"You should not be concerned," Radomir placed compulsion. "Inform the driver where you wish to go."
Chapter 17
"Traje said he thought you knew," Winkler settled on a barstool beside Ashe at breakfast.
Ashe looked up from his eggs and ham. Flossie Thompson had been unusually quiet since her arrival. Ashe figured he knew why.
"It happened last night, after Paul Johnson took the execution. The Grand Master called a meeting with all of Star Cove's werewolves. He announced what he'd learned after Aedan placed compulsion on Dawn Smith and asked her who she'd gotten information from inside the community. Turns out that Marcus has been giving Denise sensitive information when he shouldn't have, asking her to keep it to herself. She's been gossiping with Dawn all along, and all Dawn had to do was ask the right questions."
"What did the Pack do?" Ashe wanted to shiver. He figured he knew the answer but wanted to ask anyway.
"You know there's only one way to remove a Packmaster, if there's no challenge made. The Pack declared Marcus and Denise outcast last night, by a majority vote. Marco isn't a part of the Star Cove Pack any longer, so he couldn't vote. Sali abstained."
"Who's in charge, now?" Ashe didn't express his concern for Sali right then; he'd wait to see what Winkler had to say, first.
"Micah Rocklin. Frank Dodd is acting Second at the moment. We learned that Denise has been feeding information to Dawn about you that she and Marcus had gotten from Sali and a few others. Information that should have been kept confidential. The Grand Master warned Marcus about releasing information on you to anyone else."
"Damn," Ashe cursed softly. "That's why Dawn chickened out on Josiah, then. Denise told her, after I told Marcus not to say anything and the Grand Master agreed."
"Sounds like it."
"What about Randy?"
"Randy is going through his mother's things. I have no idea if he plans to stay or will leave the minute he can get away."
"Too bad," Ashe shook his head and cut another chunk of ham before stuffing it in his mouth. "Randy needs to think this through before making important, life-changing decisions."
"He's emotional, right now. Shirley refused to allow Dawn's burial in her groves, so the remains were hauled to the gulf afterward."
"What did James' parents say? Anything?"
"They called Dawn out before the execution. Pointed out that James had been Randy's best friend, and she'd watched him die without helping. Dawn just growled at them."
"Crazy."
"Yeah."
"What do you think Marcus will do?"
"He and Denise are packing, but haven't told anyone where they plan to go."
"Do you think they'll leave Texas?"
"Yes. The Grand Master told Sali that at sixteen, a werewolf has the right to petition to stay, as long as someone agrees to take him in if his parents have been outcast by the Pack. I heard from Sali this morning." Winkler cut into his slice of ham, which had gone cold while he and Ashe talked.
"What did he say?" Ashe wanted to hold his breath. Forcing himself to breathe normally, Ashe turned back to his breakfast.
"He asked to stay. Said he wanted to be with his brothers. Asked if I'd take him in."
"Brothers?"
"You and Marco."
"What did you tell him?" Ashe wiped moisture from his face with a napkin.
"That I'd be happy to act as his guardian, and pay for his education if he wanted one. After he graduates from high school."
"Thank you, Mr. Winkler," Ashe slumped in relief at Winkler's words and wiped his face again.
"I didn't do it just for him and Marco, Ashe. I did it for you, too. Felt like that's what you'd want."
"It is." Ashe agreed, cutting another bite of ham. His appetite, which had threatened to desert him, had returned quickly. "Will Sali live in Star Cove, or will he live here?"
"I told him to pack his things. I figure you can get him moved in, and then get him to school every morning," Winkler grinned.
"Yeah. I can do that. I just want to wait until," Ashe sighed. Things were so weird, suddenly. He'd never known a life where Marcus DeLuca hadn't been Packmaster.
"Until he can say good-bye to his parents? Ashe, they're welcome to keep in touch. That won't change, as long as they don't go rogue."
"I'll probably bring him home tonight, then. He can come to dinner with me at my parents' house."
"Sounds good. There's an empty bedroom next to Marco's on the second floor."
"Thanks, Mr. Winkler."
* * *
Ashe? Sali's text came through while Ashe was running on the beach with Trace.
Sali? Everything okay? Ashe texted as he ran beside Trace. Trace just shook his head and kept running.
