by Lacy LeRoch
“Okay, let’s get our focus back on the mission,” McKinley’s voice echoes through the hall. We all turn our attention back to him and wait to hear his plan. “First things first, we need to get the pack to track the scent, and hope to Christ she didn’t shift first. We all know what will happen if the shift came on first...” he pauses and slowly continues, “…we won’t be able to track her. I’m sorry, Rafe.”
I understand what he’s explaining, and why he feels the need to remind me. But it doesn’t hurt any less. As if knowing we are talking about his wolf pack, the Jordi strides in with his beta and omega at his flank. Jordi is one bad ass alpha, he guards the forest that surrounds the mountains where we rule and live. It’s his job as guardian, to make sure that if anyone is able to get past the Siren’s lake, and the Fog of Lost Memories, that he will stop them before they get to the Watchers living quarters.
“What you want, assholes? I was busy.”
Trust Jordi to walk in and think he owns the place.
“Fucking alphas,” I mumble under my breath. Secretly I love the way he is, but I would never tell him that. I don’t want to make him get an even bigger head than he already has.
“I’m a fucking alpha with perfect hearing, fairy man.”
Laron and Owen start laughing at Jordi while giving each other high fives. Who the fuck do I have to kill to get some respect around here?
“Very fucking funny, cocks,” I growl, sending a blast of power over at the laughing hyenas.
This shuts them up quick smart. Having a power blast thrown at you isn’t fun. They both hiss in pain and I smile at the pair of now silent Watchers. I turn back to Jordi.
“Seriously brothers, I’m at your service. I heard what happened, word travels fast. What do you need from me?”
No matter what we need or want, Jordi makes it happen. The alpha wolf is lethal and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty.
“Thank you for joining us, Jordi. What we need is a scent trail. Are you able to go to Markus’ lake house, and see if you can pick up the scent of his wife Sarah and his daughter, Lucy?” McKinley asks, leaning on his forearms on the table.
Jordi looks at me and lowers his head. “I heard that this girl is also your Lyian, Rafe. Are you joining my hunt, brother?” Jordi looks up, smirking. “You know I’d gladly take you on another hunt. Our last one was… shall we say… interesting.” Jordi raises his eyebrow and winks.
I shake my head thinking about the last hunt we took together. It was a blood bath. It ended in a night with many of his pack’s females jumping into our beds. “Unfortunately Jordi, it would seem I’m not allowed to leave… just yet.”
I hope the wolf is able to get my hidden meaning. He knows me well enough to know that I will try to sneak out and help my girl.
Jordi smiles from ear to ear, replying, “Understood. Now, shall we discuss details.”
McKinley indicates to the chair on his left. Jordi walks over and jumps into the seat like a child, placing his arms on the back of the chair and stares him down. They don’t get along. McKinley doesn’t enjoy calling Jordi into the council meeting room, and especially to ask for his help. He thinks that Jordi is a renegade rogue, and does more damage than needed. With the personality that Jordi has, I can understand why he’d think that way.
“Okay M, let’s get this done. I’m in the mood for a good hunt,” Jordi pushes the Grand High Lord along.
“Right, like always, you’re keen for the hunt. I can understand that. What we do know is that Lacy was sent with High Lord Bevan to the city house.”
Hang on, what? Why didn’t I know about this? Something doesn’t feel right.
“With all due respect, McKinley…” Philli leans forward in his chair, placing his elbows on the solid rectangle oak table, “…we were not informed of this. Why would they send the twin away? And why away from her father, and into the care of a level two Watcher? Why would they separate the girls?”
McKinley notices the mistake he’s just made. He shakes his head and curses aloud—this is why I’m glad he’s the leader and not me. He then pulls at his red hair. “I’m not sure why the twin was sent away, but it would seem that the twin is High Lord Bevan’s Lyian.”
Jay lowers his head and scowls under his breath. “If he doesn’t get her killed first.”
