CHAPTER TWO

 

Two weeks in a jail cell wasn’t as bad as I had originally thought. U1 and U2, who I later named Eugene and Ugo since I always confused which number they were, worked hard to entertain me and always did. We played card games and charades and they even taught me a few magic tricks I didn’t know I could do. When Jared and Kevin finally came to get me I almost didn’t want to leave. Jared and Kevin stood at the door to the cell waiting while I packed my backpack. I hugged my two eunuch guards and kissed their cheeks. “I’ll see you both in a few weeks.”

They both nodded their heads and continued the game of speed that Jared and Kevin had interrupted. We walked in silence out of the jail and down the hallways to my room. Once the door was shut and locked Kevin picked me up and squashed me to his chest. “I’ve missed you!”

I hugged him back and laughed. “I’ve missed you too.”

Kevin kissed my cheek and set me down. Jared stood still by the door frowning. I looked up at him. “I understand if you don’t want to be near me anymore. I’m sure the Council will assign me a new bodyguard.”

Jared blurred and I was flying through the air. I landed on the bed and Jared and Kevin squished me between them. Jared sighed. “This is so much better with her here.”

I frowned. “You’ve been sleeping together? Is there something you need to tell me?”

Jared and Kevin said, “ew,” at the same time. My pores opened and sweat began trickling out. “Man you guys must have eaten recently because my skin’s boiling between you two.”

Jared kissed my cheek softly. “I missed you Ciara.”

I smiled at him. “I missed you too.” And it was the truth. Even if he was a pain in the butt, he was still my friend. My mouth opened, but someone knocked on the door stopping me. “Who the hell could that be?” I asked.

Kevin jumped up and walked toward the door. He frowned then turned to Jared motioning him up. Jared stood up and moved slightly in front of the bed in case the person rushed for me. Kevin opened the door and revealed a massive man with white hair and a long scar across his left eye. I frowned. “Let me guess you’re my new teacher?”

The man nodded his head. “I am. Come.”

I stood up and walked toward the door. Jared caught my arm. “What do you mean new teacher?”

“They’re intensifying my training now.”

I hurried after the new teacher and Kevin to the training room. Kevin and Jared took opposite walls so they could cover the entire room and still watch me. The new guy walked to the mats and smiled. “Are you ready?”

I shook my head. “What’s your name?”

“Sensei.”

I bowed to him with my left palm over my right fist. “Of course, Sensei.” I wished I was back at my home with my former Sensei Akio, but those days were gone and I couldn’t focus on the past.

He nodded his head once in approval then his smile turned evil. “Begin.” He lunged forward and swung his right arm at my head. I barely had time to duck when he kicked at my stomach making me roll to the left. He came after me again and again without letting me take a break. I stumbled and his foot connected with my side. I grunted in pain and tried to roll away, but he picked me up and set me on my feet. “You are too slow.”

I gasped for air. “I’m. Human.”

“As I am.”

I shook my head. “No way are you human.”

He sighed. “If you would open your eye you would know.”

“Fine.” I focused on my third eye and stared in shock at him. “Holy crap! But you’re so fast!”

He nodded his head. “Once you learn to manipulate the earth’s power for magic you can also manipulate the earth’s energy for speed, strength, even rapid healing.”

I finally caught my breath and stood up all the way. “You bruised my ribs.”

He shrugged. “You were too slow.”

Jared cleared his throat. “Perhaps you could teach her to use the energy before attacking her? The Council is very keen on her not being harmed.”

My new Sensei nodded his head. “Fine.” We sat on the mat and for five hours he worked me until I could use the energy for speed and play the hand game slid so fast our hands were blurs. My mind and body felt exhausted and he finally let me go. “You need food.” He turned to Jared. “Make sure she eats meat.”

