Becoming ONe (Kaliss Book 2)

by Cree Storm

The fox tilted his head one way and then the other. Seconds later he leaped from Orion’s shoulder and made his way into the gazebo. Returning as a clothed human Nelson.

  Jewel rushed to his friend. “How did you do that, Nelson? I don’t get it at all. I mean I know that you can boost a power with your energy, but what just happened there was more than a boost. It was as if you fixed me. Well, while I touched you at least.”

  Nelson shrugged. “Like the butterfly dragons, we are all magic, Jewel. Maybe that means we can focus a power, I don’t know. I’m sorry I took off like that, but using my magic that way is kind of tiring and I didn’t want to overdo it again with my fox. We’re just getting to know each other again.”

  Jewel hugged Nelson close, tears falling as he rasped, “Thank you, Nelson. You are the best friend ever. Even if it was just for a moment, I felt like my old self and you have no idea how badly I needed that.”

  Ezra looked at Orion, and he knew they were both thinking the same thing. However, Orion was thankful when Ezra took charge to suggest it himself. “Maybe with Nicu on the loose, Nelson should stick close to Jewel. This way if Nicu makes an appearance, Jewel will be able to help defend them.”

  Nelson hissed, “I will not have my fox used for his magic.”

  Orion went to his mate, saying, “We aren’t trying to use him, we are saying that together you and Jewel would be safer than if you were apart. It’s using magic for what it was intended for—protection.”

  Nelson opened his mouth to speak then gasped. Orion became highly concerned when tears started to fall from Nelson’s eyes. “What’s wrong, my love? If it’s not something—”

  Nelson shook his head rapidly from side to side, blubbering, “No. No. It isn’t… He spoke to me, Orion. He spoke to me. My fox has not spoken to me for so long.”

  “What did he say?” Orion asked, gently running his hands through his mate’s hair.

  Nelson swallowed and glanced at Jewel. “He said, ‘Together as a team’. He wants us to help keep Jewel and the baby safe.” Turning to look at Ezra, Nelson whispered, “We would be honored to do as you ask.”

  Orion felt pride rush through him, but it was quickly followed by fear. Nicu was going to try and get to one of these mates. Orion just hoped that with the guards, himself, the Re, and now this plan, that his mate and Jewel would remain safe from harm.

  CHAPTER 8

  “It’s really amazing how much you’ve gotten done for Kaliss, Nelson. Look at this place. We have houses, stores, a police station, fire station, a park for our children, and so much more. It really is a town now. I can’t wait until things get going,” Jewel said almost skipping down the barren street.

  Nelson looked around, smiling wide, “It really is coming together.”

  “It still pisses me off that Nicu damn near ruined everything. Thank the Gods he was found out before Ezzie was made to look like a fool.”

  A banging noise had both men stopping and Nelson gasping, “What was that?”

  Kier, who had been following close by, came forward. “Wait here while we go and check things out. Lordon, stay with the Consort and the Regal’s mate.”

  Lordon immediately went on guard, looking around as he stood with Nelson and Jewel.

  Nelson watched as the Imperial guard carefully moved forward, looking both left then right. Whispering, he asked Jewel, “What do you think it was?”

  Jewel shook his head, rubbing his baby bump. “I don’t know, and I don’t want to find out either.”

  Kier returned, gently took Nelson’s elbow, and turned Nelson around. “We need to get back to the coven house.”

  Nelson pulled away. “What is it?”

  Shaking his head, Kier replied, “We saw no one.”

  Nelson turned back. “Then you won’t mind showing me what you did find.”

  Kier looked very uncomfortable with Nelson’s suggestion. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. We really should just go back to the coven house.”

  Shaking his head, Nelson replied, “Take Jewel back. My mate is fighting in fifteen minutes and I’m going.”

  “Nelson, I’ll explain to him why you aren’t there, and Orion will understand,” Kier argued.

  Nelson took a step around Kier and headed in the original direction he was going. “Well I’m going, so there won’t be any need to explain anything.”

  “I’m with Nelson on this, Kier. We’re going to the Ceremony to cheer on Orion. Now you can go back to the coven house if you like, but I’m going with my best friend. Besides, Ezzie is waiting for me,” Jewel stated, catching up with Nelson.

