by Montana Ash
Heading towards her liege, she was abruptly cut off by a masculine body. Had the impressive chest belonged to anyone other than Carlos, Cali would have roamed very appreciative eyes over its surface area. But as it was, Carlos was Marco’s brother – the Captain from Ignatius’s Order. Marco, along with the rest of the Order of Vulcan, had been imprisoned with their liege in one of the ranger encampments. Their stay would not be permanent – unlike Ignatius, who had been given Chade status despite Max’s testimony to the contrary - but she was unsure of their time of internment. Carlos had given her a touch of trouble in the past so she’d been forced to kick his balls into his throat one sunny, spring afternoon years ago. He had heard of her ‘reputation’ and figured she’d be up for some fun. The idiot man had been sorely mistaken. He had continued with his snide comments every now and again over the years but she hadn’t really been bothered by him. Since his brother had been publicly humiliated by Max and imprisoned, he had begun insulting her once more.
“I heard you were out on the prowl a few weeks ago up north.” He smirked.
Cali narrowed her eyes at his comment. Although she was always careful not to flirt or cast her net too close to town, sometimes word made its way around. It was the curse of a small town. Still, she hadn’t seen anyone she knew and she really hoped this slimy bastard hadn’t heard of or seen her midnight pick-up. Not bothering to reply, she let out a yawn instead.
Carlos ignored her pointed non-verbal insinuation that she found him boring and waggled his eyebrows, “You know, if those rejects in that house aren’t man enough to fulfil your needs, then you only have to ask. I’d be more than happy to show you how a real man satisfies a woman.”
Gross! She thought, but smiled sweetly instead, “I’d rather shit in my hand and clap.” His reaction was priceless; a stutter, a red face, and a rocking back onto his heels as if she’d done the testicle-kick once again. Total. Fucking. Idiot.
“You’re nothing but a sad, pathetic little slut. Everyone knows you were just a hole for your former liege to screw and that you’re no good for anything else. This charade that crazy redhead has going on won’t fool the IDC forever.” He spat out.
Cali continued to smile even though the sharp words caused a direct hit to her pride; she had been just a hole to her previous liege. But she wasn’t anymore, she reminded herself. She was a respected and wanted member of the most important Order in the world, no matter what this little twerp seemed to think. She knew there were many others out there who believed Max was a fraud and was conning the IDC for her own nefarious purposes. She and the others had been steadily cataloguing names and faces of those on team smart – aka, team Max – and those on team stupid. No need to guess what team Carlos was on.
“Is there a problem?” The deep and familiar voice of Darius spoke from behind her and Cali turned with a genuine smile this time; he was just so handsome.
“No problem.” Cali assured him. “Carlos was just offering me the opportunity to spread my legs for him … again.”
Darius blanched and coughed, “I think I just vomited a little.”
Cali giggled and took his left hand, leaning her head against his strong bicep. His sense of humour and playfulness was really making an emergence since his relationship with Diana had steadied. He was always the most gentlemanly and noble knight, but somewhere along the way he had lost his sense of fun. Diana was helping him find it again – along with Max of course – and Cali found him even more appealing now, if that were possible. He squeezed her hand and gave her a nudge in affection;
“I believe you have somewhere to be Carlos. As do we.” He offered Cali his arm, “Shall we?” Not even bothering to look in Carlos’s direction, she nodded and allowed Darius to lead her to their Order. “Are you okay?” He asked.
She nodded, “I’m fine. He’s such a cretin. He’s another one we’re going to have to watch.”
Darius nodded, “I know. The list is growing.”
“You’re worried.” She commented.
He looked down at her, “I am. Although Max has made some inroads with many wardens and paladins, the vast majority are sceptical at best and paranoid at worst. Being bound to the likes of us isn’t doing her any favours either.”
“Speak for yourself, Sir Darius.” She chided and loved the way his cheeks pinked. She waved off his apology before it could form, “I know what you mean. Hopefully today will help.”
“Yes. I hope so. But I hate asking Max to do something she doesn’t want to. Can you feel how nervous she is?” He asked.
Cali nodded. She could feel it. She sent a spark streaming through the bond directly to Max who immediately smiled at her. Six other bursts quickly followed and Cali felt her brand give a happy wiggle on her arm as if it were sentient itself. Cali sure hoped that wasn’t the case – that would be too weird. But given how little they knew about the large, moving coat of arms, she guessed anything was possible. Momentarily, Ry gave them all a nod, signalling the time to get the show on the road.
“Ready babe?” Ryker asked Max. Cali noted that he studiously ignored the disapproving hisses and looks sent his way at the endearment. The council had largely chosen to ignore the very obvious loving relationship between Max and Ryker. Cali would like to think it was because they were accepting and supportive of the couple but she knew they had just chosen to pick their battles. Still, Cali was hoping it may open doors for other couples in the future.
‘Do I have to?’ Max’s voice was somewhat whiney through the Order link but what bothered Cali the most was the unhappiness she heard as well. Like Darius, she knew Max hated to be put on display like this. For someone who had felt like a freak and had been punished for being different all her life, it was hard for her to feel comfortable putting on a show in front of others.