Jared nodded his head and helped me stand up. Kevin rushed to the door and held it open as Jared half carried me to the mess hall. Everyone stared at me as Jared helped me to an empty table and then walked to the food line. I rested my forehead on the table and took shallow breaths to avoid moving my ribs too much. I looked up slowly and saw one of the sidhe staring at me. He was frowning this time and swirling the liquid in his cup. He noticed me looking and smiled. I put my head back on the table and closed my eyes. Why was he staring at me? Jared and Kevin sat down and shoved food in front of me. I sat up slowly and ate everything on my plate and drank two glasses of water. I leaned back in my chair and surveyed the room. Everyone was talking and eating. Everyone except the sidhe who was staring at me. I frowned at him and he smiled. His mouth moved and something moved on my wrist. I looked down and a white rose was wrapped around my right wrist. The petals had letters on them and it spelled out “Friendship”. I looked up at the sidhe and mouthed, “Why?”

His mouth moved and something moved on my other wrist. I looked down and found a small vine bracelet wrapped around my left wrist with writing. I twisted it as I read, “We can help each other.”

I sighed and took the rose and vine off and let them drop to the floor. I looked up and was about to say something when I noticed Jared and Kevin looking at me. Kevin asked, “Who are you looking at?”

I started to point to the sidhe when I realized that he wasn’t there anymore. “Uh, no one.” I looked under the table, but there was no sign of my bracelets either. “No one at all.”

We walked in silence to my bedroom and then Kevin left to get a change of clothes. Jared locked the door and said, “I need to take a shower. Promise not to get in to trouble while I’m showering?”

“You’re too paranoid. No one wants to hurt me because the Council threatened to cut out their vital organs one at a time,” I said.

Jared shrugged. “Some would risk it. Especially now.”

“Take your shower.”

He undressed and got in to the shower stall. I walked to the living area and sat on the couch. Two new fitness magazines were opened to a new exercise technique for tightening abs. I rolled my eyes. As if any wereanimal had to worry about that with their one percent body fat. Bastards. Two light knocks on the door drew my attention away from the magazine. I walked slowly to the door and looked out the peephole. It was a werelion. I opened the door a crack. “Yes?”

He smiled, “You Ciara?” I nodded my head. He inhaled, “I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be freeing you from your mate problem.”

I frowned at him in confusion. “What are you talking about?” Who was this guy?

He smiled. “Eric. Imma kill that wolf tomorrow.”

Anger and fear rose in me. “Why would you kill Eric? He’s not my mate.”

The lion smiled revealing sharp pointed teeth even in human form. “Really? ‘Cus word around the compound is that he still claims you’re his mate. Well don’t worry I’ll make it quick so I can come back and get you.”

I threw open the door and snarled at him. “You will not touch Eric or I will have the Council torture you to death!”

The lion laughed. “How cute. You think you’re tough.”

I calmed my breathing and focused on the feeling of the earth under me and my aura. I opened my eyes and snarled. “I’ll kill you first.”

The lion started laughing so hard that he bent over. I took the opportunity and kneed the lion in the face then punched him in the stomach. I could feel the earth lending me strength and speed and I could also feel the earth’s rage at the human’s pollution and waste and it increased my rage. I hit the lion again and kicked him. He fought back, but I wasn’t in control of my actions any longer. It was like a first person videogame only I was just a spectator. The lion tried to change, but I jumped on to his back and wrapping my arms around his head spun it around to crack his neck. The sound was wetter than I imagined it would have sounded. His body slumped to the floor and I kicked him in the sides. Large hands grabbed me around the waist and I fought against them kicking and biting until the hands turned me and I saw Jared’s face connected to them. The earth’s presence left me and I fell in to his arms exhausted and satisfied.

Jared looked at the man on the ground and said, “We have to go to the Council.”

I nodded my head. “Bring his body.”

Jared picked up the man’s body like it was a fifteen pound dumbbell and we walked to the Council’s chambers. I knocked on the door. The doors opened and I walked down to the Council members with their court faces on. I curtsied low and motioned for Jared to drop the body on the ground. He set the body down in front of me and I looked up at the Council. “I have killed someone.”

The Council members looked at each other and then back at me. Martin asked, “What did this lion do to warrant his death by your hand?”

I frowned. “He came to my room and told me he was going to rid me of my mate problem. He said that he was going to kill Eric and then come back to take me.”

Dagda stared at my face for a full minute in silence before asking, “Have you felt the Earth’s anger?”

