by Drako
Brandon appeared in an alley in downtown St. Louis. There were wolves swarming on a human male they’d cornered. Brandon knew the human male pretty well, even though he hadn’t seen him in over a year. He was clearly afraid and very well aware of what was standing in front of him. Then again, this wasn’t the average human. His name was Adonis, and before he’d gotten stuck in Shevat, Brandon had gone to school with him and they became friends. Well, actually they were more than friends, but Brandon didn’t want to assume anything after being gone for so long.
Taking a deep breath, Brandon stretched his power out and darkness fell over the alley. The wolves looked around, confused at the extreme darkness suddenly overtaking the area. The darkness dispelled, revealing Brandon standing next to Adonis. The wolves growled low in warning. Adonis’ hazel brown eyes locked onto Brandon in surprise. While Brandon had changed in appearance somewhat, Adonis remained the same. He was tall and light skinned, with a low cut and perfectly white teeth. His skin was completely unmarred and smooth, the body underneath his clothes well-toned and muscular. He lived up to his ancient Greek namesake, the legendary male beauty desired by women and goddesses alike.
“Brandon?” he questioned.
“Yeah. I’m back, but we’ll talk later.” Brandon focused on the wolves in front of them..
Clearly these were rogue werewolves, although Brandon had to wonder why they were targeting Adonis. Werewolves, unlike rogue vampires, generally did not seek out humans for blood. Occasionally, they sought them out to convert them, but even that was a rare occasion. And wolves operated alone. By Brandon’s count, there were at least twelve wolves in this alley, a whole pack.
Now that their surprise had worn off, the wolves began to attack. As they came forward, Brandon held up one hand and his power sprang forward, creating a barrier that the wolves slammed into. In his other hand, Brandon’s chakram appeared and he launched it through the barrier at the closest wolf. It sliced through the wolf’s skull and went on to the next, slashing the next wolf along the side before embedding itself in a dumpster.
“Stay here,” he told Adonis.
He left the barrier in place to protect Adonis and went through it to engage the wolves. Extending his hand, the chakram flew back to it as the wolves swarmed him. He ducked low as a wolf launched itself through the air at him, intending to pounce on him. The wolf went over his head, and Brandon used the chakram to slash him along his underbelly. Moving on as the first wolf hit the ground, he made the first move, knowing wolves became more dangerous if you allowed them to keep you surrounded. Still using the chakram, he slashed the next wolf across the eyes, blinding it. He flipped over that wolf to come down on the back of another and slit its throat. As the wolf fell to the ground, Brandon jumped up again and launched the chakram, this time imbedding it in the spine of a wolf. Landing on his feet, he launched a bolt of energy that caught two other wolves and dropped them to the ground. Stretching out his hand, he caught hold of the two dumpsters at the end of the alley and pulled them forward. He clapped his hands and the dumpsters slammed together, trapping two other wolves between them. Waving his arm, the other four wolves were slammed hard against the wall and slumped to the ground. The few that could still move began to retreat, dashing out of the alley while leaving trails of blood behind.
“Oh, no you don’t.” Brandon held up a hand and his power caught one wolf and pinned it in place. Extending his other hand, the chakram flew to it once again.
The wolf growled low in its throat, unable to do much more. Brandon stood over him and held a hand over his muzzle.
“Reveal your true form and answer my questions,” he ordered.
The wolf only growled at him again. Brandon sighed.
“This is going to hurt you a lot more than it’ll hurt me.” He placed his hand on the wolf’s head and latched onto his mind telepathically, searching for information. Images flashed through his mind, all memories of the wolf. He ciphered through the memories, looking for the leader of the pack. The memories halted on the image of a tall, broad shouldered man with short black hair and a wolf’s amber colored eyes. The man wore a constant scowl and was dressed in a strange black robe. A menacing aura radiated from the man along with a strange, dark power that wasn’t entirely unfamiliar to Brandon. With that, he pulled back.
The wolf was completely still now, as Brandon had chosen to not only read his mind, but to wipe it clean. He was essentially a lifeless shell now. Brandon released the body from his power and let it fall, then held his hand up in the air. Several bolts of energy shot out, striking the bodies of the fallen wolves and incinerating them. Finally, he turned to Adonis and waved his hand, releasing him from the barrier he’d created.
For the moment Adonis just stood where he was, looking at Brandon. It had been over a year since they’d seen each other, and this wasn’t the ideal reunion. Still, Adonis was clearly pleased to see him again.
Brandon approached him first, standing in front of him and holding his gaze. “Are you okay?”
Adonis nodded. “When did you get back?”
“Something like twenty minutes ago. Anyway, do you know why they were after you?”
Adonis shook his head. “I was down here with some friends and just couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being watched. Those wolves found me when I was on my way to my car and chased me here.”
Brandon studied him. “You look uncomfortable. What’s wrong? I mean, other than the fact I just killed some werewolves in front of you.”
Adonis looked away. “Well, it’s been a while and some things have changed.”
Brandon sucked in a breath, knowing where this was going. “You found someone else, right?”