As good as can be expected. Mom and Dad are only packing clothes. Said they'd send a moving van for their other stuff when they decided where they were going.
I'm sorry things turned out this way.
Me, too. I had no idea this was happening. It hurt a lot of people, Ashe. I don't know what to do or say. Nobody is blaming me, looks like, but it's still awkward.
Yeah. Awkward. A good word to use, Sal.
Two syllables, Sali returned. Dad isn't saying anything. Mom, well, things aren't so good on that front. The Grand Master stayed with the Rocklins, last night. I guess to go over protocol. And to make sure of things here, probably.
Sal, this isn't your fault. None of it. People make their own decisions. We all have to live with the consequences.
I know. Look, I've been given the day off from school, but I have to pack.
I heard. Come to my house for dinner tonight, around seven. I hear there'll be meat loaf. I'll bring you home afterward.
Home. Won't ever be the same, will it?
Welcome to my world, Sal.
Yeah. See you tonight.
K.
* * *
"Salidar?" Adele gave Sali a hug when he walked into the kitchen with Ashe.
"I heard there'd be meatloaf," Sali mumbled when Adele let him go.
"There is. Plenty of meatloaf. Hungry?"
"Yeah." Sali hunched his shoulders.
Ashe watched as Sali moved uncomfortably. Marcus and Denise had left two hours earlier, taking only one vehicle. Denise's small import remained in the garage. The plan was to send for furniture and the car later. Ashe had no idea where they might go and hadn't bothered to consult the medallions on his arm. Sali's parents had moved outside his sphere.
"It's almost ready, I just have to mash the potatoes," Adele offered brightly before hugging Ashe and standing on tiptoe to kiss him on the cheek.
"I'll set the table," Ashe offered. He and Sali set three plates around the table as Adele mashed potatoes for dinner.
"It is and isn't like old times, huh?" Sali said quietly.
"Yeah."
* * *
"Son," Aedan's hand dropped on Ashe's shoulder as Ashe and Sali loaded the dishwasher and cleaned cabinets after dinner.
Ashe's body stiffened as visions crowded his mind. Visions of his father, sitting atop a broad, flat-topped rock as fingers of sunlight crept across Aedan's body. Ashe shuddered as Aedan's skin began to smoke and burn in his visions, the top layers turning to ash as Aedan jerked his head back and howled.
"Daddy?" Ashe turned swiftly and buried himself in Aedan's arms as he wept.
* * *
"I don't know why Wlodek appeared when he did," Aedan shook his head. He'd lifted Ashe in his arms and carried him to the back deck, leaving a gaping Sali behind in the kitchen. Aedan had eventually convinced Ashe that things were fine and he'd never consider giving himself to the sun again. "He only said that someone paid him a visit, and pointed out the error of his ways. I'm not about to argue. He said that he wouldn't recall me until after your mother was gone."
"Maybe that will be a very long time." Ashe stared at the night sky. A few stars twinkled overhead and the moon was beginning to make its presence known. "Dad?"
; "What, son?"
"Have you ever wondered what's out there?"
"In the stars?"
"Yeah."
"Upon occasion. Not in a while, I guess."
"There has to be something. The Elemaiya aren't native to Earth."
"You're right. I suppose I've never thought about that before."
"I'm glad Wlodek made it in time."
"I'm glad he got a visit from somebody."
"Yeah. Me, too, Dad."
* * *
"Ready to go, Sal?" Ashe appeared inside Sali's bedroom later. Sali was playing a game on his laptop, but he shut it when Ashe became corporeal.
"Yeah. Can we take this stuff like this?" Sali had emptied his closet, laying clothes across his bed for the move, since he only had two boxes and a suitcase to carry his belongings.
"No problem," Ashe nodded. "I think I could take the whole house, if you wanted."
"Nah. Leave the house, dude. I only need my stuff."
"Mr. Winkler says you can have the bedroom next to Marco's on the second floor. Trajan says your ass is his in the weight room tomorrow morning before school, and Trace says I can wait to run with you tomorrow, when school is out."
"Tomorrow's Friday, man. The weekend is here," Sali stood and grinned.
"Gonna be a busy weekend," Ashe nodded. "Let's go."