The Grand High Lord ignores Jay’s remark and pushes on. “As far as we know, the heat is slow. But it has developed between them.” With a deep sigh, he continues, “If I’m being completely honest, I’m not sure of this bond. It’s moving too slow, compared to everything I’ve noticed before. It doesn’t make sense.” He looks on edge, almost as if he wants to say more, but can’t. It’s not like him to keep anything from the council. I get what he’s saying, the bond with High Lord Bevan and Lacy is nothing like my own.
Philli’s eyes narrow into slants, leans his elbows on the table, linking his fingers together in front of him, and he replies, “Interesting.”
Something is off, and as much as I try, I can’t get my head around it. Sitting around the table and talking like old women isn’t helping my mood either. I need to find Lucy. I can’t take this shit anymore. I stand up, picking the chair up with me and with an animalistic growl, I throw it as hard as I can at the far wall, causing the oak to shatter into a million pieces. I feel a little better as I turn and start to make my way out of the room, but Philli shifts, blocking my way.
“Get out of my way, Dragon.”
In Dragon form, he’s huge, I have no idea how in the hell he fits in the great hall as he takes up most of the room. Philli huffs, almost knocking me off my feet, he then shifts back into human form.
“Come with me,” Philli whispers. “Trust me, Watcher, come with me. There’s something I need to show you.”
I turn around to address the hall of council members. “I’m out. Do what you need, I give my permission. But you all need to understand, I’m going to do what I feel is the right thing to do.”
McKinley, Owen, Laron, and Jay all stand, clench their hands into fists and bang on their chests. I return the gesture and walk out of the room.
Standing in the middle of Philli’s cave, I look around curiously. I’ve been here more times than I can remember, but everything looks different somehow. The first thing I notice is the lack of anything personal. The Dragon lives a lonely life. Owen and Laron, Jordi and I, come here often to play poker and hang out.
I never thought that having a Lyian would make me see things more clearly. I do wish this shifter a happy life. He more than anyone deserves it. Not all the Dragons live the way Philli does. He chooses to live the old way, deep in the belly of a cave. No one knows why? It wouldn’t surprise me that he likes it like this, he’s one of the oldest Dragons alive.
“Why are we here?” I ask, making my way over to the black velvet sofa in the middle of the room.
He looks nervous, almost lost. Well, I’ll be. Philli turns and walks out of the room, leaving me alone. I’m just about to get up and go in search of him when he returns carrying a box in his hand. He sits down beside me, his gaze is focused on the small green velvet box. His hand shakes as he rubs the lid lovingly.
What the hell is going on?
“I need you to understand something, Rafe, I was mated once before. She was not my true mate.” He lowers his head and stares down at the green velvet. “She was my friend. I thought it would work, I thought I loved her, we were both so young. I thought that even without the bonding as close friends, it would work.” He then reaches up and runs a hand through his hair, causing his styled spikes to become a mass of messy hair.
“Jesus brother, I didn’t know,” I reply, looking over at Philli with concern.
Philli is close to spilling his tears, his face is a mask of pain and misery. I know he won’t want me to make a big deal about it, so I shift myself closer to him and wait for him to continue. I don’t do the whole ‘lovey dovey shit’ with other males. But for some reason, I feel that I need to offer some sor
t of comfort. I just wish I was better at this emotional stuff.
“She was a Phoenix shifter,” he tells me hesitantly, lowering his head looking at the floor.
Holy shit, I wasn’t expecting that.
“What the fuck? No way.”
Stuttering in a deep breath, I think, Why can’t I think before I open my mouth and spit out the first thing that comes to mind?
Passing me the box he has in his hands, and without a word, he leans over and removes the lid.
Holy Goddess. No fucking way.
“Is this who I think it is?” I ask softly.
Tears start to roll down his face and he starts to cry as he pulls the pictures out one by one, like the distant memories are escaping his soul.
