Guardian (Book Two of the Spirits' War Trilogy)

by K. V. Wilson

34

  GROUND DUTY

  Aelshen

  “Wakey-wakey, Skye.”

  The girl emits a small groan but otherwise lies still. “Not now.”

  “It’s mornin’.”

  “Actually, it’s afternoon,” Thirteen chides, rolling his eyes. “Red, the big man wants you up and at ‘em.”

  “Bug off, lad.” I give him a shove fer good measure. “An’ it’s not my orders. Yer dad wants ye back.” Should’ve brought Xunnu with me; maybe he’d be able to convince the stubborn girl. Or Elspeth. Yes.

  “Tell him to wait an hour and I’ll be there.”

  “He wants ye now. Important meeting with the clan, an’ if I’m not back soon, they’ll start without me.”

  I sigh. Well actually, Matthews would probably start without me no matter what. No matter that I’m the reason he can Shift in the first place, me having created his race an’ all. Having brought us all into this big mess…

  I run a hand across me forehead, crouching low to the ground. How was I to know it’d turn out like this, though? I’d only meant to have a little fun, bring meself some companions, some Lycans to share me lives with. Give others the gift of nature, the ability to be one with the Earth.

  Skye reaches her arms above her head in a long, luxurious stretch. “Fine,” she mumbles, yawning.

  Thirteen grins, helping Ru-Yeva to her feet. She bends down to pick up her bow, the one the elder Litu had made fer her. I feel a tinge of envy; where was my bow?

  We saunter down the hill together: Skye, Thirteen, Xera and I. Afore long, we reach the cabin where the high-ranking Lycans are stayin’. I wasn’t included amongst them, which is utterly ridiculous in my opinion. But like always, I’ve got to remain calm and collected. The wise one who stands in the shadows.

  “Ah, how I wish I were back at the pub,” I mutter, swinging open one o’ the double doors to the large barn at the back of the property.

  Most of the Lycans and Yeva’si are gathered inside the ancient building, watching expectantly as we enter. There are a few torches propped up to give a bit o’ light. Not that we really need it, what with our good night vision.

  “Yer late!” Elspeth shrieks. I raise my hands to me temples in exasperation.

  Doesn’t that woman ever shut up? Why’d they even let ‘er in here?

  “Welcome,” Todd Matthews greets us, nodding his head towards some empty chairs at the back of the room. “Let’s get started.”

  “I’m surprised they wanted me here,” Skye whispers, sinking into the chair beside me. Thirteen takes the one on her other side, while Xera sits next to me.

  “Of course they do,” I reassure her.

  “So, members of the Lìog Airgid,” Matthews says, addressing the Lycans, Yeva’si and Ddreigiau inside the barn, “we’re planning our next move. Thanks again to Quinn Rhys for allowing us the use of her family’s farmland.”

  A woman to his left stands. She’s got beautiful shoulder-length dark hair and bangs that frame her russet eyes. She looks to be a few years younger than me, and she’s got an air of confidence and grace about her. I haven’t seen the like since I last saw Thirteen’s mother Lauren, Alpha of the Sheep River Clan. She’d been killed mercilessly by the Covenant during the Battle of the Ritual.

  I realize with a start that Quinn is no Lycan; she’s Ddraig through an’ through. I scan the crowd fer me young friend Gregory Flint, sensing his spirit somewhere at the front alongside the MacLarty family. I wonder if Flint knows what Quinn is, and that there are now four dragons among the Lìog Airgid. Maybe more.

  And o’course Matthews didn’t bother telling me this, now did he? Can’t have the Guardian knowing more’n he deserves to, now can we?

  I stare at the alpha with distaste, glad I could get Skye on my side, at least fer now. She needs the trainin’, that’s fer sure. Even if I have to give it to her behind her father’s back.

  Matthews clears his throat before continuing. “We’re on the lookout for more dragons, which is our main reason for coming here to Wales, the birthplace of the Guardian, Nwyfre.”

  “Wales wasn’t his birthplace!” I hiss under me breath. “‘Twas with the other two Spiritborne, in what’s now northern England.”

  “Shh,” Thirteen whispers, glaring daggers at me. “Nix the history lesson.” He looks more worried than afeard, though. I oblige, clamming right up. Can’t expect Matthews to know the history, anyhow.

