by Janelle Peel
Soft hands cupped his face.
The scent of cherries filtered through his anguished thoughts.
Movement and tugging came next. He clenched the bundle tighter to his chest and growled a warning.
Sora’s voice met his ears, “Let go.”
His body obeyed while his mind rebelled. Mine…
Soft lips touched his eyes.
“Jackson, come back to me…” Viv’s voice said.
Strong arms lifted him from the unforgiving floor.
“What happened?” Viv’s worried tone came again.
Jackson felt Blaze’s reply rumble through his chest. “Sara, our Mage. She’s gone.”
A sharp gasp.
Blaze continued, “She was our last living relative.”
Jackson’s world crashed down and blackness enveloped him in her warm embrace.
Fingers caressed his scalp, gently bringing him back to consciousness.
Viv whispered into the darkness, “Rest, I’ve got you.”
His heart felt like it was being carved from his chest with a dull knife. It was too much, he physically trembled with the pain.
Viv curled closer, wrapping herself around him from behind. She traced soothing circles on his chest with her small hand.
A sob escaped him.
She shifted, pulling him onto his back and moved is his head to her breast. Humming a soft lullaby, she held his massive form and kissed his brow.
Tears leaked from his eyes while he clung to her like an anchor in the storm.
Blaze
His heart hurt. He’d been so excited for Sora to meet Sara… and now, she was gone.
Making the arrangements with Julian for her burial had been one of the hardest things he’d ever done.
And Jackson. He didn’t know if he would be able to pull himself back together. He and Sara had a fight the night she left, about what he couldn’t be sure, but it was bad. The madness would come even quicker now.
He felt so helpless. Things were happening, something else was at work, but what?
Sora sighed against his chest and emitted a soft snore.
Even in sleep she was adorable.
Pulling her closer, he closed his eyes.
Chapter 9
Viv
Jackson eventually calmed beside me and my thoughts began to spin.
What a crazy fucking night.
At least we had gained Natalie; she was ridiculously sweet and naïve. I smiled, remembering the look on her face when I gave her the room next door to mine. She’d never had her own space before and was excited to make it hers by paining it something other than silver. While she was a bit meek, I knew she’d pull through.
My mind drifted further. For the first time ever, I thanked God that I was an orphan. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to lose your last link to humanity as Jackson had.
Sora and Blaze were both worried about the madness; now more than ever. If I was honest with myself, I was worried too.
So much to worry about. The Pack. The reason I was bitten and Blaze was attacked; all to bring back Sara. At least the Pack wasn’t a bunch of raping lunatics like I had previously thought. It seemed that old prejudices died hard on both sides.
I didn’t hold grudges; never felt the need, nor the desire. Why waste your life on the past? I was happy with my new life. As abrupt as it had come, I loved it. I had a family, a place in the world at last.
Now, if I could just figure out this Mate business, I’d be set.
Mine…
Sora
There was a somber mood throughout the mansion when I awoke the next evening.
Dressed in black, our entire Clutch mourned the passing of Sara. We gathered on the lawn near the west wing where a gravesite had already been dug. Due to the state of her body, it was a closed casket event.
Blaze squeezed my hand when Viv arrived with Jackson in a zombie like state. Dark circles marked both of their faces beneath bloodshot eyes as they sat on the fold out chairs beside us. His grief was palpable. My heart spasmed in sympathy.
Not knowing how this was going to work, I turned and looked at Blaze imploringly.
He leaned closer and whispered in my ear, “It’s not like human funerals. There are no speeches, no fanfare. Everyone comes to pay their respects. When the last person leaves, her casket is lowered into the ground.”
My brow furrowed. I hadn’t been to a funeral before, but that just seemed wrong. The more I thought about it, the more it upset me.
With a shake of my head, I stood and walked calmly to her casket. My bare feet sunk into the grass with every step and a feeling of rightness entered my body. My well pulsed brightly with a violet flame.