“Yes! How dare the humans hurt the earth so much!” I screamed.

Dagda turned to the other Council members. “It seems her training has started off well.”

Martin looked at the body on the floor. “I never liked him anyway.”

Jean-Luc smiled. “You and your guard are dismissed Ciara, but try not to kill anyone else.”

I curtsied and smiled. “Sure thing.” Jean-Luc frowned and I shook my head. “Of course, Sirs.”

Dagda laughed and I swore I could hear wind chimes. “Be careful. The earth is an addictive thing.”

I nodded my head and followed Jared out of the Council’s chambers. Jared held my arm as we walked back to my room. He slammed the door shut and locked it then growled at me. “I told you not to get in trouble!”

“I didn’t. I killed him.”

Jared shook his head. “And what if you hadn’t? What if he had grabbed you and…” He turned and grabbed a lamp from the side table and threw it across the room. It smashed into pieces against the wall and clattered to the floor.

“He didn’t hurt me,” I whispered.

“No. This one was too stupid to realize that you are a potential threat, but the next one will know. Luckily he is a nobody in the pride so they shouldn’t send anyone to talk to you. Dammit Ciara why can’t you just do what I tell you to?”

I growled back at him, “Because you’re not my mate or father or brother or boyfriend. You’re my guard and friend.”

“You are supposed to do as your guard says so that he can protect you. I can’t protect you if you insist on defending Eric!”

I stared at him in shock for a moment before turning away from him and walking to my bed. I took off my shoes and climbed in. The blankets felt like ice without Jared or Kevin in them, but I didn’t care. I pulled them up around me and shivered under them. Kevin knocked on the door and Jared let him in. Kevin looked from me to Jared and frowned. “What did I miss?”

Jared filled him in while I tried to go to sleep. Kevin spoke quietly to Jared for a few minutes before the lights were turned off and both climbed in to bed with me. The blankets instantly warmed up and I snuggled against Kevin. He wrapped his arms around me and whispered, “He’s an alpha. They take the protection of their females seriously.”

Jared was lying on his side facing away from me grumbling. I touched his back softly and then fell asleep.

Eric frowned at me his eyes full of concern, “Why would you try to protect me?”

I stared at him in shock, “How do you know about that?”

He growled, “I can protect myself! All I care about is you. Come to me.”

I shook my head and felt tears on my face. I hate crying. “The Council will kill you.”

Eric snarled, “The Council won’t be able to find us. Please. Come.”

Hands shook my body and I sighed, “I love you.”

Eric’s face softened. “You’re my mate. Don’t take another.”

I opened my eyes and sighed at Kevin and Jared’s worried faces. I curled up against Kevin and wiped my face on his bare chest. Jared rubbed my back slowly, “It’s alright Ciara.”

I shook my head, “No. It’s not.”

Kevin stroked my hair, “It is. You’re fine and he’s fine…”

I snorted, “Your definition of fine and mine are very different.”

Jared rolled me over to look at him, “Ciara, if you want to move on then you should think about choosing…”

I jumped out of the bed and shook my head, “No. He told me…no, I can’t take a…” I sighed, “Not yet. It’s too soon to think about.”

Jared smiled, “Alright. Come back to bed. It’s early morning.”

“I’m going to take a shower.” I walked quickly to the shower and turned it on. I undressed and climbed in reveling in the warmth of the shower. Eric’s face was so vivid still that I wasn’t sure if it had been a dream. Was it some type of communication that I could use? The water started becoming cold so I turned it off and changed into fighting clothes. Jared and Kevin watched me, but said nothing as I tied my hair up. Two knocks drew their attention to the door and away from me. Kevin walked to the door and sighed before opening it. I bowed as my new Sensei walked in to the room. He frowned at me, “The Council has advised me of your incident.” I nodded my head, but said nothing. He asked, “Do you regret your actions? Do you feel remorse?”

I shook my head, “No Sensei. I feel relieved and angry still.”

Sensei smiled, “Good. Are you ready for your training?” I nodded my head. “Then follow me.”

