Circle of Wolves

by Jacqueline Roth

  At Ease

  “It’s about time,” Evan muttered as he heard the knock on the door. He was adjusting the suit jacket for what must have been the hundredth time. Alexi’s idea of what his “size” was had not even been close. The jacket had been at least a size or two too large leaving Evan to wander just how big Ivan’s “little” brother was. A few pins put in place by an older maid who had been so terrified of him she shook, at least kept it on his shoulders.

  This would be Alexi at the door. He had headed off to find Evan a suitable tie and promised to be back before his sister arrived. Evan jerked the door open and froze. Kira was standing before him smiling sweetly and holding a tie in each hand. Evan found his brain was working on its own agenda. He was noticing the way her hair formed masses of spiral curls, in that wonderful shade between brown and red, as it fell below her shoulders. He was noticing how her pointed chin seemed so delicate and yet there was a sense of strength about her jaw. He was noticing the smooth white arms that held up the choices she offered him and the curved shoulders that must lie beneath the cap sleeves and rounded collar of the light summer dress. Mostly however, he was noticing that the clear ice blue of her eyes wasn’t the least bit cold or forbidding but more like the crystal azure of the ocean in warmer parts of the world. Oceans that cried out for you to delve into their depths.

  “I-I was expecting…”

  “Alexi.” She spoke softly, her voice low. It held a richness that captured his sensitive ear. “I ran into him in the hall and relieved him of his burden.” She seemed to be waiting for something but Evan wasn’t certain what. When his brain restored control to him, he stepped aside to invite her in. She moved past him and stood waiting for him to close the door.

  She stepped close and Evan tensed. The familiar nervousness, the feeling of ineptitude, of foolishness would hit any moment. He waited. She moved in and held the two ties up against his shirt and jacket. She did not ask for his choice but instead, chose the medium blue whose only pattern was comprised of a variation in the weave of the fabric. The color picked up the subtle line of blue in the jacket and, to her eye, pulled more of the color from his in-between eyes. She handed him the other tie and without a word flipped up the collar on his shirt.

  Evan at first thought she was indicating he should put on the gray tie she had offered him, then as her hands touched him realized his error. She slipped the tie around his neck. The subtle pressure of the act awakened the nerve endings in his skin. He held himself stiff. She flipped down the collar of his shirt and buttoned up the remaining fasteners. She tied the knot and paused. She looked up at him her brow furrowed.

  He was tense. Did he object to her touch? Did he not want her assistance? She stood there watching his eyes, holding the ends of the silk strip. “Evan, are you all right?” She examined his face carefully.

  “I’m fine, Miss…Kira.” With the words spoken he realized he actually was fine. His body relaxed as he realized the sense of unease, the sense of foolish nervousness hadn’t come. “I’m fine. I was just surprised. No one has tied my tie since my mother died. Well, unless you count my friend Ari, who tied it the day of her wedding.” Evan smiled at the memory. “Said she wanted me to look unrumpled in a photo for once, especially as they were her wedding photographs.”

  A smile crept over Kira’s face and Evan was suddenly very much aware of how pretty she was. No, it would be no hardship to sit across a table from her. She went back to her task. “Say when,” she said and she slowly slid the knot into place.

  “When,” Evan said, not really paying any attention.

  Kira stepped back and a fleeting sense of disappointment moved through him. She walked away from him to stand at the window. He watched the way the dress, a white shift covered by a gauzy overdress with faint blue swirling, hung off her frame. She was tall and lean. Her body looked like that of a dancer, muscles toned and sculpted. Her only softness was in her neck and face. Her hips flared modestly and the curve of her breasts was definite, clearly defined but in keeping with the willowy tenor of her form.

  She was watching the fading light creeping over the scene. To the right of the view, the sun was setting low and casting orange light and darkening shadows. The faint silver of the waxing moon would soon rise over the ridge. She turned and the backlighting cast shadows across her face. “Is this all right, Evan? This isn’t an imposition?”

  “What?” He had no idea what she was talking about. “I don’t understand?”

