“He could be challenged.” Evan finally understood. The worry here was the protection of the good name of Gregoravitch, the power of the Alpha.
“Just knowing one of your sort was allowed an audience with him could severely damage him,” she continued.
“Then why have I been allowed to come here if I’m so dangerous?” Evan’s frustration was building. He was so close, yet felt now as if he was farther from his goal than he had been at any time over the past weeks.
“Because of what you are,” Alexi explained. Evan turned back to look at the large man. “Not that you are a curse wolf but because…” He trailed off as if there was no need to finish the remark.
“Because I’m a mage,” Evan finished for him.
Alexi nodded. “Your potential is why you have been allowed beyond that gate.”
“Alexi!” the woman’s voice was sharp. The brown eyes moved quickly to the corner then lowered, the entire head dropping to look down. If he hadn’t known better, absolutely known better, he could have sworn he had just seen Alexi place himself in a submissive posture.
“My apologies,” he muttered.
Evan stared openly. This arrogant man had just demurred to the woman who was his sister. Perhaps, Evan thought, perhaps she is the eldest.
He knew he should have let it go but didn’t. “What do you mean my potential?”
None of the siblings spoke for a moment. Then it was the woman who broke the silence. “That is a subject for another time. Right now we are here to listen to your petition, Mr. Forester.” Evan heard an angry grunt from the boy but the woman ignored it. “I suggest you use this time to tell us what it is you want, why you have come in search of us.”
Making his decision, Evan told them. “Mages organize themselves into circles. There are light circles and dark circles. Both are powerful, both serve the greater cause.” At these words he heard Alexi mumble rudely. He frowned at him and continued, “My master is the Grand Light Master. He leads all the other light circles. All these others place themselves under his leadership. In a human way he is an Alpha with as great an influence as your father.”
“What is this greater cause?” the woman asked. Evan looked back to Alexi who was again rolling his eyes.
“We know what their special purpose is,” he muttered mockingly.
“Still,” the feminine voice pressed, “I’d like to hear Mr. Forester explain it. Just so that we have all the information.”
Evan waited to see if Alexi would speak again. When he didn’t, he continued. “We stand at the portal to the other worlds, other dimensions. We keep the dark creatures, those who would cause disturbances, from crossing into this world. There are enough of them native to our realm. We do not allow those from the other planes to cross in.” He paused and looked at Alexi’s face. The man was calm. Nothing that was being said surprised him. In fact, he seemed a bit bored.
Evan continued, “We keep each other, our fellow mages, in check. We do not allow them to harm others. Even more, we stand as guardians over the normal people—those with no gifts, those who cannot even see many of the dark creatures who would and do prey on them. Both types of circles, light and dark are needed to do this. Neither could stand alone. So over the decades my master had fostered and maintained an uneasy balance with the dark circles.”
He paused again but no one interrupted, no one questioned. “The balance is maintained only by the leadership of the two Grand Masters, one light, one dark. Recently, the grand master of the dark circles died. There is turmoil and the conclave, the gathering of masters, seems divided on the selection of the new Dark Grand Master.”
Evan swallowed hard. Here was the point he hadn’t wanted to speak. His gut told him that any admission of weakness was a bad idea. “My master has been unable to convince them to select the man he feels best for the role. Some believe that a younger more powerful leader is needed.”
“That’s why you’ve come to us?” The question came quietly from the soft, low voice. “What have we to do with your power struggles?”
Evan dropped his eyes and looked at his hands. Straightening his spine he looked up, not at her but at Alexi. “The disposition of dark creatures, which werewolves are considered, falls under the power of the conclave.”
Nico sneered, “We don’t fall under anyone’s power but our own.”
“For now,” Evan said quietly. He had to go carefully. Master Ryder had been insistent. They needed the cooperation of the werewolf community, one even Evan had not dreamed existed until just a few weeks ago. “My master is asking you to form an alliance with the gifted, with the mage world, an alliance that will strengthen both of us.”
A harsh sniff came from Nico and Evan heard a faint sound from the woman that might have been a laugh. Alexi settled for groaning and remarking, “My little friend, no pact or alliance with outsiders, especially mages, will strengthen our family. Trust me, there is no benefit in this for us.”
“Still,” Evan pushed on. This wasn’t going as he had imagined. He had pictured anger not amusement. “Still, I think you will find the arrangement my master offers to be better than the alternative.”
A deadly silence fell over the room. Damn, Evan thought, this is it. This is where they rip me limb from limb and send the pieces home as an answer. Aloud he continued. “If my Master cannot bring about this alliance, if he cannot show that he is still powerful enough to earn the cooperation of the werewolves, his power will be seriously damaged at a time when he needs to be strong. Just as your Alpha needs to have the other families obey, my master needs to ensure the obedience of the other circles. If he fails, so will the man he champions to take the place of the Dark Grand Master.”
“Why should we care who becomes your Dark Grand Master?” Again the voice came from the woman.
