by N P Hector
He was utterly at peace staring at her. It had been a long time since someone had looked at her with that interest. She squirmed under the scrutiny.
She felt the need to break the silence. “Why is it impossible? Why can’t I leave?”
She expected him to launch into some explanation about aliens or the importance of human sacrifice to his cult. So, his answer definitely surprised her. “You’re being hunted.”
The man who had taken her from her home, Dougall, had told her that he was trying to protect her. Perhaps that was why they had taken her, she reasoned. It was definitely more appealing than organ harvesting or sacrifice. Maybe they were edging closer and closer to reason. “Look, Sorcha’s being hunted. I’m not. Ergo, I should be fine.”
Romulus shook his head, his eyes turned to coals by the firelight. “Even if you are not Sorcha, as you claim, you are still being hunted. You’ve interrupted the plans of a very dangerous Warlock.”
Selene pulled her knees to her chest and buried into the chaise. “But I don’t know any Warlocks! As far as I know, five minutes ago Warlocks were the work of fiction.”
Romulus looked almost regretful that her life had been flipped so quickly and violently. She actually believed that he empathized with the chaos she had been subjected to over the last few hours. “Aye, he’s very real. And you’ve foiled his plans thrice now”
Selene put her head in her hands and let out a big sigh. She was getting tired of explaining that she lived in a different world, a more logical world, than theirs. She just wanted to go back to her own bed and sleep. This guy might be sexy as hell, but the crazy wasn’t worth it. Why had she ever scorned the company of boring bankers, accountants, or lawyers? She longed for the days when normal men approached her. She tried again for patience. “I’ve never even met a Warlock, let alone thwarted his plans.”
“You did when you saved that man’s life today”
Selene thought back to the man she had saved today. She tried to picture the crying man as some dangerous mythical being and caught herself from laughing. “Mr. Hankleman? The mid-forties guy with the receding hair line and beer belly? He’s the dangerous Warlock?”
Romulus’s face was serious. Dangerous. “Not this mortal you speak of. The Warlock is the one who convinced his wife to try to harm him.”
She scoffed at that. “Oh, trust me, I’ve seen enough of that to know that’s not black magic. That’s a toxic relationship with a mixture of homicidal tendencies.”
Romulus nodded, “that’s true. And 99% of the time that’s the case. But in that very rare 1%, they were deeply and madly in love soulmates before Kem intervened.”
“Don’t you dare tell me that abusive relationships are just love gone wrong, mister. I’ve handled too many cases to take that anti-feminist bullshit.”
Romulus held up his hands “I completely agree. And that’s not what I’m saying. What I’m trying to tell you is that soulmates are a very, very powerful thing. A soul is borne from the death of a star…”
Selene chimed in, “a supernova?”
He nodded and rubbed his square chin “a supernova. And that supernova has so much energy. All that energy must go somewhere, and the law of conservation of mass states that it can’t just disappear—even humans know that. Some supernovas form smaller stars. But, knowing the power of the stars, the gods took the energy and created souls out of it. Then they split the soul in two so the power wouldn’t cause another combustion. Hence, the two ‘soulmates’.” He gestured between the two of them.
“Ok-- not that I believe any of this-- but I’ll play this game. So, from what I understand, two soulmates could never harm each other if they were truly fated, because they’re from the same supernova? They’re like the shadows of a supernova.”
Romulus agreed, “that is the case.” He pulled a chair closer to hers and she resisted the urge to shift away. Sitting down beside her, he held out his large, scarred hands. They were rough with callouses and ridges. She grudgingly admitted that she liked that about him.
She could never trust a man with smooth hands and smoother words. She gasped in surprise as a tiny figure appeared in blue light. It was the image of a baby in the palm of his hand. “Souls are a lot like babies. When they’re born, they’re innocent and a completely blank slate.” The baby in the blue light grew into a chubby toddler, and then a schoolyard bully. “Our souls are molded as we grow older. They change by life experiences.” Selene watched as the toddler grew into a man, a wedded man, and then a drug dealer. “But sometimes our souls react poorly to life experiences, to the point where they become worn down, or tattered. They become so weak that they disintegrate. The integrity of their very material is gone.”
The light in his palm blazed and the image of the man disappeared. “Like the supernovas they rise from, some souls are more powerful than others. They’re made of stronger material, and they burn brighter than all others. As for those weaker souls, they’re attracted to the power of their soulmate. They might be more susceptible to corruption. So, if a weakened soul is corrupted by a darker force, like Kem, then they can easily be convinced to regain their power quickly.”
Selene raised an eyebrow and leaned closer. “Ok, I’m following. So, how does the soul do that?”
Romulus leaned in until they were almost kissing. The firelight threw shadows across his strong face. His chiseled jaw and cleft chin, his dark, burning eyes. “I told you earlier that souls had to be separated into two people because they were too powerful, hm? Well, if the soul is strong, it is happiest and best kept while near it’s other half-- the soul mate. But some people think that they will be more powerful if both soul halves resided in one form.”
Two stars danced in the palm of Romulus’s hand. Selene was transfixed by their beautiful dance. Completely entranced, she asked, “so what happens when they are reunited in one form?”