Jared and Kevin followed behind me silently and I began to wonder if I should feel remorseful for killing a person. I had taken away his life without even considering him. Still, I felt relieved he wasn’t alive to bother Eric anymore. We stopped in the training room and I centered myself to the earth. I could feel the energy all around me and it made me smile. Maybe I wasn’t so helpless after all against preternaturals? Sensei shifted his position in to a ready stance and nodded his head once, “Begin.”

I drew the energy from the earth and charged forward moving faster than I had ever moved before and swung at Sensei’s head. He ducked down and threw an uppercut at me, which I jumped sideways to dodge. I kicked out and he caught my foot throwing me backwards against the wall. I stood against the wall stunned for a moment and noticed I was next to Jared. His eyes were glowing blue and his tiger face overlapped his human one. Something wasn’t right. I didn’t even remember opening my third eye. I ran forward and kicked and punched and blocked as I fought Sensei moving faster and faster until I no longer controlled my movements, but let my instincts take over. Sensei’s movements began to falter and I took the advantage and doubled my attack connecting hit after hit with the earth’s anger fueling my attacks. Sensei fell to the ground and I continued to attack him while he fought back feebly.

I sensed movement behind me and spun as a white tiger leapt at me. I rolled to the right and stood ready to attack or defend myself as the tiger turned toward me. The tiger growled and an image of Jared’s human face flashed over the tiger’s. Shit. I averted my gaze and spoke softly, “Jared, it’s alright.” Jared however wasn’t alright. His muscles bunched as he prepared to pounce when a white wolf tackled him to the side. Kevin. Kevin and Jared began fighting and the sound of their hissing and growling pounded against my eardrums. I had to stop them, but a female coming between two males would only cause more fighting.

I looked around the room for anything helpful and noticed the sidhe who always watched me in the mess hall walking by the doorway to the training room. “Wait!” I yelled and ran toward the door. The sidhe man stopped and smiled at me. I opened my mouth and flew sideways hitting the concrete wall, luckily my ribs cushioned the impact only knocking the air out of my lungs. I jumped upward and was staring face to face with an angry tiger. I lowered my gaze and searched the room for Kevin who was lying on his side beside Sensei’s body breathing heavily. My aura formed a shield around me and the earth’s energy healed my ribs as I stared at Jared’s muzzle. I moved sideways and Jared hissed loudly. “Jared, it’s me, Ciara.” I whispered.

The sidhe spoke from close by, “He’s under a spell. He isn’t himself right now.”

I swallowed, “Can you break it?”

The sidhe snorted, “Yes, but I have to be touching him to do it. I need you to draw his attention away so I can get to him.”

I swallowed my fear, “Sure, no problem.” I squatted down slowly and jumped over Jared’s head barely missing the snap of his teeth as he tried to disembowel me. Jared charged after me and I ran for all I was worth. I jumped over Kevin and Sensei’s bodies and toward the wall. Jared was close enough that I could feel his hot breath on my skin. I only had one chance of doing this or I was tiger chow. I pleaded with the earth to give me more energy and strength and ran straight at the wall. I put one foot up and pushed off doing a perfect back flip over Jared who had to skid to avoid hitting the wall. The sidhe was right behind Jared and grabbed a chunk of his fur and spoke quickly in what I assumed was a fairy language. Jared spun around to bite the sidhe then fell sideways to the ground. The sidhe wiped his hands on his jeans and smiled, “They’re cute when they sleep, aren’t they?”

I walked forward slowly and looked down at the sleeping tiger. “Is he alright?”

The sidhe nodded his head, “I put a sleeping spell on him while the rage and confusion spells wear off.”

I frowned, “Jared would never hurt me or Kevin.” Slowly I retracted my shield and released the earth’s energy.

The sidhe frowned at me, “You’re welcome.”

I sighed, “I’m sorry. Thank you…what can I call you?”

The sidhe smiled, “Kheelan.”

Energy tingled in my hands and head. I stared at him in shock, “You gave me one of your true names. Why?” If you were able to learn a sidhe’s full name you essentially owned them. You could say their name and request that they do anything and they would have to do it.

He took a step toward me, “I told you I want us to be friends.”

