LEUKAS
He smelt like death, a scent that could only be recognized by one who had tasted it before, and his eyes were a little too blue and too shrewd; cunning in a way that made me distrust him the second I saw him. His demeanor was relaxed and calm enough when he addressed Atlas, but when he turned to me something like surprise flashed in his eyes before he gave a look like he was sizing me up, a slow smirk that I disliked immediately gracing his face before he turned his eyes to my son who was looking at him with a bored look, much to my delight.
“And you must be the prodigal son.” He said to him, a teasing smile on his face.
“And you must be some random guy who just materialized at someone else’s house like a weirdo. I’d say it’s nice to meet you but I’d be lying.” He said flatly making me beam with pride until the man let out a laugh, unfazed.
“Adrian!” Atlas warned.
“No, no, it’s okay. I like him.”
“I’ll try to contain my joy at your approval, sir.” Adrian said already looking at his tablet and wandering off, probably to bother Harpah. With him gone, the man turned his amused face at me and grinned, showing of white teeth.
“The father of the prodigal son who is also a prodigal son, I presume.” He said as if amused, holding out his hand towards me, which I ignored. I could feel Atlas’ questioning look but I ignored him as I sized the man up with renewed vigor. He was about six-foot-four and muscular with rugged features and scars on his hands that spoke of violence and competence of some sort. He wore leather from a coat to his boots; the coat seemingly weighed down by an array of visible weapons like daggers, throwing stars, a machete and a morning star. He looked savage, and dangerous and I had a bad feeling about him immediately. Atlas, Adrian and I were returning from our lunch out with Atlas’ wife and son who had both flown in today and had gone to rest soon after lunch, when the man had appeared in a ring blue flames, right at the center of my parents’ living room before introducing himself as Malarkee Dacre, The Herald of Death.
My thoughts were interrupted by Lanthe and Jason entering the room, Jason looking wary while Lanthe beamed at the stranger.
“Larkee! What a pleasant surprise. I didn’t think Dacre would send you. I’m glad.” She said, making to hug the men but stopping at Jason’s growl. After giving her husband an unimpressed stare, she turned back to the visitor who bowed as he addressed her.
“It is an honor, High Priestess, and the Master would only send the best for his sired.” He said, giving a quick look to Jason who tensed at the mention of his father. Their relationship was tense, to say the least.
Lanthe laughed, ignoring the tension in the room.” The best indeed. Please, stand.” She said to him before turning to Atlas and I.
“We asked Malarkee to come over to help with this transition of Atlas into the throne. There’s bound to be opposition, and after that attempted poisoning three months ago, we can’t be sure of anyone anymore.” Lanthe explained. The poisoning had only been intercepted by Lanthe’s senses which were superior to any shifter’s but their infinity pool had been spiked by a scentless drug that would have, at the most, made a shifter sick for a few days; it was so hot that someone was bound to go in that day. Access to the island by civilians had been decreased severely since then and Leukas had thought that was that but apparently her parents though there was more to it than the usual politics. Leukas was starting to fear he had been too dismissive of the incident, something he couldn’t afford to do when he had kids here.
“And we trust this guy to ‘help’?” Leukas asked dubiously, eyeing the blank faced man who had been smirking like a mad man earlier.
“Yes.” Lanthe said simply. “If this is more than simple rebellion, you guys will need all the help you can get when Jason and I leave. And you’ll have to keep this between us, we don’t want to alarm innocent citizens or alert the culprit or culprits that we’re onto them. You guys are going have to make sure that Larkee fits seamlessly into Atlas’ life somehow, create a position for him, and if anyone asks, he’s your cousin from my side. You’ll also need to make sure his scent matches. He’ll also be staying here with you guys so please introduce him to everyone and show him around. Can we count on you guys?” she asked looking from me to Atlas solemnly.
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“Yes.” We said automatically and at the same time. Lanthe pursed her lips, deep in thought before turning to Malarkee.
