by Lexi Ander
I stood, feeling ancient as my bones cracked. "Time to get ready for the coronation?"
"Not quite," Brian said as Ushna took my arm and led me back to the house and our room, which was vacant.
Ushna closed the door, leaning against the wood. Brian cupped my cheek. "How are you?"
What a loaded question. I couldn't say fine because the lie would leave a bitter taste in my mouth.
"If… when you want to talk, Brian and I are here for you." Ushna pushed off the door, pressing his heat into my back.
The days ahead of us were going to be long and hectic, packed with lists of things we'd need to accomplish to make our people safe. We had one more battle, smaller and more political in nature, before us. Additional changes would come from the confrontation. But right now, I pulled Brian and Ushna closer to me. I soaked up their desire, their love, and cherished every touch and brush of lips. I sank gratefully into their comfort, giving back everything in my power until our breathy moans were the only noises I heard, their touches the only things I felt. When I emerged, I was renewed and filled with purpose.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Stanley Kendall
"How long are they going to sleep?" Dawn's whisper pulled me to the edge of wakefulness.
"As long as they need to," Randy replied. The soft creak of the rocking chair never halting.
"But how do we know they aren't hurt anymore? Justus said—"
"Yes, Stan was wounded, but your dad healed him." The creaking stopped.
"Uncle Tristan said dad might forget us." Neoma didn't sound scared, only contemplative, as if she examined something closely.
"Then we remind him," said Justus, sounding so sure of himself.
"Come on." Randy's voice was further away. "They aren't going to wake up any quicker with you three staring at them."
The door snicked shut cutting off the sound of shuffling feet. I was exhausted, and my body hurt as if I'd been squashed by a steam roller. The hazards of defying a Goddess. I prayed I wouldn't be facing down any more. Both times I'd almost died. I didn't want to chance a third confrontation.
Theo's scent filled the air, the heat of his body close to me. My wolf urged me to find him, so I pried my eyes open. We were back at the ranch in my room. The pups' toys were spread across the floor. When I rolled over, Theo was there, still and lifeless. Eggshell littered the bedspread, but someone had covered him with a soft lap blanket. His skin was cool to the touch, and since there wasn't another blanket within reach, I scooted over. I ignored the crackle of shell as I draped part of my body over his. Who needed another blanket when there was me?
Placing my ear against his chest, I listened to the beating of his heart. The sound soothed my primal side. I clearly remembered begging Theo to go to Nathan only for him to deny me. Never would I forget his expression when he refused to let me die, his scarred and stern countenance staring at me as he glowed. Fire had burned in his eyes, spreading over his skin as if he was made of a combustible material. Through everything, I saw his caring, his love. Even as overjoyed as I was to have him look at me like that, the elation was overshadowed by the knowledge Nathan had probably died. The chance Theo could have helped him was small; the lore of the guardian serpents stated nothing on our plane could heal the poison of their bite. Did Theo know that, restoring me because checking on Nathan would've been a futile endeavor? If Theo had gone to make sure, I would have been dead before he returned. Yet the guilt still ate at me, overshadowing my joy at being alive. Remembering that Nathan had allowed me to see him as a Vikrum because he hadn't planned on living through the night didn't help.
"What are you thinking about?"
I glanced up into Theo's clear blue eyes. They shone with a soft fondness, sending my senses reeling with giddiness. "Hi." I frowned. After everything that had happened, was a simple hello the best I could come up with?
Theo grinned, the scar tugging at his lip. "Hi back." His smile slipped. "I was afraid I wouldn't hold you again."
I tightened my arms around him. I wouldn't tell him the story of meeting Marduk with Brian then; at least, not for a long while. Moving up, I captured his mouth. Life was too short to dwell on what could have been. Theo was here. I was here, and I didn't plan on going anywhere for a long while. When I broke the kiss, I turned us on our sides, sliding our bodies as close together as possible. We had some decisions to make, and I wanted to talk through our options. In some ways we were moving fast, making plans for a combined future, but in my mind, he was my Twin Flame, my Bashert. Theo Sullivan was the one person who balanced me, and I him. Our lives were already blended together, and I didn't want to sleep one night away from him.
