by Joshua Roots
“The Heir and Warlock Marcus Shifter,” she announced.
Europa rose from her chaise lounge, crossing the room to greet us. She placed her hands on Steve’s broad shoulders and smiled down at him. I hadn’t noticed just how enormous she was when we’d first arrived, but standing next to Steve, I was blown away. She was easily half a head taller than him, although not as muscular.
“My son.”
Steve inclined his head at her. “Alpha.”
“Still so formal?” she asked, her grin fading.
He said nothing.
Europa sighed, then turned to me. “I was so rushed coordinating the banquet for Stephanos that I failed to formally greet you, Warlock Shifter.” She held three fingers to her heart. “The Delwinn Council honors me and my kin with your presence.”
“It’s the least we can do,” I replied, mimicking the gesture. I heard our guide gasp slightly and even Europa’s eyes widened.
Aw hell.
My stomach dropped into my shoes. Don’t tell me I’d just pissed off the leader of the most powerful paranormal clan. Some ambassador I was.
I lowered my hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend.”
Europa recovered gracefully. “Quite the opposite, in fact. That’s the greeting of the trinity. It means you offer the greatest amount of respect to the one you are speaking to.” She smiled, but it was small and sad. “Humans...have not used it in our presence for many generations.”
“Well, I respect the hell out of anyone who raised this guy.” I chucked a thumb toward Steve. “He’s saved my life several times.”
Europa bowed her head slightly. “You honor me even greater than I could have hoped, Warlock.”
“Can we stop talking about me and start talk business, please?” Steve asked.
“Of course.” She waved us to the lounges. “Please, come and sit. Alagana, bring us drinks.”
The female Minotaur bowed. “At once, Alpha.”
We sat, facing one another on the plush leather chaises that surrounded a short marble table. The Alpha stretched out on her side, but Steve and I remained on our butts.
“As you know—” I started, but the leader of the Minotaurs waved me quiet as Alagana returned with a tray of drinks and cheese. She set them on the table and sampled the carafe of amber liquid. Satisfied, she poured each of us a glass, then took up her post by the doorway once again.
Europa carved herself a huge chunk of cheese. “Please, enjoy.”
Just the sight of more food made me nauseous, but I didn’t want to be rude. I nibbled on a slice, which was sweet on my tongue.
“Come now,” Europa admonished. “Drink as well.”
“Alpha, stop,” Steve said, weariness in his voice.
Europa exhaled loudly. “You know it’s tradition for us to share food and drink with a guest before discussing serious matters, Stephanos. We must forge trust by getting to know one another.”
“Some of our traditions are stupid,” he muttered.
The Alpha’s nostrils flared. “I’m not having this argument with you again.”
Steve started to respond, but I picked up my flagon. “The Skilled believe strongly in tradition. It reminds us of who we were, which helps us determine who we want to become.” I took a large swig of the liquid, nearly gagging as the thick nectar oozed down my throat.
“Holy crap,” I coughed. “What is this?”
Europa smiled. “Mellimpura. Loosely translated into your tongue it means ‘dirty honey.’ It’s a delicacy among my people.”
I swallowed as my esophagus threatened to ignite. “‘Fire honey’ is more like it.”
Steve actually chuckled, then downed his beverage in one gulp.
The Alpha glanced at him, then back to me. “So, Warlock Shifter—”
“Marcus, please. ‘Warlock Shifter’ is my father.”
“Marcus,” Europa corrected with a smile. “First, allow me to thank the Delwinn Council for responding on such short notice.”
I wasn’t sure what time scale she was using, but the secession notice was at least six weeks old. If anything, we were late coming to the party, but the Council had wanted to wait until Steve was healthy before officially engaging his people.
“We do our best to honor requests like yours.”
She paused, giving me the once-over. “Not historically true, but I appreciate your sentiments. Perhaps more of those might erase several millennia of wrongs.”
“Is that why you want to secede?” I asked. “Because the Skilled have screwed you all over? If so, believe me, change is coming. Many progressive-minded folks are beginning to filter into the ranks, including my father who is awaiting his appointment as an Elder. Give it a few more years and you won’t recognize the Council at all.”
Europa held up a hand. “I’m afraid neither of us have that kind of time. Suffice to say, the secession notice is real. The Minotaurs will break from the Reformation Treaty.”
My mouth literally dropped open. I turned to Steve. “I thought you said it was a cry for help.”
“It is,” the Alpha replied, speaking for her son. “Warlock—Marcus, I do need the assistance of the Delwinn Council, but I cannot wait months, even years for it. We need to fix what is broken within days, weeks at the most. Otherwise I’ll have no choice but to follow through with secession in order to preserve the unity of my people.”
“Are you saying there’s dissention in the ranks here?”
She nodded. “My people are at a crossroads in history. For longer than we can remember, we’ve followed the rule of the Alpha, whose word was that of the gods. But even the most powerful leader requires the counsel of others. For the Minotaurs, that guidance comes from the euphors. They’re the few allowed to have input on my rulings. They’re the ones I go to in times of great peril. But some are beginning to abuse that position for their own means. To question my authority.”
