by Montana Ash
And that’s when Ryker knew Max was deadly serious. She would never speak to any of them in such a condescending way and certainly not to the biggest softie of the group. She loved Beyden – loved his sweet nature and she would never usually belittle him like that. He felt the concern from his fellow knights but also the beginning of something else; acceptance.
He had spent countless sleepless nights talking with Max about where their society was heading. She had mentioned infighting, betrayals, and wars many times and although Ryker believed her and could see where their society was heading, he also still hoped it wasn’t going to happen. He knew the others felt the same way. They weren’t appeasing her in any way – it wasn’t that. But they all genuinely thought the end game would not include violence and death. What the alternative they were all hoping for was, Ryker had no clue. It’s not like they believed half the warden and paladin population were going to change their minds and accept Max. Or that the increasing chade population was just suddenly going to decrease. They knew Max couldn’t save them all. But still; war? He shook his head, maybe they really hadn’t been listening.
“Literally, war?” Beyden asked, looking Max in the eye.
Max nodded her head, “Literally. As in maiming and killing and dying. War.”
“Well, fuck,” Axel stated into the silence of the room.
Ryker snorted. He couldn’t have put it better himself.
ELEVEN
Diana couldn’t help gravitating toward Darius. The tension and anxiety filling Ryker’s office was palpable, and she sought out the comfort only the love of her life could provide. Darius didn’t hesitate to grab her hand, linking their fingers tightly and caressing his thumb over her skin. She loved the freedom of being able to touch him whenever and however she chose to when they were in the house. Outside of the house was a little different, although that was undergoing a shift now too.
When they had first become official, Diana had been more than happy to accommodate her man when he had asked they keep their relationship quiet within their society. She had no issue with keeping their romance private. After all, it didn’t matter if one person knew or the whole world did – it wouldn’t change her feelings for him or vice versa. But she had to admit, it felt good to be able to do more than smile at him in public. Because in light of recent events – what with their society going down the crapper and all – he had begun to be more demonstrative in public, turning a blind-eye to the whispers and gossiping mouths. She was darn proud of her guy, knowing how hard it was for him to break the rules. As such, she made sure he knew just how much she appreciated his bad boy persona.
“One conversation could prevent the whole thing,” Max was saying.
Diana squeezed Darius’s hand and felt him return the gesture. No-one wanted to see their liege heading an army and leading them all into battle. Although wars still happened in the world, the nature of those combats had drastically changed since the times of the Crusades when Diana had taken her first life in the heat of battle. Verity’s code had been much like her brother-in-law’s in that he had fought for, and alongside, everyday humans. The war Max was proposing was something different again.
“Max …” Diana began. Usually she could be a voice of reason to her liege but Max was already shaking her head, blue-green eyes pleading;
“Guys, I need to try,” Max all but pleaded. “Besides, we don’t even know if Garrett is aware of his son’s actions and intentions. He could be just as clueless as the rest of us.”
“He’s not. He knows exactly what he’s doing.”
The voice scared the shit out of Diana and the rest of the room too. None of them jumped or squealed or anything so dramatic. But they did all produce their blades which were never far from their sides, even inside the house, and ushered Max into the middle of the space made from their surrounding bodies. As for the four paladins now standing placidly in the doorway, they didn’t even bother raising their weapons. Diana liked to think it was because their liege had warned them against drawing on Max and not because they didn’t perceive the Order of Aurora as a real threat. The latter would really piss her off.
Diana spared her liege a glance to see how she was handling the surprise intrusion and fought hard not to cringe. Max had shut herself down into ice princess mode. Diana hated that. Looking at Mordecai now, who had the exact same expression on his face, Diana now understood where Max got it from.
“How the hell did you get in here?” Ryker growled, frowning fiercely at the warden of death.
“Walked through the front door,” Tobias intoned, blandly – a sure-fire way to antagonise Ryker further.
“We did knock,” Madigan was quick to explain, shooting a look at his fellow paladin. One he pointedly ignored if his next words were anything to go by;
“You really should have someone on guard. It was pathetically easy to get in here. Your puppy is super cute, but not exactly the ferocious type.”
Diana frowned down at their bi-coloured mascot. Zombie was cute and goofy but he had more than proved he could be fierce when he wanted to be. He may have four legs and a furry tail but he was a more than adequate guard at the best of times. But on this occasion, said guard was now sitting happily at Mordecai’s feet, tongue lolling and tail wagging. The look on his face was pleased to say the least. It was clear he thought he was the bestest boy ever. The fact that all five men were now standing on the threshold of Ryker’s office also told her that Zombie believed the men were no threat. Diana had to admit, the dog was an impeccable judge of character.
Her man and Axel barely managed to pull Ryker back when he took a menacing step toward the doorway. Talking smack about the security of the house and thus the security of Max, was really not going to endear the Valhalla Order to her Captain. In fact, if the vein throbbing above Ryker’s right eye was any indication, an explosion was imminent.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Ryker snarled, hands balled into fists.
