Head Down (The Valens Legacy Book 4)

by Jan Stryvant

"While we may be paying less than what passes for a minimum wage nowadays, we're paying that for a lot of them, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week."

  "Then why do we still have them? Sir?"

  Arthur shook his head and sighed, "That's the problem, isn't it? We have them because the others all have them. But we haven't launched an attack on another council in over seventy years now! We should have at the very least cut back by half, the old days of the council wars are in the past. I fear we have become too set in our ways."

  "Still, Boss," James spoke up from where he was doing something on his computer. Web searches is what Arthur presumed, "Vestibulum maintains a fairly large army, along with the Council of Ascendance."

  "Yes," Arthur said with a nod, "but if the enterprising Mr. Valens has his way, that isn't going to last."

  "He really is only one man, Boss."

  "So was Norman Borlaug," Arthur chuckled.

  "Who?"

  "Look it up," Arthur waved as James' computer, "also, Sean is a lion, and if you haven't noticed, the other lycans all seem to hold lions in a certain amount of reverence."

  "But that's just cause they're rare, Boss."

  "Yes, and in a world where everything else is plentiful, that which is rare should always raise one's suspicions."

  Arthur looked up as his secretary knocked on the doorframe.

  "Arthur?"

  "Yes, Danielle?"

  "A messenger just left this for you," and she held up an envelope.

  "Who is it from?"

  "Your niece, Jolene."

  "Well well, by all means, let's see it," Arthur said and held out his hand as she walked across his office to hand it to him.

  Opening the envelop Arthur looked over the short message; it was an invitation for him to join her and Sean for lunch, at one.

  "Interesting, looks like we've been invited to lunch. James, have Dean bring the car around."

  "Think it's a trap, Boss?"

  "Mr. Valens does not strike me as the kind of man who would spring a trap over lunch, especially not in a casino with lots of cameras and witnesses. No, I've been waiting for this; I suspect that the young Mr. Valens is seeking to negotiate."

  "Why would he want to do that, Boss?"

  "Because why fight for what you can get for free? Come, let's go see what he has to say," and standing up, Arthur grabbed his suit jacket and headed for the door.

  When Arthur arrived at the restaurant, the server immediately led him and the two men he'd brought with him over to a table in the back.

  "Uncle Troy," Jolene said and standing up she gave him a hug. "Uncle, this is my husband, Sean Valens. Sean, this is my uncle, Arthur Troy."

  Sean had stood when Jolene did, and shook hands with Arthur, then they all sat down.

  "Husband?" Arthur asked her, "Really? How did that happen?"

  "Unexpectedly," Jolene said with a smile, "But on the bright side you can warn all of the women in the covens that they don't have to worry about me trying to steal their men anymore."

  "Well, as long as you're happy with it, Jo."

  "Very, actually."

  "Speaking of wives, where are the other two?"

  Sean spoke up, "Making sure that we're not disturbed. I wanted this to be a private meeting."

  "You're expecting trouble?" Arthur asked, surprised.

  "Harkins knows he's next on my list," Sean shrugged, "I'm sure Vestibulum would still like to get their hands on me, for all that I've been leaving them alone. Then there are all those lycans from out of town who want one of these," Sean tossed one of the tags on the table.

  "What's that?" Arthur asked, looking at the grayish looking, dog-tag piece of metal sitting on the table.

  "The reason why your guard's silver bullets won't affect me."

  "Hmm," Arthur said and picked up the piece of metal, examining it. There was quite a bit of enchanting on it, what it did however, he couldn't tell. "So the rumors are true then? You finished your father's work?"

  Sean chuckled, "Actually, I'm just starting my father's work. As for the enchantments on that tag, my father finished it before he was murdered."

  Arthur set the tag down, "I'm sorry about that, it was from before my time leading the council. I don't know who paid for that, I only know that it wasn't Sapientia."

  "I heard it was a man named, hyena, or Woiseman?"