I frowned, “Why would you want to be friends with me? A useless freak of a human.”

Kheelan shook his head, “You aren’t useless or the vampires wouldn’t have gone to such extreme measures to secure your loyalty.”

“What use am I to you?” The words came out harsher than I intended, but I didn’t retract them.

Kheelan smiled wider and took another step toward me, “You do not see your true power or your true worth. I believe we could be great allies in this world. The war is coming and I wish to be on the winning side.”

I gasped, “How…how do you know about the war?” An image of the world in flames and millions of humans dead on the ground flashed in my head before I could stop it. I had had four dreams of a terrible war, yet I couldn’t figure out what it meant or who was the cause or who was even fighting. I had also had a dream about a purple demon with horns who seemed to be consuming my soul, but that was all I could figure out about that dream. Was it a premonition of how I would die? I had only ever seen one demon in my life and I had run away before talking to her. What did the she-demon want with me? Why did she want to kill me?

He frowned, “How…of course. You’re a Seer. I should have guessed you would have prophecies of the war as our Seers do.”

“You have Seers?” I asked in complete shock. Could there be others like me? Others who could help me control my powers?

He nodded his head, “We have a Council of three…no two. One departed recently. They are very interested in meeting with you, but the vampires refused to allow it.”

The vampires had silently proclaimed themselves the head of the world and there were many who disagreed. Of course no one had tried to oppose them so it seemed their position was secure for now. “What has your Council Seen? I can’t make sense of most of my Sights.”

He sighed, “Alas the Council has the same problem. They See millions dead, the world burning.”

I nodded my head, “Yes, that’s all I See too. I can’t tell who is fighting or who caused it and…it’s driving me insane.”

He took one final step so that he was in front of me and smiled, “Do not worry too much over it. I’m sure you will find out more in time.”

I looked at him and found myself drawn forward. His skin was beautifully decorated and it looked like the vines and flowers were moving. I reached out slowly to touch them when someone pulled me backward. I turned and frowned at Kevin. “Kevin? What’s wrong?”

He growled at Kheelan, “You shouldn’t touch the Folk.”

I frowned, “Why?” I looked at Kheelan, “I’m sorry if I insulted you or something. I’ve never been around a sidhe before. I never thought about it being inappropriate. I wasn’t really thinking at all actually.”

Kheelan shrugged, “No insult on my part. It’s quite alright.”

Kevin shook his head and bared his teeth, “It’s not alright. Why are you here Warrior?”

I frowned, “Warrior?”

Kheelan ignored Kevin and smiled at me, “That’s what those who do not know my names call me.”

Kevin growled, “And he’s the Queen’s assassin.”

Kheelan bowed fluidly at the waist, “I am the Queen’s right hand and do on occasion dispose of those she wishes me to.”

I frowned, “Is that why you’re here? For me?”

Kheelan laughed, “Of course not. If I had wanted to kill you I would have done it while your guards were incapacitated.”

Kevin looked down at Jared then lunged across the empty space and grabbed Kheelan by his shirt, “What have you done to Jared?!”

I rushed forward and smacked Kevin’s arm, “Put him down! He’s the only reason I’m alive!”

Kevin growled and Kheelan continued to smile, “He’s in a sleeping trance friend.”

Kevin shoved Kheelan away from him, “We are not friends.”

Kheelan’s hand went towards his belt where I realized he had a sword, “You would do well not to push my patience wolf. I have allowed your impudence so far because of the girl, but if you lay your hands on me again I will punish you.”

Kevin started to move forward and I stepped between them, “Knock it off!” I looked up at Kevin’s golden eyes, “Someone put rage and confusion spells on Jared. We need to find out who and why. Warrior is my friend now so you can deal with it.”

Kevin frowned down at me, “You can’t be serious about him being your friend. You know nothing of him!”

I glared at him, “I knew nothing of you when you were assigned to me. I knew nothing of Jared when he requested to guard me.”

Kevin groaned, “But we aren’t…”

Kheelan smiled, “Fey?”

Kevin snarled, “Yes! You can’t trust the Fey.”

I snorted, “I’ve known enough preternaturals and humans to know that you can’t trust anyone.”