* * *
"Principal Wright has shifters coming in this weekend. Around three hundred," Sali informed Winkler as he passed the bag of microwave popcorn to Ashe.
"I heard that," Winkler nodded, shoving a second bag of popcorn in the microwave. "It's one of the things the Grand Master discussed with Micah."
"Micah will be okay," Sali sighed. Ashe handed him a fresh can of soda from the fridge and settled on a barstool to grab a handful of popcorn from the bag.
"I know. He's been a Second for a long time. He knows what to do."
"Mrs. Rocklin has always been sympathetic to shifters," Ashe pointed out. "She's been teaching Transformational Arts for a long time."
"Very true," Winkler agreed. "Perhaps Bear should invite her to the meetings. As soon as you're done eating popcorn, brush your teeth and go to bed. We'll get you up at six for breakfast and then it's a workout for both of you."
* * *
"Dude, that's two-fifty." Sali struggled to lift one-seventy-five while Trajan watched both boys work with weights.
"Yeah. Maybe I'll grow muscles after all," Ashe huffed, lowering the weights.
"You're a lot better off than you were when we started," Trajan pointed out. "You've got muscles. You'll get more. So will Sali. He's got werewolf mojo working for him. Come on, two more and it's off to the shower."
* * *
"Hey, it's Ashe and Sali." Wynn and Dori trotted to the sidewalk the moment Ashe appeared, dropping Sali in front of the school.
"That is the awesomest way to show up," Jeff and Larry walked up to Ashe.
"And it saved a half-hour drive," Sali grinned. Nobody was treating him different. He was grateful for that.
"Ashe?" Bear Wright walked through the double doors of the school building and approached Ashe.
"Hey, Mr. Wright," Ashe nodded to Star Cove's Principal.
"Ashe, we'll be taking the vote on whether we should form a shifter council on Monday night. I want anyone over the age of sixteen there, so that means you can vote, too. I'd like for you to come, if you can."
"I think I can be here, Mr. Wright," Ashe nodded. "I'd like to be here, actually."
"We got invited last night," Wynn said, offering a smile to the Principal. "My parents and I are coming."
"Mom, Cori and I will be there," Dori said. "Dad said he'd drop by after nightfall, if that's all right."
"He's welcome to come, as a spouse and father of shapeshifters," Bear Wright confirmed. "Ashe, your mother is coming as well. I think your father may come by at some point."
"Good. I'll let Mr. Winkler know. I should go; I have homework and a lot of other things to do," Ashe waved at his friends and turned to mist.
"It really is the awesomest way to get around," Sali sighed.
* * *
"I don't know why I couldn't say anything to that reporter," Curtis Roberts grumped as Calhoun laid papers on his desk.
"About what, Director Roberts?" Calhoun asked.
"I can't say," Curtis found himself saying before he could consciously decide otherwise. "I really don't know why."
"If you change your mind, I'll be right outside at my desk."
"I know. Thanks, Calhoun."
* * *
"Mr. Thompson?" Ashe found Amos Thompson in buffalo form, standing guard behind Winkler's beach house when he came back from dropping Sali off at school. The early morning light was bright as it reflected off the water of the gulf, making Mr. Thompson's white buffalo glow as he stood amid the dunes and creepers at the back of Winkler's property. "Look, if you want to do what we talked about, meet me here in ten minutes, dressed and ready to go. I'll bring a weapon with me. Okay?" Ashe said.
Amos Thompson's buffalo snorted and nodded to Ashe.
* * *
"You have one shot, Mr. Thompson," Ashe said softly as Amos Thompson reached out and lovingly touched the top of his brother's head. Zeke Tanner, the homicidal werewolf, had not only killed Alex, he'd dishonored him by treating his body like this.
Ashe and Amos Thompson stood in Zeke Tanner's private study, waiting for the werewolf to walk inside. Amos was mourning for his brother as they waited.
* * *
"Craig, what do you have?" Winkler spoke on his cell.
"I got information on Zeke Tanner, that's what I have," Craig claimed. "Can I come to the house? I have photographs, too, of his new compound."
"You know, I'm not even going to ask how you got that," Winkler growled. "Come on, I have an hour I can give you this morning. That's it."