  Arthur gave a small shrug, "I have no idea who it was, only the council heads and their right-hand man from back then know who it was. But I have my suspicions. However they are only that, suspicions. Now, to business, why have you asked to meet with me?"

  "I want you to release all of your lycans from bondage of course," Sean smiled.

  "Or?" Arthur asked.

  "Oh, I don't think we're at the point of threats yet, I was hoping to keep this a friendly conversation."

  "I seem to recall our last conversation ended with a threat, as well as you pointing a rather large gun at me," Arthur said with a smile.

  "Well, in all fairness, you had just cast two spells on me, in succession."

  Arthur sighed, "Yes, I was trying to show off and it bit me but good. But still, what motivation do you offer for me to free my lycans?"

  "Other than pointing to that tag and what it means? Nobody wants a war, least of all those of us who are going to be fighting it."

  "Yes, but those tags are obviously a complex piece of enchanting, I could tell that much just by holding it. It takes what, six months? More? To make one, so for you to make enough for me to worry about," Arthur shrugged, "it's not just me you need to convince, Sean, it's the rest of my council, and the other Sapientia councils."

  Sean leaned back in his seat, "You know, that wasn't an argument I was expecting. But maybe this will convince you?"

  Picking up his backpack from the floor, Sean unzipped it and pulled out the bag he'd been keeping the tags in. Setting the pack back down on the floor, he poured the contents of the bag out on the table.

  Arthur's eyes widened in surprise as a huge pile of tags flowed out of the bag.

  "Go ahead," Sean smiled, "Pick one up."

  Arthur reached over and grabbed one. It was definitely enchanted. Dropping it, he picked up another at random. It too was enchanted.

  "I must say, I'm impressed. How long did these take you to make?"

  "Not very," Sean smiled.

  Arthur looked at his niece, "Jolene?"

  "His father was a magical genius, Arthur, and his father would be proud of him. He made them, I saw it. We've already given away hundreds."

  "Hundreds?" Arthur asked with a raised eyebrow.

  "Soon it will be thousands," Sean told him.

  Arthur nodded slowly and pondered the situation, he didn't think Sean was bluffing and he didn't believe that his niece was lying.

  "I have to ask," Arthur said, indulging his curiosity, "what's in it for you?"

  "Other than freeing the lycan races from slavery?"

  "Yes, that. I know you weren't born a lycan; two months ago you were as human as I was. Yet you have engaged on what is best described as a crusade, even though you are a young man who has only just now learned the truth of the world."

  "Because I'm a lion," Sean told him.

  "I don't understand," Arthur admitted, "and that's what bothers me. I like to understand things. I like to know why I'm doing something, and why others do what they do. Just what does being a lion have to do with your crusade?"

  'I got this,' Sean's lion said, so Sean let him speak.

  "Because we are the rulers of the lycan races. We created them, we watch over them. For many centuries, the association was beneficial for us. However over time, many warped it, and turned what had been voluntary into coerced. Others then took that power and abused it. Bernard Valens, my sire, was a gifted man who was presented with a problem by a friend that he solved for us.

  "I am now here to take the solution to that problem and implement it."

  Arthur noticed that Sean's voice and ma
nnerism had changed, slightly, while answering his question.

  "You make it sound like you were there," Arthur pointed out.

  "Lions have long memories," Sean said taking back over, "you might even say we have 'racial' memories."

  Arthur nodded slowly, that would be most curious indeed. He really should go consult with Joseph about that.

  "Well, you've answered my question; I guess I should be honest with you as well." Arthur smiled, "Joseph Harrison from the council of Eruditio had actually presented a very strong case based on money, of all things, for us to change our ways.

  "He made a very good point you know, so we've been taking it under consideration. However, there is one concession that I want, that Sapientia wants, if we free our lycans. If we do as Eruditio does and hire them to work for us, the same as we would hire anyone."

  "I'm not so sure I can guarantee any agreements," Sean said.

  "Lions are the lawgivers, the rulers, you said so yourself. For centuries we have used our lycans first to protect us from those who sought to enslave mages, then in our fights against each other. If we give up our armies, we will put ourselves in a position of weakness until the time comes that all of the lycan armies of the many councils have been disbanded."