"So we stay, support Tristan, Brian, and Ushna in any way we can?" Theo asked.
I nodded. In the future, we would need them when Theo began to forget important things with each deep healing. I was optimistic, believing that those of us who shared this new life with Theo wouldn't be forgotten. Theo cautioned that we'd cross that bridge when we came to it.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Tristan Janick
The weeks passed quickly as Brian, Ushna, and I worked through the aftermath of freeing a people who'd long been enslaved. It all started with the night of the public coronation. The three of us stood on a podium surrounded by a packed amphitheater. Vestiges of the battle remained for the people to see as I talked about the future, the children of Tiamat, and the changes to come, and ended with a eulogy for Nathan that I struggled to finish without breaking down. But I ensured everyone knew of his bravery and sacrifice.
The children of Tiamat had been living underground for so long, many wouldn't budge when I offered to help build them a city in a new location. They didn't know how to live on the surface, and I didn't push, but plans were drawn up for the construction of a fourth protected city like Bahbelle. When they decided they were ready to see the world, they would have a secure place to call home.
Two days after the coronation celebration ended, Leora and her scorpion-men arrived in Sanctuary, bringing along the humans who'd been kidnapped by Marduk. Only one wanted to return home and to the life he'd once had. The others asked to be allowed to stay with the Lycans. Some of Leora's people offered to take them in until they could get back on their feet.
After Leora led the humans away, I noticed Jory waiting for me. I was surprised to see him in Sanctuary. He was working diligently on the next phase of our plans and I had barely seen him.
"Is there something wrong with —"
Jory waved me off. "No, that's still on schedule. I wanted to catch you before you became too busy again. The Nameless are ready to return home but they have requested an audience with you before they go."
The Nameless had been quite fierce in battle with surprisingly few losses. I was grateful they had come to my aid without being called. We'd needed all the help we could get. I had noticed how integral they'd been in holding the line so that the amphitheater wasn't overrun, giving me the time needed to deal with Inanna. So of course I said yes to Jory. Besides, I was curious to see how they fared.
Jory went to get them and as I waited I was joined by Dawn. Theo lived in Sanctuary and spent a good amount of time here, seeing to the needs of those who came through the gateway; Tiamat's children mostly. Stan's duties, for the time being, had him moving between the ranch, Sanctuary, and the Halls of the Anunnaki. When the children didn't have lessons, they were brought here to spend the day with Theo.
Dawn was quiet, taking my hand as Jory returned with the Nameless following on his heels. Surveying the pack, I was pleased to see that the wounds they'd acquired during the fight had healed. I reached out to them through the Earth and was overjoyed to feel their happiness. I'd hoped that giving the wolves rein over their actions and choices would have a positive outcome.
"We Nameless have pleased our Alpha?" The eldest of the wolves pushed at me through the Earth.
Dawn released my hand and walked among the pack, scratching ears and play
fully tugging on ruffs. When they shoved wet noses in her face, she giggled in delight.
Pleased me? "I will forever be grateful to you." Quickly shedding my clothing until only the protective scale silk remained, I fell into my wolf form and we greeted the Nameless.
After we'd locked the traitors from Tribe Uras in their wolf form, commanding them to follow and obey Jory, we'd unintentionally tied the wolves to him. Our friend swore the only side effect had been that he was always conscious of where they were and their state of being. The situation was a warning for us to be careful. We were more powerful than we were aware of.
Standing proud, we invited their touch, nipping playfully at flanks when they rubbed against us. When the wolves rolled onto their backs and called us their alpha, we smiled, reaffirming they belonged to us. Slowly, one by one, the Nameless withdrew. We sensed how they yearned for home in the cold north where their hunting grounds provided well for them and their dens smelled of happiness and pack. When they left Sanctuary's grounds and we howled our final farewell, we were content when they lifted their voices in reply.
