Circle of Wolves

by Jacqueline Roth

  “Better than you might imagine.” She looked at him lost in thought for a moment. Yes, that was the best next step. She’d show him that. Then if all went well, in a day or two she’d show him the rest of the answers to his question.

  “Do you like children?”

  He stared at her for a moment, unable to fathom the purpose of the question. “I’m a teacher of sorts, a tutor really, of course I like children.”

  She laughed. “The two do not always go hand in hand.”

  He chuckled, “No, I guess they don’t. I can think of a professor or two from my University days whom I’m certain had no great fondness for students. We were necessary evils that helped pay for research opportunities.”

  She folded her napkin and stood. He rose with her. “Tomorrow then. Be ready after breakfast. I need to go outside the gate. I’d like you to come with me.”

  “Whatever you wish.” A rebellious thought in the back of his mind laughed at him. Evan shook his head as if to clear it. “I’ll be ready.”

  “Good.” She turned and walked toward him. “The kitchen will send up dessert for both of us. Eat it. I think this journey has been hard on you.” She pulled at the shoulders of the jacket emphasizing the oversized fit.

  “This isn’t my jacket.”

  She smiled and backed to the door. “I know.”

  Circle of Wolves

  Chapter Seven

  Beyond the Gate

  “God, you’ve screwed this up.” Alexi was sitting on the arm of the chair with his head bowed in his hands and seemed to be mostly talking to himself. “After all my planning, you messed it up. Blessed Mother, Evan what were you thinking?”

  “Gee, I don’t know… Gosh, I’m a mage, it will be faster to set the table with a bit of magic?” He spun away from Alexi and moved to the window. “You know I’d greatly appreciate it if someone would just tell me what I did. What the hell was wrong with using magic?”

  “What did Kira tell you?” Alexi was sitting up straight and watching him closely. “What did she say when you did it?”

  “Nothing that made any sense. She quoted some poem to me. She said it was a nursery rhyme. It’s not one I’ve ever heard.” Evan sat back against the windowsill. He was swept by the memory of her similar posture earlier. She had looked so sweet, almost girlish. Her body had been showcased to perfection as she leaned there, long limbs relaxed and extended.

  “When the light flashes.” Alexi groaned, “Don’t tell me that stone of yours casts light, Evan.”

  “Actually it does glow. Magic always produces a light. Red, green, white, blue…those are the main ones. What did I do?” Evan heard the imploring quality to his voice and felt a slightly embarrassed. He still didn’t understand the effect this woman seemed to have. He wanted to please her but he didn’t react to her, or her to him, in any way he had ever known before. It was as if he had become aware of something inside him that was missing the moment she’d walked into the room and a deeply buried part of him knew exactly where that missing part was. What he didn’t understand was why this was happening. He had to confess he understood at least part of the way his body reacted. Her touch before she left would make sleep difficult as his body, or certain parts of it anyway, refused to relax.

  “Did you ask her this?”

  “Yes,” he conceded. “She said she’d explain it when she was ready.”

  “Then she will.” Alexi’s tone held a note of finality.

  “But don’t you think it might be helpful if you gave me a clue so I don’t screw up again?” Evan pressed him.

  “Don’t use magic. At least not in front of her.” Alexi strode over and placed his hand briefly on the younger man’s shoulder. “I told you once that mages usually stayed away from us. The truth is that we usually stay away from them.” Brown eyes searched lighter eyes and the large man sighed. “How did she end it? Did she say anything else before she left?”

  “Actually she didn’t leave right away. We had dinner and she asked about my trip.” He was sick with disappointment. He had messed this up according to Alexi. If it was true he had let down a great many people he would never want to let down.

  A smile broke the broad face. “Well, perhaps you didn’t blow this completely.”

  Evan looked up at him sharply. “How do you mean?”

  “She didn’t cut and run. She’s not out there right now telling Father to send you packing.”

  Evan groaned, “Gods, I hope not.”

  “Blessed Virgin, Evan! Don’t blaspheme,” Alexi said grinning. “We’re a Catholic people you know. Well, sort of.”

  “You’re joking? You’re joking with me now?” Evan pushed away from the window. “I don’t believe you.” He did, though. This wasn’t a surprise coming from the Alexi he was beginning to know.

  “How did she end it? Did she give you any indication of what she’s thinking?”

  “No, she just said she needed to go out of the gate tomorrow and asked me to join her.” Evan slid his hands into his pockets and started to wonder exactly how he could repair a wrong he didn’t know he’d committed especially since he wasn’t sure why it had been a wrong.

  Alexi grabbed his shoulder. His eyes suddenly serious. “She asked you to go beyond the gate with her?”

  “Yes.”

  The smile was back and Alexi let forth a sigh of relief. “We’re saved. Don’t ask me why but you, my little friend, got a reprieve. Did she mention anything else?”

  Evan was eyeing him cautiously. Calling Alexi’s mood swings mercurial was an understatement. “She asked if I liked children.”

  The big man began to laugh.