“I’m leaving you with my most precious things; my children and my grandchildren. Protect them with your life. Do you swear to?” she asked.
“I swear, High Priestess.” He replied, bowing at my mother. His words rang true and I hated the determination I saw in his eyes.
“I don’t need to say what would happen if you were to disappoint me.” She said casually, leaning into Jason’s arms.
“Never.” Malarkee responded, head still bowed.
“Very well then, Atlas will tell you whatever you need to know and what he requires from you. In the meantime, make sure that nobody beyond this room knows who you really are. I mean no one; not even your spouses. The less people who know the better.” She said before beaming at all of us, immediately chasing the tension from the atmosphere.
Something about Malarkee unsettled me and I wasn’t going to put my guard down for a single second as long as he was in our home.
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Unbeknownst to most people in Abattohn and even Azzuire, Lanthe and Jason weren’t going on some search for a new home after they move away from the pack and break the pack bond and most supernatural life in general, but they were going away for Lanthe’s impending birth which would be quite different from her other births and actually demanded she be in an isolated and more divine environment.
While the rest of us had inherited about eighty percent of Jason’s genes, Bene had surprisingly inherited more of Lanthe’s genes than was safe for everyone. The continued existence of The Divinity had been hidden for centuries, and any indication of their existence could set a series of wars and movements in action. It was for that reason that they had set the ball rolling to step away from the spotlight of Azzurian politics and move to a more private life in the human world where the lack of magical potency in the air would lessen the chances of Bene and the unborn baby, who was predicted to be at least ninety percent Lanthe, being discovered as divine and therefore taken away to some monastery.
The human world was actually better to hide supernatural tendencies and urges than the paranormal world so Lanthe and Jason had decided that Bene and the incoming baby would have a happier life outside the pack since as they were mostly not lycan, the bond wouldn’t form and they would forever be a barrier between them and the rest of the pack, just as Harpah was. They were also doing it for her.
The move would undoubtedly be good for everyone involved because although Jason was a good Alpha, a great one even, he wasn’t actually happy to be one. Even though the pack bond had formed in him, it was by pure will and determination on his side but I knew that he wasn’t and would never be a big pack man. Jason was and always would be a mostly lone wolf who had taken the Abattohn Pack in hand out of a sense of obligation and guilt and had stayed until he had fulfilled all that he had said he would do. The only pack he needed had always been Lanthe and their children, and I knew he couldn’t wait to leave the small supernatural world and enter the big leagues of business domination in the human world. He already had a couple of businesses all around the world but most of them were under the pack and none entirely his. I could see the excitement in his eyes when he spoke of starting his own businesses and clawing his way to the top of the automotive industry with the engine he had been building since he was a kid; an engine he proudly claimed would change cars as we knew them.
Lanthe had handled being in a pack better and had mostly liked it, but I also knew that being in such high scrutiny was not for her and she was so eager to live life freely after all those years being High Priestess. Her status also meant that no matter how friendly and free she was, she couldn’t have any real friends who she could be crazy with and not worry about word getting back on the council who already disliked her and her ‘influence’ on Jason. According to her, she couldn’t wait to drink at bars with normal people and wear whatever she liked, as if she didn’t already, and not always be so careful with her words as she had to be as the Alpha Mate. She too was looking forward to the move; and with the wealth she’d accumulated ages ago when tribute was paid to gods and goddesses in gold and silver and other precious stones, paired with all the investments she’d made in Abattohn and all over Azzuire, investments she’d be getting returns on, she would be comfortable for life and didn’t plan on doing anything except living and being a housewife, at least until she decided otherwise.
It was no question that Harpah, who was also naturally a loner like her dad would do better in a setting which did not require she have such intimate bonds with people and where she could fairly compete with a lot of other talented kids for whatever roles she wanted. Since Kim’s dreams lay mostly in Hollywood, the move would be to her best interests as well.