by C. D. Gorri
“Beau, you’re being unreasonable. Don’t throw us away for some Were!”
“Some Were?! You don’t even know him! Wait, that’s it!” She was aglow with a new idea.
“What’s it?” Garren asked weary of the bright eyed sorceress in front of him.
“Get to know him.” She sounded as if she was daring him, but Garren couldn’t be sure.
“What?” He asked incredulously.
“We have two or three days until the moon is full. We have some time until the transformation takes place.”
“Beau, I have to have him back by then. He is an orphan Were, he must be put down or he’ll wreak havoc on the world. Adult Weres don’t adopt Wereling orphans, you know this. If they did, we wouldn’t have this problem.”
“Two days, Garren, three at most, that’s all I ask. If I mean anything to you at all, give me a few days.”
Garren looked at the other half of his soul and felt himself wavering. Damn it. For the first time in three-hundred years he would disobey orders. He would give her what she asked for.
“Three days, Beau. Three days. And not because of what I feel for you, but because you’ve come this far, you deserve a shot.”
She squealed with delight and jumped on top of him kissing him hard on the lips.
“We better get to sleep. We’ll need to get up first thing in the morning.”
“I’ve got a better idea than sleep,” she said, and soon they were entwined in ecstasy and he was wondering how he ever existed with his soul in two separate pieces. She was it for him. His lady fair. Now he just had to tell her.
Chapter 18
That night, Garren tossed and turned. Could he do it? Could he throw away three hundred years of loyalty and hard work?
Isabeau had been right, since Hayden’s reign as head of the Council more and more supernatural beings were being persecuted and hunted for simply being. The giants retreated to the far mountains and the gnomes and elves had hidden themselves from other magickal beings as a means of protection.
He missed them. As a child, he would play all sorts of games with the garden gnomes that lived in his mother’s herb and vegetable patch. Fairies used to gather in the walkway, lighting the paths at night, and trolls told the most clever riddles he’d ever heard. That seemed like ages ago. He mourned their loss.
Garren had never liked Hayden or the way the Council had been run ever since he was elected head warlock. His arrogance was the reason there had been so much upheaval in the magickal world lately.
Garren had always prided himself on his loyalty to the Council and to the betterment of the supernatural world. It had lived in harmony right alongside of the mortal world for thousands of years. Occasionally, someone stepped over the line, but that was why the Enforcers were created.
A group of magickal beings who were powerful, honest, and just. Most of all they were loyal. He had always followed orders, but maybe the time had come to question them. Isabeau was right. He could not just stand by and take orders from a man he knew had darkness in his heart.
Garren had a sneaking suspicion that Hayden was behind the riot that ended the lives of the parents of the young Were he’d been sent to hunt. Hayden was the reason the boy was in this predicament. A family of Weres was untouchable, but an orphaned boy was vulnerable.
There was no place for a newborn Were to hide among the mortals as so many of their kind have taken to doing in recent years. He had been left defenseless and alone. Except for Isabeau. His wildly beautiful and fearless lady fair.
He couldn’t hide his grin as he stole a look at her, perfectly still in sleep. Restoring her energy and harmony through undisturbed slumber. Sitting up, he stroked her long red curls. He would not let harm come to her.
Garren vowed then and there that she would always be safe long as there was breath in his body. Perhaps Hayden was an evil monster, perhaps not. It didn’t matter right now. He would see for himself whether or not Beau could contain the Were and teach him as a mother Were would have.
She’d have her time and he’d make sure the Council got his full report. Maybe he could stop the killing and the fear that had been spreading like a plague throughout their world. Maybe Isabeau could help him do just that. After all, he couldn’t see a world without her by his side. Not now. He held her close and fell asleep listening to her steady breathing.
Chapter 19
The morning broke across the sky like wildfire. Isabeau brewed fresh Kona coffee with the flick of her wrist. She produced a jug of fresh cream, scrambled eggs, crisp bacon, and freshly baked croissants in the same manner. Then she sent the whole lot to her bedroom, floating on a tray built for two.
She sat at the small nook on the left side of the bed and stared at the sleeping Enforcer. Had she really spent half the night tangled in his arms? More than that. She didn’t think she’d slept much at all. Why would she when she had a man like that to wrestle with? He was so strong and handsome. Temptation itself in six-feet of hard muscles and sizzling kisses.
“Mmm…something smells good,” Garren said sitting up, interrupting her thoughts. She felt his magick touch hers and smiled. Now that she’d guessed his classification, she felt foolish for not knowing it before. A sorcerer. And maybe, if she were lucky, her soulmate?
The object of her musings walked over to her and dipped his head, gaining access to her earlobe. He nibbled gently and poured some coffee for the two of them.
“Good morning,” she said and kissed him full on the mouth.
They ate in comfortable silence. Simply enjoying feeding and looking at one another in between soft kisses and gentle touches. Isabeau was amazed at the connection she felt with him. True, there was still a lot she didn’t know. For example, she knew he was a sorcerer, but she had yet to ask him what his gift was. Maybe she would later. After they were dressed, she led him down a narrow path, passing some smaller animal pens along the way.