  * * * * *

  He was ready early. At least he hoped he was ready in jeans. He’d always preferred to dress for comfort rather than for occasion. The jeans were worn and would soon have to be discarded but they were clean. He compensated by putting a red and blue short sleeved button up over the blue t-shirt. It was emblazoned with a silver University emblem and was a holdover from his school days. With the outer shirt buttoned, the lettering didn’t show. The brown boots had won out over the very ancient sneakers.

  He was leaning back in the chair with a book in his lap. He had been delighted with the library Alexi had shown him. To his amazement his new friend had informed him that the house actually held three libraries. This one for the general use of the family and staff, one that held his father’s books and was open only to the adult members of the family and a third that belonged to Kira. She had her own library.

  “She reads, then?” Evan had asked in what he hoped was a casual voice.

  “Endlessly. She spends far too much time in that damn place. It’s difficult to get her to come out and play much anymore. I don’t think she’s actually hunted since…well, anyway. If you ask her, she’ll show it to you.” Alexi had quickly changed the subject and moved him out of the room.

  Hunted. Evan shuddered. He didn’t want to think about Kira hunting.

  Her knock on his door brought him to his feet. Unlike Alexi and the servants, she didn’t open the door after knocking. She waited for him to open it. When he did, he found a very different sight from the elegant, willowy type of woman he’d come to expect. He stepped aside and motioned for her to enter. The woman who walked in was very different. Also in jeans, she wore a black sweatshirt with the collar and sleeves cut away. This caused it to slip off the shoulders revealing a bright green tank top underneath. The layering hid most of her subtle curves but the jeans hugged the delicately flared hips and tapered snugly down her impossibly long legs. He was glad he had chosen his own boots as he saw one pointed toe of the black boots cross over the other as she leaned against the arm of the chair. She’d have fit in unnoticed on any street in the western world. Her hair was pulled back tight and plaited into a long braid down her back.

  She smiled at him. “Are you ready?” The shirt pulled the blue in his eyes just as the tie had last night. The faded denim that accented his narrow hips was worn in s
everal places, the knees, the center of each thigh and…a bit higher. She stopped herself from wondering just what had caused that particular wear and hoped the heat in her face wasn’t as obvious as it felt.

  Evan tore his eyes from her and sucked in his breath. “I’m not certain. I have no idea what I’m about to do so I have no idea if I’m ready for it,” he admitted.

  Her smile brightened. “I promise it won’t be too painful.”

  Somehow this did not reassure him but he followed her out the door. She led him down a long passageway that ended in a door, which opened directly out into the garden. He made a mental note of the route. It would be more of a climb coming up but it was without a doubt faster than the rambling route Alexi had taken with him. The sun was brilliant and she waited for him as his eyes adjusted to the light difference.

  “Do you feel like walking or do you want to borrow a car?”

  Evan frowned. “How far are we going?”

  “A mile at most. I just wasn’t sure if you were used to walking. Don’t mages usually just pop here and there?” Something about her voice was not exactly teasing but it wasn’t meant to get a rise from him either.

  “Actually there are a great many mages who never pop anywhere. Only air mages can do that. Fire mages can appear from a fire source. But as an earth mage, I don’t have that particular ability. Walking is fine.”

  “This way, then.” She led him down a path and away from the main house. He was pleased he didn’t have to slow his stride for her. He was used to doing so with almost everyone, even his friends. Marcus and Ari had not his height and so he always seemed to be checking his pace with them. And Seth, well that was another issue entirely.

  She made polite conversation as they walked. “Did you sleep well? Was your room comfortable?”

  He answered that it was and enquired after her sleep as well. “Fitful” was the cryptic answer he received. A wicked sliver of something shimmered deep inside him as he wondered what had caused her restlessness. He pushed down the voice of the wolf that was trying to convince him she’d been kept awake by the same feelings that had him tossing and turning.

  “I hope you didn’t have to wait long for me this morning.”

  “No, I was able to amuse myself. Your father’s library is amazing.”

  She stopped walking and looked at him startled. “My father’s library?”

  “Well, the family library, I guess. Alexi showed it to me. Told me to indulge myself.” Damn it, had he broken some hidden rule again?

  She seemed suddenly relieved. “The main library.” She started to walk again, “There is actually more than one library in the house.”

  “I know, Alexi told me there were three.”

  She didn’t stop but her pace faltered. “Did he?”

  “Yes, he said one was private for the family, the large one he showed me and that you had your own.” He watched her out of the corner of his eye for a reaction. “He said if I asked you’d probably show it to me.”

  A small smirk curled her lips, “I’ll bet he did.” Just what Alexi was playing at she wasn’t sure. She was starting to get an idea and it was not an idea she was happy about. The damnable, meddling ass.

  “So will you? Show me your library?” Evan pressed.

  “Do you like libraries?”

  “I enjoy books and I enjoy poking about in them. I come by it honestly as you well know.” He hoped his reference to the previous night went over well. It seemed to.

  “Yes, Evan. I’ll show you my library. I had planned to show it to you tomorrow.” If all goes well, she finished silently. “We’re here.”