  Kier rushed to jump in front of Nelson. “I must insist that you both go back to the coven house, now.”

  Nelson turned and quickly walked down the street until he saw where Theron now stood. He had just turned towards the Imperial guard when Kier placed his hand on Nelson’s shoulder to stop him. Nelson was shocked when his claws emerged, and he sliced the man’s hand.

  Kier pulled back, hissing, “Shit.”

  Nelson’s eyes went wide. “I’m so sorry, Kier. I had no idea my fox would come out like that.” His words hit him and a wide smile appeared, turning to Jewel he said, “My fox came out with me as a human!”

  Jewel smiled. “That’s great, Sweetie, now what’s going on over there?”

  Shaking his head, Nelson replied, “I don’t know. I was going to go and find out when Kier stopped me.”

  “Well let’s go see what all the fuss is about,” Jewel stated.

  Kier let out a deep breath. “Fine. But it isn’t pretty.”

  Nelson and Jewel walked towards Theron. The scent of blood hit Nelson the closer they got to the Imperial guard.

  “What is that?” Jewel asked pointing in the direction Nelson was already looking.

  Nelson gasped, “Is that a body?”

  Kier sighed. “Yes. Now you know, let’s go.”

  Nelson shook his head. “Who is it?”

  “We don’t know. He has no ID,” Kier replied.

  “There’s a note attached to his shirt,” Jewel said, walking closer.

  Kier once again tried to stop Nelson from walking towards the body. “Nelson, please don’t go any closer. We’re waiting for Jael to arrive.”

  “Damn he looks torn up. Do you think a bear got hold of him?” Jewel asked.

  Nelson sniffed, shaking his head. “No, it doesn’t smell like a bear.”

  Just then Jael arrived looking really intense until he saw Jewel and Nelson standing there. “I thought I told you to get the Consort and Nelson out of here?”

  Jewel firmed his tone as he stated, “And we told him we weren’t going to the coven.”

  “Jewel, I’m not trying to be difficult here, but honestly,” Jael said, giving Nelson an odd look. “It would be best for everyone if you two returned to the coven house and allowed us to do our job.”

  Nelson pushed past Jael, getting closer to the body. “What the fuck is going on? What is it you don’t want me to see? If it’s a dead body, too late.”

  Jael tried to stop Nelson, saying, “It’s not the—"

  Nelson quickly moved away from Jael and realized what it was Jael and the others were trying to keep from him. It wasn’t the body, it was the note attached to the body. “Oh fuck me.”

  Nelson bent down and read the note. “This time it’s him, next time it’s Nelson. Tell Orion I’m here and we shall meet again soon.”

  “Oh fuck,” Jewel rasped.

  Nelson stood up, looking at Jael. “Has Orion been told?”

  “No, he was preparing for his match, we didn’t want to distract him,” Kier replied.

  Theron then said, “He would have just rushed over here and then missed his match. If he does that, he’s out altogether and can’t continue in the Ceremony.”

  Nelson knew what they said was true. Orion had told him the rules before people started arriving. You had to start from the beginning and no match could go unchallenged. If you didn’t show for a match, you were
out of the competition. As a contestant progressed, so did their injuries. That’s why it was all or nothing. The only rule was that there were no rules. The enemy didn’t fight fair so why should the competition have been fair? The battles never stopped once they began. The winner went to the next round when that bracket was completed then they began again immediately. That was the only rest time a contender had. The enemy didn’t allow you to rest, why should the competition? The referee was only there to ensure no one died during the match. As brutal as this thing might have been, it was not a fight to the death.

  Nelson had promised Orion he would be there. As much as the thought of Orion getting hurt made Nelson’s skin crawl, he wanted to make sure his mate knew he was there for moral support, as his mate and biggest fan.

  Looking at his cell, he noticed the time. “I need to get to the arena. Orion is scheduled to start any minute.”

  Jael sighed. “Nelson, it isn’t safe.”

  Nelson turned to Jael. “I refuse to let that asshole Nicu stop me from keeping a promise I made to my mate. I know you have responsibilities here, but I have one to Orion. I’m going.”

  “It’s moments like this I wish I could pop in and out like my brother does,” Jewel said, sounding disappointed.

