Asanni

by J. F. Kaufmann

  Livia came close and hugged her gently. “It will be fine, soon. You’ve never wanted me to tell you about when you change. Astrid, your wolf is smart and beautiful. She knows what she’s doing.”

  “She’s reacting to Jack.”

  “And you don’t? You just let her take all the blame. Astrid, your wolf is just more natural in expressing her needs. But those are your needs as well, she wants what you want.”

  “Nicely put, Liv.” Jack’s voice came from the dining room, followed by Jack himself. He hugged Astrid from behind.

  “Great! Now I’m a hypocrite.” Astrid smirked.

  “Of course not,” Livia said, “but you two have been spending too much time in each other’s overwhelming company, so your common sense has been compromised by your emotions. I’m taking you out for lunch tomorrow and then we’re going to look for nice dresses for the party. And we won’t talk about Jack or Tristan at all.”

  “What am I going to do?” Jack said and instinctively tightened his grip around Astrid.

  “Go with Tristan, you need a suit, too. You two have a boys’ afternoon out.”

  A THIN purple line glowed in the eastern sky as Astrid and Jack walked the short distance to her house.

  “How did you end up in that cockpit?” she asked.

  Jack smiled. “Tristan phoned to tell me you had to go, and I told him I’d go with you. I left the technicalities to him. I think he hired me on the spot. I signed some papers.”

  Dear Tristan, ever so practical and resourceful. “What did he tell our pilots?”

  “I have no idea.”

  THEY PARTED after a gentle kiss in the hallway. Keeping in mind Liv’s words that her wolf wouldn’t do anything against Astrid’s will, she convinced both of her parts that a good night’s sleep was what they needed. In the soft, warm darkness of her room, Astrid pulled the confiscated jacket over her and, inhaling the traces of Jack’s scent, entertained herself with the list of questions she was going to ask Liv tomorrow regarding the owner of the jacket.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Astrid

  I MIGHT have looked sizzling hot to Jack, who was—albeit partly involuntarily—in love with me. I would never describe myself that way, but I was happy that he did. By my own standards, however, the sexiest woman alive was sitting across from me: Livia Blake.

  Liv was simply breathtakingly beautiful head to toe. Her perfect appearance combined her sophisticated, noble look and incredible sexual appeal. Her beauty was absolute, regardless of the era, fashion or style. She was a contemporary Queen Nefertiti—the idea of feminine beauty itself. Now that I thought of it, Liv did resemble the famous Egyptian queen.

  Liv’s face was a perfect oval, her blue, almond-shaped eyes framed by thick, curved black lashes. The shade shifted from azure to steel-blue to deep, sparkling lapis lazuli, depending on her surroundings, or, even more often, on her emotional state. Her high forehead, her nose, straight and narrow, her lips, not too thin, not too full, her chin, her translucent white skin… all parts of that beautiful head were in harmony. She was tall, just a bit shorter than my 5’ 8”, with a firm, full bust, narrow waist, nicely rounded hips and long shapely legs.

  And with all that perfection she would’ve been just another beautiful woman if it hadn’t been for the elegance of her movements, sleek and smooth like a tigress’, the tone of her voice, velvety and warm. Her charm radiated from her complete personality, including her capable mind and sharp tongue, from her deep humanity and open-mindedness, from the aura of eternity and something definitive and absolute that surrounded her.

  IN SPITE of our earlier decision, we did talk about our boys. Well, Tristan was mentioned occasionally. The main topic of our lengthy conversation was Jack.

  We sat at Palatine Hill, waiting for our order.

  I was officially on my vacation leave. That would mean lots of time with Jack. In spite of the potential complications that such physical closeness could bring, I was glad to have the opportunity to talk to him and learn more about the new life I would soon start.

  There were questions, however, that I preferred to discuss with my friend. A bit of girls’ talk.

  “So, what can you tell me about Jack?” I started with an open question, leaving it to Liv to take whichever path she liked.