“Shall we?” She smiled up at him and stopped in front of an ordinary looking white building.
Her nerves were tightly wound as Isabeau held Garren’s hand. She whispered an enchantment to allow them to enter the clinic where the young Were was stashed.
Don’t let him in. This is trouble! Artemis growled inside her mind. She appeared alongside her mistress in a flash and not for the first time Beau wondered about the sentient creature.
She patted her side lovingly and silenced her with a shake of her head. Though she loved her trusted companion, her feelings for Garren weren’t to be miscounted.
Why trust this male? Artemis insisted.
Because, he is the other half of my soul, she replied, more sure of it now that she’d voiced her opinion even if only in her mind.
“Knox? Are you awake yet?” Isabeau smiled widely, nodding at Garren as the sound of a low howl filled the room. That was a sure sign the young Were had only just woke up and was stretching his long limbs.
“G’Morning Beau,” his lopsided smile greeted her before he registered the fact she was not alone.
Shaggy hair sticking out all over his head, his ears twitched and his nose scrunched. The young Were’s face froze as he took in the tall, leather clad man that was Garren. Taking a peek, she realized he was a bit intimidating.
“Who is he? He’s the one tracking me isn’t he? Are you sending me away?” Knox was in hysterics, but before Isabeau could reach him, she felt a shift in the air. Eyes snapping to Garren’s taut face she watched as he raised his hand. This was the moment her trust would be tested. Sensing no malice, she nodded as he raised his hand and recited a few ancient words. Almost immediately Knox was calm.
“Peace, little one,” he said and smiled.
“I feel funny,” the boy said and scratched his nose.
“Hello there, Knox, that was just a little spell to calm your nerves. My name is Garren. Isabeau thought maybe I could help you with your situation. You’ll find that I am uniquely qualified to help you,” he said as the Were child looked him over doubtfu
lly.
“It might be nice to have another guy around,” the child said.
“Do you think that would be okay? If I hang around and try to help you?” Garren smiled at Knox who shrugged and nodded in reluctant agreement.
Chapter 20
Garren was so gentle and open that Knox couldn’t help but trust him. Isabeau as well. She imagined his brand of sorcery was very useful in his line of work. He was only focusing on the Were, so Isabeau was not directly affected. She was amazed, nonetheless.
“You’re a mood whisperer,” she said in a hushed tone.
He turned silver eyes to her and nodded. Incredible! He was able to alter moods and create a sense of security that would make his prey do almost anything he said. It was a wonder he had a scar at all!
This could be a dangerous gift, she thought, but only for a second. She knew in her heart that he would never try to influence her to do anything against her will. Even now he was acting to comfort the boy, not to harm.
“Well, maybe you can help. You see, I really, really want to go for a run, but she doesn’t let me. I know it’s to keep me safe and all, but I’m sooooo bored!” Knox whined and threw himself back on the bed.
Garren looked amused. If it wasn’t for the fur and ears that the child obviously could not control this close to his transformation, he would’ve been like any other child. It was a shame he was an orphan. A dangerous one at that.
Garren wondered if Isabeau let her love and unique bond with living things cloud her judgment. A Were wasn’t an animal though. Not really. Despite Hayden’s assertions that they were mindless monsters. Weres were something else. Truly unique creatures with one foot in the human world and one in the animal kingdom. Weres were able to draw upon their spirit animals and bring their forms forth with a bit of magick and know how. In doing so, they swapped realities with these animals.
Of course, he did not know much about the entire process. No one did. Magickal creatures were secretive in general. His superiors taught him that Weres were far too volatile for careless interference. Yet he knew Isabeau was not that. Careless that is.
In fact, he could see her love for the boy written on her face. The situation was a lot more precarious than he’d imagined. He had no doubt Isabeau could handle herself with any animal, magickal or not. Perhaps against even the average shapeshifters.
Shapeshifters were different from Weres. They were man or woman who could turn into any animal while retaining their human memories and sometimes even the abilities of speech. Far less dangerous in his opinion. Only an advanced Were could change on demand and retain any human capabilities. Those were skills taught and learned inside Were families.
Knox was about to be a newborn Were. He would not be able to control himself. As his first transformation approached, those animalistic tendencies would get more and more out of whack. Though he was young, he could still prove lethal. There was just no way Garren could allow Isabeau to handle this on her own. For the first time in his entire life’s history, he was willing to bet his career, heck, his own life even, on someone else.
She was worth it though. His lady fair was worth it all. Garren came out of his reverie and smiled at Knox who was waiting patiently.
“Tell you what, boyo, no running outside. Beau is right, it is too dangerous. But how about this?” He blinked slowly and deliberately twice and pointed to the far corner.
A very large commercial treadmill appeared in the middle of the room. Garren smiled knowingly as Knox gave an excited yell and jumped off the table.
“Can I Beau? Can I? Can I? Oh please!” The young Were bounced up and down on the balls of his claw-tipped feet.
“Sure, Knox! I think it would be a great idea,” Isabeau smiled at her young charge then turned the full wattage of that brilliant grin on Garren, and his heart started beating triple time.