  Jael grabbed his cell, pressed a number and waited. “I can’t get him to stay at the coven house. He insists on going to his mate. Your mate is also insisting he’s going with Nelson.”

  Nelson knew he was talking to Ezra, and after a lot of “Uh huhs” and “okays” Jael hung up, saying, “Kier, you are to take ten of our best Imperial guards and accompany Nelson and Jewel to the Re. They will follow any directive you give them without question, or you are to take them directly to the coven house.” Turning to Nelson and Jewel, Jael said, “Do you understand the orders I have been given by our Re?”

  Jewel rolled his eyes. “Jael, I’m pregnant not stupid. Can we just go?”

  It took them ten minutes to get to the arena. Nelson spotted Orion down below talking with another man. When Orion looked up and saw Nelson, Nelson waved and smiled, doing his best to put on a brave face. If he failed, Nelson hoped Orion just figured it was nerves for Orion’s up and coming fight. Otherwise, he knew Orion would say, “damn the competition,” and insist on watching over him, and there was no way Nelson would allow his mate to give up everything, especially something he had worked for his entire life, to be taken away because of a psychotic dickhead like Nicu.

  The sounds of cheering had Nelson turning to see a large, muscular man with short black hair and a scar running down the right side of his face plunge his claws into the side of the man he was fighting. Nelson drew in a sharp breath at the painful cry the man on the ground gave, as the referee attempted to pull the other man off him.

  “That’s Radeem Napal. He’s one of the men contending for the same position as Orion. He’s a fierce warrior,” Ezra said, holding Jewel close to his side.

  “You sound worried,” Nelson said nervously.

  Ezra gave a tiny sneer, “I don’t like the way he fights. It’s without honor. I know that there are no rules, but when his opponent goes down, the man continues to fight until the referee has to pull him off, and even then, he refuses to listen. This tells me that he will not be good at following instructions and he will do whatever he wants over what is right for our people.”

  Nelson watched as another referee had to jump in and help pull the man off his opponent. Nelson gasped when Napal twisted and Nelson caught sight of his green glowing eyes, or at least he thought he did, because his eyes were back to normal so fast, Nelson questioned what he had just seen. “Did you guys see that?”

  Ezra separated his lips from Jewel’s and looked around as he rubbed his mate’s extended belly, asking, “See what?”

  Not wanting to cause problems where there might not be any, Nelson shook his head, muttering, “Never mind.” His fox bristled a warning as a thick, sickly feeling came over Nelson. He had no clue what was going on with Napal, but he hoped the guy was defeated. The thought of his mate going against that man, made Nelson’s stomach tighten.

  Orion’s name was called along with Franlon. Ezra smiled. “This should be quick. Franlon is an Imperial Leader in Killian’s coven. He’s good, but not good enough.”

  Nelson turned to see his mate getting into a fighting stance. His arms were down, but his hands were fisted as he leaned slightly forward with his legs spread about a foot apart, his left leg pointing towards his opponent. Bringing his arms up and elbows closer to his body, Orion waited for the referee to shout, “Go!”

  Franlon immediately lunged forward. Orion twisted slightly to his right, causing Franlon to stumble past him. Orion did a roundhouse kick, hitting Franlon and causing him to land on the ground. Franlon quickly flipped himself back to his feet as he turned to face off with Orion once more.

  Orion had gone back into a fighting stance, waiting. Franlon came forward punching with his left, then right hand into Orion’s abdomen. Orion did a wrestler tie-up with his arms around Franlon’s neck, bringing Franlon as close to his body as he could. Just as Orion tried to grip the man to flip him over his shoulder and onto the floor, Franlon twisted out of Orion’s hold and sliced Orion on the side with his claws.

  Nelson gasped as blood trickled from his mate, but all Orion did was smile wide and high five the man. My mate is certifiably insane, Nelson thought to himself as the two men continued to kick and punch at each other. It was like watching a mixed martial arts fight, with the punches and kicks being thrown at each other.