Dawn leaned into us, her thin arm around our neck as we listened to the end of the long, happy howls. "We'll see them again," she said quietly. "They will live happy and free. Their pack will grow and when their pups come of age, the Nameless will bring them to you, ask you to accept them into your pack." Dawn leaned harder into us, burying her nose into the fur behind our ear. "In time, they will be a proud, fierce people, stronger than what others believe them to be. Their loyalty will be legend."
Justus and Neoma called to Dawn from where they climbed on the kraken statue, and she darted off before we could fall back into our man shape and ask questions. Perhaps it was better if we didn't know, the warning of dire consequences from the Goddess Uttu was forever fresh in our memory. Once I'd transformed, my name was called and I was reminded of the list of duties waiting for my attention.
When he had time, Brian worked with Elder Luis of the King's Library, adding the events of the last several months and years into our history books. His love of taking pictures and selfies had a dual purpose, as they were included in the text. He was particularly fond of the ones of him in his dragon form bashing the clay prayer dolls belonging to Marduk. Brian went so far as to have the image printed, blown up to eleven by seventeen, and framed. He hung the picture in the conference room behind our seats at the head of the table. Stan snickered when I asked what happened, laughing so hard in the retelling I made him repeat the story. When he mimed Brian prancing in dragon form, I laughed until I cried.
True to my word, the Ophidians changed the carvings on the gateways to Dilmun. Those who weren't allowed free access between our worlds couldn't come through the gate without an escort. I prayed the future without their interference would be safer.
The Goddess Uttu had been curiously absent throughout everything, not that she'd played a large role in our lives before the battle. With as busy as I was, I never saw her. I wondered if perhaps that was a good thing.
The Weaver of the Web of Life thought she was indebted to me. Now, with Inanna as Ereshkigal's prisoner, the threat she saw to the Lycan royal line was at an end. Theo assured me Uttu still visited. She mentored Dawn's developing abilities, helping her to understand and control her talent. I suspected we'd run into each other eventually, especially after I found Uttu's gift.
The tapestry was beautiful, hanging in the conference room where I viewed it every meeting. The weave was masterful; it looked much like the painted mural of the Igigi War in Tiamat's place of Stasis. The past and present could be easily discerned, the faces of people I knew or had known, those who'd played a part in the days leading up to the battle were all there. The future going forward was there as well, but the people's faces were indistinct, as if their actions weren't quite set in stone. Even though I couldn't make out the who, it wasn't hard for me to determine my children's future would be difficult but rewarding.
The mirror Inanna coveted was a bane, keeping me up nights as I considered what to do with the prison holding Zahak the Serpent Shouldered. Brian, Ushna and I invited Corey into the King's Tomb with us. Since the night we'd found Nathan and Daniel in the tomb, Corey had stationed guards at all the known entrances. I'd put off dealing with the chaos monster as long as I could. I would always see my brother on the floor and relive the pain of losing him when I entered. But something had to be done, so we ventured inside to see what we could devise.
The interior was drearier than I recalled, but that could have been me projecting my emotions. Whoever cleaned up what was left of Daniel had done an excellent job. There was only a hint of blood tainting the air. After putting a couple of portraits aside, I pulled out the one Nathan had indicated and removed the dust cover.
The surface wasn't a mirror but highly polished metal. The object within niggled at an old memory from another life, one in which I'd been friends with the hero Keresaspa. I'd helped him imprison the cannibal Zahak the Serpent Shouldered, although monster probably was the best description for the person imprisoned within the surface.
At first, I worried we were too late because there wasn't anything reflected there. But in the bottom right corner was a dark speck that gradually grew bigger until I could make out the features of a man running towards me. Ushna and Brian made noises of warning right before the man hit the surface and bounced off.
