by L M Lacee
She arrived and then the screaming and biting, punching and hair pulling began. While they were all busy trying to kill each other. I slipped out the back and escaped.”
Axl said. “We had to, you know thump a few guards before we could leave. Well quite a few. Those Unicorns are vicious and fast.”
Ark said. “So as you can imagine we are not popular.”
Axl said piously to Olinda. “See sister. I was innocent of all wrong doing.”
“Except you got kidnapped.” said Ark.
Axl eyed his brother as he growled. “It was a plan!”
“For what?” asked Olinda.
“What?”
“Why did you have to be kidnapped?”
The back of his neck went red as he mumbled. “Well it does not matter now. It never quite worked.”
Olinda raised her eyebrows as she said. “I see.”
Axl narrowed his eyes as he asked. “Are you mocking me sister?”
“Hell yes!” She assured him.
Laughing he hugged her, saying. “So glad you are here.” Which made her smile.
Claire eyed him and said. “It was the ale wasn’t it. You wanted the recipe didn’t you?”
Axl sniffed righteously. “I can neither confirm nor deny that!”
Ark hit him. “Seriously we almost died for an ale recipe.
Ash growled. “I almost ended up married for ALE! You are an idiot!”
“Maybe!” Sharm said bringing the brewing argument to a close. “If you give me the number. I will call tonight and hopefully set up a meeting as soon as possible.”
Rene’ asked. “Do you know of any others?”
Ark said. “There is the group in England and there is one in Washington State. I will give you the number.”
“Why do you have it?” asked Sage.
He grinned. “Never you mind!”
“There was a collective. “Ohhh!” again from the females.
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE:
T he following morning Sharm called Ash to tell him a meeting had been arranged for one o’clock that afternoon, at the library.
Ash and Olinda arrived at the library with Ash’s brothers. They were not surprised to be joined by Reighn, Sage, Sharm and Edith. Also Charlie and Storm as well as Keeper and Ella. Sage told them. “There are snacks and drinks if you want them.”
Ash got Olinda a coffee as Storm did likewise for Charlie. Everyone sat around a large table. “So who are we seeing?” Olinda asked.
Sharm said. “The English group refused our request for a meeting after we sent a vial of blood from Olinda.”
Keeper said. “From that, we have extrapolated that Olinda is not descended from their group.”
Sharm agreed. “So we asked the Washington group and they are sending two representatives, the first is a professor Limann. He is a Unicorn and very well known in history. He will give us a history on the species. You should know, they asked for an additional two vials of blood from you and Cara. Which I will supply when they come today.
“Why?” asked Storm.
“I do not know. I am sure they will tell us.”
Just then his phone rang, he gave it quick look and said to Reighn. “They are ready.”
Reighn opened a portal and a short round male in a light blue suit stepped through. He was exactly as Olinda thought a professor would look like, with thinning grey hair and glasses. He carried a satchel and as soon as the portal was dismissed he straightened his tie and the cuffs of his suit jacket looking at Sharm. “You are the healer?”
“Yes, you are Professor Limann?”
“Yes. I do not have a lot of time, so shall we get started?”
Sharm’s lips tightened at the male’s brusque manner, he made the introductions which the professor more or less ignored unless it was to stare at Olinda. When Sharm had finished Professor Limann demanded. “Where is the child?”
Charlie said. “Not here!” he ignored the warning in her tone and said. “I was under the impression she would be!”
“Your impressions were wrong.” growled Storm. The male eyed Storm and snapped his mouth closed. He shuffled some papers from his satchel and started to talk. Sharm took his seat beside Edith and mind sent. Asshole!
Swear jar! Edith sent back, which made him smile as he said. Exceptions were stated.
To whom?
Keeper before the meeting.
Sucks! I forgot again.
By the time they stopped talking, it was to hear Olinda angrily asking. “A Unicorn you are serious?”
“Yes.”
“So let me get this straight. I am a full Unicorn not half a Unicorn?”
