Runes of Destiny

by S. C. Winters

  “Well, that friend of yours sounds like the most amazing person in your life. She’s also finishing up laundry. You could help, you know.” I smirk as I go back to folding the towels.

  “Why would I do that? If she was wearing that sexy french maid costume I got her for Halloween last year, then I just might be tempted to help.” I throw the towel that is currently in my hand at him and scoff. He easily catches the towel and puts it in the unfolded pile, of course he does.

  “As you can plainly see, no, asshat, I’m not in the maid costume you bought me,” I shake my head as I answer and pointedly look down at my body. I hitch an eyebrow at him.

  “Such a shame.” He chuckles again. “That would have been a sight to see.” He is now fake leering in my direction. Utter moron.

  I roll my eyes at him and finish what I was doing. I can see the concern on Aleric’s face as I turn to head out. So, I sigh heavily and do the best friend thing: “What’s on your mind, Aleric?” I ask, as I bump my shoulder into his.

  “Umm… well, I was just wondering how you’re really doing now that Gabe’s back. Since now you’ve actually seen him.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You know damn well what I mean, Vi. I’m your best friend. I know all your deepest darkest secrets, remember? How are you actually doing?”

  “Ric, I’m fine. Honestly. He stays away from me; I stay away from him. We’re all good.” I half smile at him. It’s not a true smile though and I know he can tell. I’m fine when I don’t think about him or see him, or smell him or have anything to do with him. When I do have to, I just suck it up because I have no other choice.

  “Uh-huh. I only half believe you, ya know.” Aleric says returning my half smile. I try to punch him in the arm, but totally miss, Great Mothers tits. “Why? Because you’re my best friend and know all my deepest darkest secrets?” I snicker at him. He can always make me laugh.

  2

  Aleric and I slow down as we enter the main gym area. The gym has several different sections, but the layout of the gym is pretty simple. In the middle is a ring. It’s large and as always is the main focus of the gym. We use it for mostly footwork training.

  To the left side of the gym entrance, along the northern wall, there is a warm-up section; it has jump ropes and other warm-up equipment. Along the back wall of the gym is where you’ll find the gloves, sparring headgear, punch pads and extra protective gear that you will need, depending on how hard your partner wants to hit you.

  In the back right corner is dad’s office and the hallway leading to the laundry room and locker rooms. Along the right wall are the heavy bags to work on your form for throwing punches, kicks and combos. On days like today I’m saddened by how few people are here. Normally we are so full I can barely walk through the crowd.

  Ever since Gabriel arrived it’s been a lot emptier. Most of the regulars come at night or go to one of our other locations we own in different areas of town. Most have made it known that they don’t like the entourage that follows him around. I hope dad isn’t losing money because of this fool.

  We walk over to the warm-up section and get started. After a few minutes, Aleric nods his head over at the punching bags, I nod back. We switch gears and get started on our form, doing combos and adding in some kicks. After about thirty minutes, we head to the ring to do some footwork training. In the middle of the training Aleric gives me a look and it confuses me a little.

  Aleric looks at me with a smirk and asks, “What are you doing tonight? Are you up for trying out that new place in town?”

  “Which new place? The Ring?” I ask wanting to get this day over with as soon as possible, “Why don’t we go to The Honey Hole instead?”

  “Yeah, The Ring. We could go there too if you wanted.” He says as he arches his dark eyebrow at me.

  “You know I can’t stay out too late. I have a new semester starting in a couple of days, and I need to buckle down. I have two years left of college, Ric. No screw ups. I don’t want my last days of freedom to be spent with my head in the porcelain throne. Besides, I think Zeke and Honey would love to see us before we both get super busy.”

  At that Aleric laughs. “I promise you won’t get hungover. Four drinks max. I’ll even tell the good bartender. Anyway, doesn’t it take you large amounts of alcohol to get drunk, Witch?”