  "So what are you asking for? To be last?" Sean sighed, that wasn't going to happen if he could help it.

  "Actually, I was thinking more of a defensive agreement. If we should be attacked by one of the other councils, using their lycans, that you'd come to our defense."

  "You're worried about the Vesti's, aren't you?"

  Arthur gave a little side nod with his head, "They came to us looking for an alliance against you. I put them off, as I don't care much for their philosophy. Honestly, I think we at the council of Sapientia have become a little hidebound ourselves. Something I'm now trying to remedy.

  "Turbulent times are ahead for us all, I must do what I can to protect my own, just as you do for yours."

  'Can I agree to this?'

  'Yes, as long as it is understood that it will only be against enslaved lycan attackers.'

  "As long as you understand that it will only be against enslaved lycan attackers," Sean said, repeating his lion's words. "Then yes, I will tell them to do it."

  "Then I do believe we have a deal," Arthur said, sticking out his hand.

  Sean reached across and shook it.

  "I need to go and talk to the other members of the council, but I suspect we'll start freeing them tomorrow."

  "I'll send over some of my people tomorrow then, we'll remove their silver pellets and give them a place to stay."

  "What if they don't want to leave?"

  "Then they can stay. But we're still going to talk to all of them, and remove any and all restraints."

  "Fair enough," Arthur said and stood up.

  "Oh, Jo," he said looking at his niece.

  "Yes, Arthur?"

  He winked at her, "Good catch! I honestly think your mother will be proud."

  Jolene sighed, "Really?" she said sarcastically.

  "Once I explain it to her." Arthur turned to his bodyguards, "Let's go boys. I've got a meeting to call."

  "What next?" Jolene asked Sean after her uncle had left the restaurant.

  "Let's go home and check in with Oak, I want to see if my workshop is done yet. We can catch up with Chad later tonight."

  Back Home

  Sean looked around his workshop in the basement; it was clean and well laid out, pretty much a duplicate of the workshop over at the guild, as that was the only one he'd had to go by when going over the design with Daelyn's cousin.

  It only took up a quarter of the basement, and the tunnel that Steve had suggested them building to his place, had in fact been built, its entrance not far from entrance to Sean's workshop. Steve had actually hired on several of the pack to function as watchmen and security for his place, and they used the tunnel regularly now

  This was yet another business Sean had to do the paperwork on, and do all of the other stuff for. He really needed to find some sort of office assistant to help him with that. Unfortunately none of the wolves in the pack knew anything about bookkeeping.

  Getting down to work, it took Sean an hour to set everything up the way he wanted it, putting all of the stuff that he'd need for his work away.

  That done, he set up the golden plate and prepped that for more enchanting work, getting his notes out and tacking them to the board behind the table he was working at. Then he spent some time examining the plate to make sure that his enchantments hadn't unraveled in the three days that had passed since he'd last looked at it.

  Thankfully the spell he'd put on it to hold things in place was still holding, but he wasn't sure how much longer it would last. He'd have to renew it soon if he didn't want to lose his first day's work.

  Checking his watch, he had a few hours of free time yet, before they were going to head over to Chad's house and discuss the attack on the Ascendants, so getting out a few things to make it easier, he started on renewing the locking spell.

  Peggy came in while he was working, but she just took a seat and watched, not interrupting him as he worked.

  "Hi, Peg," Sean said when he finished, turning towards her. "Do you need something?"

  Peg shook her head, "I just was curious as to what you were doing down here. I really didn't know you were an enchanter until Oak passed out those silver shields to everyone."

  "Where did you think the collar you got came from?" Sean asked her as he started to put his things away.

  Peg blushed, "I'm sorry; I was still too wrapped up in my own problems when Sheila gave it to me to notice. What's the plate supposed to do?"

  "It's going to make it easier for me to make those tags, and probably some other things as well."

