smoke,” he said, wrinkling his nose. “A filthy habit, my friend.”
Cossack put the pipe away, slowly exhaling a cloud of smoke. “Being an immortal Destiny Enforcer has some perks.” He smirked, but there was some bitterness in the set of his lips. “I don’t have to worry about lung cancer.”
Damian inclined his head. “That’s true.”
Cossack sat up and propped his elbows on the table, leaning forward slightly. “Dima,” he said softly. “I know, it probably wasn’t an easy decision for you to come back, but for what it’s worth, I’m happy to see you, old friend.”
“Me too,” muttered Damian, exploring the room.
With satisfaction, he noticed that it was set up in exactly the same way as his former room was, including a small wine cabinet. For a moment, he considered opening a bottle of whatever the strongest alcohol was available, but then changed his mind, choosing to have a clear mind for the conversation with Magnus.
“First things first.” He slapped his hands on his lap, straightening up. “I need to clean up and report to Magnus. Let me get the unpleasantries out of the way, and then we can get together and catch up.”
Cossack put the pipe in the corner of his mouth and inhaled, sly twinkles dancing in his blue eyes. “Unpleasantries, eh?”
“I’m sorry if I don’t have warm fuzzies toward him after what he’s done to me,” muttered Damian.
“Are you sure it was him, Dima?” asked Cossack, blowing out another thick cloud of smoke.
“Who else? After they stripped my powers, I was weaker than a baby, and they threw me back into the human realm in the same place and time where she...” His voice cut off, and he grunted, staring at the door. “Her body was gone, but all the monsters were still there.” He laughed without mirth. “They did a number on me, and I didn’t have the power to heal myself. Self-healing was the first power they took from me.”
He got up and turned around, showing his scarred back to his friend.
“Let me ask you again, Dima,” repeated Cossack calmly once Damian sat back down. “Are you sure it was Magnus who threw you to the monsters while you were weak and helpless?”
“Who else? He was the Master Commander of the Destiny Enforcers Division at the time.” Damian leaned forward, narrowing his eyes at his friend. “What do you know, Cossack? Spit it out.”
“I can’t be a hundred percent positive, of course,” Cossack started, his fingers fidgeting with the pipe, “but one thing I know for sure. Magnus fought for you, even though he was just some minor member of the Destiny Council at the time, my friend. While he realized the limitations of the status you agreed to, he tried to get the Council to preserve most of your powers. Needless to say, he lost the battle, but he’s never abandoned you.”
“What do you mean?” asked Damian, unease coiling in the pit of his stomach.
“You do still have your Enforcer’s daggers, don’t you?” Cossack cocked his eyebrows. “How do you think that happened? If they stripped all your privileges and most of your powers, turning you into nothing more than a human hunter, why would they leave such deadly and powerful weapons in your possession?”
Damian froze in place, thousands of thoughts crowding his mind. Over the centuries, he had gotten used to his daggers. They were practically a part of him, obeying his every mental command. He’d never asked this question or considered a possibility that they could have been taken away.
“Dammit,” he whispered, feeling lost.
“I thought as much.” Cossack shook his head. “There is one more thing you should know. Magnus summoned me right after they stripped your powers. He made me swear that no one at any level of the Destiny Council would ever find out about that. Before the Council sealed all your records and severed all connections with you, he sent me after you, my friend. To protect you. How did you think you survived all those monsters when you couldn’t even walk?”
“I can’t die? Immortal and all.”
“Yeah, that you are, and all those years of your long life didn’t make you any smarter, did they?” replied Cossack snidely. “You can die a human death, dumbass, and your death at the claws of those monsters would have been pure torture. The elemental Earth would bring you back to life. I don’t argue with that. But if you think your back looks terrifying now, imagine how you would have looked if the monsters finished their job. Without your self-healing power, you’d look like a monster yourself.” He fell silent, his jaw clenched. “Anyway, I went after you. I was alone, but I did what I could to protect you. Once it was over, I made sure someone found you and took care of you until you were back on your feet.”
“Thank you,” whispered Damian, unable to speak louder than a hoarse whisper.
“Don’t thank me, my friend.” Cossack got up heavily and headed toward the door but halted there with his hand on the door handle. “When you see Magnus, don’t jump in his face the way you usually do. He’s not your enemy.” He opened the door and flicked his wrist instead of goodbye. “I hope to see you soon.”
For a few seconds, Damian sat silently, staring at the closed white door. Then he got up with a groan and headed toward the bathroom.
Thirty minutes later, he stood in front of a door with Magnus’ name on it. He raised his hand to knock, but never ended up doing it. He didn’t know how long he just stood there, trying to organize the disarray of thoughts in his mind. He tugged at the collar of his black uniform, moving his head from left to right as if it were suffocating him, and then finally raised his hand again, ready to knock this time.