  “Yes, it may be true that I need something strong and a lot of it, but my body still gets hungover. Unlike some wolf I know.” Oh, did I forget to mention that Aleric is a wolf shifter? Yep, my best friend is a wolf. Not just a normal wolf, he’s an alpha dire wolf. They are bigger, meaner, and so much more protective. His wolf form is as white as the snow caps on Mt. St. Helens, and his eyes are the perfect shade of blue that reminds me of the ocean lapping up against the beach, around those beautiful blue eyes his fur is a soft grey. Aleric’s eyes never change, no matter what form he’s in.

  “Should we invite the local celeb and his groupies?”

  I shoot him a look of disgust. “Why would we do that, Ric? I’m sure if Gabriel and the Elle Squad want to go out, they can, all on their own.”

  Ugh, the Elle Squad, where do I even begin? Sara Belle and I used to be neighbors and played together as kids. Then once we each had our testing done, we got busy with training. She went to air and water training and I went to earth and fire. We never really got to see each other, so our friendship dissolved. Then, the teenage years happened and she turned into the vapid creature she is today to become best friends with the other girls of the Elle Squad. When they all went through the ritual and were blessed with two dé dananns each, which complemented each other, they started training together and now they’re a formidable group to battle against.

  He shakes his head at me and answers, “Vi, we’d invite them, because maybe being friendly towards Gabe will help you heal. I know it’s been a rough couple of years for you, but just try and be nice. Can you do that? For me? For Mom?”

  I glare at him. He knows asking me to do anything for my mom will make me do it. “Fine, but you’re the one asking. It’s got nothing to do with me. You’re also buying the drinks tonight.” I poke his chest as I stress every word. I’m also thinking he better be the one buying tonight. If he’s going to guilt me into this, then I better be getting something out of it.

  “Deal.” He doesn’t even flinch at my poking - typical wolf.

  I’m not sure what he is playing at, trying to get me to spend time with Gabriel. Especially when I know the Elle Squad will be hanging around him. The break up was rough on me, but that was to be expected, but what made it worse was that it was right after my mom passed. I had two blows in such a short time. I was grieving my mother and my relationship. Who wouldn’t take that badly? No wonder it has taken me so long to feel fairly normal again. I mean, of course seeing Gabriel is going to bring up all these feelings: heartache, pain, loneliness and the overwhelming desire to punch him in the nutsack… but that’s normal, right?

  We stop talking and finish up our normal routine. Once we’re close to done, I slow down and cool off. I sense someone watching me from afar, so I turn slowly and head for my water bottle at the edge of the ring.

  I quickly scan the area and see someone new standing by Gabriel and chatting with him. The stranger is staring at me with such intensity I think his face could get stuck that way. He stands a good four inches taller than Gabriel and has skin the color of milk chocolate. But the thing I notice most, and can’t seem to look away from, are his eyes; they are the most beautiful shade of violet I have ever seen. I end up staring back at the stranger, as if mesmerized by those violet pools. Finally, I’m pulled out of it when I spot Aleric’s hand waving in front of my face. Clearly he has been trying to get my attention for a while.

  “Earth to Viola!! Hello? Viola? Making googly eyes at the new guy? Or just making more friends, Vi?”

  “More like adding one more person to the list is all. Do you know who he is?” I say without taking my eyes off the new guy in my
sight. Oh and The List. It’s something I started to help me heal. You know, those steps of grieving and all that. So far on the list was Gabriel, The Elle Squad, and cancer. Those are the three major things in my life that I’m truly mad at.

  “No idea,” replies Aleric. “He must be one of Gabriel’s new buddies. Speaking of Gabriel, have you noticed how odd he smells lately?”

  I shake my head and turn to him. “No. I haven't trusted myself to get that close to him again, but I wouldn’t be worried, Ric. Most humans smell differently when they are in new surroundings for a long period of time. Now that he’s back, he probably just smells like the big city. Don’t worry, big guy.”

  He shrugs it off and yells at Gabriel. “Hey, Gabe. Can we talk?”

  3

  Gabriel

  Damn, seeing her again is not what I thought I wanted, but apparently it is what I wanted. My body still reacts every time I glance at her. She is still as breathtaking as I remember. Those curves, those eyes and even the way she pouts when she doesn’t get a move or a combo right still sends shivers up my spine.