  "You made a bunch of those shields in a couple of days, and you're telling me there's an even easier way?" Peg looked at him in surprise.

  "Easier on me," Sean chuckled. "Eventually I just want to build a machine to churn them out, but that'll take months, and I just don't have that kind of time right now."

  "How are you making them so fast?" Peg asked. "I may not know much about enchanting, but I know enough to know that these shields should take months to make!"

  "Family secret," Sean said with a smile.

  "No wonder they're all afraid of you," Peg said and smiled back at him, "you're their worst nightmare: A lycan who knows magic better than they do!"

  "Thanks," Sean said taking a closer look at Peg. When she smiled, she really did look happy, for perhaps the first time since he'd seen her. She really was a very attractive young woman, and she was definitely dressed today to show off those looks. Her vixen must have finally gotten her to relax; he wondered which of the wolves upstairs she was dressing up for?

  "You look a lot happier today," Sean told her, "it's so nice to finally see you smile."

  Peg blushed again, "You like my smile?"

  Sean nodded, "You're very pretty when you smile. I admit that I've been worried about you, you lost so much, so fast, I know it couldn't have been easy."

  Peg gave a little sigh and nodded, "Yeah, but that's in the past now. I know I'm not the only one here who's had it rough, I could have died back there, and you saved me. I'm very grateful, Sean, thank you."

  Sean tried not to blush, "Actually Sheila is the one who saved you," Sean pointed out.

  "And I've thanked her too," Peg grinned, "but she told me that she would never have bitten me, if you hadn't told her to. And even if someone had the magic to save me, I'd have been terribly scarred from that second whip," Peg shivered and Sean went over to her and took her hand.

  "It's in the past now," he reminded her.

  Peg nodded and smiled, "And because I don't have any scars from it, it's been a lot easier to let it go."

  "Well, you are a fox now," Sean pointed out.

  "Why, Sean, was that a compliment on my looks?" Peg teased, standing up and doing a little twirl for him.
>
  Sean felt his face go red, because yeah, Peg was a fox in the looks department alright. Especially with the way she was dressed right now, and with that red hair of hers, that soft and slender build of hers, she even looked every part the vixen.

  "Yes, you're very beautiful," Sean admitted, "but I was commenting on your now being one of us, a lycan."

  "A lycan who can use magic," Peg corrected him. "I did a little experimenting yesterday, and I discovered that I've got a lot more power now. I'd heard the rumors, but I had no idea that they were true."

  Sean nodded, "They are, but you have to be careful. That same power is what you use to shift forms now, as well as what your body uses to regenerate injuries. If you use up all of your magic, you won't be able to shift until it refreshes."

  "That doesn't sound too bad," Peg said.

  "If you're injured, it can be very bad," Sean sighed.

  Peg looked at him concerned, "Why?"

  "Your body will start to use your life force to heal itself, it'll start eating itself effectively, and you'll die."

  "What? How does that even happen?"

  Sean shook his head, "I don't know, yet. If you normally take too much damage, you stop healing. But if you've used up all of your energy because of magic? It's like some sort of line is crossed and everything goes crazy."

  "Wow! Thanks for warning me!" Peg said and putting her arms around him, she hugged him rather tight and kissed him.

  Blinking in surprise, Sean hugged her back, but he didn't return the kiss.

  "Can I come down here and watch you work?" Peg asked, smiling up at him.

  "Umm, sure," Sean nodded. "I don't mind."

  "Thanks!" She said and gave him another hug, then releasing him, she walked out the door and Sean couldn't help but watch her strut in those snug pants as she left the workshop. He guessed that she really had come to terms with what had happened to her.

  "Was that Peg?" Jolene asked, coming down into the workshop as Sean was just getting ready to leave.

  Sean nodded, "Yeah, she came down and wanted to talk a little."

  "She looked pretty happy," Jolene grinned, "what'd you do to her?"

  Sean sighed and rolled his eyes, "Nothing. But you're right, she was happy. I think she's finally put what happened to her, behind her, and is moving on with her life.