Kevin sighed and shook his head, “Ciara, listen to me…”

I interrupted him and glared at him, “No! You listen to me! He’s my friend and you have to deal with it. You don’t get to decide who I’m friends with and who I’m not. I’m tired of being treated like a prisoner when I’m not!”

Jean-Luc spoke from the doorway, “You’re right Ciara.” We turned and stared at him in shock. He walked forward and shook his head, “We have been treating you appallingly and it will be changed. You are a valued employee not a prisoner. In fact I propose a trip for you.”

I frowned, “A trip?”

Jean-Luc nodded his head, “Yes, we shall allow you and four guards of your choosing to take a trip to any city you want to go on a shopping spree at the Council’s expense. We have not allowed you to decorate your room or choose your own wardrobe. Very rude of us. You will also visit the Dwarf Emporium to purchase weapons and gear that you like for your missions. Again at our expense. We must have you properly equipped for your missions.”

I stared at Jean-Luc in amazement. A shopping spree? One with other people’s money? “That is very nice of the Council and I am very grateful, but I feel a catch.”

Jean-Luc laughed making me think of nefarious things and making my lower body ache, “Oh sweet Ciara. You have been around preternatruals only a short time to be so cynical. I assure you that there is no catch.”

I smiled and curtsied, “Thank you Sir.”

Jean-Luc looked at Jared and Sensei on the floor and his expression changed instantly from pleased to merciless, “Explain.”

“I came for my lesson with Sensei and it was going okay, but I beat him and well…I’m not sure if he’s okay or not. While I was fighting him Jared attacked me, he didn’t harm me, but someone put rage and confusion spells on him. Kevin fought him, but Jared knocked him out. If it weren’t for Khee…for Warrior I wouldn’t have survived. He put a sleeping spell on Jared.”

Jean-Luc looked like he wanted to rip off someone’s arms. “Who would dare risk injury to you after the Council’s threats?!”

Kheelan cleared his throat, “Permission to speak Sir?” Jean-Luc nodded his head. Kheelan frowned, “There was a very strong rage spell put on the tiger. One that is not from Folk or Elves. I believe a wizard may be in your compound and may have been paid to put it on the tiger so that when he attacked Ciara you would have only blamed him and not bothered to look for anyone to have caused him to attack her.”

Jean-Luc nodded his head, “You may be right Warrior. This is not good news. Ciara, choose three and leave the compound at nightfall. The Council will meet and we will look in to this treachery.”

I curtsied, “Of course. Sir, may I ask a question?”

Jean-Luc sighed, “Hurry.”

I blushed, “What is my limit for…clothes and things?”

Jean-Luc looked shocked and then shook his head, “No limit. However much you want.”

I stared at him in shock, “Th…thank you Sir.” Jean-Luc nodded his head and left.

Kheelan bent down and touched Jared’s fur. Jared sat up slowly and yawned. I stepped backward behind Kevin who I realized for the first time was naked. I stared at his muscled butt and frowned. Why couldn’t my ass look that good? Crunching and snapping resonated through the air and then Jared moaned, “What the hell happened?”

I peeked my head around Kevin’s body and asked softly, “Are you okay?”

Jared frowned, “Why are you hiding behind Kevin? And why are you naked Kevin?”

Kevin snorted, “Obviously I’m naked because I had to change. And she’s hiding because you tried to kill her.”

Jared stared at us in shock, “I did what?”

Kheelan cleared his throat making Jared look at him, “You were under a rage and a confusion spell. I removed them and put you in a sleeping trance to ensure you didn’t have any side effects when you changed.”

Jared stared at Kheelan in shock, “Warrior? What are you doing here?”

I sighed, “He saved my life Jared. You could be a little nicer.”

Jared looked at me and I could see the pain in his eyes, “Ciara, you know I would never…”

I nodded my head, “I know Jared.”

He growled, “I’m supposed to be immune to spells.”

Kheelan frowned, “Your immunity works only when you have a devoted group. Your interest in Ciara has caused a breach in that group which allowed the spells to affect you. Or that’s what I assume happened.”

