by Sheryl Lee
Zora stared at him, scrambling to take in what he had just said – and not said. “Axel, what about just before you arrived, what was my pendant urging me to do, and why did it feel so familiar to me?”
Axel shrugged, an everyday gesture he imbued with otherworldly grace. “I do not know little Zora, your pendant should be active like that only at dawn. Perhaps there is more to it than even I know. As to why it was familiar, you may have had a similar feeling prior to the time my sister blocked your abilities, but I really don’t know.” He smiled cheerfully. “But I am sure your pendant will reveal its mysteries to you if the need arises. Now, tonight when we have our guests, I must ask of you that you do not tell them I gave you extra abilities. Probably it will also be best if you keep to yourself what happened just before we arrived in the alley. Jake will also ask you about this, as the young man you were advancing upon saw something in you that almost frightened the wolf out of him. Please do not tell Jake or even Powers what you have just told me, your extra abilities must remain unknown to all but me, and I must try to find out why that young man reacted as he did with you. Do you trust me in this little Zora?”
Did she? Zora studied her nails, noticing for the first time that they were all broken from the fight. She didn’t know why Axel wanted her to keep silent on this, especially to Powers who could read her mind anyway. So did she trust Axel enough to do as he wished even though she didn’t understand why? She thought back to the connection to Gaia she had felt at dawn the last few days, the peace and serenity and that sense of being in the presence of something far too big for her to ever comprehend it. She realised that she trusted Gaia to protect her, and so by extension she must trust Axel too. She looked back to his face and nodded before saying, “Ok Axel, I don’t understand your reasons but I will trust you. But don’t be surprised if Powers reads what I am thinking and finds out anyway.”
Axel laughed suddenly, a belly laugh that startled Zora badly – how could he switch from deadly serious to laughter so fast? “What? What did I say?”
Still smiling broadly Axel responded, “Powers is being very male little Zora and very possessive. He did not tell you that you can control the bond.”
Zora stared at Axel, her eyes growing wider and her face flushing as her temper began to rise. “Really,” she said flatly. “Then please Axel, show me how I may do this. And also please let this be our secret.” She smiled sweetly at Axel who grinned in delight, only too happy to add some spice to the situation.
“It is easy to do little Zora, but remember this.” All the humour left his face which turned very serious. “The bond is there to protect you. When you are away from Powers it is imperative that he can read where you are and what is happening, so that today’s events are not replicated. Use this knowledge wisely - keep your secret thoughts secret, but remember to keep the bond open and never close it, not ever. I have insisted on Powers being with you at all times for a reason. He is your protector and you are more powerful together than alone. Today I erred - he should have been with you. But if he had you would not have discovered some of your power so in the end the decision was correct.”
Turning cheerful again he continued, “So, I will show you how to control the bond. Perhaps Powers simply was not aware of this; it is possible as both of you missed years of compatibility training.”
Zora shrugged, maybe Powers didn’t know, but whether he did or he didn’t it felt good to be able to have control over the bond. She listened very carefully as Axel explained it to her, and then he sent her back to her room to rest.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Powers was not in the room when she got there, so taking advantage of his absence Zora quickly changed for dinner, and then sat in one of the chairs near the window staring out at the garden while she tried to push down apprehension about the coming evening. She was going to meet two defenders and their guardians, and she was even more nervous about it than she was about meeting werewolves.
Thinking about the werewolves reminded her of Jake which caused a deep frown- he was another source of anxiety. Even though Axel had reassured her of her abilities and strength Zora still felt that Jake was right and she was not going to be good enough for the task. How could she convince Jake that she was when she didn’t really believe it herself? And how could she convince two defenders who had grown up with the knowledge of who they were that she had even the vaguest idea of what she was doing? She hadn’t even known she could control the bond for heaven’s sake, what else didn’t she know?
Powers did not return until much later, and gave no explanation as to where he had been. Zora considered asking but decided that would give a sense of intimacy to their relationship and she was feeling conflicted enough about it already. He disappeared into the bathroom and emerged dressed for dinner looking as good as he always did and smelling even better. He sat in the other chair and studied his phone, an act that reminded Zora that she had not even looked at hers for days. She hadn’t given a thought to it, or to her job and what Malcolm knew about their mission.
“Powers,” she began.
“Hmmmm,” he murmured without taking his eyes off his phone.
“What does Malcolm know about our mission? Does he know anything at all? Because how did you explain to him the absence of three of his staff?”
Powers tapped on his phone for a bit and then set it down on the coffee table. “That was him just now in fact. He knows we are on the trail of the murderer. He doesn’t know any details, but he’s pretty keen to get the scoop on this story. He used to be a war reporter you know, before his nerves got too shot and he had to give it up. So he loves the idea that we might solve this case before the police do.”
Zora blinked a couple of times – she had never known that about Malcolm and was hard pressed to imagine the quiet man she knew reporting from a war zone. She sighed internally, really Axel must surely have the wrong impression of her, her instincts were completely off.