“Because the way of the dark in dealing with dark creatures is to subjugate them if they can, or exterminate them if they can’t.” Evan stopped. He wasn’t sure what else he could say. If this didn’t convince them… “The balance has kept this from happening unless it was necessary to protect others, to protect the normal humans or the gifted. If a Dark Grand Master is chosen who does not respect the balance, then we cannot guarantee anyone’s safety.”
“But why us? There are other dark creatures,” the woman asked. “Why us? Why now?”
“Because my master has information that indicates forces within the dark are planning on contacting you. They will offer you a great many incentives to side with them hoping to gain the advantage for themselves but I assure you they are lies. They have had one way of dealing with werewolves and that will not change.”
“Why should we get involved in this at all? Assuming we agree, why should we help you?” the soft, low, faceless voice asked.
“We are both, after all, human.”
Nico jumped to his feet. His face was red with rage. “How dare you! You are invited into our home and you take the first opportunity to insult us?”
“Sit down, Nico.” Alexi waved him away. “I told you he was too young to be involved in this.” This last remark was aimed at his sister.
She sighed. “He cannot be treated like a child any longer, Alexi.” She paused, “Nico, I don’t believe our guest meant any offense. He simply doesn’t understand. He has lived his life in a different world. He has never faced the realities of what it means to be what he is.”
Anger spread through Evan and his skin heated. “With all due respect, Miss Gregoravitch, you’re quite wrong. I understand completely what it means to be who I am. My differences are not unimportant in my world. I’ve lived with what it means to be different. I know full well what it means to be considered less than human, less worthy to breathe the same air as others.”
There was silence as even the boy watched the dark corner, apprehension and anticipation etched on the two male faces. The shadow moved to stand. “Mr. Forester, you look well fed and well cared for to me. You are reasonably well dressed, well educated and well spo
ken. Trust me when I tell you, you have seen nothing of what it means to be who you are in the real world.”
She moved out of the shadows and into the light. Whatever he had been about to say died on his lips. She was tall like her brothers. She moved around the edge of the sofa almost as if she floated and sat at the end opposite him. Her hair was a cloud of waves in a dark deep russet color, her eyes a soft bright blue very like her younger brother. The heart-shaped face gave her an air of delicacy. Evan simply stared at her. She was beautiful. The most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. His eyes begged to be allowed to follow the line of her neck down, to examine the long legs that appeared between a slit in the cloak and her skirt.
He heard the boy make a soft threatening noise and heard Alexi chuckle.
“No one is safe from you, sister. Not even our little Brit.”
She frowned at them both and continued. “You were protected by your family. Your nature was hidden from those around you. You were educated along with the best and brightest of your other world and you found friends among them. You have a comfortable life many would envy. No, Mr. Forester, you have yet to come face to face with the real world.”
“For God’s sake can we stop the Mr. Forester crap,” Nico huffed. “It’s embarrassing.”
Evan looked pointedly at the boy before sweeping his gaze back to the woman. “I’m not sure how you know all this but I’m not surprised you do. Perhaps you’re right, Miss Gregoravitch, until I came here, until I found myself among other werewolves I really hadn’t seen the reality. I’ve learned more about shame and degradation since I arrived than I learned in all my life before.”
Alexi’s mouth set in a hard line. Nico looked furious at the implication. But their sister simply smiled sadly. The smile made something inside Evan’s body shift and he prayed that his reaction to this woman was not as obvious to everyone else as it was to him. “I’ve no doubt of it. But understand, Mr. Forester, that what you’ve seen here is little. Our father has taught us to be kind to those like you. You did not choose what happened to you and it is wrong to blame you for not dying in the attack. So if what you see here seems harsh, know it is by comparison the gentlest they can expect.”
“If you call him mister once more I’ll finish what was started in those woods.” Nico’s eyes were not angry but filled with a childish pout and aimed at his sister.
She smiled again and it seemed even Nico could not resist the pull of that smile. “As you wish, Nico but you need to learn to be careful what you wish for.” She passed her smile to Alexi who groaned knowing what was coming. She fixed her eyes on Evan and he found himself captivated. “Nico is right, if you’re going to be here a few days and especially if I decide to convince my father to help you, then we do need to dispense with the Mr. Forester. I assume I may call you Evan?”
“Of course, Miss. I would be honored.” And he meant it. There was nothing as yet, condescending in how this woman spoke to him. She was beautiful, obviously intelligent and commanded respect by her very presence. It would be a pleasure to know her as a friend. Or as close to that as is possible, he thought.
“Excellent,” she beamed at him. “Then we must also dispense with the Miss Gregoravitch nonsense. I am Kira.” She then stunned every male in the room by extending her hand to him. Evan stared dumbly at it. He looked at Alexi as if for permission. He heard her sigh and saw the hand retracted. “Alexi has trained you well in such a short time. It is a pity.”
Alexi grunted angrily but did not speak.
At this she rose from her seat and walked toward the door. “I am inclined to be sympathetic to your cause.”
“Why?” Evan’s brow wrinkled. This was too easy.