Jared stared at the ground in silence for a few minutes then sighed, “Thank you Warrior. Come on let’s get some clothes on.”

I stepped out from behind Kevin, “Um…Jared?”

He stopped in mid stand, “What now?”

I frowned, “Don’t be like that with me. You’re the one…The Council is letting me take a trip and so I have to choose three to go with me and leave at nightfall.”

Jared sighed, “Alright. I’ll find another…”

I shook my head, “I’ve already chosen the three.”

Jared frowned, “Who…” He looked at Kheelan. “You can’t be serious.”

I put my hands on my hips and glared at him, “I am.” I turned to Kheelan and smiled, “That is if you want to. If not it’s…”

Kheelan waved his hand dismissively and smiled, “I would love to. I have some shopping at the Dwarf Emporium that needs to be done anyways.”

I smiled, “Great. Can you meet us at the stables at dusk?”

He nodded his head then bowed, “I shall see you then.”

Kevin, Jared and I watched as he walked out of the room in the dancing gait sidhe have. I found my eyes drawn to his tight butt and wondered if the Fey were as muscularly defined as the other preternaturals. Jared growled softly, “I don’t like it.”

I shrugged, “Too bad.” I started to walk out of the room when I remembered Sensei. “Shit!”

I ran back to him and started to reach toward him when Jared took my arm, “Sometimes our barbaric tendencies overshadow our civilized ones.”

I stared down at the second man I had killed and felt nothing. “Shouldn’t I feel something? Regret?”

Jared stepped back from me and looked away. “No. Not all of us feel as humans think we should after a kill.” His hands clenched in to fists and he walked out of the room.

Kevin sighed, “He’s going to be like this for a while, but he’ll snap out of it.” After showering and dressing we walked outside to go to the stables. The night air was warm and hundreds of stars shown in the sky. I looked up at the waning moon and smiled. Kevin sighed happily, “The moon always makes me feel good too.”

I snorted, “That’s only because you’re a werewolf.”

Kevin shrugged and continued to look up at the moon with lust in his eyes. I had thought it strange the first time a wereanimal described their feelings for the moon, but now it was just another weird emotion they possessed to me. Much like their desire for constant physical contact. We approached a warehouse and I could see Kheelan standing by the doors. He smiled as we approached and looked me over approvingly, “Jeans and a t-shirt. My kind of woman.”

Jared started to take a step forward then thought better of it and opened the door, “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

Kheelan smiled, “Ladies first.” I curtsied and walked in to the warehouse. It wasn’t really a stable anymore, but it used to be. There were horses living there, but also cars and airplanes and mirrors which were used as portals to the other realms. Kheelan asked, “So where are we going?”

I pointed to the mirror on my left, “Dwarf Emporium first.”

Dadga stepped out of a mirror on our right and smiled at me, “Ciara.” I curtsied and then he looked at Kheelan and raised an eyebrow, “Warrior.” Kheelan bowed. Dagda held out a credit card to me, “For your expenses. As Jean-Luc said there is no limit to your spending this trip.”

I took the card from his hand being careful not to touch his skin and curtsied, “Thank you Sir.” Dagda looked at Kheelan one more time then walked out of the stables. I looked at the credit card and smiled, “It’s got my name on it.”

Jared rolled his eyes and spoke in Latin to the mirror which would take us to our first destination. Kheelan grabbed a duffle bag off the wall and smiled at me, “Magical bag. It holds much more than you think it would without weighing any more.”

The mirror began to glow and then an image of a dwarf holding an axe came in to focus. Jared sighed, “I’ll go in first.”

Kevin nodded his head, “I’ll go last.”

Jared stepped forward and disappeared in to the mirror. Kheelan followed Jared and I stepped forward. Kevin sighed, “Go on.” He shoved me in the back and I fell forward through the mirror. Jared caught me and helped me stand up. I was smoothing down my shirt as Kevin walked through the mirror. Kevin shook his head, “I hate portals.”

I looked around the room we were in and frowned. It looked like the room of a castle with stone walls and dirt floors. One wooden door stood across the room with a little plaque above it that said “Entrance”. I smiled, “Well, let’s start shopping.”