by Rain Oxford
Henry had woken me in the middle of the night when he was done saving my siblings to return the amulet, so I felt safe thinking about the plan and what roles everyone had in it. “You can protect the school and my siblings. Any of them would be dangerous weapons in her hands. Some of my siblings really believe she is a friend to them.”
“I’m still here!” Darwin yelled.
I sighed and opened the door. “What’s wrong now?”
“Nothing is wrong. Henry brought in your siblings last night. I want a part, too.”
“You can help Remy protect the kids.”
He rolled his eyes. “Why is that always my job? Someone’s going to think I’m a nanny or something the amount I sit on brats.”
“You’re a teacher,” Remington said.
“No, you’re a teacher!” he said, a whiny quality to his voice that made me glad I didn’t have kids. Darwin was intentionally trying to rile her, but I didn’t know why. Since he was acting abnormally childish, I wondered if it was because of Remy’s possible pregnancy.
Remington clenched her fists. “I’m going to fire you.”
“I’ll get you audited by the IRA.”
“Darwin, go play somewhere.”
“Fine. I won’t tell you that Rita and Henry are trying to kill each other in the field, then.” He walked into his room and slammed the door.
Remington and I went to the field, where we found Rita and Henry fighting. Fortunately, they weren’t trying to hurt each other in the slightest; they were sparring. We sat in the grass to watch. Students tried to stop and watch as well, but they were herded to class by teachers.
For a while, Henry and Rita did martial arts with and without weapons. Henry had the natural grace and strength of a jaguar shifter, while Rita was amazingly fast and accurate for someone physically human. Then they switched to using magic, Rita’s caster spells against Henry’s demon magic.
It was abundantly clear that unlike elemental magic, caster magic was perfect for battle. Compared to any of Earth’s magic, it was aggressive. It wasn’t as dark as Dothra magic, though.
Since the wizards that Veronica could use against us didn’t have caster magic, Remington jumped in to practice. I was a protective man, but it surprised me when she stepped between Rita and Henry after what I’d seen them do to each other. Even though I knew Remy was perfectly capable, I wanted to drag her off the field and put her in my room, where she’d be safe. It was no different than what Darwin had done with Amy.
Alas, it was a bit barbaric, and Remy wouldn’t go for it for a second. I was glad Darwin had interrupted us, because it gave me more time to figure out a job for Remy that didn’t put her in danger. Veronica had already put her in too much danger.
Remy taught me a few spells and then we did some target practice.
We were joined by my siblings, including Ashton, since they didn’t have classes. They wouldn’t be part of the fight, but they discussed ways to protect themselves should Veronica attack while I was gone.
As an added layer of protection, while Darwin and Remy were protecting the siblings, Emerson decided to create another vision/dream and pull all of the siblings except for Veronica, Ahz, and me into it. Working together, they could easily keep Veronica out.
* * *
When we were all too tired to continue sparring, we convened on the grass. Darwin crawled out of his cave long enough to bring us drinks before disappearing again to fuss over Amelia. Rita sat beside Henry. They were both sweating. Rita was definitely an outdoorsy person.
And a cat person, if the heated glances they shared was any indication.
“Are we not going to call Ace’s or Darwin’s pack?” Henry asked.
I shook my head. “Their united strength is impressive. I wish I could show you what I saw. Ace’s pack and Darwin’s on their own are imposing, but together, they’re amazing.”
“Then why aren’t they invited to the party?” Remy asked.
“It’s not like when the old council attacked Quintessence. We’re up against completely different people. I’ve seen it play out a hundred different ways. Members of both wolf packs would die, and they don’t actually get us any closer to our goal. This is a time when their force isn’t what we need.”
The problem was that they were too impressive. No matter how we played our cards, Veronica would be impressed with the wolves, lose interest in me, and take them for her army. We even considered asking for help from Anya’s tribe or Quintessence, and we had the same issue.