  She settled back, leaning against the sill of the window, palms pressed downward and long legs stretching out in front. “My being here. Would you rather I hadn’t invited myself? Maybe you’d rather be eating with Alexi?”

  Was he imagining it? Did she seem a bit nervous? The regal and composed figure of this afternoon seemed to have melted into a young, somewhat uncertain, girl. “This is fine, Kira. I’m rather glad you did invite yourself.” He smiled at her. “I like your brother. He reminds me of a good friend of mine. I’m sure I’d have enjoyed a meal with him and imagine I will do so between now and the time I leave here. But I’m very glad to be sharing this meal with you.”

  Had he just actually said this? He retraced his words and could find no hint of his usual stuttering and hesitancy. His heart wasn’t pounding, working a bit faster than usual, yes, but not racing. His hands didn’t tremble and they felt dry and warm. Maybe this girl didn’t affect him as much as he thought. He watched her give him a bright smile. No, she definitely affected him, he decided as he felt his body react with a jerk to the curve of her lips.

  “Good,” she said pushing herself off from the sill. “We have a great deal to talk about.” She walked over to a wooden cabinet by the fireplace. The cabinet was built into the wall and closed with a brass latch.

  “Kira,” Evan stopped her. Her eyes met his and he held them for a moment before continuing. “I need to tell you something. I know Alexi told me this to give me a sort of advantage but it’s not fair if you don’t know.”

  “He told you.”

  He nodded. “He told me that your father is leaving the decision regarding my request up to you. It just wasn’t fair for you not to know I knew.”

  She watched Evan carefully, trying to read his face as she tried to sort out Alexi’s motives. Why would he do this? Why would he tell Evan this? Alexi was no fool. He had to have known Evan would tell her. He was too honorable not to. Perhaps that was the point. By confessing this, Evan was reaffirming her vision of him as a good and honorable person. Someone to be trusted. That had better have been the only reason, she frowned inwardly.

  “Thank you, Evan. You didn’t have to tell me that. I’m glad you did.”

  “I did have to tell you.” His voice was firm and she smiled to herself.

  That smile intrigued him. She didn’t seem angry or put out that he knew her secret. In fact, she seemed more than a bit relieved. She turned and continued over to a small cabinet near the table the servant had placed his lunch tray on. She pulled open the door and a small compartment was revealed. In the compartment was a tray holding place settings, two candlesticks and even a vase with flowers.

  “I don’t know what you did to old Pavel,” she chuckled, “but he’s putting out the best for you.”

  “I simply thanked him for bringing my lunch tray.” The grin that split his face was boyish and she felt her pulse quicken in response.

  “I’d have loved to have seen that. He probably nearly fainted. He seems determined to impress,” she half chuckled.

  Evan shook his head. “More likely to spite me. I questioned his loyalty to your father based on how his ‘guest’ was treated. I think I hit a nerve.”

  She shook her head and he saw a sadness in her face. “No, more that you opened an old wound.” She turned back to the cabinet without further explanation. “Come here, Evan and help me.”

  “Step back.”

  She turned and looked at him confused. One hand was out stretched, the other clutching something in
his fist but his grin was still in place. It lit up his eyes and gave his face a dear, somewhat winsome quality.

  “Step back,” he repeated. She did and watched as he tensed slightly and lifted his hand. As he did, the tray from the cabinet moved out on its own, hovered and then as his hand moved and lowered, the tray lowered itself onto the table. As he did this, her eyes were fixed on the light emanating from between his clenched fingers.

  Evan was stepping up to begin setting the table when he registered her reaction. The look on her face wasn’t one of curiosity, astonishment, or even neutral acceptance. It was one of horror. He took a step toward her. “Kira?”

  She stepped back from him, her eyes on the closed hand. Her hand rested on her chest over her heart. Her breathing seemed shallow and rapid.

  “Kira, what is it?”

  “In your hand, what is in your hand?” She was breathless.

  “It’s just a centering stone, a piece of quartzite. Green aventurine quartzite. I pull my power from the nodes of the earth itself. It just helps me center and focus the energies.”