No wonder she’d tensed up when that euphor had approached our table.
“Makha.”
Europa’s lips tightened. “It’s not unheard of for the role of Alpha to be taken by force, but Makha is not your typical enemy. You saw how he so easily covered his disrespect of me at dinner with his honeyed tongue. That is his strength. He operates in shadows, gathering support like a coward rather than openly challenging me. He’s subtle with his subversion, chipping away slowly at my authority, whispering sweet words in the ears of the ignorant. The majority of euphors and clansmen are still loyal to me, but every day Makha gains another follower.”
“So, he wants your job, eh?”
“Yes, but it’s his message that is the true threat. He is pushing for our people to modernize, using his eloquence and power to woo clansmen to his way of thinking while poisoning the intellectual wells of those who remain loyal to their Alpha.”
“Is modernization really so bad?”
Europa frowned. “The strength of the Minotaurs comes from the bonds forged between brother and sister. We thrive when we are one. Makha threatens to shatter our union. Whether I’m right or wrong is not the issue. I am the Alpha and I have stated repeatedly that we must maintain a focus on our past. On our traditions. It’s what makes us Minotaurs. Without it, we are nothing more than cattle roaming the land.”
“You can look to the future without jeopardizing your beliefs,” I countered. “My people are.”
She shook her head. “It’s different for your species. You humans love the new, worship the amazing. You seek toys that are faster, brighter, better. You forget your past almost as soon as it happens, focusing instead on what may be. How do you know who you are if you ignore what made you?”
“We may not be as tied to our past as Minotaurs,” I admitted, “but we don’t ignore it. At least, we try not to.”
Europa sigh
ed. “My people have walked this planet for less time than yours, Marcus, but we have seen the inevitable failure of countless societies. Empires rise and fall in the blink of an eye. But the Minotaurs? We have stayed true to our past and continue to thrive as a single nation. How, then, can you argue that yours is the better way of life?”
Crap, she had a point.
“I won’t argue human history has been...vibrant. But that doesn’t change the fact that my species is curious by nature. We seek knowledge. We want to explore, to create, to educate. Surely that is worth consideration.”
“Spend more time among my clan,” Europa said, waving a hand in the general direction of the exit, “and you’ll find we have all that here. We explore our faith in the gods. We create life where we were once denied it. We educate our young in the traditions of the past. What can outsiders bring that we don’t already possess?”
“Indoor plumbing,” Steve muttered. I choked on a laugh.
The Alpha frowned. “This is not a joke, Stephanos.”
Steve rolled his eyes. “Oh, please. It’s the same argument that’s been going on my entire life. Once there was a reason for isolation, but now? The only thing we’re protecting is our own backwater way of thinking. Makha sees that and wants to help us get over the hurdle of integrating with the rest of the world.”
“Makha is wrong.” Her voice was colder than the wind outside.
“And so are you,” he shot back. “The world is shrinking with every heartbeat, so eventually we’re going to be forced to deal with humans on our doorstep. Sure, they can be stupid and annoying—”
“Hey!” I said.
“—but they can also be accepting and tolerant. We might as well get ourselves pointed in the right direction from the start so jackasses like the ones who shot me are the minority, not the standard.”
The room fell silent as Europa chewed on Steve’s words. Hell, I was stunned. Only a few days earlier he’d blatantly refused to help and now here he was, echoing the words of Devon and my father.
The Alpha was quiet for a long time. Long enough that things went from uncomfortable to awkward to crap-I-wish-I-had-a-book-or-something. Eventually, her eyes swiveled to me.
“You must be quite an individual to command my son’s loyalty like this.”
“I’m not so sure—”
“He saved my life,” Steve interjected.
It was Europa’s turn to be surprised. “Is this why you swore allegiance to him?”
Steve huffed. “He doesn’t have my allegiance or my loyalty, he has my respect. He and his family have had my back more than any of our kind. Hell, he’s as much my brother as you are my mother. If I can feel like that about a human, others can, too.”
I stared at my friend, stunned by his words. I’d always wondered why he’d stuck around as long as he had and just assumed it was because he didn’t have a better offer. Knowing we had an honest-to-goodness bromance?
Best.
Day.
Ever.
“Steve, I—I don’t know what to say,” I whispered, placing a hand on his massive shoulder.
He glared at me. “No touching. We’ve gone over this.”
Europa focused on her son. “You truly believe the humans would accept our kind?”
“I do.”
She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. Then she blew out a long breath. “I’m sorry, but I can’t accept the risk that integration poses to our people. Humans abused us once, so they shall again. It’s their nature. The Minotaurs must remain in isolation for our own safety.”
“Dammit, Alpha,” Steve growled. “We’re not Asterion. Marcus and his people aren’t Minos. For once in your life would you please listen?”
Europa held up a hand. “Integration is off the table, Stephanos, however I am willing to consider maintaining the unity of the Reformation Treaty. At least, on paper.”
“Oh, thank goodness.” I breathed, unable to hold back my relief. “Alpha, I cannot begin to tell you how much this means to me, to the Council, and to the paranormal community as a whole.”