Looking at her watch she realised it was time to go for dinner. Powers stood with her and took her arm. “Don’t worry, the defenders are not going to test you on your knowledge, they are here to help. They won’t say anything like Jake did.” His eyes darkened as he mentioned Jake, which Zora thought was not a good thing.
“Powers, Jake was being perfectly reasonable. I don’t know what I’m doing and he has every right to question my abilities. Frankly I question them myself so I don’t blame him at all!”
Powers sighed. “Zora you have to believe in yourself. Everyone who has seen you believes in you. Jake will too the first time he sees what you can do. Stop feeling these doubts about yourself.”
“Ok, I’ll try. But you have to lighten up about Jake. He’s part of our team as Axel said. We can’t have infighting.”
He growled slightly. “I’ll lighten up on him when he lightens up on you. But don’t worry Zora, I know he’s on our team.”
Figuring that was the best she was going to get Zora allowed herself to be led out of the room. She spent the short walk to the dining room giving herself a pep talk – act confident Zora and they will see you as confident. Act confident, act confident. You can do this. She plastered a smile onto her face that felt like it would crack at any minute and entered the dining room. A quick glance was all she needed to see that everyone was there, the two defenders and their guardians included. Axel came forward and ushered her to where they stood to perform the introductions. Zora was so anxious that she didn’t fully catch their names and then worried about that so much that she failed to hear any of the conversation that ensued.
It was only when she realised that their small group was staring at her enquiringly that she understood she had missed a question and felt a blush of mortification start at her toes. The silence was becoming too long, and Zora had no idea what to say.
The one on the left is called Sara, she asked you if your pendant is your stone of power. The one on the right is called Jane. Every sentinel has a different stone of power. Sara’
s is the turquoise ring on her right hand and Jane’s is the amythest in the silver bracelet she is wearing.
Thankful that due to Shax she knew about the mind speak thing and didn’t shriek, run or otherwise make a fool of herself Zora sent a mental thank you to Axel and only slightly jumped when his voice murmured you’re welcome inside her mind.
Smiling at Sara she touched her pendant as she said, “Yes, this is my stone of power. My mother gave it to me just before she died. Is yours that lovely ring you’re wearing?” She was kicking herself that she had never thought that different defenders would have different stones of power, and that she hadn’t even known the correct term of reference. Sara held her hand out so that Zora could examine her ring, and Jane showed her the intricate bracelet with the amethyst set in the middle, and the awkward moment was past. Zora hoped that the two other women had not noticed her confusion earlier and resolved to pay full attention to the conversation from then on.
Jane was the oldest of the three of them, a strikingly beautiful woman with shining black ringlets and eyes the colour of the amethyst in her bracelet. She leaned closer to Zora and said gently, “We heard about your circumstances. It must be very difficult learning all about this life so quickly, and losing your mother so young is tragic no matter who you are. I think you are coping wonderfully.”
Sara agreed, her green eyes sparkling through her long strawberry blonde fringe. “I’m sure I would not be coping so well. And Axel tells us that you are so strong. You have the senses of hearing, smell and taste with the visions. That must be so difficult. You know Jane and I have never even had a vision. There have been two generations of peace so you have already experienced far more than we have. And you have fought rogue werewolves. Truly you are just what we need.”
“If you need anything, any help and support we are here for you.” Jane looked completely sincere as she said it.
Zora stared at them in amazement. “You know, I was worried to meet you both. You have always known who you are and I have only known for a few days.”
Both women laughed. “Oh my dear, for sure we have done the lessons and the exercises, but we never thought we would actually need to use any of it.” Sara shrugged self-deprecatingly. “It was like learning a foreign language that we never thought we would have to use. We are both decidedly rusty.”
Zora stared at them both. “You are both so different to what I expected. Thank you!”
Jane smiled at her. “We’re pretty relaxed here, mind you the European defenders take themselves much more seriously. Sara and I will teach you all we can while we are here, in case you have to meet any of them.”
Remembering their other guests Zora looked around and saw them chatting easily to Powers, all three men looking very relaxed. She saw Sunny with Marcus and some of the fairy guard, Sabrina perched on her shoulder. Jake and Shax were having what looked to be a heated conversation in a corner of the room. Zora was contemplating drifting in their direction to eavesdrop when Axel clapped his hands sharply to indicate it was time for dinner.
Everyone obediently moved towards the large and beautifully set dinner table and took their places. Zora was placed with Sara and Jane on either side of her. The guardians were across the table, each opposite their charge. Shax and Sunny were together with Marcus on the other side of Sunny, and the fairy guard were spread out among them all. Jake was seated next to Joe, the guardian of Sara, which put him at the other end of the table from Shax, a fact that Zora noticed and wondered if it was deliberate on the part of Axel. He would surely be aware of the somewhat awkward relationship they had. Axel of course was at the head of the table and seemed to be enjoying himself greatly. It made Zora wonder about fairy court life, if it was as social as Axel appeared to be.