Adonis couldn’t really meet his eyes. “Yeah, I did. It’s just that you were gone and I realized that things like that will happen frequently. I can’t go with you most places and I can’t do the things you do, so I’d be more of a hindrance to you. I can’t really live with having to watch you leave for long periods of time and not know where you are or if you’re coming back.”
Brandon forced his face to show no emotion. “I understand. Really, I do. We’re from two different worlds, and I can’t expect you to accept mine, even if you’re a follower of my grandfather. In the end, you’re not completely of my world.”
Adonis opened his mouth to say more, but Brandon held up his hand to silence him.
“No, Adonis, let’s not make this harder than it has to be. I’ll see you to your car and we can move on.”
Adonis actually looked hurt. “I didn’t mean I never wanted to see you again.”
Brandon sighed. “I don’t think I can really avoid you, not now. I still live here, and I have to find out why those wolves were after you. I just won’t interfere in your life.” He stepped to the side to allow Adonis to pass him. “After you. You really need to get home.”
Adonis reluctantly walked past him, leading the way to his car. Once they reached it, he opened the door and got in. Brandon closed the door for him and Adonis rolled the window down.
“Do you need a ride home?” he asked.
Brandon shook his head. “No, I have my own way home.”
“Oh. Well, I guess I’ll see you around.”
“Yeah.” Brandon’s tone was clipped.
Adonis started the car and drove off. Brandon sighed to himself. It was just his luck that Adonis had moved on but he had no time to reflect on it. He needed to let Andreas know what he’d found out and see what the eldest dragon wanted to do about it.
Eight
Victoria sat in her mother’s temple on Olympus, awaiting the arrival of the goddess. She sat beside the dark throne forged by the god Hephaestus, staring at the mystical designs all over it. She knew each design, as she’d studied the Craft, the name of her mother’s art, directly under her. Like several of her siblings, her time was split between her godly parents, so she had duties to both. This meant patrolling witches as well as creatures created by her father.
/> Finally Hecate appeared. A mystical power radiated from her as always, as well as a warmth only Victoria seemed to feel. Then again, she was Hecate’s only daughter.
“Well I must say, I’m proud of your showing against Lucifer, dear daughter.” Hecate gave her a rare smile. “Your powers continue to grow.”
Victoria rolled her eyes. “I was clearly losing, Mother. If Father hadn’t come when he did, I’d be dead by now.”
Hecate waved that off. “You held your own, which is all that could be expected. And I have a job for you now. Two jobs, actually.”
“Two jobs? Mother, I have to help deal with the Titans when they surface.”
Hecate sat on her throne. “I’m aware of this. But they have yet to surface and if they do, you shall multi-task.”
Victoria resigned herself to take the jobs, knowing her mother wouldn’t bend. “What is it?”
“I have a warlock that I need hunted and disposed of. He’s meddling in your father’s affairs and may very well have ties to Cronus now. He’s a powerful servant of Lucifer and has organized the rogue wolves to hunt his targets. Most recently they targeted this mortal boy.” Hecate conjured an image of Adonis in front of her throne. “This boy is quite dear to both your father and your nephew, Brandon. It is unclear why this warlock would target this human, but he cannot succeed.” She waved her hand and the image changed to that of the warlock. “His name is Balthas Althazar. His very existence offends me as it is, due to his ties with Lucifer, but this organization of rogue wolves disturbs me.”
Victoria studied the warlock. He was rather short compared to her and dressed in black robes. What little skin she saw was extremely pale and just a little of his dark hair could be seen under the hood of his robe. His eyes were pitch black and filled with malice, clearly marking him as a servant of Lucifer.
“So where should I begin my search?” she asked her mother.
“You’ll need to remain in St. Louis for now, as your second assignment is there as well.”
Victoria raised an eyebrow in question.
Hecate changed the image to one of Brandon. “Hera has decreed that your nephew be schooled in the Craft. She believes my arts will aid him and frankly I’m not one to argue with the queen of the gods.”
Victoria sighed. “He already has so much raw power. What can the Craft possibly teach him that he can’t already do?”
“I wondered the same thing myself,” Hecate admitted. “I suppose it would help him better communicate with the gods, specifically Hera, even if locked away in an alternate realm like Shevat.”
“Why only Brandon?” Victoria asked.
“Demun has an instructor in the skills he will need for his destiny,” Hecate answered. “You must aid Brandon to reach his.”
Victoria gave her mother a dull stare. “Honestly, Mother, is that all you’ll give me?”
“That’s all I was given as an explanation.”
“Leave it to Hera to be cryptic,” Victoria muttered.
“School the boy just as I schooled you, Victoria, and your task is done. Let him aid you in this mission to speed things along. You will find he’s a quick study.”
Victoria had already resigned herself to the task. “Send me back, Mother.”
Hecate waved her hand and Victoria disappeared.
“That’s an interesting task you gave your daughter.”
Hecate looked over as Ares entered her temple. “Why are you here, Ares?”
The war god gave a casual shrug. “I just happened to be in the neighborhood.”
Hecate rolled her eyes. “I see through your lies, Ares. You were spying.”
Ares made a gesture with his index finger and thumb. “Just a little.”