  “Kira, this is nowhere near a mile.” His puzzled expression made her smile again. It was an easy smile and he liked the way it curled up the corners of her mouth. He looked away from her. This is not smart, Evan, he told himself. You should not be noticing her mouth. The animal’s voice inside him rejected this. Why shouldn’t he be noticing? He was a man and she was a beautiful woman, a strong and powerful woman. He damn well should be noticing a woman who would make such a fine… Evan shook his head before the last thought surfaced. Where the hell had that come from?

  “This is only our first stop. I meant a mile in all. It’s not actually that far as the crow flies but about it works out to a mile if we stick to the paths. In wolf form I can make it from the front door of the house to the main gate in three minutes, fifty-two seconds. Approximately.” She grinned at him devilishly.

  “That doesn’t sound very approximate to me.” His smile sat easily on his face and he liked the slightly flushed and bright-eyed look she returned to him.

  “Alexi can make it in three minutes, fifty-seven seconds.” Kira couldn’t help think how adorable he was when he smiled. Cute. The man was definitely cute.

  “And Nico? Or don’t you let him join in the reindeer games?”

  She looked away from him suddenly. When she spoke again she didn’t exactly answer his question. “I’ve never timed Nico. Anyway, I thought you might like a chance to look around as we go, sort of take the scenic route.” She led him off the main road and onto a path that wound through a few trees to a small building. “If you think you’re up to it.”

  Their walk had taken them to the edge of the collection of buildings he had driven through with Alexi when he arrived. The structures were a blend of homes and what seemed to be businesses. Tradesmen’s signs hung from nails outside doors.

  He was up to it. He had a sudden urge to show her just how strong he actually was, to match her strength and endurance and outstrip her if he could. As they passed this portion of the village, he remembered his question for Alexi. “How many people live here?”

  “At last count, one hundred and seventy-three, soon to be seventy-four. The Arnots are expecting a new baby very soon. They came here about three months ago from France.” She started up the steps to the door. “He had owned a small bookstore before he was bitten. He came here because of Father’s attitudes about those like him. And you.”

  “He’s like me but you allow him to live here? I got the impression that everyone here was like you, a blood Wolf.” Evan stopped her before she could open the door.

  “Inside the gate yes, there are only blood Wolves. Anton Arnot and his family live outside the gate.” She pushed open the door to the small building and was greeted by the noise of laughter.

  As Evan entered, he saw about thirty children of various ages scattered around the room. Four adult women were moving from group to group. Maps papered the wall next to childish drawings. Books lay on shelves across two full walls and in one corner three toddlers were sorting large blocks by color. “Welcome to our school, Mr. Forester.”

  He looked down at her and she was smiling at him. He smiled back and realized a hush had descended over the room. Several pairs of eyes in all possible shades stared up at him. The adults looked at him passively if a bit warily. The eldest one turned to the children and ordered them back to their tasks. Amazingly they complied, except for a few furtive glances over their shoulders. The youngest woman, whose thick brown hair was cut short around her full moon face, approached them.

  “Miss Kira, we are always glad to have you visit us. Is there something you or your guest would like to see?” Her voice was pleasant but there was a strain in the way she referred to the “guest”. Evan watched Kira stiffen and saw her look down into the brown eyes. She held them until the young woman not only looked away but backed away a step.

  “My guest is free to see whatever he wants. I’m sure if he has any questions you will be more than happy to answer them, as a colleague.” Her voice held no room for argument and he shifted uncomfortably. The formal and imperial Miss Gregoravitch was back.

  “You’re a teacher?” The young woman’s eyes were huge as she finally looked at him.

  “Yes, I teach. I teach a select group of young people with specific gifts but I am a teacher.” He hoped his voice had sounded soothing but the young woman’s incredulity did not change
. It was irritating. “Trust me, Miss, I have yet to eat one of my students, so I’m certain yours are safe. Particularly during the daytime hours.” He saw Kira repress a smile, hiding it behind her hand. The young woman blushed and seemed to find her manners. Still, she shadowed him closely around the room.

  “Are your students not given the summers off?” he asked politely.

  “No, we do go to half day in the summer but we follow the more progressive teaching models that indicate that year round schools with large breaks are more effective and produce higher achievement.” He allowed her to guide him about but had to admit he lost interest fairly quickly.

  Returning to the front to find Kira leaning over two large satchels of books, he thanked the young teacher who quickly left him with obvious relief. Kira looked up and smiled devilishly. “It is time for a confession, Evan.”

  His brows pulled together. “What is it?”

  She straightened up. “I actually asked you to come so you could help with these.” She pointed to the bags. “I couldn’t carry them myself and would have had to use a car or made two trips.” She lifted one up and flung it over her shoulder. The bags were the size of his duffle bag but he discovered they were much heavier as he lifted the other.

  Five minutes later as he was starting to really notice the extra weight on his shoulder, he began to appreciate her strength. Her stride had not shortened and her breathing was normal. She might not have been carrying what had to amount to about fifty pounds of books on her back. He let her step ahead of him a bit and he watched with pleasure the sway of her hips as she moved. His mind began to toy with the thought of how the taut curves would feel in his hands. He felt himself stir and silently cursed. This he did not need right now but he couldn’t stop watching the way she moved.