“Now, watch this,” Garren said. Knox was already running as fast as his legs could go with all his attention on the plain white wall in front of him.
Suddenly, he yelped with joy when right in front of him leaves, trees, and wind came out of the wall. It was as if the forest was alive inside of the clinic. It was everywhere, all around Knox. Garren tried to ignore the tears that sprung to Isabeau’s eyes as she watched him weave his spell, but they seized his heart and in that moment he knew this was more than fate. This was love.
Thank you, she mouthed the words and seemed shocked when he mouthed back, Anything for you, love.
Chapter 21
Garren and Beau spent the next few hours alternately watching Knox on the treadmill and feeding him. The boy had an appetite bigger than the two of them combined, but Garren joined him in chowing down on some rare hamburgers while Beau chose a plate of steamed vegetables and jasmine rice.
Together, the two adults worked on the containment chamber. Isabeau had set up the cylindrical structure on the other side of the room. She’d used seven-inch thick pure silver bars to create the circular wall that, with the help of some very powerful enchantments to strengthen and secure them in place, would hold a newborn Were.
Garren went over her work with enchantments of his own to further reinforce their strength. His heart had softened towards the boy, but Isabeau’s safety was still the most important thing to him. It was a biological imperative. An Enforcer, a sorcerer, and a descendent of the knights of old, Garren’s lady fair was his entire heart. He could not live without it. He would protect her at any cost.
“What about a door?” He asked when he realized the circular containment cell had no entryway.
“There is no door. The cell is accessible only through enchantment. Only I can transport someone in or out of the cell.”
“That’s amazing. All of my years as an Enforcer, and I’ve never seen anything like this.”
“That’s because you work for the Council and they think of Weres the way humans think of rats. If it’s beneath them, why study it? Why help?” She grunted as she lifted a particularly heavy bar with her magick.
“The Council didn’t always feel this way,” Garren began, “My father told me of a time when all magickal beings lived out in the open side by side and among humans. The two worlds worked together as one in peace and harmony.”
“You speak of Camelot and Avalon and the days of yore long past. When knights and kings were honest, loyal, and true, when magicians offered help to those in need free of charge, and when people united for a common cause.”
“Yes, it seems like a fairytale now, but it’s true, Beau. All prospered and both the supernatural and the humans thrived.”
“And you know what happened then, the humans became doubtful and scared of our motives. Understandable since we are much stronger, though their numbers are many,” she said with regret tinting her sweet voice.
“Yes, but we do not attack humans, Beau. Enforcers make sure our kind doesn’t step over the veil.”
“I understand, Garren, I do. But why is the magickal world so full of hate towards their own kind? Never mind the humans.”
“That’s just it. There hasn’t been a Were on the Council in over a thousand years.”
“And that is a travesty of justice in and of itself,” Beau said and walked away to help Knox adjust the treadmill for a steep incline. The young Were had an endless supply of energy.
Chapter 22
Garren was lost in thought, but still he watched the two of them heads together as they conspired to get the best leverage out of the machine. Beau was so unassumingly honest, so beautiful and fierce. She was everything he’d always wanted. And Knox, well, the young Were surprised him. He was not the mindless creature Hayden and the Council would have everyone believe.
There was something he remembered, something that was eating at Garren’s mind. A prophecy! That was it. A fairytale, even in their world, long since written off as nonsense.
It was about a boy, a young Were in fact, who was destined for greatness. Garren’s grandfather had whispered the old words to him late at n
ight when no one was awake. He’d tell him of a time when all beings, magickal and not, would live in endless peace and harmony.
Garren used to think he was speaking of the past, but now as he sifted through the channels of his memories he realized his grandfather had spoken in the future tense. The story was of a Were who would unite the supernatural world. He would bring understanding and a great levelling of power. He would overthrow those who wanted to reign in tyranny. In doing so, all magickal beings would unite in their desire to prosper alongside the human world. Peace and harmony would reign once again.
“A young Were will restore the balance, Garren. You shall see this day come to pass, my boy. Look for it where you least expect it. Wars are inevitable. Lies and deceit aplenty. Your lady fair will be waiting. It is your choice, my boy, but whether you want it so or not, you shall be a part of this great fate.” His grandfather’s voice echoed in his head.
“Who was his father?” Garren turned to Isabeau.
“Why?” replied Isabeau. He watched her expression change from carefree to guarded as if she sensed the sudden intensity inside of him. Probably she did, but she had to trust him now.
“Beau? His father?”
“What does he have to do with anything?”
“You have to know. It’s important, please tell me,” Garren looked into her emerald eyes and felt his world closing in on him.
“It doesn’t matter. You know who he is,” Garren said and his heart squeezed painfully inside his chest.
She’d known this whole time. His lady fair had kept this huge secret from him. A secret that could break the entire world. Had she used their intense attraction to distract him from his mission? Had the mighty Sorceress Rose been playing games with him from the start?
“Garren, would you have listened? Would you have stayed? Do you believe in fairytales, with all that you know to be real?” Sadness filled her voice and her eyes seemed to plead with him from across the room.