  I force meself to turn me attention back to the front of the barn. The Lìog Airgid leader has grown silent, glancing at Quinn. He’s treatin’ her like a damned beta, an’ he barely knows the woman. The Ddraig speaks up, her voice unnaturally calm and lovely fer a she-dragon. Admittedly, Elspeth is the only she-dragon I’ve had the pleasure of talkin’ to in the last few centuries, so I don’t have much of a reference point.

  “We’re working hard as we can to find Nwyfre and more of his kind,” Quinn says, seeming to meet the eyes of every individual in turn. Her accent is English with a hint of Welsh creepin’ in here an’ there. “We badly need his help. I may have ideas of where to look, but I need a few volunteers who would like to come with me. We’ll organize five parties: three to search the surrounding lands, and two to fly with me down the coast.”

  Matthews nods. “I will head the first, and George the second.” The Lycan nods at his beta. I sense some anger from the corner of the room where Duncan MacLarty is sitting, and I stifle a laugh. He’s still got his panties in a twist about being kicked out o’ the beta position. He stares at George with seething rage. Matthews continues and I force meself to listen. “Mac Tíre the third party, Quinn the fourth and Xunnu the fifth.”

  “Quinn the fourth and Xunnu the…” I count the parties on me fingers. The last two are Ddraig and Yeva’si, respectively. Both flyers. “But that means—”

  “They’re putting you on ground duty,” Thirteen whispers, grinning.

  I make a face. “They do know I can fly too, don’t they?”

  “Have you ever shown them?” Thirteen raises his eyebrows.

  “Shh,” Skye cautions. I note that many of the nearby Lycans are watching us. I narrow me eyes at them and they turn away, embarrassed.

  “Mo chreach,” I spit, tryin’ to keep me voice low. “O’course they know what I can do. I should be searchin’ by air, cause they know full well that I can sense nearby spirits. Condemning me to ground patrol won’t do a damned thing!”

  “You’ll be with your countrymen,” Skye points out, clearly trying to shut me up.

  I roll me eyes. “After this is done, I’m gonna give Matthews a piece of me mind.”

  Skye attempts to hide her look of horror. “Be careful. My dad’s hard to convince.”

  “That I know, lass. That I know.”

  Matthews had infuriated me so much o’er the years that I’d chosen to stay out of things fer the most part. I’d worked alongside Flint at our little pub rather than getting involved too much with the Lìog Airgid. It was a little better now that Duncan was no longer beta, but it was always hard fer me to get a word in during meetings like this, that’s fer sure. An’ now this. But on the bright side, they had chosen me as one o’ the five party leaders. ‘Twas a start, I suppose.

  “Does everyone understand?” Matthews is askin’. I reprimand meself fer losing focus; I’d not heard the last few things they’d been saying.

  The crowd nods in affirmation an’ I nod along with them. “Did he say anything important just now?” I ask. Skye shrugs. I roll me eyes.

  “They’ll be organizing the parties right away, and anyone interested should speak with one of the leaders,” Thirteen informs us.

  I give him a gratuitous smile. “Thanks, lad. Much appreciated.”

  “No problemo,” he mutters, lifting himself from his seat to follow the others out of the barn.

  I scan the room for Matthews and begin to head in his direction. Skye mouths the words ‘be careful’ as I approach her father. I nod sincerely.

  “Ah, M
ac Tíre,” Matthews says, a big false grin on his face. “Have you met Quinn Rhys?”

  “Haven’t had the pleasure.” I attempt a smile, but upon seeing Quinn’s face again, I can actually manage a genuine grin.

  “Mac Tíre! I’ve heard loads about you. We’re going to be the generation to reunite the Spiritborne; I can feel it,” she says, brushing her dark bangs to the side so she can see me more clearly.

  I note that Quinn wears a thick leather jacket with the Welsh emblem on the back of it. A jagged scar runs down the left side of her neck, starting at her ear and ending at her shoulder blade. I wonder what kind o’ battle had given her that scar; I’d be content with tearin’ apart the soldier who’d done that to her.

  The dragon extends a hand and I take it. Much to me surprise, her grip is even stronger than mine.

  “Nice to meet another Ddraig, Ms. Rhys. Times are lookin’ up. If only Nwyfre could see this.”

  “Call me Quinn,” she smiles. “Now, shall we get these parties started?”

  I chuckle. “Sounds brilliant. I’ll be leadin’ one of the Lycan groups, now will I?”