“Louise was mine. She was my everything, my best friend in this lonely world, my lover on cold nights. You can’t tell the others about this,” he adds quickly, almost pleading. “Please, you can’t tell the others. I didn’t show you this for you to feel bad for me.” Philli exhales a deep breath, attempting to calm himself down to continue, “When she met Markus, they both went into the heat with a vengeance. It was pretty clear that she was his Lyian…” he runs a hand down his face, “…so I let her go, I just…”
I’m close to tears myself when I reach over and take hold of his hand. Who would have known that we become more sensitive when we find our mate? Goddess, I don’t think I can be like this in front of the others. Shit, if I’d have known any of this, I would have been here for him. Well honestly, I don’t know what I would have done, but I know I would’ve been a friend.
“I understand, I really do. But that isn’t what you wanted me to come here for, was it?”
Philli shakes his head and reaches into the bottom of the box. He pulls out a newspaper clipping and photos until he finds what it is he’s looking for. He holds out a photo of two smiling teenagers, standing in cheerleading outfits. I take the picture in my hands and study it closely. Holy shit, no way. I can’t believe what I’m seeing. It’s a picture of Sarah and Louise. I’m having trouble piecing it together. I need clarification on this.
“Philli, how did Sarah know Louise?”
He takes a deep breath and confirms my worst fears. “They’re sisters. I didn’t know she was Markus’ new wife. I found this picture when I was cleaning out my cave. It felt as if it was time to clear out old memories. I never asked Lou anything about her family or friends. You know that Lou moved to Devilice to be our healer? That’s when I met her.”
I feel like a teenage girl, who’s sitting down waiting for the next scene in some elaborate prime-time show. The plot thickens.
“Sisters,” I cry out in disbelief.
I start wracking my brain. I can’t think back to the first time I met Louise. God that would have to have been at least three-hundred years ago. I remember the council was excited to have a Phoenix shifter on Devilice Island. But I don’t remember much after that. They were hard years for our kind, wars, and battles every day.
“They were sisters. This can’t be good! What are you thinking Dragon? I know your mind is ticking over and you have an idea. Where’s this all headed? Speak up that is my Lyian out there, and she’s just a babe.”
God, just the thought of any harm coming to her makes me mad with fury.
“You know what I think right now, Watcher. But if you want me to tell you I will, I think that Sarah has taken Lucy to drain the Phoenix from her. She lost all of her powers when she turned Buzzock.”
Just when I thought all the pieces fit together, he goes and throws another chunk at me. I never knew Sarah went to the grim side to become a Buzzock. Did she not think about what this would do to her?
A Buzzock is an evil presence, we won’t take them back once they turn. Goddess, I need to get my girl back, and that needs to happen now. When I found out she was missing, I should have worked out where she was? Never in a million years did I think the Buzzock would take her. Fuck, this can’t be happening.
“What you’re trying to tell me? Do you think that’s what they’re doing? Do you think they are going to drain her? Oh my God, you know the rules as much as I do, you know that if she turns to the grim side, we won’t ever get her back. The council won’t allow it.”
God, I can’t let that happen. I need to get to her before they take her away from me. I’ve failed her before I even had a chance to prove myself to her.
“We need to get to her before the others find out. There’s a chance that the Buzzock have got her. Lyian or not, they will try to stop us from going. You know this as much as I do. The council don’t and won’t allow a Watcher to go into the Buzzcocks realm. It is too risky, not to mention we are both on the council. The question I have now for you Watcher is, who do you trust enough to take on this journey? And are you willing to risk it all for her?”
The Dragon has balls to speak to me this way, I will give him that. He’s one of the only men I trust with not only my life, but Lucy’s as well. I know that he’ll never let me down. I jump off the couch and get into the Dragon’s face, letting all my anger show. Not anger at Philli, but anger for the upcoming battle.
“I would die for that girl. I would give everything I am, everything I hold dear, just to have her in my arms, safe. Call in Jordi and Owen. Let’s make a plan. Let’s make it fast before the Seers get wind and try to stop us. Are you with me, old friend?”