“Can you tell me what part I have to play?” Rita asked.
Henry brushed grass off of her jeans absentmindedly, pretending to ignore the conversation. Rita pulled her coat tighter around herself and leaned towards Henry. She wasn’t used to the cold weather, but she wouldn’t complain.
“Ahz is the key to this plan.”
That surprised Remy, Rita, and Henry. “You want him to go with you?” Rita asked.
“And you, and Henry. Your job is to protect Ahz, because he is going to land the vital blow. I’ll tell Henry his job when it gets closer to time. Is there a point in the day or month where your power is strongest?”
She shook her head.
“Not like elemental magic, then,” Remington said. “When do you want to go?”
“I’m hoping my intuition will let me know the best time to go, and we’ll be ready then. I need to talk to Ahz and make sure he understands what his job is.”
“I don’t like the idea of you putting him in danger,” Rita said.
Henry rubbed her back. Again, he didn’t seem to realize he was doing it, just as Rita didn’t seem to realize she was leaning against him.
“I highly doubt Veronica can do anything at all to him, and you’ll be there to protect him. He’s the key to this plan working.”
Rita reluctantly led us back to Henry’s room, while Henry followed behind. Ahz sat up when we entered. “You need to go to class,” Henry told Scott.
“I don’t want to go to class. I’m sick.”
“Scott, go to class,” Henry said sternly. His son was safer in class, especially since we could suddenly have to leave.
Scott realized his father wasn’t playing and got up. “Sorry, Daddy. I love you. Have a good day.”
“I love you, too, kitten.”
Scott patted Ahz’s head. “Be safe, Ahz.” Ahz grunted and looked up at Scott’s arm. Scott left.
I knelt in front of Ahz, who looked at my mouth. Rita’s wide eyes told me how rare it was for him to be so attentive. “Ahz, you know what to do?” I asked.
Ahz nodded.
“How does he know?” Remy asked.
“Because I didn’t make him forget like I did the others.” Asgard knew that his job was to stay out of the way. Despite what I told his mother, I wouldn’t use him as a weapon. I couldn’t ask a child to do what I had in mind. Instead, he was the distraction.
Rita was my weapon. She wasn’t innocent. She was prepared to kill to protect Ahz, and that was exactly what I needed her to do. Henry and I couldn’t use the matawsarh curse because we weren’t casters, and I couldn’t ask Ahz to. However, I had to hide that fact from her until it was time so that Veronica would be focusing on Ahz and not the real threat.
* * *
I walked around with my elemental sword at my side and my staff in hand. It seemed that I didn’t even have to be near Veronica; anything to do with her directly hindered my intuition. Fortunately, because of my staff, I instantly felt when it was time.
There was no telling what made that moment better than any other, but I wouldn’t argue. We needed every chance we could get. I called everyone to get into position.
* * *
Henry, Rita, Ahz, and I appeared in a dark, quiet study in the wizard council. Ahz was unusually alert. “Henry, get everyone out of the council and keep them safe. Ahz, Rita, and I will distract Veronica and take her down once everyone else is out.”
Henry nodded and started stripping. We both knew his jo
b would be difficult because he couldn’t make people do what he ordered. However, he would do his best.
Rita’s eyes widened. “You’ll get used to nudity around shifters,” I said.
“I don’t mind the view,” she said, covering Ahz’s eyes. She watched with fascination as he shifted, which only turned to awe when he stood on four paws as a massive jaguar with saber fangs. “Oh, gods, you’re beautiful.”
The jaguar narrowed his eyes as if he didn’t believe her. “He won’t hurt you,” I said. Probably not. Since we got his son back, his jaguar was a lot less aggressive towards others.
“I know,” Rita said. She put her hands on his ears and stroked his face like she couldn’t believe how large his head was. “Cats are the protectors of my world, and they’re all large, but not like you. Not with such beautiful fangs. Your fur is so much softer than I expected.”