Romulus extended his other hand and took Selene’s wrist. He smoothed the pad of his thumb over her clenched hand and opened it so the palm faced upward. Selene inhaled a sharp breath as electric shocks passed between their skin. He showed her the whites of his teeth as he flashed her a devastating smile. The kind of smile that made her feel special. Treasured even.
He placed the dancing stars in her palm and she drew her hands closer to her face to get a better look. She expected them to feel hot or tingly, but instead they warmed her hands gently.
Romulus smiled at the interest she showed in the stars. He wanted to show her the beauty of soulmates and the fated. Beauty so rare and powerful that it could only come from a supernova.
He was completely entranced by her and was encouraged by the fact that she was asking questions. He jumped at the chance to satisfy her curiosity. “My love, they do exactly what you’d expect them to do. One form cannot house that much power.”
Selene lifted her hand higher to better see the two stars. It had been some time since she’d studied astronomy, but she could caste her mind back to grade 12 science. She flicked her eyes upwards to glance at him. “They combust?”
“Exactly. Some take longer than others, like Kem, but eventually they will combust. No living being can sustain that power. Kem’s followers think that they can, but it goes against the laws of nature.”
The twin stars in her palm drew together until they were nearly one. They began to vibrate and shake, their lights flashing and dimming, flashing and dimming. Then, with a flash of light, they burst into tiny, shining fragments. A supernova.
“Sorcha”, Romulus began, taking both of her small hands into his large ones.
As she gave a quick tug of her hands, he corrected himself “Selene, I cannot leave you unprotected. Killing you would allow Kem to both wound me and to remove the obstacles you’ve presented. You’re like a beating heart living outside of my chest. I cannot leave you vulnerable.”
Selene was starting to think that this was either a very, very crazy pad Thai induced dream, or that perhaps she really was in danger. Nodding
reluctantly, she said, “I have a life to live. I teach a class tomorrow morning and then I’m at the police college in the afternoon as a consultant. And I’m always on call. Hostage takers don’t like to pencil me into their schedules. So, I’m at the whim of the city.”
Romulus looked at her with frustration. She could already see that he was struggling to accept that she wouldn’t be shoved into an ivory tower. Poor guy, he definitely knew how to pick ‘em. Maybe this would be easier if she was an elementary school teacher or a doctor. But she was the one to put herself between a perp and the victim.
He was resolute in his answer. “I cannot leave you unprotected. Even if you weren’t the other half of my soul, my honor would not allow that. You will stay here.”
Selene shook her head. This guy certainly knew how to stretch her patience. “Nope, not gonna happen. Let’s figure this out. I have a life. If I disappear from it, people will know and come looking for me. Where they will find you” she extended a pointed finger and hit his chest “and all this weird voodoo stuff.”
Romulus looked at his chest where she had just poked him. She continued, “but, I will concede that I do not want to be murdered by a psycho killer warlock, so, I will continue to work, and you can put me into...magical witness protection program until you find and detain him.”
He raised an eyebrow and grunted. “Magical witness protection program?”
“Yes, just...you know. Can you spare someone to watch over me until you catch this guy?”
His stare was intense, passionate, and he spoke with such a deep voice, rife with conviction “I will guard you with my life.”
In the firelight, his hair looked like spun moonlight. She was so, so tired, and she had the sudden urge to just rest her cheek against his firm chest. She knew instinctually and from the way that he was looking at her that if she did, he would draw her close, cocooned in his arms, and rest his chin against the crown of her head. That he’d rock her slightly as he murmured in her ear. But she shook her head.
She yawned. It was time to end this discussion and get some sleep. “I know, I know, soul mates and all that. But I really just need a good night’s sleep without you hovering over me. I have no idea who you are.” He could concede that, at the very least.
Now that they had each stated their bargaining position, she moved to her second option. “That woman who was in here earlier…”
“Joan?” He raised an eyebrow.
She nodded thoughtfully. “The woman with the dark brown hair. The tall one?”
He leaned back in his chair as if to prepare himself for what she would suggest next. He probably wasn’t used to people arguing with him, let alone denying him anything. He was in for a rude awakening if he thought he wanted to spend the rest of his cultish life with her. He spoke warily, “what of her?”
“Is she available? Could she guard me?”
His shoulders relaxed and he actually smiled. Could this be the first item they agreed on? “She’s the lead in judo, close combat, and knife throwing.” At the sight of her raised eyebrows he chuckled “she was my first choice…and she’s my Commander at Arms. You’re also not her type, so she’ll be able to concentrate solely on protecting you. I cannot be sure of that with the other warriors.”
Joan appeared in the corner. Her eyes were bright with energy and she strode towards him quickly. She seemed as if she was about to start a passionate speech. “Ok, Romulus. I thought it over and I really think--”
Romulus mumbled, “and there she is.”
“Joan-- it is Joan, right?” At her nod, Selene continued, “so we’ve come to an impasse. The only way I’m getting out of here is with you. How do you feel about spending a few days with me?”