  “He’s a good man, Astrid. Smart, compassionate, honest and brave. Tristan and I met him, well, some time ago, when we had so much trouble with our own kind. You know what was going on then; you know the story. The Red Cliffs clan didn’t hesitate to help us. It was Brian’s decision; he was the Einhamir then. He, Jack, your father and James were closest to us, they fought with us, side by side. We became friends. During that time we became close to your grandparents and some other wizards, for the same reason: they helped us fight against Warren and his followers…”

  I KNEW the story. It had happened before I was born, but not so long ago as to become a legend, or a part of our own folklore. Warren had wanted total control over the Tel-Urugh population and, through that, over all other kinds, including humans. He’d regarded humans as a source of food, and built his case on the fact that the world was overpopulated; that humans would, eventually, overpower all the other races due to their great numbers. He had gathered a small but bloodthirsty, powerful and extremely dangerous army of his ideological followers and mercenaries, to first eliminate their own kind who dared to oppose him, and then whoever tried to stand against him.

  The ordinary Tel-Urughs had quickly risen against the ‘Legionnaires,’ as Warren’s soldiers had called themselves. Feeling not directly threatened by Warren’s plans, wizards and werewolves initially had decided to stay neutral, regarding the vampires’ little civil war as their internal problem. Except some wizards and some werewolf clans, who’d immediately offered all kinds of support to the threatened vampire population, honoring the ancient alliances between the three races. The werewolves had provided a refuge on their sacred grounds. Wizards had used their power to make vampires invisible to and untouchable by Warren’s Legionnaires, to secure their houses, to keep them safe.

  My grandfather and Brian Canagan, Jack’s father, had taken upon themselves the difficult task of convincing the reluctant wizards and werewolves to side with the threatened Tel-Urughs. ‘When they finish with their own kind—if we allow them—they’ll go after us. This is not the Tel-Urughs’ war only, this is a great battle for our own freedom. If we don’t stand up against them today, tomorrow there might not be anyone to stand up for us,’ these were said to be my grandfather’s words.

  They did listen to them. There was a great battle in the end, but the outcome was predictable: Warren’s soldiers didn’t stand a chance against the united front of Tel-Urughs, asyngaer and blaidd-dynion, and most of them had been eliminated.

  “SINCE THEN,” Livia said, “Jack’s been like family. He and Tristan are literally blood brothers.” A gentle smile brightened her face. “It was Jack’s blood that saved Tristan’s life, and Ella’s that brought me back,” she finished quietly.

  “What happened? Why don’t I know about this?”

  Liv shrugged. “Unfortunately, you don’t know many things you should, in my opinion. In short, we were both gravely wounded. I was one of the most powerful Tel-Urughs and Tristan was already very strong, but we were grossly outnumbered. Anyway, Tristan would’ve made it, maybe. I wouldn’t have, for sure. Never in my life was I closer to the end… Ella slashed her wrists and let me take her blood. Blood of every humanoid race has its unique healing properties,” she said with a smile, “and wizard blood is the most potent of all… Jack gave his blood to Tristan.”

  “And with it, they transferred to you some of their powers.”

  “That does happen when we share blood, and that’s why the practice is strongly discouraged and heavily regulated by the Blood Law.”

  “Does it cover turning humans to werewolves?”

  “It does. And it’s monitored, so that nobody abuses it. Fortunately, it also allows
us sometimes to save a life... Now, back to Jack. What else do you want to know about him?”

  “How old is he?”

  “Thirty five,” she said, too readily. “He stopped aging relatively late. Werewolves sometimes do, especially alphas or other leaders. You need to look a bit older and mature if you are going to be the boss, right? Who would trust a man who looks forever in his late teens?”

  “Liv.” I stopped her, “I didn’t mean that age and you know it.”

  “Why does it matter?”

  “It doesn’t. I just want to know.”

  “He was born in 1894.”

  “Oh.”

  Even though I knew I was sitting across from at least Julius Caesar’s contemporary, I still had to take a deep breath to let the revelation of dating a man of my grandfather’s age sink in. But then I saw Jack’s handsome face, his disarrayed brown hair, his warm, amber eyes with an everlasting smile lurking in their depths, his muscled body in a tight shirt washed one time too many and faded blue jeans. I saw his strong and beautiful hands. I perceived his scent and the warm flow of our bond as if he’d touched me that moment. And the world, which had seemed distorted a flash before, resumed its usual shape.