  “Put that thing away.” Her voice was low in her throat and sounded somewhat dangerous, almost a growl.

  Evan backed away from her and slipped the stone into the pocket of the jacket. He watched her relax slightly. Her eyes slowly trailed up to meet his. “Never take that thing out again. I never want to see it again.”

  “It won’t hurt you, Kira. I control the energies.” He cursed himself. Alexi had said a curse wolf who was also a mage was rare. The magic must be as startling to her as it would be to a normal human. “Kira? Are you all right? It won’t hurt you. I won’t hurt you.” He tried stepping closer and now with the offensive object out of sight, she didn’t back away but her voice sounded as if it came to him from far away.

  “When the light flashes,

  The wolf gnashes

  his teeth,

  For death comes to prey,

  Even as his heart bays

  for mercy

  Beware the stone that flashes light

  He who wields it brings endless night,

  young wolf,

  Eternal sleep without dreams.”

  “Kira, I don’t understand. Explain this to me, please. What just happened?” Nothing in her words even began to alleviate his confusion.

  A sigh escaped her lips and she looked away from him. “A child’s nursery rhyme, that’s all.”

  Evan shook his head. “No, that’s not all. You knew I was a mage, so what did that mean? What did I do?”

  She fought to keep the tremble from her lips and hands. “In time, Evan. I will explain in time.” Her face softened and she looked back at him. He was so damned handsome and so damned dangerous in so many ways, mostly because he looked safe, sweet. This was the last thing she needed. It didn’t matter that every instinct in her screamed she was being stupid, she pushed the thoughts away. Pulling on her experience she put a calm smile on her face. “I’m not sure about you but I could use a drink and unless I miss my guess, Pavel won’t pull any punches with that either.”

  She gingerly skirted around him, careful to keep as much distance between them as she could. She approached the compartment and closed the door. She pressed a small light switch next to it and Evan heard the soft hum of a motor. A dumbwaiter.

  They remained silent as they set the table and then waited until a slight chiming registered the return of the miniature elevator. Opening the door she pulled out a large covered tray. She declined any assistance from him and placed this on the table he had set. She returned to the compartment and pulled out two glasses and a bottle of wine. The wine had been opened and set to breathe. Kira placed these items on the table as well, returned the dumbwaiter to the kitchens and motioned for Evan to sit.

  He moved toward the seat then stopped. He walked behind her, careful not to bump into her or brush against her in any way. He pulled out her chair and held it, looking at her expectantly. She studied his face for a moment.

  The thoughts in her head at this moment about this puzzling young man defied words. He was so very gentle and seemed to be quite shy. Alexi had teased her on the way down the hall to “go easy” on his new little friend. He told her that her dinner companion was a bit shy with ladies and was suffering a bout of nerves. She had thought she’d noticed this at first while tying his tie but just why a man who looked like him was shy around women she couldn’t guess. Since then he had seemed at ease. If only he wasn’t a mage. If only she had never seen that hateful stone in his hand. It wasn’t just his holding it, but the green light glowing from it. She approached and let him seat her. She watched him move to his place and sit.

  He began to pour the wine, first for her, then himself. The first course was completed in almost silence. Evan was kicking himself mentally. He had definitely ruined any chance of a good evening. He was well aware this bothered him on more than one level. The worst part was he wasn’t sure which part of it bothered him more—the more personal implications or the effect this could have on his mission.

  A chime indicated the arrival of the second course. They both rose and Evan cleared as she removed the silver domed trays from the opening. She reseated herself and Evan put the two domes in the enclosure and sent if off.

  He had just sat down when her voice startled him. “How did you enjoy your journey through Europe?”

  “Not very well, I’m sorry to say. I’m glad it wasn’t my first visit or I’d have been very disappointed.” Evan’s mouth twisted wryly.

  “Your parents traveled a great deal, didn’t they?” Her voice assured him she knew the answer.

  “Yes, they were scholars, scientists of a sort.” His brow wrinkled. How did she know these things?