“Don’t celebrate just yet,” she cautioned. “My cooperation comes at a price. Reversing my stance on such a public notice will weaken me in the eyes of many. Nothing can alter that, however we can minimize the impact.”
The butterflies stampeded into my belly. “And how do we do that?”
“Normal practice is just killing off your enemies,” Steve offered.
I blinked. “Whoa, what? No way am I participating in state-approved murder.”
“Oh, I considered it,” the Alpha countered, ignoring me, “but Makha has been working in the shadows for so long that by the time I realized who was behind the growing unrest, any move I made would have been cause for open warfare within the clan. Killing him now would only embolden his followers. I need him cut off at the knees, to have his people see him for the snake he truly is. Do that for me, Marcus, and the Minotaurs shall renounce their departure from the Reformation Treaty.”
Subversion? Political backstabbing? Mud-slinging? Dammit, it was like dealing with the Council all over again. But as much as I hated the political dance, the mission came first.
“Okay,” I said. “I’m in.”
The Alpha grinned. “Excellent.”
“Shouldn’t be too hard. Makha and I meet for drinks, we get all chatty-like, he spills the beans about something awful—”
Europa held up a hand. “You can’t talk with him.”
“Why not?”
“It’s not our way.”
“But you need me to get dirt on him.”
She nodded. “You must.”
“Yet he’s off-limits.”
“Correct.”
“Can I talk with his people? Maybe he’s burned a bridge somewhere.”
“Absolutely not. No Minotaur is allowed to engage with an outsider directly.”
“That little girl spoke to me just fine.”
The Alpha smiled. “The ignorance and innocence of children is easy to forgive.” Her grin vanished. “The disobedience of an adult is not.”
An ache began to form behind my eyes. I pinched the bridge of my nose. “You have got to throw me a bone here. How the hell do you expect me to find out what’s going on if I can’t talk to folks?”
Europa lifted her snout and huffed. “Outsiders are not tolerated. You were granted passage to this camp because you were with Stephanos. You have remained because I’ve allowed it. I was lenient at dinner this evening, but the situation is tenuous, so I cannot tolerate that kind of indulgence in private. As a representative of the Delwinn Council, any and all business with you will be directed through me. As far as the rest of the clan is concerned, you’re off-limits unless they ask me for permission to speak with you.”
“Alpha, please,” I begged. “This is an impossible situation you’re putting me in. Who in their right mind will share dirt if they have to ask Mom first? Assuming anyone will want to talk with me at all.”
“Some will,” Europa offered. “Makha for sure. You represent an opportunity for him. A possible means to an end.”
The pain was getting worse. “So, how do we get over this tiny hurdle?”
She sighed. “I don’t know.”
“Can’t you just wave your arms and bless me as kosher or something? Maybe give me an honorary doctorate from Minotaur University?”
“Entering this camp was more than we’ve granted most, Marcus.”
“He could run the Labyrinth,” Steve offered.
Europa frowned. “No.”
I jumped on the lifeline Steve had tossed. “Yes, Labyrinth. Love that movie. I’m in.”
“It’s not the Goblin King, Marcus,” Steve said. “This is a no-kidding old-school Labyrinth. A rite of passage for young
Minotaurs when they’ve come of age. Success means acceptance as one of our own. Failure means death or worse: being cast out into the wilds to survive alone.”
I paused, wondering if that was what happened with my friend. Had he failed his run? It would certainly explain why he had been on his own for so long. Although, if that was the case, why had he returned to such fanfare?
Europa wouldn’t budge. “No.”
Steve crossed his arms. “You know I’m right.”
The Alpha’s frown deepened, but the glint in her eyes betrayed her interest.
Maybe it was the booze, but I couldn’t stop myself from interjecting. “Please, Mrs. Steve’s Mom,” I begged. “Can I play in your maze?”
Europa’s face became stone. “A human making a run through the Labyrinth is totally out of the question.” Her expression softened. “Attending one, however, is not.”
Hope surged within me.
“We have a batch of young warriors waiting for their chance at the Labyrinth,” she continued. “Perhaps one can attempt it tomorrow.”
“And how does someone else getting officially welcomed into your ranks help me chat up Makha?” I asked.
Steve grinned wide for the first time since we arrived at his homeland. “He may not be able to talk to you directly in private, since that would openly fly in the face of the Alpha, but communal events like tonight’s dinner or a Labyrinth run allow the clan to interact without needing her permission.”
“He should have addressed me first this evening, however,” Europa said.
Steve rolled his eyes. “Point is, an open event like the Labyrinth would afford you the chance to let him know you’re interested in what he has to say. Maybe then he’d be willing to approach the Alpha for permission to chat with you further.”
Finally, a break. Not a big one, but it at least gave me a starting point. I’d have to figure out where to go afterward, but I was thankful for any step forward, no matter how tiny.
I lifted my drink high. “Sounds like we have a plan. Let’s toast our combined awesome.”
We clinked glasses, all smiles as Alagana appeared with another large carafe of fire honey.