  “He’s actually young for a werewolf. He’s about Tristan’s age,” Livia said as if that was proof of anything.

  “Practically babies.” I snorted and continued with my veal cutlet. “I’m fine, Liv, really. It’s just a matter of seeing things from a different angle. You, for example, look fantastic for your age.”

  Liv laughed. “Well, you joined the club three years ago, if I remember correctly. It’s still unnoticeable to the naked eye, but you haven’t aged a day since then. That’s why Jack is under the impression that you are too young.”

  “Is he? He treats me like a child sometimes.”

  “Don’t exaggerate. Jack is very aware of your womanly side,” Liv said. “No, it’s not that. He’s overprotective, and not only because he’s a werewolf. His human part is also possessive, but he’s aware of that and he’ll do everything he can not to squeeze you too much. But that’s something that you will be dealing with from time to time. He’ll try hard not to make the same mistake again, but he’ll have relapses, for sure.”

  “He was incredibly open-minded when Ingmar popped up,” I said.

  “He was, indeed. Did you know how much effort it cost him to be so tolerant? To leave his beloved with her ex, oh boy! But yes, he was fantastic. He also almost broke the table at Flamingo he grabbed it that hard.”

  “What else can you tell me? Come on, Liv, I’m marrying the guy, I must know. Why did you say he wouldn’t make the same mistake again? Is that why he went to France? He said it was some time ago, and for me it still means relatively recently.”

  Liv cleared her throat. “He had a girlfriend, a serious relationship. She was young, and he was quite smitten with her. She’s quite attractive, I’ll give her that: tall, dark hair, beautiful face… She was like a raw diamond, a bit unpolished but beautiful. I didn’t like her, I thought she was selfish and shallow, but it might be she’s changed for the better in the meantime. People do change sometimes... Never mind that now. Jack was ultra-possessive; she rebelled and ended up marrying another guy. Jack was quite heartbroken and miserable for a while, and yes, went to France, and then collected himself and continued with his life.”

  “What was her name?” I asked. I needed to put the name to the face.

  “Madeleine Blackwell. They call her Lanni. It was over long before Jack met you—”

  She stopped, detecting the signs of my distress.

  “Astrid, are you okay?”

  Boy, that hurt! Jealousy, no matter how irrational it was, swept over me in hot, raging waves, twisting my stomach and filling me with pain and anger. An invisible claw squeezed my heart so hard that I lost my breath. I was hurt and angry because Jack had loved somebody before, cared for her, kissed her, made love to her, let her hurt him...

  He’s mine!!! My wolf roared deep inside me, and I wholeheartedly joined her. I could hear her and I knew I would remember her this time. He’s mine! I hissed in unison with her. I won’t let anybody else have him! I’ll never hurt him. He is mine! I fought a compulsion to go and find him and tell him that: “You are mine!”

  “Take it easy, Astrid.” I felt Liv’s firm grip over my wrist, and heard her concerned, fast whisper. “Darling, please don’t change here, in the restaurant.”

  “I’m okay, Liv.” I even managed a tiny smile, and took a few deep breaths. “I’m okay. You witnessed the bond in its full power.”

  Liv screened me, quickly assessing my emotional and mental state. “Your eyes have changed color. I thought for a moment you were going to turn. What happened? I’m so sorry if I upset you with this story, but somebody was bound to mention it sooner or later.”

  “It’s okay, Liv. I overreacted. It’s ridiculous, but I was so jealous for a moment.” I shook my head in disbelief. “Jealous of his past, of something that happened before I knew him, of everything he gave her. I know it’s illogical and stupid, I just couldn’t help myself. And the wolf, of course, had something to say about it.”

  “I shouldn’t have told you.”

  “No, Liv, it’s okay. I asked about Jack. I’d have asked about that particular part of his life even if you hadn’t told me. What else can you tell me about him?”