  “Anthropologists weren’t they? Or is historian a better word?” She lifted her fork slowly watching his face. Her revelations were unsettling him. To her shame a small part of her was glad to catch this mage off guard, to unnerve one of his kind.

  “Yes,” He put his fork down. “How do you know all this?”

  “I know a great deal more than this, Evan.”

  “How? Why?” His raised hands, palms up punctuated his words.

  She stopped all pretense of eating. “Did you not search for information on us before you came?”

  “Yes. I found almost nothing. You obviously found a great deal. Yet I knew whom I was searching for. How did you know to look for me?” His brain told him he should be annoyed, yet something about the way she sat there with her hands in her lap, eyes on his, drained away anything but his curiosity.

  “We knew they would send you to us. We knew you were seeking us long before you arrived in Paris. You were not exactly discreet in your search.”

  He hadn’t been he knew. He had questioned mages as well as those sad souls like himself who he had encountered. He knew word would get back to them, just not that they would be able to mobilize so quickly to find out about him. “So that’s when you learned about me?”

  A door seemed to close in her eyes and even he could tell she was shutting off a part of herself. Even poor clueless Evan, as Seth had once called him when he had failed to notice a young girl from the town near his master’s house who’d had a mad crush on him when he was fifteen. He would have liked to have noticed but in the end told himself it was better he hadn’t.

  “Evan,” she said. Her eyes held his and their blue almost distracted him from what was being said. In them he could see the gently lapping oceans and his mind wanted to pull him to that scene. To the overwhelming image of her walking along the sand as the turquoise water lapped at her ankles, sarong around her waist revealing the long legs. He struggled to focus on her words. “I promise you that you will not leave here without answers to all of your questions. You are asking us to trust you, to help you. I must ask you to trust me to give you those answers when I’m ready. Me, Evan. When I’m ready I will give you the answers. Don’t look to Alexi for them because he won’t give them to you. You’ll only put hi
m in an awkward position where he must prevaricate or refuse to answer.”

  He watched her face and saw the door open briefly. That pervasive sadness he had noticed earlier was back. Sadness. Someone had once said that it was this sense of sadness, the melancholy air that years of his curse had placed upon his countenance and face, that had attracted the attention of more than one girl in his younger days. If that was true he could see why. The sadness in her face made him want to comfort her, to pat her hand and tell her that it would all be fine.

  “I’m sorry. I had wanted this to be a pleasant evening, to put you at your ease with us, or at least me. I’ve not done a very good job of it.” She looked down at her hands.

  “You were doing fine. I think the fault was mine. I’m sorry if the magic disturbed you.”

  She shook her head, “I reacted badly and ruined things.” She let out a loud breath. She smiled brightly at him and the light in her eyes told him it was genuine. “Tell me about your trip through Europe.”

  “You already know about it.”

  The patient look he had seen her give Nico slid across her face. “But I don’t know how you felt about it. Was there a part of it you enjoyed? What did you learn from your travels?”

  Smiling despite himself, he began to relate the events. He finished by telling her about his dismay at finding more and more of his kind, those they called the curse wolf, living in horrid, squalid conditions. Marginalized. Some of them starving, sick.

  She frowned and nodded. “It’s true the deeper you get into Eastern Europe the more severe conditions get. Poverty is no stranger to most of the people. Here the old legends die hard. You could walk up to the average Parisian and announce you were a werewolf and all you would get would be a laugh or an odd look. Here in the East, the old stories are still believed. The average person would respond with fear. I wish they could and would come to us,” she finished.

  “Come here? How would that change anything, Kira? I’m not ragged and starving. I’m here only for a brief moment, yet I’m treated as I am. How would a wretched homeless man find himself welcomed?” He heard the bitterness in his words but wasn’t sorry. He was finding a new sense of strength inside himself that seemed to enter the room when she did. This sense of strength seemed to come from more than just his passion for the issue. The wolf, a part of himself he kept tightly controlled to the point of almost complete subjugation, was pushing up at him and demanding he demonstrate his strength and worthiness to this female.