  The crowd was yelling and screaming as Orion and Franlon went at each other. Money was held high into the air and Nelson was shocked at the blood lust he and his fox could feel in the room. Orion and Franlon both leapt into the air, one with his right leg bent the other with the left. Both men rapidly kicked into the sides of their opponent. As they began to come back down to the floor, Orion leaned forward, grabbing Franlon by the neck. Orion twisted to the side, using the force of his body as a strengthener to snap his opponents head back, then Orion twisted, and used a left uppercut then a right, bringing Franlon to the ground barely moving. The referee held Orion’s hand in the air and he was declared the winner of the match.

  The crowd went wild on one side as Killian’s coven clapped, although looking disappointed at the outcome. Nelson felt someone watching him. Looking around, he noticed the man Napal standing there staring in his direction. Slowly he turned to Orion then back to Nelson, giving Nelson one of the creepiest fucking smiles he had ever seen while making a slicing motion on his neck.

  Jewel must have heard Nelson whimper. He leaned forward, asking, “What’s wrong?”

  Nelson turned to Jewel and pointed in the direction of Napal, but when he looked back, the man was gone.

  “Nelson, what is it?” Jewel asked in concern.

  Turning back to his best friend, Nelson could see Ezra looking at him with concern, too, as he continued to rub Jewel’s extended belly. Nelson knew if he told Jewel what just happened the man would want to go and check out Radeem Napal, and from the way he was acting, Nelson knew that wouldn’t be a good idea. Well it was, but not with his pregnant best friend. Instead, Nelson gave a wavering smile, saying, “Nothing. I think all this violence is just hard on me. You know with all I went through with Fallon. I think I’ll go check on my mate and make sure he’s doing okay after that fight.”

  Jewel looked as if he didn’t believe him but nodded anyway.

  Ezra stood up keeping Jewel as close to him as he could. Jael approached looking tired and disgusted. “Re, I’m here to give you my report so far into the investigation.”

  Ezra nodded as he said, “Report.”

  “We still don’t have the identity of the man murdered. He has no identification on him. However, we went over the scene and there is the scent of three different people. One is the dead man, and another is that of Nicu.” Jael stated.

  “And the other?” Ezra asked.

  Sha
king his head. “I don’t know, Re. I’ve scented it before, but I can’t remember where. I have men out looking for Nicu and this other man, but it’s as if his scent dissipates in the woods.”

  Nodding, Ezra ordered, “Keep looking and place more guards around Kaliss.”

  “I already have, Re, but we’re really getting stretched for men. I was thinking that maybe we could bring in some of the Crimson Corps of the other Scions,” Jael suggested.

  Ezra nodded once more. “I agree. I will contact them immediately.”

  “Yes, Re. I’ll head back to the crime scene,” Jael stated, turned and walked away.

  Ezra looked at Nelson. “I know you don’t want Orion to know what’s going on so he isn’t distracted, but we have to tell him. He has a right to know that his mate’s life has been threatened.”

  “Besides, if Nicu is anywhere nearby, he could go after Orion,” Jewel softly stated.

  Nelson sighed. As much as he hated to admit it, Ezra and Jewel were right. Had this situation been reversed Nelson knew he would want to know, and if anything happened to Orion because Nelson kept this secret, he would never forgive himself.

  Turning around and facing his mate, Nelson could see Orion looking up at him curiously. Nelson gave his mate the best smile he could, knowing it wasn’t quite reaching his eyes, muttering, “Let’s go.”

  CHAPTER 9

  Nelson left his seat and made his way down the stands with Ezra, Jewel, and ten guards following. When they hit the bottom, they had to walk around to the opposite side of the arena where Orion and the other contestants awaited their turns. Just as they were approaching the area, the announcer came over the loud speaker.

  “Your attention please.”

  Suddenly, silence filled the packed arena as all eyes focused on the contestants.

  “Each of our matches for the day have been completed except for the highly anticipated fight for position of Regal to the Re. As you know, this is the top position of our kind, only second to our King. All contenders for this position have been defeated, except for our last two candidates. The Re’s Regal match will begin now. The winners from all of today’s other competitions will be presented at the end of the ceremony, and they will return here tomorrow for the remainder of the matches. Would our last two contenders of the day please enter the arena? Radeem Napal of the Eastern coven and our very own top ranking Primo of the Imperial Guard, Orion Leventis,” the announcer said.