  “He is a great man, Astrid. You are in love with each other. That’s more than enough for the start. Build on it and don’t question every word and every move. Relax, Astrid, let it be.”

  I’d frightened Liv with my crazy reaction so much that she decided not to tell me anything more.

  “Okay, where is he now? Have they finished shopping for tonight?” I said.

  “You should be able to see that. I’ve always been surprised that you’ve actually never wanted to use your power,” Liv said with an edge in her voice.

  “You know that my entire life I’ve been told not to use it!” I snapped. “All of a sudden, everybody is less than happy with how I manage my skills!”

  “For some reason, Ella and Arnaldur trained you more how to control your power rather than teach you how to use it, and then control it. Ingmar thinks the same. You are undertrained. Your skills aren’t fully developed. Ingmar thinks that your real potential is enormous—”

  “I don’t care what Ingmar thinks.”

  I immediately regretted my outburst. “I’m sorry, Liv. I’ve been edgy recently. The change is coming and I’m frightened because it seems even more difficult since Jack came.”

  Liv laughed. “Of course it is. He’s been tickling your wolf. It will be fine, Astrid. Too bad you are not a Tel-Urugh, I would love to train you... Now close your eyes and concentrate. Don’t ask that wolf of yours for help. Can you see Jack? Try to feel him. Try, Astrid.”

  I did as she asked, closing my eyes and concentrating. My mental and emotional sensors searched for traces of Jack’s scent, his voice and his tall figure. At first there was nothing. Suddenly an image flashed through my mind, distant and blurry, as if looking through water. Then the sound of his laughter. For a split second I saw Jack with his elbow leaning on top of a wheeled rack full of suits, and Tristan on the other side of it, laughing.

  “They are in Maurizio’s buying clothes,” I whispered, looking at Liv in astonishment.

  “Brilliant! Yes, they are there.”

  “It was just a flash.”

  “But you saw them. Astrid, you must complete your training. Talk to Jack.”

  “Liv, I’m going to Red Cliffs. Who would train me there?”

  Liv smiled. “Jack will think of something.”

  The waiter came with the bill. I paid for lunch before Liv, in spite of all her great speed, could reach for her purse. “Let’s go find us some nice dresses for tonight,” I said. “And our boys.”

  I WANTED a little knee-length black dress. Liv had a different idea and pulled out a little knee-length red dress, tight, long- sleeved,
with a deeply scooped neckline.

  “Hmm, lipstick-red. I’ve never had anything so bold. I’m not sure, Liv,” I said and skeptically stepped into the changing room.

  “It’s called Rosso corsa, or Ferrari red, and it’s bloody sexy.” I heard her from the next room. She was trying on a sexy silver-gray lacy dress.

  Getting no response from my cubicle, she decided to play her trump card. “Wait until Jack sees it.”

  Well, in that case, I might give it a try. When I stepped out, Livia smiled approvingly and made a didn’t-I-tell-you movement with her arms. I turned in front of the mirror assessing the dress one more time from all sides.

  “I look like an expensive call girl,” I said, laughing. “I’ll take it.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Astrid

  LIV DROVE me home, where Jack and Tristan were already waiting for us. After a quick coffee, the Blakes went home.

  Jack and I had the next several hours for us. My mind started toying with many different ways we could spend the time until the exhibition opening. I knew none of them would likely happen, but I could still dream, couldn’t I?

  We sat on the sofa, on opposite ends. I glanced at his handsome face and those incredible golden-amber eyes, so full of life and energy. He’d been born in 1894, Liv said. It was a bit of a shock when I’d heard it, but now, looking at him sitting across me, so alive, so vibrant, so potent and young, it was irrelevant. He could have been another of Julius Caesar’s friends, for all I cared. I didn’t even want to ask him about it, or let him know I knew. It was not important.

  “May I see your dress?” Jack asked, unaware of my thoughts.

  The box with the dress sat on the table, still in its navy-blue paper bag.

  “You’ll see it when I put it on. It’s just a little cocktail dress,” I said, keeping my voice neutral. “What did you buy at Maurizio’s?”