‘Unfortunately, yes.’ Darius responded. ‘But we have a treat waiting for you at home to make up for it.’ He added with a smile.
Max appeared to perk up at that. ‘Is ‘treat’ a euphemism for Ryker’s dick?’ She asked. The entire Order snickered at that, gaining great satisfaction from the redness spreading across Darius’s and Beyden’s face. Those two were still so easy to rile.
‘No Max. Jeez. It’s a euphemism for Nutella cheesecake.’ Darius informed her.
‘Oh. Well that sounds just as tasty.’ She smiled impishly.
‘Enough now devil-woman. Show ‘em what you got.’ Ryker said, caressing her arm lightly.
Max nodded and bent down to remove her shoes before walking barefoot into the middle of the yard where the fight had occurred a couple of months ago now. The ground was scorched and dry and she saw many of the wardens and paladins cringe at the carnage. Take a good look, Cali thought snidely. Not a single one of them had come to offer assistance and as a result, the natural elements here had suffered. A few shocked murmurs had her refocusing her attention on Max and she smiled as she noticed blades of grass springing up from beneath Max’s feet as she walked. This was nothing, Cali knew. Max wasn’t even trying yet.
Max had instructed them all to stay a decent distance from her. She was firing on full cylinders now and didn’t need them to recharge her even though she would be using an incredible amount of energy. Being the political genius that he was, Darius had convinced Max that she needed to show off a little to prove a point. And it’s not like she really needed to have physical contact with them to recharge these days anyway. Seems those wicked, moving coat of arms of theirs acted as a conduit within the Order. Max could tap into their vitality through the link alone – although she rarely did. They all preferred the traditional way of energy exchange through close contact. For herself and her fellow knights Cali knew the main reason for that was because it was still a little weird when her brand would start writhing on its own before she felt the familiar tug of Max taking energy. For Max, she knew the reason was simpler; she didn’t like taking without asking.
Max bent and laid a hand on the dry ground. She coaxed the earth gently, encouraging
the already formed seeds beneath the surface to stretch and grow. Cali watched as the green stems stretched tentatively toward the sky, unfurling their delicate flowers in a slow display of colour. Lush, green grass sprang underneath the new blooms in an ever-widening circle as Max began walking around the large space. To Cali, it looked like the new life was rippling across the barren earth as if Max had dipped her toe in a pool of water. Native plants and shrubs grew from saplings before their very eyes to line the edge of the property, creating a natural border with the bushland skirting the house. Tufts of spiky sand-grass pushed their way through the sand on the outer edge of the beach and Cali saw Max smile and nod at a few small critters who were tentatively making their way into the new world of green.
Given this was Caspian’s front yard, Max and Cas had talked about his vision for it and Cali knew Max was trying her hardest to bring his dream garden to life. Going by the look of awe and astonishment on his face, Cali figured Max was exceeding his expectations. The earth trembled beneath their feet, but not in warning. No, it rumbled happily as Max commanded large, flat pieces of slate to reveal themselves before coaxing them to settle firmly in a winding path from the driveway to the front door. Damn. Max was even doing their paving, Cali realised.
Cali felt a slight warning resonate through the Order from Ryker, cautioning Max to dial it back a bit. They didn’t want Max revealing the true extent of her powers, hell, they weren’t even sure of the true extent of her powers. But Cali knew Max could literally have snapped her fingers with the same result. The walking around, touching things, deep looks of concentration? They were all for show. Cali felt Max’s acknowledgment of the warning and began winding down her performance by backtracking her steps and scrutinising her work. Her attention seemed to be focused on a still empty pocket of land to the left of Caspian’s house and Cali wondered what she was doing as she slowly made her way over to stand on it.
Max tilted her head as if listening to a voice only she could hear before abruptly turning to the crowd. The gasps were loud and numerous as wardens and paladins alike took in the swirling galaxies that were Max’s eyes. The power and the purpose behind those multi-coloured irises was unmistakable. Max’s eyes pinned Caspian as she spoke and Cali was relieved to hear that her voice was wholly her own – not the scary and awe-inspiring double-layered voice of a Goddess;
“There’s a natural spring running under here.” She said.
Caspian nodded but didn’t move, “Yes, I know.”
“Why haven’t you raised it to the surface?” She asked.
Caspian shifted a little uncomfortably as dozens of pairs of eyes focused on him. He merely shrugged and Cali saw Max’s eyes narrow. Uh oh, she saw a Max-rant coming on. “Could you do it, Blu?” Max asked the elder Water Warden.
A few murmurs abounded this time and Cali figured they were from the lack of formality Max had used when addressing one of the founding members of the International Domain Council. But Cali knew that not only was Blu a relaxed, affable man but he and Max had developed a very good working relationship that was spilling into friendship – oh and flirting. The old bugger was a huge flirt and Max lapped it up.
“Sure. I could do it without moving from my current position. It’s a large spring; deep and fresh.” He revealed – to no-one’s apparent surprise.
“Caspian does not have the power required to undertake such a task, Max. He is bound with only two paladins and although they are both water paladins, all three are young yet.” Verity spoke gently but with authority.
Max’s response was a simple; “Huh.”