“Commander Blake, come in already!” Magnus’ deep voice shouted from behind the closed door. “I promise, I won’t bite.”
Damian winced at the sound of the familiar voice but pushed the door open and walked into a spacious white room, halting by the doorway. Magnus sat behind a large glass desk, leaning back in a tall office armchair, his arms resting on the soft, leather armrests. With the pure-white walls and the white leather furniture, his white robes blended in perfectly with the surroundings.
“Magnus,” said Damian instead of a greeting.
Magnus’ lips stretched into a one-sided smirk as he all but rolled his eyes at Damian’s stubborn disregard of rules. “Dmitri,” he replied, gesturing for him to take a seat. “I see some things never change.”
Damian crossed the r
oom and pulled out an office chair, lowering himself down. “I don’t have a written report, sir,” he said calmly. “But if you take a verbal—”
Magnus waved his hand dismissively. “I don’t need your report,” he said softly. He didn’t sound angry or upset, just tired. “Archmage Allerton was here about an hour ago. He gave me a complete report. It’s good enough for me.”
Damian nodded, not sure what to say next.
“The Guardians restored all the wards and protection spells over Paradise Manor,” continued Magnus. “You don’t need to worry about River Evans anymore. Even though Mara is still at large”—he threw a pointed stare at Damian—"she’s not my main concern at the moment.”
“I’m sorry, sir,” said Damian, shifting to the edge of his chair, ready to be reprimanded for his failure. “I pinned her with the dagger. I have no idea how she managed to wiggle her way out.”
Magnus gave him a barely visible shake of his head, leaning forward to rest his arm on the desk. “Like I said—not my main concern now, Commander.”
“What is then?” Damian swallowed hard, goosebumps rising on his arms. If a dark deity on the run wasn’t Magnus’ main concern, what could be more important.
“A few things. Your brother for one,” he replied, pinning Damian with a heavy gaze.
“My brother? What about him?” His fingers squeezed the armrests, almost breaking them.
“He’s the King now as you’re well aware,” replied Magnus, humorous twinkles igniting in his eyes. “I can probably call you the Kingmaker now. You pretty much placed a crown on his head by killing Roxana, Shadow Slayer.”
Damian growled, eliciting soft laughter out of the Head of the Destiny Council.
“Yeah, I know about all of your shenanigans, Dmitri. I know every step you took since you became no one.” He raised his hands in a placating manner, leaning back in his chair. “Relax. I’m not after your brother. Actually, it’s the opposite. The Destiny Council and I want to support him.”
“You could have fooled me,” said Damian, his voice harsher than he intended. “For a thousand years, you made me believe my brother was dead. How could you?”
“He is dead, Dmitri—”
“He’s undead!” yelled Damian, leaning forward, his power spiking around him. “And I could have been there for him to help him with the transition! You made me betray my only brother!”
Ignoring Damian’s anger, Magnus took a deep breath and waved his hand, whispering a cloaking spell. As the yellowish glow of his spell filled the room, he straightened, breathing hard. He waved his hand again and muttered a couple of other cloaking spells. Once satisfied, he walked around the desk. Separating the front of his robe, he sat down on the edge of the desk, facing Damian.
“Look at me, my child,” he said, a semblance of reproach in his soft voice.
Damian raised his head, meeting Magnus’ blazing eyes.
“I did what I had to do to save you,” the Head of the Destiny Council continued. “I’ve been doing it through the centuries, my boy, even if I had to break a few rules in the process.”
Damian averted his gaze, Cossack’s words sounding in his mind. “Why?” he croaked. “Why me? I’m just another ancient warrior who died on a distant battlefield and was turned into a Destiny Enforcer.”
“The paths of the Board of Destiny—,” started Magnus, but Damian waved his hand impatiently, interrupting him.
“Give this crap to someone else, Magnus,” he growled. “You all manipulate the Board to your advantage all the time.”
“That’s not true,” objected Magnus quietly, sadness fogging his eyes. “As you know, manipulating the Board of Destiny is the greatest offense one can commit. The former member of the Head Council, Aramir, is imprisoned for doing that.”
Damian pressed his lips into a stubborn line, leaning back in his chair.
“But I did that,” whispered Magnus, his voice breaking. “I manipulated the Board of Destiny for you, Dmitri.”
Damian’s jaw dropped. “For me? But why?”
“To make sure that your crazy, entangled path would cross its way with your brother’s, my boy,” he replied. “To make sure that you both survived and met when the time was right. I know you were in pain and mad with grief when you agreed to the no one status, and I had to do whatever was necessary to keep you safe.”
“I don’t understand... Why—”
“Dmitri, I need you to support your brother’s reign,” said Magnus, slightly raising his voice. “I’m sorry, there are things I can’t explain to you, but I’m begging you to trust me. I just admitted the most horrible crime I committed for you and your brother. I hope that deserves some level of trust between us?”