“For my own reasons, Evan. And as my brother says, we subjugate ourselves to no one. I will have the staff prepare a room for you. Father has decided that you should stay.”
“When did Father decide that?” Nico cried in astonishment.
“As soon as I explain to him it is necessary.” Her voice was simple and brooked no argument. “Deciding to help Mr.—Evan—will be more about helping Evan than helping the mages. He is, in his own way, one of us. Before we can make that commitment we must know more about him. I see no other way.”
Alexi was nodding reluctantly in agreement with his sister.
“But what of the risk to your family, to your father? Surely my presence will cause problems if all is as you have said.” Evan watched the blue eyes consider him carefully.
“My father will be no more at risk than he is by allowing you into the house. You will not see our father, you will not be where the family is, Evan.”
“Then how will you learn more about me?”
“We will not leave you to sit alone and neglected. You have my word. In fact, I will join you for dinner this evening. We can discuss your situation in more detail.” She turned to the boy. “Nico, we need to talk.” She turned her head and flashed a grin at Alexi. “Would you do me the favor of giving your little friend the grand tour and explaining the boundaries of his stay to him?”
Alexi nodded agreement. “Good,” she said as she turned her eyes on Evan, “Until tonight, Evan.” Leading Nico by the hand she moved gracefully out the door.
Circle of Wolves
Chapter Five
Boundaries
She sat quietly on the white settee watching her younger brother pace angrily. He hadn’t stopped muttering since they had entered her rooms. His lean, lithe frame, the similarly heart-shaped face and fair skin gave him an almost fragile, delicate appearance. He reminded her strongly of their mother, whose Northern Russian blood accounted for the blue eyes of her younger children and the fair hair of her youngest child. He was so young. He had seen so few years pass by. He had barely traveled outside their valley, let alone outside the country.
“Nico, you will wear a hole in that carpet. Come sit with me.” She held her hand out to her baby brother. He did not take it but dropped heavily next to her.
“You offered him your hand,” he whined. “Are you crazy? You’d actually let one of them touch you?”
She put her arm around his shoulders and pulled him in against her, just as she had always done when he was frightened or angry. There was a time she would have pulled him into her lap and rocked him. He was too old for that now. “Yes, I’d have let him touch my hand. Nico, he’s a man. Just as you are a man, as Alexi is a man. It wouldn’t be the first time one of them has touched me.”
He jerked away from her and stared hard into her face.
She smiled and tugged him back against her shoulder. “Don’t be silly. You’ve gone with me outside the gate.”
He relaxed. “That’s different. Father says that’s simply good politics. And while we’re at it I don’t take kindly to being likened to that pup-eater. And no matter that Alexi is turning him into some sort of pet, I don’t think he’d like it either.”
She smiled into the blond hair. “You are so young, Nico. One day you will understand.” He has to understand, she thought sadly. If not things could go very badly for them all.
“Weren’t you the one telling Alexi not to treat me like a child?”
“Yes but that’s Alexi.” She smiled down into his face. “You will always be my little one.”
She saw the smile break across the face. “So you do like me best, eh? Better than Alexi?”
“Nico,” she said warningly, “I won’t play this game. You are too old for this. It was one thing to tell you I loved you best when you were five, now it is just silly.”
“But do you like me better than Alexi?” he pouted.
A soft laugh broke from her. She, as much as their mother, had spoiled this one. She had never been able to refuse him. “Well I didn’t change his diapers, so I guess I must like you an awful lot.”
A satisfied smile beamed up at her. He was a manipulative little thing and they both knew it. He watched her carefully and his eyes narrowed slightly. “Do you like me better than Evan Forester?”
She frowned down at him. The question was ridiculous and she told him so. “What on earth are you on about? Of all the foolish things I’ve ever heard…what would possess you to ask such a question?”
The innocence was gone from his face as he said, “He certainly likes you. More than he likes Alexi I think.”
“Well, let’s hope so. Alexi would not react well to that.”
“You know what I mean.” He was suddenly angry again. She hadn’t out and out denied his assertion. He sat up and glared at her.
“Nico, I refuse to have this discussion with you. You’re being foolish. If you want to be treated like an adult, act like one.” She stood up and walked away from him.
“I know about Valeri. So I think this a legitimate question. Do you like him?” She turned and looked at her brother. His eyes were hard and cold in a way she had never noticed before.
Her heart was pounding furiously but her face was the picture of practiced calm. “Nico, I don’t know what you think you know but you are out of line. If you can’t behave in a civil manner you can leave.”
“Momma told me about him. Said it was why you were so nice to those abominations beyond the gate.” His beautiful face had taken on an ugly look.
She stared at her brother. Her mother had had no right to mention this to him. This was hers and hers alone. It should not have been told by another. “I repeat, Nico, I am not having this discussion with you. Behave or leave.”
He sighed and the ugliness fled from him and was replaced by his typical petulance. “Why won’t you talk to me about it? I know you talk to Alexi.”
A knock sounded on her door. “I don’t have to talk to Alexi about it, he was there.”
Circle of Wolves Page 4