  “That’s what we thought. How’s it sound?” she asks, biting the edge of her lip.

  “Sounds brilliant,” I repeat through clenched teeth.

  Matthews clears his throat. “Alright, I’m off to speak with my daughter before we go. Any last thoughts from either of you?”

  “None from me,” Quinn says thoughtfully and then nods at me in farewell. “Mac Tíre.”

  She turns on her heel and walks rather spritely out o’ the barn. I force me gaze away, hopin’ Matthews won’t notice the colour in my cheeks.

  The pretty she-dragon then roars to the crowd, “Yeva’si! Who’s with me? Let’s take wing soon as we can! Haven’t got all day!”

  A cheer ensues from the nearby shapeshifters. I notice that Flint is among them. I give him a wave and he grins.

  “Mac Tíre?” a voice asks from behind me.

  I turn to see Matthews regarding me with interest. “I hope you don’t mind that we’re keeping you with the Lycans. They could use their Guardian for some inspiration.”

  “Ah, no problem at all.”

  I smile, looking him in the eye. He may be Alpha, but I’m not submitting to him like the others do. I was the bloody founder of the Lìog Airgid, not Todd Matthews, fer Pete’s sake.

  “Well, I’m gonna head on,” I tell the alpha. I turn back towards the small assembly of Lycans who’ll apparently be followin’ me on this little scouting mission. “So, who’s with me? Let’s go find the last of the Guardians!”

  The nearby Lycans let out a cheer and I begin barking out orders. We’ve been given the southwest part o’ the map and I plan to make the most of it.

  After Matthews has finished talkin’ to his daughter, I saunter over to her. I note that Skye and Thirteen are looking a tad down-in-the-dumps. Thirteen gives the Ru-Yeva a long hug, and I remember that Skye won’t be able to join any of the groups; she can’t Shift fer the time being.

  “Maybe I should stay with you,” Thirteen mumbles.

  Skye sighs. “No Conall, don’t stay here on my account. I’ll be fine. Besides, if my powers return, I can keep on trying to contact Nwyfre telepathically. We’ll find him eventually.”

  “If the Covenant or the Knights somehow followed us, I wouldn’t want to leave you here alone—”

  “Your dad will stay, too,” Skye points out.

  Thirteen’s eyes grow dark with malice. “All the more reason.”

  The Ru-Yeva gapes at her lover. “Seriously?” she whispers. “You don’t trust him? Well…I do. I can sense the remorse within his spirit.”

  It takes me a moment to remember who Thirteen’s father is. The Covenant soldier who’d been married to Lauren. Lauren had been bitten by a Lycan and had Changed. She’d had to leave her life with him behind. Otherwise, he may have been required to kill her himself.

  Thirteen snorts. “Well, it’s a start. I want to care about him, but I…what he did to me, the life he chose…I just can’t yet.”

  “Mayhap this’ll be a prime opportunity, then,” I add, stroking me beard in thought. “Ye’d better stay with Skye, then, Thirteen. The two o’ ye can train, too.”

  At this, Skye’s eyes light up. “Sounds great to me. I’ll practice with this a bit, then,” she says, tapping the bow that’s slung across her back. “Good luck with your search, Aelshen.”

  I smile at her, meeting her eyes and Thirteen’s in turn. “Many thanks,” I tell her, wincing. “Sorry fer this little interruption in our plans.”

  She only nods in response. As Skye walks off to speak with the MacLarty twins before they depart, I catch the giddy grin on Thirteen’s face.

  “So that’s what you call giving Matthews a piece of your mind?” he asks, crossing his arms.

  I feel a blush creeping into me cheeks and I’m suddenly very grateful that I have this big ol’ beard. “Well…the alpha didn’t mean anythin’ by it, turns out.”

  35

  WHERE’S THE BEEF?

  Aelshen

  The countryside flies by. It takes me a moment to realize I’ve left the Lycans far behind. I turn to face them, plunking meself down upon a nearby knoll and Shifting.

  The land is flat far as the eye can see. A single old oak graces the great emerald plains, fixed majestically in the distance. Storm clouds gather overhead and their presence is welcome; these sweaty Lycans could use some cooling off.

  As the wolves at the head of our little pack catch up, I give them a wink. “Thought we could use a pit stop.”

  Damian’s blonde girlfriend is the first to Shift. She nearly collapses beside me, swearing in a highly un-ladylike fashion.