“That is what I have spent the last five minutes explaining!”
“Alright no need to get snotty. So you are saying a mythical four legged animal with hooves and a horn had sex with my mother and impregnated her with me?” Snarked Olinda.
“Yeah! Okay I see that!” said Charlie with a laugh in her tone as she looked at Olinda, who crossed her eyes at her Causing Ash to smile.
“Now you are just being obtuse.” stated the Professor.
“I was trying for sarcastic. Guess my aim was off.” Olinda said with a haughty tone.
The male ignored her statement although his eyes squinted behind his glasses.
Obviously a Unicorn is a shifter so therefore the Unicorn in question was wearing a male form when he impregnated your mother. Which resulted in you.”
“Seriously you have tone. Charlie hand me a gun!” snarled Olinda. Ash placed his hand on her shoulder.
“Cool your pistols there female.” Charlie told her as she looked at the fussy little round male who had his nose so far up in the air he was lucky he didn’t trip over it. “So if Olinda is a Unicorn and the DNA test you and Sharm did, say she and our Cara are related. Then what you are saying is also true for Cara?”
“Well of course. It is not rocket science, it is simple genetics ...” Storm reached over and slapped the male who dropped to the floor unconscious. They all looked at him lying on the floor then at Storm who said. “Sorry thought you had finished talking to him.”
Axl picked him up as Ark placed his papers back in the satchel. Reighn opened the portal so Axl and Ark could throw the male and his things through, which they did.
Edith watched as the male landed in a crumpled ball and winced, that was gonna hurt. She asked. “Well okay is there another?”
Sharm said. “Yes, a lady, Jenny Sanders, please do not hit her!” He admonished Storm, who grunted in reply while the Battle brothers all smiled.
Sage said with her arms crossed. “We will reserve judgment.” Sharm sighed much like his Sire did. Reighn asked Sage. “Why are you unhappy?”
“Because he was an a.s.s!”
“Hey spelling, still counts. Swear jar.” Said Edith.
Sage gave Edith a narrowed eye look and said. “I am upset, he was so not what I thought a Unicorn would be like. I thought Unicorns were all sweet and lightness and pretty.”
“Why?” asked Charlie. “Olinda stabbed and shot Ash and his brothers.”
“Hey I was ill!” She protested.
“Yeah right!” said Axl to Ark. “I think she protests too much!”
Ash said. “She was not in her right mind, normally she would not be like that.”
“Yeah! What he said.” Olinda smiled at Ash, who grinned back and ran his hand down her hair.
Reighn sighed. “Enough! We will see what the next one is like. If we get no help from her I will talk to the Elementals or Charlie can ask Queen Scarlett!”
They all agreed and he opened another portal a female stepped through. Jenny Sanders was tall, lean and had short golden hair sleeked back from her forehead. Her face was classical French, beautiful and haughty. She wore a white business jacket over a red shirt with a white pencil style skirt, with red high heels and carried a black leather briefcase. She had style, polish and was graceful with slim hands.
Delicate! Came to mind. Olinda t
ook one look at her and felt uncomfortable as though she knew something Olinda didn’t. It ratcheted up her annoyed meter.
Sage sighed and gave Olinda the thumbs up sign, obviously this female was more to her liking.
Olinda sat back in her chair and watched the female as she smiled and looked around at the people in the room. Sharm introduced her.
Lady Jenny Sanders, is an emissary sent from the Lachlan Blessing which is what a family or group made up of Unicorn families are called.
Let me introduce you to everyone Lady Jenny, this is our Dragon Lord Reighn and Dragon Lady Sage. This is my shadow Lady Edith and this is Lady Charlie and her shadow Commander Storm. They have Cara who we told you about.
This is Captain Ark and Captain Axl and Commander Ash who is bonded to Lady Olinda, who we also told you about. Finally this is Lord Keeper and Healer Ella, his bonded.”