Joan smiled and an overnight bag appeared at the floor by her feet. She shot Romulus a look of relief that they had come to an agreement of sorts, and that Selene wasn’t crying in the corner.
Selene was partly insulted that the woman thought she’d be sobbing helplessly but was thankful that she had cared enough to come charging back to address her leader. She nodded her head and snapped her fingers. “I’ll make a portal. You live in that cute garden suite off of 10th, right?”
Selene rubbed at her temples. Was the entire cult stalking her? How much did they know about her life, and how long had they known? “I’m too tired to be worried about how you know that.”
Joan winked. “Don’t worry, I just reversed the last portal you went through…. or did I?” she teased. Prancing over, Joan linked arms with Selene. “Do you have a spare bedroom or am I couching it?”
Looking horrified, Selene assured her, “you’re like, 6ft tall. I wouldn’t dream of putting you on the couch!”
Smiling, Joan waved her hand and a portal appeared. Romulus stood from the chair, his broad back facing the fire and his white hair falling around his face. “Joan, keep her safe.” He spoke with the authority of someone who issued orders and issued them often.
His next works were ground out, his voice gravelly with purpose. Selene felt like he was undressing her as he looked her up and down. “And bring her back to me.”
Chapter Five
Maybe we can be each other’s soul mates and then we can let men be just these great, nice guys to have fun with.
-Carrie Bradshaw
The next morning Selene gently prodded a sleeping Joan. Even in sleep the woman looked fearsome. She was almost scared to wake her up. “Hey, umm, I have to get going in half an hour. I know it sucks because it’s so early, but I brought you this coffee.” She extended the cup cautiously, as if she expected Joan to spring up and slap the offering out of her hand.
Joan peeked at the woman from behind a thick curtain of tousled hair. With a groan, she sat up on her elbow and rubbed her face. “Oh god. You’re a morning person like Romulus. God help our Order.”
Selene laughed and opened the blinds. “Sorry, I thought it was a military thing to wake up at the crack of dawn. Romulus mentioned something about you being a Commander of sorts. Is that the proper term?”
“I’m his Commander at Arms.” At Selene’s blank look, Joan stretched and explained, “I’m basically his second in command. And as Second in Command, I very thoughtfully delegated the morning training sessions. I take the later shifts and Dougall takes the morning runs.”
Selene turned and leaned against the window as Joan took a sip of the coffee. She had to admit that the brunette was a very impressive woman. She had a feeling that if they had met outside of this wild situation that they would’ve been friends. The warrior woman fit right in with her crowd.
She thought about what life might be like for Joan, a powerful woman in a male dominated field, and she felt a sort of kinship. She was also a bit jealous that her day was so regimented, while her own was always determined by the phone she had attached to her hip. She had playfully thought of it as the bat signal for hostage negotiators. “Wow, it’s nice to be able to pick your own schedule.”
Joan managed a sleepy wink. “It is when you’re the head trainer. But something tells me that your schedule is just as demanding as my own, if not more.” Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, Joan stretched and breathed in deep. “So where are we going this morning at...” peeking at the bedside table, she made a noise of disgust, “at the ungodly hour of 5am?”
Smiling apologetically, Selene coaxed the woman with a peace offering. “I’ll make you the best yogurt bowl you’ve ever tasted. And I have to be at the police college for 6am.”
At that comment, Joan smiled and rose from the bed. Stretching her arms over her head, she made her way to the adjoining bathroom. She disappeared into the smaller room and Selene heard the shower start. A voice called out “new recruits? Now that I can handle. I knew we’d get along.”
Selene thought that it just might be true. Although they were strangers thrown together by the strangest of circumstances, she really appreciated Joan’s humor and spirit. Maybe she could learn a thing or two about teaching recruits from
the Commander at Arms. She’d really like them to start taking the homework more seriously.
Once this wizard guy is detained, it would be cool to get to know Joan. I bet she’d fit right in with Jamie.
Romulus finished his morning meeting and was now grappling with the others in the gym. They were still facing unprecedented activity in the Northern quarter of the territory, and he had to schedule a business call with the Order’s lead on the West coast later this afternoon. But until then, he had two hours to stretch his body and mind.
He could barely focus on work this morning. Every fiber of his being was now shocked to life. He thrummed with energy and the urge to track down the other half of his soul.
He was comforted by the fact that Joan was with the woman now called Selene, but he was constantly pre-occupied with concern for her safety and whereabouts.
And he couldn’t get the image of her from last night out of his head. Although they didn’t share a passionate embrace or kiss, the energy had practically crackled between them last night. He longed to go back in time to relive the intimate moment they had shared beside the fire.
She looked so beautiful and vulnerable with her cloud of dark hair down around her shoulders, her feet tucked beneath her while she sat on the chair, and the firelight on her eyelashes casting thick shadows just above her cheeks. He remembered the awe she had experienced at the illustration of the two stars and he yearned to captivate her again.
He wanted her to look at him that way.
Even now, as he and Cullum grappled with him on the mat, he could barely think of anything but her. Which had cost him dearly, as Cullum grabbed his arm between his thighs and twisted him into an arm bar.