Once I was beside her, I lifted my arms to the nearly full Moon. A soft breeze picked up my black skirt and ruffled my loose hair lovingly.
Every eye was on me as power amplified my voice with words that were not my own, “Daughter, I bring you home to where you are welcome, where you will be safe. This is not the end of your journey, but the beginning.” My hands lowered to the cold coffin. Silver light lit my fingers and drew forth a glowing white shape from beneath the lid.
Jackson stood abruptly, sorrow shone in his eyes as his voice croaked, “Sara?”
The transparent figured slowly took the shape of a beautiful young woman. A soft smile graced her lips in response while her form flickered in the wind. She tipped her face toward the Moon and a voice whispered through my thoughts, ‘Keep them safe, Sora. I’m ready, All Mother.’
Lightning shot down from the cloudless sky, enveloping her in a bright light.
When my vision cleared, she was gone. I noted the grass where she had been was completely untouched.
A familiar feminine voice chimed in my ear with the sound of tinkling bells, “Soon, my Daughter… soon.”
Coming back to myself, I looked to Blaze’s shocked face.
Absolute silence reigned.
Viv came out of her stupor first and clapped.
Cheers slowly rent the air.
One word was repeated more than all the others.
“Chosen.”
No one noticed the person camouflaged on the hillside over a mile away as they lowered their binoculars and slunk off into the night.
Blaze
Back in their room once more, Sora looked at him skeptically.
He sighed, “I don’t know what it means.”
She lifted a single brow as she removed her skirt and padded into the bathroom.
“I’ve only heard stories, rumors.” He continued, “They are older than I am, passed down through thousands of years.”
The faucet turned on and she pitched her voice louder, “What have you heard?”
He followed her and settled on the edge of the tub; watching while she washed the dirt and grass from her feet. “I’d have to research it in the library. All I have is conjecture. We have to meet Mel in 30 minutes. Do you really want this on your mind now?”
Her face was deadpan. “Really? Like I can get what happened out of my head?” Turning off the faucet, she grabbed a grey towel and laid it on the floor. Stepping out, she bent and aggressively dried off her feet; giving him a nice view of her heart shaped rear in the process. “This is serious Blaze, stop looking at my ass.”
Caught, his ears reddened. “I can’t help it, it’s a really nice ass,” he slapped her right cheek playfully.
She sighed and moved to the wardrobe.
“Okay,” he sobered and adopted his teacher like tone. “Back when Vampires were first created, it began with a Dark Mage. He lusted for eternal life and slaughtered people by the thousands; entire civilizations, to attain that goal. Draining countless beings of their magic, he gained the All Mother’s attention. She gave him a choice to stop his madness; be dammed and walk in the darkness forever without most of his magic, or die.”
Sora popped her head back into the bathroom. “Why would She give him a choice?”
He lifted his arms wide, “I don’t
know. You can see what he chose. That’s why Vampires have simple magic. We evolved from Mages.”
Her brow furrowed, “What happened to him?”
He shrugged, “No one knows.”
“And the Chosen thing?”
“Keep in mind this is all just what I have heard, okay?” At her nod, he continued, “It is said that only one touched by the Goddess can bring the dammed back to the light.”
Her eyes widened. “Blaze, that wasn’t me talking back there, at the funeral…”
He nodded, “I know.”
“Do you think I’m the…” she flared her nostrils, “Chosen?”
He stood and pulled her half naked body into his arms. “I don’t know, Love. I do know that we will handle whatever is going on, together.”
“Okay,” she whispered into his shirt.
Mel
They arrived at the mansion just before 8PM. A Protector greeted them at the gate and escorted them to the front door.
So much for being hers, he thought, unimpressed by their reception.
The front door opened to a slightly balding man dressed in pressed black pants and a tucked in white polo. He bowed once, “Good evening. I am Julian, Head of the House. I have been instructed to take you directly to the boardroom.” He straightened with a squeak of his shiny shoes and strode away; clearly expecting them to follow.