“Yes, my lord,” replied Damian, not even realizing that he used the proper title addressing the Head of the Destiny Council.
“I’m sorry, my boy,” continued Magnus. “I know I caused you a lot of pain through the years, and one day, I promise I’ll explain why I did what I did. I ordered the Guardians Order to withdraw their support of Paradise Manor after Nicholas Evans had married River Vetrov. Then I had to manipulate the Board of Destiny to make sure you would move out from Florida and chose Arizona as your destination, and that you would cross your paths with Sam Vetrov. I led you...”
He stopped talking, a deep frown on his face showing his internal turmoil.
“What did you do, Magnus?” whispered Damian, barely able to breathe.
“I forced you into a situation where you had no choice but to drop the no one status,” answered Magnus. “I’m deeply sorry for manipulating you, and for putting your brother in danger. It wasn’t my intention, but when you started on your way to Arizona, it was Mara who convinced Roxana to abduct Cole. Even though the goddess of Nightmares didn’t tell the Queen about your connection and the true reason behind her request, she hoped to use your brother as leverage against you later.”
“But why did you do all that, Magnus?” asked Damian, throwing his hands up. “I understand you can’t explain everything but give me at least something. You had to have a reason for all this madness.”
“Something? Yeah, there is something...” Magnus rubbed his forehead, absentmindedly. “Your adventures with Mara and Morok was just the beginning, and it’s nothing compared to what’s coming. Is that enough for you?”
“Perun almighty,” exhaled Damian, staring at him in shock. “Anything else you can tell me?”
“Yes,” said Magnus. “I need Cole’s Court to take the same direction as the Florida Vampire Court, or at least as the Nevada Vampire Court. I can’t stress enough the importance of that.”
“I’m sure that was his idea,” replied Damian. “Cole summoned Akira Ida and Santiago del Castillo to witness his coronation proceeding. I guess that would confirm the direction he chose.”
Magnus nodded, his gaze foggy and distant. “Only if you and your brother work together can you stop...” His voice trailed off, and he turned away, staring at an unblemished white wall, and Damian knew Magnus was at the point where he could say nothing more. The Head of the Destiny Council pressed his hand to his mouth and remained silent for a few long seconds, a vibe of unease lingering around him.
“What do you need me to do, my lord?” asked Damian. “I’m yours to command.”
Magnus flinched slightly, as if Damian’s voice woke him up from a terrible nightmare. “I want you to return to Paradise Manor and stay with River Evans,” he said. “I hope you don’t object to that?”
“No, I don’t,” replied Damian.
“I need you to support your brother and the local Wardens,” he continued. “Are you fine with working with the Wardens Order?”
“Who’s the Master Warden of Arizona?” asked Damian.
“Brother Luc de la Crosse. If it would make any difference to you, he helped Cole to communicate with the Zerkalitsa,” replied Magnus, raising his eyebrows.
“I was just curious. Luc de la Crosse has a good reputation in the supernat
ural circles,” said Damian. “But yes, I will do as you command. When do you want me to go back?”
“Now,” replied Magnus, sadness shadowing his features. “You can spend a few hours with Adrian. I’m sure you two have a few things to talk about. But once you’re done, I want you back in Paradise Manor as soon as possible.”
Magnus got up and walked around the desk. Leaning down, he murmured something, drawing a rune on its surface. A clear box filled with a shimmering white light materialized in front of him.
Damian stared at the box, and his heart pounded, alarm ringing in his mind.
“Magnus, why?” he whispered, barely moving his lips. He remembered this box. This was the magical artifact they used to strip his powers. After everything Magnus just told him, it made no sense.
The Head of the Destiny Council raised his face and gave him a quick shake no, walking briskly around the table.
“It’s not what you think, my boy,” he said with a slight smile.
He leaned across the desk and touched the glowing contents of the box. As his fingers lit up with the strange energy, he turned back to Damian, pulled his shirt off his shoulder and drew a glowing rune on his upper arm. The rune slowly dissipated, and Damian sucked in a sharp breath as a powerful magical energy rushed through him.
“This is your new status,” said Magnus, placing his hand on Damian’s shoulder. “Effective immediately, you’re my personal Shadow Enforcer. Since the supernatural community branded you with the word ‘Shadow’ anyway, may as well make it official.” He smirked not without warmth, but quickly returned to the serious tone. “You know what it means, right?”
“Yes, my lord,” Damian replied, rising. “It means I take orders directly from the Head of the Destiny Council, bypassing the entire chain of command, including the Destiny Keeper. For everyone else in the Destiny Enforcers organization, I don’t exist. I have no team and I work alone.”
“That’s right. You’re the second Commander who has ever been granted this status, Damian Blake,” said Magnus, looking up at him. “You’re free to go. Make me proud, son.”
