by Liv Olteano
I cleared my throat. “Taka.”
He looked at me, though reluctantly.
“We’re in love. I know the truth of it, and you can see it too.”
Ginger grinned. “So can I. Your energies merge in a very telling way. You are in love with each other.”
Nathan nodded once. “But we’re not discussing with you the future of our relationship. That’s between us, really. What we’re discussing here isn’t me being a part of Claw’s life, but of yours as a teammate.”
“So you two being together is a sure thing, regardless of what decision you make,” Taka concluded and looked at me. “Are you sure about this, brother?”
“I’m sure,” I replied with easy confidence. “Aashi has shared some information with me that I think you should also receive. As things look now, this is my last life before I ascend. And Nathan is my true soul mate. There can never be happiness for either one of us if we’re without the other—we’re meant to be together or endure a life of bitterness. I won’t give up this chance at happiness between us. It’s the last one if I ascend.”
“What exactly does it mean to ascend?” Nathan asked in a bit of a squeal.
“It means after I die, my soul is likely to join the ancestors.”
“I guess it’s kind of like being sanctified,” Angelo said.
“After leading a long and full life, I’m hoping,” I joked in order to change the atmosphere in the dining room.
“That’s so badass,” Drew said. “I for one am happy for Claw that he found his true half now, and that he could become one of the ancestors later.”
Ginger clapped once. “Now can we get back to the issue at hand?” He looked very innocent.
Nathan cleared his throat. “Wouldn’t it bother you to have me as part of your team? Think about it for a bit. Your answers are important to me. They are a significant factor in whatever decision I make regarding the honor of becoming a dreamcatcher and part of Team 32.”
“Was asking for our opinion your idea, or was it Claw’s?” Angelo asked.
“Mine,” Nathan answered.
Taka leaned back in his chair. “I liked your fighting style when we trained together. You’re determined, skilled, resilient, smart, and not as self-centered as I might have expected. Plus you seem to have excellent taste in men.” He looked at me. Then he looked back at Nathan. “You offered to cast a truth spell on yourself in order to prove your honesty. That takes a lot of guts.”
Everyone else around the table nodded.
“I for one would feel much better to have you on our side than as a potential enemy,” Taka said after a few moments of silence. “So if you decide to join us, I’ll welcome you into the team.”
Everyone else said “Me too” or gave us the thumbs-up. I looked in Taka’s eyes and nodded my gratitude. He wasn’t a trusting man by nature, but I trusted his judgment and research. If he gave Nathan the green light, then he’d found nothing to hold against him. That was saying something when it came to Taka.
Nathan inhaled and looked around the room. “I’d find it odd if you weren’t suspicious of me. I broke into your home, having no idea what or who I was really dealing with. I came looking for any kind of help I could find for dealing with Vivian’s… issues. And for this vision of male beauty I’d been dreaming about for a while, a man I caught a glance of in Denny Park when I was meeting my sister and her crew.”
At that point at least half of the guys rolled their eyes, but kept quiet about those thoughts.
Nathan went on, “Despite my tactless entrance into your lives, you’ve treated me well. I mean, there was the handcuffs thing, but I was well taken care of.” He slid me a playful look. “I’m honored to be invited to join you. Your work is so important, and you do it with such dedication. I can’t help but admire your desire to serve others, as opposed to serving yourselves—which is the basis of witch covens, essentially. Maybe because I come from that environment, I appreciate what you do all the more.”
“This sounds more like a goodbye than a hello,” Drew muttered and crossed his arms in front of his chest.
Angelo patted his forearm, and Drew relaxed a bit, but not entirely.
“What I’m trying to say is,” Nathan resumed, “that I’m honored to be invited to join you. I hope my skills will prove useful and that I will prove worthy of being a member of your team. In order to establish that bond of trust among all of us, I’d be open to the idea of casting any kind of truth spell so you’d all know if and when I’d lie. Considering my background and my family, I see your mistrust—however relative—as proof of your dedication to your cause.”
“You’d put yourself in that kind of position just to prove your honesty?” Ginger asked, frowning.
“That way you’d all know without a shadow of a doubt that I’m by your side.” Nathan shrugged. “I won’t take your lack of trust personally.”
“But Claw will know if you’re lying anyway because of Napeva’s Tooth,” Taka intervened. “Are you saying he’d lie to us in order to protect you?”
I didn’t know if I’d outright lie. But some creative presenting of the truth might not be beyond me, I had to admit.
“Of course not. He’s this team’s leader. I trust his judgment and commitment to his duty,” Nathan replied smoothly. “And so do all of you. It’s why you all accepted for me to cast Napeva’s Tooth on Claw and me. I understand that. The team has to come before our personal lives. Kind of like in the army, right?”
“Exactly,” Taka replied seeming entirely too satisfied with the comparison.
“In the army you also obey orders from those of higher rank,” I felt the need to observe. “That would make me the highest rank in this team. Does that mean that you’ll obey my orders without question?”
Taka snorted. “Let’s not get too carried away here. I said that our potential junior should do that, not the rest of us.”
Everyone chuckled.