He looked to his Omega, lifted a shoulder and followed.
After multiple twists and turns, Julian opened a large door and bowed again with a flourish of his arm, “Mistress Sora and Master Blaze will join you shortly.”
Mel grunted his thanks as the door closed.
Flaring his nostrils, he inhaled for threats and found the room to be empty. Panning his eyes around the room, he took in the large round oak table, glistening with fresh polish, and matching black leather office chairs. Silver veined wallpaper continued the theme from the rest of the large house, butting up against rounded white baseboards and black carpet.
“Clear,” he said.
Rowe moved around him and perched on the edge of a black chair. Her blonde hair caught the overhead lights, giving the strands an amber halo. Brilliant jade eyes caught his and she quipped, “Well, are you going to sit?”
He shook his head. “I am not entirely sure of our welcome.”
She shrugged her slender shoulders and tipped her head to the side.
The door opened behind them and Sora walked into the room; followed closely by Blaze, the female he knew as Viv, and Jackson.
Jackson tossed him a dirty look and settled himself by Viv. Blaze took a seat on Sora’s other side.
Sora’s brows rose, “Are you going to stand the whole time?”
Rowe grinned while he moved to her side and sat.
“This is our Omega, Rowe.” He said.
Sora tipped her head, “Hello, Rowe. Welcome.” She gestured around the table, “This is Blaze, Viv, and Jackson. I am Sora.”
Everyone nodded while Rowe wiggled her fingers in greeting.
Viv drummed her knuckles on the table and got right to the point. “So, you bit me and wrecked my place just to get to Sora?”
Mel’s ears pinked, “Yes. I apologize.”
Jackson rumbled in disapproval.
Viv shot him a look and the rumbling abruptly cut off. Tipping her head back to him she continued, “Well, it’s cool. I’m good with it.”
His brows lowered in confusion. She was good with it?
She snarked, “You heard me. Would you rather I sank my fangs into your hand to return the favor?”
Sora growled a warning and cleared her throat, “Viv, hush.” She bit her lip before changing the subject, “Rowe, forgive me, but what is an Omega?”
Rowe smiled and placed her palm on her chest, “I am the lowest ranking member of the Pack. Usually, I soothe the tempers of the dominant males.”
“Ah,” Sora nodded and tipped her head to him, “I can see why you asked her to come.”
“Yes, Mistress,” he replied.
She pinched the bridge of her nose, “Sora, just Sora is fine.”
“Okay. Sora, can you tell me how you made me shift?” he asked.
Rowe sucked in a sharp breath and blurted, “She made you shift?”
He answered without meeting her eyes, “Yes, you know we are hers. I’m sure she could do the same to any Shifter.”
“Well, I didn’t know,” Rowe grouched, “you made me stay home, remember?”
Sora lifted a hand for quiet, “I don’t know how I did it, honestly, and I don’t know how to take it back. My working theory is that your venom from the night on the roof changed something within my magic; allowing me to manipulate yours.” She paused, “Have you ever heard of anything like this happening?”
Mel raked his thoughts. A Mage compelling a Shifter? He shook his head when Rowe answered.
“I have,” she said. Everyone turned to her, intrigued. Rowe rounded her shoulders in submission, unused to the attention.
“Here Rowe, tell me. It’s okay,” he said softly.
Her green eyes met his and her posture straightened, “I read it in a book on our history. I thought it was just a fantastic tale when I started it.”
Mel smiled. Rowe loved reading anything related to fantasy.
“What did it say, Rowe?” Sora asked.
Her eyes squinted in remembrance, “Just that only the Goddess could do it, since we’re her creations.”
Jackson grumbled, “Can we move on? We can figure this out later. I need to know what you saw when you found…” he paused and his voice cracked, “Sara.”
Viv shifted in her seat and moved her hand to cover his sympathetically.