Diana knew he wanted to punch Mordecai right in the head. His dislike of the older warden had increased exponentially upon learning of Max’s parentage. Diana knew he wanted to protect Max from being hurt or feeling vulnerable. Under usual circumstances, Max would have insisted she handle things herself. But Max was always suspiciously quiet around the subject of her father. It was worrying. Max was loud and outspoken about everything. The things she bottled up were the real problem.
“We came to give you some information,” Mordecai’s words were level and flat – the same as his eyes.
It didn’t escape Diana’s notice that the Death Warden was avoiding looking in Max’s direction just as hard as Max was ignoring him. The silence in the room was thick and Diana was about to speak up when Darius broke ranks, gesturing to Mordecai;
“My Lord, perhaps you and your Order would like some refreshments? Coffee? Tea?” He questioned formally, leading the five men from the room. Diana had to smile – her man was as perceptive as he was ingrained in his duties. No matter what else Mordecai might be, he was still one of the most powerful wardens on the planet, as well as a member of the International Domain Council. Darius couldn’t help but show the proper respect.
As soon as the others left the room, Max sank into Ryker’s chair with a shuddering sigh. “Can you make him leave?”
Max’s magical eyes implored them and Diana felt the deep-seated need to obey her liege flare to life. Ryker knelt down in front of her and began speaking softly and the others all looked around a little helplessly, instinctively sharing vitality with Max in the hopes of giving her a boost of energy and emotion. The only one not focused on Max appeared to be Lark, who was frowning in the direction of the kitchen.
“Lark?” Diana asked softly.
Lark shook his head a little, giving her a smile small, before focusing his attention on Max – who was now watching him with just as much intensity as he had been watching the door.
“You think I should let him talk? Don’t you?” Max inquired, softly.
“I think you should give him the chance he asked for,” Lark reminded her gently.
“Why?” Max asked, a little louder and firmer this time.
Lark walked over to her, “Because I think he could prove to be our greatest ally. I know you don’t believe that,” he spoke quickly. “And I know you really don’t believe that,” he levelled his bright green eyes on Ryker. “But I’ve been thinking about him and a lot of things don’t add up.”
Max didn’t say anything for a few seconds, but curiosity clearly won in the end, for she asked; “What do you mean?”
Lark blew out a relieved breath, saying, “Like how easy it was for us to form an Order, and how effortlessly you were injected into society.”
“Easy? You think my indoctrination into society has been easy?” Max asked, shocked.
“Sorry, honey. But Lark has a point,” Cali answered. “Our society is based on a very strict and heavily enforced set of rules and regulations. You broke nearly every single law we have but what did the council do? Made you a member,” she pointed out.
“Think about it, Max,” Lark urged. “The IDC let you keep all of us as your paladins. Hell, Beyden was expelled from the Paladin Trials forever and I completely flunked mine. And yet, the council didn’t even attempt to break up our Order.”
“Because someone wanted us to form one …” Diana murmured, more to herself than anyone else. She was beginning to see exactly where Lark was going with the conversation.
“Garrett wanted us to become an Order?” Max guessed, head tilted to the side. “Why would he want that?”
Lark shook his head, “Garrett didn’t. Don’t get me wrong; he has an agenda. But making sure you were given time to become strong and protected would not have been a part of it.”
“Then how?” Max asked, frustration evident in her voice.
It was then that Diana realised just how much Mordecai’s presence was affecting their liege. Max was incredibly smart and perceptive. Under normal circumstances, she would have been able to follow Lark’s logic – if not beat him to it.
Lark cleared his throat, “Mordecai.” Max stiffened once again upon hearing the name but made no move to stop Lark as he continued; “I believe he was the one who stalled the council meeting when you first arrived. We all assumed it was Garrett because that is who Ryker contacted but I think we had it wrong. Mordecai was also the swing vote to get you accepted onto the council. What’s more, he’s been working behind the scenes with the rangers for years. Ivy told me he’s been actively involved with all the details of chade research since the Great Massacre. And, he even has a spy within the highest-ranking Ranger Unit; Cayson. Aiden’s brother.”
“But he’s also behind arranging particular paladins and their wardens to return to the area. A whole bunch of arseholes,” Axel pointed out, playing devil’s advocate.
Lark was already shaking his head, “But not just arseholes and enemies though. Dex’s original paladins – the majority of which are loyal, Dawn and her paladins – one of the two only female Life Warden in existence – also loyal. Not to mention at least thirty more individuals who are all sporting Max’s brand.”
“Wow, you’re really on his side, huh?” Max’s lips quirked, but Diana didn’t think it was in amusement.
“I’m on your side,” Lark promised her, decisively. “Always will be. I just … I just so happen to believe Mordecai is as well.”
Ryker was frowning, looking like he wasn’t ready to budge on the subject. “How could he not know about Garrett and Emmanuel, then? Everyone knows the two of them are best buds. And what about Max? How could he have left her alone all these years?”
Lark held up his hands, “I don’t know. I don’t have all the answers. There’s only one person who does. I’m just presenting the facts.”