I leaned closer to Nathan and whispered, “There might be some weird hazing coming your way. I don’t like that plotting gleam in Taka’s eyes.”
He grinned. “I love a challenge.” Then he said in a louder voice, “Since none of you mind the idea of me joining the team, then I have made my decision. Take me to your leader, as the saying goes.”
We filed out of the dining room in pairs, Nathan and me the first to get to the double doors of the webs room. I sent Aashi my request for an audience, and the doors banged open without either of us touching them. She was already inside, wearing one of her more creative outfits that featured some feathers and gauzy fabrics. They rippled as breezes of magic wafted through the small enclosed space. She crooked a finger and called us forward.
I turned to look at Nathan, and found his serious expression entirely too cute. There were beads of sweat at his temples, but I tried to not let that get to me. Of course he was nervous. Who wouldn’t be nervous to see Aashi for the first time?
We stepped in and the doors closed behind us, leaving the rest of my team outside. I looked back at them, then returned my gaze to Aashi.
“Spirit mother?”
She grinned. Her black bottomless eyes shone in a way I hadn’t seen for a while.
“Such a tasty offering you’ve brought me,” she purred in a voice that sounded entirely unnatural.
Nathan flinched when he heard it but bowed his head as low as he possibly could. “I’m Nathan Gallagher, and it’s an honor to meet you. Thank you for offering me your help and this opportunity,” he said.
His voice shook only a little.
“Such an interesting creature,” Aashi whispered as she reached out and set her small and delicate palms in the middle of Nathan’s chest. “I would love to add you to my warriors,” she said sweetly.
Her gaze was warm and friendly as she looked at me, and the smile was the usual kind one she offered. My racing pulse calmed down a little, but not a terrible lot.
“Let’s see what the future holds for you,” she whispered
and closed her eyes.
Magic pulsed and throbbed with power. It was like a vortex that was trying to pull me into its heart. I hadn’t felt something like that in the webs room, and it had me worried sick. I forced myself to not fidget and just focused on breathing.
After what felt like an eternity, Aashi opened her eyes, and Nathan lifted his head enough for them to clash gazes.
“Oh my,” Aashi whispered, seeming transfixed.
Chapter Thirteen
THEY kept staring at each other like that for a while. I did my best to be patient, but I was only human.
“Oh my? What does oh my mean?” I burst out when neither of them would speak.
Aashi stepped back, still looking at Nathan in a way I didn’t think I’d seen her look at someone.
“All of it led to this,” she whispered. “Entire lives of seemingly random steps and disconnected choices, all of it was a path to this point.”
“Aashi? You’re scaring me,” I admitted.
She shook her head. “Yes. There is fear. There is always fear, and there should be.”
“Aashi?” I tried again.
She seemed to be transfixed with Nathan. While I could understand the response pretty well, I hadn’t seen her react like that to anyone.
“What’s going on?” I asked, starting to lose my patience.
“Your true mate’s power is like the sun.” She smiled. “Truly like the sun, burning bright and expanding so much that it can engulf everything around if left to its own devices. Such power is born once every millennia, perhaps. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the likes of it.”
Nathan blinked a few times. “What’s the verdict? What did you see?”
His voice broke a little on the last word. I reached out to hold his hand, and his sought mine out as if on reflex.
Aashi gestured to the sofa and armchair. “Please, sit. We have to talk.”
“The infamous line that ruined lives,” Nathan muttered, though he still seemed dazed.
Aashi chuckled. “Let’s hope that this is not the case.”
“Would you guys mind letting me in on whatever is going on?”
“Your true mate is the equivalent of a nuclear bomb when it comes to magic warfare. That’s the shortest way to describe it. And the potential he has is both of salvation and of destruction. His and his sister’s paths crossed because the Universe always tries to keep things in balance. His life force is like the ever-shining sun. While she was feeding from his life force, she was annulling her death magic without even knowing. If they hadn’t been siblings, then Vivian’s soul could have destroyed so, so much of this world. But because she grew up beside him, a lot of her potential for death magic was lost. She was left with enough to develop, but their simple proximity lessens her spaga abilities.”
“So she was using him as a source of life force, and unwittingly disabling her spaga abilities in fact?”
Aashi smiled. “The irony of life.”
“So me leaving her side was actually a bad thing?” Nathan asked, seeming pretty confused.
“In a way,” Aashi answered. “But you’ve affected the balance of her magic enough already. It’s why she’s looking for you and will try to take you back. She feels weakened and thinks you’re the best source of power for her.”
“Maybe we should help her find me, then.”
Aashi shook her head. “You can do more from this side now. You have endless potential, Nathan. Endless. Can you imagine the wonderful things you will be able to do?”
“Not really. I’m confused about this, sorry.” He ran a hand through his hair. “So how exactly can my potential be used?”
“That’s not for me to say. The ancestors will help guide you during your initiation ritual. Don’t be scared, Nathan. You were meant to reach this point and are meant to achieve so much more from here on. It’s up to you to do so.”
“So I can become a dreamcatcher?”
“You can become anything you so desire, my dear,” she replied. “If it’s a dreamcatcher, then I am most happy.”
“It is. I want to stand by Claw’s side, and his place is here. It’s part of who he is, and I love it.”