Henry’s reaction was the last thing I had expected; he started purring. The jaguar was calmer with his son returned, but he wasn’t friendly under any circumstances. Apparently, he was susceptible to flattery. Rita was acting like she was touching her childhood hero.
Ahz was losing interest in the situation and reached for a marker in his mother’s pocket. “I hate to break up… whatever is going on between you two right now, but we have to stop Veronica.”
Rita reluctantly released Henry, and he gave her a slow lick across her face before vanishing. “He can turn invisible, too? He’s amazing.” His purr grew louder.
I rolled my eyes and opened the door. “There will be time for that after we save the day.”
He brushed by me gently.
Rita picked up Ahz and we went to Serena’s room. I had my elemental sword in a holder at my side, my gun, and a dagger in my boot. Magic swords weren’t meant for battle, my gun wasn’t the best weapon against a wizard, and I sure as hell didn’t want to get close enough to stab her, but it was better to have and not need than need and not have. I held my staff to get the most of my intuition, and because it could enhance my ward in an emergency.
Without Remy’s illusions, we had to be careful not to get caught up in Henry’s distraction. We paused outside Veronica’s door. “Are you ready?” I asked.
She nodded. Ahz struggled to get down, so she let him go. “I need my hands free to attack.”
“Be ready.” I opened the door.
Veronica was sitting on the floor with Eric, rattling a plastic toy at him and telling him what the colors on it were. It was difficult to see her as the same woman who tried to poison Remy. Fortunately, with my staff in hand, I felt her darkness.
She sighed, stood, and picked Eric up. “Took you long enough.”
Rita looked at me, worried that our plan was blown. I shook my head.
“Let’s take this somewhere a little more open,” Veronica continued. She probably wanted us away from Eric. Before I could respond, Becky walked in. I stepped aside. Veronica handed the baby to her and looked her in the eyes. “Protect Eric.”
Becky’s eyes faded to white and she took the baby into the nursery. When I looked at Ahz, he stepped closer to his mother.
“We have a communal family room with more space.”
There were advantages and disadvantages to doing this in a larger room, as I had seen both options play out. In the larger room, she could get help. On the other hand, Rita’s magic wasn’t great in tight spaces and Veronica had things to throw or duck behind in her room. Most importantly, Becky and Eric were right next door, and Rita’s magic would make short work of those walls if she missed her target.
“Fine,” I agreed. Rita relaxed slightly. She was used to doing magic in the wide-open desert and all of her attacks were long-ranged.
She gestured to the door, then walked through it herself when we don’t obey her silent suggestion. We follow her. “I can’t say I’m surprised you took the kids,” she said. “I thought you were going to keep them awake, though; that would have been fun.”
“A battle is no place for children,” I said.
She laughed. “Excuse me? Is he not a child?” she asked, indicating Ahz.
He stayed very close to his mother, even though he wobbled, his eyes were anywhere but on us or our path ahead, and his hands wrung the hem of his shirt so hard that the stitches were breaking. Not for the first time in the last hour, I worried that I was making a terrible mistake bringing him, but it couldn’t be helped. Something always went wrong if he wasn’t there. He didn’t have to do anything; he just had to be present to make everyone else act out their parts.
We reached a large, open room with several couches and chairs, as well as a large fireplace. Rita looked to me again for the cue, but I shook my head. There were still people in the mansion that Henry hadn’t yet gotten out. I could have used my powers to send them away, but that left me open for an attack.
I had to keep Veronica talking until Henry was gone. Fortunately, Veronica seemed to really like talking. “So John took you from your mother. That must have been hard.”
She laughed. “You’re so predictable, and wrong. You’re trying to find a tender side of me that you can reason with. You don’t realize yet that I’m not looking for a hero. I’m not broken. Nothing happened to me to make me this way. I was born this way, as you were.”