“Ry?” Max asked, looking up at him, eyes wide and vulnerability plain to see on her face. “Do you think I should talk to him?”
Their Captain cupped Max’s face, kissing her lips gently, “I think I’ll do whatever you want. Whatever you need,” he promised her.
Max eyed her partner for a moment before her lips finally twitched, “All you really want is to punch him in the head.”
Ryker burst out laughing, “Fuck, yes, I do. I want to shove my boot so far up his warden arse, he’ll be tasting leather for weeks.”
“But?” Max asked, knowing her man well.
Ryker sighed, “But … I also think Brainiac over here has some good points. I think the man has answers. They may not be the answers you want to hear,” he pointed out, “but answers nonetheless.”
Max chewed on her lip for a moment while they all held their breaths. Zombie chose that moment to place a comforting paw on her knee and Max looked into his eyes. Diana had no idea what she saw in them, or perhaps heard in his furry little head, but whatever it was had Max nodding her head resolutely. “Okay. But I don’t want to talk to him. And I don’t want to know anything personal. It stays strictly professional. We need to know about Garrett and his son. That’s it.”
“You got it,” assured Ryker.
“Will you guys do all the talking?” Max pressed.
“If that’s what you want,” Diana said.
“That’s what I want,” Max nodded.
“Then, of course. Anything you need,” Diana assured her, meaning every word. Just because she also saw Mordecai as more than just a deadbeat father, didn’t mean she wouldn’t hesitate to kick his sexy Scottish arse if he brought even a twinge of pain to her liege.
“I’ll go and get them,” Beyden volunteered.
“No. We’ll go out there,” Max rubbed her arms. “The quarters are too close in here. I need more space.”
TWELVE
They all gathered around Max as she made her way begrudgingly out of the room, down the hall, and into the large kitchen and dining space. Cali couldn’t help smiling when she entered the room and found her new brother-in-law predictably being the perfect host. He was standing politely at the kitchen counter, back military-straight and he was nodding his head to something Madigan was saying. Mordecai was looking incredibly stiff and uncomfortable as he stood off to the side. Aiden placed a hand on his liege’s arm and Cali caught the hint of a smile which accompanied Mordecai’s small nod of thanks. She assumed the Captain had just shared some words and perhaps even vitality with his liege in order to help put him at ease.
It was clear Mordecai and his knights were close and that he respected them – a respect that was mutual. Watching Mordecai’s cool green eyes warm as he looked at his knights, also spoke of a deep affection. The knowledge that Mordecai didn’t treat his paladins as mere battery packs or servants made her warm to the man a little. Although, if she was being honest, she was already thawing to the man who was her liege’s biological father. She agreed with all of Lark’s reasoning, but it was also more than that. Now that she was about to bring a child of her own into the world, she sympathised with a father not being able to know his daughter.
Her own little man chose that moment to give a healthy kick, and she soothed her hands over her swollen stomach. Not that the movement would calm the babe; her little hitchhiker was incredibly active. Sure enough, a series of pokes and jabs followed and she shook her head even as she smiled down at her stomach. She was now almost thirty weeks pregnant and despite the unique circumstances of the conception, the pregnancy had been textbook. Although the pregnancy was unplanned and had come as a very big surprise, Cali couldn’t be happier over the abrupt change her life was about to take. In no time, she would be holding a tiny person in her arms that was half of her and half the love of her life. The knowledge still tripped her out, but it also made her heart sing.
“Here, honey.”
Speak of the devil, Cali thought as Dex handed her a glass of water. She accepted it graciously, even though she wasn’t thirsty. Her man was always trying to hydrate her. It was weird.
“Thank you,” she pecked a quick kiss to his lips,
loving the caressing palm he ran over their growing child.
Looking up, she caught Mordecai watching Dex’s hand with a look of such naked longing, that she felt herself tear up a little. Damn hormones were always surprising her with tears these days, but she knew it wasn’t just that. She was no mind-reader like Max but she knew exactly what Mordecai was thinking in that moment; how he had missed out on seeing his own child grow – and every wonder that came after. She knew Max was still resistant to the idea of a father – her insecure liege feared the possibility of rejection. But Cali knew that was the one thing Max would never face from Mordecai, because a man who looked at a pregnant woman that way would never turn his own child away.
Cali’s eyes met the death warden’s for a moment and he surprised her by allowing her to see the emotions he was feeling for a brief second more before his green eyes turned cool and impassive once again.
“You have information?” Cali prompted.
Mordecai turned to face Max and Ryker but focused his gaze just above their heads. “Garrett and Autumn’s son, Emmanuel, is still very much alive as you suspected. What’s more, they are both complicit in his actions. All these years they have been helping him, feeding him.”
“Feeding him?” Cali felt her stomach roil over the disgusting images that information wrought.
Mordecai nodded, crisply, “They have been providing him with wardens to drain – paladins too, I bet. Just as we wardens become more powerful the more vitality we receive, chades become more powerful the more life they consume. Over fifty years of feeding? I shudder to think how powerful and unique Emmanuel must be by now.”