Jenny Sanders nodded and said. “Hello.”
Charlie asked. “So that last guy. Who was he?”
Jenny said. “One of the most prominent Unicorn scientists of our time. Professor Limann was asked to come and collect blood samples to be tested and to answer any questions.”
Edith told her. “Well he was unhelpful. He was more interested in making sure we all understood how brilliant he was.”
“I am sorry he did so. I will inform Ri’ Caderyn.”
“Ri Caderyn is who?” asked Reighn.
“I apologize. He is the leader or King of our Blessing and Master Sharm is only partly right. The Blessing can also be all Unicorns in one country or world. As it is in Ri Caderyn’s world.”
“I see thank you.” said Reighn. The female inclined her head respectfully.
“Why is it called a Blessing?” asked Olinda.
Jenny Sanders smiled as she answered. “Because to meet or see a Unicorn is a blessing, it has been this way throughout earth’s history. Usually the Unicorn would grant a boon when they happened upon anyone, they deemed worthy.”
“So the virgin and pure thing?” asked Sage.
She smiled coyly as she said. “Myth a nice story but still a myth that has managed to keep Unicorns safe throughout the years.”
“So was it the Unicorns themselves that spread that rumor?” asked Keeper.
Again she smiled shyly. “It may have been, who is to say.”
Olinda stated simply, her eyes never leaving the females. “Well not me. I and my sister, which in truth was more than a surprise do not consider it a blessing or our father a myth! So where is he?”
“I understand how you must feel.” Jenny said with a sympathetic sigh. That put Olinda’s teeth on edge as she said. “I do not think, unless you are Cara or me, you do?”
Jenny cleared her throat from the sudden nerves that jumped into her stomach.
Unfortunately we ran the blood that healer Sharm sent to us and it appears your father has passed through the veil.”
“I am guessing that means he died?” she asked Ash.
“Yes my soul that is what it means.”
Jenny said. “It is a truly momentous occasion to witness the birth of a new glimmer. What you call a baby or hatchling. It is sad no one was there for you or the glisten Cara.” Her sadness seemed genuine.
Charlie asked.“The what?”
“I am sorry Lady Charlie. A glisten means female and a glint is a male. Of course they are only called that until they become what you would call a child around five years old. Then they are called a shine, until they reach fifteen. Which is when they are called a blaze, then of course adulthood follows.
Olinda nodded. “Uhuh! Well I am sure for those who throw their sperm around like it means nothing, it probably is a momentous occasion. Shame the males all don’t stick around to see what actually develops or is that only with human females?”
Jenny disagreed as she sat down and pulled a folder from her bag. “No it is not. Both parents are to be involved always. As decreed by the Ri.
It is stated that all possibilities of a glimmer are to be reported so we can monitor and control the glimmer. Not that many of them are conceived. I can assure you to do all else is against the rules.”
“Rules!” Charlie smirked.
“What do you mean controlled?” asked Storm.
“So do you know the name of our father?” asked Olinda.
Jenny hesitated. Charlie said. “Please do not lie. I can tell when you do.” The female looked at her unsure she was telling the truth. Charlie smiled. “It is a gift!”
With one nod Jenny addressed Olinda’s question first. “Yes it is known who your father was for both you and Cara.”
She answered Charlie next. “Rules was probably the incorrect word. I should have said guidelines. We have guidelines in raising a glimmer.”
She turned slightly towards Storm and said softly. “As for control, we monitor if the shine develops an ability, which may or may not happen around five years of age, for half-bloods. Of course for full bloods they have abilities from birth and they will of course have several.”
“So let me understand this, that professor guy said I was a full blood Unicorn which is bull as my mother was human.” stated Olinda.
“He was incorrect. If he had not hurried to be here, he would have seen the full report. You are not quite half blood.” She pulled out a thin folder and handed it to Sharm. “The results from our scientists on the limited tests run.”