“I’m not---”
“You’ve built a heroic cage around yourself because you think this power is evil. Someday, though… someone you love is going to die, someone is going to betray you, and that cage will break. You’ll suddenly realize that it doesn’t matter. This power is chaos, and that’s okay. We’ve inherited this chaos so that we can spread it.”
“You make it sound like a venereal disease.”
She laughed but continued. “You’re so afraid of mind control because you think that it comes from a terrible man. You can feel that in your blood. You think your visions and intuition are any better? It was all created by the same man, who had one goal— to change the world. Who cares if everyone else doesn’t like it? He was successful, and we’ve inherited this gift.”
“It’s not a gift.”
“You think changing the world in your image is a bad thing, but that’s only because you let humans domesticate you. Those pitiful little creatures that should wait on you like a god, tell you what you can and can’t do. They call it right and wrong, but their rules don’t apply to us. You should be telling them what is right and wrong, not the other way around.”
“This power doesn’t give you the right to enslave others.”
She sighed as if I was incredibly frustrating. “The right to do something and the ability to do something is the same thing. They’ve made you believe otherwise. I have the ability; therefore, I will do it if I want to. That’s how it works.”
“What if I choose to stop you?”
“You can try. I want you to try.”
“Why?”
“You still haven’t figured it out? I’m disappointed. I want to beat you. I grew up with no equal. I could do anything I wanted and just got more powerful as I used my magic. There was nothing that I couldn’t do. It started to feel…”
“Wrong?” I asked.
“Pointless. And then I learned about you. My father had been obsessed with you. He taught me at first, and I learned everything he had to teach me, so he gave me challenges. I would beat them easily. Soon, he had nothing left to teach me. Still, no matter how amazing I was, he was obsessed with you, and with having more children. I couldn’t figure out why; I was perfect.
“And then, one day, I surpassed him, and I learned of Arthur. I wasn’t perfect— far from it. Arthur had true power. John wanted to use you because he wasn’t powerful enough. I wanted to surpass you. Finally, there was something to strive for.
“But you…” She shook her head. “You were ignorant of your power. I hoped you would figure it out, master your abilities, and challenge me. When you killed John, I had mixed feelings. He’d been so obsessed with you that it made sense that you would kill him… I j
ust wish he had lived long enough to see me exceed you and then I would have killed him myself. I hoped that you were finally coming to realize who you really are. I thought you would embrace this power, learn of me, and challenge me.”
“I’m not the only one with this power.”
She nodded. “You were the only one who could really stand in my way. Our other siblings lack the ambition that I can see in you. They can’t use this power like we can. There was Asgard, but he might as well live on another world for all the interest he has in me.”
She was hopelessly attention-seeking. Since she couldn’t read my mind and was openly giving me information, I told her so.
She smirked. “Can you blame me? I was the center of everyone’s world until you came along, and you didn’t even know what you had.”
“Why does it piss you off so much that I have a sense of morality?”
“You make a mockery of me by having power superior to mine and letting humans and wizards— who should be your pets— tell you what you can and can’t do. You should be by my side or fighting me, not playing in the dirt, pretending to be one of them.”
“You would be happy if I’m at your side? Why do you need me?”
“We can challenge each other even if we’re working together.” Her eyes warmed slightly. “We could work together with our siblings as our servants, towards the true purpose of Arthur’s life. I would gain the visions and intuition first, of course, and then we would build on what Arthur spent his life striving for. Where he failed, we will succeed.”
“Immortality.”
“Yes. I could do it alone, but then I would surpass you and be right back to having no match. Being alone at the top is boring. If you come with me, we can help each other, push each other, and challenge each other.”
“I have no interest in that.”
“Not now, you don’t. It’s in you, though. I can feel it. I don’t even have to do anything to you to bring it out; I just have to wait. Someday, somebody will push you too far. Maybe you’ll fail to save the person you love. I don’t have your visions of the future, but I know this because I can feel it in you. You’re just like me. I feel it in my blood the same way I know you feel it in yours.”