“My Beta caught the scent first. I’ve never smelled anything like it; the magic was decayed, rotten.” His upper lip lifted in disgust. “We tracked it to the canyon near La Jolla.” He paused, “She was lying face down on the ground inside a circle of her own dried blood. We couldn’t cross it, so I sent a Fox to get our Mage and we waited. When Marta came, she was visibly shaken. She broke the circle and we rolled the body over. It was Sara.”
“Did Marta say anything about the magic?” Sora inquired.
He shook his head, “She only said that it was very old and Dark. She refused to speak of it again.”
The door opened and everyone tensed.
A beautiful young woman entered the room and immediately back peddled. Hiding behind her long black hair, she mumbled, “Sorry.”
“Hey Nat,” Viv quipped. “Come on in.”
Mel stood and inhaled. Wild, earthy magic met his nose, tempered with salt from the sea. His Wolf brushed his mind with soft fur and his feet pulled him to the source before he realized what he was doing.
A low hiss rang in his ears, “Sit.”
He immediately dropped to the floor and sat down with a thump.
Sora loomed over him with her fangs extended, shielding the beauty from his view. Throwing him a glare, she snapped her fangs back and turned her head, “What is it, Natalie?”
“Ap- apologies for the interruption, Mistress.” She stammered, cringing in the doorway.
“It’s fine.” Sora said, softening her tone. “What’s up?”
Natalie squared her shoulders, “I was just looking for Viv. She said to find her later.”
Viv pushed her chair out and strode over. “I’m here, Babe. I need a break anyway.” She turned back to Jackson with a quizzical look and he shook his head in response.
Rowe stood in one graceful motion and held out her hand, “Hi. I’m Rowe, Omega to the Pack.”
Natalie looked at her hand for a moment. Hesitantly, she reached out and shook. “Hi, I’m Natalie,” she smiled tentatively.
“Okay,” Viv said, her eyes drifting from one young woman to the other. “You girls want to go get a drink? Shoot some pool?”
Rowe winked, “Only if you don’t mind being beaten.”
Viv moved to the hall and snarked, “Oh, it’s on girlfriend.”
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Nat looked to Sora who nodded encouragingly.
After they’d gone, Blaze rumbled, “That was Natalie, our new Mage.”
Mel barely heard him, lost in his own thoughts.
“Well,” Sora said, padding back to her chair. “We still have some things to discuss. Mel?”
No response.
“Mel?” She repeated.
He popped his head up over the edge of the table, “Yes?”
A smirk lit her lips, “Care to join us?’
He blushed and his Wolf whined internally, “Yeah, sorry about that.”
“Like Blaze said, that was Natalie, our new Mage.” Her sapphire eyes hardened, “I will make this request once, and once only. Leave her alone. Are we clear?”
He perched on the chair, “Yes.”
“Good.” She nodded, “She’s had a rough life so far and is just getting settled here. Now, how are we going to work together?”
They hashed out the details of their mutual relationship for a good hour before finally agreeing on terms. He would remain Alpha of the Pack and continue with business as usual. Weekly meetings were also added to the agenda. Swearing fealty before the Clutch wasn’t really needed yet, so they would deal with that later on down the road.
Right now, they were Allies.
During all this, his thoughts continually wandered back to the raven-haired beauty…
Jackson
He followed Viv’s scent to the rec room and stood just inside the entryway. She laughed at something Natalie had whispered into her ear while Rowe bent low over the pool table.
Clearing his throat to announce his arrival, he said, “Viv, Mel is looking for Rowe.”
Viv’s face scrunched in disappointment, “Dammit. I almost had her this game.”
Rowe giggled and put away her cue, “In your dreams!”
Mel appeared by his side, “Ready, Rowe?”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming.” She finished her drink and gave the girls a quick hug before sauntering over. “We exchanged phone numbers, do you think I can come back?” she asked hopefully.
Viv caught Jackson’s eye and nodded.
“Of course,” he said, “just call first, okay?”
Rowe grinned, “Awesome.” She slugged Mel in the shoulder, “Let’s go.”