They waited while Sharm read through four sheets of paper. He looked at Olinda, Charlie and Storm. “It says Olinda is a mix of Unicorn and human but apparently your mother Olinda, may have been half Unicorn, you are closer to full blood than half.”
“I see, so almost full blood, all the gifts and none of the shift!” She quipped several smiles followed her words.
Ash whispered. “I am glad. I am not sure I like the idea of you shifting to four hoofs.”
“Well now you will never know if you could have caught me?” She whispered back.
“I will always catch you.” he whispered. Olinda felt a rush of heat at his words, and ducked her head which made Ash grin.
Sharm said. “As for Cara she is Unicorn and Elf!”
“What?” Charlie yelped.
Storm looked incredulous for a moment, then it was as though something registered in his mind, he nodded. “I did wonder about the structure of her face and ears.”
“What about her ears?” ask Charlie.
He smiled. “Did you not ever wonder why they are not rounded as Kelsey or ours are?”
“No it never occurred to me!”
“Well wonder no longer.” said Edith. “So much fun! Now who knows Elves?” She and the others all turned to look at the Battle brothers. They looked at each other, then shrugged. Ash said. “We do not know of any.”
Reighn said. “Elves have not been on earth since magic left.”
“Well apparently that is not true, my Lord. As Cara is half elf.” said Charlie.
Reighn said. “True! We will deal with that later.”
Jenny said. “So in your case Lady Olinda, you may have gifts or not. If you did they would have manifested by the age of five.”
She said it like it was highly unlikely she had any. Which made Olinda ask. “So if I was to have gifts or abilities I would have them already?”
“Yes!”
“How are they manifested?” asked Sharm.
Jenny shrugged. “In many ways, physical or mental. For example a manipulation of objects, like locks and mind control. Transporting from one place to another. Turning invisible, also things like controlling gambling machines. There is a ban on Unicorns gambling of course.”
“Of course.” said Ark, who did not believe her knowing several Unicorns who gambled.
She flicked her eyes towards him and away again saying. “Also the manipulation of emotions, reading minds, for example.”
“Can you tell without tests?” asked Sharm.
“Not usually. It is obvious, lady Olinda has none.”
“Of
course!” said Olinda and it was not hard to hear the sarcasm in her tone.
Jenny cleared her throat. The female named Olinda made her uncomfortable but not as much as the one she was married too. He was so much like the Ri’, who was also an uncomfortable male to be around. It was disconcerting really, she had been prepared to be intimidated and challenged by the Dragon Lord but this male, he was unnerving.
Jenny knew she was in over her head and wished to be back in her own world. These dragons and others were not going to be as easy to manipulate as Ri Caderyn believed.
She lowered her eyes from the intense gaze of the male Ash. It was as though he could see right through her into her soul. Clearing her throat once more she said. “As for the glisten, Cara. We will have to monitor and test her when she turns five, in three years’ time. To see if she develops an ability.”
“If she does?” Asked Storm. Jenny smiled at the male, as scary as he was, he did not make her feel uncomfortable.
“Lord Storm we would have her schooled, we have many great and well respected instructors who may be willing to school a half blood.”
He was starting to see what she was alluding too. He narrowed his eyes and mind sent to Ash. Is she recording this?
He sent back. So Ark says.
Reighn mind sent. She seems to be quite careful in what she says and only hints at things.
I agree! Sharm said.
Storm said to the female. “I understand what you are saying but she could do that here.”
Jenny was shaking her head no, before he had stopped speaking. “Oh no! She would have to come to the Blessing where she would undertake extensive training.”
Charlie smiled as she said. “Over our dead bodies. Not going to happen!”
“Lady Charlie. I do understand you feelings. But the glisten may need specialized training!”
“She will get it here!”
“It does not work that way.” Jenny wrung her hands together. “Ri’ Caderyn has set down procedures for all half breeds.”
Storm said. “It does now!” Olinda said. “I advise you to leave that alone. It is three years away, if at all.”