“You are not convinced.” Verity followed up, frowning a little.
“No, I’m not. I have no doubt Caspian could part the ocean here if he so chose.” Max stated, her voice completely implacable.
Cali looked to Cas to see how he was taking all this. He looked decidedly uncomfortable for all the attention but could she also detect a small smirk gracing his lips? Leo and Lawson were standing at attention on either side of him but she could make out the laughter in their eyes easy enough. Yep, Cali thought, Cas could part the friggin’ ocean.
“Then why doesn’t he I wonder?” Blu asked innocently – too innocently in Cali’s opinion. He didn’t wonder shit; he already knew.
“Probably because people keep telling him he can’t do it. And speaking about him like he can’t hear us is very rude.” She pointed out. Ignoring the rising grumbling of the crowd, she held out her hand. “This is your home, Cas. If you want this lovely spring to run through your property, then I think you should do it.” She smiled.
Cali held her breath as Caspian warred with indecision. If he was indeed more powerful than even the IDC knew, then this would oust him. She could understand why he wanted to remain in the background but times were changing and it was time to be stepping up to the plate. Apparently, Cas must have thought so to, for he nodded and walked over to Max. In a move almost identical to Max’s, he bent and placed a hand flat on the earth. A low rumbling accompanied his movement and within a few seconds Cali could see water bubbling up and over his hand. Max joined him, pushing against the ground in order to create a hollow depression that became deeper and deeper as it filled with water. Cali shivered in awareness as the spring seemed to reach out to her – and no doubt all of the wardens and paladins affiliated with water. Within moments, the pool was several metres long as well as wide and Cali was itching to jump in for a swim. It looked so fresh and welcoming.
Max stood, dusting off her hands and patting Caspian on the back. “Looks like our job is done. Congratulations. I hope you enjoy your new garden.”
“You have my thanks, My Lady.” Caspian bowed low, showing his respect and appreciation. For once, Max didn’t pull him upright and tell him to knock it off with a roll of her eyes. She simply nodded her head and Cali was proud of her for going with tradition.
But as if unable to help herself, Max grinned and gave everything a final flourish by sending the air swirling up, collecting a few stray leaves and dust particles to billow away on a lovely warm gust of wind straight into the dense bushland behind them. The wind seemed to give a happy howl even as Max blew a kiss after it. A kiss? Really? Why would Max be blowing kisses in the direction of the trees? Cali darted her eyes around, noting that nobody else seemed to notice the strange act and for a second she could have sworn she saw the large outline of a man concealed in the shadows. Her breath caught; the shape and posture of that shadow resonated recognition within her. Holly hell! Was that Dex? Her startled eyes flew to Max and the crazy woman winked at her, flashing her lone dimple in a cheeky – and very knowing – grin.
By the Great Mother! Max’s insanity knew no bounds; playing with a fucking chade with half the warden population in attendance. But what was worse, Cali feared the insanity was contagious, for she couldn’t help the small sting of pleasure his presence brought, nor the large tingle of anticipation.
FIFTEEN
The anticipation was killing her. They had been home for nearly an hour and it had been spent debriefing and congratulating themselves on showing the IDC what Max was about. The general consensus was that Max had proven she could control all seven elements. People were still loathed to use the ‘C’ word but there had been a lot more respectful eyes in the crowd as it had dispersed. Max had conducted herself admirably, allowing question after question until Ryker had finally stepped in claiming their liege needed rest and recharging. That was partially true, for Max had indeed taken some vitality from all of them but largely her refuelling came from the decimated Nutella cheesecake in front of her.
Cali had declined her slice of the delicious dessert given her stomach was tied up in knots. Dex had been at Caspian’s house, she was sure of it. What he was doing there, she had no clue and if Max knew she didn’t seem to be in a hurry to share with the rest of the class. She was too busy licking her spoon clean – the Nutella whore. A bird chose that moment to land on the windowsill, tapping the glass imperiously with its
beak. Cali wasn’t surprised. After Max’s display at Caspian’s she had found it a little tricky to dial back her energy. As a result, new flowers were popping up all over outside and there had been a steady stream of wildlife around the place. Cali saw Max smile at the bird and nod her head before it took flight.
“Were you all serious when you said you wanted to seek out Dex peacefully?” Max asked, completely randomly and startling every occupant in the room.
“Ah, yes. We were.” Ryker answered, brows drawn low.
Max smiled, “Good. Because he’s right outside.”
Large bodies sprang into defensive positions around their liege, scythes were unsheathed and a now very alarmed mongrel pup barked ferociously at everything and nothing.
“Would you all relax. You’re being dramatic.” Max told them.
“Max. You tell us there is a chade outside and you expect us to relax?” Axel baulked.
“It’s not a chade. It’s Dex.” Max’s answer was simple and to her, Cali supposed it was. Max considered Dex a friend and one who was in need. Simple.
“It may be Dex, Max, but he did essentially attack you just weeks ago.” Diana pointed out rationally. Her grey eyes were kind as they locked with Darius’s and Cali saw Darius smile a little, showing no offense was taken.
“He’s not going to do that again. He’s nowhere near as desperate for energy as he was then.” She assured them.