  “Aelshen, you’ve got the blessing of the earth or whatever. We’re only…well, I can’t say we’re only human—”

  “We’re bloody mortal, genius,” Ace gasps, wiping the sweat from his brow and tossing his greasy bangs aside. “Let up a little, will ya?”

  The Lycans shrug off their backpacks and pull on some clothing. Not a second too soon, mind ye, for it’s begun to rain. Ye can thank yours truly fer that, but o’course I don’t want to be boastful. Let them recover a bit, first.

  “Thank God it’s raining,” the bushy-haired woman says, sighing and tipping her head back to catch the raindrops on her tongue.

  David chuckles, putting a hand on her shoulder. “Let’s have ourselves a picnic in the rain, Margo.”

  She gives him a sweet smile which makes Ace groan in disgust.

  “Get a room, you two.”

  I turn towards him, batting me eyelashes. “Ah, Ace me boy, ye’ll have a lover someday. Ye’ve just got to win her heart first.”

  A strange noise emanates from Ace’s twin as he raises his hand to stifle a laugh. “Ace? Win someone’s heart? Your sense of humour kills me, Mac Tíre.”

  “Yeah.” The blonde grins. “Ace couldn’t charm anything, let alone a girl. You know, this one time he—”

  Damian clears his throat. “Not now, Jen.”

  I shake me head, grinning. So the twins do care about each other. I’d better stop with me badgering, then. Sure, I can sense the spirit bond Ace shares with Xunnu’s niece, but I s’pose it isn’t my place to tease the poor lad. Besides, I think I know what Jen was going to say; rumour has it the first time Ace talked to his little Yeva’si love interest, Xera, he ended up with a black eye. Turns out the poor Lycan ain’t the best at talking to girls. Big surprise there.

  Not that I’m any better, I tell meself, cringing inside. The beautiful dragon Quinn Rhys may be friendly an’ all, but she’ll never see me the way I see her.

  “Alrighty then. Picnic time.”

  I dig through me knapsack fer some goodies, glad that Elspeth hadn’t done the packing. Not sure if me poor innards could take another of her draconic delicacies. However delicious they may be, the fiery aftertaste ain’t worth it.

  “Whew, I think we’re more than cooled off, then,”
Damian mutters, crossing his arms to keep in the heat. “Mind shutting off the rain?”

  I chuckle, scratching me beard. “Ye saw through that, did ye now? Uisge, sguir,” I proclaim dramatically, raising me hands to the sky.

  Ace rolls his eyes, tearing into a sandwich. “You know, you’re more of a ham than my lunch is.”

  “No kidding. Where’s the beef?” Damian inquires, peeling back the bread to reveal slices of cucumber and thin smears of light mayo.

  The bushy-haired woman, Margo, pipes up, grinning. “Can’t live on meat alone, boys, no matter what kind of animals you can transform into.”

  “Really?” Damian asks, frowning. “Are you a vegetarian?”

  “Course I am. Why’s that so hard to believe?”

  The young man shrugs. “It’s not, I guess. Never thought I could stifle the cravings.”

  I sigh. “When one keeps his mind open – to the Shift, to the ones around him, to the world itself – he can do whatsoever he chooses.”

  “It’s all about willpower,” Margo explains. “When you allow anger, hatred, or even cravings to get a hold of you, you become a monster.”

  David snorts. “Sounds like you and chocolate.”

  His wife gives him a smack on the shoulder, but she’s still grinning widely. “Touché.”

  “Is Skye vegetarian, too?” Ace asks, raising an eyebrow. “Cause that’d explain a lot.”

  Damian frowns. “She did suck at hunting, but I thought it was because she was raised a city girl.” Upon seeing the look on young Jen’s face, he adds, “Not that that’s a bad thing!”

  “That girl has no Lycan instincts whatsoever,” Ace adds, stuffing his face despite his complaints about the grub. “Being the Alpha’s Pet ain’t all it’s cracked up to be.”

  “Now, don’t go harping on the lass like that, MacLarty. I wouldn’t call her Alpha’s Pet so much as an estranged daughter. Matthews doesn’t give her the time of day an’ he never will. We all have a lot to learn from the young Ru-Yeva; Sejka chose her for a reason. In fact, she’s more Guardian material than I’ll ever be. Got a love fer all creatures, that girl has.”