"Thanks. It won't take longer than that, I promise."
* * *
"What's that?" Zeke Tanner walked inside his office, talking on his cell. "He took the bait? That was easy. Put a bullet through his brain. That's all I ask." Zeke tapped end call on his cell and tossed it on his desk before sitting down.
"Hello, you murdering bastard." Amos Thompson stepped around his brother's body, revealing himself to Zeke Tanner. The dart rifle he carried was aimed at Zeke's heart.
"My werewolves are all over the place," Zeke growled. "All I have to do is yell and they come running. Want to die, you stupid shifter? Yeah, I can tell by your scent what you are."
"I have the place shielded, scream your lungs out," Ashe stepped from behind Amos Thompson.
"What the hell? Wildrif said you'd be disabled. For a long time," Zeke sputtered.
"Wildrif only thinks he knows what I am. He miscalculated. Badly. Ready, Mr. Thompson?" Ashe asked. "If you don't get him, I will."
"Oh, I'm ready, all right." Amos pulled the trigger. Zeke Tanner jerked as the dart pierced his chest. Amos watched in satisfaction as Tanner jerked once more as a large dose of lion snake poison entered his system. Zeke Tanner died, his last vision one of his killer, the boy and the white buffalo disappearing from his study.
* * *
"Craig, Winkler is waiting in his office for you." Trajan answered the door and allowed Craig to walk inside. "You remember where that is, don't you?"
"Sure." Craig nodded. "On the third floor."
"Yeah. Have fun." Trajan waved Craig through the foyer and the stairs leading to the second and third floors.
* * *
"Boss, he's not carrying anything except his cell phone and a gun," Trajan spoke softly in his cell.
"Figured as much," Winkler replied. "Thanks."
* * *
"Hello, Craig, have a seat," Winkler offered Craig one of the chairs in his office.
"That's all right," Craig waved away the offer. "I just came to give you this." He reached inside his pocket briefly, before a fearful expression crossed his face.
"Looking for this?" As
he became corporeal, holding up the gun that had disappeared from Craig's pocket.
"What the hell?" Craig sputtered, backing away from Ashe.
"Your new boss is dead. Mr. Thompson shot him with a poison dart a few minutes ago," Ashe went on. "Mr. Winkler told you to sit. Sit!" Compulsion thundered from Ashe's voice on the last word. Craig sat down immediately.
"But how?" Craig's eyes darted from Winkler, whose arms were crossed furiously over his chest, to Ashe, who merely looked angry.
"I took Mr. Thompson and brought him back, that's how," Ashe snapped. "That white buffalo in Zeke's study? You remember that, don't you?"
"Y-yeah?" Craig nodded unwillingly.
"Mr. Thompson's brother, Alex. Mr. Thompson was understandably upset that Zeke killed his brother and then had him stuffed."
"B-but," Craig quavered.
"I made a promise to myself and a couple other people, Craig. I promised I'd go hunting as soon as I was able. You got added to that list this morning, when you came here to kill Mr. Winkler. Now, you can either die fighting Mr. Winkler, or I can take you down. Your choice."
"A shapeshifter taking me down? Faugh," Craig's voice held ridicule.
"See, that's where you miscalculated," Ashe pointed a finger at Craig. "Mr. Winkler, what do you want?"
"Kid, do your thing. I think I'd like to watch while Craig becomes one with the universe."
"Good enough," Ashe nodded. "Watch your feet, Craig. They'll go first."
Craig's shriek could be heard inside Winkler's beach house, from top floor to basement.
* * *
"I can make arrangements for a suitable carved box, Amos." Winkler knelt beside the sofa, where Amos and Flossie Thompson sat, staring at Alex's white buffalo.
"Where can we put it?" Amos turned reddened eyes to Winkler. "I'd like to bury him in a safe place, but I want Bear to see him before we do that."
"I know. Call and invite him over tonight, after he gets away from the school."
"I will."
* * *
"I'm not a hundred percent, yet," Ashe shrugged when Trajan asked. "Zeke Tanner's dead."
"I heard. Good job, kid." Trajan pulled Ashe into a hug.
"Mr. Thompson took him down. Perfect shot, too."
Legend of the Ir'Indicti 5 - Destroyer Page 20