I smiled at him, and he smiled back.
“A century and a half of events conspired for the two of you to be together as you are now.” Aashi sighed. “You loving and losing Menewa set it all in motion. While the soul was your true mate, it wasn’t ready in that life to shine. Not as it is able and willing to do now. All that happened conspired so your paths would cross once more when the time was right. And that time is now.”
“You’re saying we were meant to be together now, under these circumstances?” I asked.
She nodded.
“Soul mates brought together by fate.” Nathan shook his head. “You don’t get to say that too often, huh?”
“Not often enough, that’s for sure,” Aashi answered. “Now, let’s go through with the ritual. The ancestors are very excited to meet you, Nathan.”
“That’s great, I guess,” he muttered and gave me a questioning look.
I nodded and smiled in what I hoped was an encouraging way. I had just gotten up from the couch to make room for Nathan to lie down as per Aashi’s instructions, when the rest of the team burst through the doors.
“What’s going on?” Taka asked.
Aashi smiled. “Your team is going to get a new and fantastic addition.”
He frowned. “I’m not sure I’ve heard you refer to someone in those terms. Should I be thrilled or worried?”
“I for one am both.” Nathan cleared his throat as he reclined on the sofa.
Aashi’s gaze grew unfocused. “You have to go on mission tonight, boys. There are a few spaga attacks in your area.”
I made to get my Hawk, but she lifted her hand. “Stick around, Claw. These attacks feel different than previous ones did.”
“Are we thinking distraction?” Taka asked while he rubbed his chin.
“Your guys didn’t find all of my sister’s people,” Nathan said from the sofa. “And I think she can get more than enough spirit servants whenever she wants to. It seems unlike her to just put her tail between her legs and make a run for it. Trying to ambush or create diversions is much more likely.”
“What could she possibly hope to achieve? Catch us out on our own and kill us?” Ginger asked, looking around.
“You’re going out in pairs,” Aashi informed them. “There’s nothing she can hope to achieve against two of my brave warriors fighting together. And if by any chance she plans some other significant attack, I have Claw ready to go out.”
She handed out the pills to the guys. The two pairs got their weapons and disappeared as they swallowed their get-in charms.
“Now that is kickass,” Nathan muttered.
“Travel by magic—a perk of missions.” I smiled. “You’ll get to enjoy it pretty soon. After initiation you’re the junior of our team until we either need your help or Aashi deems you ready to go out on your own for the first time.”
He smiled too. “I sense a warning there. Hazing?”
“Oh, no,” I replied. “Plenty of teasing, though.”
He grinned. “I can work with that.”
“There’s no doubt in my mind.”
Aashi cleared her throat. “Are you boys done?”
“Sorry,” we both said at the same time, then grinned.
She rolled her eyes theatrically. “Wonderful. Unison answers.” Then her face became serious as spider magic pulsed through the room. “The ancestors have found you worthy to serve their cause. Will you answer the ancestors’ call?”
“I’m delighted to,” he replied easily.
“Son of my heart and sword of my cause, you are now part of my band of brave and noble warriors. May your years of service be long and fulfilling.”
Nathan barely had time to give half a nod before his eyelids dropped. He was under before I could even blink.
Aashi leaned back in the armch
air, stretching her legs. “You’ve found your way after all, my child. I’m proud of you.”
I smiled. “Thank you. I wouldn’t have made it without your help.”
She waved the comment away. “Too much modesty can be a bad thing. Though being too confident can be worse, I admit. There was never a doubt in my mind about your ability to overcome whatever trials were coming your way. Your team felt the same.”
“Perhaps all that confidence helped me not stray from the right path. I wouldn’t have been able to do it on my own.”
“You had unexpected help.” She glanced in Nathan’s direction. “Your fate is so intimately entwined with his that should he have chosen to walk beside his sister as opposed to trying to stop her, you would have joined him.”
“That was my greatest fear,” I confessed.
A breeze of magic started swirling. It made the delicate spiderwebs that covered the corners of the room and the walls and ceiling flutter, like the beatings of a heart. I felt warmth and a cold chill at the same time.
“Is this because of him?” I asked, looking around somewhat confused.
Aashi’s gaze slid in the direction of the front door. She smiled a slow and entirely terrifying smile, then whispered in a chorus of voices, “We have guests.”
Before I could decide what I wanted to do, something tried to knock open the double doors of the webs room. The bang was loud. This couldn’t be happening.
“They couldn’t have gotten in so easily,” I muttered as I took my Hawk and stood in front of the doors.
Aashi positioned herself in front of the sofa, her stance deceptively relaxed. But I felt her magic swirl like a vortex. She reinforced her defenses and cast layer after layer of defensive webs around the sofa and Nathan.
“Your team can’t come back yet because their missions aren’t over,” she whispered. “Send the distress signal to the special interventions teams. You will have to deal with whatever is trying to get in until help gets here.”
I got my phone out and did as asked. I wrapped my shields around me and braced myself mentally, flexing my legs. Whatever managed to get inside would have to be exhausted just from fighting through the protections and shields. Whatever kind of spaga it was, it was stronger than anything we’d ever seen before.