  I know I was the asshat that broke it off with her, but I did it for her own good. I couldn’t leave to go do the circuit if she was tagging along. She needed time to grieve her mom, to learn who she is without her. She was doing everything for me and losing herself at the same time and I, well, I needed time away from everything. It’s not that I didn’t love Viola with everything in me, I was just overwhelmed by it all and the future that we were supposed to have together.

  I have to say, though, her form has improved a lot since I left. Aleric has obviously been helping her a great deal and it has paid off. I hate the fact she won’t look in my direction. I hate it even more that she is staying so close to Aleric. I know he and I had our issues while I was dating Viola, but man, he moved in quickly. I have asked around town to see if they are together, but no one will give me a straight answer. I guess I deserve that. I did leave her after all.

  She does look really good. Right now her blood auburn hair is in a double french braid, which makes her almond-shaped emerald green eyes stand out even more. I know she isn’t wearing any makeup; she never really needed it. She just has always had this magical glow about her. I know she is a witch and has magic, but this is something else. She has always been magic. It is like it oozed from every pore on her and it makes everything she does and says even more unique.

  I see Sara Belle and the other girls warming up and acting like they care about coming to the gym. I know they are only here for me. Sara Belle and the girls have been stalking me since I arrived back in town. I am so glad I brought Grayson with me. He can be my buffer, not that I particularly need it but I will definitely take advantage of his presence.

  I met Grayson on the circuit. I actually met him after my Canelo fight. He came into my locker room and was hooping and hollering about how I almost had him. It’s the craziest thing; Grayson, when he’s not fighting, is so calm, reserved and very proper, but when he is fighting, man, all bets are off. He goes crazy.

  I turn to look around the gym when I see Grayson walking towards me. I scan past him and search for Viola. I know she is with Aleric and is safe, but I can’t help this feeling I have in my gut that something isn’t right. I do another scan of the gym. There aren’t really many people here. Sara Belle and her girls, Grayson, Viola, Aleric, Viola’s dad, and a few guys who are currently at the punching bags. They seem a bit out of place. They are both tall and a bit on the skinny bean-pole side. They have muscles, but it seems they are more in their brains than into the brawn.

  Grayson comes up to me and follows my gaze to the two guys, “Having trouble with those two?”

  “No, I just have this feeling in my gut that something isn’t right is all.” I reply.

  “Sounds good. You know if you keep staring at her, she is gonna know you regret your decision.” Grayson chides me.

  “I know man, but she’s just there. I knew it would be hard coming back home, but I needed a break. Doing all those fights back to back was literally killing me.” I reply.

  That’s when I hear them moving our way. Then out of nowhere I feel hands starting to roam my chest and arms. Ugh, why the hell can’t she just leave me the fuck alone? What is with this chick?

  “Hi, Sara Belle, how was your warm-up?” I ask completely uninterested in the actual answer. I try to discreetly dislodge myself from her talon-like grip and end up moving maybe a millimeter away. Fuck. This bitch has a strong grip on her. She should be a wrestler with those moves; she would have a man pinned in five seconds flat.

  “It was good. I worked up a good sweat. But I know better ways to make me sweat. You could always help me with that,” she giggles.

  “I could help you with your form, no problem, but I am super busy and have a few fights that I’m training for. I don’t really have much time for anything other than training.” I say quickly hoping she gets the rejection. She must because she scuffs away in a huff towards the two guys at the punching bags. I wonder how she knows those two bean poles. Whatever they say must not have been what she wanted. She walks away and heads to the locker room.

  I glance back over the gym and see that Aleric and Viola have moved into the ring. She is so quick. She has improved a lot more than I thought. They look to be deep in conversation. I wonder if they are together. I hope not; I would really like to talk to her and apologize and make things up to her.