Philli raises his right fist high in the air, he growls long and loud, shaking everything in the cave. The rocks crumble causing the loose dust to cloud around us, as he says recites the Watchers code.
“We have a responsibility to stand watch over one another. We are Watchers, all of us. Watchers, guardians against the oncoming darkness.”
We both bow as one toward each other and pound our fists three times into our chests.
It looks like we’re going to war.
Chapter Nine
I jerk awake, sending a shooting pain throughout my body. My head throbs and my neck is stiff with spasms of searing pain. I try to open my eyes and discover that I can’t. My face is that swollen that it won’t allow for much movement. I summon every ounce of strength and willpower I have in an attempt to lift myself into a standing position. My arms and legs are stiff, they won’t budge.
My mind screams out for me to move, but my body is in a state of shock and a world of pain. A new wave of panic overcomes me when I realize that I’m chained to the wall. My wrists and ankles are shackled in thick iron links. The chains are so tight they cut off the circulation. I feel the burn of tears behind my closed eyes as I fight to stop them flowing. Fearing the worst, I attempt to open my eyes one more time. The sudden movement has pain shooting down my neck and shoulders.
What happened to me?
The pain is unbearable and I have no idea how long I’ve been here. All I know is that I’m chained and can’t move. I don’t even know if I want to try.
“Nix, Nix are you with me?” I call out loudly.
I don’t even want to attempt speaking to Nix, telepathically. It takes too much from me, and that isn’t a place I want to put myself into right now. I try to stretch my arms out, but they won’t move. My ribs jar with the movement, and I wince from the pain as I try to catch my breath.
Oh man, I forgot about that.
“I’m here, little one, try not to move. We are encased in bewitched metal. It stops you from being able to heal,” Nix says, calmly.
“Where are we, Nix?”
I try to raise my eyelids slowly, succeeding this time. The sudden flash of light makes my head throb. As I look around the room, it appears like I’m in some sort of cell where there are no windows and only one door. My face is so swollen on my left side that I can’t see out of that eye, and there’s blood and dirt mixed in a brown mush all over the floor and walls. The smell is horrible. The stench of rotting flesh and coppery blood burn the hairs in my nose and make me want to gag.
“I don’t know where we are, little one, but I have a pretty goo
d idea. I think we are in Buzzock territory. My senses are going off the charts with danger.”
“Nix, you said Buzzock, right? What is Buzzock? And what is Buzzock territory? I’m guessing it’s bad since you mentioned the word danger. Just saying that word makes me want to laugh, it sounds like some evil cartoon character lair or something.”
Whatever it is, it might have a funny name, but I can feel Nix’s unease over it. That scares the living daylights out of me. Even though I have only been in contact with Nix for a couple of days, I know she isn’t one to take things lightly. If she’s worried, I need to learn to be worried along with her. She tried to warn me about Mom and I didn’t listen. Now look at what I’ve got us into. I feel my Phoenix getting frustrated from my ranting. I’m scared, but I can’t help it and I don’t mean to make it worse for her.
“The Buzzock are… well, they are the evil half of us. They’re a Watcher, or a shifter of any species, who became power hungry and has turned evil. Most join the Buzzock after they can’t find their Lyian or mate. There are some who turn because they’ve lost faith in the great Goddess Lylian, or in the Judadic Council. Others turn when they become hungry for power.”
There’s so much I need to learn. Why didn’t Dad teach us about any of this? Just thinking about my father breaks my heart. I need to learn all I can, I have a very strange feeling I’m going to require all the information I can get. So I turn my attention back to Nix. “I have a million questions, but what do you mean for power?” I feel Nix shifting under my skin. It’s a strange feeling, it’s feels like an unscratchable itch.
“You have power in you, little sister. That would be me, the Phoenix. The Buzzock have the ability to drain our power, they can take me from you.” I feel the desperation in Nix’s voice, the warning vibration I feel flowing through my body causes my panic to rise more.