Sara and Jane peppered her with questions about the visions and the fight, both of them clearly worried about was going on. Zora couldn’t help but hope that Jake was listening and reconsidering his opinion of her. She had by now fully relaxed and was enjoying herself, even though she felt that perhaps it was a bit frivolous of her in light of the current situation.
“Is this your first trip to Melbourne Zora?” Jane leaned towards her as she waited for an answer.
“Yes it is, and from what I’ve seen I’d love to come back some day,” Zora answered both diplomatically and honestly.
“You must come and visit me when this is over, and Sara will come from Sydney too so we can have a girls time. Sara and I can take you to see the sights, and we can go to some shows. There are many shows here all year round. Just last night Sara and I went to see that violinist, Daciana.”
Zora must have looked blank since Sara added quickly, “Well she doesn’t play the violin any more, she just sings – she used to do both but she had to give up the violin. She has an electric stage presence and a phenomenal voice. We should have taken you along with us last night! She was in Sydney too but it was a while ago and I missed that performance.”
“That would have been great, I haven’t seen a live show in ages. I’ll definitely have to come down to visit one day.”
Conversation continued along similar lines throughout dinner, everyone relaxed and enjoying the delicious meal. Once dessert had been finished and coffees delivered Axel requested that they all adjourn to the library where they could discuss the recent events.
Once everyone was seated he began. “Thank you Sara, Joe, Jane and Sam for coming tonight. I am sure you have been brought up to date on everything that has happened regarding this situation. Jane and Sam, as locals to this area is there anything you can add to what we already know?”
Sam, the guardian of Jane, was the first to reply. “There really hasn’t been any indication of any rogue activity here until the past few days. We have had reports of humans sighting unusually large dogs in the area where you had the fight today, but other than that the city has been quiet.” Noticing Zora’s puzzled look he elaborated, “Humans tend to see what their minds think it is reasonable to see. A werewolf spotted in the distance will look to them like a large and aggressive dog, not as it really is. However the weather phenomenon you asked about Axel – the hot dry winds - has been noticed also in the last few days. And that lawyer rogue, we knew nothing about him at all. I’m chagrined that we cannot be of more help.”
Axel stared at him thoughtfully for a few seconds before replying, “Do not worry yourself Sam, most likely there has been nothing to notice. It is encouraging in a way, as it probably means that even if the rogues have planned something they have not yet had time to put it into effect.”
He tapped his fingers on the armrest of his chair for a few seconds, and then continued. “The lawyer so far has done nothing unusual. He has gone to his home from work and has not left again. Nobody has come to visit and he has made no phone calls or done anything except drink some beers and watch television.” His tone wry, Axel added, “Maybe he had a bad day today.”
His comment evoked a smile from them all, while Clare added that the fairy watch would remain in place for as long as required. “They will report everything he does so if he is connected to all of this we will know.”
Axel smiled his thanks to her. “Please stress to the fairies that we need to know absolutely everything about him because even if he is not connected to the current issue, there is still the question of why he was almost invisible. He would have passed by un-noticed if Zora’s pendant had not become warm.”
Zora put her hand to her pendant, she had almost forgotten that important point. “That’s right, it wasn’t hot but it was warm enough to get my attention. Why is that Axel, when Clare, Samantha and Shax didn’t pick up anything?”
Axel sighed. “I don’t know little Zora, this is a mystery to all of us.”
Before he could continue the door opened and Emma entered, her gaze fixed on Axel. He looked at her enquiringly. Her expression grave Emma approached Axel and dropped a brief curtsey. “Lord Axel, we have received word that the police have been called to a murder that
is the same as the ones you are investigating.”
Her statement electrified them all and everyone started talking at once – all but Zora who felt sickened by this confirmation that her vision about a murder in this city was correct. She had known, but her knowledge had done nothing to stop it occurring.
Jake jumped out of his chair. “We have to go now, we have to see what happened!”
Axel put up his hand. “We can’t Jake, we can’t go there while the police are investigating. I understand your concerns and I share them, but we cannot just go to this scene. I will send the fairy guard to check it out as soon as I find out exactly where it is.”
Zora stared at Axel as his expression became distant and his silver aura began to dance around him. After a pause he addressed them all. “The fairies that are part of the police force have given me directions to the site, and have confirmed the murder follows the same pattern as the others. They will investigate further and keep me informed. We can do nothing else right now but wait. When they say it is safe to do so we will go to the site. Zora, I will require you to find out what you can, and Sara and Jane, I wish you also to accompany us. I wish you both to observe Zora and I also wish you to search for visions. This is an opportunity for you to experience the visions which will make you both far more valuable to us.”
Both women nodded, their expressions serious. Zora, still feeling sick and helpless, said nothing. Axel stood and addressed them all. “Our visiting guardians and defenders, if you wish you can go back to your residence, rest and change. I will call you when it is time to leave. The rest of you may go to your rooms for the same reason. We will go to the site when the police leave.”