  I look away. I can’t stand it anymore. They look so happy, like I wasn’t even their friend. That’s when I hear my name called from across the way, “Hey, Gabe. Can we talk?” It’s Aleric. I look up in that direction as a slow smile creeps across my face. “Sure, Ric. Give me a second to finish up here. Then we’ll catch up.” Aleric waves at me and heads down the hallway to the locker room to shower. I see Viola do the same. I stare after her retreating form with a look of longing and regret which quickly transforms into a cocky grin when I realize she is looking back at me. She quickly turns around and hurries down the hallway.

  4

  Viola

  I rush into the girls locker room to take a shower. I desperately need one after the ass kicking I just got handed to me by Aleric. I quickly strip out of my sports bra, yoga pants and underwear. As I wrap a towel around me, I can hear the impending sounds of the Elles chatting away about how hot and sexy Gabe and his new friend are as they walk closer to me. I don’t disagree, but I’m not touching that with a ten-foot pole with a crocodile attached.

  Sara Belle is the first to notice my presence and proceeds to snark. “I don’t see why you even try training, Viola. It is not like it helps any. You still have that flab around your stomach and no guy wants to date a seal.” The rest of the Elles laugh and give Sara Belle high fives. As I said before, vapid. It is girls like this that give the rest of us a bad name and use up precious oxygen.

  “I train so I can have freedom. I would hate being stalked by daddy’s meatheads or need them to defend me.” Sara Belle winces at my comment. She knows it’s true. She will never be free, not with her family, even with the powers she wields.

  With a victorious scoff, I head for the showers with my caddy. I sigh softly, find an empty stall and start the hot water. I finish my shower and leave the stall with my towel wrapped around me and walk to my locker. The room is filled with the sounds of the other Elles trying to comfort Sara Belle. She’s hecka fake crying. It’s ridiculous really, she can dish it out but can’t take the truth back. She really needs to live in the real world.

  I smile sweetly as I get dressed. I’m in dark skinny jeans that hug my curves, a tight mid drift shirt that has sheer material that goes up from the sweetheart neckline to the base of my throat and covers my arms. I close my locker and grab the dirty towels. I stop in the doorway and turn my sweet smile toward the Elle squad. “If you need me to, I can go get one of the meatheads for you. You might need them to protect you from all those fake tears that you’re crying. Especially since if I stay here any longer
, I’ll give you a reason to really cry.” I growl the last part at them for added effect.

  I take my leave and head into the gym to look for Aleric when I hear a low cat call from behind me. I turn and see Gabriel and the new guy. Gabriel slowly smiles at me and starts walking my way. “Hey babe, still training with Ric, I see. Why not move up and train with someone more advanced? I know you have the moves.” He arrogantly winks at me as he makes his comments. “You should see what she can do, Grayson. I mean those legs…”

  Rolling my eyes and think to myself, Really? Slowly I look up at him as sweetly as I can and in my best Elle voice say, “Oh Gabey, you know just what to say to make a girl swoon.” I almost gag at the impression of the Elle’s I just did and add in a harsh tone, “I train with Aleric because he is the best.”

  So here’s the inside scoop, ever since we were all kids, Gabriel, Aleric and I had been inseparable. We did everything together. We were in the same classes at school, played the same sports, went to each other’s houses, literally everything. Then Gabriel and I started dating, that made things a little strained between Aleric and Gabriel, but as time went on Aleric chilled and became the best, best friend a girl could ask for. Then Mom got sick and passed away, and Gabriel abandoned me in my biggest time of need. That’s when Aleric stepped up more than anyone could ever imagine. I will always be grateful for his presence in my life. Since the breakup, though, Aleric and Gabriel’s relationship has been strained more than ever.

  Gabriel’s friend starts to chuckle at my antics while leaning on the wall like he’s straight out of a John Wayne film. Gabriel turns and gives him the go-to-hell look. It is at that exact moment Aleric comes out of the men’s locker room holding dirty towels for me. As I push through to him, I take the towels from Aleric and head to the backroom. I leave the door slightly open so I can overhear whatever conversation is about to happen. I switch out the clean laundry and start to fold the towels that I had started before I was hunted down by a wolf.