“For what reason would the god of war be here spying on me and my daughter?”
“Hmm, boredom maybe?”
“You’re trying my patience,” Hecate warned.
“I’m being serious. Your daughter is interesting to me.”
Hecate narrowed her eyes. “I would hope you don’t think to use my daughter as some casual toy you’ll discard when you’re bored. She’s not casual fling material.”
“If I thought she was, I wouldn’t bother talking to you about it.”
Hecate studied him for several seconds. “So why are you talking to me?”
“Well, if I’m around her, I could help her with her mission. In order to do that, I need your permission.”
Hecate took several more seconds to respond. “Permission granted, as far as the warlock is concerned. The training of Brandon, however, is something you cannot help with.”
Ares smirked. “I beg to differ. When it comes time for combat training, there’s no one better for the kid to try his stuff against.”
Hecate sighed. “Fine, Ares, you may help if she allows it.”
“That’s all I needed to hear.” Ares vanished.
Hecate sat thinking, debating on how closely to watch the situation. Ares was always unpredictable at best and no god would harm her daughter in any way without consequence.
Nine
Not wanting to go home, Brandon chose to walk down the riverfront. He had a lot on his mind now, all of it centered on Adonis. He felt strangely numb, his heart unable to accept what he’d found.
“Is it really wise for you to be out alone like this?”
He stopped and turned to face Odele. “I know it’s been a while, but I’m more than capable of taking care of myself.”
Odele smiled. “Of course you can, but you’re not infallible.”
“What brings you here?” Brandon asked, clearly ignoring her last statement
“You seemed quite lonely so I thought I’d join you.”
Never one to be rude without cause, he extended his arm and Odele hooked hers through it. The two began to walk again.
“So tonight was unexpected for you, was it not?” Odele ventured.
Brandon sighed. “No, it wasn’t unexpected. I’d just hoped I was wrong. I can understand him though.”
“Can you really?” Odele asked.
Brandon nodded. “A human being paired with me just can’t work, even if he knows what I am. I can’t give him the attention he needs. Who wants to be with a guy that disappears for a whole year with no way to contact him? Who can stay with a guy that faces supernatural creatures regularly in a fight for survival? He’s human and not meant for my life.”
“That’s what your mind says, but what does your heart say?”
“It doesn’t matter. The choice is his. It always has been.”
Odele studied him for several seconds. “Tell me, can your heart survive watching him with someone else?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t intend to actually watch him with anyone else.”
“What if I said you have no choice?”
“That would suck the fun out of life,” Brandon muttered.
“Well I hate to say it, but that is the case.”
Brandon sighed. “Can’t someone else watch over him? It’s not fair to me, him, or the girl he’s with.”
“Who said he was with a girl?” Odele questioned.
Brandon clenched his jaw. “Well, it’s not fair to whoever he’s with.”
“Who else has the link to him that you have? Who else would be able to sense he’s in danger?”
Brandon scowled. “You’re saying I have to do it.”
“I’m saying that choosing not to do it could get him hurt. You sense exactly where he is, even now.”
“There’s a spell that would let someone else do the same. They’d just need his permission.”
Odele merely stared calmly at him, forcing him to sigh again.
“He doesn’t trust anyone else enough to allow it.”
Odele nodded. “Besides, Hera and Hecate have decided that you must begin learning the Craft with Victoria and she has to protect Adonis from the warlock gunning for him. You have to help her.”
There was no getting around Hera’s orders. Brando
n knew he was stuck.
“So where’s Gramps?” he asked.
“I believe he’s making visits right now,” Odele answered.
“You’re being purposely cryptic. Looks like you fell back into godhood pretty easily.”
Odele smiled. “It does suck to get cryptic answers, but there are some things we just can’t tell you.”
“That doesn’t make it any less irritating.”
Odele laughed. “I know. So let’s head home, shall we? Demun is getting worried.”
Adonis sat on the end of his bed, unable to sleep. So much had happened this evening that left his mind spinning.
“I see you’re troubled again.”
He looked up into the silver eyes of Jarel. He’d ceased being surprised by the random appearances of his patron god, as they happened frequently now.
“It’s been a crazy night,” Adonis replied.
Jarel sat down next to him. “Are you referring to the wolves or Brandon’s dramatic rescue?”
“Both.”
Jarel snorted. “You always sucked at lying. You’re thinking of Brandon more than the wolves.”
Adonis sighed. “I can’t help it. It’s been over a year, but I’m really not over him. I could convince myself that there could be nothing between us until I saw him again. Is it wrong for me to feel this way when I’m with someone else?”
“The heart wants what it wants. You have to decide what’s best for you.”
“That’s so hard.” Adonis stood and began to pace. “My head says it can’t work. It’ll always be chaotic. He’ll vanish for long periods of time and be unable to take me with him or even reach me to tell me how he’s doing. With Phil, I always know where he is, I can always talk to him, and he’s never in any abnormal danger.”
Jarel nodded. “Undoubtedly, he’s the safer option. Brandon will unwittingly put strain on your heart while bound to my service. His life will only get more chaotic.”
“Shouldn’t you be on your grandson’s side?” Adonis questioned.