Zahak the Serpent Shouldered used to also be known as the demanos, Ahzi Dahak. Most of the world had forgotten who this madman was, and I wasn't sure if that was a good thing. He came through the same gate that brought the Simurgh and the spirit of my son Atar. It was written that every time Zahak broke free of the prison Atar put him in, they would battle. If Atar won, Zahak would be imprisoned again. If Zahak won… Saéna had witnessed the end of the world three times, but civilization eventually rebuilt from the devastation, and the cycle would begin anew. Legend said Atar would be reborn in the age when Zahak would break free.
My son wasn't even a year old yet, and as his father, I would do everything in my power to make sure Zahak stayed where he was for a few more decades.
"What are we going to do?" Ushna crossed his arms and scowled at Zahak. His clothing was in tatters, but the two fat snakes coming out of his shoulders made him look menacing despite his haggard appearance. Those two serpents only ate human brains. I recalled the many stories about how much "fun" Zahak had when acquiring food for them.
"We could shove this back through the gateway he originally came from," Brian suggested.
"I already tried that." At Brian and Ushna's curious looks, I added, "In a different life. In the Halls of the Anunnaki, the gate Saéna, Atar, and this thing came from is the copper one topped with the gargoyles. When I spoke to the Ophidians last, they guaranteed me there has been no activity through that gate since they had been recording history. Saéna assures me I can't stop the cycle. The only thing we can do is keep this safe until Atar is ready." Even as I spoke, my stomach soured. I was his father; I should be able to do something to take care of this threat to my child.
"I could hear you thinking all the way back at the ranch." Saéna sauntered her fluffy copper ass up to me, her scrunched muzzle pinching even more as she scowled. "Neither you nor anyone else on this plane are equipped to fight Zahak."
"And Atar is?" Brian shot back, hands fisted at his side. Ushna and I moved to bracket him, pressing into his sides as he shook with anger. We'd just dealt with Little Brian being in danger, and now had to prepare for Atar to face something greater than perhaps the three of us. I, for one, had grown used to this immense power granted to me by Tiamat. It was humbling being told that even I had limits. I almost didn't believe her.
"No, not at this moment, but in time, Atar will be a match for Zahak. Do not hide his destiny from him in a bid to protect him. You will only set him up to fail. Equip him to handle what is to come and his chances of defeating Zahak will increase." Saéna cocked her head as she peered at Zahak. He stepped back, even
though he had to know she couldn't touch him. When she bared her long sharp canines, he turned and ran until he was only a small dot again.
I wrapped the dust cover over the frame and tied it off. "Well, we can't keep it here. I want Elder Luis to come in and catalogue everything. This needs to be more secure before I allow others into the tomb without supervision."
"We can lock it up in the panic room at home. Keep it there for the time being," Corey suggested.
"I don't know if I like the prison so close to the pups." Brian wrapped his arms around Ushna as if he needed an anchor, seeking a balance to his obvious anger and fear.
Saéna rubbed her head against Brian's hip. "I will keep the hatchlings safe, Your Highness. The solution is only temporary."
I agreed with Brian, but we couldn't leave the mirror here. With Saéna's help, we'd keep the children safe, away from the mirror until a more permanent solution could be found.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Gregori Borchetta
"It's time you tell him."
I glanced at Juan sitting across the room with Ace. They played a card game while I attended to the human witch, Jonas. I would never get used to the opulence provided by Sanctuary but my wolf loved the energy of the place. Cupping Jonas's hand in mine, I slowly poured healing magic into him. Between these daily sessions and the power of Sanctuary itself, Jonas had been retrieved from death's door.
"You cannot continue to ignore the situation. Tristan's power base is stable. The new elder has replaced you on the Council of Five. It is time for us to go." Juan spread his cards out on the table and Ace laughed, throwing his down. Not quite fitting under the table, the Shirdal, Kildare, listened with perked ears.
